Pushing the Barrier by Speed Williams

Recently I was asked how traveling with my family differs from traveling before having kids. When first married, Jennifer and I would share the driving, making sure we were there in plenty of time and I was rested and ready.

A header has to dictate the start so it’s important to be there early enough to do your homework. He needs to know how to get out from behind the barrier. He needs to find out what steer he’s drawn and then talk to someone who has run him to get all the information he can.

Traveling with kids usually makes it difficult to rest. For some reason when we arrive it seems the kids are always rested, so they are not ready to lie down for a nap. Now days we try to make sure the phones, iPad or computer are charged before leaving home, and we make sure we have movies they can watch going down the road.

Traveling with kids multiplies the hours it takes to get ready. There’s no more sleeping until two hours before competition. You have to get the kids dressed, fed and moving before you can even begin preparing to rope. If the kids get sick, your priorities change and then your preparation is lacking.

Though it’s more work and effort when the kids are along, it’s a labor of love. It means the world to me to be with my kids every day. I realize they will only be small and young once and I don’t want to miss any of it.

The other day I took Gabe with me to the rodeo in San Angelo while my mom and wife went to the Wildfire All Girl roping. The first morning I let him sleep and he was not happy about me leaving him in the trailer while I roped. The next morning I’m up in the slack at 8 a.m. We get up at 5 a.m., get him some breakfast and by 6:30, when they’re drawing steers, we’re saddled and warming up. Gabe really enjoyed having his horse there, but it was nerve wracking for Daddy to make sure he stayed safe.

So, to answer the question of how traveling with your family changes things – it changes your routine drastically. But then again, if you’re trying to be a good parent, it’s supposed to.

What’s new with me: Many times I’ve been asked to provide a way for people to see what the locked videos are all about. I’m happy to say you can now pay to view one video; five videos or twenty-five videos. My online store is also now up and running. I’ve had many requests from people who want to buy the ropes I actually use, that are made for me. These are now available through my online store at speedroping.com.

If you’ve never been to speedroping.com, my runs from the George Strait roping and most other places are there and free to watch. The locked versions are slowed down and include my commentary on what I was thinking and what went right or wrong.

For those of you who’ve been following Rope Myers on Full Metal Jousting, you can watch Gabe’s version on my website. It’s pretty funny.

Bubba Buckaloo (left) and Dakota Kirchenschlager (right), 2012 Wildfire Open to the World Champions.

Salado, TX – Saturday, February 11^th, was a big payday for the young team of Bubba Buckaloo and Dakota Kirchenschlager. As high team back, the duo needed to make a 9-second run to win the roping. A nice businessman run easily won first place with time to spare.

Buckaloo and Kirchenschlager bested 159 teams with an aggregate time of 45.11 on six-head – close to two-seconds faster than second place. They each won $50,000 in cash, Montana Silversmith buckles, Cactus Saddlery briefcases and Resistol Black Gold hats.

Both partners double dipped in the average. Bubba Buckaloo also won sixth place with Matt Zancanella for an additional $6,900. Dakota won seventh place with Tate Kirchenschlager, his cousin and regular rodeo partner, earning another $5,700.

“It just feels amazing,” says Kirchenschlager. “The thrill of winning this roping only comes second to the birth of my daughter, Bryln.”

“Bubba and I have been friends for a long time and it has always been a dream of ours to win the Wildfire Open. I’m very grateful to my sponsors and other folks that helped make this possible. I’d like to thank Fighting 7 Ranch, Fast Back Ropes, and Coats Saddlery.”

Full results are as follows:

Fast time, 1^st rotation: 1. Kelsey Parchman/Justin Copp, 6.21, $7,200; 2. Casey Gattis/B. J. Dugger, 6.22 $4,260; 3. Charles Pogue/Jett Hillman, 6.31, $2840.

Fast time, short round: 1. Brady Tryan/Broc Cresta, 4.9 $7,200; 2. Clay Smith/Nick Rowland, 5.55, $4260; 3. Colby Lovell/Cesar DeLaCruz, 5.88, $2840.

Average: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 45.11, $100,000; 2. Brady Tryan/Broc Cresta, 46.72, $27,500; 3. David Key/Paul Eaves, 47.19, $24,000; 4. David Motes/Jaytin McCright, 47.79, $20,600; 5. Shane Philipp/John Philipp, 48.08, $17,200; 6. Bubba Buckaloo/Mat Zancanella, 48.4, $13,800; 7. Tate Kirchenschlager/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 48.44, $11,400.

