Workhorse Walt Woodard Q&A with Rodeo Great Walt Woodard
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment and why?
W: In the rodeo arena, probably winning the world championship at 52 years old. I won it when I was young—when I was 26--and then I focused on the roping schools for 10 years. I came back at 50 and wanted to see if I could just make the NFR. That went well. I won second in ‘06 with Sherwood. I figured if I could beat everybody except one guy, surely I could beat one more guy. So [winning in 2007] was a personal accomplishment for me, a goal that I set for myself. But the goal now is making it to the national finals when I’m 62 or 63 years old. I was so close [in 2017], I was 21st this year. The same mentality starts to kick in--if I can get to 21, surely I can pass six more people. And I want to do it on a horse that we broke. So that’s what I’m working on now.
Who is your favorite horse?
W: His name is Blueberry, and he is a Sun Frost. My son Travis and I broke him from halter breaking on, no one has ever touched him. And he is 10 years old this year. He’s awesome, he’s one of the greatest horses I’ve ever ridden.
What is your favorite place to rope in competition and for practice?
W: Everybody says the NFR, obviously the NFR. But my favorite regular-season rodeo is Cheyenne. I think the Cheyenne rodeo is an extremely tough test and I love competing there. I’ve done well there. I’ve won fifth, second and first there over the years. I like it. I grew up in California with big arenas and outdoor venues. So those are places that I feel the most comfortable.
As far as practice, we have a great training facility here in Stephenville, Texas, with an indoor and an outdoor arena, and great sponsors that provide us with great cattle. We practice almost daily. We rope almost every day.
What is your favorite kind/style of cowboy hat?
W: I am not a real fashion guy. My son helps me with that. He usually tells me that my hat looks goofy, and he’ll shape it for me something like that. But I wear my straw hat too late in the year and I don’t know what day to switch it. I am liable to wear a straw at Odessa. I am trying to do better.
What is your favorite type of rope?
W: [Equibrand] Rattler, hard medium. As I’ve gotten older, the lay of ropes that I use have changed. Because the steers are smaller, they hit the ground faster, and as you get older, your swing speed slows down a little bit, so I went to a little bit softer rope to try to increase my swing speed.
Who would you consider your roping mentor?
W: Leo Camarillo.
Who would you consider your idol?
W: Billy Etbauer because of his humility in the arena. I don’t know how many [NFR] go rounds I have won, I’ve been there 20 times. I have probably won 10… Billy Etbauer has won over 50, and when you meet him, you wouldn’t even know he rode broncs if you didn’t know who he was. He is so humble. That is the kind of stuff that I really admire in people.
Greatest piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
W: Live below your means while rodeoing. A lot of young guys think they need sponsorships, and nowadays, sponsorship is important. But four guys traveling in a two-seater pickup, with a four-horse trailer, splitting a hotel room and eating at a buffet—that enables you to stay on the road, because you’ve got to stay out there. You don’t have a chance to make the NFR if you don’t have enough management to make 75 rodeos. It’s not just about the roping ability.
Do you have any advice for upcoming rodeo hopefuls?
W: Do more than you have to do. Do more that you’re paid for. If you go to someone’s house to rope, get there early and wrap all the steers and be happy to do it. Be the first guy off your horse to rake the boxes and do it every time it needs to be done. Outwork the other guy. A great attitude and a great work ethic will take you as high as you want to go.
