ProRodeo Sports News - August 21, 2020

“I never did consider myself a steer wrestler, I didn’t think I was big enough,” Theriot said. “Weighing 180 pounds and (being) 6 feet tall – the heaviest I went into the Finals was 200-210 pounds – I always felt like I was the littlest one there. But, I used the way I was taught to steer wrestle and to rope calves and ended up making the Finals.” Theriot credits his ProRodeo success with how he was taught to compete and the guys he traveled with. “If you go with winners, it makes it that much easier,” Theriot said, listing Steve Duhon, Jeff Green, Gary Green and Roy Cooper as some of his traveling partners. “When we went, it was like we’d pull up, and it wasn’t cockiness, but it was dang sure a positive feeling that we would win something. “And if we didn’t win anything, oh well, so what, we’ll go to another one. You didn’t throw fits. You couldn’t pout with those guys. If we found someone who soured up and pouted, we’d pick on them. You’d better be thick hided if you’re roping with us, but we had a heck of a time, and everyone was for everyone. “When you have those kinds of guys in your corner, I’d be up in the morning for slack and they’d be out there dressed and pushing your calf or whatever, and that means a lot. That means a heck of a lot.”

level in steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping. The youngest son, Mason, 17, and their daughter, Melayna, 11, compete in youth rodeo. “I get more nervous now when they back in the box,” Theriot said. “When I rodeoed, I thought pressure and nerves were a cop out if you didn’t do well. I didn’t believe in that stuff, but when I went with Marcus to the Junior High Nationals and he won that, I found out what nerves were.” Theriot keeps busy by running 5T Rodeo Company, buying cattle and putting on amateur rodeos near his home in Poplarville, Miss. “I’ve worked with cattle and horses my whole life, and that’s how I’ll finish it out,” Theriot said. “I love rodeos, and even though all I did was timed events, I love both ends of the arena. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to do.” Odds are good that ProRodeo athletes have crossed paths withTheriot’s timed-event stock at the Junior High National Finals Rodeo and the High School National Finals Rodeo. “Herbert always wanted to be a stock producer and had a little Mike Cervi in him and a little Harry Vold in him,” Cooper said. “If you put all of them in one big basket and mixed them up, you’d come out with Herbert Theriot.”

FUN AND BUSINESS

Among his numerous wins, Theriot claimed the NFR average in 1990 for tie-down roping and the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo twice in tie-down roping (1989 and 2000), which remains the most recent tie-down roping title at the National Circuit Finals Rodeo for the Southeastern Circuit. “He expected to win, and I expected him to win, and he was a lot of fun,” Cooper said. “Business was business, but we had fun too and enjoyed it.” Theriot’s six consecutive tie-down roping titles in the Southeastern Circuit from 1996-2001 is still the record for most consecutive titles won in that circuit regardless of event. He also holds the record for most year-end titles in the Southeastern Circuit with eight (1990-91, 1996-2001). “He worked his butt off to be the world champion, and he’s more fun than anyone I ever rodeoed with,” Cooper said. “For instance, one time we didn’t win anything in California, and he said, ‘Let’s get out of here before the whole state falls in the ocean.’” In 2001, Theriot’s horse Leos Sen Bar (Easy) won the AQHA | PRCAHorse of the Year for tie-down roping. “I’d let everyone who ever asked to ride him, and I named him Easy because he was so easy for everyone to ride,” Theriot said. “I didn’t buy him for others to ride, but I won’t turn anyone down.” That happened 23 times in Fort Madison, Iowa, in one year, he said. “I forget how many holes they won on him in the average,” Theriot laughed.

A FAMILY TRADITION

He and his wife, Renee, have three

Photo courtesy Herbert Theriot Rodeo is a family affair for Herbert Theriot (third from left), his son Marcus (left), wife, Renee, daughter, Melayna, and son Mason.

kids involved in rodeo.

Marcus competes at the ProRodeo

ProRodeo Sports News 8/21/2020

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