ProRodeo Sports News - March 18, 2022

COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

How did you get your start in rodeo? Garrett: My start in rodeo was kind of a random thing, my family didn’t have any ties to the sport. My dad bought a pony from a guy, and he ended up having to keep it at a place where people roped all the time. I just got around it at a young age when I was around eight or nine. Then I started amateur rodeoing and going to jackpots. It took off for me from there. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Garrett: One of my goals even from a young age was to be able to make a living with a rope in my hand. I would say that I was probably 19 years old when I realized I could make this happen as a career if I put enough time and work into it. What do you like the most about rodeo? Garrett: I would have to say the comradery and everything that goes along with it. There’s a bunch of great people in rodeo and it’s a great lifestyle. There’s nothing better out there. Why did you decide team roping would be your event? Garrett: I was really only introduced to team roping when I was younger. It wasn’t really rodeo as a whole or any of the other events. So, team roping has always been my event. I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this year? Garrett Smith has been competing in the ProRodeo ranks for two years now, but it’s his first season with his PRCA card. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn., team roping header, leads the Resistol Rookie of the Year race with $7,960 earned so far in 2022. Smith and partner Justin Yost took home $2,309 each for their win at the 148th Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. Smith is sitting 42nd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

GARRETT SMITH

Garrett: I went on my permit last year and we did pretty good. This year I was on the fence about it whether I was going to be able to go enough to give myself a good chance. I got a good partner this year in Justin Yost, and we decided we were going to go enough for me to have a chance at it. So, I went ahead and bought it to give ourselves a chance to get into the better rodeos. Who is someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now? Garrett: Chad Masters is from Tennessee and I kind of grew up around him in the roping world. He was definitely my first introduction into a professional team roper. The way he handles himself, I look up to him quite a bit. What’s this season been like for you so far?

Garrett: It’s been very good, kind of a spur of the moment season for me. I got a bit of a late start. I actually didn’t start rodeoing until about a month ago. I was going between partners, but then finally found the right one. Now, we are off to a great start. What is your favorite movie? Garrett: My favorite movie is definitely Step Brothers . What’s your favorite candy? Garrett: I would have to say my favorite candy is probably Snickers. The Snickers ice cream sandwiches are usually my craving out on the road. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Garrett: The first vehicle that I drove was a 1995, 3500 GMC. What do you do when you’re not rodeoing? Garrett: I actually love to train horses. That’s really the only thing that I do outside of rodeo. I’ve stepped into it more the last couple of years trying to build a name for myself that way as well. What’s your favorite holiday? Garrett: I would have to say Christmas. I love just being able to being around people who I’ve grown up with. What was your favorite cartoon growing up? Garrett: My favorite cartoon when I was a kid was probably Tom & Jerry . What is your favorite sports team? Garrett: I am a Tennessee Titans fan all the way. I’m from Mt. Juliet, Tenn., which is just outside of Nashville. So, it’s impossible not to roll with the Titans.

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