Breaking it Down by Speed Williams – June 2025
We just finished up at the USTRC Finals last month. I don’t really remember how long
I’ve been going to the USTRC Finals. For years it was held at the Oklahoma City
Fairgrounds and everyone looked forward to it all year because there really wasn’t
anything else like it, unlike today where you have lots of ropings with opportunities to
win big paychecks. It was a huge event, and the fairgrounds would be packed.
Back in the beginning they held preliminary ropings that you could enter for $150 with a
chance to earn a spot in the Shoot-Out and the $100,000 paychecks. The lower
numbered ropings could get 500 or more teams in the preliminaries. But it was a great
chance for team ropers to win a lot of money.
Now entry fees are quite a bit higher without the massive number of teams. Now steers
are run in two or three arenas which doesn’t take very long. It’s amazing how big the
sport has become. When you think about the opportunities at all the different ropings
through the year, it’s more than just a hobby.
My son got to head in the Open at the USTRC Finals this year. When he was #4 heeler,
he didn’t understand why he couldn’t rope in the Open. He’s never lacked confidence or
thought he couldn’t compete. This year he came back 5 th high call. Fifth place was
guaranteed a check, and he had to be 9 to go into the lead. We didn’t discuss it, but I
was pretty sure we were on the same page. He was going to make a clean run and
guarantee himself a chance to win a check at the USTRC Open.
He made a 7-second run and was winning the roping. The next four teams all caught
clean, and he ended up winning 5 th . He had always wanted to place at the USTRC
Open, and it was a highlight for him. He’s heeled for me in that roping before. So, in our
process in changing from a heeler to a header, it was a big accomplishment for him.
Gabe and Faron Candelaria ended up winning the Resistol Rookie Round Up in Ft.
Worth last month. He and Faron will go to some rodeos and see how they do. It’s very
tricky finding a partner that has the money, horsepower, and support when you’re young
and unproven. Gabe’s transformation to becoming a header has really improved in the
last few weeks.
Recently someone asked me, “What’s it like to take lessons from you?” I told him I quit
my rodeo career early because I had two kids I wanted to raise my way. I wanted to give
them every opportunity, if they chose to rope, and be able to help and guide them in
roping and horsemanship. Then I described my teaching methods and a typical day.
We start by roping four to six steers on two different horses. I challenge my students
with various scenarios like being high team and having to rope in 11 seconds, then 9, 7,
and 5. In my opinion you have to practice different situations. You need to prepare to
just catch and to go fast in case you have a leg and need to gamble a little. After we
rope, we go in and watch the video and break it down step by step of what’s happening
in the run. We establish where your weaknesses are, whether it’s riding, swing, position,
or delivery.
Then we usually go to the Speed Trainer to isolate problem areas: your legs, how you
ride your stirrups, how you swing your rope, etc. I set the dummy up for all different
situations. We also film your work on the Speed Trainer. I have an app on my iPad
where I can lay your video side by side with a video of me and calibrate the two to play
simultaneously where it shows the difference. We can see, step by step, how we’re
doing things differently. There are many ways to rope and to accomplish the same goal.
But, for me, it comes down to math and eliminating wasted motions – whether it's
breakaway, heading or heeling. My whole thought pattern has always been about how
to eliminate wasted motions in a run.
I feel very fortunate to be able to teach people, and my kids, something I’m so
passionate about. That’s one reason we have a covered arena, so we can rope
anytime. Plus, our most recent addition – a 40’ x 60’ climate-controlled room where we
watch video on a huge screen and can rope the Speed Trainer in comfort has made a
big difference.
What’s new with me: We’re entering a new chapter in life. My son is 18 and excited
about going on the road. My daughter is 21, healthy and roping good. I’m very excited
for her opportunities this year. My son’s goal is to win enough to get into the buildings
next year, the same goal Hali had her first year out. We’ll get to see how all those hours
of training are going to pay off. A big thanks to all the sponsors who come for lessons
and who sponsor my kids. I appreciate all the help in this journey.
