Five Flat

As told to Chelsea Toy Keri Bascetta Photos

The Bar Just Keeps Being Raised

Here we are starting another year in the roping and rodeo world.

The Advantages Of Year-Round Roping

They call Stephenville, Texas, the Cowboy Capital of the World. But Arizona is the mecca of team roping, because the masses of ropers migrate there each winter for all the ropings and beautiful weather.

Reed and Pearce Cap Roping Roll With Pendleton Win

Where better to finish up a fun fall that followed a spectacular summer than the Pendleton Round-Up? Ryan Reed and Dalton Pearce couldn’t think of a better place when both were left breathless from the hot lap around the track that surrounds a football field at Oregon’s reigning Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year.

Menace to the Competition

Over a year ago, Wesley Thorp of Stephenville, Texas, changed the nickname of a horse he bought. Some say that can be bad luck, but a quick glance at Thorp’s 2016 season shows that calling his little roan gelding “Dennis” has been very, very good luck.

What Makes a Heel Loop Work?

In the placement of the loop, the bottom part is the catcher. The loop can come in from different angles around the right side of the steer. But the ability to control the bottom part of your loop— and the angle that the top and bottom are in— determines whether you can control the bottom part of the loop to be the catcher.

Nylon Riot

When synthetic fibers changed the roping industry.

The All New Race For The Ultimate Crown In Cowboy Town

The 2016 world all-around race has been good watching, with mostly traditionally single-event guys doubling and even tripling down on events.

Raising A Phenom

Roping and riding is all 10-year-old Ketch Kelton ever wants to do.

At The Barrier

Buckle Up With Jade Corkill

Patience And Perseverance Pay For Long

Jake Long has heeled at six of the last seven Wrangler National Finals Rodeos. He roped with Brady Tryan at his first and second ones in 2010-11, Travis Tryan in 2012, Coleman Proctor in 2014-15 and Luke Brown in 2016. Long, 33, is a native of Coffeyville, Kan., who lives with his wife, Tasha, and daughters, Haven and Haizlee, in Morgan Mill, Texas.

Five Flat With Chase Tryan

Last fall, I made up my mind that I needed to focus on a few things to really improve my roping if I wanted to win more.

Don't Forget To Barrier Break Your House

People assume that every competition horse has been behind a barrier, but with so many ropings using electric eyes these days that’s not necessarily the case.

Learning By Watching And Listening To Others

I grew up watching guys like Leo and Jerold Camarillo, Walt Woodard and Denny Watkins.

Golden Oldie

Justin Davis’ Hammer is soaking up retirement with the third generation of Davis boys.

More Of The Same

Driggers and Nogueira Stay Hot Through the Winter.

Lovell Kisses Full-Time Rodeo Trail Goodbye

Colby Lovell just roped at this sixth wrangler national finals Rodeo presented by polaris RANGER, where he won $27,769 heading for Travis Graves. His other NFR partners have included Kory Koontz in 2010, York Gill in 2011, Russell Cardoza in 2012, Martin Lucero in 2013 and Koontz in 2015. Lovell, 29, lives in Madisonville, Texas, with his wife, Kassidy, son, Levi, 11, and daughter, Jewel, 3.

Buckle Up With Dustin Egusquiza

Buckle Up With Dustin Egusquiza

Five Flat With Zane Bruce

Five Flat With Zane Bruce

Today's Team-roping Talent Pool Runs Deep

Today's Team-roping Talent Pool Runs Deep

Horsepower Is Never To Be Taken For Granted

Horsepower Is Never To Be Taken For Granted

Back To Back

Cole Wheeler and Wesley Thorp win their secondstraight national collegiate championships in Casper.