The Cinch Timed Event Championship is in the books, and Mississippi’s Marcus Theriot rode the roller coaster to the end of the tracks for the biggest win of his young career. With 25 runs—five each in heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping—done in 322.4 seconds, Theriot won $100,000 and is just the 17th Ironman in the tradition-rich TEC’s 37-year history.
This 9.2-second tie-down roping run in Round 5 moved Theriot to #1 in the average. Lazy E Photo James Phifer
“I love this event,” said the five-year Timed Event veteran, who made his first appearance at 18 and is still just 23. “It’s not easy, and I’ve had my ups and downs this week, like everyone else. It’s finally over, and I’m finally where I want to be when it’s finished. I’ve been working harder than I ever have, and it paid off.”
Theriot earned eight national titles—four in junior high, two in high school and two in college—on his climb up the rodeo ranks. But this Timed Event title trumps them all.
“This is definitely #1—100 percent,” said Theriot, who enlisted heading and heeling help from Shay Carroll, and had Tyler Pearson on the hazing side. “I’m not sure if this is a tougher physical or mental test, but as sore as I am right now, I might be leaning toward physical.
“The Lazy E is so historic, and every time we come here, it’s for a big event. I’ve been coming to this arena since I was a little kid, and it’s still as big as it’s always been. I love the Lazy E.”
Tyler Pearson is one of many unsung heroes that helped this week. Lazy E Photo James Phifer
Theriot will celebrate tonight, then turn right around and head for cousin Cole Curry in tomorrow’s BFI here at the E.
Rounding out the overall top five finishers at this year’s Ironman were South Dakota’s Paul David Tierney, New Mexico’s Seth Hall, California’s Lane Karney and Oklahoma native Clay Smith. Arizona’s Erich Rogers won Round 5 tonight in 51 seconds flat.
Tonight’s opening included the unveiling of the Timed Event Championship of the World Ring of Honor, which now includes the late Leo Camarillo, Trevor Brazile, K.C. Jones, Paul Tierney, Jess Tierney, Paul David Tierney, Daniel Green, Mike Beers, Jimmie Cooper, Bobby Harris, Olie Smith, Kyle Lockett, Josh Peek, Jordan Ketscher, Justin Thigpen and Taylor Santos, and included a touching tribute to the late Leo “The Lion.” Jones and Paul Tierney are now tied at 29 for the most Timed Event appearances ever.
Tonight, we honored 16 Ironman Legends, including the one who started it all and the first to leave us, Leo “The Lion” Camarillo. Lazy E Photo James Phifer
See complete 2021 Cinch Timed Event coverage and results at LazyE.com.
Briar Teague closed the deal on the 2021 Jr Ironman the hard way here at the Lazy E today. The Rattan, Oklahoma, teenager won Rounds 1 and 2, and it was a good thing, as Round 3 was a bit rocky and he ended up needing that buffer. Teague opened the third and final round with a 7-second heading run and a 13-second tie-down roping run. It was all about stopping the clock after that. Then he had to rebuild in the heeling, and missed his bulldogging steer. But Teague did not quit. He ran the length of the 400-foot Lazy E Arena to try and get that last steer thrown. The buzzer beat him, but he got it done anyway. And the crowd went crazy. With 200.4 seconds on 12 runs, Teague was able to hold off reserve champ Jaylyn Hash, who finished with a close 201.2 on 12.
“I thought a 60 (no time) was second,” managed an exhausted Teague at event’s end. “I just had to knock that last steer down is all that was going through my head. Then I missed him. It’s a big relief that it worked out the way it did. This is winning it the hard way.”
The Ironman comes down to horsepower. Teague rode his own horses in 3 out of 4 events. Lazy E Photo James Phifer
Teague won $11,500 for first in the average and the Round 1 and 2 wins.
“I’ll rodeo with this money,” he said. “To be recognized at this level is amazing. That I was able to do my job good enough to win it is the main thing. For the Lazy E to put an event of this caliber on for young guys who might be future Timed Event contestants is outstanding.”
Teague rode his own horses—Rolex, Cat and Vegas—in the heading, tie-down and heeling, respectively. World Champion Header Erich Rogers headed for him in the heeling, and Briar’s best buddy, Jessen James, heeled for him in the heading. Teague rode World Champion Steer Wrestler Tyler Pearson’s bay bulldogging horse Tubby, and Pearson hazed for him.
The Lone Star Ropes Jr Ironman Top Horse Award went to Hash’s steer wrestling horse, Cooper.
Another Round 3 highlight was Guthrie, Oklahoma’s own Dawson Price setting a new 3.9-second Jr Ironman record in his hometown here today.
See complete Jr Ironman and Cinch Timed Event Championship results and coverage at LazyE.com.
