X Factor Roping Podcast

#104 Kolton Schmidt

#103 Jessica Wahlert

Jessica Wahlert is the marketing manager for CINCH Jeans and Shirts where she oversees the marketing department. She shares her journey to this career path and how her upbringing played a vital role in her success. She also discusses her thoughts on branding, marketing, and the process that her CINCH team uses to make these decisions. Listen to the end to hear about the CINCH Playoff Series Championship in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the impacts it had on several NFR qualifications.

#102 Lyman Tenny – Part 1

The X Factor Roping Podcast is going to feature a series of mental game episodes the Lyman Tenny. Episode 1 in this podcast series will feature discussions including optimal mental performance, belief in self, self-assessment, visualization, and muscle memory. Lyman Tenny is a mental game coach at Tenny Training. It is believed that upwards of 80% of success is attributed to one’s mental game. Tenny Training helps individuals become aware of thoughts and belief systems that control them so t...

#101 Jake Cooper

Jake Cooper has been a member of the PRCA since 2004 and has qualified for the NFR three times. He recently made the decision to try his hand in the rope horse futurity world with the purchase of a stallion named Reys of Pep. In this podcast, he discusses the changes he has made to be successful in the futurity world and his plans for the future.

#100 Billy Bob Brown

This summer looked different for the 2014 Resistol Rookie of the Year Header, Billy Bob Brown. He and his partner, Kirby Blankenship decided to rodeo for about a month to see how it would go. They captured the coveted 2023 Cheyenne Frontier Days Team Roping Championship and Billy Bob finds himself inside the top 30 headers in the world. Listen as he discusses his summer and how his mental game has played a huge role in his success.

#99 Billy Myers

Billy Myers is the founder of the Platinum Metal Rope Horse Futurity and Sale. August 31- September 2 will be the very first event with the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma being the host. In this podcast, Billy dives in the idea behind this even, details about the event, breeding/raising horses and building a successful horse program.

#98 Paden Bray

Professional rodeo athletes are headed into the final quarter of the 2023 regular season. Paden Bray was recently crowned the California Rodeo Salinas All-Around Champion, the Days of ’47 Champion Heeler, and is currently ranked 9th in the Heeling World Standings. In this podcast he shares about making adjustments on the road, the hardest part of being on the road, trusting the process, finding balance, and asking people for advice.

#97 Jared Fillmore

It’s no secret that your mental game plays a huge role in the roping arena. 23 year old, Jared Fillmore, from Payson, Utah shares his perspective on life and rodeo. This is a deep dive into the relationship between winning and self worth.

#96 Cutter Thomison and Chet Weitz

The 2023 Cowboy Christmas run has officially wrapped up and we got the opportunity to catch up with two PRCA rookies. Cutter Thomison and Chet Weitz shared their experience of the Fourth of July. They discuss the struggles on the road, staying mentally strong, and the importance of having friends that they can count on for advice.

#95 J.C. Yeahquo

J.C. Yeahquo started his professional rodeo career in 2020 with his brother, L.J. Yeahquo. Throughout the past couple of years, he has learned that he must do HIS job and stay true to the run they like to make as a team. J.C. and his brother have had a strong start to the 2023 season and he is looking forward to the summer run.

#94 L.J. Yeahquo

L.J. Yeahquo and his brother, J.C., have taken the team roping world by storm this winter with big wins at Rapid City, South Dakota; Jackson, Mississippi; Austin, Texas; and San Angelo, Texas. L.J., the heeler in this brother partnership, shares his thoughts on winning and losing, competing at a professional level, and staying true to your run.

#93 Cory Kidd

Cory Kidd is from Statesville, North Carolina. In this podcast, Cory discusses what it was like growing up roping on the east coast, the move to Texas, and the adjustments he has made along the way. In 2022, he ended up 16th in the PRCA World Standings. He talks about this accomplishment and how he has stayed mentally strong as he enters a new rodeo season.

