Explore every episode of the podcast X Factor Roping Podcast

Episode 7 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy get into Solo Select and the Clay Logan Open. Billie Jack Saebens on winning over $188,000 on three horses and training both ends. Trey Yates on the season, heel horses, and sticking to the plan. Rhen Richard on Old West in Amarillo, the cattle, and where the futurity is headed.

Episode 6 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories. Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy wrap the last rodeos of the year and who made the Finals with JC Flake, Coleby Payne and Andrew Ward. JC on locking up his first NFR at the 377 Last Hoorah. Coleby on Pendleton and finishing the year with Clay Smith. Andrew on the final push to make the NFR this year, and winning a world title last year with Jake Long.

Episode 5 of the weekly show, presented by Stephenville Trailers and Truck Accessories: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy sit down with Cory Kidd V and Carson Johnson on a first year together, Pendleton, and battling through the last weeks of the season. Nicky Northcott joins to talk the Northcott Invitational Goat Roping, jackpotting, last year’s 16th-place finish, and what changed this year roping with Tyler Tryan on the way to his first NFR.

Episode 4 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy launch “I’ll Tell You This Much for Free” — Pendleton vs. Cheyenne — then break down Puyallup, the mud, Luke and Hunter’s $10k week, and who is actually set for Sioux Falls. Tee Woolman of 377 Arena comes on about the first standalone PRCA team roping: $75k added on September 30, three-plus-a-short, a rope barrier, and a set of steers he’s been sitting on for a year. James Arviso and Levi Lord join after that.

Episode 3 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy recap Labor Day in the Northwest — Ellensburg, Filer, and a Winner of the Week in Tanner Tomlinson and Wesley Thorp, who win Ellensburg and put Thorp about $9k out of 15th. Coleman Proctor calls in from the side of the road on Oklahoma switch-enders, getting ready for the Timed Event, Toter Tales after a round-10 miss, and what it takes to leave the arena like a pro. Wesley Thorp joins on the last month of the year, roping with Tanner, and the Puyallup week.

Episode 2 of the weekly show: Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy recap a big Northwest week — Kennewick, Ellensburg, and the Best of the West — then sit down with Jake Smith and Douglas Rich. Ben Clements of X-Treme joins after his finals to talk producing, cattle, and what it takes to put on a roping right now.

Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy kick things off by breaking down what it could take to make the NFR this year and what the final five weeks of the season look like.
Then, Dawson and Dillon Graham join the conversation to talk horses, roping as brothers, and life on the road with Luke Brown and Hunter Koch. They share what it takes to stay competitive when the season comes down to the wire.
Tara Hill of Hill Rodeo Cattle wraps up the episode with an inside look at NFR cattle—from crossing Mexican steers and the differences between natives and M-brands to getting cattle prepared for the biggest stage in team roping.

Fresh off winning the PRCA Announcer of the Year for the third straight year, Anthony Lucia joins us to share the journey behind the voice. From growing up trick roping on rodeo’s biggest stages to discovering his passion for announcing, Anthony opens up about identity, setbacks, faith, and fully committing to your calling.

He talks about heartbreak, breakthrough moments, mentors who shaped him, and why loving what you do is the only way to succeed. Inspiring, honest, and full of heart — this episode shows exactly why he’s one of rodeo’s greatest storytellers.

World Champion heeler Wesley Thorp joins the show to break down the mindset, fundamentals, and turning points that shaped his career. From preparing for the Timed Event Championship to managing pressure one run at a time, Wesley shares how control, consistency, and disciplined practice have kept him at the top of the sport.

He talks about the influence of his grandpa, lessons learned at his first NFR, his most memorable win, and the mental approach that keeps him improving every year. We also dive into horses, rope selection, financial planning, and his mission to grow the next generation through the World Youth Team Roping Championships.A must-listen for anyone serious about roping, training, or building a winning mindset.

