Ryker Sarchett knows the advice is coming. That happens when you are a third-generation roper.

It might come from those standing along the fence of the practice pen.

It might come in the truck enroute to the next rodeo.

Heck, it might come across from him at the dinner table.

And Sarchett knows to listen.

“Oh yeah,” said the likable teenager with a chuckle.

There is his grandmother, Nancy Petersen of Three Forks. A well-respected roper who is one of only three women – Lorraine Schwenke and Mary Salmond are the other two – to finish among the top five in the Northern Rodeo Association team roping standings. The standings date back to 1960.

And next to Ryker is his mother, Jody. Jody Sarchett, then Petersen, is a former Northern Women’s Rodeo Association all-around and two-time breakaway year-end champion. Jody Sarchett is also a seven-time junior champion: three barrel racing, three all-around, one breakaway roping.

“My dad always tells me to listen to her,” he said. Sarchett is currently team roping on his mother’s horse, Quigley, a 16-year-old sorrel.

And it can be more than roping guidance.

“Mom has a plan of what I’m going to do with my life. She has in her mind of me going to college. Get a degree that is business related. I can always rope,” said Ryker with another chuckle. “I’ve learned to listen … take it all in.”

And father Nick is not a bad resource. Nick Sarchett is a two-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in team roping and a former Resistol Rookie of the Year.

“Dad, he’s very vocal. If you didn’t know us, you’d think he was mad at me. He cares so much,” said the 16-year-old Ryker.

“I’m passionate,” said the father with a laugh of his own. “I get more pride, a sense of satisfaction from what he does than any other thing I’ve ever accomplished.”

The Sarchett family, who live in Scottsdale, Arizona, annually summer in Three Forks to visit family.

Ryker Sarchett has previously competed in NRA junior breakaway roping. This year he is competing against adults on the Mountain Health Co-op Tour.

“We went to four rodeos,” said Nick Sarchett of 2024. “We figured it was a good way to get some runs under his belt. You learn to rope with the loudspeakers, people in your ear, learning to stay in your groove.

“I truly like it (the NRA). It’s a really good organization. It’s pretty rank up there. Very competitive.”

Ryker Sarchett is hoping to compete in team roping and tie-down roping for the Mountain Health Co-op Tour.

“I like how connected they are,” he said of the Tour rodeos. “How well the rodeos are run. It’s a chance to keep the horses sharp.”

The reasons for the younger Sarchett competing in the Mountain Health Co-op Tour is two-fold. It’s an opportunity to compete with family and prepare for the National High School Finals Rodeo, July 13-19, in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

He is team roping with Colter Lee Todd, son of four-time NFR qualifier Colter Todd. The sons of NFR team ropers have been partners since seventh grade.

Sarchett and Todd finished second in the Arizona High School Rodeo standings. The pair rope with a calmness that reflects their rodeo upbringing.

Sarchett, who will be a junior in high school this fall, also competes in football and lacrosse.

“He’s so laid back,” said father of son. “Jody and I look at each other, ‘Does that sucker even have a pulse?’ ”

Ryker Sarchett can hear his parents’ advice every time he backs into the box.

“Go do your job. Catch,” goes through his mind.

But the summer trips to Montana have not been all rodeo. In 2020, an 11-year-old Sarchett aced the No. 3, 118-yard hole at Madison Meadows Golf Course in Ennis.

“Depends on what it is for,” he said preferring roping or golfing. “If it’s for a championship, I’ll take the catch.”

Last week

It was a family affair as cousins and reigning champions Quinn McQueary and Molly Salmond were double winners.

McQueary, of Belgrade, won the tie-down roping at Big Timber and Choteau, while Salmond did the same in breakaway roping. Salmond is from Choteau. Salmond pocketed more than $2,400 with the wins.

Montana State rodeo coach Kyle Whitaker showed how its done, winning the steer wrestling at Big Timber with a time of 4.2 seconds. It is the fastest time of the summer. Whitaker is a multi-time winner of the PRCA’s Linderman Award.

At Opheim, Kelly Murnion of Jordan won the bareback and bull riding titles.

Big Timber winners: Trapper McAllister, Ronan, bareback; Judd Applegate, Deer Lodge, saddle bronc; Kyle Whitaker, Belgrade, steer wrestling; Quinn McQueary, Belgrade, tie-down roping; Shawn Smith-Luke Murphy, Helena, team roping; Milee Dailey, Pray, barrel racing; Molly Salmond, Choteau, breakaway roping; Sylvia Eash, Fortine, junior barrel racing; Seth Sinclair, Ronan, junior breakaway roping. There were no qualified bull rides.

Polson winners: Trevar McAllister, Ronan, bareback; Kolby Kittson, Browning, saddle bronc; Caleb O’shea, Helena, bull riding; Justus Peterson, Dillon steer wrestling; Quinn McQueary, Belgrade, tie-down roping; Preston Bird-Brandon Glumbik, Cut Bank, team roping; Bella Olson, Missoula, barrel racing; Molly Salmond, Choteau, breakaway roping; Sylvia Eash, Fortine, junior barrel racing; Bentz Bolich, Belgrade, junior breakaway roping.

Up next

What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with fireworks.

In and out of the arena.

The Mountain Health Co-op Tour features rodeos in Harlowton (July 2-3), Ennis (July 3-4) and Choteau (July 4) this week.

All three have been long-time staples on the summer schedule.

Harlowton goes at 6:30 p.m. each night while Ennis begins at 7 p.m. each performance.

Choteau wraps up the NRA’s “Cowboy Christmas” with a 2 p.m. show.