Treston Brazile one-upped himself in the ARHFA World Championship Non Pro Heeling in 2024—winning both first and second place to 2023’s first-place—earning a total of $14,580.
“I was a little more nervous than I usually am because I was on [Pride And Joyy],” Brazile, 16, said. “I’ll usually ride one or two of Miles [Baker’s] and he couldn’t care less if I messed up on them. But I really wanted to do good for the stud’s owners.”
Brazile did just that, topping Round 1 on Woody Be Spotted and Round 2 on Pride And Joyy, entering the short go as first and second high call. From there, it was time to execute with his dad Trevor Brazile on the head side spinning the steers for him.
No. 1 Woody Be Spotted
With scores of 229.34, 229.11 and 230.06 for an aggregate of 688.51 on the flashiest horse in the pen, Brazile won the Non Pro Heeling for the second year in a row.
“I’ve showed [Woody Be Spotted] since I got him, and I won it on him last year,” Brazile said. “He loves this arena and has won a lot at the US Finals and things. A lot of people would think [the judges] don’t like Appaloosa’s, but he’s so flashy, and when he stops he frames up. He’ll take a hit and that’s the main part of the run.”
Owned by Relentless Remuda, Woody Be Spotted added $8,100 to his ledger with the win.
No. 2 Pride And Joyy
Brazile had the opportunity to ride one of the hottest rope stallions going in the Non Pro Heeling, too, finishing with an aggregate of 686.97 following scores of 227.99, 231.7 and 227.28. With the effort, “Kilo” won $6,480.
Owned by a partnership including Relentless Remuda, Solo Select and Kaleb Terlip, Brazile admitted there was more pressure with “more people in my corner.”
“I think I get more nervous on a horse that’s so talented because they know their job, and I just have to do my job,” Brazile said. “It’s like a Ferrari on autopilot. He’s a super amazing horse and I’m super blessed to get to ride him.”
Brazile thanked the stud’s owners for the opportunity to ride him as well as his dad Trevor for heading for him all day. Trevor had shoulder surgery earlier in the year, meaning that Baker headed for Brazile while Trevor healed.
“When my dad got back it was like he never left,” Brazile said. “They handle cows very similar, but there is something different about roping with dad. He doesn’t like to help, but I make him help me all the time.”
As for roping goals, Brazile says he plans to make it to the ARHFA Open Heeling Short Go in 2025 before turning his attention from the horse show business to rodeo.