#92 Logan Medlin

Logan Medlin is a three-time NFR Qualifier from Tatum, New Mexico. Listen as Logan discusses winning/losing, horsepower, and mental toughness.

#91 Kolton Schmidt

Kolton Schmidt is a two-time NFR Qualifier from Barrhead, Alberta. Kolton is constantly trying to become more competitive mentally. In this podcast, he discusses some of the methods he has used to become more mentally strong and how he had to shift his mindset about winning. This podcast can be watched at: https://xftr.net/schmidtpodcast

#90 Tristan Mahoney

Tristan Mahoney, the owner of TM Bits & Spurs, has one goal--to bring you quality handmade bits and spurs at a reasonable price. It doesn't matter what your horse needs, he has a bit that will fit both horse and rider. Every bit and spur is handmade by Tristan, in his Florence, AZ shop. To order your own TM Bits and Spurs, contact Tristan by email: [email protected] or by phone 480-459-1411.

#89 Ty Hillman

There is no doubt that the most elite athletes in the world make their mental game a priority—constantly training their minds to better handle pressure and adversity. Ty Hillman, is a mental skills coach that focuses on helping and training people to develop a competitive mindset. In this podcast, he discusses his thoughts on success, failure, working through slumps, and training methods to become more mentally strong. Ty and his wife, Stevi Hillman, wrote a book called, Mind Fuel: Mental Tra...

#87 Cole Matier

Cole Matier moved from Alberta, Canada to Texas at the age of 17. He now specializes in riding young cow horses, rope horses, and barrel horses. During this podcast, he discusses how he got his start in the industry and created a horse training business of his own.

#86 Tyler Merrill

Oklahoma native, Tyler Merrill was born into the horse industry and was raised showing horses in a number of different disciplines. After graduating from military school, Tyler began training horses professionally. He currently shows horses in the Snaffle Bit Futurity, hackamore, reining, NCHA, NRCHA, American Rope Horse Futurity, Riata Buckle Futurity, Royal Crown Futurity, and more. Listen as Tyler talks about his career as a horse trainer and how manages his busy business. To watch this po...

#85 Jade Corkill and Hunter Koch

This special edition podcast features NFR heelers Jade Corkill and Hunter Koch. The two sit down together to discuss and compare each other's careers and experiences as an elite team roper. To watch the video verison of this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/corkillkochpodcast

#84 Lightning Aguilera

Lightning Aguilera credits his first NFR qualification to his head horse, Jess A Moose, 2022 AQHA Head Horse of the Year. In this podcast, Lightning discusses his childhood, adjustments he has made to his heading to be more consistent, horsepower, and his preparation for the NFR.

#83 Cole Davison at “World Classic Events”

Cole Davison introduces World Classic Events, a roping production he started. Cole discusses the format of the roping and how he hopes it will encourage more teams to enter. He also breaks down some of his runs from a previous event and shares the three goals he has for his horses. To watch this rundown, visit: https://xftr.net/davisonwcerundown

#82 Tanner James

2022 PRCA Rookie of the Year, Tanner James, got the full rodeo experience this year. He battled the urge to go home when he wasn’t winning, endured partner swaps, and competed in arenas he had never been to before. Listen as he talks about how he stayed mentally strong and motivated to keep pushing forward. To watch this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/tannerjamespodcast

#81 Throwback Thursday Podcast – Chase Tryan at “Open Showdown”

In this episode of The Rundown, Chase Tryan talks roping with draw partners, doing your job, and staying hooked with the run no matter what happens. To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/tryanopenshowdown

#80 Kellan and Carson Johnson

Kellan and Carson Johnson, brothers from Casper, Wyoming, are no strangers to team roping and the cowboy way of life. Between the two of them, they hold three College National Team Roping Titles. In this podcast, Kellan and Carson discuss what it is like to rodeo hard all summer long and finish in the top 20 in the world. To watch this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/johnsonpodcast

#79 Chase Tryan

33-year-old Chase Tryan qualified for his first NFR in 2012. His second NFR qualification would come years later. Chase discusses that during those years, team roping changed. He had to adjust his style of roping to become one of the best heelers in the world. Listen as Chase takes us through the highs and the lows of his career and the things he had to learn in order to remain at the top of his game.

