LeMond steps up under difficult circumstances

Over Thanksgiving weekend, JoJo LeMond wasn't thinking anything about the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. And why would he? He finished 16th in the world in the team roping header standings, one spot short of earning a trip to the season-ending event at the Thomas & Mack Center.

So instead, LeMond was helping a buddy turn out cattle on a snowy, iced-over Texas ranch.

Then he got a call from Junior Nogueira, a team roping heeler who'd qualified 12th for the WNFR. And while Nogueira brought good news — he needed a header to compete with in Las Vegas, and LeMond was next on the money list — the reason for that was terrible news: Nogueira's partner, seven-time world champion Jake Barnes, had suffered a serious head injury and broken ankle in a practice round.

"I was just hoping Jake would be OK," LeMond said. "He's a warrior of our game. You don't ever want to see one of your idols go down. Thank the lord he's safe."

Indeed, it was sketchy in the moments after the incident, with the 56-year-old Barnes initially unresponsive. He was hospitalized for five days, getting released the day before the WNFR started, and he is continuing to recover. LeMond had just a couple days to get things sorted out and join Nogueira for the WNFR.

"I don't have a horse right now," said LeMond, in his fourth WNFR but his first since 2010. "My old horse is wore out. I credit my whole career to him, but he's done. He's 21 years old."

So LeMond had to borrow a horse from former PRCA team roper Kent Youngblood, then come out here and rope with someone he's never roped with before.

The results have been stunning. LeMond and Nogueira haven't won a single go-round, but they've cashed in eight of nine go-rounds, for $74,250 apiece. They lead the team roping average, worth $67,269 to each of them if they can stay in that spot after tonight's 10th and final go-round. They are in position to set the WNFR total elapsed time record — a mark that belongs in part to Barnes — and both could claim a first world title, as well.

It's a lot to digest. And LeMond admitted he's struggling to process it all, feeling unworthy of the success.

"Jake roped as good as anybody this year, and a dramatic change keeps him from roping here," LeMond said. "It's a terrible, tragic deal. This is what you bank your whole year on.

"I've laid back at night this week wondering why I'm here and Jake's not. You know, God's got a plan for everybody, and sometimes it's hard to understand. I feel terrible for Jake and his family. I about tear up talking about it."

It's been equally if not more tough for Nogueira, who counts Barnes as a mentor and tight friend, far beyond just a teammate. Nogueira was there when Barnes got hurt, and the last thing on his mind was the WNFR.

"I was so scared with what happened," said Nogueira, a 25-year-old Brazilian who now lives in Scottsdale, Ariz. "The only thing I could think about was Jake. I wasn't thinking about roping or nothing. My life changed a lot right there. Roping is very important, but it's more important that you have your family and your health."

Still, in the aftermath, once Barnes was out of the woods and beginning to recover, Nogueira was grateful for his good fortune in having LeMond step in and keep the season on track all week.

"I believe God has a plan, and he hooked me up with Jake," Nogueira said. "It's amazing."

LeMond said he's not surprised at all by the results. But much like the humility he showed in just getting this opportunity, he defers all the credit.

"You get a guy like Junior behind you and a horse like I'm getting to ride under me … God had a plan when I got that phone call," LeMond said. "When someone ropes as good as Junior, you just get the heck out of the way and let him do his job."

If they can both do their jobs one more day, it will be the end of an incredible 10-day run. But even if a gold buckle results, LeMond insists it's not through his effort.

"This is Jake and Junior's year," he said. "I don't want to mess this up for Junior."

Regardless of what happens tonight, the two have already had a week they'll never forget.

"It's already worked," Nogueira said. "We'll just try to rope one more."