The site is anyplace where a good rodeo is going on.
The participants number three, all awaiting action.
One, an eager steer, stands chomping and stomping, huffing and snorting - staring nervously through the slats in the gate.
The other two are elite ropers - one a header, the other a heeler, the legs of each wrapped around equally elite equine partners, ropes in hand.
The header nods, the gate opens, the steer jumps forward and the timer starts.
Out pop the two cowboys, horses’ hooves kicking up dirt, pieces of hay and dried chunks of manure.
The steer dodges, unsuccessfully trying to avoid the ropers.
The header drops his lasso over the steer’s horns, yanks him to a 90-degree angle, controlling his movement.
The heeler tosses his loop at the rear feet of the struggling steer and snags them.
Both cowboys move their horses so they face each other; ropes are cinched tight.
The flagman drops his arm and the timekeeper punches his button.
All this in just a few seconds.
Another successful roping run for heeler Travis Graves and his partner, header Clay Tryan of Billings, Mont.
And another paycheck, prize money that adds to the lead each man already holds in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) team roping circuit. Travis heads other heelers with a $147,653 prize total. Clay does the same in his category at $146,608. Both are records in season earnings for a roper.
Local Ties
Travis, 26, is from rural Jay, Okla., and has lots of family and friends in the Southwest City, Mo., area, including his paternal grandfather, W. D Graves.
His father, Ronnie Graves, said Travis has been heeling professionally since he was 18, but started when he was about four. Ronnie is no stranger to roping. He ranches, ropes and trains horses himself.
Practice is an everyday thing. Ronnie says the team ropes at least 50 head a day.
The practice keeps Travis sharp, in tune forthe uniqueness of every arena.
“Each event is different,” Travis said. “I try to practice in my mind and physically.” On the Road
Travis and his wife, Tamika, are constantly on the road during the roping season, from Jan. 7 to Sept. 30, not counting jackpot events.
“He stays gone,” Ronnie said of his talented son.
Even with all the travel,Travis loves what he does.
“It’s pretty good, so far,” he said. “That’s all I’ve wanted to do is this.”
They live in the front part of a dual-purpose trailer. The rear hauls roping equipment and his two equine partners, Baby Doll, a mare, and Super Star, a stallion.
Important Partners
The horses are as important as the equipment and Travis’ human partner.
Which horse he uses depends on the arena Travis is competing in. Both are great partners and Super Star was named the second place 2010 Rodeo Horse of the Year.
“If you don’t have a good horse, you’re not going to win as much - not enough,” Travis said.
Tamika is his biggest fan … “and my dad and mom and my friends at home,” Travis adds.
Travis, Tamika, Baby Doll and Super Star willall head to Las Vegas Dec. 2 for the PRCA National Championships. Travis was 10th last year, but hopes to earn a better spot this year. Only the top 15 in the world are invited to take part in the nationals.
And there is money to be made. Each round pays $40,000. Travis wants to get in on some of that.
Travis has a goal for next year, too.
“Win the world championship,” he said.
News, Pages 2 on 12/01/2010