THE UNKNOWN GREATS
RUMAR HAS IT THAT when dally roping came of age, four men in the world could rope two feet every time.
TWO OF THEM need no introduction. The brothers Camarillo became PRCA kings and gained the publicity of Hall-of-Fame inductions. Jerold roped at 17 NFRs and secured the 1969 world title, while Leo is tied for third-most PRCA team roping world championships ever, at four.
NOBODY TODAY has ever heard of the other two, and that’s a shame. They never wanted to rodeo nationwide, but Don Beasley and Gary Mouw heeled just as many steers down and influenced the styles of just as many NFR team ropers.
Don Beasley grew up not far from the Camarillos, and learned to heel by watching. He especially watched Joe Yanez from right there in Santa Paula, who “could really handle a rope.” In 1972, the best partner Beasley could find was 11-year-old header Clay O’Brien Cooper.
Today, the seven-time world “Champ” recalls with respect that Beasley made a living for
