The Cowboy Way

Posted 10.300.2020 by Admin / Category: Let's Rope

What does World Champion PRCA roper Caleb Smidt do when he’s not chasing rodeo wins with his partner Pocketful Of Light or “Pockets” in hopes of qualifying for the next Finals? He works cattle on a ranch near his home in Bellville, Texas. The rodeo cowboy is a true cowboy, in or out of the arena.

 

Caleb won the PRCA All Around/Rookie of the Year in 2013. He won his first NFR championship in 2015. But 2018 was an incredibly difficult one for Caleb, his wife Brenna Byler Smidt and the Byler family. Caleb’s father, Randy Smidt, died of cancer in January that year. Caleb went on to qualify for the NFR and after a summer of rodeos, went home to get ready for Vegas, while Brenna was preparing to give birth to their second child. On November 4, Brenna’s brother Will married his fiancé, Bailee. In a tragedy that rocked the horse world, the couple died in a helicopter crash the same night, devastating their families.

 

“You read about stuff like that happening, but it’s not supposed to happen,” Caleb said.

 

Days later, on November 12, Brenna gave birth to Myla Pearl, the couple’s second child. And only a couple of weeks later, Brenna and Caleb’s family made the trek to Las Vegas to watch Caleb compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

 

“It was just awesome to have my whole family out there to support me,” Caleb said. “I know I wouldn’t have done near as good if they weren’t there. It was tough for the whole family, but they made it a point to make it out there for me. It meant a lot to me.”

 

In the first round of the Finals, Caleb tied his calf in 7.6 seconds, winning the round and that elusive gold buckle. He knew exactly what he wanted to do with it.

 

“I gave the buckle to my father-in-law up on stage that night,” Caleb said. “It was pretty special. Words… there’s nothing anybody can say to make it better in a situation like this, but I thought giving him a buckle in thanks for all he’s done for me, the tough times he’s come in, I felt it was the right thing to do.”

 

When he’s not rodeoing, Caleb spends his time day working cattle, using some of his younger horses to give Pockets a rest.

 

“It gives me something to do when I’m home, and I like it,” Caleb said. “I like riding good young horses. I don’t mind the work, and it’s hard to get a typical job with a rodeo schedule. I like being around horses and cattle—that’s all I know, so I really enjoy it.”

 

Now, Caleb is back on the rodeo trail. He went to winter rodeos by himself, but says in the summer months he’ll either travel with fellow roper John Wall, or load up the family: Brenna, 3-year-old Cru Tatum and little Myla, in their bus and trailer. Caleb says he most enjoys the rodeos where he can bring his family along. He’s currently leading the All Around standings and hopeful for the 2019 NFR.

 

I like being at home with my family, and I don’t like leaving without them,” Caleb said. “Whether you’re winning or not, it’s just nice to know that they’re there with you.”

Recent Posts

Sitka Hunting Apparel
Posted Nov 15, 2021
South Texas Tack Saddle Shop
Posted Nov 8, 2021
Professional's Choice Boot Up!
Posted Oct 5, 2021
How do you clean Navajo Pearls?
Posted Aug 24, 2021
Two for the Show
Posted May 31, 2021
Two Point Two Seconds
Posted Apr 12, 2021
Making a Name for Himself
Posted Apr 5, 2021
Texas Bred
Posted Mar 22, 2021
Born to Ride
Posted Nov 30, 2020
WALT WOODARD: Roper's Collection
Posted Nov 23, 2020
This Changes Everything. AGAIN.
Posted Nov 16, 2020
Hot vs. Cold
Posted Nov 2, 2020
The Cowboy Way
Posted Oct 26, 2020
Best of Both Worlds
Posted Oct 19, 2020
Leg Care with a ClassicFit
Posted Oct 12, 2020
NFR RECAP with JOE BEAVER
Posted Sep 21, 2020
The Lady Looper
Posted Sep 14, 2020
In Another Life...
Posted Sep 7, 2020
Get to Know: Junior Nogueira
Posted Aug 31, 2020
How To with Bret Beach
Posted Aug 24, 2020
Old School vs. New School
Posted Aug 17, 2020
THE NEW TRAINER
Posted Aug 10, 2020
Proper Cinch Fit
Posted Jul 27, 2020
The Perfect Run: Rich Skelton
Posted Jul 13, 2020
Choosing the Perfect ROPE BAG
Posted Jul 6, 2020
Bucking the Trend
Posted Jun 15, 2020
Rope Handling 101
Posted May 25, 2020
Swagger and Thrilla CoreTx
Posted May 11, 2020
Family Values, BIG Competition
Posted Apr 27, 2020
Relentless Pursuit of Excellence
Posted Apr 13, 2020
Casual Takeover
Posted Apr 6, 2020
Saddle Pad Technology
Posted Feb 17, 2020
Calf Rope Care
Posted Feb 10, 2020
What's in your Rope Bag?
Posted Feb 3, 2020
Road Ready
Posted Jan 27, 2020
The Rope Revolution: Coretech
Posted Jan 20, 2020
Saddle Pad Fit Guide
Posted Jan 13, 2020
A Bit of Knowledge
Posted Oct 28, 2019
STT Saddle Fit: Nothing to Hide
Posted Oct 14, 2019
Ranching to Retail
Posted Oct 7, 2019
Landing
Posted
Brand Landing
Posted
Navigation
Posted
Shop the Look
Posted
Home
Posted
Videos
Posted
Info Pages
Posted
News
Posted
Contact Us
Posted
Publications
Posted
STT ROUNDTOP
Posted
Locations
Posted
Home Page
Posted
Rich's Picks
Posted
Multibuys
Posted
Exit Popup
Posted
Top