In this video, Wesley Thorp breaks down his approach to roping the dummy with a focus on precision, power, and eliminating wasted motion.
From foot placement and shoulder position to swing path and delivery, Thorp explains how to keep your loop balanced, your swing direct, and your rope working for you—not against you. He dives into common errors like feeding past the target, letting go too early, or over-swinging, and how each one affects your delivery and catch rate.
If you're working on your heeling fundamentals or trying to sharpen your timing and power through the corner, this is a must-watch. You'll learn how to focus your tip on the right hock, use a simple A-to-B delivery, and build consistency in your swing and finish—whether you're on the ground or horseback.
Up Next in Locked In with Wesley Thorp
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The Figure Eight Drill: Wesley Thorp’...
Wesley Thorp demonstrates one of his foundational exercises: the Figure Eight Drill—a controlled, progressive dummy drill designed to build collection, drive, and consistent tracking in heel horses. Whether it's a green colt or a rodeo-seasoned horse, this drill is a staple in Thorp’s program.
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Breaking Down Delivery, Loop Control ...
In this in-depth session, Wesley Thorp and Ryan Motes get real about what makes a clean, powerful heel shot—from tip control and timing to release mechanics and rope angles. They share insights on what happens when you hold too long, release too early, or swing past your target—and how small tech...
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Building a Rope Horse: Day Back on a ...
Wesley Thorp puts a 4-year-old gelding back to work after a break from live steers. This is a young horse he’s had since two, started himself, and carefully brought along. Today, the goal is to reintroduce pressure, score a few, rope some slow and medium steers, and see where the horse stands men...
