Ride Em' & Rope Em'

Our inaugural clinic at the farm was more than just a success—it was a milestone. The event brought together a wide range of participants, many of whom were new to the cowboy way of life and eager to step outside their comfort zones! Diving into a world of learning, connection, and personal growth.

While a handful of attendees arrived with some prior roping knowledge, the majority were picking up a rope for the first time. Under the guidance of our incredible clinicians, Gracie and Pedro Torres, what started as hesitation, quickly turned into curiosity and confidence. Attendee Kaitlyn Austin reflected on this experience, noting that "the mechanics and terminology were explained really well and the instructors were incredibly encouraging." Their first-class instruction made roping approachable, informative, and genuinely fun. Participant, Savannah W., stated “ Roping is challenging because you have to rope the bull but Gracie and Pedro taught me how to do it…It was cool seeing other people learn with me. I keep practicing whenever I can!” Laughter, encouragement, and fellowship was found throughout the day, creating a supportive environment where everyone could succeed.

The Practical Side of Roping

In popular media, roping is often portrayed through the lens of high-stakes rodeo events— cowboys and cowgirls racing against the clock in competitive arenas. But there's another, often overlooked, side of roping: its practical, everyday application on working ranches. Our clinic focused on this grounded approach, emphasizing techniques used by the big loop ranch ropers. These cowboys use roping as a vital tool to treat livestock in the field—calmly, efficiently, and with little stress to the animals.

From branding and sorting to doctoring cattle, the ability to handle livestock skillfully is foundational to good ranch management. Participants learned how roping fits into the bigger picture of responsible animal care, land stewardship, and the preservation of traditional ranching skills.

Roping as a Path to Character Development

As I look back at this experience during a moment of reflection, I think life skills and character development might just be at the forefront of takeaways. 

Roping, by its nature, demands presence of mind, precision, and patience. As participants worked to coordinate their movements, anticipate their target, and adjust their approach, they weren’t just developing physical skills—they were cultivating deeper traits: discipline, resilience, humility, and courage.

• Discipline and Focus: Roping isn’t learned in a single throw. It takes concentration, repetition, and the willingness to keep trying, even when success doesn’t come immediately. 

• Resilience and Grit: Missing a loop or struggling with technique didn’t lead to frustration—it became an opportunity to persist and try again with a different mindset.

• Humility and Openness: Many participants came in as beginners, and it takes humility to start something new. Their openness to being coached and corrected made the learning process rewarding.

• Courage and Confidence: Stepping into a new environment and learning to rope can be intimidating. But by the end of the clinic, newfound confidence was seen in all participants. 

Beyond the Arena

The benefits of the clinic didn’t stay at the edge of the pen. Participants left with more than just a basic understanding of ranch roping—they carried away personal lessons that will serve them far beyond the ranch. Improved hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and teamwork are just the beginning. More importantly, they experienced firsthand how rural traditions and manual skills can shape the character and values that define us.

We’re incredibly proud of everyone who joined us for this first clinic. It was a day of laughter, learning, and leadership. We look forward to many more events where people of all backgrounds can come together and discover not just new skills—but new aspects of themselves.