Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp have worked for years to master the practice pen, and that mastery has translated into gold buckles. But their practice program isn’t just for the elite, and there aren’t really any secrets to it, either.
Here’s how they structure their time in the arena to get the most out of each session.
Practice Cattle
Wade: If the steers are fast, that’s when you evaluate. We should probably rope less and focus on what type of run we want to make. Roping too many fast steers without a plan can create bad habits. Say you’re practicing for a full-contact setup, but all the steers are too slow. That’s really when we focus on making sure our horses are scoring: reacting to the cow, making sure they’re willing to do whatever. The goal is to have enough control, and working on that at home is important whether you’re trying to be 10 or 3. Do you want to have enough confidence in your run that you can actually execute the exact situation instead of blindly roping or do you just want to go and stay sharp?
Thorp: You can’t make realistic runs on unrealistic steers. If we had a bunch of lopers and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to try to be 4 on all of them,’ we’re just going to build false confidence. Set yourself up for success by picking the right steers to practice on. Get something out of what you have—make sure your horse works correctly, make him be in your hand, make sure you execute the high call scenario when all you have to do is catch. Obviously, you want as many tools as you need to prepare, so you ideally have a variety of steers. But when they’re $1,400 a head for Mexicans, you don’t always have that luxury. So you have to figure out how to get what you can out of the scenario. If you’re a 4 heeler and you have 20 strong fresh ones and that’s all you got, that’s probably not the best combination either. Rope the sled, slow your horse down and get him as controlled as you can, then put a few runs together on your strong steers. Match your tools with the scenario you’re preparing for.
WATCH: The Importance of Slow Practice Cattle
Mental Approach
The practice pen is a good place to address your mental game, too.
Wade: If you’re trying to put some good runs together to get ready for events, you need to be accountable for whatever happens. Every run matters when you’re preparing for a big competition. You have to be able to separate out what you’re trying to see from the practice session. If it’s a day to build confidence, I’ll adjust my mindset. If it’s a day to test myself, I’ll turn up the pressure.
Thorp: I have to be focused on exactly what I’m trying to get out of a practice. If I’m working on my horse, I’m not going to put as much pressure on myself with my roping results. I’m going through my checklist: Are my horses in my hand? Are their shoulders up? Are they controlled leaving the box? I’m not worried if I slip a leg or miss when I’m focusing on my horses instead.
LISTEN: Mindset Matters, with Trey Yates on The Score
Communication
Too few ropers talk through their practice plan, but Wade and Thorp like to talk through a plan before every steer.
Wade: A lot of people don’t communicate enough—they don’t say, ‘I would like to go work on this on this run.’ We map out the horses and scenarios and try to execute the different styles of runs. Having that plan for every single steer, on every horse we ride, helps us get better at adjusting to different situations in competition.
Thorp: Communication is huge. Being able to look at the scenario in front of you and talk about what you want to do, then having enough control and using the ability to capitalize on that, is important. When both partners are on the same page, you can get a lot more out of a practice session.
READ: 12 Things Anyone Can Master to Become a Better Roper
Partnership Dynamics
When the other partner is struggling in the practice pen, what can you do to help the team?
Wade: Keep bringing it. Even if your partner only catches 20% of the time, if you stay 100%, you’re still going to win pretty often. It’s a marathon, not a mile.
Thorp: Everybody feels like they are doing more than the other side. But if you stay your course and stay focused, when it turns around, you’ll be ready. There are ups and downs in every partnership, and patience is key. It’s easier to build momentum if you focus on yourself and do a good job when you get your chance. If both partners take care of their jobs, success will follow. I heard Clay O’Brien Cooper say, ‘If whatever you’re upset about in the roping pen isn’t bad enough to make you quit, and you know you’re going to be roping again the next day no matter what, you might as well play the long game instead of being shortsighted. Staying committed and keeping a long-term perspective is what sets successful teams apart.
READ: How to Be the Best Possible Partner
—TRJ—
Brought to you by Dechra—committed to the horses who power the sport.
