In this candid conversation, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes talk through the ropers who shaped their styles—and the lessons they still rely on to this day. From Rich Skelton’s flawless position and patience to Corey Petska’s rope angles and Clif Cooper’s footwork, they break down how to study the greats without copying them. The focus: how holding position, controlling width, and staying off the steer through the turn can create better angles, cleaner heel shots, and fewer mistakes—especially under pressure.
They also cover how younger ropers often crowd the corner, why “racing to the turn” backfires, and how to hold your lane until the steer commits. Whether you’re trying to level up your horsemanship or sharpen your mental game, this is a must-watch on how to build roping that holds up anywhere—from jackpots to Vegas.
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Holding Position: Wesley Thorp Tunes ...
Wesley Thorp is back on a new heel horse, working through the early stages of building consistency and control—starting on the dummy. This horse has been passed between riders, recently heeled on left-handed, and shows signs of drifting out of position after the turn. The focus today: drive to th...
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Horse and Body Position in a Heel Shot
Patrick Smith breaks down horse position with a student in a heel shot.
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Hold Your Heel Horse In Position
Patrick Smith works hard on keeping his horses' heads slightly to the inside when he ropes. He shares some of his tricks on keeping his horses soft and framed up.
