I grew up watching guys like Leo and Jerold Camarillo, Walt Woodard and Denny Watkins.
There were a lot of great ropers traveling and making a living when I was a little kid, and I just got totally hooked on team roping. When I was 10-11-12 years old, I would watch those guys and have my mom film them with the old Super 8 camera.
I would watch those films over and over again. Through the years, when I got to rodeoing and started making a living at basically 16, I left home and went out on the road amateur rodeoing and jackpotting. I started seeing all kinds of different regional guys who were great ropers that just traveled in their own region. I always have really watched and tried to study everyone that I consider a really good roper— heading and heeling. I study how they ride their horses, set up their position, the mechanics and basics of their swing angles, and how they deliver their loop. I’m 56 years old now, and I’m still watching and studying the guys I consider to be the best.
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At Home With
Whether he’s home in his native Brazil or here in America, Lincoln Figueiredo ropes all day every day. Heeling is his favorite—he’s an 8.5 on the back side—but he’s packed all kinds of roping into a very full 46 years. Figueiredo lives in Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil, with his wife, Marina, and baby girl, also Marina.
Zane Tisdale's Leather & Life
Although header Zane Tisdale has a lot of pride in his leatherwork, it’s a passion that shares space with a full-time job, roping and, most importantly, his growing family. —G.R. Schiavino.
Torres Brothers Missing Main Mounts
The Torres Brothers—Joshua and Jonathan—have consistently been Top-30 team ropers in recent years.
What Pro Heelers Prefer And How To Get Your Horse To Drag It The Right Way
Here’s a glimpse of what pro heelers prefer and how to get your horse to drag it the right way.
How Smoothing Out Your Start And Your Handle Will Speed Up Your Runs
How smoothing out your start and your handle will speed up your runs.
Remembering the “Answer Man”
This spring, the rodeo and roping world lost a man who spent his life in its folds, shaping its functions: Hugh “Rooster” Chambliss.
Randy Lewis: Horse Vet
For heeler Randy Lewis, DVM, becoming a horse doctor wasn’t a choice he made. Instead, it was just a fact of life since as long as he can remember.
Disciplining Yourself Is Key To Regaining Your Horse's Composure In The Box
Disciplining yourself is key to regaining your horse’s composure in the box.
Luke Brown On Earning His Spot Among The Best
Luke Brown on earning his spot among the best.
The Battle Of The Bubble Boys
The bubble. It’s not the place anyone wants to be right now, but it’s inevitable that there are teams put in that position every season.
