Number and End: I’m a 7 Elite heeler. I head a little bit, but I’m primarily a heeler.
Association of Preference: World Series of Team Roping. It’s just awesome. It’s the only place you can make that kind of money. Just the Finale itself is amazing. Even at the regional qualifiers, a guy can win what you can all summer at some of the other associations.
Rope of Choice: I use the GT4.
Biggest Win: Probably when my wife, Cassie, and I won the WSTR #12 qualifier at Pasco, Wash., this year. I was nervous. We rope together everywhere and it doesn’t seem like we ever have much luck. That was our first good chance and I didn’t want to screw it up. I knew she was going to turn him, I wasn’t nervous about that. Between Cassie and I, we won a little over $13,000 that day.
How you got into roping: I grew up on a ranch in Grangeville, Idaho, and my folks, Lee and Annie Woods, raised and trained horses. My dad team roped and I just started roping as a little kid.
Your Favorite Roping: Now, I think the Finale. I went for the first time last year and I hope I can go every year. The entire experience is phenomenal. It’s kind of like a vacation because you get to go to Vegas and everything that comes along with that. And obviously, the opportunity to rope for that much money is unreal. This year, I’ll rope with Cassie in the #12 and I’m roping with Del Foley in the #13. We also qualified together in Pasco. That was just a good weekend.
Best Horse You Ever Rode: Shrek is my number one horse. He’s 21 this year—an old campaigner. He came from Bucky Campbell. I’m pretty sure Bucky rodeoed on him for quite a few years. I bought him when he was 18 and he’s still going strong. He knew way more than I did about team roping and has taught me so much. He’s a little sorrel with a star on his forehead. I didn’t get to ride him at last year’s Finale, he was sore, but that horse has made my entire roping career. Sometimes I get busy working and I don’t have time to exercise him or even practice like I should, but I can saddle him up and go. He hates to be trail ridden, he hates being exercised, but take him to a roping and he knows.
Why You Rope: I really enjoy the western lifestyle. Most importantly, it’s something Cassie and I both enjoy and our daughter, Addison, can go with us. It’s a good community of people. You get to meet lots of neat people from all over the country.
Competition Philosophy: I try to channel my nervousness into excitement and being pumped up more than anything. And just remembering to ride to my position—that’s the biggest thing I struggle with while roping. If I can get in position, I do better. Ninety percent of heeling is position.
Tell me about your Real Job: I’m a horseshoer. I went to Walla Walla Community College, where I competed in college rodeo and went through the Farrier Science program. I’ve been doing that full-time for seven years now.
