Roping the big sky

CASPER, WYO. — The gates swung open, the calf ran, and the lead horse and rider burst forth on the final tie-down roping run at the College Nationals Finals Rodeo on June 19.

Caleb Berquist and his horse Hefty chased the calf to just beyond where they pulled up on other calves three previous nights, setting times that kept them in first place.

Berquist lassoed the calf, leaped free, ran across the dirt, and dropped the animal, whipping the rope around its kicking legs as Hefty took two steps forward.

Steps meant slack in the rope, leaving the calf feeling free.

Five seconds, six seconds went b...