Pushing the Barrier

The mental game plays a huge part in the success of your team roping. Being confident in yourself and your horses is crucial. That confidence comes from the practice pen. Practice making correct runs of various situations. Whether it’s being fast, just catching and being under eleven-seconds, or whether you need to be seven. There are a lot of situations that need to be practiced and each is done differently.

Don’t make it a habit of going to the practice pen and doing the same thing over and over. If you run to the hip in the same position, every time, what will happen at a roping if your steers ducks, or checks off. Neither the barrier nor the steers will be the same anywhere you go. There are different ways to practice scoring, riding, and reaching. As you practice different situations correctly you gain confidence.

Another confidence booster is knowing your horse will work, giving you the opportunity to execute the run. Again, this comes from your experience in the practice pen. That confidence is a luxury I had when I was hauling Bob and Viper. I knew Bob was going to run to the cow and let me set up the run without having to reach. He was great in the long score because he could run so fast. Viper was great in the short scores because he was very athletic and had lots of cow. He scored well and went wherever the cow went and allowed me to use my arm to do whatever I needed.

If you are not confident your horse will work, it’s hard to have a positive attitude. If you know your horse won’t score, is going to duck, or do other things wrong then it’s impossible to be confident.

Another part of the mental game is not second-guessing yourself. One year at the NFR I was 0 for 3. When I backed in the box in the fourth round I still came firing and threw my rope when the barrier pulled. I had to lie to myself and convince myself I had done everything right and won the last three rounds. When you nod your head you don’t need any doubts. When you second-guess yourself you make a lot of mistakes.

Make a variety of correct runs in the practice pen. Rope the dummy on the ground from a variety of positions. This kind of preparation is key for your confidence and mental game. You need to know you can overcome a variety of situations.

What’s going on with me: This week we went to three different open ropings, including Odessa and Waco. The short rounds and my runs are up on my website at speedroping.com. We now have over 1,300 videos available for viewing. There’s some great video of recent practice sessions with Jade Corkill, Marty Becker and Clay Cooper.

Next week we’re headed to Florida for the NTRL Finals in Jacksonville, my hometown. There we’ll have a booth and I’m looking forward to visiting with a lot of old friends.

My son is learning how to take over my job. The other day he roped the Hot Heels and came in my office and did the voice over about his roping and riding Blackie. If you need a good laugh, be sure and watch it. It’s very cute.

“I’m very happy to be part of the Fast Back Pro team,” says Graves. “I’m really excited to have such an arsenal of top quality ropes at my disposal. My favorite in my bag right now is the new Redline.”

In order to be closer to the roping action and his partner, last year Travis and his wife, Tamika, relocated from Oklahoma to Morgan Mill, Texas. Tamika travels with Travis throughout the year and works part time as a nurse.

Travis and Clay earned $72,981 at the 2011 Wrangler National Finals for a season total of $189,649 each. They were both reserve world champions and placed third in the average.

What most people don’t realize is the amount of sacrifice and commitment it takes to get to that moment. There are many sleepless nights and miles of driving expensive rigs that haul horses that can cost a much as a starter home. There are so many things that must be done all year in order to get to the finals and have a chance to win $100,000 and a world championship.

Though grateful for the opportunity, this particular ten-day span is anything but a vacation. During the NFR, contestants are busy during the days fulfilling commitments to their sponsors for autograph sessions and appearances. There is lots of visiting and handshaking with fans and long lost friends. Many guys keep their horses off grounds where they can practice and have access to nicer stalls. Then they have to haul their horses to the rodeo through the traffic, which is nuts from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. I always tried to have my horse on the grounds by 4 p.m. and to be on the grounds myself an hour before the performance. Sometimes, if I was lucky, I could catch a fifteen-minute nap in an effort to unwind.

Team ropers get a chance to run the steers through at the Thomas & Mack a day or so before the rodeo starts. We would video the steers and keep a list of what each steer did. Every night I would find out the steer I’d drawn and then watch him go on video. Steers don’t always make the same run, but it’s important to have an educated guess of what to expect and be able to overcome any bad habits they might have.

The first year I went to the NFR and didn’t compete, I didn’t really enjoy being there and didn’t want to watch. Last year, however, there were so many guys wearing a speedroping.com patch that it was exciting for me. It meant a lot that my peers were willing to help promote my business. Sitting in the stands, texting and talking to them every night is a big rush. It’s exciting to see what their mindset is.

One of the hardest things to overcome at the NFR is getting off to a bad start, which I’m famous for. I don’t wish that to happen to anyone, but it does and it’s interesting to see guys overcome it. The whole world is watching and you need to be able to deal with and fix your problems. You have 23 hours and 59 minutes to dwell on what you did wrong, overcome it and turn it into a positive. Usually the guys who let the previous night’s mistakes affect them will endure some grief. Probably the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me was getting my rope under my horse’s tail. This was caused by a mistake on my part and almost cost us a world championship. But, I got it out and we were able to place in the average and ultimately win the world title.

