Let's Rope: Round One 2018

NXT Ropes available on page 4

! y r u t n e C e h t f o The Rope Deal presents

Rich Skelton 8x World Champion Heeler

The More Ropes You Buy, the More You Get Paid!

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ONE

South Texas Tack is excited to bring you LetsRope.com. Join the community – it’s free! – and receive member discounts and special offers. All Let’s Rope rewards and gift cards may be redeemed storewide at LetsRope.com and SouthTexasTack.com.

With ties to over a century of ranching, working cattle, showing horses, and farming, South Texas Tack is the brand for the highest level of service, selection, and value for the western lifestyle. We invite you to enjoy our unique style and culture. Shop online and in our store in Brenham, Texas.

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South Texas Tack takes the western lifestyle to a new level with the adventure of a new expansion. Plans include additional retail space along with a restaurant by the iconic Royer’s Cafe Brenham at South Texas Tack.

TWO

TEAM ROPES

UND O R G FREEIPPING SH ers over $99.99! on all

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NXT5HD Head

$42 or as low as

$36 and a $20 Gift Card NXT4HL Heel

$43 or as low as

$37 and a $20 Gift Card HEATHD Head

$40 or as low as

$34 and a $20 Gift Card HEATHL Heel

$43 or as low as

$37 and a $20 Gift Card

The NXT5 is the latest head rope from the Classic Rope line. This revolutionary five strand rope features a unique poly-blended fiber, allowing for more weight in a smaller diameter. The Heel rope counterpart, the NXT4, is a four strand rope allowing for higher crowns and more “bite” at the horn. It’s hard to beat an original - The Heat provides a loop that is packed with body, is light weight and built for performance.

Cory Petska

The lates rope from Lone Star Ropes - This 100% nylon rope delivers tons of body and tip in a small diameter rope. The Bomb is great for hot weather and is extremely durable.

LS-B431 Head

LS-B435 Heel

$30 and a $20 Gift Card

$33 and a $20 Gift Card

$36 or as low as

$39 or as low as

Coleman Procter

Fast Back Rope’s new rope drew some attention this year with their solid black rope - The new Cobra features longer lasting coils with new rubber resistant material that return to their original feel faster after each use.

FB-COBRA-HD Head

FB-COBRA-HL Heel

$32 and a $20 Gift Card

$34 and a $20 Gift Card

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Tyler Dominguez

$40 or as low as

There is a reason you can find one of these in the King of the Cowboy’s, Trevor Brazil’s rope bag. The Xplosion continues its long reign as the number one Cactus rope on the market.

XPLOSIONHD Head

XPLOSIONHL Heel

$32 and a $20 Gift Card

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Ropers images courtesy of PRCA

FOUR

Trevor Brazile

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

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FIVE

THE ROPE REVOLUTION: CoreTech

By Ken Bray with Doreen Shumpert Anyone who has been around team roping over the past 20 years has witnessed its rapid changes and epic rise to one of the most popular equine sports. Along the way, the once simple rope has also undergone unimaginable changes as well—such as Coretech technology. Here, Ken Bray from Equibrand/Classic Equine shares some information about this breakthrough in rope manufacturing that has taken the industry by storm.

What is Coretech? Coretech is a patented technology invented by Equibrand that places a core strand of fiber through the center of a rope. The core is inserted inside the outer strands as the rope is made.

This technology is exclusively used in Equibrand’s rope brands, Classic Rope and Rattler Rope. The core provides many benefits to the roper.

Can you discuss some of the benefits? How does this technology work?

• The core stabilizes the loop. The outer strands of the rope bind with the core causing the loop to feel more balanced and more stable. Team ropes come in many different degrees of stiffness (referred to as lay). A roper’s personal feel determines the “lay” that they prefer. Without the core, the rope body can feel springy, bouncy, or even like a piece of wire. But, when the outer strands bond to the inner core, the bouncy, springy, or wiry feel disappears making it easier to use.

• The core makes the loop feel balanced, and the roper gains confidence to trust that their delivery can be placed accurately at the intended target. A bouncy, springy, wiry-feeling rope may cause ropers to wave the loop off the horns or cause the loop to bounce in front of the steer’s feet on a heel shot. Coretech causes the rope to stay balanced and on target. When heading, a rope with Coretech will go to the base of the steer’s horns, then close around the horns with a snappy and tight catch. When heeling, the core helps the bottom strand go to the ground with a wide-open loop in front of the feet.

• The core adds weight into a smaller diameter. This allows the roper to use a smaller rope. Ropes with a smaller diameter are easier to handle, swing and throw faster. As the sport of team roping has evolved with times becoming faster, ropers have demanded smaller, faster ropes with more feel and more accuracy.

SIX

• The core increases the sweet spot in the loop (like the technology used in golf clubs to improve performance).

The core helps the loop remain open during swing and delivery, which helps a roper catch their target with a less than perfect delivery.

• The core makes it easier for ropers to feel the tip of the rope, and makes it easier for the tip to stay in front of their swing to guide the loop to the target.

Coretech makes it possible to make a five-strand rope.

Without the core inside, one of the outer five strands will pop out in the manufacturing process. Because the outer strands bind to the inner core, it is possible to make a five-strand rope. The five-strand is even smother and faster than the four-strand and packs even more weight into a smaller diameter (than a four-strand with the core). Five-strand ropes are only available from Equibrand. They are largely preferred by headers, although also available in heel ropes.

• Four and five-strand ropes are faster and smoother than traditional three-strand ropes. Classic Rope was the first company to make a four-strand rope for team ropers and this totally changed the industry. The vast majority of ropers today prefer four or five strands over three because of the fast, smooth feel they have grown to depend on.

S o u t h Te x a Ta c k . c o m

TEAM ROPES

D.

How does Coretech affect the life expectancy of a rope, and how has this technology changed the industry?

In addition to what was mentioned above, the smaller strands of the outer shell (made possible by the core) make the rope’s exterior smoother so it wears longer before fraying.

Because the smaller strands in the outer shell are smoother than a traditional three-strand rope, four and five-strand ropes feed easier and feel faster much longer. This allows the roper to get more life out of the rope.

Coretech technology has changed the industry from a three-strand to four or fivestrand market. It has also made ropes more accurate, easier to use, and allows them to last longer.

Briefly, can you share the timeline of team rope technology?

A. E.

B.

C.

D. RADARHD Head $40 or as low as $34 and a $20 gift card D. RADAR Heel $43 or as low as $37 and a $20 gift card E.

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A. SPYDRHD Head $42 or as low as $36 and a $20 gift card

E.

A. SPYDRHL Heel $44 or as low as $38 and a $20 gift card

F.

For the sport of team roping, B. POWERLINEHD Head three-strand ropes were used $40 or as low as $34 and a $20 gift card exclusively until 1998 when Classic B. POWERLINEHL Heel $43 or as low as $37 and a $20 gift card Rope introduced the first fourstrand rope, the XR4. After the C. XR4HD-L Head XR4, ropers preferred four-strand $40 or as low as $34 and a $20 gift card ropes, and they remain the most C. XR4HL-L Heel widely used ropes in the market $43 or as low as $37 and a $20 gift card today. Classic Rope introduced BUY SAVE Per Rope the first five-strand team rope 1-2 Ropes (Spydr) in 2009.

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+ $10 Gift Card + $15 Gift Card + $20 Gift Card SEVEN

what’s in your

R PE BAG? Special thanks to the PRCA for providing images.

By Doreen Shumpert

Team ropers and calf ropers always have their trusty rope bags (or cans) in tow everywhere they go. But, is the faithful piece of equipment full of ropes only, or are any surprises, secrets or superstitions in there as well?

Let’s Rope asked the PRCA’s reigning Reserve World Champion Header and Heeler about what they stash in their rope bags; here’s what they admitted to!

Kaleb Driggers 2017 PRCA Reserve World Champion Header “This is hard for me to answer, because I don’t use a rope bag! I use Classic ropes, and just leave them in my trailer. I keep about 10 ropes, some rubber, and roping gloves in there. And I never leave home without my phone!”

Junior Nogueira 2017 PRCA Reserve World Champion Heeler “In my bag, I keep water, Classic ropes, saddle horn rubber and gloves.

I used to carry a lot of Oreos (yes…cookies), but I’m on a diet now. But every time I got a little nervous, I would just eat two or three Oreos to help me chill out. I keep at least six ropes, one or two older, but I want them feeling pretty new—not totally worn out. I never leave home without my backpack if I’m going to be on the road a while. I may just throw a coat in there, my passport or papers I may need, and anything extra I need to take with me when I travel.”

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S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

By Abigail Boatwright

R OA DR e a d y Learn what professional trainer James Barton deems essential for his competition tack room.

When your horse business spends large chunks of time on the road at competitions, you’ve got to have gear you can count on. That’s why trainers are meticulous about the items they bring every time they load up the trailer.

James Barton shared a few of his essentials with us.

Roping horse trainer and AQHA Professional Horseman James Barton of Bluff Dale, Texas, always packs a vet box with bandages and first aid for horses. He also brings a Classic Equine brush organizer with a body brush, mane and tail brush, Laser Sheen, Pyranha Fly Spray, hoof pick and other grooming gear.

Barton’s tack for competition includes Classic Zone Series saddle pads, Martin Saddles, Classic Equine bridles and Equibrand Legacy Boots.

For the road, he outfits his horses in Soft Ride Boots. Barton’s rope of choice is the Viper from Rattler.

Rather than packing everything, every time, Barton adjusts what he packs based on the seasons.

“I bring fans for the horses in the summer, and blankets in the winter,” Barton said.

You’ll find Barton sporting Ariat jeans, shirts and boots, along with an American Hat and custom-made spurs.

One last item Barton always brings to rodeos? A video game console, for downtime entertainment.

“I carry an Xbox, and my favorite game is Madden Football,” Barton explained. “I play other guys at competitions, and some guys online.”

LetsRope.com

NINE

TEAM ROPING SUPPLIES

A.

D.

E.

B.

F.

C.

G.

