The Whoa Podcast

About Horses and Horsemanship

Listen to the Podcast NOW

Support the Show. Become a Patron!

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Favorite Podcasts – Audio Only
  • Every Podcast
  • YouTube Videos
  • Support the Whoa Podcast
  • Horse Tips
Home » Team Roping

Finding a Good Roping Horse

June 24, 2014 by John Leave a Comment

Finding a Good Roping Horse

Episode #031

Roping HorseHow do you find a good roping horse?  While working on an assignment for a future podcast having to do with horse wellness and rehabilitation, I had the opportunity to once again visit with Champion Team Roper Denny Watkins.  Denny has been to the National Finals Rodeo 19 consecutive times and has won just about every roping there is.  And, he is not done yet.  If you want to learn more about Denny, check out our December 2013 podcast, Team Roping with Denny Watkins.

I’m kinda a pain in the ass when it comes to talking about horses, especially a roping horse, with someone more experienced than me (that means almost everyone…yeah, scratch the almost).  We finished the conversation on wellness – look for it in an upcoming podcast – and I really wanted to learn about how Denny evaluates a horse.  Think about how many horses he’s seen.  Think about all the hours and hours sitting in the saddle talking about horses, especially roping horses,  between runs.  Think about all the great horsemen he has crossed paths with over the last 25 years.  Think about this vast wealth of knowledge.  Yeah, I wanted to get a piece of it.

Roping horseI pulled up to Denny’s ranch in northwest Bakersfield around one in the afternoon.  He had just finished a morning session with several students.  We got comfortable on his back porch with a view of three of his roping horses.  One he was bringing along, one he was winning on, and one that was probably on the far side of his career.  I talked to Denny about what made this horses special.  I wanted to know how he evaluated a roping horse from the first moment he sees it.  Denny was gracious enough to give a lesson.

 So You Think You Want to Rope

You can’t talk to Denny too long without falling in love with the idea of roping. On a recent weekend my horse and I were exposed to roping. We got a chance to throw at a dummy. Thinking back to Denny’s evaluation of roping horses, I’m not sure if my horse has the best stride for a roper, she’s got a bit of a mind of her own at times, but the one thin she does own is “pretty” – that’s for sure.  Yes, I have thought of roping.  It is a very exciting sport.  It’s fast.  It has cows.  And, team roping has a handicap system.  I like that.  A beginner can compete on a somewhat level playing field.  Anything I do, I want to try and do well.  I wondered how much of a commitment I would need to make.  Yes, both financial and time and effort.  Geesh!

Denny talks us through the whole process.  You know, it’s not that tough.   I’ve got me a bit of a used rope.  I’m working on a set of cones from the ground.  You may just live long enough to hear the tale of me and Jessie catching our first steer.

Links for Denny Watkins Short Instructional Videos:

Denny has a series of short, yet informative, videos that can help you and your roping horse become a better team.

Check out a couple of these links to learn more about Denny Watkins Team Roping:  http://vimeo.com/dennywatkins

And his Team Roping Youtube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgqsDpsQeBt17WKfU0F9cA

Contact Us

We have well over 60 episodes up now and you can find them all for free on iTunes, with our Android App in the Amazon store, and now Stitcher, or wherever podcasts are distributed.  Get the Stitcher app and let us know how it works.  It’s Free.  You can also find every episode and more about the show at whoapodcast.com.  Please join our email list. Get in on the conversation with Facebook and Twitter – just look for WhoaPodcast.

Please let us know your thought, ideas, and suggestions for the show.  You can email us at: John@WhoaPodcast.com

Thanks for listening.

John & Ranae

http://traffic.libsyn.com/duhpodcast/Denny_Watkins_Roping_Podcast.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: competing, horse, horseback riding, Horsemanship, Team Roping, Training

Team Roping with Denny Watkins

January 24, 2014 by John 3 Comments

The Team Roping PodcastTeam roping

I’ve been lucky enough to get a few freelance writing assignments.  For my latest article I had an opportunity to do a sidebar about team roping in Bakersfield with champion Team Roper Denny Watkins.  

Denny made it to the NFR 19 consecutive years. He still ropes competitively.  He also teaches team roping to ropers of all levels.  Denny offers a great insight to the word of team roping and with 40+ years of experience he has a ton of stories to tell. Once again, it was an impromtu interview just before one of Denny’s Team Roping practices.  You’ll hear some background noise (sorry) of him getting his horses ready to work.  

Denny talks about his Dad and his early years with horses.  Then, Denny tells the story of how he got into team roping.  Along the way you’ll hear some stories about his years at the NFR.  And, you will also get some insight into the world of team roping, how the scoring is set up and how money is earned. 

Denny has a series of short instructional videos on Vimeo VOD and Youtube.  These videos offer offer hints and tips every team roper can use.  Most of these videos are less than 2 minutes.  They are designed so you can watch them on your phone before an event or practice.  They can improve your team roping.

Check out a couple of these links to learn more about Denny Watkins Team Roping: http://vimeo.com/dennywatkins

And his Team Roping Youtube Channel:  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmgqsDpsQeBt17WKfU0F9cA

Our Android App

It took us awhile, but we finally got it.  Now listening to the show just got easier.  Help support the show.  Checkout our new Whoa Podcast Android App at the Amazon Store

Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!  

Check out this episode

Filed Under: The Podcast Tagged With: Downunder Horsemanship, horse, Team Roping

Search

Subscribe to the Whoa Podcast

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen On Google Music

Click To Amazon and Support Us!

Check out My YouTube

John Harrer & Horses Whoa Podcast Jana Goode
 

Tell Us About Your Horse

Email Us ~ John@WhoaPodcast.com

Artwork For The Whoa Podcast Provided By Jana Goode
Whoa Podcast Jana Goode
 

This Week’s Featured Podcast

Competitive Trail Riding

Competitive Trail Riding with John Zeliff

Discover the Thrill of Competitive Trail Riding with John Zeliff, President of NATRC If you're an avid rider or just love spending time outdoors, try competitive trail riding. It's an exciting equestrian sport that combines horseback riding with endurance and navigation skills, and John Zeliff, the president of the North American Trail Riding Conference (NATRC), wants to introduce you to it. As a young man, John discovered his passion for … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in