Old West Journal - Heber Edition - Flipbook - Page 43
THE WORK BEHIND THE RUNS
Tripp's composure at Old West didn't come from
natural talent alone. It came from consistency.
"A bunch of times a week," Tripp said when
asked how often he ropes — "unless it's wet or
cold."
That level of commitment at 11 years old is rare.
But for Tripp, it's not about grinding through
something difficult. It's about doing what he
enjoys — and doing it often enough that the
mechanics become second nature.
He doesn't train horses. He rides finished ones.
But the repetition, the feel, and the experience
he's building every time he steps into the saddle
are shaping him into the kind of rider who can
hold his own — even when the competition is
twice his age. Because that's the reality Tripp
faces every time he competes.
At 11, he's not just the youngest rider at Old
West. He's often the youngest rider at most of
the ropings he attends. And that means learning
how to compete against people who have years
— sometimes decades — more experience than
he does.
ROPING WITH THE BEST
Being the youngest rider at Old West came with
its own set of challenges. Tripp found himself
competing against riders who've spent years
refining their craft, building careers, and earning
reputations in the industry.
But Tripp approaches it with the kind of
perspective that only comes from spending
serious time in the practice pen.
"They have a lot of experience," Tripp said when
asked about going up against older competitors.
"You're probably not going to miss. But I go
against a lot of the old guys when I rope, so it's
just kind of insane."
That familiarity with high-level competition is
what allowed Tripp to stay composed. This
wasn't his first time roping alongside
experienced hands — it was just his first time
doing it at Old West. And the experience clearly
meant something.
When asked about his favorite part of the event,
Tripp's answer was immediate: "Roping with
Kollin, just being here, just roping here."
The opportunity to compete with top-tier riders
wasn't lost on him. For a young competitor still
learning the game, moments like these shape
everything that comes after. They set the
standard. They show what's possible. And they
create a reference point that stays with a rider
long after the event is over.
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