Category: Roper Review

story by Leigh Lockett

Fourteen years later and by the grace of God this man is returning to the Thomas & Mack arena in Las Vegas, to compete in his eighth National Finals rodeo! Those who know him are not surprised. He will go down in history as one of the greatest cowboys that has ever lived! One who some will say, walked away from the game too early in his career. It was a choice he made for himself and for his family.
2005 was the last year Kyle Lockett competed at the NFR. He was 28 years old. He finished that year second in the world with his partner Wade Wheatley. At the time, I was pregnant with our first child, who was born later that summer. That was his seventh and last trip to the big show (so we thought).
I always encouraged him to continue to rodeo and pursue his dream of one day winning the world, but he’d just smile and say he “didn’t want to be away from his family.”So life went on and four babies later he had evolved into the greatest Mr. mom you’ve ever seen! From changing diapers, to warming up breastmilk, to lugging multiple car seats, to pick-ups and drop offs to nap times and spoon feeding baby food, to adjusting to life with multiple small children, which meant a play pen in the arena, saddling and hauling ponies to brandings and jackpots, to strapping down car seats in a golf cart for a game of golf with the guys. All of this while I worked 1-2 jobs at the hospital, this guy had it down! It wasn’t unusual for me to get texts of other moms telling me how Kyle had handled all four kids, by himself at a rodeo or a branding like a pro!
When the best headers in the world would call him and try to recruit him out of retirement, only for him to turn them down and say that he wanted to stay home with his family…it makes you grateful that you married such an admirable man, but it also makes you feel a sense of guilt. I always knew he was the best of the best and felt like too bad we couldn’t just load up and go! But rodeo with four kids? Dream on. It would be a divide in our family. He would have to be gone 9-10 months out of the year and that was something he wasn’t willing to sacrifice.
He once told me, “Ii don’t miss rodeoing, I just wish I could make the finals one more time!” Oh okay Kyle – dream on – that’s impossible. The only way to make the finals is to go hard all year and hope that you land somewhere in the top 15 money standings! That’ll never happen (so I thought!)
Well last winter he thought he’d do his friend Aaron Tsinagine a favor and heel for him at some rodeos in Texas. It wouldn’t be a long time away from home. He could fly in and fly out and make a weekend out of it. The two ended up winning San Angelo which allowed Kyle an invitation to compete at the infamous Houston rodeo! A once in a lifetime chance for a guy like Kyle, who doesn’t rodeo full time, to earn a solid pay check! He was gone for three weeks, but it was worth it! At the end of the month long rodeo, he and his partner Ty Blasingame WON IT! I was working at the hospital, hiding out in an empty room watching it on live on my phone! I screamed when I knew what had just happened! He had just won over $50,000 and earned himself a shot to make the NFR one last time! For the next three months, his name was at the top of the PRCA heeling standings! My husband has known since March that he will be returning to the big show! A thought that is almost too big to wrap your mind around! He will be 42 when he competes again and is still just as sharp as ever!
This last weekend the 2019 season came to an end. The top 15 contestants in each event have been determined and he will go into it ranked the #6 heeler in the world! He has picked his partner and will rope with past world champion Erich Rogers! What an accomplishment!
The last time he competed he was 28, unmarried and had no kids. This year will be a bit of a different story. Our kids know exactly what their dad has achieved and are his biggest cheerleaders! They will be 13, 11, 9 and 6 when they watch their dad compete against the best of the best for 10 straight nights!
So if you’re picking a fantasy team or thinking about rooting for an under-dog, place your bets on this one! There is nothing he can’t do! If you’ve never been, you need to go!
2019 will definitely go down as the wildest year thus far!

Brandon Ben has been roping for 11 years. He started because his family ropes and he’s carrying it on. He learned from his dad, Rawley Ben, who is a 8+ heeler and 7 header. From, Peridot, Arizona, the 17 year old has done quite well in the roping world; he’s won two trucks so far – including the one that ZD Cattle is giving away in September. “I am keeping both of them, using them to travel,” said the #7 heeler who is also a #6 header. He ropes on a 6 year old bay mare. “She’s pretty small, like a kid’s horse, but we’ve been roping on her since she was three.” Six of Brandon’s eight siblings’ rope and they each have a horse they compete on. Whenever they are not at school or traveling, the family can be found in the arena.
He is going to be a senior and fits school into his roping. Sometimes that doesn’t always work out – he qualified for the World Series Finale in Vegas this coming December, but can’t attend. “I can’t miss that much school.”
Along with the two trucks, Brandon has more than 500 buckles that he has collected over the years.
He takes the money he wins roping to enter more, buy feed and tack and help support his family. The family trains horses and rides horses for people that send them to them. He learned how to train horses from his dad, and they can have as many as 15 outside horses they are working with at a time. “If we buy a horse, we keep it for ourselves,” he said.
He and his two brothers help with the training. His five sisters are not as involved in the training, but they rope.
Their place is complete with cattle and a donkey, which they trail.
When he graduates from high school next spring, he plans to try prorodeoing and go to college at Central Arizona College, and focus on college rodeo.
He is looking forward to the upcoming truck roping. “I rope with Zane alot and he puts on a great event.”

