Cowkids Only - January 2024
January 2024
Brought to you by The Bell Mare Book Company
Caleb Smidt photos and videos provided by Smarty Training
Ask a Pro:
Caleb Smidt
This month’s blog features tie-down roper Caleb Smidt. Caleb is a 4-time world champion, 4-time NFR average champion and 10-time NFR qualifier. He has won more than $2 million through his career, most of which has been won on his equally famous Quarter Horse named, “Pockets.”
Caleb gave us his roping recommendations for youth breakaway and tie-down ropers.
Ask a Pro:
World Champion Tie-Down Roper Caleb Smidt
Question: What advice do you have for kids about roping the dummy on the ground?
Caleb’s Answer:
For kids, I don’t think there is really a wrong or specific way they have to rope the dummy. When I was a kid, I had a rope in my hand every day and spent a lot of time roping the dummy. I think just getting kids comfortable with a rope and letting them learn to catch is what makes them into a roper. I encourage kids to rope the dummy from all angles - off to the right, off to the left, straight behind it, too far back, too close up and the correct position. A lot of people always rope the dummy from the same spot and that isn’t how it goes most of the time on live calves.
The easiest position to catch a calf from is slightly to the right of the dummy. So, I would encourage kids to start there and build their confidence up. Then, start throwing from other positions. The hardest spot to catch from is to the left of the dummy - where a header would throw from. Roping the dummy from the left side requires the most correct swing and throw to get a sharp loop. When I feel like my roping is off, I go rope my Smarty from the left side and figure out where my problem is. Roping from there makes me keep my elbow up and tip down. If roping from the heading position is too hard, try taking one step to the left of your perfect position. Keep taking one step further left once you master each spot until eventually you can catch the dummy and roll your curl over the back every time from the header’s position. If you can learn to catch it sharp around the neck from the left side, everywhere else will feel like an easy shot. Watch the video below to see how Caleb ropes the Smarty from the header’s position.
Question: What advice do you have for kids learning to rope on a sled dummy?
Caleb’s Answer:
I never recommend a kid start out going fast and try and figure out how to rope at top speed. The sled dummies, like the Smarty sled, are great for progressing kids along at a slower pace until their size and skill-level is ready for any type of live calf. I recommend kids rope at a speed that is safe and they are comfortable at and build up a little bit over time to faster speeds. There’s no need to get impatient and rush things. Try to get a little bit better every day and be consistent about your practice.
Correct Delivery
Caleb Smidt says your hand should be pointed at the calf’s head with your palm down when you release your rope. A common mistake is to release your rope with your hand sideways like you were going to shake someone’s hand. Caleb says releasing your hand that way will cause you to miss and top-knot calves.
Correct Curl
Caleb says if you throw your loop correctly, your curl should roll over the calf’s back like his is in this picture. If your curl rolls over the back, you will be more likely to get a clean, bell-collar catch and not end up with a leg or tail in your loop. Watch the video below to learn more about correct delivery and curl.
Question: At this year’s NFR, you missed your first loop in the first round. You came back one night later and won round two. What advice do you have for kids on moving past a miss?
Caleb’s Answer:
Short-term memory is key. I was so mad at myself that night. Who misses the very first calf of the NFR? I did. I was late and I panicked and threw my rope and it didn’t go on. But, I figured out what I did, decided what I needed to do to fix it and put it out of my mind. That miss was not on my mind when I backed in the box the next night. If you let a miss replay in your head, it will happen again. You have to fix the problem, learn from it and then forget it ever happened. If the memory comes back to you, just know you are better than that and you are more prepared when you nod your head this time than you were the last time when you missed. I also pray about problems and ask God to help me fix and move past them. I have found that is the key to all problems in life, not just roping.
Question: What advice do you have for kids on roping under pressure?
Caleb’s Answer:
I dreamed of making the NFR as a kid, but never dreamed I would be a world champion calf roper. I suppose it was always in the back of my mind, but my goal for my entire career has always just been to make the NFR. In 2019, I came into the NFR in first and I felt a lot of pressure to win the world title. I didn’t walk away with the gold buckle. I didn’t rope well and I didn’t enjoy the NFR as much as I usually do because I was trying to win something that was out of my control. I told myself after that I was never going to do that again. God has a plan for my life and that includes whether or not I win a world championship that year. Every time I have made the NFR since then, I just enjoyed the experience, roped my best on the calves I drew and let the results take care of themselves. You can make all sorts of plans, but God already knows whether you are going to win or not. So just let Him have the reins, give it 110 percent and enjoy the opportunity.
