Number (and end): 4-Plus Header
Age: 71
Association of Preference: I think I belong to all of them, but the greatest thing I’ve ever saw is the World Series. At my age, if you won $20, you broke the bank. Now to rope for $100,000 boggles my mind.
Rope of Choice: They’ve got to be real limber because my shoulder is wore out. I use the Classic XS Spyder. Some of my younger friends tell me I rope with a kid’s rope.
Biggest Win: Last year in Las Vegas, Dan Narramore and I won $90,000 and it was hard for me believe. We were 3rd in the No. 10 at World Series Finale.
Best Horse You Ever Rode: I had a little sorrel horse I got off the racetrack from John Bassett. I called him Gunner. I had lots of people try to buy him but he wasn’t for sale.
Favorite Roping: I’ve always loved the old fairgrounds at Prescott. I love that arena and that atmosphere. It’s been like that for as long as I can remember and I’ve been around a long time.
Why You Rope: I don’t know. I think you just got to love it. I was born and raised on a ranch and my dad was a heck of a hand with horses and a cowboy. I always liked riding young horses that have a lot of potential. I’m not going to quit until I can’t win.
Competition Philosophy: I’ve never worried about other people. If it’s a four-steer roping and you go do your job and somebody beats you, they outdrew you or outroped you. I don’t worry about what anybody’s number is. That ain’t for me to determine. I just try to tend my own business. I’m pretty good at roping where I belong.
Those younger guys are making it harder. I’ve got to keep practicing and riding good horses.
Real Job: I’m retired. I’ve always been in the horse/livestock industry. I always told everybody I was a professional athlete, that way I didn’t have to have a job.
Claim to Fame: My family. I’ve got a boy and girl, Rube and Skeeter. They like my lifestyle and I got to grow up with them and watch them both be successful. I’m getting to watch my grandsons, Rube Jr., Nolan and Garrett, follow our footsteps. They’re the joy of my life and my claim to fame.