Earning $2 million as a professional cowboy is a milestone that PRCA team roper, Luke Brown, recently surpassed. Coming from east of the Mississippi, Luke still hasn’t fully accepted that he is in such an elite group, with only 30 cowboys to achieve those career earnings, out of thousands competing in the history of the sport. “Realizing I had passed the $2-million mark was pretty unbelievable but recognizing that I was one of such a small group of cowboys that had done it was mind-blowing; some of the greatest cowboys that have ever lived have had careers in the PRCA.”
The Rock Hill, South Carolina native remembers well the day he passed the $1 million threshold in earnings, “My wife Lacy made a cake that said ‘Millionaire’ on it, and even though I had spent most of what I had earned, it was cool knowing I’d accomplished that.” Luke feels that this second million was slightly easier to achieve because of the increase in great paying rodeos. He earned $71,134 during the 2018 WNFR alone, and with more rodeos offering great payouts, it’s propelling cowboys to increased earnings at a faster rate.
Growing up, Luke Swann Brown III was the oldest of the three Brown brothers born to Luke Jr. and Debbie Brown. His parents owned a construction company, and Luke, Jay and Cody spent their childhood roping and competing in junior and high school rodeos. While competing in the South Carolina High School Rodeo Association, Luke won 6 state titles, claiming 2 titles in the all-around, team roping and tie-down roping before graduating from Northwestern High School in 1992. Luke went on to Howard College in Big Springs, Texas to college rodeo for two seasons while studying for an agriculture degree. He returned to Rock Hill and went to work, while rodeoing in the SRA, IPRA, and attending many PRCA rodeos.
A pivotal year for Luke was 2007, as he made the decision to move to Stephenville, Texas, live in his horse trailer, and make roping a full-time career. “I knew I was either going to have to go all in or get a better job and just make roping a hobby.” Luke credits much of the change in his path to professional ropers Allen Bach and Chad Masters. “Spending time with Allen, roping with him, and getting to be around some professionals that roped for a living, opened my eyes a lot. I watched their game plan as they practiced, noticed their priorities, and copied some of that to make a plan for my own roping. I lived with Chad Masters and he helped to change my roping style. I started catching better, riding better, and worked hard at the fundamentals; I had more of a blueprint for how I wanted to rope. Then, I got lucky and got a great horse, started getting better partners, and I never looked back.”
Kevin Daniels loaned Luke a blaze-faced sorrel gelding named Slim Shady to practice on and help sell. Luke had recently lost two of his good horses, so riding Slim Shady was a blessing that he needed. “He was goofy about certain things, but he could run, and I roped so good on him. We started clicking, then went to winning, and I rode him until two years ago when I retired him; he’s 25 now.” Luke roped on Slim Shady that first season, competing on him at his first WNFR in 2008, while Kevin still owned him. “After the USTRC finals that year, I placed third with Jade Corkill and had enough money to buy Slim, so I paid Kevin for him as soon as I came home. Kevin had never said a word about it, he just told me to pay for him when I could, and I did.” Since retiring Slim Shady, the past two seasons Luke has ridden a palomino gelding that Brandon Webb gave to him and his daughter, Libby, 5. “He’s done great for me, but 2018 was his last WNFR, and now he’s my daughter’s to ride. She’s starting to enjoy riding, and it’s fun to see her on him.” Luke and his wife Lacy were married in 2011; she grew up in Texas in a family of cutting horse trainers. “Lacy and I enjoy roping together, and she takes care of all the hard stuff for our family so I can just focus on roping.” Luke is now mainly riding another palomino gelding he calls Fast Time, and still thinking about what horse he will ride for the 2019 WNFR.
For 11 years, there has not been a December that Luke hasn’t rolled in to Las Vegas to compete at the WNFR. He has qualified as one of the top 15 headers in the world every season since making that decision to go all-in. “Every single finals is exciting, but I’ll never forget the first time, it was an unforgettable moment. I’d never been there or watched it live or anything, so it was pretty unbelievable when I first drove in. I still half-way don’t believe that this guy from South Carolina is where he is now.” For the last three years, Luke’s heeler has been Jake Long, and they’ve been a dominant pairing in the PRCA. This season, Luke will be roping with Paul Eaves, and he’s looking forward to a successful partnership with him. “At the end of the day, it all comes down to me doing the best I can do. I feel lucky to be a header because I have a lot of control over the money I make. These heelers are phenomenal, they have to deal with whatever you give them, but if you give them something to look at, they’re going to catch.”
Most of Luke’s days include practicing and riding horses. “I don’t go to bed at night without a practice plan for the next day. I try to keep a consistent schedule so that my horses are ridden how they need, and so I work on areas I need for myself each day. I’m pretty hard-headed about staying disciplined and have found that if I stay to the basics and don’t get over or under-confident things go better. Some of the best advice I’ve heard is from Trevor Brazile; he said, ‘the shorter memory span you have the better off you’ll be. Do the best you can on that steer, then go to the next one and do the best you can.’ You keep doing the best you can on the steer you’re roping at the time, and at the end of the year the results will be there.”
Luke appreciates his sponsors: Classic Ropes, Martin Saddles, 3S Services, All Nations Oilfield, Purina, Priefert, Wrangler, Smarty, Rodeo Rigs, Roberson Hill Ranch Cattle, Durango Boots, and Bill Fick Ford.

