Headers everywhere have envied Clint Summers’ head horses for years. But living legend Transmission (WSR Hesa Alive) is 22 now, and two-time and reigning Nutrena PRCA Head Horse of the Year presented by AQHA Joe (Mr Joes Shadow Bar) is 16. It’s been time to seek backup, and Summers has stayed on it. Sweetie Pie (Proud Dashing Fame) is one of two four-legged blessings to join his roping remuda this year.
Sweetie Pie is just 9, and has quickly proven to be a perfect fit for Clint.
How Sweetie Pie Joined the Herd
“(St. George, Utah’s) Cody Burnside had messaged me before the NFR last year when we didn’t know if they were going to let us bring horses from Texas due to the virus (EHV-1) that was going around,” said Lake City, Florida’s Summers, who made his first NFR in 2018 as a heeler. “He thought we’d be a good match. As it went last December, I got to ride Tranny in Vegas.
“Cody texted me again the first week of June this summer and told me this was a family horse they’ve owned since he was 2 and all rode, and that they weren’t really wanting to sell him. I told him I might be interested, but I don’t like borrowing.”
They had a text exchange the June day Summers roped at slack in Monticello, Idaho. The Burnside family agreed to sell the horse, and named their price. Videos had Summers interested, so he asked to try him. But where? Fate stepped in. Sweetie Pie was in Driggs, Idaho, where Summers was up that next night.
“I went and tried him, and it was a fit from the very first steer,” Summers said. “When you stick it on the horns, this horse has a very good move. He puts them on the end of the rope good, and he will finish no matter where you’re at—he can face.
“Sweetie Pie scores so good and can run so hard. I like him at the longer scores, because he scores great, but leaves so hard. He doesn’t move. But when you let go, he can fly.”
Filling a Specific Role
Fate stepped in again when Joe was sidelined by an abscess the week Clint bought Sweetie Pie. He went straight to riding him at the rodeos, and winning on him.
“Sweetie Pie’s come in very handy,” Summers said. “Where he fits into my string right now is for rodeos like Salinas, Cheyenne and Ellensburg. I don’t really want to ride him at the places I have to go fast. I’ve got Transmission for that, and Joe. And having Sweetie Pie will let my other horses last longer.”
Sweetie Pie is not the Lone Ranger backing up Joe and Tranny. Clint bought the buckskin he’s ridden quite a bit this year, Herb, from Billings, Montana’s Dan and Ashley Vanek the third week in July. Beau Dillon Spurs is 13.
“Herb’s just easy,” Summers said. “I feel like he’ll fit in just right, too, and will be really good at the short scores and everyday rodeos.”
Size-wise, Transmission is huge. And so is Sweetie Pie.
Meet Sweetie Pie
“Sweetie Pie’s right there with Tranny, close to 16 hands,” Summers said. “And I’m guessing he weighs about 1,150. Sweetie Pie is bred straight run. He’s Dash Ta Fame on top, and Dustys Best Effort on the bottom. He has no cow in him; it’s all run. But my 3-year-old can go out in the field and catch him, and he’ll put his head down and let him. He’s so gentle. You can tell he’s been a family horse.
“Sweetie Pie’s name fits him perfectly. When I got done trying him, I asked, ‘What’s his name?’ Cody’s mom said, ‘Well, you’re probably not going to like it, but his name is Sweetie.’ I couldn’t change his barn name, so I just tacked on Pie.”
Deep in Horsepower
Summers and Corkill won this year’s American with Transmission at the helm.
“Tranny loves it and Joe, he’s just tough and has always been there for me,” Summers said. “I knew they needed help, and I’d been looking. I’ve probably tried more horses than anybody. But I knew what I was looking for, I’m very picky and it’s hard for me to spend the money if I don’t love one.
“I wouldn’t be heading if it wasn’t for Trevor (Brazile), and when I started heading and was roping at his place all the time he still had Banker, Boogie and JV. When I rode them, I got to see what a real head horse is. My head-horse standards were very high from the start because of that time at Trevor’s.
“Horsepower is crucial. To get to rope with Jade Corkill and have these horses placed in my life is something special. All the timing is just right. To have the four horses I do now, well, I feel the best I’ve ever felt in my life as far as horsepower goes. Sweetie Pie’s been a perfect addition. The Burnside family did a great job with him. He’s a great horse, and I’m super excited to have him. Being this deep in horses will help them all last longer.”
—TRJ—