ROPING GLOVES A. True Flex Roping Glove by Noble 12 Pack Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL STT-50005 Orange $18.95 / 50005 Pink, Stars & Stripes $18.95 B. Classic Cotton Glove 12 Pack Sizes Kid, S, M, L, XL CGLOVE $21.99 C. Cactus Ultra Glove 12 Pack Sizes XS,S, M, L BUNDGULTRA $16.95 D. Classic HP Glove 6 Pack Sizes S, M, L, XL CPCGLOVE $17.99 E. Rattler HP Glove 6 Pack Sizes S, M, L, XL RPCGLOVE $17.99 F. Blue Streak Roping Glove 24 Pack Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL BSRBLOVE $28.95 G. Heritage Pro Grip Glove 12 Pack Sizes Youth, 8, 9, 10, 11 HG328R $14.95 STT Box Pads 4’ x 8’ STTBOXPAD $314.99

Cactus Rope Strap ROPESTRAP $3.50

Classic Rope Strap RSEC12P $3.99 TEN

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

ROPE BAGS E. Classic Basic Rope Bag CC10217 $53.99 F. Cactus Choice Plus Rope Bag BAFCHPL $63.95 G. Lone Star Ropes Drifter Rope Bag LS-DRB $89.99 E.

A.

F.

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C.

DALLY WRAPS

A. Buddy Huner Dally Wrap 12 Pack BHDW $15.95 B. Classic Roper Wrap 12 Pack DALLYWRAP12 $12.95 C. Cactus Red Dally Wrap 12 Pack DALLYRED $14.95 D. Horse Craft Red Dally Wrap 12 Pack HC-132 $12.95

D.

HORN WRAPS

H. Classic Equine Horn Wrap HORNWRAP $21.99 I. STINGER HORN WRAP M9012 $19.95 J. STT Horn Wrap STTHORNWRAP $16.99

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TEAM ROPING SUPPLIES

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CALF ROPES

Calf Rope Care

By Jeanie Willard with Doreen Shumpert

Rodeo and jackpot equipment isn’t cheap, from trucks to horses to basic essentials like ropes. Therefore, it’s a good idea to know how to properly care for such to improve longevity and maintain effectiveness. Let’s Rope visited with Jeanie Willard, of Willard Rope Company, about basic care for calf ropes. Here’s what she shared.

Willard 4 Strand Poly Calf Rope WR-4POLY $43.00 or as

low as $37.00 & a $20 Gift Card

1. How long, on average, can a calf rope last if it is properly maintained? What are some variables that affect longevity?

On average, any of our poly calf ropes should last at least 60 runs for tie down roping.

For breakaway roping they will last a lot longer, such as 120 to 150 runs. Ropers can use them beyond that; they just lose some of their life and don’t feel as good. The tie down ropers put a lot more stress on the ropes with all the pulling, in contrast to breakaway where the rope just pops off when the calf hits the end.

Poly ropes are fairly weather resistant. The sun and rain will not ruin them, but of course it’s always better to keep them clean and dry. In the summertime, poly ropes will be stiffer, and they will soften up in cold weather.

The longevity of a rope depends on how it’s taken care of. Three strand ropes have deeper grooves and four strand ropes are smoother and tighter. Some say that four strand ropes last longer. This could be because the deeper grooves on the three strand ropes pick up and hold more dirt. But ultimately, it comes down to personal preference for which type a roper likes better.

Willard 3 Strand Poly Calf Rope WR-3POLY $39.00 or as

low as $33.00 & a $20 Gift Card

2. What is the best way to properly store a calf rope or extend its life?

The best way to properly store a calf rope is in a rope can or bag, with the honda straight. If a roper lays the rope down with the eye (honda) turned, it will ruin the rope.

It’s okay to hang it on a nail or in a trailer, as long as the honda is straight. With a new rope, it’s always best to rope five to ten calves and loosely coil the rope up with the eye straight and put it away until the next day. Do this for a day or two and it will be good to go. Just don’t hammer on a new rope the first day.

Make sure to clean any dirt or debris off. This will make a rope last longer. A lot of people just throw it down in the arena or hang it on the fence. This is not the best thing to do if you want it to last.

Willard Syn Grass Calf Rope WR-SYN $42.00 or as low as

$36.00 & a $20 Gift Card

Learn more on page 1!

T W E LV E

3. What are some factors that can damage a calf rope or shorten its life?

The two main things that will ruin a calf rope is to put it up stored with the honda crooked, or to figure eight a tail while roping. A smaller figure eight usually equals a good neck catch, but if the roper doesn’t follow through completely, the figure eight will be too big and come back around and catch the calf’s tail. That will put a kink in a rope that will not come out.

The biggest mistake ropers make when caring for their ropes is NOT caring for them.

Hang them or lay them with the eyes (hondas) straight, and keep them clean.

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

E.

B. D. C. D. Striker 4 Strand Poly Calf Rope STRIKER-CR $40.00 or as low as $34.00 and a 20 Gift Card E. VIPER 5 Strand Poly Calf Rope VIPER $40.00 or as

low as $34.00 & A $20 Gift Card

A. Dub Grant Syn Grass Poly Calf Rope DG-SYN $39 or as low as $33 and a $20 gift card B.

Dub Grant 4 Strand Poly Calf Rope DG-4GP $44 or as low as $38 and a $20 gift card

C.

Dub Grant 3 Strand Poly Calf Rope DG-NTP $44 or as low as $38 and a $20 gift card

F. Fast Back Edge 4-Strand Poly Calf Rope FBEDGE $38.00 or as low as $32.00 & A $20

F.

Gift Card

Callaway 3 Strand Treated Poly Calf Rope CA-T-28-GOLD $42.00 or as low as $36.00

& A $20 Gift Card Pricing

King Ropes 3 Strand Poly Grass Calf Rope KR-POLY $65.00 or as low as

$59.00 & A $20 Gift Card

Cactus Double S 3 Strand Poly Calf Rope DOUBLES $44.00 or as low as $38.00 & A $20 Gift Card

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$2 off ea.

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6-11

$4 off ea.

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$6 off ea.

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THIRTEEN

CALF ROPES

A.

PIGGIN STRINGS

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3/16” - 5/16” X 6.5’ S. SM. M. MH A. WHITERACER PIGGIN STRING WHITERACER $16.99 B. BLUERACER PIGGIN STRING BLUERACER $16.99 C. REDRACER PIGGIN STRING REDRACER $16.99

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RATTLER STRINGS 52” - 60” S, MS, M, H D. BOY’S GOAT STRING RGS3 $11.99 E. GOAT STRING RBGS3 $11.99

PIGGIN & STEER STRINGS F. BLUE GUNSLINGER PIGGIN STRING LR-BG $15.99 G. PINK POISON PIGGIN STRING LR-BG $15.99 H. WICKED WHITE PIGGIN STRING LR-BG $15.99

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ND FREE GRONUG SHIPPoIver $99.99! on all orders

N. BLACK TAIL STEER STRING WR-STEER $19.00

I. H.

J.

K. L. M.

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FOURTEEN

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

CALF ROPING SUPPLIES

1. PLASTIC HORN KNOT ASSORTED COLORS 2444220 $2.50 2. ALUMINUM HORN KNOT 244421 $2.95 3. BLACK POLY HORN KNOT 244422 $3.50 3.

2.

Speed Burner Assorted Colors

1.

SPEEDBURNER $3.50

Eight Away Breakaway 4 Pack

1.

EIGHTAWAY $29.99

NOTHIN’ BUT NECK BREAKAWAY

2.

NBN $24.95

3.

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Magic Loop Breakaway

MAGICLOOP $11.95

Plastic Pop Off Breakaway 244410 $1.95

1. Rattler Premium Jerkline

17’ X 1/2” CRJL $21.99

2. Rattler Premium Jerkline

19.5’ X 7/17” CRJPL $41.99

3. Rattler Jerkline Pulley CRJLPCT $19.99

5.

4. Jerry Beagley Jerkline

Pulley

BB-JP $15.95 5. Jerry Beagley

Jerkline

BB-JL $39.95

Fancy Round Neck Rope BB-NECKROPE $29.99

LetsRope.com

Rattler Square Neck Rope CRNRSQ $33.99 FIFTEEN

South Texas Tack owner Steve Martin has “been horseback six days a week” for as long as he can remember, and has life-long involvement in the show, roping, and cutting worlds. Consequently, he has seen his share of poorly fitting saddles, and the negative affect they have on horses and performance.

Now, this working knowledge plays a vital role in the saddles made by South Texas Tack.

“When we got into the tack market, we noticed the vast number of saddles made today were grossly inadequate for today’s Western horse,” Martin said. “You also see makers who do not own a horse trying to serve horsemen and horsewomen, so there’s often a breakdown in communication.”

In contrast, he said the saddle makers and staff at South Texas Tack have been in the horse business and have saddled horses almost every day since they were kids; they know plenty about saddle fitting courtesy years of trial and error.

“We hire people who actually have some institutional knowledge to build our saddles and trees. Myself and the managers design the trees to fit today’s Western horse, and we have a setup that fits just about everything. On rare occasion we may have to build a special tree, and we can, because we know where to go since we know where we started,” he said. “That’s where many makers can’t complete the circle—they don’t have communication with the tree builder to institute changes. Saddle fit is a big part of what

SIXTEEN

we do here,” he added. “Our saddle fitting reputation is better than any advertising we could do.”

In fact, helping customers with saddle fit quickly became a staple at the store.

“There’s no obligation, and we don’t charge for it,” Martin said. “We just ask people to bring their horse and saddle to the store so that we can analyze it and give them a plan for a good-fitting saddle. We fit the horse, then the rider, and it is relatively easy to do,” he continued. “We get some skeptics, but once they actually see our trees on the horse it doesn’t take long for them to see the difference.”

Additionally, he has even helped owners evaluate saddle fit via e-mail.

“Our reputation has allowed us to do that,” he added.

In Martin’s experience, many people know what incorrect fit looks like; they don’t really know what correct fit looks like.

