In this conversation, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes share the influences that shaped their styles—breaking down what they learned studying ropers like Rich Skelton, Cory Petska, and Clay Cooper. From Rich’s unmatched consistency in holding perfect position, to Cory’s elite swing angles, to Clay’s ability to adjust to any horse and find the shot, they explain how the best in the game manage momentum, control the turn, and stay patient under pressure.
They also dive into the most common mistake they see—getting too close in the corner—and how learning to hold your lane, ride to the tracks, and wait for the steer’s move changes everything. Whether you’re building your style or trying to fix timing and positioning issues, this is a masterclass in what really wins—not just roping fast, but roping right.
Up Next in Heeling Fundamentals
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Wesley Thorp: Keeping a Finished Heel...
In this video, Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp works a seasoned 9-year-old gelding that’s seen plenty of runs—from amateur rodeos to World Series jackpots. This horse is solid, but after a few days off, it’s time to knock the rust off and get him sharp before the next jackpot.
Wesle... -
Wesley Thorp: Tuning Up a Heel Horse ...
Three-time World Champion Heeler Wesley Thorp shares a detailed, no-frills session bringing a 10-year-old mare back into form after time off. This video shows how he builds a horse’s confidence, balance, and timing from the back end—focusing on collection through the corner, holding position, and...
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Heel Loop Angles
Clay O’Brien Cooper is the master of the heel loop, and in this video, he explains a common problem he sees with lower number heelers who come to his roping schools. Cooper explains how the angle of the heel loop stays consistent throughout the heeler’s delivery.