Question: If you could get in a time machine and tell your younger self something, what would you say?
Caleb’s Answer:
Trust God more. It’s not fun to try and fix everything and force things to happen. God has a plan and life is a lot more enjoyable if you just trust Him and enjoy the opportunities He gives you. If you put in the work and try your best, God will make it happen when the time is right. There are very few people who can become successful ropers without putting a lot of work into it. But, if you put the work in and you truly love it, turn the results over to God and let Him have the control.
Question: What is your favorite thing to read?
Caleb’s Answer:
I read the Bible every morning.
Cowkid Devotional
By High Call Ministries Pastor, Kelly Cronkhite
Kelly is not your typical pastor. He’s a Jesus-loving cowboy, rancher and roper.
Do you have any goals or resolutions you want to accomplish in 2024? Do you want to win one of your events when all is said-and-done at your junior rodeo finals? Do you want to get all As on your report card? Maybe your goals are more long-term than just this year. Do you dream of making the NFR someday? I think goals are great and I always make a list of goals for myself at the start of each year. But, it is important that we don’t leave God out of our dreams and goals. Each January, I make my list and then I pray over it. I pray God will guide me, lead me and adjust my goals, so my goals and dreams fit with God’s plan for my life. God gave each of us unique talents and abilities and these gifts will be even better if we use them to accomplish our goals AND God’s. For example, Caleb Smidt is an amazing tie-down roper. Pockets is an amazing tie-down roping horse. But, neither of them could have accomplished what they did without the other one, and even more importantly, without God blessing their careers. I have noticed in many of Caleb’s interviews, he is quick to give the glory to God for his success and for blessing him with Pockets. While Caleb Smidt’s original goal might have been to make the NFR, I think God’s goal was to use Caleb to showcase a man with strong faith and good morals to rodeo fans. He took Caleb’s goal and made it better because it aligned with His plan for Caleb’s life. If you pray over your goals and dreams, God will show you how to make the desires of your heart match up with the plans He has for your life. So, I challenge you to set realistic goals and dreams that fit with your God-given talents and interests. Then, pray over them and wait patiently. Let God adjust them and watch how He makes them bigger and better than you could have ever imagined! And when your dreams do come true, don’t forget to thank and praise God for helping you!
“We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” - Proverbs 16:1
“Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed.” - Proverbs 16:3
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” - Proverbs 16:9
“Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.” - Psalms 37:4-5
Trivia Break:
When was the first rodeo shown on national television?
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is January 12-February 3 in Fort Worth, Texas. The first Fort Worth Stock Show was held in 1896 and rodeo was added to the show in 1918. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo was the first rodeo shown on national television. What year did the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo first run on TV?
Horse Care Tip of the Month
By Equine Veterinarian Zach Bruggen
Do you use leg boots on your horse? There are many types, sizes, shapes and colors of leg gear at every tack store in the country. For the most part, leg boots are either designed to be worn while you are riding, or while your horse is being trailered or stalled. When leg boots are used correctly, they protect and support the tendons, ligaments and bones of the horse’s leg. Here are some tips for using leg boots properly:
Make sure you are putting leg boots on correctly - ask a knowledgeable adult for help if you aren’t sure.
Leg boots can trap heat in the leg, which can actually make the tendons and ligaments weaker and more likely to be injured. This is especially true when it is hot outside. If you are at an all-day junior rodeo, take your horse’s leg gear off between events so their legs can cool down. If it is extremely hot, it might even be a good idea to wash the horse’s legs with cold water between events.
I recommend every junior rodeo horse wear bell boots. Bell boots keep horses from overreaching (stepping on the back of their front feet with the toes of their hind feet when they trot, lope or run). Overreach injuries are painful and can be difficult to heal, but are easily prevented by using bell boots.
There are looser-fitting leg wraps that are designed for horses to wear in the trailer or stall to protect their legs. Just like with leg gear designed for riding, it is important to not leave the boots on so long they overheat the horse’s leg, especially when it is hot outside. If you stop and let the horse out of the trailer on a long drive, take the boots off and let the horse’s legs cool down and get fresh air. If the horse wears leg boots overnight in a stall, remove them in the morning.
