Anderson team in Vegas

It is not every day that a long-term dream is realized in the realm of sports.

But it happened for local team ropers Jett Anderson of Whitewater and cousin Tanner Anderson of Malta and the team participated in the World Series of Team Roping (WSTR) XII Finale in Las Vegas on Friday, December 15.

"If you are a team roper, that's kind of where you want to be," Jett told the PCN. "That's the place to be."

Tanner, the son of Gary Anderson of Malta and Patty Young of Whitewater was the header and Jett, the son of Brent and Debbie Anderson of Whitewater was the heeler.

Not only did the duo reach the goal of performing in such a coveted event, where there were 600 other ropers from across the United States, they thrived taking first in the #9 Rotation 3 Consolation Round with a time of 23.81 seconds and winning a purse of $10,500.

"We would have been a lot richer if we won the whole deal," Tanner said. "The biggest thing for me was the experience. There have been multiple guys (locals) who have qualified down there and it is something that Jett and I have wanted to do for the last five years."

He went on to say that, the event is something you strive for and set goals.

"It was a lot of fun being in that atmosphere," Jett said. "Everyone was team roping and seeing all of the horses and trailers and rigs (was exciting). Everyone was professional about it and nobody skipped a beat. It was definitely what I thought it would be and more."

The duo was appreciative of the many local ropers and family member that have helped them achieve the goal and dream of attending the 2017 WSTR.

"The way that people helped us was the biggest thing," Tanner said. "My wife's (Caitlyn Anderson) support and her confidence in me and pushing me to go to the barn and practice, along with taking care of the kids (was appreciated)."

The duo was also appreciative of their wives Caitlyn and Brianna coming down to Vegas days before the event to cheer them on, while Tanner's dad and stepmother also came down to watch.

They also gave a shout out to those that had been at the event and helped them through the Vegas event including Randy Taylor, Maria Taylor, Mark Pankratz, Shane Bishop, Tanner Kelly, Jeff Hould and Clinton Cox.

Hould had qualified for the WSTR event but could not attend the event due to another event he was attending in Arizona.

"All of those guys who had been there previously really helped us through the whole process," Tanner said. "We were lucky because Randy Taylor was down there watching us."

The Vegas event paid out over $11 Million this year, with the top team in the #10 finale winning $362,000, the highest prize awarded.

The top amount awarded in the #9 was $334,000, won by a duo that had a time of 35.75 on 4 steers.

Jett recalled his first run, when he was waiting for the team's first flag.

"It's a little bit of an adrenaline rush," Jett recalled. "You just focus on your job. Tanner ropes really good and I had no doubt that he was going to turn every steer for me. I was just focused on catching two feet every time."

While things were going well for the Anderson duo, tragedy struck late in event.

"We missed our third steer," Tanner said. "We got the chance to come back on two to rope in the consolation round."

The duo nearly left the event after missing the third steer, thinking they were out of it, luckily the team had an experienced local behind their backs.

"We didn't think that we had to rope until the next day and then (Randy Taylor) came down and told us we had to rope again. He saved us, so we kind of owe him thanks," Tanner said.

The duo was also thankful for Bishop loaning them a horse in case they needed it.

The team qualified for the annual event by winning the WSTR #9 event in Silesia, Mont., a town about 25 miles Southeast of Billings on Saturday, August 19, with a total time of 38.00 seconds.

Though the duo did well at the event, Tanner admitted that they will work to make it back next year to improve their 2017 finish.