Allen prioritizes friend’s fate ahead of gold buckle

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000 | 11:53 a.m.

PRCA

Guy Allen didn't feel like accepting a gold buckle or posing for pictures.

But, as one of the most well-liked cowboys in professional rodeo, he didn't complain about sticking around for the awards presentation that followed the 1999 National Finals Steer Roping, Oct. 29-30 in Guthrie, Okla., where PRCA Commissioner Steven J. Hatchell awarded Allen his 14th gold buckle in steer roping.

It was a quicker ceremony than usual, and the minute the pictures were done, Allen left the Lazy E Arena. He was headed for Oklahoma City's Mercy Hospital to check on his friend Colby Goodwin, who had been seriously injured when he and his horse tumbled in the ninth round of the '99 NFSR.

"All I wanted to do after I made that last run was go check on Colby," Allen said. "I was pleased that I'd won the world title because I always want to do the best that I can. But those last two rounds (after the accident) are just a blur to me."

Goodwin died the next day and Allen headed home. Because of the accident that took the life of one of his closest friends, fans might imagine that gold buckle No. 14 would be one Allen would rather not keep. But the cowboy from Lovington, N.M., doesn't look at it that way.

"I wouldn't say this year and winning the world title is something I'd rather forget about," Allen said. "This is what you dream about all year long while you're out there rodeoing. This is what we're all trying to win."

And after all, it's the same dream Goodwin was chasing when his horse's front right leg got tangled in the cowboy's rope, sending the horse to the ground.

Allen locked up his ninth consecutive world title when he split the fourth-round win with Trevor Brazile the first night at the two-day event. He collected $7,928 in NFSR cash and pushed his season-ending total to $79,645 (more than $22,000 ahead of '99 NFSR average winner Rocky Patterson).

"The first night I felt like I roped pretty good," Allen said. "I had a couple of steers get up and there wasn't much I could do about that."

But the second night wasn't nearly as good for Allen. In the sixth round, Allen broke the barrier and saw his steer get up as well. His time of 34.7 seconds pushed him out of the average race.

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