In this conversation, Jake Barnes shares his honest take on investing in good horses and building a career through consistency, not risk. He explains why every successful roper credits their horse, how he’s always taken a conservative approach to buying and training, and what it means to make the most of what you’ve got.

Jake reflects on the balance between raising a family, staying competitive, and finding horses that fit his program without overreaching financially. He also offers insight into how different ropers approach the game—and why his philosophy has always been to “buy one and make the best I could.”