Hearing the word “cowboy” conjures up a variety of images for most of us. It’s doubtful many can envision Travis Ericsson’s lifestyle. Travis is a true cowboy. At Ericsson Equine he raises and trains some amazing horses, but that’s just part of what he does.
Travis Ericsson is a 5th generation cowboy, son of the legendary Mr. Dave Ericsson, 1966 IRA Champion Saddle Bronc Rider. At the young age of three, Travis was exposed to his first gathering with his dad who contracted with the state of Arizona to remove burros from the Grand Canyon.
Travis was featured in the Yeti Tumbler “Wild Cow Catcher” commercial giving a glimpse into his life and what most can only imagine. Catching wild cattle is a learned skill and not for the weak of heart.
Travis, a native of Arizona was born in Wikieup, graduated from Kingman High School and attended Central Arizona College. During his college days, Travis would work for the San Carlos Apache Reservation gathering wild cattle. Travis currently contracts throughout the state of Arizona, from gathering wild horses on reservations to wild cow/bull catching.
“There are over a million acres in Arizona unfenced. Cattle have everything they need to survive out there and become feral, like deer. At some point they will need to be caught. The process, while exciting, can be dangerous especially when catching wild bulls. Wild bulls learn to chase people because people have run from them. It’s unfathomable to most people. It’s like trying to catch buffalos with a rope.
In September we caught wild horses for the Apaches. My dad was great with anything wild. I can look at the situation and know where they’re going and how to catch them. Most people don’t have the experience to know what to expect or how to get this done.”
Travis credits his father with the knowledge and lifestyle he enjoys today. He considers himself blessed to do what he loves every day and will quickly tell you he’s the luckiest guy in the world.
“My father was an amazing cowboy. I grew up not enjoying it and taking it for granted. Now that I’m older I feel so lucky to have been born into this life. I am excited to get up every day and do what I do. My dad was a maker of cowboys and taught so many people our way of life. We always had ten or fifteen guys working for us and they’re all the best cowboys in Arizona. I hope to continue what he started.
He was also a phenomenal horseman who did not believe in a reject. He was a lover of horses and I’ve seen him whip many men for being mean to horses. He always tried to encourage a horse to do what he wanted.
He was strict but never mean to us kids and has always been my hero. He’s been on the cover of Western Horseman more times than anyone. Many of Bill Owens paintings are of my dad.”
Travis has spent his life devoted to his passion for ranch work, horses, and team roping. Today, when Travis isn’t qualifying at a World Series Roping or catching wild cows, you will find him riding and training colts.
“We have an own son of Peptoboonsmal, Merada Ima Pepto, and he’s the coolest horse I’ve ever owned. We are raising some exceptional colts from him that are nice minded and super athletic. I’m fortunate because in the Scottsdale area, there are some phenomenal cutter and reining trainers, like Kelby Phillips, NRCHA Greatest Horseman. Getting to spend time with them is very enjoyable. I love to be around excellence.”
Currently Travis and his partner, Lori, ride train and sell horses at their place in Scottsdale. For more information follow Ericsson Equine on Facebook or visit ericssonequine.com. A search on You Tube will yield videos that are well worth the watch.

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
We rope all day every day when we’re home.
Do you make your own horses?
Yes.
Who have been your roping heroes?
Jake Barnes, he’s a neighbor and a friend. He’s always honest with me about my roping.
Who do you respect most in the world?
We all strive to be like Jesus, I respect Christ-like people. I respect Lorie, my significant other.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My father. Also Mike Kevil, who starts colts for a lot of trainers in my area, has had a significant influence on me.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Ride colts and rope. I do a lot of fishing on my colts.
Favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove.
What’s the last thing you read?
How To Win Friends And Influence People.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Optimistic, compassionate, adventurer.
What makes you happy?
Living the life we live.
What makes you angry?
The mistreatment of animals. When I see people jerk and whip on their horse I can’t handle it.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would buy a place.
What is your best quality – your worst?
My best quality is forgiveness. My worst quality is my temper.