“It’s our job to show them the difference,” he said. “Most people only want to focus on the gullet, but we focus on the bar shape and spread. To me, the gullet is like the collar on my shirt. I don’t really care if I can button the collar, but the bar spread is like my shoulders. I want to be able to move and flex in that shirt, and allow for good range of motion. Bar shape and spread is critical,” he added.

Martin breaks down the areas that South Texas Tack evaluates for both horse and rider fit and shares some mistakes, myths, challenges and cleaning tips as well.

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

When an owner brings a horse to South Texas Tack for saddle fit advice Martin says they evaluate three main areas: 1. Shoulder Symmetry First, we make sure the horse is standing square, and we evaluate how symmetrical the horse is. Most horses over seven to 10 years old are not symmetrical as far as shoulder and wither development. We want to evaluate, and accommodate, the wider side first. If the wider side happens to be the off side (right side) we want to make sure it is addressed, and not skipped if we only focus on fitting the near side (left side).

We also ask what the horse is used for, which can play into symmetry (via factors like weight, muscle development or injury for example).

Evaluate how symmetrical the horse is as far as shoulder and wither development.

A tree with correct bar flare allows range of motion for your horse.

2. Bar flare/Tree

Fitting the horse without a saddle pad shows correct flare of 1/2” - 3/4”.

Once we evaluate the horse for symmetry and use, we begin by fitting the horse without a saddle pad. We want to see flare in the front of that bar. This means that we should see the tree and skirt pull away from the horse’s shoulder one-half to three-fourths of an inch, making it easy to get a hand between the bar and horse’s shoulder. Flare is important because it allows range of motion so the horse can freely move forward, backward or laterally. And, we want to leave room to add a three-fourths or one-inch saddle pad without affecting fit.

LetsRope.com

SEVENTEEN

An example of a correct bar fit

3. Withers and back Once we are confident of sufficient flare and that the standard setup (tree) that we chose is adequate, we reach down in the gullet and feel the withers. As the withers taper down, the bars should follow the contour of the horse’s back.

This is important, because if they don’t, there will be some bridging (gaps where the bars don’t touch the back) which really causes discomfort. (1) Next, we want to make sure the back of the saddle is down, in contact with the horse. We don’t focus there first, because a saddle can sit down in back and still be incorrect.

But if we know the front is good, meaning the flare, gullet and bars are all correct, plus the back is also down—we have a successful fit. If the back of the saddle is kicked up at all, it is too narrow for the horse and on occasion has too much rock or sway to the bar.

Finally, we stand behind the horse and look from the tail over the back. We want to make sure the rear housing/ skirt is the same angle as the horse and not too flat or spread out like wings. The saddle is a continuation of the bar angle. We want every square inch of the bars to have full contact. If that angle is wrong, the saddle won’t have a nice concave shape over the horse’s back. We want every square inch of the saddle to have full contact. (3)

1.

Cross-section view of correct bar shape

2.

Once we are confident in how the saddle fits, we look at the saddle pad. The type we recommend can vary. For instance, if we are talking to a recreational rider who only saddles up twice a month, a nice contour pad is probably adequate. A good rule of thumb is: do not over pad the horse. The higher the saddle gets up off the horse, the more you de-leverage the horse.

(See “Pad stacking” in Mistakes, Myths and Challenges section.)

Finished view of correct fit with and without pad EIGHTEEN

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

Mistakes, Myths and Challenges Pad stacking

This is a common mistake we see in the roping and ranching worlds. Riders will take a nice three-fourths inch or one-inch contour pad, that is sufficient alone, and put a Navajo blanket under it. By doing that, it negates 100 percent of the pad’s benefits. There are two types of contour pads: a one-piece with no leather down the spine, or there’s a two-piece with leather sewn down the spine and over the withers, with a wither cutout. This type provides both wither relief and contour benefits. If we inspect these pads on a horse, from the side, we can tell if they were designed by a horseman —just by the pattern. The wither/front needs to be at least an inch higher than the back of the cutout; that’s one reason we prefer the one-piece contour pad, because the pattern is always correct.

When we set the saddle on the horse with no pad, you should be able to get your hand between the bars of the saddle and horse. If we can’t, the saddle is probably grossly too narrow. Now imagine adding a one-inch pad. In 2D perspective, it is like a pyramid. The saddle tree doesn’t change; all we did is get higher and higher off that horse which actually de-leverages the horse.

Now imagine a horse that is going to take a jerk, like a roping horse; they often get really sore with a saddle that doesn’t fit and improper padding.

Calf ropers and team ropers often worry about wither clearance. Most of our swells on our calf saddles are 7 ¼ vertically, and when we throw it on the horse without a pad, the withers will be about an inch from the swell and then a pad raises it that much more. So, wither clearance doesn’t bother us; we still focus on bar shape and flare and overall fit. Once we have ropers compare how they can get their hand between the saddle and bars with one of our saddles, versus their old saddle, they realize how good fit can be versus how bad it was. Our job is to show them how good it can be.

In contrast, if somebody shows up with a saddle that fits fairly decently, we may only suggest a contour pad with a different pattern allowing for a closer fit — and they are happy and on their way.

Dry/White spots

If you see white spots on the horse’s withers, those are dry spots from prolonged excessive pressure of an ill-fitting saddle. It means the sweat glands have died, and the horse can no longer sweat in that area. The condition of the skin is changed, and that isn’t reversible, but we can sure make it feel better and prevent additional damage moving forward with proper fit.

Rawhide vs. fiber/polycarbonate

There exist long-standing myths about which makes a better tree, but a lot of saddle makers have moved away from rawhide covered trees to fiberglass or polycarbonate; fiberglass is predominate. Here at South Texas Tack, we have the ground seat made in our trees. Since many outfits buy multiple saddles from us, they need to feel and ride identical—the only difference being the hides are from different cows. If the ground seat is made by hand, there will be variations.

LetsRope.com

Saddle Cleaning and Conditioning Martin shared a tried and true method for cleaning and conditioning your saddle that will preserve it for years to come.

1. SET IT IN THE SUN. The sun opens the pores of the leather. “Even though that cow is dead, the hide is alive, and needs open pores to absorb oil,” Martin shared.

2. HOSE IT OFF. Blast all the dirt and grime off prior to oiling. (Yes, the padded suede seat will be just fine, and will dry nicely). If you don’t hose it off prior to oiling and soaping, you will seal the surface of the leather and prevent the saddle from absorbing the oils and soaps. Note: Be aware that water may darken very light-colored leather.

3. OIL IT. Once the saddle dries, oil it and leave it in the sun until the oil absorbs.

(If you’ve ever had saddle oil on your jeans after riding, the saddle wasn’t in the sun long enough to open the pores and fully absorb the oil.) We recommend Mallet Leather Dressing.

4. SADDLE SOAP IT. Oil cleans leather; saddle soap conditions leather. Many times, people think saddle soap equals soap suds and cleaning, but it doesn’t. Leather New by Farnham is suggested.

Martin recommends following this procedure at least twice a year. In humid climates, where mildew is common, wipe your saddle down with an over-the-counter antibacterial to kill mold and bacteria which can break down leather. In dry climates, clean, oil and condition more often. Just remember to follow the steps.

More saddle tips can be found online at www.

SouthTexasTack.com or email your questions to info@southtexastack.com For those interested in silver care, he recommends Hagerty Silversmiths’ Spray Polish, as spray goes on lighter with better results.

NINETEEN

STT ROPING SADDLES

“I have owned and ridden practically every saddle out there. My South Texas Tack saddle is the first saddle I have ever ridden that fits all seven horses and myself.”

- Bret Beach 3X NFR Qualifier Founder, TotalTeamRoping.com

STT PREMIER TEAM ROPER Gullet: 6 3/4” Bar Spread: 13 1/2” Swell Height: 7 1/2” Cantle 3 1/2” Texas Dally Horn Handmade Custom Conchos Seat size: 14-17 Tree Warranty 10 years STT08TR1078 $3,895

STT CHOCOLATE ROUGHOUT TEAM ROPER Roughout Gullet: 6 3/4” Bar Spread: 13 1/2” Swell Height: 7 1/2” Cantle 3 1/2” Texas Dally Horn Handmade Custom Conchos Seat size: 14-17 Tree Warranty 10 years STT02TR1100 $2,795

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TWENTY

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

STT ROPING SADDLES

STT Standard Saddle Features: • Exclusive STT Tree • Stainless steel hardware • Real wool linings • Hermann Oak leather STT ROUGHOUT TEAM ROPER Roughout Gullet: 6 3/4” Bar Spread: 13 1/2” Swell Height: 7 1/2” Cantle 3 1/2” Texas Dally Horn Rockin Out STT Conchos Seat size: 14-17 Tree Warranty 10 years STTTM1001 $1,995

STT INLAID SEAT TEAM ROPER Gullet: 6 3/4” Bar Spread: 13 1/2” Swell Height: 7 1/2” Cantle 3 1/2” Texas Dally Horn STT Conchos Seat size: 14-17 Tree Warranty 10 years STTM1126 $2,095

Saddles backed by STT’s 14 Day Saddle Guarantee

If you are not satisfied with your saddle purchase, exhange it for a full refund within 14 days of purchase date. Details at SouthTexasTack.com

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TWENTY ONE

SADDLE PADS

Saddle Pad Technology

By Doreen Shumpert

We live in a world immersed in technology. Computers, phones, iPads, and even saddle pads. Saddle pads? Yes. They, too, now incorporate cutting-edge research and technology. They may not be computerized (yet), but they are a far cry from the old Navajo rug or gunny sack of yesteryear. However, how many of us really know what these technologies are, and which to choose?

Let’s Rope spoke to some saddle pad manufacturers and asked about the technology they incorporate, and how it functions to benefit the horse.

ESP Contoured Wool Top Pad CESPCW3418 $224.99

BioFit, Xylafoam and Zoombang: Classic Equine Information courtesy Brad Vance, Vice President of Sales

At Classic Equine, we design our pads from an idea, to prototype, to feedback from a focus group, to improved prototype, to feedback from a second focus group.