#78 Jake Long “Practice Pen Rundown”

X Factor’s new PRACTICE Rundown gives cowboys the opportunity to break down runs from the practice pen. Here is your chance to hear NFR heeler, Jake Long break down some of his practice runs. Listen as he takes us through several runs explaining his ideal practice sessions, style of roping, and how it changes from horse to horse. If you would like to watch this PRACTICE Rundown, visit: https://xftr.net/longpracticerundown

#77 Ross Ashford

In 2021, Ross achieved a life-long goal by qualifying for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Listen as Ross takes us through his first NFR experience and adjustments he has made to his heeling to become more consistent and competitive.

#76 Coleman Proctor

We had the special opportunity to sit down with NFR header, Coleman Proctor as he broke down his runs from the Lone Star Shootout. Listen closely as Coleman discusses his strategy during the roping and how “sticking to the basics” allowed him to finish strong despite riding a greener head horse. To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/proctorlsshootout

#75 Cody Snow

California native, Cody Snow, has become one of the most elite headers in the world. He has prioritized hard work, horsemanship, and handling cattle above all else. Listen as Cody discusses his upbringing and the qualities that have contributed to his success.

#74 JR Dees at “The Capitalist”

NFR header, JR Dees, breaks down his runs from ‘The Capitalist’. Listen as he emphasizes the importance of horsepower and simply making YOUR run. To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://xftr.net/deescapitalist

#73 Andy Holcomb

Professional rope horse trainer Andy Holcomb has quickly become a dominating competitor in the growing rope horse futurity industry. Check out this newly released podcast to hear Andy tell his story and share his experiences that have shaped his successful career.

#72 Jade Corkill

The X Factor Roping Podcast presents the Jade Corkill rundown from the Clay Logan Open Team Roping. Listen close as Jade gives a deep dive into his heeling and how he stays mentally strong throughout jackpots. To view “The Rundown” videos discussed in this podcast, check out the following links: The Rundown, Episode 19 Part 1/2: Jade Corkill at "Clay Logan Open" The Rundown, Episode 19 Part 2/2: Jade Corkill at "Clay Logan Open"  

#71 Coleman Proctor

We had the pleasure of 6X NFR Qualifier Coleman Proctor stopping by and doing some instructional videos and a "Rundown" episode which led to an impromptu podcast that checks ALL the boxes! You may have seen Coleman's "Toter Tales" on social media and have a great idea of how entertaining and at the same time enlightening Coleman can be! In this podcast, he goes over his roping career and how he juggles being a father, going to college and peppering in some VERY good stories from the rodeo tra...

#70 John Dowdy, President of “Equinety” Equine Supplements

In this episode, John Dowdy, President of Equinety Equine Supplements goes into detail about the effectiveness of Equinety products and how all performance horses could greatly benefit from them! To learn more about Equinety, check out their website! www.TeamEquinety.com

The XFR Talk Show #3: Wesley Thorp & Paden Bray

Introducing XFactorRoping.com's newest content, the "XFR Talk Show"! Episode #3 is hosted by Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy. Weekly releases will feature special appearances by team roping influencers discussing topics such as roping recaps, current events, and more. This episode features NFR Average Champion and World Champion Wesley Thorp (2:10) as well as American and NFR Average Champion Paden Bray (34:30).

#69 Phil Haugen

With over 1,000 horses and 30 years of training experience, Phil Haugen discusses his perspective and outlook on training horses for a living. Find Phil Haugen at: philhaugenhorsemanship.com Listen To Phil Haugen Horsemanship Podcast: philhaugenhorsemanship.com/podcast-episodes

The XFR Talk Show #2

Introducing XFactorRoping.com's newest show hosted by Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy, the "XFR TALK SHOW". Weekly releases will feature special appearances by team roping influencers discussing topics such as roping recaps, current events, and more. This episode features All Around and Team Roping World Champion Junior Nogueira (2:17), FWSSR Reserve Champion Heeler Brye Crites (35:17) , performance horse trainer and roping producer Clay Logan (56:26), 9x WPRA World Champion, and FWSSR Champion...

