X Factor Roping Podcast

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.

In this episode, Clay Logan breaks down the huge growth of his ropings— 2,450 entries and nearly $1.5 million paid out —and the changes that made this year’s event the best yet. He talks about the importance of great cattle, the addition of the big scoreboard, and what makes the 377 arena so roper-friendly. Clay shares how his ropings began, how rising cattle prices affect producers, and why the new Solo Select Futurity is a game-changer for the horse industry. He reflects on his years as a trainer, the shift in judging, and his philosophy: “If you can make a good horse great, you’ve done a good job.” From advice for young trainers to the power of attitude, Clay opens up about what makes a great horseman, the horses he’s loved, and the incredible talent rising in today’s roping world.

In this podcast episode, Trey Yates dives into the craft of elite heeling—from rodeo vs. horse-show style to mental strategy, 4th-quarter pressure, and the role of faith in competing at the highest level.

In this inspiring episode, Trey Johnson shares his journey of faith, growth, and discovering true purpose. He challenges us to look beyond success and ask, “If you take the money out of the equation, would you still do it?” — a powerful reminder to align our time and gifts with what truly matters.

Wyatt Cox joins the show to talk about chasing dreams, discipline, and the road from California to Texas. From pivotal misses to major wins, Wyatt shares lessons on staying calm under pressure, evolving as a student of the game, and why there’s no backup plan — this is it.

X Factor Team Roping presents a powerful conversation with Kyle Stull —team roper, coach, and expert in human performance with a graduate degree in Rehabilitative Science and a Doctorate in Behavior . In this episode, we explore the intersection of science and sport: how muscle memory, natural talent, and deliberate practice come together to create elite-level roping. Kyle shares how his unique background bridges the physical and mental aspects of performance—from injury prevention and recovery, to building sustainable routines that keep athletes sharp without burning out. We dive into the role of goal setting, the importance of finding the right coach, and how behavioral science can help ropers maintain focus, motivation, and longevity in the sport. Whether you’re chasing your next header, refining your loop, or just trying to stay consistent under pressure, Kyle’s insights offer real-world tools to elevate your mindset and your mechanics. This is more than rodeo talk—it’s performance science applied to the arena. The Best way to reach Kyle is through email: kylestull7@gmail.com References Coyle, D. (2009). The talent code: Greatness isn’t born. It’s grown. Here’s how. Bantam. Ericsson, A. (2016). Summing up hours of any type of practice versus identifying optimal practice activities. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11 (3), 351–354. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691616635600 Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100 (3), 363–406. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.100.3.363 Herrigel, E. (1953). Zen in the art of archery (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Pantheon Books. Huberman, A. (Host). (2022, September 5). Focus toolkit: Tools to improve your focus & concentration [Video]. YouTube. Huberman Lab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb5zpo5WDG4 Huberman, A. (Host). (2023, March 20). Science-based mental training & visualization for improved learning [Video]. YouTube. Huberman Lab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RYyQRQFgFk Sun Tzu. (2005). The art of war (L. Giles, Trans.). Filiquarian Publishing. (Original work published ca. 5th century BCE)

In this episode of the X Factor Roping Podcast, we sit down with NFR qualifier Cole Davison as he shares his journey from growing up in Oklahoma to making a name for himself in the world of team roping. Cole opens up about how he got started in the sport, the importance of surrounding yourself with business-minded people, and his goals with the Gold Buckle Futurities. He also dives into life after rodeo and what it takes to transition to new opportunities in the arena. Whether you’re a competitive roper or just love a good rodeo story, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of wisdom from a seasoned pro. Tune in now!

In this episode, we sit down with John Dowdy , the driving force behind Equinety , to explore the story behind the company and its game-changing equine supplement. John takes us through Equinety’s origins, its mission to enhance horse health and performance, and the science behind its unique amino acid formula. We also dive into the business side—discussing the challenges and successes of growing a brand in the equine industry, customer success stories, and what sets Equinety apart from traditional supplements. Whether you’re a horse owner, equestrian competitor, or just curious about equine wellness, this episode is packed with insights on maximizing your horse’s potential. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends passion, science, and business strategy!

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.