Picking up a rope at 4 years old, a seed was planted in Lane Ivy’s heart that grew into a dream. Lane tagged along as his parents, Billy and Joanie Ivy, roped steers; watching, learning, and waiting for his turn. At 5, living on their Canyon, Texas ranch with younger brother Brent, Lane’s parents let him ride an old rope horse to track and rope slow steers as his skills progressed. As he grew, the dream in his heart did also; and like many young cowboys, he imagined himself running those steers under the big lights at the Thomas & Mack. For 26-year-old Lane, that dream has become a reality. “Growing up, roping was a huge part of our lives. I started going to junior rodeos when I was 9 and had some success. The thing about success is it makes you crave it even more, so I continued roping and one thing just led to another.” When Brent was old enough, the Ivy dream team of Lane heading for Brent became a regular entry. “I’m 18-months-older than Brent, so he’s always been a pretty good partner in crime. Although we’ve competed in other events, we were team ropers at heart. We’re blessed because our parents hauled us all over the country, so we could compete.” Lane’s parents did all they could to offer the resources the boys needed to progress in their sport. Lane’s grateful for family friend, Larry Hendrix, who spent many hours opening chutes and supervising the brothers when they were too young to rope on their own while their parents had to work.
Lane competed in the Texas High School Rodeo Association as a freshman, heading for Landon Williams, who’s still one of his best friends today; and for Michael Trujillo his sophomore year. The Ivy brothers partnered to finish Lane’s junior and senior years. “I was fortunate to have an incredible streak-faced sorrel gelding with a 96 on his left hip, named Bandit during high school. Bandit was a true blessing who taught me a lot and made me rope aggressive. My family raised him, and he died last August at 24-years-old. I’d let kids ride him all the time, and one year I got in trouble because I picked up broncs and drug bulls out of the arena on him before team roping; my dad said he was too good of a horse to do all that!” At 15, Lane headed on Bandit at the George Strait roping for Jayten McCright, “It was exciting to hear the announcer mention I was the youngest header to ever make the Top 50 at the George Strait.” Lane also competed in tie-down roping on a sorrel gelding, named Whiskey. “He was absolutely amazing. We sold Whiskey to Trevor Brazile after high school, and Trevor took him to the WNFR. I don’t know that Trevor would name him as one of his top horses, but he was definitely one of the nicest I’ve ever owned.”
When Lane was 15, he started riding horses for Jason Thomas, “I learned tons of lessons from him; every day he was trying to get better and trying to better his horses. It gave me such a great work ethic.” Lane attended Happy High School as a freshman and sophomore but switched to homeschooling his junior year as his dream of being one of the world’s best ropers became a passion and everything Lane did focused on it. “My whole family is completely competitive, we don’t want to just be okay, we want to be the best at something or not do it at all. I loved roping, making good horses, and was having some success; I thought when I turned 18, I’d rodeo for a year and make the WNFR; I didn’t think it would be hard at all.”
After graduating, Lane attended Weatherford College and competed on the rodeo team. “My mom thought it would be good for me to live on my own and asked me to try college for a year.” Just after leaving college, Lane received a call from Jett Hillman, asking him to head for him at some pro rodeos, “I thought ‘here it is, someone is finally calling me,’ this was my whole goal.” The team started having some success, but their season was cut short as Jett had to return home to have neck surgery.
In 2014, Lane roped with Lane Siggins, “We won maybe one check all summer. I was broke, and went back home. It was a hard pill to swallow; I was realizing that I didn’t give enough credit to the guys that made it the national finals. I was seeing that it was one of the hardest things I would ever do.” Lane moved in with Tyler Magnus in 2015 and learned lessons that year that equipped him with more than just the roping skills needed to be successful. “Tyler was such a great influence and teacher, he helped me get better horses, rope better, and I realized how much it was going to take to make the finals.” Lane went to California, and with some success heading for Bucky Campbell, finished in the top 40. “I was pretty excited. I bought my PRCA card, but my season wasn’t really going anywhere, and I went back home again.” In the spring of 2016, Lane moved in with the Coopers, where Jim Ross Cooper, and his brother Jake took him in like family. Lane felt his roping improved and credits the Coopers with helping him in many ways. Lane finished the 2016 season in the top 30. Lane had quite a bit of success roping with Buddy Hawkins in 2017. The dream of qualifying for the WNFR seemed almost in reach, but disappointingly, Buddy finished up in 16th place, with Lane finishing just 5 holes out of qualifying for the national finals.
At 25-years-old, Lane was at a crossroads; feeling that he needed to break into the top 15 or get a job. More determined than ever, he did everything possible to have a chance at the finals. “I roped every day, tried to strengthen my weaknesses, invested in the best horse I could get, and was completely focused on making 2018 the year that I made it.” Buddy and Lane started out earning over $22k in the winter, and although the spring didn’t pan out the same, Lane was counting on the summer rodeos to propel them further in the standings. Lane’s horse Cuervo, a 15-year-old bay gelding he bought from Chad Masters, was working great for him. “Buddy stayed home during the 4th of July run, so there was about a month that I had to rope with other partners. It was difficult, but in the same instance I couldn’t let myself get caught up in that. I just focused on my job and trusted that my partners were going to do theirs.” Lane’s mom often reminded him of the verse Matthew 17:20, encouraging him that with the faith of a mustard seed, all his dreams were possible. Lane had success roping with Blaine Vick and Joe Mattern, and by the time Buddy was roping again, Lane had earned over $45k. Finishing the season together, Lane and Buddy won over $20k more, which qualified them both for the 2018 Wrangler National Finals. “I’m really grateful to be roping with Buddy, I don’t always do a great job of handling the steers for him, but he does an outstanding job of catching what I give him.” A dream come true as the result of the devotion he’s given to the sport, Lane will be competing in the WNFR as the number 14 header in the world, with season earnings of $67,457.62, and Buddy competing as the number 13 heeler with season earnings of $64,451.02.
“I’m living my dream, the last of the season everyone asked if I was nervous about making the finals, but I was just enjoying the fact that I was close enough to have a real chance. It was fun being in the position that if I kept roping good, I could make the finals.” Shortly after the reality of what Lane had just accomplished set in, Walt Woodard asked him how it felt, “He asked me if it felt like everything I imagined all these years. I told him it felt like the biggest weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and someone put an even bigger weight on. I’ve made it to the NFR, but after that last round, it starts over, and I have to work even harder to get back there.”
Lane is preparing with fellow WNFR competitors, Wesley Thorp and Cody Snow, in their replica WNFR arena. They practice on steers like those they’ll be competing on; filming and timing their runs so they can analyze them. “We’re doing as much as possible to be the best we can when we roll into Vegas. We don’t want anyone to be able to say they prepared more than us.” Cuervo will be coming along to Las Vegas, but Lane plans to rope on Tate Kirchenslager’s 18-year-old gelding, Papa. “Papa has been there, done that, and is solid as a rock. He’s bigger than Cuervo so it’ll be easier for him to pull steers up the wall.”
Lane will be savoring every moment of this experience he has worked his whole life for, “I don’t know exactly how I’m going to feel once the competition starts, but the fact that I have the chance to rope a steer for $27k a night, 10 nights in a row is really exciting to me!”
Lane appreciates his sponsors, Wrangler, Classic Ropes, Timber Creek Veterinary Clinic, Resistol and the Mirage Casino. He’s also grateful for his family, and all people that have supported him behind the scenes.