In this episode, Clay Logan breaks down the huge growth of his ropings—2,450 entries and nearly $1.5 million paid out—and the changes that made this year’s event the best yet. He talks about the importance of great cattle, the addition of the big scoreboard, and what makes the 377 arena so roper-friendly.

Clay shares how his ropings began, how rising cattle prices affect producers, and why the new Solo Select Futurity is a game-changer for the horse industry. He reflects on his years as a trainer, the shift in judging, and his philosophy: “If you can make a good horse great, you’ve done a good job.”

From advice for young trainers to the power of attitude, Clay opens up about what makes a great horseman, the horses he’s loved, and the incredible talent rising in today’s roping world.

In this podcast episode, Trey Yates dives into the craft of elite heeling—from rodeo vs. horse-show style to mental strategy, 4th-quarter pressure, and the role of faith in competing at the highest level.

In this inspiring episode, Trey Johnson shares his journey of faith, growth, and discovering true purpose. He challenges us to look beyond success and ask, “If you take the money out of the equation, would you still do it?” — a powerful reminder to align our time and gifts with what truly matters.

Wyatt Cox joins the show to talk about chasing dreams, discipline, and the road from California to Texas. From pivotal misses to major wins, Wyatt shares lessons on staying calm under pressure, evolving as a student of the game, and why there’s no backup plan — this is it.

X Factor Team Roping presents a powerful conversation with Kyle Stull—team roper, coach, and expert in human performance with a graduate degree in Rehabilitative Science and a Doctorate in Behavior. In this episode, we explore the intersection of science and sport: how muscle memory, natural talent, and deliberate practice come together to create elite-level roping.
Kyle shares how his unique background bridges the physical and mental aspects of performance—from injury prevention and recovery, to building sustainable routines that keep athletes sharp without burning out. We dive into the role of goal setting, the importance of finding the right coach, and how behavioral science can help ropers maintain focus, motivation, and longevity in the sport.
Whether you’re chasing your next header, refining your loop, or just trying to stay consistent under pressure, Kyle’s insights offer real-world tools to elevate your mindset and your mechanics. This is more than rodeo talk—it’s performance science applied to the arena.

The Best way to reach Kyle is through email: kylestull7@gmail.com

References
Coyle, D. (2009). The talent code: Greatness isn’t born. It’s grown. Here’s how. Bantam.
Ericsson, A. (2016). Summing up hours of any type of practice versus identifying optimal practice activities. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11(3), 351–354. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691616635600
Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363–406. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.100.3.363
Herrigel, E. (1953). Zen in the art of archery (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.). Pantheon Books.
Huberman, A. (Host). (2022, September 5). Focus toolkit: Tools to improve your focus & concentration [Video]. YouTube. Huberman Lab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb5zpo5WDG4
Huberman, A. (Host). (2023, March 20). Science-based mental training & visualization for improved learning [Video]. YouTube. Huberman Lab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RYyQRQFgFk
Sun Tzu. (2005). The art of war (L. Giles, Trans.). Filiquarian Publishing. (Original work published ca. 5th century BCE)

In this episode of the X Factor Roping Podcast, we sit down with NFR qualifier Cole Davison as he shares his journey from growing up in Oklahoma to making a name for himself in the world of team roping. Cole opens up about how he got started in the sport, the importance of surrounding yourself with business-minded people, and his goals with the Gold Buckle Futurities. He also dives into life after rodeo and what it takes to transition to new opportunities in the arena. Whether you’re a competitive roper or just love a good rodeo story, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and plenty of wisdom from a seasoned pro. Tune in now!

In this episode, we sit down with John Dowdy, the driving force behind Equinety, to explore the story behind the company and its game-changing equine supplement. John takes us through Equinety’s origins, its mission to enhance horse health and performance, and the science behind its unique amino acid formula.
We also dive into the business side—discussing the challenges and successes of growing a brand in the equine industry, customer success stories, and what sets Equinety apart from traditional supplements. Whether you’re a horse owner, equestrian competitor, or just curious about equine wellness, this episode is packed with insights on maximizing your horse’s potential.
Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends passion, science, and business strategy!

