We're all basically starting over right now, and I'm excited about it. I had some time in 2009 to stay home with my family and get some personal things accomplished. I've been working on my horsepower, and having a great heeler (Clay O.) on my team in 2010 will be a huge advantage. After almost 30 years of doing this, one year turns into the next. You have your highs and lows, and you always look forward to the next year. I go into every year optimistic, and with great expectations. After basically taking 2009 off, I feel ready to go conquer the world again. I'm really excited about getting out there. Having a good fall in 2009 (Jake placed third at the USTRC Finals with Paul Eaves for almost $18,000, and the next week finished third with Clay for $12,000 at Rich Skelton's roping in Boerne, Texas.) was rejuvenating. Now it's about regrouping and taking charge of the new year.
Clay and I are going to concentrate on roping schools and the big ropings, and take the rodeo season as it comes. The plan is to start out at Odessa, then head to the Denver qualifier. We won't get to go to San Antonio or Houston, which is tough when you rope for a living, but that's the price you pay for time off. We'll do the best we can where we can. We'll focus on the ones we can go to, and make the best of those.
There are some really big ropings nowadays too, and since it's all about making a living for us we'll be there. We all need to put a living together, whether it's teaching schools, the ropings or rodeos, or a combination of all of the above. Our team's strength is consistency, so we'll really be concentrating on the ropings this year.
