PRORODEO Sports News | Roy Cooper 1955-2025 | May 2, 2025

which was defined by continued success. He burst onto the scene in 1976 with a PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Championship in his first full year in PRORODEO, while also nabbing the Resistol Rookie of the Year honor. "I went with Ernie Taylor, he was the world champion (tie-down roper in 1973) and he took me under his wing and took me everywhere," Cooper said. Cooper was the first cowboy to win a Tie-Down Roping World Champion ship and Resistol Rookie of the Year award in the same year. He followed that up with five tie-down roping titles in a row from 1980-84. Cooper and Dean Oliver share the record for most consecutive Tie-Down Roping World Championships with five. Oliver initially set the record win ning his titles from 1960-64. "I had a good run," Cooper said. "I had good horses and good guys around me, and I worked hard at it. It was my life. It was fun and I didn't think they could have a rodeo without me." Included in that world championship binge was his magical 1983 season. Cooper had his sights on adding something bigger to his trophy case. Despite being close in previous years, the all-around honor had eluded him. "All-around - I wanted that baby one time," he said. Fortunately, this time he had a little luck on his side. Steer roping legend Guy Allen was at a similar place in his career, as both he and Cooper started competing in PRORODEO in 1976. Allen had secured steer roping world titles in 1977, 1980 and 1982, and would go on to win 15 more over the course of his career.

While Cooper took part in steer rop ing, he acknowledged it was his weak est event. But in his trademark fash ion, Cooper delivered in the clutch to claim the coveted gold buckle. Cooper continued to excel in the latter part of his career qualifying for his last NFR - in tie-down roping - in 2000 at age 45. "I have several good memories in the arena and the greatest part about rodeo is winning," Cooper said. Roy was born on Nov. 13, 1955, to Betty and Tuffy Dale Cooper in Hobbs, N.M. He, along with his brother, Clay Tom, and sister, Betty Gale, grew up on the family ranch. From an early age, Roy was coached by his father in the proper techniques of roping, leading him to win at youth rodeos across the Southwest. His winning ways continued through high school, where in 1973 he won the National High School Champion Calf Roping title, and in college at Cisco (Texas) Junior College, and South eastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, where in 1975 he won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Asso ciation Calf Roping title. "Rodeoing is fun and it is more fun when you're winning and it is more fun with your family," Cooper said.

ROY COOPER BY THE NUMBERS 8 PRCA World Championships – six in tie-down roping 1976, 1980-84; 1983 all-around and steer roping 8 Cooper won a PRORODEO record eight average crowns – four in tie-down roping (1976, 1979, 1983 and 1995) and four in steer roping (1984-85, 1993 and 1996) 20 The number of tie-down roping rounds Cooper won at the NFR 33 The number of times Cooper qualified for the NFR and National Finals Steer Roping in tie-down roping – 19 (1976-87, 1989, 1991 93, 1995-96); steer roping – 13 (1980-81, 1983-88; 1990; 1992-93; 1996-97) and team roping as a header for H.P. Evetts (1981) 40 Cooper's age when he won the tie down roping NFR average title in 1995 with a 101.8-second time on 10-head

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