That way, we truly come to market with a product that fits well, functions well, and really benefits the horse and the horse owner. We want the product to solve a problem, fill a niche, and perform at a higher level. We source the best quality raw material that will hold up and perform well—including breathability in the new technologies. Zoombang material is perforated so it breathes; the BioFit pads are felt and Merino wool, so they breathe, and the ESP pad series has recently been upgraded to a material called Xylafoam which is also breathable. Overall, we wouldn’t make or sell anything that wasn’t tested before going to the consumer.

Current technologies include: BioFit: Memory Foam or Closed Cell Foam is featured in our BioFit/BioFit Shim pads, which were designed to help with saddle fit. They put extra padding in areas where it is needed; as an example, they can help horses with muscle atrophy. Our CountourFlex and CountourPedic pads

TWENTY TWO

also use closed cell foam and 100 percent wool/felt combinations.

Xylafoam: The ESP Pad series for 2018 has recently been upgraded to a material called Xylafoam; it is more breathable and lighter weight than our previous Poron foam. It is conforming and impact resistant. Moving forward, all pads from our ESP line feature this new foam component.

Zoombang: This technology is featured in our Zone line of pads. Zoombang is an advanced polymer that reacts to and reduces impact and pressure. It is soft and pliable at rest, but firms up on impact and disperses the energy. Whether you are roping or turning a barrel, when the impact energy increases, the pad sensitivity increases and absorbs energy.

It is like a semi-solid liquid, for easy comparison.

Wool Felt and Fleece: Our Sensor Flex pad is constructed with a high-grade Merino wool fleece bottom, and the inside contains a heavy wool felt center that is shock absorbent and moldable, and disperses energy at impact. This is a simpler, more traditional pad.

BIOFIT Correction Pad WFP130 $189.99

ZONE Felt on Felt Pad ZFT31 $239.99

SENSORFLEX Contoured Pad SCWFP3418 $199.99

SENSORFLEX Pad SCSWFP34 $99.99

ZONE Wool Top Pad ZBT3418 $269.99

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

Information courtesy Amanda Love, Sales/Customer Service

Our Relentless Gel Pads are handmade in Greenville, Texas. Cactus features a team of cowboys and cowgirls who love horses and want to offer top-notch products for horse and rider. We personally use the products ourselves for ranching, rodeo, team roping, barrel racing and other events.

These pads have a contoured spine to ensure good fit, and it wraps completely around the cutout to reduce stress on the pad. They are also unique in construction because each pad is one single piece, which equals more durability and less pressure points.

We use a high impact absorbing gel that is positioned where the bars of the saddle will be. The gel evenly disperses energy and stress created by pressure. Each pad is lined with 100-percent Merino wool that offers comfort, wicks moisture and allows heat to escape.

People sometimes ask about gel and breathability. Often, when they ask about a pad being “breathable� they are worried that the gel, or material, will trap heat and cause soreness. Actually, the gel simply eliminates pressure and compensates for strenuous activity. Fleece or orthopedic felt allows the pad to breathe and allows the horse to sweat front to back. Sweat is good; trapped heat is not.

The difference between our Extreme Gel and Orthopedic Gel Pads is the bottom lining. The Extreme Gel features a Merino wool bottom; Orthopedic Gel features an orthopedic felt-lined bottom. The felt is high-quality and soft compressed. Both pads are very comfortable, and choice comes down to personal preference; they both do the same job. The Perfect Fit pad does not have gel, but features breathable antifungal felt which is very easy to keep clean. This pad is popular with trainers, because they ride multiple horses a day.

Our goal is to make a great-fitting, top-quality pad that will protect your horse from impact and hold up under everyday use.

More saddle pads available online at LetsRope.com!

ORTHOPEDIC Gel Pad TB90504A $239.99

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on all orders over $99.99!

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EXTREME Gel Pad TB90369A $239.99

TWENTY THREE

SADDLE PADS

Gel: Relentless Gel Pads, Cactus Saddlery

SADDLE PADS

SMx Air Ride: Professional’s Choice Information courtesy Jake Gibbs, Brand Manager

SMx Air Ride Pads are breathable, contoured to the horse’s back, extremely light weight, and don’t bottom out. Unlike a liquid product, Air Ride technology allows air to travel through the pad, so, it doesn’t dissipate from pressure. In contrast, a liquid product is like a water balloon. When you squeeze it, the water dissipates, so you have nothing left where the pressure is applied. Many types of pads react the same way due to movement and pressure. Air Ride does not, so you always have protection for your horse.

Also, our technology runs stitch to stich through the entire pad. A lot of pads only feature technology where the pressure is most likely to be, like under the bars of the saddle. We don’t construct our pads that way, because every horse is different and every saddle is different. When you buy Air Ride, you are buying the technology through the entire pad not just a single area.

The undersides are constructed of either fleece or felt, and the tops are either felt or hand-woven Navajo.

The felt pads come in either 3/8” for closer contact saddle to horse, or 5/8” for more protection. The Cowboy Felt Air Ride pads are great for ropers and everyday cowboys. A single pad is enough, you don’t need two, and they are made with a longer drop (on the sides) to prevent roll. We also make the hole in the top a lot smaller, to assure good protection. With many pads, if you saddle slightly off center, then the pad doesn’t provide good bar protection.

We have been in the industry for twenty years, and the lights are still on! We stand behind our product, and offer a 60-day money back guarantee.

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S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

SADDLE PADS

Wool Felt and Fleece: Iconoclast Saddle Pad Information courtesy Ward Heid, Owner

I keep it simple, like me. I am not a proponent of synthetics on a horse’s back.

In my opinion, they produce heat, and are unforgiving. Our Iconoclast Saddle Pad is different from others on the market by the amount of Merino wool that is incorporated for the price. To keep a pad in a range that is healthy for the horse and affordable for the horseperson, I use an 80/20 wool pad, but on the bottom side we have 100 percent Merino wool fleece—and it is also the longest wool fleece available.

COWBOY Felt Deluxe Air Ride Pad

Construction wise, you usually see fleece sewn to a layer of thin felt, then that is sewn or attached to thicker felt for three total layers. This makes a pad stiff because the layers fight against each other, and the pad doesn’t give the best support because it rotates and slides. In contrast, our fleece is glued directly to the felt and stitched. It is two layers—no materials arguing with each other. There’s no break-in period, and the pad will feel and work the same a year later. Your horse will be very, very comfortable. Most felt/ fleece combos will roll or slide on a horse after a year; our Iconoclast Pad will not, under the same conditions, for the same length of time.

COWBOY Felt Air Ride Pad

When a felt-only pad gets dirty and sweaty, it will glass over and create hard spots on the pad. Those hard spots will heat your horse’s back and cause sore areas. Consequently, fleece under felt is a great combination that prevents glassy spots because fleece is porous, allows air flow and wicks sweat. Also interesting, since using Iconoclast Pads, I have not needed chiropractic care for my horses’ backs. I believe that relates to absorption and that longest fleece component that we incorporate (versus short fleece).

CFRARD $199.99

CFRAR $181.00

SMX Air Ride Pad CXHDAW-1/2 $179.99

ICONOCLAST Felt Pad ICON5100 $150.95

SMX Air Ride Pad CXHDHG-1/2 $179.99

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ICONOCLAST Felt Pad ICON5100BLK $169.99

More saddle pads available online at LetsRope.com!

TWENTY FIVE

LEG CARE

Equine Leg Care: The Iconoclast Difference

By Doreen Shumpert with Ward Heid Even the most experienced horseperson often walks into a tack store, or browses through an online catalog, and winds up overwhelmed with various choices in horse products—each claiming to be the newest and greatest that the industry has to offer.

Such is the case with protective leg gear for horses. How does the consumer know what brand? What color? What type?

Actually, most of us can admit we have asked ourselves if there’s any real difference between them all anyway. And in reply to that honest question, one stands out from the crowd with impressive results: Iconoclast Orthopedic Support Boots.

Let’s Rope spoke with Iconoclast owner Ward Heid about why equine leg care is so important. Here’s what he shared.

Q: Why is equine leg care so important in competition?

A: It is amazing what we assume, and don’t actually understand. The more education we have, the far better our judgement on anything. Person by person, or outlet by outlet, here at Iconoclast we are trying to help educate. With that said, the horse has four legs that are identical in construction. The only physical difference is function; the hind leg has five degrees more flexion or compression at the fetlock than the front leg. The hind legs run, stop and turn, so actually it is more important to use boots on the back than the front, but you often see people do the opposite.

Ultimately, if you value your horse, put the value in him to keep him, and you need a product that offers support—not just impact protection. We often compete on bad surfaces, in boots that offer some impact protection but no support. Support is key.

Don’t sacrifice your horse. If the ground is terrible…scratch. Let your conscience be your guide. At the end of the day, it’s about the horse. Put the best device on him to keep him healthy and sound, and for proper support, choose Iconoclast.

Top PRCA calf ropers Shane Hanchey and Cody Ohl have both extended the competitive lives of their horses from two to six years in Iconoclast boots. We have numerous success stories like that; I also think of a Texas veterinarian who shared with me about a barrel horse with navicular synthetic pain who scored a 4.5 on the lameness chart. But he said the client bought our boots and put them on the horse and the scored decreased to a one. All he knew was that those boots were providing outstanding support to the sesamoid region. Now he sells them through his clinics. There are countless stories like that, and many life customers.

ICONOCLAST ORTHOPEDIC Sports Boot

Sizes S, M, L Black or White ICONFR Hind ICONHD $75.95

ICONOCLAST Bell Boots

Sizes S, M, L Black or White ICONBELL $21.95

TWENTY SIX

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

LEG CARE

CLASSIC EQUINE LEGACY 2.0 Sport Medicine Boots Size S, M, L Front CLS102 $79.99 Hind CLS202

Choose from: Teal (shown on model), Black, Blue, Corral, Fuschia, Mint, Purple, Red, Steel, Turquoise, White, Cheetah, and Caribou

CLASSIC EQUINE NO-TURN DL

Bell Boots

Sizes S, M, L CDN100 $27.99

LetsRope.com

TWENTY SEVEN

LEG CARE

More sty les and co available lors online at LetsRope .com!