The XFR Talk Show #1

Introducing XFactorRoping.com's newest show hosted by Pace Freed and Dustin Searcy, the "XFR TALK SHOW". Weekly releases will feature special appearances by team roping influencers discussing topics such as roping recaps, current events, and more. Our first episode features NFR Average Record Holder: Buddy Hawkins, BFI Champion & former PRCA Team Roping Director: Manny Eugsquiza, and '21 NFR Qualifier & Denver Stock Show Champ: Coy Rahlmann.

#68 Shay Carroll

In this podcast, 30-year-old 3x NFR Qualifier Shay Carroll talks about his personal life experiences pursuing a career as a professional team roper and horse trainer. Watch the exclusive library of instructional videos and voiceovers featuring Shay at XFactorTeamRoping.com

#67 Coy Rahlmann on “The Rundown”

Coy Rahlmann breaks down runs from the Monday Night Match as well and some critical runs from the PRCA summer rodeos that helped him qualify for his first NFR. To view "The Rundown" videos discussed in this podcast, visit: https://watch.xfactorteamroping.com/the-rundown-episode-13-coy-rahlmann

# 66 Charly Crawford & The American Military Celebration

A lot has been happening behind the scenes with 10X NFR Qualifier Charly Crawford! Between his schools, lessons, and training futurity horses, he has managed to put together one of the most influential military/first responders appreciation events our industry has seen! The three-day event, October 29-31 has several numbered ropings including the main event Saturday night, the "NFR Showdown" featuring the top 15 teams in the world! All proceeds from the event, as well as PPV Sales AND ALL mem...

#65 The Rundown with Tyler Wade

"Sometimes, you just have to buckle down and get paid..." In this week's episode of "The Rundown", X Factor Roping Coach and 3X NFR Qualifier Tyler Wade relives important moments from his summer run that put him in the current spot of 5th in the world standings. Use promo code: " rundown " for a 3-day free trial + 15% off a yearly membership. Catch the entire 30-minute Episode 3 Part 1/3 now available: https://xftr.net/wadepart1

#64 Kerry Kelley

You may have heard of Kerry Kelley Bits & Spurs, but how much do you know about the "man behind the metal"? This is your chance to learn about the skilled craftsman and how he has created a flourishing business making unique handmade bits and spurs.

#64 Kerry Kelley

You may have heard of Kerry Kelley Bits & Spurs, but how much do you know about the "man behind the metal"? This is your chance to learn about the skilled craftsman and how he has created a flourishing business making unique handmade bits and spurs.

#63 Coy Rahlmann

20-year-old Coy Rahlmann from Ellsinore, MO discusses what it's like to be a young team roper already competing at a professional level.

#62 Tyson Durfey “Mental Game Deep Dive”

For competitors looking for that mental edge, this conversation featuring World Champion Tie-Down Roper, Tyson Durfey, could provide a solid baseline and understanding of what performance looks like in and out of the zone or a "flow" state of mind.

#61 Wyatt Cox

Wyatt Cox, professional heeler and winner of the 2021 Bob Feist Invitational Reno Championship (aka the "BFI"). This podcast was recorded right BEFORE the $100k win which means you get the rare chance to listen to his past and present  mindset before winning one of the most prestigious open team ropings of the year...

#60 Jake Edwards

Jake Edwards finished 20th in the 2019 PRCA world standings. This 22-year-old is making his own path for himself as a professional heeler.

#59 Walt Woodard

2x World Champion with over 20 NFR qualifications shares how he got started into his roping career and how he's maintained a competitive consistency.

#58 Tyler Worley

Tyler Worley, 27-year-old 2x NFR qualifier and professional heeler, shares great insight into what it takes to be a high-level competitor in the team roping world.