Team roping training insights from Jake Barnes and Clay Cooper focus on managing horse quirks, scoring correctly, and using muley cattle to improve practice sessions.
Hall of Fame ropers Jake Barnes and Clay Cooper share stories and strategies from their decades in the arena—covering everything from quirky horses and scoring challenges to building rhythm with fresh cattle.
In this video, they explain:
- How different horse personalities and quirks affect practice and competition
- Why maintaining a good attitude after a miss matters more than the run itself
- Tips for scoring head horses and recognizing their cues at the gate
- The value of practicing on muley steers and learning to rope up close
- How rhythm and timing in cattle movement guide better shots for heelers
Another installment in Barnes & Cooper: Inside the Practice Pen, this video offers practical horsemanship and roping tips straight from two Hall of Fame cowboys.
Up Next in Practice Sessions
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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
... -
Practicing for Your Horse & Neck Catches
Hall of Fame ropers Jake Barnes and Clay Cooper break down why practice should focus on your horse first and how to rope slow cattle and muley steers to build confidence and control.
They cover:
- Practicing for your horse vs. practicing for yourself
- Why slow cattle keep horses relaxed and ... -
Understanding Heel Ropes
Clay O’Brien Cooper explains the way heel ropes are tied and the importance of understanding how to care for a rope in all climates.
