Breaking It Down


Speed Williams

By Speed Williams
speedroping.com

We’ve been busy preparing and getting the kids ready for the USTRC Finals. It’s one of the few places they get to rope for a lot of money. Hali has struggled this year after getting raised to a 5+ after last year’s USTRC Finals. 

By Speed Williams
speedroping.com

The thing that will let you be most successful in roping, regardless of ability level, is being able to consistently catch your cattle. I see so many people who practice trying to make a fast run, when their time would be better spent trying to make clean runs on challenging cows. The first and last cow of the day is very important and I encourage my students to treat them like a high teamer they need to be under 11 seconds on, and try to make a clean run.

By Speed Williams
speedroping.com

I just got home from teaching a clinic at Josh Allen’s in Quincy, Washington. The first two days were for beginners and the second two days were open to anyone. Teaching new people always drives home the importance of fundamentals, effective practice, and the importance of understanding your weaknesses.

You can practice three times a week and run 15-20 steers each session and, unless you have a specific purpose for your practice, your number will be the same 10 years from now.  I know guys who have roped for 20 years and have never improved or had their number raised. 

By Speed Williams
speedroping.com

One of the biggest challenges to being successful in rodeo is keeping your horses working. When Rich and I started roping together we had a difference of opinion on this subject. I would only ride my good horses, Bob and Viper, at the bigger rodeos. I normally used my third, fourth, and fifth string horses at the smaller rodeos that didn’t pay as well.