Ben, Lachlan and Brady Smith share more than just DNA. They are also very talented ropers.
The brothers, who hail from Moonbi, dominated at the recent Australasian Team Roping Association (ATRA) National Finals in Capella, Queensland.
The marquee event of the year, the Finals attracted competitors from NSW, QLD, Victoria and as far afield as Western Australia to compete for in excess of $220,000 in cash and prizes, including 2 Kara Kar horse floats, numerous trophy saddles and buckles.
The four day extravaganza saw champions decided in team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing.
Ben teamed up with Queensland’s Liam Davison to win the Open preliminary roping on Thursday. He carried that winning form into the Finals, combining with younger brother Lachlan to win the Open championship.
Lachlan also went onto win the #10’s roping with fellow NSW competitor Warren Byers from Camden.
Not to be outdone by his older brothers, Brady took home over $8000 in bonus money and a two-horse float supplied by sponsors Kara Kar as the Hi-Point roper for the week.
He has since become a world champion, teaming up with Cody Berriman to dethrone two-times reigning champions Warren Miller and Casey Tribe in the World Championship Cowhide Drag held as part of the Attunga Rodeo.
The ATRA’s catch phrase is “roping families together” and for the Smith’s the Finals were a real family affair.
Ben’s wife Lauren also competed fiercely over the weekend and achieved success in the breakaway roping as well as numerous team roping events.
Lachlan also combined with sister-in-law Abbie Miller to win the Pro-Am event.
The Finals drew over 1400 entries across all events including an increased junior presence. There were also strong numbers in the #6’s event, which is for beginners, whose classification number is no greater then a #3.
Narrabri’s Matthew Todd (11) and Colter Swain (10), who resides in Newcastle now but is from Gunnedah originally, took the spoils winning themselves over $1300 each, trophy buckles and a handmade breast plate.
Swain was also named the Hi-Point junior roper from the event.
“The open is definitely our spectacle event and one which is highly marketable, given the quality of cowboys we have here in Australia.
“This years finals was one for the record books, in my opinion, given the drought situation. Competitors really showed up this year with our total competitor numbers being up on last years event,” ATRA president Tony Lillyman said.