VenTECH Sports Medicine Boot

Front sizes: M, L VEF $75.99 Value Packs Sizes: M VE4 $123.99 Black, Chocolate, Turquoise, Royal Blue, Purple, White, Crimson NEW COLORS! Olive, Wine, and Charcoal (shown on model)

Spartan Bell Boot BB55 Sizes M, L $34.99 Blue, Black, Wine, White, Red, Charcoal

TWENTY EIGHT

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

LEG CARE

Relentless Splint Boot Front SP250 Sizes S, M, L $75.50 Blue, Turquoise, Red, White, Black Hind SP250H Sizes M, L $75.50 (Black and White available only)

Relentless Bell Boot SP575 Sizes: M, L $34.95 Blue, Turquoise, Red, White, Black

LetsRope.com

TWENTY NINE

BRIDLE SETS

STTBR255834-RR $99.99

STTBR256841-RR $94.99

More Bridle Sets can be found at

LetsRope.com STTBR270104-RR $99.99

STTBR236200-RR $99.99 THIRTY

STTBR230200-RR $94.99

STTBR250002-RR $94.99

STTBR250008-RR $94.99

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

BRIDLE SETS

BRIDLE SETS

Bridle sets are one of the core components of the horseman’s tack room. Here at Let’s Rope we believe that having the correct tools are a big part of accomplishing your horsemanship goals.

The STT bridle set program includes a bit of your choosing along with a hand-rubbed harness leather headstall and reins that are soaked in a mixture of oils to ensure years of use. The sets are pre-assembled making them redy to go to work right off the shelf.

STT ROPING BRIDLE SETS with PROFESSIONAL’S CHOICE BITS

7” CHEEK STTBRPCB911-RR $109.99

ROUND FREE G G SHIePrsPoIveNr $99.99! on all ord

STTBRPCB913-RR $109.99

STTBRPCB910-RR $109.99

8” CHEEK

STTBRPCB900-RR $109.99

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STTBRPCB902-RR $109.99

STTBRPCB903-RR $109.99 THIRTY ONE

Practice Drills: Make the Most of Your Heel-O-Matic

Article and photos by Doreen Shumpert with Josh Love

Practice makes perfect in any walk of life, including team roping. Actually—perfect practice makes perfect, as barrel racing legend Martha Josey once said. There’s a lot to be said for slowing down and doing things right, and roping dummies are a perfect low-stress way to develop skills. Here, Heel-O-Matic’s General Manager Josh Love demonstrates some simple practice drills to help ropers stretch more steers in record time.

Note: Special thanks to Ryan Gift of Heel-O-Matic for driving the Four Wheeler!

1.

1. One of the simplest things to practice on the Heel-O-Matic Bones

2.0 is to just lay the loop on nice and easy, without swinging first. This is where everybody should begin. A lot of instructors will teach a beginner this first, so they can learn to feel where the rope is. Pretty soon, they can swing once and rope it; the mechanics are there to actually let go of the loop. A lot of ropers can benefit from going back to this exercise—if they are splitting the horns, for instance. It is amazing to watch people struggle with this drill the first time, even experienced ropers, because often they have no idea where their tip or bottom strand is.

2.

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2. As you practice this, get your left hand involved. By this I mean

your left hand should be pushed forward, under (toward) that left horn like you see here. A roper will often lock their left hand up, and it doesn’t move, instead of using it. That left hand is your rein hand, and if you lock it up and don’t involve it, you are going to do the same thing on your horse. This can cause you to pull back or otherwise rein your horse out of position, for example.

THIRTY TWO

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

3.

3A.

3. Heeling, you also need to involve your left hand, and can practice on the Heel-O-Matic Hox. As you

practice your heel loop, push your left hand forward. Don’t ask for separation between the horse and steer with your left hand (by lifting), and don’t hurry to pull your slack and simulate a real run. If you hurry on the ground, you will hurry on your horse. If that left hand gets too high, you will lean back and not finish the delivery (3A). Or, the horse will short you, and you will stab an outside leg. Instead of lifting 4. your left hand to get separation, work on getting your horse to go the same speed as the steer— then position is the easiest thing in the world!

4. Just like we practiced for heading on the

Bones 2.0, you can also practice laying it on/not letting go on the heel side. A good way to do this (and to practice patience) is to wait for that bottom strand to come all the way around and catch it in your hand, after you rope two feet.

HOX $399.99

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THIRTY THREE

5.

5. Horseback, an exercise I

recommend on the Heel-OMatic Ultimate Ground-Driven Trainer is the Circle Drill. I like circles, because you can get on the outside of the steer to work on the corner, or you can stay inside and keep your horse tucked up and help prevent him from getting lazy and dropping a shoulder. In a small circle (approximately 80 feet) he will consciously watch where he is. Before you throw, you want to work on your position, and make sure your horse is level and not pushing out any direction. In the horse’s eyes, the dummy is always climbing in this drill, and it makes a horse mind his manners as far as body and head position. Most ropers who have never practiced this tend to cross over behind the steer, or get too far inside, and it tends to amplify what they do on live cattle. This drill lets you practice being square ULTIMATE with the dummy (instead of maneuvering at the last minute to see $3999.99 your shot). Best of all, you can work on it a long time without wearing FREE GROUND SHIPPING your horse out, until he stays there and stays square. at LetsRope.com

6. Next, I like to practice the Stop Drill. This is the least fun exercise,

but my favorite. You still work in a circle, but have your driver let off the gas and coast to a stop. If your horse oversteps his boundary, don’t jerk on him, just stop him, back him into position, and let him think.

Keep doing this until he starts watching the cow (dummy). Eventually, he will start to watch and rate without your help. Gently increase speed and stop a little faster until the horse does it all on his own. Do this on the heeling side (outside) to work on the corner, then switch inside to work on heading. If a horse gets too pushy and pulls at all, stay in the circle, kick him back up and put him back out there in position until you have control of where the corner is. I think a lot of ropers don’t have control of that corner; their horses get hot and excited, so do they, and they jam it up. It is better to be a little late than early; in my opinion, your odds are better.

6.

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S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

7. You can also practice the Stop Drill, for heading, on the

7.

Heel-O-Matic Drifter. I pick a box, and that’s where I want to be position-wise when I rope. Personally, I want my body in that box; some people want their horse’s shoulder or head in the box. If my horse doesn’t keep my body inside that box, we will correct that with this drill. If we are there, I leave my horse alone. But if he gets too high, for instance, and causes me to split the horns, I will stop, back up and start again just like I did on the heeling side.

8.

8. The Drifter is ideal for heeling practice. A

regular roping dummy will just make a soft or round corner. The Drifter simulates a live cow with a hip that “pops back” and quickly closes the lane in front of the horse. Suddenly the horse is behind the steer, instead of in his lane! A drill we do is to turn it as sharp as we can, literally back over its own tracks, and go straight up the arena like you see in the photo. This is great for ropers who struggle with patience and position. Due to the Drifter’s ability to snap back so fast, the roper is often in there too tight, hits the dummy and makes a mess but they quickly realize how to back off, wait and get in position. When they go back to riding a normal corner after this drill— man, it is gold! It takes confidence to stay back. If you are patient, control your entry, and let your horse see the corner it is a quicker and cleaner shot than hurrying around the outside. It is important for a heeler to be patient. I have never seen a pro roper ride too high on one of these machines. They always wait, let the corner develop, and then when they ride into that box (position) they are ready to rope.

LEAPSTEER $324.99

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SUPERSLIDER $399.99

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NS16 $399.99

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NEX $419.99

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THIRTY FIVE

Clay O’Brien Cooper: One of the Real Ones

By Doreen Shumpert Back in 1971, Warner Bros. pictures was filming the next great John Wayne movie—”The Cowboys”—a classic Western about aging rancher Wil Andersen (John Wayne) who was forced into recruiting school boys for a 400-mile cattle drive, after his ranch hands abandoned him in lieu of the gold rush. The casting call went out for “real cowboy kids” who could ride and rope to try out for parts. Tenyear-old Clay O’Brien fit that bill to a tee, tried out, and next thing he knew he was playing the role of young puncher Hardy Fimps along side Wayne and other Hollywood icons.

However, in reality, Clay didn’t have to do too much “acting”; the riding and roping requirements of the role came naturally. Wayne knew talent, and seemed to “like the way Clay handled a rope”. Ironically, little did anybody know that the rope-handling ability was God-given and that little “Hardy Fimps” would someday be a multiple world champion.

Clay O’Brien Cooper was born May 6, 1961 in Ray, Ariz. He was raised around horses, rodeo and team roping. His stepdad, Gene O’Brien, started out riding broncs and bulldogging, and by the time Clay entered the picture Gene was heavy into team roping.

“Our family started putting on jackpot ropings on the weekends to help make a living,” Clay recalled.

THIRTY SIX

A young Clay O’Brien heeling on Sleepy, circa 1974.

“From the time I was about five years old until I left home at 16 we ran a weekend jackpot at home.”

Roping from the age of five, Clay tried to catch “anything that moved…the dog, the goat, and steers on foot” and started throwing a loop from horseback very early.

“I started getting on and running steers when I was pretty small,” he shared. “There were always kids around roping, I grew up around that and picked up on how to swing a rope.

I just watched and mimicked and then of course my stepdad provided the arena. I had chores; I cleaned corrals, fed cattle, and worked chutes so we were always working hard but in our spare time we were always roping.”

Meanwhile, during the week…

Clay’s stepdad worked as a wrangler for the motion picture industry

for shows like “Bonanza” and “Gunsmoke”. And, it just so happened there were quite a few people in the movie industry that roped at Gene O’Brien’s arena, including the jackpots. So, when casting for “The Cowboys” was underway, producers wanted a mix of real actor kids and real cowboy kids, and they knew just where to look.

“All the kids from the junior rodeo association and ropings in southern California showed up for the casting agents and producers, and I was one of the real cowboy kids that ended up with a part,” he said.

