I first met Shay Carroll when he won the College National Finals in Casper, Wyo., for Northeastern Junior College with Tyler Schnaufer in 2012. Since then, he’s gone on to qualify for two Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and win RodeoHouston. While honing his heeling, he’s stayed sharp in the tie-down roping, winning four all-around titles in 2016 and tying for the win in the calf roping at Alberta’s Grande Prairie Stampede. We’ll get to see him for the first time this year in CINCH Timed Event Championship Action. 

How long have you wanted to go to the CINCH Timed Event Championship?

It’s always something I’ve wanted to do. I’ve known about it since I was little. I always prepared knowing someday I’d go. The whole reason I bull dogged in high school and college is that I thought I’d be at the Timed Event someday. 

Past bull dogging experience?

I started bull dogging in high school. Jace Honey lives right by my house, and I went to his school growing up. I bull dogged my sophomore, junior and senior years of high school and the first two years of college. I’m no Luke Branquinho, and I’m not going to throw one in the stands. But I think I usually get them caught. 

Any tripping experience?

I haven’t started yet. That is starting this Saturday. I’m getting help from Bryce Davis. He’s been to the steer roping finals and the Timed Event. He offered to help me. He has tripping steers and a good horse. I’m going to stay there next week and try to trip everyday.

Are you worried about injury?

No. I think there are people who get hurt of course, but I’m not worried about it.

What horses are you bringing?

I don’t know all that yet. I’ve got a calf horse, QB, I bought in Canada. I wasn’t in the Timed Event last year, but I bought that horse wanting to get in. 

Will your family be there?

Absolutely.

What are you most looking forward to?

The experience. One of the reasons I always liked the Timed Event is that it’s a slower-paced, more horsemanship event. The guys with a tougher mental game show up. That’s what I want to see. I’ve done other timed-event deals without bull dogging or tripping. It’s more of a mental sport. You’re trying not to make mistakes, and that is all mental. You have to think SCORE RIDE ROPE 25 times. That makes it a mental game.