Growing up in West Monroe, Louisiana, Cody Russell never gave much thought to becoming a team roper like his dad. A natural athlete, Cody started playing T-Ball at six, and football in the fourth grade. Those two sports remained his passion until he incurred a major injury during a football game during his freshman year.
Complete separation in his ACL and MCL ligaments required surgery and a lengthy recuperation. Months of going to physical rehab and waiting to mend caused Russell to miss baseball tryouts that spring.
“I was just sitting around,” says Cody, “My dad wasn’t a big fan of that and said we needed to find something for me to do. When I told him I wanted to team rope…. he told me it would not be a fleeting decision and I would have to work at it.”
So, in a sport that most kids start about the time they’re able to stay on a horse, Cody took up roping at fifteen years old. His dad would sit on a 5-gallon bucket and watch him rope the dummy. Before he would be allowed to rope off a horse, he would have to be able to catch the dummy 100 times in a row.
“I had messed around with a rope but never really worked at it or roped with other kids at the ropings. It took weeks before I was able to rope the dummy 100 times in a row. My dad has always been a worker and had the philosophy of ‘we’ll work through it until we figure it out.’ He also told me he would not give me a horse, but I could buy one from him.”
That work ethic and philosophy has served Cody well. He’s never been to a clinic or taken a lesson. He invested in training videos and watched YouTube videos. He also describes watching a Rich Skelton video where he studied Speed’s hand position and delivery in slow motion. He would film himself roping the dummy and study that as well.
“My dad said if I did what he said for a year, he guaranteed I would win a roping.”
One year after starting his team roping journey, Cody and his dad entered a USTRC roping in Kinder, Louisiana. The father and son team won the Incentive and came back second high call, where Cody missed. Though it was his first roping, it was also his first taste of defeat and he was crushed.
“Even though my dad told me it was okay, I was devastated. Even today if I miss an important steer I need a few minutes to get over it. Winning is important to me and I would rather not enter than not win.”
In 2015 Russell got the opportunity to move to Texas where he stayed and worked at Chad Masters’ in Lipan.
“That was the year they were going to the ERA rodeos, so Chad was home quite a bit,” says Cody. “I feel the opportunity and timing was a blessing from God. It allowed me to spend quite a bit of time with Chad and learn so much. He’s very much like my dad in that he works hard and would never ask you to do something he wouldn’t do.”
This move, plus a new horse, took Cody’s roping to a new level and he was quickly moved to a #7 header. He has since sold his good horse and feels the loss.
“This year I took a break and it’s helped me mentally. When I had my good horse, I felt like if I was entered I should win something. When I sold him, I felt I didn’t have an advantage anymore and had to re-evaluate my roping. Now I’m heading as well as I ever have. I believe it’s important to be positive and I don’t like to hear people talk negatively about themselves or anyone else.”
Currently Cody rooms with fellow ropers, Andrew Wong and Dustin Searcy in Weatherford, TX, and has built a profitable shoeing business in north Texas.
“When I was younger I thought my dad was just working, and now after all these years I realize he was preparing me to receive blessings. The harder I work, the more I receive.”

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
A couple of times a week.
Do you make your own horses?
No.
Who have been your roping heroes?
Chad Masters. He had no idea who I was and took me in and gave me a chance.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My dad.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
God.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Play golf.
Favorite movie?
Gladiator.
What’s the last thing you read?
Bible.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Kind, hard working, passionate.
What makes you happy?
Seeing people happy.
What makes you angry?
When I feel I didn’t do my best.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Tithe first, then I would buy some horses, a place, and invest the rest.
What is your best quality – your worst?
My best quality is being nice to people. My worst quality is I can be too quiet.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Making a living roping.

Brook Styron, a Texas native, has seen a lot of changes in the roping industry over the years. He grew up in Granbury, Texas and was introduced to calf roping at twelve years old by a neighbor. That was before team roping had caught on, and Brook continued to rope calves in junior rodeo, high school rodeo and college rodeo.
Now, in his mid-50’s, Brook has worked in the roping manufacturing industry since the early 90’s. As a young newlywed, Brook spent a number of years managing ranches in north and east Texas. He and his wife, Nancy, have raised three kids: Brandi, Sarah, and Bryce.
Styron’s resume includes jobs as a deputy sheriff and telephone installer before settling in the rope manufacturing industry in the early 90’s. He worked at Maverick Ropes and Precision Ropes before settling in at Fast Back Ropes.
Brook has been with Fast Back for twelve years and works in Operation Production where he’s responsible for purchasing string and other raw materials needed to produce ropes, in addition to other duties. He has seen a lot of changes in the rope making industry over the years.
“Back when I first started, we tied a lot of 7/16” ropes which by today’s standards are extremely large. Also most rope companies carried just one or two ropes,” explains Styron. “Now there are numerous rope companies and they all sell a quite a variety.”
Brook loves to rope and used to rope on a daily basis. Now he ropes several times a week and competes most weekends. He’s endured surgery on his right shoulder three times to repair damage from years of repetitive motion, primarily from roping. His last surgery, in March 2017, entailed a complete replacement.
“I postponed each surgery as long as I could,” explains Brook. “By the time I had surgery I could barely rope and each time I came back and was competitive. This shoulder replacement, has made the biggest difference and I feel like I rope better now than I have in ten years.”
Styron has also seen team roping evolve drastically over the years he’s been competing.
“Besides the ropes and cattle getting smaller, the times have gotten incredibly faster. Back when I started, it was before the days of video and there weren’t many schools. Today kids have access to a variety of schools and training videos they can watch on their phone. They learn much more quickly and it definitely shows at the jackpots.”
When not roping or working, Brook and Nancy, enjoy spending time with their grandkids: Ruger, Sadie, and Klara.

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
Twice a week.
Do you make your own horses?
I used to, but as I’ve gotten older, I would rather not spend my time training. Now I just want to rope.
Who have been your roping heroes?
Clay O’Brien Cooper.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My dad.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My wife.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Go hunting, fishing, or roping.
Favorite movie?
Remember the Titans
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Confident, generous, out-going.
What makes you happy?
Family and friends.
What makes you angry?
Disrespect.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Retire and enjoy life.
What is your worst quality, your best?
My worst is probably my temper. Loyalty is my best quality.