Clay also starred in various TV shows, such as “Marcus Welby M.D.” (1972) and “Little House on the Prairie” (1975), several Walt Disney movies such as “One Little Indian” (1973) and “The Apple Dumpling Gang” (1975),

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

Clay O’Brien heading on Suds, circa 1971.

and another John Wayne classic, “Cahill U.S. Marshal” (1973).

“I did movie or TV work until I was 15,” Clay said. “It was real work. From age 10 to 15, I worked a lot. It was just an opportunity to make money at a young age and have a little nest egg to invest. As for John Wayne, even as a little kid I knew who he was, I respected him, I watched his movies, he was a hero, legend and icon in my mind and after working with him I still hold the same views of what kind of man and actor he was and what he stood for. He was the quintessential man’s man.”

As much as he could, during the movie years, Clay competed at jackpots and junior rodeos and fondly remembers two good palomino geldings, Suds and Sleepy, a couple of rock solid old souls were his go-to mounts until he was in his late teens and ready to step up his game—and step it up he did.

“When I quit working in the movies, and got a driver’s license at 16, I was gone. I had wheels and I wanted to compete. I had always looked up LetsRope.com

to the pro ropers as heroes and I wanted to emulate their lifestyle and thought that traveling the country and competing would be neat. By that time, I could make a living and support myself roping, so that’s what I wanted to do.”

In these formative years, Clay recalls being heavily influenced by some real legends, and he was always a student of the sport. His mom packed around a portable Reel to Reel camera and recorded the top ropers at the big events, then Clay would go home and study their runs in depth.

as a header but since he headed he made me start heeling,” he explained.

“I was roping in the open ropings too, so I was butting heads with some of these guys at an early age.”

But soon, ropers the world over would be emulating Clay O’Brien Cooper— and he’s been a hard act to follow. Long known as “The Champ”, he went on to win countless team roping accolades, including seven world titles on the heeling side (roping behind legendary header and partner Jake Barnes), 29 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications, and nearly $3 million in PRCA earnings to date. He is also known as one of the top horsemen, who credits fellow roping icon Mike Beers in helping him realize “there was more to horsemanship than just riding to the corner and roping.” Furthermore, he has mentored countless other ropers not only in roping, but in their Christian walk.

“Southern California was the mecca of top ropers at that time [late 70s/ early 80s]. You had the Camarillos [Leo and Jerold], Walt Woodard, and Denny Watkins to name a few, John Wayne called it years ago. In all who were a whole history lesson in aspects, Clay is indeed “one of the dally team roping. We had top local real ones.” guys too. I would see A young Clay co-starring them at the big roping with James Garner in in Riverside, or I would Walt Disney’s “One Little Indian” in 1973. read “Roper’s Sports News” and I always kept up with PRCA standings,” he shared. “They were really amazing ropers and I studied and tried to emulate what they were doing. My stepdad actually hauled us to the bigger ropings when I was 12 or 13; I started out

THIRTY SEVEN

TOTAL TEAM ROPING

The 365-Day Roping School

By Doreen Shumpert Imagine having instant access to legendary team ropers, every single day, as personal coaches and mentors. Sound too good to be true?

Well, it isn’t, thanks to Total Team Roping (TTR)—a Web site that features a plethora of instructional videos starring multiple world champions and title holders, like TTR cofounder Bret Beach (three-time NFR qualifier), Clay O’Brien Cooper (seven-time world champion), Charles Pogue (15 NFR qualifications) and more icons.

“Technology has changed everything; why not let it change team roping?” Beach asked himself. Of all things, this epiphany dawned on him as he was flat on his back, recovering from major neck surgery, and watching golf.

“Two days prior to my operation, a guy had showed me a coaching app on his iPad, and I really didn’t understand it,” he recalled. “Then after surgery, I was on the couch incapacitated, watching the golf channel, and I saw a guy do a coaching video at 3 a.m. on the exact app I had tried to learn, and I thought, ‘Son of a gun! It’s been right here in front of me this whole time and I didn’t even know it’!”

“That technology was a game changer.”

Consequently, Total Team Roping subscribers can now reap the benefits, and will get a lot of bang for their buck, including different levels of membership (tailored to budget and needs), 24/7 access, top notch personalized coaching, and impressive results.

Membership levels Subscribers can choose from monthly, yearly, gold or platinum-level memberships. Each level allows access to over 1,500 instructional videos, and the option to send in a set number of your own videos for personalized review. Gold and platinum level subscribers can send an unlimited number of videos.

“Part of this whole experience is about educating people how to learn and how to get better. Considering the amount of money team ropers spend on trucks, trailers, horses and entry fees, we can say, ‘Here is something [TTR] for 75.00 a month max that will actually give you a better chance of winning and getting a return on your investment’,” he said.

“If you just want to watch our instructional videos, or send in two of your own a month, it costs 25.00—or basically the price of two cheeseburgers,” Beach added.

For the curious tire kickers, there are free sample videos or even a trial membership.

A struggling golfer had sent a video of himself to the golf channel, and the golf pro didn’t just analyze it; he drew on the video (like NFL commentators analyzing plays on TV), reversed it, reviewed it in slow motion, and let the student see himself and what needed to change. Beach became so excited about applying the concept to team roping that he barely slept.

Access 24/7 TTR allows subscribers round-the-clock access to instructional videos or coaching via the wolves of the sport (all with numerous team roping titles to their credit), including: David Key; Lari Dee Guy; Kollin VonAhn; Brandon Beers; JoJo Lemond; Travis Graves; Ryan Motes; Chad Masters; Tyler Magnus; Tee Woolman; Dakota Kirchenschlager; Jake Long, Nick Sartain; Allen Bach; Rich Skelton; Luke Brown; Patrick Smith; Clay Tryan and Cesar de la Cruz.

“I got up early, and called about six people regarding my idea. Early on at TTR, ropers could send me videos, but all I could really do was watch and say, ‘Try this or that’, but with this new technology, I could isolate the run, draw on it, talk through it, and do a two or three-minute coaching video and send it back. The student could sit, listen and watch me, Clay, Charles or other pros talk, draw and isolate things, and show them exactly what they needed to change,” Beach explained.

“This kind of detailed video coaching is something people don’t normally have access to,” Beach explained. “We try to personalize it to answer specific questions. We cover every subject multiple times utilizing different instructors, but we want different perspectives. For example, if I’m teaching a school, I may tell you the same thing five different ways and one of those ways is going to stick,” he explained. “We understand people have different ways of receiving information, so we

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S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

try to put that information out there every often goes above and beyond the norm. possible way.”

“People will even call me or send a video Of course, subscribers can have the to me when they are at a roping. I have utmost confidence in the advice they tried to make myself available for that; if receive from TTR. somebody puts forth the effort to make a “I have made a very strong attempt to video and call and want help, if there’s any only use instructors that I would send my way possible, if I can look at it—I’ll do it. own kids to, or who I would leave my kids It doesn’t matter what I’m doing,” Beach with for a week knowing they would learn said.

Results One thing Beach is sure of—TTR members Personalized coaching Thanks to the golf channel revelation, can expect positive, and often lucrative, and the fact that all sports have coaches, results.

Beach was inspired to make professional “I believe what makes the biggest coaching for team ropers as easy as difference is the personal coaching,” he said. “I get call after call, or text after sending in a video.

“When students go to a school, they text, of ropers who are winning because always do great, but it’s over in maybe of what they have learned through Total two days. In contrast, I tell ropers here is a Team Roping. Looking back to when we school [TTR] that you can have 365 days a [TTR instructors] were starting out, we year,” Beach explained, adding that access would have given anything for the top something,” he added.

LetsRope.com

ropers then to have been able to evaluate our runs. It really is a game changer for people,” he added.

In fact, Beach has found the video technology so helpful for students that he has changed the way he does his schools.

“There’s nothing as effective as being able to see yourself,” he said. “I have been on both ends—instructor and student— and I can tell somebody something until I am blue in the face, but them seeing themselves on video is what makes the difference. So now, I will just let people rope, not say anything, let them develop a pattern of what they need to change, video them with my iPad, then I point out things as they watch the video. You can see that they understand, and the results are amazing,” he added.

For more information, visit www.TotalTeamRoping.com

THIRTY NINE

Compiled by Abigail Boatwright Two-time World Champion heeler and rodeo school founder Walt Woodard shares his thoughts with us on roping, life on the road and the rules about straw hats.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment and why?

W: In the rodeo arena, probably winning the world championship at 52 years old. I won it when I was young— when I was 26--and then I focused on the roping schools for 10 years. I came back at 50 and wanted to see if I could just make the NFR. That went well. I won second in ‘06 with Sherwood. I figured if I could beat everybody except one guy, surely I could beat one more guy. So [winning in 2007] was a personal accomplishment for me, a goal that I set for myself. But the goal now is making it to the national finals when I’m 62 or 63 years old. I was so close [in 2017], I was 21st this year. The same mentality starts to kick in--if I can get to 21, surely I can pass six more people.

And I want to do it on a horse that we broke. So that’s what I’m working on now.

Who is your favorite horse?

W: His name is Blueberry, and he is a Sun Frost. My son Travis and I broke him from halter breaking on, no one has ever touched him. And he is 10 years old this year. He’s awesome, he’s one of the greatest horses I’ve ever ridden.

What is your favorite place to rope in competition and for practice?

W: Everybody says the NFR, obviously the NFR. But my favorite regular-season rodeo is Cheyenne. I think the Cheyenne rodeo is an extremely tough test and I love competing there. I’ve done well there. I’ve won fifth, second and first there over the years. I like it. I grew up in California with big arenas and outdoor venues. So those are places that I feel the most comfortable.

As far as practice, we have a great training facility here in Stephenville, Texas, with an indoor and an outdoor arena, and great sponsors that provide us with great cattle. We practice almost daily. We rope almost every day.

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What is your favorite kind/style of cowboy hat?

W: I am not a real fashion guy. My son helps me with that. He usually tells me that my hat looks goofy, and he’ll shape it for me something like that. But I wear my straw hat too late in the year and I don’t know what day to switch it. I am liable to wear a straw at Odessa. I am trying to do better.

