Destry Fleming - 2015-03-06 10:39 PM I just received a call and was asked to get on here and address everyone's concerns,, so here we go

1) We did NOT pull up a stake.  What happened was the Ground Hog ground tool cut the soft rope stake off at the ground.  We were specifically told to use soft rope so it could be buried for the other events.  The only reason we pulled out the yellow ropes (please notice they were already in place) was to help us find the stake.  It was never pulled out.  We had several checks and balances in place in case the unthinkable happened and we lost a stake on live tv.  Thus the yellow ropes!  Each rope was attached to the arena wall at 2 locations and stretched tight until is was perfectly placed with the stake and then marked with red tape.  Even if we had pulled up a stake we could have ran the race using strictly the rope as a marker.  But that never happened so it was useless for me to have even said that.  After the long go, we did replace the 2nd barrel stake because the rope was just to hard to find.  But it went back in the exact same spot.  Even if it hadn't been placed exactly the same, it would have been the same for the final four regardless.
2)There was NO...I repeat...NO timer malfunction at any level.  There were actually 3 timers (one wired, 2 wireless) that were synced together and powered by batteries (in case of a power surge).  On top of 3 timers, we also had the interval timing program running which is how they RFD production crew was able to do the re=creation overlay for the tape re-broadcast.  On top of all that,  BBR had a representitive (Thank You Maryetta Cochran) up at the control panel monitoring everything.  Anyone that knows Maryetta knows thats "enough said". Again, 3 timers, on battery power, closely monitored by several people.  The times were all correct. 
3)The pattern,,, it was NOT the same pattern as we ran last year.  Close, but not the same. We set the pattern at 5:00am Sunday morning, right before the contestants got to ride in the pen. This year we measured from the back of the pen in hopes of helping the contestants gain a little more space for starting and stopping.  It actually gave them a little more room, not much but it was a noticeable difference.
4)The ground. Even though BBR didn't do the ground.  We were there and gave our input. Every contestant was given the opportunity to ride on the ground and even make a run if they would like at 6:00am Sunday morning.  Most contestants took advantage of the offer.  Of those that ran, it was a general and vocal decision to have the ground dug a little deeper than normal in order to accommodate the type of ground that was brought in.  We did just as the contestants requested.  To state that producer's don't know or don't care is just not correct.  No one would get up before the dawn and measure out a pen after working at another barrel race and the semi-finals for the previous 12 or 13 days and NOT CARE.  That's all I'm going to say about that..NOPE I"M NOT TAKING THE BAIT!!  LOL

   I'm not trying to tell anyone to say or do,, but I would just like to point out that in only 2 short years "The American" has pumped millions of dollars into cowboy/cowgirl ' s pockets. Have there been some hiccups? Absolutely. But in fairness to the RFD crew I believe they are trying their very best to do what is right for the contestants. C'mon y'all.. there is no where that it's written in stone that they ever even have to do another one. That would be a huge loss to everyone. Being in on the production side of the event I can tell you they are doing their very best to put on a good show and have a huge payout. Let's cut them a little slack. Unless someone else has a few million dollars to throw around. Anyone?? Lol