In this episode, we sit down with two of the biggest names in team roping: Tyler Wade, a 2x World Champion from Terrell, TX, and Wesley Thorp, a 3x World Champion from Stephenville, TX. These two champions open up about their unforgettable season and the key factors that helped them secure their second world title together.
Tyler and Wesley also dive into their passion project, the World Youth Team Roping Championships. They share why this event is so important to them, what it offers for young ropers, and why it’s an opportunity you don’t want to miss. From producing the event to fostering the next generation of champions, these two explain the benefits of attending, and how it’s shaping the future of team roping.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the sport or just curious about the world of team roping, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical advice from two of the best in the game. Tune in and learn what it takes to rope for a world title—and why giving back to the next generation matters just as much.
Don’t miss it!

Dive into the World Youth Team Roping Championship with Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. Find out why this event is so special to them, how they came up with the idea, and what you can expect on this bonus episode! The World Youth Team Roping Championship is March 22-24th at 377 arena in Stephenville, TX. You can find more info on the roping on their facebook page!

The ride to the 2023 NFR was a roller coaster for team roping World Champions, Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp. A win in the first round of Reno, Nevada in the beginning of June was shortly followed by a slump. Tyler and Wesley discuss how they stayed mentally strong even though an NFR qualification was slipping from their hands. During the third week in July, Tyler and Wesley were able to turn their season around—winning about forty thousand a man in three weeks.
During this podcast, Tyler and Wesley take us through their partnership, 2023 rodeo season, NFR preparation, and the NFR. They also dive into the production of the World Youth Team Roping Championships. They share their reasoning for wanting to produce this event as well as some of the things they hope young contestants can gain from participating. The event is scheduled for March 22-24 at 377 Arena in Stephenville, Texas. For more information visit World Youth Team Roping Championships on Facebook.

The 2024 Reliance Ranches Clay Logan Open will be one that Brandon Gonzales remembers forever. The enter one, draw one format allowed Gonzales to be partnered up with World Champion Header, Erich Rogers. Together they walked away the Champions and $42,000 richer. After his cancer diagnosis, Gonzales wasn’t sure what his future would look like. He went from not knowing if he was going to be able to rope again to winning one of the biggest Open Ropings of the year. Gonzales was gracious enough to share his inspiring story, along with the impact this win has had on his life. 

Nick Dowers is the definition of a real life cowboy. The Million Dollar Rider, 2x Road to the Horse Champion and 2013 NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion trains out of Dyer, NV where he also operates a ranch. Dowers has trained under Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Bill Van Norman, Andrea Fappani and Annie Reynolds. These people were so influential in his life that he decided to create “Cowboy Week”. Cowboy Week is where the best in horsemanship, reined cow horse, cutting, and ranching come together for 5 days and talk techniques and philosophies. This year he decided to offer all of this knowledge and some entertaining cowboy stories to the public. You can purchase Cowboy Week at https://nickdowers.com/register/cowboy-week/. 

Jessica Wahlert is the marketing manager for CINCH Jeans and Shirts where she oversees the marketing department. She shares her journey to this career path and how her upbringing played a vital role in her success. She also discusses her thoughts on branding, marketing, and the process that her CINCH team uses to make these decisions. Listen to the end to hear about the CINCH Playoff Series Championship in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the impacts it had on several NFR qualifications.

The X Factor Roping Podcast is going to feature a series of mental game episodes the Lyman Tenny. Episode 1 in this podcast series will feature discussions including optimal mental performance, belief in self, self-assessment, visualization, and muscle memory.

Lyman Tenny is a mental game coach at Tenny Training. It is believed that upwards of 80% of success is attributed to one’s mental game. Tenny Training helps individuals become aware of thoughts and belief systems that control them so they can master their mental game. To learn more about Tenny Training and become a member, please visit: https://tenneytraining.com/

Stay tuned for upcoming podcast episodes with Lyman Tenny.

