VanderLans wins Indio

Jack VanderLans won the Tie-Down Roping event at the Desert Pro Rodeo March 7-8 in Indio.

The 2001 Fallbrook High School graduate also placed third in the Steer Wrestling event at Indio. The previous day VanderLans had won the Steer Wrestling at an amateur jackpot rodeo in Needles.

VanderLans competed in the March 7 performance of the Desert Pro Rodeo. “Calves were pretty big,” he said of the Tie-Down Roping event. “I drew a little bit better than some of the other people, fortunately.”

Ironically, VanderLans did not win the Tie-Down Roping on his regular horse. Whit was acquired by the VanderLans family approximately six years ago and was a Team Roping horse before being converted to Tie-Down Roping.

“My good one got hurt, so I took him instead,” said VanderLans, who normally rides Shane for Tie-Down Roping.

Whit proved himself worthy of a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo. “I was pleased that the horse worked well,” VanderLans said. “I have to give most of the credit to him.”

VanderLans had a time of 10.6 seconds in the Tie-Down Roping to earn the $654 first-place payout. Mike George placed second at Indio with a run of 12.2 seconds.

VanderLans had a time of 14.6 seconds in the Steer Wrestling to earn the $274 third-place money. “The Steer Wrestling got a little wild,” he said.

“The arena at Indio is really short and the steer ran really hard,” VanderLans said. “It was kind of a wild steer, but we got him thrown down.”

VanderLans rode Whitey for the bulldogging event. Whitey has been battling soreness, but Temecula farrier Blair Cooper made attempts to alleviate that problem.

“He basically kind of tailored his shoe to make him feel better,” VanderLans said.

VanderLans’ hazer was Ron Schenk of Moorpark, who on his own run had a time of 11.6 seconds to place second. Russ Weitl won the bulldogging at Indio with a time of 7.9 seconds.

Cooper’s son, Clint, had a time of 9.3 seconds to place second in the Tie-Down Roping at the amateur rodeo in Needles.

VanderLans didn’t place in the Tie-Down Roping at Needles but won the Steer Wrestling with a time of 4.2 seconds. “The steers were a lot nicer. They were really fast steers,” VanderLans said.

VanderLans rode Tater Tot at Needles. “I was really happy that Clint placed and won some money, and I was excited that I placed, too,” VanderLans said.

VanderLans noted the role of his parents, Chris and Sandy, in his success. VanderLans’ parents now live in Temecula and built a practice arena on their property.

VanderLans also expressed appreciation to Dr. Steve Colburn of Creekside Veterinary. “He’s also been helping me with the horses I take to the rodeo,” VanderLans said.

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