Kevin Staples grew up in Stephens City, Virginia, where his dad, Billy Staples, trained horses and owned one of the largest sale barns on the east coast. Their monthly horse sale, held the first Saturday of each month averaged 300 to 400 horses, and during the spring months they would sell anywhere from 500 to 700 horses in one day. The sale included every kind of horse imaginable: roping, buggy, jumpers… they sold them all.
“Growing up I was blessed to have access to an indoor arena with 30 stalls,” says Kevin. “We basically lived in that arena.”
Kevin started roping when he was four or five, but his father started him trick roping at an early age. His first trick roping show was booked at just nine years old. Kevin’s trick roping act became an opener for country and western singers like Tammy Wynette. In 1983 he opened for B.J. Thomas on the White House lawn where they performed for President Reagan. He also appeared on the television show, That’s Incredible.
By the age of fifteen, Kevin’s interest in team roping surpassed his desire to be a trick roper.
“Like many kids, my dream was to make it to the NFR,” explains Kevin. “At the time I was breaking a lot of thoroughbreds, getting them ready for the track and then team roping on the weekends.”
Obsessed with the dream of becoming a professional roper, Kevin realized he needed to spend time with people who would help improve his ability. In 1988, while living in Florida, Kevin was diagnosed with a grapefruit size tumor on top of his bronchial tubes.
Kevin credits his doctors at Duke University, and the grace of God, for his complete recovery. Treatment consisted of chemo every other week for six months, followed by daily radiation for another month. Now, at age 50, he’s been cancer free since, or as he likes to joke, “I’ve been clean for thirty years.”
Enduring and surviving a life threatening illness changed Kevin’s perspective on his life and goals. No longer did he feel a pull to be at the NFR, but realized the desire to hone his craft as a horse trainer.
“I always knew my dad was a pretty good trainer,” explains Staples. “But it wasn’t until I matured that I realized just how good he was.”
In addition to his father, Staples also credits a six-month stint he spent with cutting horse trainer, Tracy Bales, for the passion he now has for riding young horses.
Kevin still loves to compete and regularly places at World Series ropings, but admits what really excites him is riding colts and watching their progress.
During his early 30’s and living in Virginia, Kevin entered a horse in the San Antonio Ranch Gelding competition. There he reconnected with family friend, Tom Nelson, owner of the HK Ranch in Victoria, Texas. Having lived in Pennsylvania, Mr. Nelson knew first hand the challenges of riding and training in winter conditions. He offered Kevin a job riding horses in Texas during the winter. Staples would return to Virginia for spring and summer, and head back to south Texas in the fall. It was in the third year Kevin realized that Texas offered the lifestyle he craved and stayed full time, only returning to Virginia to visit family.
Since then, other than a few years training at JB Quarter Horses, Kevin has been with Tom Nelson at the HK Ranch where he’s the General Manager and horse trainer.
The HK Ranch operates a breeding program for foundation Quarter Horses. They are currently standing a Les Glow Colonel stallion and a Red Baron stallion. With a dozen broodmares Staples has his hands full with yearlings, two-year olds, three-year olds, plus a herd of 300 cows.
Staples has trained some very successful jackpot and rodeo horses ridden by cowboys such as Trevor Brazile, Shay Carroll, Logan Medlin, and Charlie Crawford. One of the most famous horses to come from the HK was the well-known heel horse, Switchblade, ridden and owned by NFR heelers Kory Koontz, Allen Bach, and Jade Corkill.
At HK Ranch, Kevin strictly trains team roping horses. Their philosophy is two and three-year olds are used for ranch and cowboy work only. Colts never see the inside of an arena before the age of four. By that time they are broke and mature.
“The policy at the HK is ‘old school’. If we check fences or water troughs, it’s done horseback,” explains Kevin. “Rather than worry about saving time, there’s so much more value for a horse to be ridden and used. The only four-wheeler on the ranch is in the arena and used to pull a dummy.”
The HK Ranch always has a nice variety of colts for sale in various stages of training. For information Kevin can be reach by email at: kevinstaples1@gmail.com.

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
Every day.
Do you make your own horses?
Yes.
Who were your roping or rodeo heroes?
H.P. Evetts and Clay O’Brien Cooper.
Who do you respect most in the world?
Jesus Christ.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Go to New Mexico and hunt mule deer.
Favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove.
What’s the last thing you read?
The Gorilla Mindset.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Genuine, fun-loving, honest.
What makes you happy?
Visiting and drinking a beer with old friends.
What makes you angry?
People that whip horses.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy land and cattle.
What is your best quality – your worst?
My best quality is honesty. My worst quality is being too easy going at times.

