Clay O'Brien Cooper
A very young Clay O'Brien Cooper heeling for Danny Costa.
Breaking Bad Habits
Break the Leaning Habit
Heelers can gain all kinds of helpful information by processing what they see unfolding in front of them throughout a run.
Words of Wisdom
Let's See It: Taking Advantage of Every Visual Cue
Jake and Clay standing on either side of a trophy saddle.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
The Short Score: Roping's Evolution
Jake and Clay standing on either side of a trophy saddle.
what it takes
"If they write an epitaph on my life, I want it to say that my life was about more than winning."
Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper have 56 National Finals Rodeo qualifications and seven NFR average wins between them. They won Rodeo’s Super Bowl together in three different decades—in 1985, 1994 and 2007. Dan Hubbell Photo
almost but not quite
The Short Score: Jake and Clay's Elusive 8th Gold Buckle
Jake Barnes heading a steer for Clay O'Brien Cooper.
master analyzers
Breaking It Down: Understanding Every Aspect of the Run
Kaleb Driggers Junior Nogueira
simply the best
The Short Score: Are Kaleb and Junior the Best of this Generation?
JakeBarnes_TRJFilePhotobyPhilDoyle_DummyRoping_March23
The Short Score: Long vs. Short Game Evolution
NFR Bubble Jake Barnes
NFR Perks
The Short Score: Original Perk of Making the NFR
Jake Barnes and Clay O'Brien Cooper pose with their buckles.
Real Talk: Partners
The Short Score: Struggles with Jake and Clay