Leg Protection
Protecting your horse’s legs with leg gear is important. But, it is equally important to make sure you remove the leg gear when you are done competing so you don’t overheat the horse’s leg. Unfortunately, if leg gear is left on too long and the tendons and ligaments in the horse’s leg get too hot, the horse is actually more likely to get injured.
Rodeo Trivia Answer:
When was the first rodeo shown on national television?
The first ever rodeo to be shown on national television was the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in 1953.
Exercise of the Month
By Logan Corbett, with Champion Living Fitness and strength coach for many professional rodeo athletes
If you were a dog and you walked past a fire hydrant, what would you do? You guessed it! Bathroom break! Although dogs use fire hydrants as a potty, rodeo athletes use them to strengthen their hips and gluteal (booty) muscles, as well as improve their balance and flexibility. Here is why I think you should channel your puppy power and do the fire hydrant exercise:
Mighty muscles: Your gluteus maximus (also known as your booty) is the biggest muscle in your entire body! The fire hydrant works your hips and gluteal muscles making them stronger and more powerful. Strong hips and glutes are secret weapons for rodeo athletes. They help you run faster and make you stronger!
Stay flexible: Think about a rubber band. You can twist, bend and stretch it in many different ways. Exercises like the fire hydrant help your body to be flexible like a rubber band. Being flexible can help keep you from getting hurt and help you ride, rope, flank and tie better.
Balance boost: The fire hydrant exercise requires balance. All rodeo events - from mutton busting to pole bending to calf roping - require good balance. Use the fire hydrant exercise to improve your balance especially during the winter when you probably aren’t getting to ride and rodeo as often.
Find a friend: You don’t have to be a Lone Ranger on these exercises! Share them with your buddies! Match your friends or siblings in a fire hydrant challenge. Who can lift their leg the highest? Who can do the most lifts without losing their balance? Even if you don’t win, I bet you laugh thinking about a dog and a fire hydrant!
Here is how to correctly do the fire hydrant exercise:
Start on your hands and knees with your back flat. Imagine someone is setting plates on your back and using it as a table.
With your knee bent, lift one leg out to the side, just like a dog using a fire hydrant.
Hold your leg up for a moment (just like a dog does). Do you feel your hip and glute muscles working?
Slowly and with control, lower your leg back down.
Repeat the same thing on the other side. I recommend starting with 10 lifts on each leg. As you get stronger, you can do more.
HAVE FUN!
Watch the video below to see me doing the exercise.
Rodeo Word of the Month:
Bell-Collar Catch
Bell-Collar Catch
A bell-collar catch means the loop goes over the calf’s entire head and is only around their neck when the rope breaks loose from the saddle horn. In most breakaway ropings, you must have a bell-collar catch to get a qualified time. This illustration is from our new chapter book, “Short Go and the Junior Rodeo Trail.” In this book for elementary-aged readers, Max and Short Go compete in the breakaway roping at a junior rodeo. The book was made possible by Smarty Rodeo.
Rodeo Math Problem of the Month
Max feeds Short Go five pounds of grain each day. He also feeds him 10 pounds of hay each day. Max is helping his family pack for a roping they are going to in Texas. They will be gone six days. How many pounds of grain does Max need to pack for Short Go? If one square bale of hay is 50-pounds, how many bales of hay does Max need to pack for Short Go?
Reading Comprehension:
Test Your Pocket Knowledge
If you know Caleb Smidt, you know his Quarter Horse named Pockets. Caleb won all four of his world championships on Pockets. Before he was a calf roping horse, Pockets was a cutting horse in Wyoming. Caleb says from the very first calf he ever roped on Pockets, until his most recent calf in the 10th round at the NFR, the big, bay gelding has been the greatest horse he has ever rode. Pockets is bigger than most calf horses and Caleb says he is lazy, lovable and gentle - also not typical calf horse traits. Pockets’ best friend is a pony named, Scooter. Caleb bought Scooter for his kids, but the pony was so short he could walk under all of the fences and always ended up in the pen with Pockets. It wasn’t long before the two were best buddies.
What makes Pockets different than most calf roping horses?
What did Pockets do before he was Caleb Smidt’s tie-down roping horse?
What color and breed is Pockets?
Who is Pockets’ best friend?
Pockets and Caleb at St. Paul, Oregon
The photos and videos of Caleb and Pockets were provided by Smarty Training! We want to send a special thank you to them for sharing these with us!