Troy McDonald grew up in the small town of Pierson, Florida, into a rodeo family that competed at and produced ropings. He entered his first jackpot at five years old and won his first buckle at a roping school when he was seven.
Troy was successfully active in junior rodeo and high school rodeo. As a freshman, Troy won fourth at the high school nationals. In his sophomore year he was reserve state champion heeler, earning a trip to nationals in Springfield, IL, where he finished tenth in the nation. McDonald also qualified for nationals as a heeler in his senior year.
“My partner’s dad took us to Texas and Oklahoma for some big ropings during Christmas break that year,” says Troy. “At the Booger Barter roping in Glen Rose, TX, I tied for high point and ended up in a rope off for the truck. Thankfully I prevailed and got to drive a new 2003 Chevy Duramax home.”
After high school Troy wanted to be the first in his family to earn a college degree. McDonald sent a package of videos and his resume to seven or eight schools before deciding on Clarendon College in the Texas panhandle.
“Both of my Ag teachers knew Jerry Hawkins, who was on the Board of Regents at Clarendon. They had just built a new indoor facility for their rodeo team. Clarendon offered the most lucrative scholarship, so that’s where I went.”
Troy’s first rodeo coach was steer wrestler Matt Reeves, now a 6-time NFR qualifier. He credits his sophomore coach, Chad Smith, for helping take his roping to another level.
“Chad was a #8 heeler and we broke in a lot of steers. There were many days we would rope 60 to 80 steers. That year, in 2006, I won a truck at the OTRA (Original Team Roping Association) finals and got moved to a #9.”
After visiting home in Florida, Troy returned to west Texas and spent the summer with his friend, Jared Stoker. He soon realized he and his horses could withstand dry 100-degree weather much easier than the dense humidity of Florida.
“I couldn’t get over the difference in the humidity and how much more you could rope. That’s when I decided I was going to stay in west Texas.”
It was during his second year at Clarendon that Troy met his wife, Kelly. In July 2006 McDonald moved to Canyon, TX, after transferring to West Texas A&M. He also qualified for the college national finals that year. In 2008 Troy graduated from WTAM with a degree in Agri Business.
Troy and Kelly have both worked at Coolhorse in Amarillo, Texas for six years where Kelly oversees online shipping and Troy is the store manager. The couple has one son, Slade, who is two and a half.
“We still live in Canyon and I really enjoy living in a small town like I grew up in. When we’re not working I sometimes rope at World Series events. We also have a contract for the goat tying in the high school and junior rodeos in Region 1 and the Junior Cowboy Rodeo Association,” explains McDonald. “Slade is able to compete there in the 3 & Under. The little ones do everything on foot and he just won his first buckle.
“I love kids, and Kelly and I are enjoying Slade and being parents.”

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
Now days if I get to practice twice a week that’s a lot.
Do you make your own horses?
I used to when I was in high school and college. I’ve bought the last few.
Who were your roping heroes?
Speed Williams, my parents and my step-dad Jody Ruth.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My wife. She puts up with me and sees to it Slade and I have what we want and need.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
Through high school, my mom put her barrel racing second so I could jackpot. I’ll never forget when I graduated she said, “Now it’s my turn to go again.” I would not have wanted to match her when I was growing up.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
I would like to go to Florida and get on a bass boat and fish all day.
Favorite movie?
Tombstone.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Competitive, good hearted, love kids.
What makes you happy?
My family.
What makes you angry?
Missing the horns.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would love to build an indoor arena and buy my wife a boat.
What is your best quality – your worst?
My best quality is being kind hearted and that I love teaching kids. My worst quality is, as a header, I push the envelope too much instead of focusing on catching.

Very few cowboys are able to achieve their rodeo dreams and build a business at the same time. To be successful at either requires significant time and dedication. But that’s exactly what Cody Johnson has done over the last few years.
At 49, Cody qualified for the PRCA First Frontier Circuit Finals last year, and owns Twisted J, in Stephenville, Texas, with his wife, Luann. Cody and Luann have three children: Bayli, 25, Tori, 23, and Clay, 16.
Cody grew up on the family ranch in Lingleville, Texas, and as a youngster tried riding bulls and rough stock. He also spent time as a jockey and assistant trainer in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Though he had always roped on the ranch, Cody had never team roped and in his early 20’s a friend got him started. He had been playing at it for a couple of years when he met Luann, a successful barrel racer.
“The first few years we were married, we went pretty hard,” says Cody. “But when you’re raising kids priorities change, so there was about twelve years or so that I really couldn’t afford to pick up a rope.
“After my dad passed away, we moved back to the ranch. I built an arena because the kids were going to high school rodeos and I started roping in the practice pen. One night when I came in the house Luann said, ‘It’s time for you to put up or shut up. You never go anywhere and I’m tired of hearing how good you are.’”
Not long after, in January 2012, a nervous Cody entered a Brother-in-Law roping in Glen Rose, Texas.
“I had been out of it for so long, I was as nervous as a kid on his first day of school. I entered 20 times on a barrel horse reject. He wasn’t great but he was all I had. I didn’t win anything, but felt like I roped pretty good.”
A few weeks later, a confident Cody and some friends loaded up in the bus they used for high school rodeos and made the trip to Jacksonville, Florida for the NTRL finals.
“I felt like I was roping good, and was having the time of my life and really enjoying the camaraderie,” says Cody. “Once I got there I didn’t rope well at all. I entered with Speed Williams and he was teasing me a little. It really had an impact on me and I realized I needed to refocus and commit if I was going to get better. I would have to pay my dues again.”
That year Cody worked at his roping and at a World Series roping in Hugo, OK, secured one of the last available qualifications for the World Series Finals in Las Vegas. During those finals Johnson placed a couple of times and won a little money, but was still dreaming about rodeo.
Cody knew the importance of surrounding yourself with talent and how it makes you try harder. So, he began been spending time with professional ropers like Dakota Kirchenschlager and Cesar de la Cruz.
“After learning from those guys and working to emulate their mental and physical training, I told my wife I wanted to get my PRCA card and make a run at the First Frontier Circuit finals. Her reply was, ‘I would rather you go and fail, than to not go at all.’ So, with her blessing, I loaded up and headed north for four months and made the circuit finals last year at the age of 49. I am living proof that dreams do come true if you work hard enough.”
Unfortunately an old shoulder injury required surgery early this year and Johnson will be out for the remainder of 2018. He plans on coming back bigger and better in 2019.
“I love the western lifestyle and heritage and like to think I make an impact. I believe America still loves the American cowboy and if it weren’t for the fans rodeo cowboys would not have a job. Rodeo is not always easy and almost impossible without sponsors. I have some great sponsors and believe in being loyal and holding up my end of that relationship.”
When Johnson started traveling in 2012 he met producers, John Johnson and Troy Shelly, and credits these relationships, among others, in the roping and rodeo industry for the growth Twisted J has enjoyed. Twisted J started as a small boutique and has evolved into a merchandise company that now occupies a 22,000 square foot building in Stephenville, Texas.
“Initially we got started by acquiring licensing agreements for some major western companies. We now do screen printing and embroidery in house for some of the largest companies in the industry. At Twisted J we focus on quality and customer service and that philosophy has served us well.”
Several years ago, Twisted J was invited to set up a gifting suite at the Golden Globes in Hollywood, California. Cody and Luann gladly participated and saw this as a prime branding opportunity. Not long after, they received a similar invitation for the Oscars with a request for ‘the cowboy from Texas.’
The following year Stephen Tyler, front man for Aerosmith, released a country album. He also wanted to align with a western company that would help support his charity for neglected and abused women, Janies Fund. The Johnsons gladly accepted the challenge and have enjoyed a friendship with Tyler as a result.
A trip to Nashville sparked the idea for their latest successful venture.
“We were considering opening a location in Nashville. That didn’t work out, but what we saw there were boutiques with small stages where local artists would perform. We bounced a lot of ideas around and eventually built a stage and bar in our building. Now, with Twisted J Live, we have a state of the art music venue where acts from all over the country perform.”
“If it weren’t for my travels in rodeo and roping, our business wouldn’t be what it is today. Without the relationships and clients like Resistol and Stephen Tyler, Twisted J as it is, would not exist.”
“I enjoy what I do and realize I am incredibly blessed. But I also know this journey would not be possible without the support of my family, friends, and sponsors.”

