In this conversation, Clay O’Brien Cooper shares how he still keeps up with today’s team roping scene—watching the winter rodeos, studying runs, and following which teams are gaining momentum through the season.
Clay explains why he enjoys watching how the rodeos shape up, evaluating cattle, and keeping tabs on who’s performing well versus who’s struggling. He talks about being a fan of preparation and execution over favoritism, saying he cheers for the teams that “put it together and execute the runs they deserve to win.”
He also breaks down the structure of the season—the teams chasing a world championship versus those fighting to break into the top 15—and how both battles create a “race within a race.”
Part of the Barnes & Cooper: Inside the Practice Pen series, this clip shows Clay’s thoughtful perspective on competition, consistency, and what makes watching the sport as exciting as ever.
Up Next in Horsemanship
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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 and Roping Different Types...
Team roping legends Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper put their experience to work on a diverse set of muley cattle and short horned steers—each one broke in a little differently and presenting unique challenges in the run. This practice session focuses on adjusting to the feel of each steer, m...
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Settling the Great Heel Loop Delivery...
Trap or scoop? Handshake? Thumbs in? How exactly does The Champ view the heel loop delivery? This video breaks down Clay O’Brien Cooper’s theory on delivering the heel loop, with Jake Barnes’ take, too.
