Big Rodeos and Major Jackpots are FUN!!

Roping is a fun sport. For me, it’s a job, only because I choose for it to be and I REALLY enjoy it. There are definitely times when I don’t want to saddle or get the steers up and practice, BUT, when I am getting ready for an event that I anticipate every year, roping turns back into something relaxing. For some reason, turning the pressure up and getting myself ready in every way for big events makes me relax and live in the moment. Events like Houston and the George Strait Team Roping Classic are two that just make my job fun.

What makes these two events so FUN? Lets think about Houston, first. The Houston Stock Show and Rodeo is HUGE! If you like rodeo, you probably know the epic size of Houston and what this rodeo means to us cowboys. Winning Houston puts you on the map. Now, when you get to compete at this rodeo for the first time, its unforgettable. They have incredible service! The attitudes of all the volunteers are always helpful and generous. The stall area for our horses is constantly clean, they treat us and our families with the utmost respect, and I always feel welcome when I ride into the arena.

Outside of the servants attitude the volunteers have, the rodeo is a blast! We get to rope in a massive stadium with a big arena. After the rodeo, there is typically a concert that usually has someone like Zac Brown Band or Kid Rock playing. Just to experience this rodeo once makes you want to come back for more every year. This is definitely a rodeo to see!

The GSTRC is the biggest Major Jackpot we have for our sport of Team Roping. It has been going on for years. I love the format. It is fun to watch and compete at. The barrier is a little shorter and the steers are typically lighter, which makes the runs even faster and sharper. I have always wanted to do well at this roping, I just never have seemed to pull it off yet… This is a roping that I read about when I first started roping, and I always saw myself doing well at the Rose Palace. You walk around the stall area and you get to see all the top ropers in the world putting their horses right next to yours! When I first competed at this roping about 5 years ago, I remember being in awe of those guys. I saw Clay Cooper ride by me, Speed Williams had a stall nearby, and Chad Masters gave me advice and encouragement throughout the roping. The atmosphere is humbling as a young kid trying to make his way up. I remember always being so pumped and excited about competing at the George Strait Team Roping Classic, and I still get excited getting ready for it now.

I have always enjoyed team roping professionally, for the most part. There are times when I wonder what in the world am I doing??? Those are the times that build character though. When I think about the Big rodeos and Major Jackpots that we have to look forward too, it almost puts a whole new fresh feel to my work and gets me more focused and driven. Big weeks like what we are going into this weekend make the sport worth doing. To keep up with how we do at these do events, follow me by clicking Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Fan Page. Thanks for reading and keep up the feed back on my facebook messages or comments on my twitter! It’s good to hear from you all. DH