6/17 Drew Horner: Uncoiled. Cleburne, Coleman and Weatherford

This past week was a little rough on us. We went to Cleburne, TX, and Coleman, TX on Wednesday, and Weatherford, TX on Thursday night. We also had a jackpot in Weatherford on Thursday morning. We did well at one of the jackpots, but we didn’t do any good at the rodeos. This is the first week that we haven’t won anything at the rodeos since first week of February. It’s kind of a downer, but we’re still doing well. It hasn’t really affected our big picture.

We did win a little bit at the jackpot, so that helps. It’s a fun jackpot that Ryan Motes puts on at his place in Weatherford. There’s anywhere from 15 to 20 teams, but every team there is one of the best in the world. You’re roping on your third string horses against some of the best in the world. We put up $150 a man and everyone is just having fun.  It’s low key, but you’re still trying to win. It’s a fun deal to try to win some money to help cover some fuel or fees.

We didn’t do any good at the rodeos. In Cleburne I got out on one really fast to probably be a 4.2. The steer was kind of weak and faded to the left. The left wall in Cleburne comes really fast as well. Once you rope, you don’t have anytime to go straight across the arena; you have to come straight back. When I came straight back, the steer kind of lost his footing and fell down. Buddy didn’t get to throw his rope.

We went to Coleman that night. We drew an OK steer, kind of a runner. It’s a really long box and a bigger arena. I rode my black horse, Rattler, at all these rodeos, and he did really well. The steer was running hard, and I reached. I was about 2 coils back and missed the right horn.

In Weatherford, it’s a similar type setup with a normal size box and a 1-foot under barrier. I was first out, so I had to call some guys I could trust to give me an idea on the start. I got a good start, reached and roped the steer around the neck, which was not good. That is why Buddy caught a leg. Weatherford is similar to Cleburne, the left wall is angled back into the boxes, so you have to come straight back.

So, we didn’t do any good at the rodeos. Buddy is coming down today. We are going to practice, and then leave Wednesday morning for Santa Fe, NM. We are up on Thursday there for a 2-header. Pleasant Grove, UT on Friday. Then we’re headed to Reno, NV for the BFI and rodeo. We’re staying in Fallon, NV at Jade Corkill’s house. Then we hit the fourth of July and summer runs. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. Until next time, DH.