Breaking it Down by Speed Williams – November 2026
Last summer while at Arena 377 in Stephenville, the owner, Troy Gibbs, told me about the rodeo he and Tee Woolman were putting together called the Last Hoorah. This would be a $75,000 added PRCA rodeo and the last chance for team ropers to win money that would count for the standings. Pretty big deal for those guys on the bubble.
Anyone could enter and I told him I would visit with Gabe but might come out of retirement for that. I couldn’t remember the last time I headed at a PRCA rodeo; it’s been a while. I told Gabe I would rope with him there. He proceeds to enter us at two rodeos the weekend before saying we needed to practice. Two days later I got an email confirmation that I’m also entered at Rosenberg and Hempstead. I said, “Son, I have lessons almost every day, I don’t know how we’re going to do this.”
He said, “Dad, they’re Houston qualifiers and if we win one of those we get into Houston. If we get into Houston, you’re going to be in all of them.” So, my old butt started practicing heading a little. I’ve always rope mulies because when reaching, if I’m sharp enough with my rope, it’s much easier to catch with horns sticking up.
Our first rodeo was Stephenville. When I saw the steer we drew, he was on the thinner side, had flat horns and seemed slow and docile. Some of the steers the night before seemed pretty slow. Well, I had predetermined I was going to see him go a little to give myself a chance to not break the barrier. When I nodded and the gates banged, not only did I not break the barrier, but I got smoked and don’t know if I even hit his horns.
After getting completely smoked at our first rodeo out my confidence was not high. The next night we were up at Tyler, TX. My nephew has been helping me around the house a little and that day I had him unsaddle my horse and put my stuff in the trailer. I had to stop for a bathroom break on the way. I got in the tack room and didn’t see my bridle. I called my nephew and asked if he put the bridle in the trailer along with the saddle. He said, “Yes sir, but let me check.” Well, he had hung it on the fence, so I’m headed to Tyler with no bridle.
My son lectured me for an hour, and called several people just to let them know. He’s really enjoying this because I’ve drilled into him the importance of preparation and to always make sure your stuff is loaded and don’t trust someone else to do it.
We get to Tyler and Gabe is riding a new horse we’re trying. I do get out and hang it on one. The steer checks off and follows a little. Gabe’s horse switches leads, stumbles and he misses. He’s not happy, but I told him, “Buddy you bring your old man out of retirement and bring a green horse – you should have brought your good horse.”
The next place we’re up is Hempstead, TX. The slack starts at 8 a.m. and the Last Hoorah starts at 1 p.m. At Hemptead we get a rerun and were one of the last teams in the slack. It’s a pretty fast set up and you can go when the steer leaves. The first time I nodded and came across the line, the neck rope was still attached. I pulled up and we rerun him. Two swings and I hang it on him. I dropped one more coil than necessary and didn’t pull slack and went straight to the horn. We went to try and win first. I did a terrible job of pulling the steer because I thought Gabe was going to throw fast. My horse and I turn when Gabe threw and he roped a leg. I apologized to my son. I was trying to make up some time and faced too early.
We leave and drive to Stephenville and get there five minutes before it starts. Some steers are strong, some are pretty good. My first one was better than I expected, and I broke the barrier, roped him fast and waved it off. On our second steer I got a half head and washed him out in the corner. Gabe heels him and we’re 4.9. Again, I faced a little early. My claim to fame was scoring, getting it on fast, handling and facing. I haven’t forgotten scoring, but I sure did a terrible job of handling and facing.
I have a lot of pros send me their videos to critique their runs. I don’t look forward to hearing from them about some of my runs, especially Coleman, Dustin or Driggers. They’re going to let me have it.
Watching our video, I could see Gabe was getting in the steer’s eye when the barrier pulls. I told him, “Buddy, I can throw it a long way if you’ll leave them going in the direction they’re headed.” I’ve had this argument with almost every heeler I’ve ever had.
Our third steer tried a little. I got a great start and sent it. His head was a little low and his horns were below his shoulders, and I rope a neck again. I don’t give my son a very good handle. I was at the end of my rope. This run was to be fast. Gabe hit his tail and missed. Out of all the runs that one felt the best except the handle.
The next night at Rosenberg we have a rerun. I told Gabe if he would leave him straight, I can take care of you out there, but if you come left it takes a long time for everything to happen. I get a great start, and the steer gets to the right. I send it a long way and rope him deep around the brisket. I only have a foot of rope to slide. Gabe heels him and I face early again. We’re 4.9 and split 9th and 10th and win $800.
I turned five of the seven steers for money. Did I give my son a layup handle? Not one of them. But that’s why we practice on fresh mulies. In retrospect my preparation wasn’t the best because I let clients at the house rope the horns and I roped the mulies. I should have roped some horns and been sharper with my sights.
What my son took away from this was that I can still hang it on them, and he wants to go more. I stay pretty booked with lessons and am fortunate to have clients I can help with their roping.
I felt pretty good that I didn’t embarrass myself trying to make full contact runs with guys a third of my age and was able to hang it on some. I am going to have to work on it a little. I did get some compliments and comments that I could still reach. But from a guy who made a living reaching, handling and facing – I have to give myself an “F” this time around on handling and facing. I’m glad I had my 33’ ropes made… because I used every bit of them.
