In this episode, we sit down with two of the biggest names in team roping: Tyler Wade, a 2x World Champion from Terrell, TX, and Wesley Thorp, a 3x World Champion from Stephenville, TX. These two champions open up about their unforgettable season and the key factors that helped them secure their second world title together.
Tyler and Wesley also dive into their passion project, the World Youth Team Roping Championships. They share why this event is so important to them, what it offers for young ropers, and why it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss. From producing the event to fostering the next generation of champions, these two explain the benefits of attending, and how it’s shaping the future of team roping.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the sport or just curious about the world of team roping, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice from two of the best in the game. Tune in and learn what it takes to rope for a world title—and why giving back to the next generation matters just as much.
Don’t miss it!

Dive into the World Youth Team Roping Championship with Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. Find out why this event is so special to them, how they came up with the idea, and what you can expect on this bonus episode! The World Youth Team Roping Championship is March 22-24th at 377 arena in Stephenville, TX. You can find more info on the roping on their facebook page!

The ride to the 2023 NFR was a roller coaster for team roping World Champions, Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. A win in the first round of Reno, Nevada in the beginning of June was shortly followed by a slump. Tyler and Wesley discuss how they stayed mentally strong even though an NFR qualification was slipping from their hands. During the third week in July, Tyler and Wesley were able to turn their season around—winning about forty thousand a man in three weeks.
During this podcast, Tyler and Wesley take us through their partnership, 2023 rodeo season, NFR preparation, and the NFR. They also dive into the production of the World Youth Team Roping Championships. They share their reasoning for wanting to produce this event as well as some of the things they hope young contestants can gain from participating. The event is scheduled for March 22-24 at 377 Arena in Stephenville, Texas. For more information visit World Youth Team Roping Championships on Facebook.

The 2024 Reliance Ranches Clay Logan Open will be one that Brandon Gonzales remembers forever. The enter one, draw one format allowed Gonzales to be partnered up with World Champion Header, Erich Rogers. Together they walked away the Champions and $42,000 richer. After his cancer diagnosis, Gonzales wasn’t sure what his future would look like. He went from not knowing if he was going to be able to rope again to winning one of the biggest Open Ropings of the year. Gonzales was gracious enough to share his inspiring story, along with the impact this win has had on his life. 

Nick Dowers is the definition of a real life cowboy. The Million Dollar Rider, 2x Road to the Horse Champion and 2013 NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion trains out of Dyer, NV where he also operates a ranch. Dowers has trained under Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Bill Van Norman, Andrea Fappani and Annie Reynolds. These people were so influential in his life that he decided to create “Cowboy Week”. Cowboy Week is where the best in horsemanship, reined cow horse, cutting, and ranching come together for 5 days and talk techniques and philosophies. This year he decided to offer all of this knowledge and some entertaining cowboy stories to the public. You can purchase Cowboy Week at https://nickdowers.com/register/cowboy-week/. 

Jessica Wahlert is the marketing manager for CINCH Jeans and Shirts where she oversees the marketing department. She shares her journey to this career path and how her upbringing played a vital role in her success. She also discusses her thoughts on branding, marketing, and the process that her CINCH team uses to make these decisions. Listen to the end to hear about the CINCH Playoff Series Championship in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the impacts it had on several NFR qualifications.

The X Factor Roping Podcast is going to feature a series of mental game episodes the Lyman Tenny. Episode 1 in this podcast series will feature discussions including optimal mental performance, belief in self, self-assessment, visualization, and muscle memory.

Lyman Tenny is a mental game coach at Tenny Training. It is believed that upwards of 80% of success is attributed to one’s mental game. Tenny Training helps individuals become aware of thoughts and belief systems that control them so they can master their mental game. To learn more about Tenny Training and become a member, please visit: https://tenneytraining.com/

Stay tuned for upcoming podcast episodes with Lyman Tenny.

Jake Cooper has been a member of the PRCA since 2004 and has qualified for the NFR three times. He recently made the decision to try his hand in the rope horse futurity world with the purchase of a stallion named Reys of Pep. In this podcast, he discusses the changes he has made to be successful in the futurity world and his plans for the future.

This summer looked different for the 2014 Resistol Rookie of the Year Header, Billy Bob Brown. He and his partner, Kirby Blankenship decided to rodeo for about a month to see how it would go. They captured the coveted 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Team Roping Championship and Billy Bob finds himself inside the top 30 headers in the world. Listen as he discusses his summer and how his mental game has played a huge role in his success.