ONES TO WATCH: Calvin Taylor, Jr.

Calvin Taylor, 14 , of El Paso, Texas is currently first in the Junior NFR Open Header standings and sixth in the Junior NFR #10 Heeler standings. His sister, Caroline, is coincidentally featured on page 50 as one of the top ladies in the Cinch Ladies Standings.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DO AS WELL AS YOU HAVE?

It takes a lot of time and effort, and a lot of practice. I’ve had good luck with my partner, Sterlin English. We’ve been winning a lot together. I’m just thankful for my nice horses and my partner’s horses. We go to a lot of good ropings.

WHAT HORSES DO YOU USE?

I’m riding two horses right now. I’m riding my good roan head horse, Roanie. He’s 11 years old. My other one is Cat. He’s 7 years old.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BOTH OF YOUR HORSES?

My roan horse is from Cholula, Mexico, so he’s really tough and works good every time—I can run a lot of steers on him. The other one is just young, really smart, and fast footed.

WE HEARD YOU WERE HEELING ON YOUR DAD’S BFI HEEL HORSE THE WEEKEND BEFORE AND GOT HIM A LITTLE SHORT.

Yes—actually, that’s my heel horse. My dad rode him. I’m in the top five on the heel side in the Junior (NFR) #10, so I was trying to win some more points. I had my horse out there already, so he just rode mine. I was heeling steers really fast all day so he got to where he was working fast and short.

WHO TAUGHT YOU TO ROPE, AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ROPING?

I’ve been roping for as long as I can remember. Mostly my dad, Calvin Taylor, taught me how to rope

WHICH END DO YOU PREFER AND WHY?

I prefer heading—I’m better at it for sure. But, I like to heel because it’s pretty fun. I’ve kind of always headed. I didn’t heel until about two years ago, but my head horses are world class, and I have really good heelers.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR EACH ROPING?

I just practice and try to have a good mental game and not really joke around or anything, just stay prepared. I make sure that I rope the dummy enough and have my swing down. You kind of have to have a grown-up attitude to rope, I guess.

WHAT ARE YOUR LONG-TERM GOALS IN THE SPORT OF TEAM ROPING?

I would sure like to make the WNFR a few times and maybe a World title.

WHAT ROPE DO YOU USE, AND LAY?

I’m sponsored by Fast Back Ropes. I like the Ultimate Four XS to head with and the Venom M to heel with.

IF YOU COULD ROPE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

I’ve roped with Junior (Noguiera) a few times. He’s so cool and ropes so good. On the head side, probably Clay Tryan. He’s one of the best headers that’s ever lived so, I could pick up a few things from him.

Read about Calvin’s sister, Caroline Taylor in the USTRC Cinch Ladies Standings HERE