Jake Cooper has been a member of the PRCA since 2004 and has qualified for the NFR three times. He recently made the decision to try his hand in the rope horse futurity world with the purchase of a stallion named Reys of Pep. In this podcast, he discusses the changes he has made to be successful in the futurity world and his plans for the future.

This summer looked different for the 2014 Resistol Rookie of the Year Header, Billy Bob Brown. He and his partner, Kirby Blankenship decided to rodeo for about a month to see how it would go. They captured the coveted 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Team Roping Championship and Billy Bob finds himself inside the top 30 headers in the world. Listen as he discusses his summer and how his mental game has played a huge role in his success.

Billy Myers is the founder of the Platinum Metal Rope Horse Futurity and Sale. August 31- September 2 will be the very first event with the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma being the host. In this podcast, Billy dives in the idea behind this even, details about the event, breeding/raising horses and building a successful horse program.

Professional rodeo athletes are headed into the final quarter of the 2023 regular season. Paden Bray was recently crowned the California Rodeo Salinas All-Around Champion, the Days of ’47 Champion Heeler, and is currently ranked 9th in the Heeling World Standings. In this podcast he shares about making adjustments on the road, the hardest part of being on the road, trusting the process, finding balance, and asking people for advice.

It’s no secret that your mental game plays a huge role in the roping arena. 23 year old, Jared Fillmore, from Payson, Utah shares his perspective on life and rodeo. This is a deep dive into the relationship between winning and self worth.

The 2023 Cowboy Christmas run has officially wrapped up and we got the opportunity to catch up with two PRCA rookies. Cutter Thomison and Chet Weitz shared their experience of the Fourth of July. They discuss the struggles on the road, staying mentally strong, and the importance of having friends that they can count on for advice.

J.C. Yeahquo started his professional rodeo career in 2020 with his brother, L.J. Yeahquo. Throughout the past couple of years, he has learned that he must do HIS job and stay true to the run they like to make as a team. J.C. and his brother have had a strong start to the 2023 season and he is looking forward to the summer run.

L.J. Yeahquo and his brother, J.C., have taken the team roping world by storm this winter with big wins at Rapid City, South Dakota; Jackson, Mississippi; Austin, Texas; and San Angelo, Texas. L.J., the heeler in this brother partnership, shares his thoughts on winning and losing, competing at a professional level, and staying true to your run.

Cory Kidd is from Statesville, North Carolina. In this podcast, Cory discusses what it was like growing up roping on the east coast, the move to Texas, and the adjustments he has made along the way. In 2022, he ended up 16th in the PRCA World Standings. He talks about this accomplishment and how he has stayed mentally strong as he enters a new rodeo season.

Logan Medlin is a three-time NFR Qualifier from Tatum, New Mexico. Listen as Logan discusses winning/losing, horsepower, and mental toughness.

Kolton Schmidt is a two-time NFR Qualifier from Barrhead, Alberta. Kolton is constantly trying to become more competitive mentally. In this podcast, he discusses some of the methods he has used to become more mentally strong and how he had to shift his mindset about winning. This podcast can be watched at: https://xftr.net/schmidtpodcast

Tristan Mahoney, the owner of TM Bits & Spurs, has one goal–to bring you quality handmade bits and spurs at a reasonable price. It doesn’t matter what your horse needs, he has a bit that will fit both horse and rider. Every bit and spur is handmade by Tristan, in his Florence, AZ shop.

To order your own TM Bits and Spurs, contact Tristan by email: tmahoney11@gmail.com or by phone 480-459-1411.