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
When I’m healthy and able, every day.

Do you make your own horses?
No.

Who have been your rodeo or roping heroes?
Speed Williams, Cesar, Dakota, Russell Cardoza. I admire anyone who has made it to that level because it is not easy.

Who do you respect most in the world?
My mother, Linda.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My wife, Luann. She has always believed in me and encouraged me.

If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Spend it with my family.

Favorite movie?
Top Gun.

What’s the last thing you read?
Wall Street Journal.

How would you describe yourself in three words?
Fun, loyal, generous.

What makes you happy?
Life

What makes you angry?
Takers – people who take and don’t give back.

What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is being ethical. My worst quality is I can be hard headed.

There are a few professions, besides rodeo, that require driving many miles and spending time away from home. One of those occupations is a sales rep, which is what Scott Stickley has chosen to do for the last twenty-six years. Scott, who makes his home in Whitesboro, Texas, is a sales rep for Professional’s Choice, Dutton Bits, Fast Back Ropes, Weaver Leather, and Eight Away Breakaway. Covering Texas and New Mexico keeps him on the road four days a week and puts 65,000 miles a year on his truck.
“Being a sales rep isn’t rocket science,” says Scott. “You get in your truck and call on accounts. Ninety-five percent of the people in our industry are good people and fun to deal with. It’s not like having a real job. I get to go see people and visit.”
“My favorite thing about this job is the relationships I’ve built over the years. It’s more of a friendship than a business relationship at this point.”
Stickley grew up in Iowa roping calves and qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo three times. He was crowned state champion calf roper during his sophomore and senior years.
“When I was 18, I moved to Texas. The weather was more favorable for roping and I knew I could rope more often against some great ropers. Shortly after moving I realized the calf roping was very competitive – more so than I had anticipated. Later I met Shaun Burchett, a world champion steer roper, and started roping with him. I grew to love the sport, mostly due to the horsemanship involved. In 1990 I was the PRCA Rookie Steer Roper of the year.”
Stickley’s first job in Texas was working in a warehouse for a company that sold pneumatic tools. In the early 90’s he went to work for Jimmy Smith, of Smith Brothers, in Denton, Texas, putting on team ropings. He also helped manage the 1,800 head of steers Smith owned and leased.
Scott soon found himself working “road shows” for Smith Brothers such as Congress and the NFR and eventually went to work in the store full time. There he met visiting sales reps and decided it was a pretty cool profession.
“At one of the road shows I met Monty Crist, Professional’s Choice, who convinced me to step out of retail and try my hand at being a sales rep,” explains Stickley. “My first lines were Professional’s Choice and Dutton Bits. At the time PC only had about five products so sales were nothing like they are today.”
Now, years later, Scott has seen a lot of changes in the western industry.
“Sadly, the smaller ‘mom and pop’ stores are dwindling. The Internet has a lot to do with it, and the larger companies keep expanding. The changes I find exciting is the development of new materials used in sport boots, and rope making. High tech is making its way to the western industry.”
When not traveling, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife, Regale, and two daughters, Jaci, 19, and Jesi, 14. He also ropes steers and team ropes.
“I still enjoy this hobby very much. I enjoy roping and like keeping current with the needs, ideas, and changes in products. Staying in the loop helps me service and relate to my customers’ needs.

COWBOY Q&A
Do you make your own horses?
Yes.
Who have been your roping heroes?
Roy Cooper, Phil Lyne.
Who do you respect most in the world?
Greg Dutton.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My dad.
What’s the last thing you read?
A book called, Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Humble, self-motivated, good friend.
What makes you happy?
Family.
If you were given one million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would help our church, put enough away for college for my girls, and save rest away for retirement.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is honesty. My worst is being disorganized.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Hopefully in ten years, I will be retired and roping in Arizona during the winter.