ProRodeo Sports News - March 9, 2018

GRILLE COWBOY

Rookie tie-down roper TY HARRIS was at the top of the 2017 RAMRodeo Permit Standings with $16,013. As of March 5, he also was leading the rookie standings with $11,018. The 19-year-old fromSan Angelo, Texas, is also doing well at the college level, competing on the Cisco (Texas) College rodeo team.

WITH MATT NABER PSN

You were at the top of the 2017 RAM Rodeo Permit Standings for tie-down roping, and now you’re at the top of the rookie standings. How are you doing it? Ty: I work hard, prepare and put myself in a position to win. You’re also fifth in the Southwest Region standings for college tie-down roping. Which one is harder to maintain a good position in? Ty: The ProRodeo standings aremore difficult. In ProRodeo you have tomake a great run tomakemoney. What’s it like to compete on the Cisco (Texas) College rodeo team? Ty: I really likemy coach and teammates, and it’s been a great experience. I live at home and go to class online, but I practice every day at my house and thenmeet up with the teamwhen there’s a competition. How does competing in college rodeo help your ProRodeo career? Ty: It’s a good confidence boost. You couldmake a good run at a ProRodeo and not win anything, so it’s good to get the feeling of winning something at a college rodeo. What are you majoring in and what are your plans for after college? Ty: I’mmajoring in ag business. I own two rental houses and I’m trying to get those built up, and after I get my degree I’ll rodeo for a living and then have the rental houses for backup. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in ProRodeo so far? Ty: Qualifying for the RAMTexas Circuit Finals Rodeo. Tell us about your roping horse. Ty: Lately, I’ve been riding Biggy, he’s an 11-year-old American Quarter Horse. I also ride a horse named Iron that Walter Johnson owns. Iron is also 11 years old and an American Quarter Horse. Biggy is pretty easy, and I know he’s going to let me domy thing, but Iron is super fast and athletic and a good horse. How did you get into rodeo? Ty: My family has rodeoed some, but I’ve loved it since I was young. My parents weren’t into rodeo, and I got my first horse when I was 4 years old, and I just rode and rode and got more into it my whole life. I started roping when I was 5 years old, andmy dad (Walt) studied it and becamemy coach. I’ve loved roping and wanted to rope every day. Why do you compete in tie-down roping? Ty: It’s themost physically competitive, andmy skillset is set up for it. I’mnaturally pretty quick, and you have to be quick and strong. There are somany variables that it’s a tough sport. Which rodeos are you looking forward to the most? Ty: Rodeo Austin (Texas) and then in the summer we have the big ones like the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo, Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days and the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede. Who has been the biggest help in your roping? Ty: My dad, Walt Harris. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Ty: Froma rodeo standpoint, to not let your confidence come fromyour past rodeos, but fromyour past preparations. If you have the opportunity to win, you will. Be confident fromall the

practice you put in. Then outside the arena, if you don’t love it then it’s not the sport for you. You have to enjoy all the stuff that comes with it, like the driving, working on horses and entering. If you just do it for winning, you will have amiserable life because the whole process will be miserable for you. What do you do for good luck? Or, do you not believe in that? Ty: I don’t really believe in luck, it’s all hard work and practice. What’s your workout routine? Ty: I practice about 35 hours a week and I work out everymorning, too – I lift weights and do cardio and core stuff to get strong and explosive. Who’s your favorite musician? Ty: Tyler Childers (right). How do you like your barbecue? Ty: I like grilled sausage and ribs. What’s your favorite video game? Ty: Madden NFL 18 Aside from rodeo, what else are you really good at that people might not know about? Ty: Playing basketball, I played in junior high and high school as a point guard. TY HARRIS

ProRodeo Sports News 3/9/18

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