Tarleton State University’s Assistant Rodeo coach, Tibba Smith and her teammate, Ashley Mills, won the four-head average at the Ladies Reno Rodeo Invitational Team Roping in Reno, NV on June 26, 2013 with a time of 37.98 seconds. The pair’s time in the final round of 7.85 seconds was their fastest of the day and won them the 1^st place title and winnings of 30,000 dollars.

Smith said her and her teammate Mills divided the reward. “It is one of the biggest All Girl roping’s all year. I’m very privileged to win it,” stated Smith.

This wasn’t Smith’s first Rodeo out in Reno. She has competed in this Rodeo for five years, ever since the Ladies Reno Rodeo was put on. “I have won second and third the past couple of years. Very excited to finally get the big check,” said Smith.

Before Reno the duo entered at the Windy Ryon All Girl Team Roping held in Ft Worth during Memorial Day Weekend. There they placed together making the trip to Reno even more worth it.

This was the third roping entrance for Smith and Mills as they wrapped up a 14-day road trip. Smith and Mills competed at an all-ladies roping in Buffalo, Wyo. prior to Reno as well.

Smith and Mills haven’t worked together long. “We both heeled until I recently started heading again. We roped together at the USTRC finals last Oct. and at a truck roping in Glen Rose at the end of December. We didn’t have any luck, but have done well the past couple of roping’s together. She heels really well and our styles seem to fit good.”

This was Mills’ first year at the Reno Rodeo. Mills stated, “The college rodeo finals used to fall the week after and then after everyone had been at the college finals all week I couldn’t talk anybody into coming to Reno.”

This time around, Smith talked Mills into coming to Reno and it’s safe to say it paid off. “I like it, especially now,” Mills said.