George Strait’s DT Elenor Shine Whiz Wins Silver and Bronze at AQHA World in Jr. Heeling and Heading With JD Yates

 By: Brittany Bevis

The undisputed King of Country Music, Mr. George Strait, will have some more trophies to add to his mantle at his sprawling ranch in San Antonio, Texas. These trophies aren’t Grammies, CMA Entertainer of the Year plaques, or a cover for another multi-platinum record, they’re AQHA World Show trophies, one silver and one bronze.

Yesterday, JD Yates was in the saddle of a chestnut mare named DT Elenor Shine Whiz to place third in the Junior Heading L3 finals and Reserve in the Junior Heeling L3 finals for owner George Strait. In Junior Heading, Yates and DT Elenor Shine Whiz scored a 223, just one point off the winning score. The World Champion in the class was Bobby Lewis with CSR Dual Glo, scoring a 224. Reserve was Brad Lund and Tagged With Rush, scoring a 223.5. In Junior Heeling, Yates scored a 221.5 to place second behind CR Bradley and DT Sugar Shine Whiz.

DT Elenor Shine Whiz is a 4-year-old mare by Shiners Lena Chex and out of Slynking Sugar Whiz; she was bred by Canyon Horse Sales LLC of Oregon. Interestingly, Strait was presented with this mare by former owner Dean Tuffin as a gift at the 33rd annual George Strait Team Roping Classic in March of this year.

For those not familiar with the event, the George Strait Team Roping Classic was originally developed as a small family roping competition by Strait and his brother Buddy back in 1982. Over the past 33 years, it’s evolved into one of the most prestigious open Team Roping events in the country attracting top competitors and awarding over $4 million in prize money to date.

This year, the GSTPC awarded over $740,000 in cash and prizes to 1,370 ropers who attended from across the country. This year’s winners were Clay Tryan and Travis Graves of Texas who roped three head in 13.95 seconds to be crowned the champions. The pair split $272,640 in prize money and both received a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado Dually pickup from Cavender Chevrolet and Bruton Strait Xtreme Trailers.

At the start of Saturday’s competition, the top 50 team finalists were introduced inside the arena alongside Strait. Then, JD Yates rode in on DT Elenor Shine Whiz for the surprise gift presentation in recognition of his passion for the sport of Team Roping over the years. “It’s been 33 years of fun, and I had no idea we’d given away so much,” Strait says. “Time flies when you’re having fun. This means so much to me. Thank you!”

Congratulations to JD Yates and George Strait on their Reserve Champion finish in Junior Heeling and third place finish in Junior Heading. We hope to see Mr. Strait competing in Amateur Heading and Heeling at the AQHA World Show sometime soon!