Homes to Ranches Co‑Owner and Broker Greg Lord recently joined the action for a week that blended elite team roping competition with an unexpected brush with severe weather.
Every year, the USTRC Cinch National Finals of Team Roping attracts thousands of competitors from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America. This year’s event, the 37th annual, was held April 19th through the 26th at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Along with enjoying the top-level competition of team roping events, Greg also appreciates the family-friendly social aspects:
“We had the opportunity to spend time with great clients, friends, and others from all over the country and beyond, all part of the team roping community. And,” Greg added, “no matter where you are in the country at these events, it’s always amazing how many people want to talk about Ocala horse farms. They’ve heard about the unequaled horse culture and activities around Ocala, and they want to know more.”
While in Fort Worth, Greg and his wife, Karin, couldn’t miss visiting some of their favorite nearby eateries, including the Hard Eight BBQ in Stephenville and the famous Cattlemen’s Steak House in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards (“Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan buys this renowned restaurant in Fort Worth Stockyards – CBS Texas).
Along with great camaraderie and renowned restaurants, however, the Lords experienced something else during their stay at the Will Rogers Center: tornado sirens.
“We were just settling in to get some rest before our drive back to Florida the next morning when we heard the sirens go off,” Greg recounted.
With the horses safe in the huge, reinforced buildings housing up to 2,500 stalls, the Lords, along with many of those staying onsite in horse trailer living quarters and RVs, took shelter in the below-ground facilities beneath the Watt Arena. There, attendees gathered to wait out the storm, which consisted of strong winds, hail, and driving rain.
Just when everyone thought the threat had passed and were climbing into their beds, a second siren sounded, and it was back to the shelter.
“We were thankful to have warning and that no tornados touched down in close proximity to our location. However, we learned the next morning that an F2 tornado had caused damage, including two fatalities, in towns to the northwest of Fort Worth. We are praying for all those affected by that storm.”