What is your favorite type of rope?

W: [Equibrand] Rattler, hard medium. As I’ve gotten older, the lay of ropes that I use have changed. Because the steers are smaller, they hit the ground faster, and as you get older, your swing speed slows down a little bit, so I went to a little bit softer rope to try to increase my swing speed.

Who would you consider your roping mentor?

W: Leo Camarillo.

Who would you consider your idol?

W: Billy Etbauer because of his humility in the arena.

I don’t know how many [NFR] go rounds I have won, I’ve been there 20 times. I have probably won 10… Billy Etbauer has won over 50, and when you meet him, you wouldn’t even know he rode broncs if you didn’t know who he was. He is so humble. That is the kind of stuff that I really admire in people.

Greatest piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

W: Live below your means while rodeoing. A lot of young guys think they need sponsorships, and nowadays, sponsorship is important. But four guys traveling in a two-seater pickup, with a four-horse trailer, splitting a hotel room and eating at a buffet—that enables you to stay on the road, because you’ve got to stay out there.

You don’t have a chance to make the NFR if you don’t have enough management to make 75 rodeos. It’s not just about the roping ability.

Do you have any advice for upcoming rodeo hopefuls?

W: Do more than you have to do. Do more that you’re paid for. If you go to someone’s house to rope, get there early and wrap all the steers and be happy to do it. Be the first guy off your horse to rake the boxes and do it every time it needs to be done. Outwork the other guy.

A great attitude and a great work ethic will take you as high as you want to go.

LetsRope.com

FORTY ONE

On the Road with Joe Beaver

(part 1)

By Doreen Shumpert with Joe Beaver Have you ever wished you could sit down with some of the legendary cowboys and just listen to their stories?

Let’s Rope is doing just that, and we are excited to share!

Kicking off the first “On the Road” feature, we talked to “Joe B” about what life on the pro rodeo road is really like—the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Since joining the PRCA in 1985, he has pocketed over $3 million in career earnings, including multiple All Around and Tie Down Calf Roping titles.

Here’s what he shared. (Stay tuned for part 2 in a future catalog!)

What is one of your funniest memories from the rodeo road?

A friend of mine, Dee Pickett [PRCA Hall of Fame/All-Around Cowboy], tied a rope around a porta toilet with my friend Bill Parker inside and dumped it over. Bill was starched down from head to toe, ready for slack at Walla Walla that morning. I got there late, and all I heard was the fighting and it was a three-week ordeal with him trying to

get even. He came out with—what would you say—not appropriate stuff on him for slack that morning.

And let me tell you one more. We were at a rodeo at Redding, California. There were people everywhere. A friend of mine, Tony Reina, was deathly afraid of snakes. I took a dead snake and put it in his rope can and put it around the rope and through the eye. Tony was a good lookin’ kid; he always matched, too. If he wore a green shirt, he would put green boots on his horse. Anyway, I told all my buddies to watch this.

Tony opened his rope can, pulled his rope out and the snake came with it. He threw that rope in the air and squealed like a little girl! That scared his horse, his horse set back, Tony had his arm through the reins, so his horse jerked him down and dragged him around the back side of the arena. The snake was still comin’ too, because Tony still had ahold of part of the rope!

He was screamin’ and kickin’. Let me tell ya—when 10 of your peers are on the ground laughin’, it was a bit of a setback for Tony. I had to build him back up for the next couple of weeks! I really thought I scared him so much I had hurt him; I didn’t know he was that scared of snakes!

the Freightliner when Jenna [Joe’s wife] was drivin’. A drunk pulled out in front of us and she hit him. The impact turned us sideways and laid us down on the highway. Our trailer ran up on top of the flatbed and shoved us down the road into a bar ditch. It’s amazing we’ve lived through some of this!

Then one year some of us guys were flying from Red Lodge, Montana to Prescott, Arizona, and the wings iced up on our plane and we started droppin’.

When that happens you just have to keep droppin’ until it’s warm enough to melt the ice so you can gain altitude again. It was me and Jeff Chapman and Blair Burke [fellow competitors/ cowboys] and I don’t remember who else. Anyway, I’ll tell ya—that will wake you up out of a deep sleep!

Any hotel horror stories? Or, the scariest place you have ever slept?

Yeah. Back when I was an amateur kid, I was probably 16, there was a guy named David that helped me at first.

He was a top roper. I traveled with him, and he was a straight runnin’ outlaw tough guy. We were at San Antone, probably a part we shouldn’t have been in, and we stayed at this seedy hotel.

About 4 a.m. these gangsters kicked the door in. David always slept with a pistol under the pillow, and I had one in my bag. He pulled that pistol and ran them back out the door and some of them went through the window. That was one time in a hotel room I never forgot. To this day, if it’s not a really good motel, I prop a chair under the doorknob! People always ask why I do that and I just say…I have a reason!

What’s the scariest moment you can remember?

Well—there’s a couple. About 2001 I think it was, Brody [Joe’s young son] and I Special were Thanks to the PRCA for the use of asleep in the back seatimages of for this article

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FIFTY ONE

Casual

TAKEOVER You can’t attend a rodeo these days without spotting an off-duty cowboy in Western-style casual footwear. Make no mistake, boots are mandatory for riding and competition.

But for decades, horsemen and –women wore their boots inside the arena and out, perhaps changing into mainstream tennis shoes or flip-flops for driving. Over the last few years, companies such as Twisted X have carved a spot for comfortable shoes that still make sense for the Western lifestyle. Twisted X owner and founder Bob Frazier explains: MDM0009

“During a time when boot sales have slowed,” Frazier $94.99 says “more and more competitors are snapping up new Frazier says the coloration styles of his company’s casual footwear in moccasin, and style of the shoes are what helped kick them into chukka and loafer styles.” rotation for serious horse people. “The big seller is a “Customers find them comfortable and easy to sort of brown, chukka-type desert boot upper—it was wear, especially for driving, which includes a lot of actually our first style,” Frazier said of the Bomber rodeo riders pulling horses in trailers,” Frazier said.

Driving Moccasin style MDM0003. “When I was in “In the last several years, these shoes have become college, I rodeoed, and everybody had those desert acceptable cowboy footwear—you can wear them boots, but Western stores didn’t carry them.” with jeans and a hat.”

The price point of casual shoes is lower than a nice The shoes are now so popular, Frazier says he sees them everywhere at rodeos. “We stay at the MGM [in Las Vegas] and that’s where a lot of the PRCA cowboys stay for the NFR,” Frazier said.

“I see cowboy competitors walking all over the NFR wearing our shoes.”

FIFTY TWO

pair of boots, so that makes them attractive because you can collect several pairs to match different outfits or accessories without breaking the bank.

“Rather than going out and spending $250 or $300 on a boot, our customers can get our shoes and then save their boots for the arena or the honkeytonk,” Frazier said. “I think the main thing is comfort, fit, they’re affordable and they’re MDM0003 $94.99

acceptable now—and we still have the nice traditional

boot colorations.”

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

$64.99

“At the Working Ranch Cowboy [Association National] Finals a couple of years ago in Amarillo, a younger competitor came into our retailer’s booth, and he had buck-stitched his driving moccasins with bright orange, and added matching laces—this was before we’d ever done color on our shoes,” Frazier said. “I said ‘we’ve gotta do this.’ That kind of inspiration happens every once in a while.”

Cheetah

While the original style is a perennial favorite, Frazier says bright colors, new patterns on older styles, new styled and fresh details like buck stitching and saddle stitching keep things interesting for customers that want to update their wardrobes.

WDM0047 $64.99

Frazier says his team sometimes gets inspiration for Twisted X designs from customers themselves.

LetsRope.com

FIFTY THREE

FOOTWEAR

Serape WDM0047

Relentless Pursuit of Excellence

Ariat teams up with rodeo star Trevor Brazile on a new line of gear for the rodeo athlete.

By Megan Brincks Athletic performance gear has come a long way in almost every sport, but the equestrian world always seems one step behind, with traditional plain cotton shirts and unyielding, stiff jeans. But incremental improvements to rodeo gear took a leap forward with Ariat’s newest line of men’s shirts, jackets, jeans and boots.

The line of clothing, aptly named Relentless by Ariat, comes with an added authenticity claim: the rodeo performance line was developed, tested and approved by Trevor Brazile, 23-time World Champion.

“I was in the lab with motion sensors all over my arm, going over the same movements I did in the arena. So the shirt was built to enhance the movements, not just tolerate them,” Brazile said.

The process started with Brazile in the Ariat lab in the fall of 2015. The team applied sensors and cameras to Brazile while he went through all the actions he would perform in the arena including running, swinging a rope

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and more. Based on Brazile’s movements, the Ariat Product Development Team improved on Ariat’s already stellar reputation for performance gear. After that, Brazile beta tested all the products with his horses in his practice arena.

This process, totaling about three years of research and development, fed into tweaks to the products to make sure they are perfect for the rodeo athlete.

“The testing was very involved and thorough, covering every part of athlete performance and sport-specific testing,” said Susan Alcala, Ariat’s vice president of partnership marketing.

The Relentless line is less about improving on previous products and more about completely rethinking what’s important to athletes while they’re on the road, riding every day and competing with the best.

For example, the team found that rodeo performance shirts need significantly more arm mobility for swinging a rope and competing in rodeo events. This information—fueled by the sensors Brazile wore in the lab and his feedback from the arena—prompted a shirt design that riders won’t notice in the arena so they can focus on the task at hand instead of feeling constrained by their shirts. Additionally, the shirts are easy on the traveling competitor, thanks to wrinkle-resistant fabric.

Similar conversations revolved around the other products in the line: jeans that won’t chafe the insides of a rider’s legs; boots with well-placed grip for security in the saddle and a quick dismount; jackets for comfort and durability. The line also includes items for boys, with the same technology and features.

“If it’s something that could potentially make an athlete better in the arena, then by all means, let’s try it,” Brazile said.