Without a doubt one of the most stressful parts of competing at the NFR is trying to field hundreds of calls from people who want tickets to the rodeo. This year I’m in the same boat. Being an 8-time world champion doesn’t mean anything when it comes to getting tickets. I try not to bother the guys roping because I remember the drama it caused me.

Speedroping.com will have a booth at the South Point so I will be there for the World Series of Team Roping Finals. Any of my subscribers competing need to stop by the booth and pick up some patches. We will have a random drawing for subscribers where we will give away a new Hot Heels roping machine. You can also subscribe at the booth. Please don’t forget to wear a patch while you’re roping – no patch, no prize – even if you’re name is drawn. Feel free to stop by the booth and visit. Good luck to everyone roping at the NFR and the World Series.

What’s new with me:  Yesterday was exciting at the Williams ranch. I had a deal with my seven-year old daughter, Hali, that when she caught five steers in a row she would be allowed to turn off. She’s been working on it for a couple of months and yesterday was the day. I would have been happy if she didn’t turn any until she was nine or ten but she worked very hard at it and I have to keep my word. I have to admit I was pretty nervous and will be for some time. When you are dealing with animals and people, anything can happen and you have to be willing to deal with it.

We now have over 1,250 videos online with over 1,000,000 watched. Recent videos include practices with Jade Corkill, Brad Culpepper and Kaleb Driggers. Quite a few guys are supposed to come rope before the NFR. We video this practice and I break down the runs in slow motion. Stop by speedroping.com and see what’s new.

I will be staying at the MGM during the NFR. If you need accommodations during the NFR, you can visit speedroping.com and click on the MGM link to get a special rate.

Pushing the Barrier – November 2011

Rich Skelton and I have been teaching a few schools lately. Recently we had a school in Amarillo and one at Rich’s house in Llano. We have a school in Elk City, OK this weekend, and one in Idaho the first week in November.

We have made a significant change in our schools where the first thing we do is film students roping steers. Then we stop and watch it on a television to show people what they are doing wrong. This is so much more effective than explaining what they did wrong after their run is finished. This way they don’t have to try and process the information, they can see it themselves and know immediately what we’re explaining. Using this method has made a huge difference in how quickly people improve.

Video cameras and video technology have improved tremendously in the last four or five years. The biggest improvement is the ability to freeze-frame in high quality letting us be more effective teachers. We can freeze-frame or slow down the video and show students in great detail exactly what’s happening and how to fix it.

The number of people who have never watched themselves rope on film is amazing to me. Many of these people have roped for more than twenty years. I have used a video camera as tool since I was 14 or 15. The quality was not particularly good back then, but it was still a valuable tool.

If you are going to spend your time, effort and money roping, you need to take the time to film yourself and watch it. This way you can see what you and your horse are doing and where you need to improve. It is incredibly hard to be aware and able to pin point this while making a run. Seeing it with your own eyes makes all the difference in the world. If you are serious about improving your roping, this is one of the most valuable tools you can use.

What’s new with me:  This week we’re headed to Oklahoma City and the USTRC Finals. I have a terrific opportunity for speedroping.com subscribers. We will have a drawing for a complete NFR package that includes two tickets for the last five performances to this year’s NFR, along with a suite at the MGM Grand Hotel.

To qualify for this drawing, you need to be a speedroping.com subscriber and wear a speedroping.com patch while competing. To subscribe to our site and/or pick up your patch stop by our booth located in the coliseum, between the Hot Heels and Priefert booths near the concession stand. The drawing will take place on Sunday, right after the #8 roping starts. You do not have to be present to win. Subscribers will also be eligible for the drawing for a private school at my house.

At speedroping.com, we now have 1,170 videos online and have crossed the 1,000,000 videos watched mark. It is a very exciting milestone for me. Please feel free to stop by our booth at the USTRC Finals.

Fast Back has enjoyed an overwhelming response to their last rope released in 2010, the Natural. The Natural was built with a slightly deader feel than other Fast Back ropes, and an accented tip feel. All feedback indicates that ropers love the Natural. There are some who crave a lighter, snappier version of this best seller, so master rope-maker, Al Benson, started development on a new rope based on these requests. After months of testing, the Redline was born.

The Redline is a nylon-poly blend that is red in color. The Redline is slightly smaller and lighter than the Natural with some of the same desirable characteristics that make the Natural so popular.

