Since its beginning in 1994, the Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping has grown into one of the top stops in the United States for professional team and individual ropers around the country. The weekend roping events, taking place in Hereford, Texas, "Beef Capital of the World" has enjoyed a surge of growth as the new Spicer Gripp Memorial Roping Events Center made its debut in 2001 at Veterans Memorial Park.
The new events center, estimated to have cost around $300,000, is being added to and upgraded each year. It is fan-friendly and accessible to roping fans that come from all over the country to see their favorite ropers in competition.
Spicer Gripp was a Hereford resident who was loved and admired by many. Friends of Spicer Gripp got together to start the memorial roping. As the event grew, various volunteers solicited funds from the Sponsors to help donate money to build the facility. This event center was needed to house the best ropers in the country. Many of the competitors have been world champions as well as national Finals Rodeo qualifiers.
Spicer Gripp loved helping kids and the foundation is honored to be able to continue to help them in his name. Proceeds from the annual Spicer Gripp Memorial, as well as gifts from family and friends of Spicer Gripp, have been used to fund the Spicer Gripp Memorial Scholarships at West Texas A&M University. The scholarships are available for those students pursuing an agriculture degree and or participate on the Rodeo Team at WTAMU.
For more information and scholarship application please contact Dr. Don Topliff, Head of Department of Agriculture Sciences, West Texas A&M University, 806-651-2563. In addition, funds have been donated to Red & Gail Steagall, directors of The Cowboy Heritage Association, which provides Scholarships to students of working ranch families in Texas.
