Graves is rodeoing and jackpotting this year on Decent First Down, a 2012 gelding by Lenas Sonny Chex out of Helens First Down. | Jamie Arviso Photos
WHEN DO I THROW MY HEEL SHOT?
Watching a steer hit and then figuring out when to throw is an element of heeling that takes repetition, experience and practice. In this run from the 2023 Lone Star Shootout, you can tell, frame-by-frame, what I’m looking at, what I’m waiting for and how I deliver.
1) THE CORNER
My tip is pointed toward the steer’s butt as I’m making my entry. I like the angle of my swing in this photo—it’s correct, and I like the distance I have between my horse and the steer. Because right there, the corner is just starting to happen. I’m trying to figure out what the next hop is going to be, so I’m not too far away or too close. This is the Lone Star Shootout, so it’s a faster setup. The steers this year were juicy and wild, so you have to be ready to react. I set myself up so, whatever happens on the next hop, I’m not too far or too close.
[GEAR: Powerline Lite Team Rope]
2) THE SWITCH
This steer’s hips are switched out pretty good. He’s all the way out, so now I have to wait for him to come back to where I can rope him. His butt is to the outside pretty good, and I’m waiting for him to come back and still have that forward momentum to where I can rope him on the next hop. My horse has cowed off, and he’s trying to figure out what’s the next play.
3) FORWARD MOTION
The steer is still whipped out, but he’s almost back to me. I am still waiting for him to get in a straight line to rope him on the next hop. Now we’re going forward, though, so the next hop will be where I can throw my rope. My body is forward—I’m always forward when I’m riding. I don’t really just sit straight up. I like to be forward helping my horse.
4) PATIENCE
You can tell, that steer is really hitting. I’m in a dead spot. I have to wait for him to line out. He’s almost ready to rope. I can see my shot now where I can put it down. I might be backing off my swing here, because I know I’m going to throw. More, though, the separation is fixing to happen as I set my rope down.
5) STRAIGHT HIPS
I see my shot—the steer’s hips are straight, his feet are together, and he is in a straight line with me, and my horse is stopping. I’m picking my horse up for separation and his head is out of the way. TRJ
