RUIDOSO DOWNS, NM—JULY 2, 2017—A World Series of Team Roping event being held through July 4th at an arena at the Ruidoso Sales Company is attracting thousands of ropers, their families and fans to the Ruidoso area. It is the first year the event is being held.

It is estimated the team roping could attract 5,000 people to the Ruidoso area from across the southwest.

"This is huge. It is a big thing for the community," said Casey Lambert. He is an avid team roper, a trainer at Ruidoso Downs and a member of the Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame as a jockey. His father Cliff Lambert, also a member of the Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame, came to Ruidoso Downs as a jockey in the 1950s and won the first All American Futurity aboard Galobar. He has now trained more winners in New Mexico than any other trainer.

For all of their racing accolades, the Lamberts are as well known in the rodeo world as horseracing. Casey’s brother Cody is co-founder and livestock director for the Professional Bull Riders and sister Cheyann has been an avid barrel racer. Cody is a former champion bull rider and is a member of the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. He invented the protective vest that bull riders use.

"If they keep this roping going it will continue to bring in thousands of people," said Casey. "I remember, 30 years ago, they had ropings here that lasted all night. I would rope all night and then go gallop racehorses in the morning.

"It could be the same way with this roping. There will be more people coming every day. It can grow because people love to come up here for the cool weather."

Lambert will be roping on Monday with jockey and fellow Ruidoso Downs’ Racehorse Hall of Fame member G.R. Carter Jr.

The event was brought to Ruidoso by Ruidoso Downs Race Track and the Ruidoso Horse Sale Company.

"We are dedicated to bringing more people to the Ruidoso area," said Ruidoso Downs’ president and general manager Shaun Hubbard. "This team roping brings people to our community who wouldn’t be here."

The roping starts at 9 a.m. each day through July 4th. The Ruidoso Horse Sale Company and the team roping arena are located behind the Hubbard Museum of the American West on US 70 in Ruidoso Downs. It is east of Ruidoso Downs Race Track on the north side of US 70.

Racing at Ruidoso Downs will run through Monday with a 1 p.m. first post time.

There is no general admission charge at the race track or the team roping.

For complete Ruidoso Downs’ information, go to www.raceruidoso.com, visit the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino Facebook page and follow the Ruidoso Press Box (@RuiPressBox) on Twitter.