X Factor Roping Podcast

Episode 8 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy sit down with Jaydon Warner who placed at the COJO Kavis Drake and Denim Ross talk winning the CFR. Shane Hanchey joins on the Shane Hanchey Invitational, 17 straight NFRs, and the calf horses that got him there.

Episode 7 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy get into Solo Select and the Clay Logan Open. Billie Jack Saebens on winning over $188,000 on three horses and training both ends. Trey Yates on the season, heel horses, and sticking to the plan. Rhen Richard on Old West in Amarillo, the cattle, and where the futurity is headed.

Episode 6 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories. Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy wrap the last rodeos of the year and who made the Finals with JC Flake, Coleby Payne and Andrew Ward. JC on locking up his first NFR at the 377 Last Hoorah. Coleby on Pendleton and finishing the year with Clay Smith. Andrew on the final push to make the NFR this year, and winning a world title last year with Jake Long.

Episode 5 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy sit down with Cory Kidd V and Carson Johnson on a first year together, Pendleton, and battling through the last weeks of the season. Nicky Northcott joins to talk the Northcott Invitational Goat Roping, jackpotting, last year’s 16th-place finish, and what changed this year roping with Tyler Tryan on the way to his first NFR.

Episode 4 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy launch “I’ll Tell You This Much for Free” — Pendleton vs. Cheyenne — then break down Puyallup, the mud, Luke and Hunter’s $10k week, and who is actually set for Sioux Falls. Tee Woolman of 377 Arena comes on about the first standalone PRCA team roping: $75k added on September 30, three-plus-a-short, a rope barrier, and a set of steers he’s been sitting on for a year. James Arviso and Levi Lord join after that.

Episode 3 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy recap Labor Day in the Northwest — Ellensburg, Filer, and a Winner of the Week in Tanner Tomlinson and Wesley Thorp, who win Ellensburg and put Thorp about $9k out of 15th. Coleman Proctor calls in from the side of the road on Oklahoma switch-enders, getting ready for the Timed Event, Toter Tales after a round-10 miss, and what it takes to leave the arena like a pro. Wesley Thorp joins on the last month of the year, roping with Tanner, and the Puyallup week.

Episode 2 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy recap a big Northwest week — Kennewick, Ellensburg, and the Best of the West — then sit down with Jake Smith and Douglas Rich. Ben Clements of X-Treme joins after his finals to talk producing, cattle, and what it takes to put on a roping right now.

Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy kick things off by breaking down what it could take to make the NFR this year and what the final five weeks of the season look like.
Then, Dawson and Dillon Graham join the conversation to talk horses, roping as brothers, and life on the road with Luke Brown and Hunter Koch. They share what it takes to stay competitive when the season comes down to the wire.
Tara Hill of Hill Rodeo Cattle wraps up the episode with an inside look at NFR cattle—from crossing Mexican steers and the differences between natives and M-brands to getting cattle prepared for the biggest stage in team roping.

Fresh off winning the PRCA Announcer of the Year for the third straight year, Anthony Lucia joins us to share the journey behind the voice. From growing up trick roping on rodeo’s biggest stages to discovering his passion for announcing, Anthony opens up about identity, setbacks, faith, and fully committing to your calling.

He talks about heartbreak, breakthrough moments, mentors who shaped him, and why loving what you do is the only way to succeed. Inspiring, honest, and full of heart — this episode shows exactly why he’s one of rodeo’s greatest storytellers.

World Champion heeler Wesley Thorp joins the show to break down the mindset, fundamentals, and turning points that shaped his career. From preparing for the Timed Event Championship to managing pressure one run at a time, Wesley shares how control, consistency, and disciplined practice have kept him at the top of the sport.

He talks about the influence of his grandpa, lessons learned at his first NFR, his most memorable win, and the mental approach that keeps him improving every year. We also dive into horses, rope selection, financial planning, and his mission to grow the next generation through the World Youth Team Roping Championships.A must-listen for anyone serious about roping, training, or building a winning mindset.