Team roping has seen its share of roping organizations throughout the years, and for the recent decade, the United States Team Roping Championships, formed by Denny Gentry in New Mexico, has established itself as the largest team roping organization in the world. What many forget is that long before anyone had ever heard of the USTRC there were other team roping organizations in place across the United Sates that have had a definite impact on the sport of roping.
Most of those organizations served as predecessors to the USTRC or were incorporated in some way or another with one of the many roping associations. Most of these team roping associations that were formed lived a relatively short life, but served an important role in creating the future of the sport.
One organization that has survived the test of time is the Michigan Ropers Association (MRA). This self-proclaimed "Oldest Roping Organization" was formed in 1949. Ropers in Michigan, specifically calf ropers, found it difficult to find a place to compete at their trade, so they created the MRA. Over the course of years and increased popularity of team roping, the Michigan Roping Association started including team roping and ladies breakaway roping to their list of events.
Over the years the association has moved more towards team roping but still includes calf roping and breakaway roping. The MRA has continued to grow over the years, and in 2004 had in excess of 400 annual members compete at sanctioned events in and around Michigan.
While many of the other roping associations have struggled, lasting only a few years, the MRA has continually gained strength in a state that is not thought of as a hotbed for ropers, a fact that is recognized by the MRA executive board and leadership.
The MRA proudly focuses on the development of their youth, and on recruiting new members from all disciplines. Each spring, on any given weekend you will find beginner roper schools being scheduled; and at all sanctioned ropings, the novice level divisions are never excluded. In fact, our NOVICE and #6 point ropings will comprise many of the teams entered on any summer Saturday. Additionally, you can find many of our higher numbered members competing in PRCA, IPRA, and Mid-States Rodeos around the country.
The MRA has historically followed the USTRC numbering system closely, but its board of directors rates all members annually to ensure that our divisions fit our organization, and that all members have a place to rope and be competitive.
The MRA will sanction, in partnership with its core group of outstanding stock contractors, more than 40 weekend events of team roping and calf roping a year. Some summer weekends are scheduled as both Saturday and Sunday events, and you will find fun-filled Holiday Blow-Outs planned specifically for our members around the big summer holiday weekends. The MRA championship season begins the first weekend after Labor Day each year, and culminates with our State Championship Finals Weekend in the middle of the following September each year. The season is always celebrated with an annual membership banquet and awards ceremony where we have historically been successful enough to provide dinner and present over $20,000 in saddles, buckles, and other prizes to our top members in every division.
The Michigan Ropers Association is focused on the growth of roping timed events sports, the inclusion of family, and on service of its Michigan and surrounding states members.
Come rope with us!