After a year on the road, Best Ever team riders are heading to the National Finals Rodeo. Some are seasoned veterans, while others, like tie-down roper Ryle Smith, are making their first trip.
“I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the opportunity,” Smith said, “The goal all year is to make the NFR and I’m just looking forward to being there.”
He will be joined by Best Ever team riders; Cody Cabral, Cody Snow, Dakota Kirchenschlager, Dugan Kelly, Kolton Schmidt, Travis Graves, Wesley Thorp.
Kolton Schmidt and “Badger” will be representing Best Ever Pads in the team roping. Badger was appointed the PRCA/AQHA Horse of the Year.
“He’s been incredible, we are honored that he is the AQHA Horse of the Year,” Schmidt said.
Our Best Ever team riders are lucky to be mounted on such great horses, with some of them starting as diamonds in the rough, like Smith’s horse Trouble with the Chicks.
“I got Trouble as a 3 year old, trained him as a practice horse and he’s proven to be much more than that. He’s been the MVP since 2011,” Smith said, “He is the little engine that could, he gives it all he’s got every run.”
Although, even the best horse and rider duos can have a string of bad luck.
“The whole year was a pretty humbling experience for the most part,” Thorp said, “About the time you felt like you might have it figured out, you might go a few weeks without winning anything at all.”
This sort of perseverance is what is required to make the National Finals Rodeo, and our team riders are nothing short of determined.
Schmidt is coming into the NFR in the #4 spot on the heading side, and hopes to carry his momentum through the extensive competition.
“My goal is to stay postive and give myself a chance to win every night,” Schmidt said.
Join us at the National Finals Rodeo to meet Best Ever team riders, and shop with us at Cowboy Christmas booth #414!