“We anticipate the Redline will appeal to both headers and heelers,” explains Al Benson. “This rope is made with a unique poly fiber developed specifically for the Redline.”

The Redline will be available in stores October 1, 2011.

Last month we talked about having the dream of making the National Finals Rodeo and what it takes to make that happen. There are guys who rope outstanding that don’t make the finals every year. There are guys with gold buckles who miss making the finals every year. Why? Because team roping has gotten a lot tougher and there are a lot of teams now who have a chance to win first at every rodeo. There are also many factors involved like entering, getting reruns and understanding how to give yourself the best chance to win. It’s not easy to make the NFR by any means.

If you are a heeler, it’s difficult to get a partner to go on the rodeo trail and win with.

That’s because there are many heelers who rope good enough to make the finals. There are plenty of #10 heelers who rope good enough but can’t find a partner with the horsepower or money to go all year long and risk what it costs to make the finals.

The rodeos have a variety of scores, boxes, and arenas and it normally takes more than one head horse to get the job done. Most successful headers will have a horse that performs well in a short score situation and one that performs well behind a long score. A horse that can do both well is almost impossible to find, but I have seen a few.

Occasionally you’ll see world champion heelers pick up young, gutsy headers with lots of ability because you never know who the next superstar will be. These are guys with a lot of range with their roping who can go fast, and ultimately have the ability to win at the NFR. If you can’t go fast, the odds of winning much at the NFR are pretty slim.

The mental factor is important when you rodeo at that level. You have to be mentally tough and able to be away from home and by yourself for long periods of time. If you miss or break a barrier on a good steer, can you drive 20 hours and show up at the next rodeo with a positive attitude and do your job to the best of your ability? You need a lot of confidence and have a good understanding of what it takes to win. That comes from practicing correctly before you ever leave home.

It’s rare to see two young ropers, in their first attempt, make the finals together. There’s a huge advantage to partnering or buddying with someone who has already made it. Guys that have been down that road know how to enter, where to practice and where to stay. That’s a huge advantage when you’re gone from home for months at a time. They know the set up at each rodeo, what kind of horse it takes to win and how to get them there.  There is so much preparation, planning and organization involved when you rodeo professionally at that level. Most people have no idea just how much preparation it takes.

Many parents of young and talented kids frown upon paying a partner, or his expenses, to rope with their son. Many folks don’t realize that when I was young my father supplied the horses, the rig and the money, for me and my partners to rodeo. I was young and had not proven myself west of the Mississippi, but my dad understood that until I won, it was going to be hard to get a partner. If you have a son that wants to make the NFR, you’re much better off hiring someone with your beliefs that has been successful in professional rodeo. Whether you hire him as a partner or a buddy team to be a coach, this will give your son a better chance of making it to the NFR. I have seen lots of parents put their kids on the road with other youngsters and they fail time and again. It ends up taking them four or five years to qualify for the NFR. Young talent must have the opportunity to prove themselves and if your son ropes good enough, you won’t have to do this but one time and then he’ll be able to get partners.  But he has to be in a situation where he can show his skills.

A good example of the benefit of young headers roping with someone successful and experienced is Clay O’Brien Cooper. He has been a very good judge of picking young guys with lots of ability. Bobby Hurley roped with Clay for a year and went on to win three world titles. I roped with Clay for a year and then won eight world titles. Clay Tryan roped with Clay for a year and went on to win the world. Matt Sherwood and Walt Woodard. Chad Masters and Allen Bach. It’s very beneficial for young headers to rope with experienced heelers that can teach them the business part of rodeo and how to win. I learned a lot roping with Clay that helped me with my heading.

What’s new with me: We just got back from Reno, Nevada. Bob Feist allowed me to post runs on my website for the guys who wear my patch. The list includes: Chad Masters, Jade Corkill, Turtle Powell, Keven Daniels, Marty Becker, Riley and Brady Minor, Ryan Motes, Kaleb Driggers, Camish Jennings, Matt Funk, Coleman Proctor, and Brandon Beers. If you want to see their runs at the BFI, you can watch them for free on my website at speedroping.com.

Also the PDL, the $1 Million in 1 Day roping, as well as the All Girl short rounds are all free to watch. There are close to 1,000 videos online now with 2,500 views averaged daily. We have had 850,000 total views to date with more videos added regularly. We are accepting advertising on speedroping.com. Please visit my site at speedroping.com for more information.

Rodeo events included Barrel Racing, Boys Breakaway, Boys Goat Tying, Junior Bull Riding, Chute Dogging, Girls Breakaway, Girls Goat Tying, Pole Bending, Ribbon Roping, Tie Down and Team Roping.