There is no doubt that the most elite athletes in the world make their mental game a priority—constantly training their minds to better handle pressure and adversity. Ty Hillman, is a mental skills coach that focuses on helping and training people to develop a competitive mindset. In this podcast, he discusses his thoughts on success, failure, working through slumps, and training methods to become more mentally strong. Ty and his wife, Stevi Hillman, wrote a book called, Mind Fuel: Mental Training, Overcoming Adversity, and Competitive Mindset. Mind Fuel consists of daily readings and a daily challenge to inspire you to take the next step in your journey toward personal greatness. It is available on Amazon or at the following link: https://xftr.net/mindfuelYou can listen to this podcast on any of your favorite platforms. To watch the podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/hillmanpodcast

Cole Matier moved from Alberta, Canada to Texas at the age of 17. He now specializes in riding young cow horses, rope horses, and barrel horses. During this podcast, he discusses how he got his start in the industry and created a horse training business of his own.

Oklahoma native, Tyler Merrill was born into the horse industry and was raised showing horses in a number of different disciplines. After graduating from military school, Tyler began training horses professionally. He currently shows horses in the Snaffle Bit Futurity, hackamore, reining, NCHA, NRCHA, American Rope Horse Futurity, Riata Buckle Futurity, Royal Crown Futurity, and more. Listen as Tyler talks about his career as a horse trainer and how manages his busy business. To watch this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/tylermerrillpodcast

This special edition podcast features NFR heelers Jade Corkill and Hunter Koch. The two sit down together to discuss and compare each other’s careers and experiences as an elite team roper. To watch the video verison of this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/corkillkochpodcast

Lightning Aguilera credits his first NFR qualification to his head horse, Jess A Moose, 2022 AQHA Head Horse of the Year. In this podcast, Lightning discusses his childhood, adjustments he has made to his heading to be more consistent, horsepower, and his preparation for the NFR.

Cole Davison introduces World Classic Events, a roping production he started. Cole discusses the format of the roping and how he hopes it will encourage more teams to enter. He also breaks down some of his runs from a previous event and shares the three goals he has for his horses. To watch this rundown, visit: https://xftr.net/davisonwcerundown

2022 PRCA Rookie of the Year, Tanner James, got the full rodeo experience this year. He battled the urge to go home when he wasn’t winning, endured partner swaps, and competed in arenas he had never been to before. Listen as he talks about how he stayed mentally strong and motivated to keep pushing forward. To watch this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/tannerjamespodcast

In this episode of The Rundown, Chase Tryan talks roping with draw partners, doing your job, and staying hooked with the run no matter what happens. To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/tryanopenshowdown

Kellan and Carson Johnson, brothers from Casper, Wyoming, are no strangers to team roping and the cowboy way of life. Between the two of them, they hold three College National Team Roping Titles. In this podcast, Kellan and Carson discuss what it is like to rodeo hard all summer long and finish in the top 20 in the world. To watch this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/johnsonpodcast

33-year-old Chase Tryan qualified for his first NFR in 2012. His second NFR qualification would come years later. Chase discusses that during those years, team roping changed. He had to adjust his style of roping to become one of the best heelers in the world. Listen as Chase takes us through the highs and the lows of his career and the things he had to learn in order to remain at the top of his game.

X Factor’s new PRACTICE Rundown gives cowboys the opportunity to break down runs from the practice pen. Here is your chance to hear NFR heeler, Jake Long break down some of his practice runs. Listen as he takes us through several runs explaining his ideal practice sessions, style of roping, and how it changes from horse to horse. If you would like to watch this PRACTICE Rundown, visit: https://xftr.net/longpracticerundown

In 2021, Ross achieved a life-long goal by qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Listen as Ross takes us through his first NFR experience and adjustments he has made to his heeling to become more consistent and competitive.

We had the special opportunity to sit down with NFR header, Coleman Proctor as he broke down his runs from the Lone Star Shootout. Listen closely as Coleman discusses his strategy during the roping and how “sticking to the basics” allowed him to finish strong despite riding a greener head horse.

To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/proctorlsshootout

California native, Cody Snow, has become one of the most elite headers in the world. He has prioritized hard work, horsemanship, and handling cattle above all else. Listen as Cody discusses his upbringing and the qualities that have contributed to his success.