A 13-time National Finals Rodeo heeler qualifier and the 2007 American Quarter Horse Association heeling horse were among those attracted to Abilene on Friday for the first of three days of the National Team Roping Horse Association.

Britt Bockius of Claremore, Okla., rode to first and second place in the Open Heeler class of the NTRHA action, riding for Clay Logan of Granbury and Jud Little of Spring, Okla.

The 2007 AQHA heeling horse is owned by Logan.

A turnout of 11 entries in the Open Heading and 19 entries in the Open Heeling drew a disappointing number of ropers, but everyone is taking a wait-and-see attitude. However, all agreed they hoped the NTRHA had sufficient backing to last.

Logan, 39, said he hopes the program can hold on because it helps the value of the horse. He said the combination of time and score help balance out the scoring system.

Mikey Fletcher, 29, of Blanchard, Okla., won on his horse Clay Bay Cortez. He hopes the NTRHA does well because he's soon to be married and doesn't like the road very much. He is engaged to Angie Meadors, a five-time NFR barrel horse finalist.

The scoring system is a combination of time and judges' scores.

Thomas Hicks of Hawley won $1,350 in a tie for first in the NTRHA Amateur Heading and $1,100 in the Senior Amateur Heading last weekend in Glen Rose. He plans on entering the same classes in Abilene today. Also expected to enter today is local veterinarian Randy Lewis.

Friday results

Open Header (horse, owner, hometown, rider, hometown, 2-round score, money)

1. Clay Bar Cortez, owned and shown by Mikey Fletcher, Blanchard, Okla., 545.21 points, $1,700; 2. Lookin to Travel, CIA Admin., Granbury, Clay Logan, Granbury, 542.55, $1,020; 3. Uno Cheetah, Jud Little, Springer, Okla., Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., 539.68, $680; 4. Surprize Ata Flit, owned and shown by Shawn Darnall, De Leon, 539.58; 5. Bossy Lil Bonita, Gary Chambers, Tuttle, Okla., Mikey Fletcher, Blanchard, Okla., 539.26; 6. The Quick N The Red, Paul Pogue, Ringling, Okla., Clark Bradley, Collinsville, 532.69; 7. Mayoks Mr. Holidoc, owned and shown by David Key, Caldwell, 532.54; 8. Got to Boogie, owned and shown by David Key, Caldwell, 528.83; 9. Jack Smooth Roper, Jud Little, Springer, Okla., Charles Pogue, Ringling, Okla., 528.26; 10. Smokin Night Bar, owned and shown by Shawn Darnall, De Leon, 517.25.

Open Heeler (horse, owner, hometown, rider, hometown, 2-round score, money)

1. Replay Blue Boon, Clay Logan, Granbury, Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., 544.97 points, $2,400; 2. Uno Cheetah, Jud Little, Springer, Okla., Britt Bockius, Claremore, Okla., 544.49, $1,440; 3. Bar Dee Mr. Leo Dry, owned and shown by John Phillip, Washington, 540.97, $960; 4. Bobbitt Drift, Bill McKesson, Dublin, Kevin Stewart, Glen Rose, 537.7; 5. Bowmans Dry Mate, Roland Bowman, Clark Bradley, Collinsville, 535.54; 6. IC Why, owned and shown by Ryan Motes, Weatherford, 533; 7. Smokin Night Bar, owned and shown by Shawn Darnall, De Leon, 531.85; 8. Cash Has Shine, Rod Patrick, Weatherford, Shawn Darnall, De Leon, 531.84; 9. Twist of Fritz, Herman Rose, Pettus, Cody Thornton, Pettus, 530.93; 10. Jacks Royal Ginger, Paul Bogart, John Phillip, Washington, 524.05.

Limited Open Header

1. Bossy Lil Bonita, Clay Chambers, Tuttle, Okla., Ty Murphy, Kingsbury, 542.01 points, $1,600; 2. Zans Wily Drifter, Herman Rose, Pettus, Cody Thornton, Pettus, 530.69; 3. Twist of Fritz, Herman Rose, Pettus, Cody Thornton, Pettus, 251.42.

Limited Open Heeler

1. Dox Tommy Tucker, owned and shown by Kevin Hancock, Fallon, Nev., 533.48 points, $1,600; 2. Bossy Lil Bonita, Cary Chambers, Tuttle, Okla., Ty Murphy, Kingsbury, 522.54; 3. Twist of Fritz, Herman Rose, Pettus, Cody Thornton, Pettus, 266.71.