Fine-Tuning Runs and Roping Smarter
Barnes & Cooper: Inside the Practice Pen
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15m
In this episode, Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper focus on details that separate good practice from great preparation. Jake rides a seasoned 17-year-old horse—one he admits he almost overlooked in the past—and shares how this horse has become one of his best yet. From Ariat World Series of Team Roping runs to ProRodeo, Jake reminds ropers that you’re only as good as your horse.
In this video, they explain:
Jake’s advice on finding—and appreciating—the right horse for your program
Why even veteran horses still have something to teach you every run
Clay’s insights on rope care—how not dallying correctly or not at all while practicing can damage your coils and affect your timing
How headers missing slack can throw off heelers’ timing, and what partners can do to stay in sync
Why Clay adds extra swings in practice to change the pattern and keep his horse mentally sharp
Jake’s take on roping different types of steers to prepare for anything you’ll face in jackpots or rodeos
Real-time critiques from both Jake and Clay as they analyze each run and what they’d adjust next time
Part of the Barnes & Cooper: Inside the Practice Pen series, this episode digs into the fine points of partnership, horse selection, and practice habits that build long-term success in and out of the arena.
Up Next in Barnes & Cooper: Inside the Practice Pen
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Mental Aspect of Team Roping
In this practice session, Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper switch things up—Jake rides a 7-year-old who hasn’t had a full year of roping yet, while Clay’s on a 6-year-old green horse. Together, they break down each run, how the muleys handled, and how their horses responded to different cattle...
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Evaluating Horses, Fresh Cattle, and ...
Team roping greats Jake Barnes and Clay Cooper take a deep dive into evaluating horses, managing fresh muley calves, and building timing as both a header and a heeler. This practice session blends practical horse training tips with mental strategies for improving consistency.
In this video, the...
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Horse Quirks, Scoring, and Muley Prac...
Jake Barnes and Clay Cooper share stories of quirky horses, the importance of scoring, and why practicing on muley cattle sharpens ropers of all levels.
They explain:
- How to handle horses with unique quirks and personalities
- Scoring tips and the cues that make a head horse leave the box
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