Marcus Theriot, from Poplarville, Mississippi, handily won three of those events and placed second in a fourth to win the All Around title with a whopping 2,825 points (twice as many as the Reserve All Around). Marcus won first in the Chute Dogging, Tie Down roping and Team Roping. He also won second in the Boys Goat Tying and finished in the top twenty in the Ribbon Roping.

Prior to the Junior High Finals, on Memorial Day weekend, at the Barry Burk Championship Junior Roping in Durant, Oklahoma, Marcus dominated the 13-15 Tie Down field of 75 ropers. Theriot won the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th rounds and the average with an aggregate time of 43.42 seconds on four head.

According to his dad Herbert, 1994 Tie Down World Champion, there’s nothing Marcus would rather do than rope and rodeo. Marcus has a drive and desire that comes from within.

“We never have to tell him to practice or ride his horse,” says Herbert. “I’ve seen him roping the dummy at midnight. If he’s not roping, he’s watching NFR videos.”

Though young Theriot is likely at the start of a long and rewarding rodeo career, that is not what his parents are most proud of.

“Marcus is a good, humble kid and is mature beyond his years,” explains his father. “I’m proud of the fact that win or lose, Marcus stays the same. He’s not bothered by pressure at all.”

On the way home from Gallup, the Theriots stopped in Denton, Texas, for Roy Cooper’s 27^th Annual Junior Calf Roping. There, Marcus won the 13-15 Boys Tie Down Roping.

At fourteen years old, Marcus is 5’11” and weighs 185 pounds, the same weight his father was during his first trip to the NFR in 1988.  Next year he will be in the 9th grade, advancing to the High School division of rodeo. Between competing at a new level and helping his dad produce rodeos, Marcus will definitely be in his element.

Marcus is sponsored by Cinch, Fast Back Ropes and Lyles Strings.

Pushing the Barrier – July 2011

One question I’m often asked is, “How do I make it to the NFR?” There is no easy answer, so I will be writing a series of articles this summer that cover my opinion on this.

Many people have dreams of competing at the National Finals Rodeo. Are they just dreams or can you turn it into a reality? How much time, effort, and work, are you willing to put into it? Don’t get me wrong, everyone has goals, but if you don’t have the necessary time and money, they are hard to achieve. The road to the NFR is an exceptionally hard and expensive trip and not as glamorous as many people think.

Before considering a run at the pro level, you need to be able to win your local Open ropings and rodeos on a regular basis. If you can’t win these, the odds of you winning out in the big pond are mighty slim because the competition is much tougher. Unless you’re in the Stephenville, TX area, where it’s not uncommon for an Open jackpot to have thirty world titles amongst the competition.

In 1988, I left home heeling for Casey Cox and we made the NFR at the bottom of the pack. During this time, I saw a bigger need for headers than heelers. I went home and convinced my father that I needed to head at the pro rodeos.  I had spent my entire life working on my heeling and had won everything there was to win heeling back east. This was before the number system where everyone roped against everyone else in the jackpots. When I was 14 years old, there were places where when I showed up they would say I could head, but not heel at the roping. As a heeler, I thought heading was much easier than it was. It’s different heading at jackpots, than at rodeos where you have to spin one steer to win, versus catching every cow and seeing what you win at the end.

I spent a couple of years heading for Brad Culpepper at amateur rodeos and jackpots in the southeast, and we won consistently. If our horses weren’t working, or we needed to regroup we would go home for a bit. We always tried to go out for a couple of months and then make a plan to go home for a couple of weeks.

Be brutally honest with yourself. If you cannot win locally at the rodeos and jackpots, your odds of winning when you leave home and go rope against everyone else in the country, with the same dream, are not very good. There are guys who do not make the NFR every year that rope outstanding.  There are guys with gold buckles who miss making the finals every year.

What’s new with me: We have close to 1,000 videos on my website now at speedroping.com. I recently put up the short rounds from the Windy Ryon Open and All Girl along with the World Series Heartland Finale, in Guthrie, OK.

In the last seven weeks, I’ve had Rich Skelton, Brad Culpepper, Clay O Cooper, Jade Corkill, Marty Becker, Ryan Motes, and Paul Eaves at the house roping. If you want to see two tough heelers head, I’ve got Clay O and Jade Corkill heading on my practice horses. They’re bringing the heat, and showing us how they’d do it at the NFR.

I film pretty much every day and upload these videos almost daily with my voiceovers. We are getting ready to take off for the BFI and the Perry Di Loreto Roping. As last year, Jennifer will load my runs at the BFI within an hour of my run.