“I actually get to obsess over the performance details with a partner that’s devoted to making riders better athletes.”

And as competition in the arena gets tougher, the little details can make the difference between taking home a buckle and leaving empty-handed.

LetsRope.com

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The RELENTLESS ACE BLACK BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT features long sleeves and provides superior freedom of movement and comfort at work, in the saddle or on the ranch. An additional detail to all Relentless shirts is the button on the front pocket so that the pocket is functional. The shirt is constructed of Sun Protection Fabric that provides protection from ultraviolet rays and has a wrinkle-resistant finish. Named after Trevor Brazile’s legendry horse Ace this shirt is sure to always be a classic.

10020955 $59.95

The DEUCES JEAN BY RELENTLESS features a low rise, relaxed fit through the hip and thigh, stackable boot cut, performance stretch and medium dark wash. They are constructed of 69% cotton, 30% polyester and 1% spandex for added mobility. This jean was designed to provide movement ease while getting in and out of the saddle. It is 2X stronger than cotton of a comparable weight, with increased abrasion resistance for long-lasting protection against wear and tear. 10020776 $89.95

The RELENTLESS PRIME BOOT BY ARIAT features ATS Pro technology for stability and comfort, premium Bullhide leather foot and collar paired with full-grain leather upper.

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FIFTY SEVEN

By Doreen Shumpert Team roping champion, instructor and entrepreneur Bret Beach has teamed up with Denny Gentry, who is akin to the godfather of modern team roping (founder of the United States Team Roping Championships and World Series of Team Roping) in another stellar concept—Junior NFR Team Roping. Since both men are exceptional at making dreams become reality, we can expect that this new venture will allow the next generation’s dreams to come true as well.

Beach, who has qualified for the NFR in both heading and heeling, founded Total Team Roping (TTR, www.totalteamroping. com), a Web site where members can receive personalized coaching from top pros. Business minded Gentry told Beach that Las Vegas Events wanted to do a Junior NFR, and was convinced TTR would be the perfect platform. Consequently, two years ago, a whole new opportunity for young ropers materialized.

“The first year, we just had to come up with something quick and see how it worked, and it was very well received,” Beach recalled. “This year (2017) we had maybe 25 qualifiers all year, and the event in Las Vegas and the feedback was outstanding.

FIFTY EIGHT

Momentum is crazy. This year, I tried to get roping producers around the United States to add qualifiers to their existing events,” he explained. “Initially, they missed the point that I wasn’t asking for a separate roping, and that I was trying to do something for the kids—build something for the next generation—so about 90 percent of the producers weren’t interested. But late in the year they started to understand, and wanted to get on board as they saw the profitability in what we are doing for kids.”

Beach said the Junior NFR Team Roping is now becoming a “big deal, fast” and the goal is to provide kids an opportunity like they have never had before—complete with a true NFR experience, in Vegas, during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“You talk to the pros,” Beach said, “and they will tell you they would have given anything to have this chance at a big finals, money and prizes when we all started out.”

The fledgling event already has an impressive lineup of sponsors and prize money, and Beach is working tirelessly to keep the opportunities coming. He is striving to offer $100,000 added money in the future, and sponsorships to pay entry fees—just like the real NFR.

Moving forward, look for qualifiers attached to the USTRC ropings, World Series of Team Roping events, and some stand-alone qualifiers. Age groups are 15 and under, and 16-19, and the two divisions are the 10 Handicap (with no cap) and the Open.

Ropers can qualify for both divisions. Just like a PRCA NFR-qualification, the top 15 money earners will qualify for Vegas.

“Denny and I knew that the handicapped system brought team roping to the next level. So, I suggested a 10 Handicap with no cap. A kid that is a number two can rope with a kid that is an eight and they can rope in the 10. This will really balance things out, because so many kids are fours or fives.

They can still rope in the open; they can qualify in both divisions,” he explained.

“We want an event that can offer enough money to change a kid’s life,” he continued.

“Kids will have an opportunity to run at good money throughout the year, but now there’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow as well. We plan to take this concept and blow it up to proportions nobody saw coming,” Beach said.

Note: Stay tuned to totalteamroping.com for upcoming information on qualifying events, structure, membership information and more.

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

With more than 40 years of experience in the horse and cattle production business, the Philipp Ranch is known for quality animals, and over the last decade, the Philipp family has brought that excellence to the Big Loop Big Money team roping tour across Texas as well.

“You see a lot of the same faces there,” he said. “We grew, but we’ve kept the ones that started with us too.”

The Philipp Ranch Corriente cattle spurred the family, led by Johnnie and Kathy Philipp, to start hosting ropings about eight years ago as a way to put the cattle to work.

“It ties in and gives us clientele from our ropings to our horses too,” said John. “It’s all based around team roping and raising horses and cattle.”

BIG COMPETITION “Our goals were to have good paying ropings and give more money back to the ropers than we took,” Johnnie and Kathy’s son and second generation rancher John Philipp said. “There’s a lot of families that can come and have a weekend to go rope and win some money.”

Although they’ve had up to 1,200 teams rope in one weekend, they average around 800 teams per competition. And although the events have grown and attracted new riders, there is a continuity of riders that John is proud of.

SIXTY

With seven ropings planned for the Big Loop Big Money Tour 20172018 season, the May final will run in conjunction with a sale of Philipp Ranch-bred and -raised horses.

Johnnie and Kathy founded the Philipp Ranch, and sons John and Shane also work at the operation full time. In addition to around 40 broodmares and their offspring, the ranch is home to more than 2,000 head of Corriente cattle in Washington, Texas.

As the competition grew, the Big Loop Big Money tour added more prizes from sponsors like South Texas Tack. In addition to the 80 percent payback, the tour gives buckles to the average winners and a multitude of prizes in every category.

“We’ve had South Texas Tack for the last four or five years.

The company has helped tremendously,” John said.

With a reputation to uphold, the Philipp family takes their sponsors seriously. Their commitment to quality in every area of their operation is reflected in how they choose company partnerships.

Producing top quality roping events, raising cattle and breeding horses all fits in the daily life of the Philipp family.

By Megan Brincks

“What I like about South Texas Tack is it covers the whole realm.

It’s not just one product,” John said. “If you need a set of hobbles to a set of boots or whatever you need, it’s just the quality of their products. They’re always evolving and getting better. You can go in there and get whatever you need. That’s what I like and look forward to.”

Although it can be easy to find sponsors for a popular roping, John knows that the Philipp Ranch clients shouldn’t just go anywhere for reliable products.

“We’re sending our clients to [South Texas Tack], and they take wonderful care of them, and they end up being clients of theirs, so it all works hand in hand,” he said.

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

7 th Annual

PHILIPP RANCH

Production Horse Sale | Bryan, Texas ATHLETIC ABILITY • COLOR • GOOD MINDED

SATURDAY

May 19

th,

2018

Brazos Valley Expo Center

Offer ing Rope, Bar r el, & Ranch Horses.

Along with mar es & colts out of our top sir es.

All raised or trained on the Philipp Ranch.

Questions & Inquir ies:

Shane: 281.723.1939

Kathy: 936.870.6548

Johnnie: 713.806.4407 John: 713.806.6012

Schedule

1:00 PM - Meet & Gr eet

3:00 PM - Demonstration of Horses

6:00 PM - SALE Horses will be available at the Ranch for viewing May 6-12.

Appointment only please.

Catalog Requests: whitney@philippranch.com or 979.255.2580 Videos will be available Apr il 30th

S I X T Y. O N E

www.philippranch.com or LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

MIRACLE FARM

The Path to

Healing

Growing up in a broken home left Cody feeling lonely and neglected, which quickly turned into rebellion and anger.

Raised in a single-mother household, Cody was tormented by the pains of abuse and neglect. For years, he was forced to endure that environment until he was sent to live with his grandparents at a young age. But 13 year-old Cody needed more help than his grandparents could give him. Exhausting all their options, they turned to Miracle Farm for help.

“When I first watched the video about Miracle Farm, the only thing I was looking at was the horse riding part,” Cody says.

“But when I got here, it took a while to realize there was more.

It was an opportunity to change my life.”

Cody arrived at Miracle Farm in September of 2012 when he was 13 years old. Despite the change of environment, Cody remained the same on the inside – wounded and broken. For the first year and a half of his stay on the Farm, he struggled with depression and even thoughts of suicide.

“I was hurting myself, and I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere in life. I felt like everything was my fault.”

He remained quiet and closed off, but through counseling, Bible studies, ranch work and roping, Cody slowly began to peel back the layers of hurt and distrust just enough to allow some of the staff members into his world.

Team Roping provides a unique approach to the treatment of relational dysfunction. The bond between horse and rider helps to teach trust and interdependence. The skills involved in roping cattle require patience and practice, skills that are useful in any life endeavor. Last but not least, the care of a horse and cattle teach job skills and responsibility that helps forge boys into men.

“Before I came to Miracle Farm, I didn’t even have a dream of what I wanted to be,” said Cody.

Cody just graduated high school and has been hired as a ranch hand at a ranch outside of Llano where he will get to put all of the skills he has learned from riding, roping, and ranch management to work.

He dreams of one day attending college and majoring in equine studies with hopes of being on a collegiate roping team. Cody has already learned lifelong lessons about faith and servant leadership and he was also one of the Farm’s best team ropers. But most importantly, he wants to continue to share his story with others and continue to learn and grow in the Cowboy Way. SIXTY TWO

S o u t h Te x a s Ta c k . c o m

Miracle Farm offers healing to teenage boys who have encountered the tougher roads in life. There, the boys are able to grow in to healthy, respectful young men who have every opportunity for success in life.

Miracle Farm provides an environment for Christ to forge young men of integrity who are firmly connected to the sense of security, acceptance, and significance that comes from an identity in Christ.

Chance of a Lifetime Roping April 21, 2018 Open to the World October 6 & 7, 2018 LetsRope.com

Proudly sponsored by South Texas Tack Home of LetsRope.com

For more information about Miracle Farm or roping events, please visit www.miraclefarm.org or contact us at 979-836-0901.

THREE