LASSOING THE MOON

FRUITLAND -- In the past, the old cowpokes who couldn't rodeo much anymore were relegated to team roping, an event which does not require anyone to fall or jump off a speeding animal.

"It was kind of called an old man's game," says Kadin Boardman.

Now, kids, teens, men and women of any age compete in an event which rewards timing and teamwork over strength. "It's a family game," Boardman says. "Anybody can play."

The 20-year-old Boardman and his 17-year-old brother, Cimarron, make up one of an anticipated 800-plus teams vying in a team roping competition this weekend at Flickerwood Arena.

The ropers came from eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee. The top team will drive away today with cash and a horse trailer.

Stars are present. St. Louisans Ed Ruth and Mike Jones won the title last year at the United States Team Roping Championships.

Flickerwood's indoor arena is a second home to the region's rodeo lovers when the temperatures drop. It's considerably warmer inside but steam still rises from horses once they get moving.

Separated from the dirt-floored business part of the arena by a railing, little boys practice roping a mock horse made of metal. Sometimes they rope each other when a parent isn't looking.

Mary Johnson drove 160 miles from Mulberry Grove, Ill., to watch her boyfriend, Scott Barringer, compete. They brought her son, Trace, 4, and Barringer's sons, Shawn, 15, and Trent, 7.

He works for a pharmaceutical manufacturer but on weekends he's often roping somewhere in Missouri or Illinois. His brother and father also rope.

"Scott's been roping all his life," Johnson said. She comes along to watch the roping and the kids.

Kadin Boardman has been roping since the age of 5 or 6. His parents, Mark and Donna, own Flickerwood Arena. "My dad and mom built this arena to help us learn to rope," Kadin said.

But anyone can learn. Every other Tuesday night is beginner's night at Flickerwood.

Boardman's events are calf roping and team roping. In team roping he's a "header," the cowboy that ropes the steer first. The "heeler" comes in behind and tries to rope the animal's two hind legs as quickly as possible.

Boardman and his quarter horse Amazan have been competing together for four years. "If he's not feeling good I can't win," he said. "I take as good care of him as I do myself."

Earlier this year, they finished second in calf roping in the region at the International Pro Rodeo Association finals in Gordyville, Ill.

A former Jackson High School football player, Boardman lets others have the rougher rodeo events like bull riding.

"My dad told me when I was younger if I got on a bull not to come home," he said.

Roping is rugged enough. Boardman has broken ribs and an arm and lost a finger roping. Glancing around the arena, he says, "I'm sure there is more than one guy walking around here without a finger."

Last year, Murray State College in Tishomingo, Okla., awarded Boardman a rodeo scholarship The school has produced the national intercollegiate champion cowboy for two years in a row.

Rodeo competitors are the only collegiate athletes allowed to make money but it's a difficult proposition. They must haul their own horses to the events, which range across the country.

He has put 26,000 miles on the new truck he bought three months ago. The $15,000 in prize money he racked up this year hardly pays the bills.

But rodeoing is what Boardman wants to do once he graduates from college.

"I'm never going to get rich doing this," he said. "But if it's what you love, I can be poor."