When we talk about sports in this region, it inevitably centers around basketball, with a smattering of wrestling and baseball. Team roping has rarely been in the spotlight unless you go to Wickenburg.
Wickenburg, Arizona, is the team roping capital of the world. From October through May of each year, its 10 arenas are busy day and night, hosting cowboys and cowgirls from across the world. For the past four years, the Chynoweth family from Escalante has been participating and winning in Wickenburg. Dally, 15, and Draker, 18, pay all their entry fees, which range from $50 to $300 per event.
Draker, who turned 18 while at Wickenburg last month, wanted to win with his grandpa. In one event Draker, his father, Flint, and his grandfather Link, all placed — not a common feat.
“Roping is the most humbling thing you will ever do in your entire life,” claims Dally Chynoweth, daughter of Flint and Melisa Chynoweth. Much of the preparation is mental, as with any other sport. “You might really mess up an opportunity, but rather than let it mess with your head, you might only have a few minutes before your next run, so you have to shake it off and do your best again.”
Flint agrees. “You’ve got to have a short-term memory in team roping, or you fall to pieces. When you’re back in the box, it doesn’t matter what the money is; you’ve just got to rope the cow.”
A horse can sense the rider’s emotions through the saddle, how tight and hot the legs are, and the horse responds to those emotions. Two riders on two horses going after one steer creates a lot of moving parts and opportunities to make it or not.
“With five minds working at the same time, it requires discipline and trust to make it all come together,” explains Melissa. Melisa always ropes the steer’s head. Flint, Dally, and Draker rope both head and heel. The header is like a point guard or quarterback. They are the playmaker. They have to be mentally strong to set it up for the healer.
The four-generation family team roping started with Ralph Chynoweth, a rancher in Henrieville. His sons and their children used to rope together regularly 30 years ago. Ralph’s son, Link, and his family are the only ones who have continued the tradition.
After all, roping takes commitment.
The family practices an average of 80-100 hours a month at Link Chynoweth’s arena. Whether it is cold and windy, 25 degrees, and dark outside after work, or sweltering hot on a summer afternoon, they practice. Dally gets up early and practices her barrel racing, then joins the men and her mom at night to practice team roping.
In a rodeo, there are many events, but at these team roping competitions, it’s only roping. Dally also competes at events that are only barrel racing. Dally has scars on her knees and shins from hitting the metal rim on the edge of her barrels. When asked why she doesn’t wear knee pads, she responded, “The horse has to be trained right to give you the space you need. Knee pads aren’t the solution; training is.”
Dally’s horse, Chex, is a moody female palomino “yellow” with a grey mane. She’s 9 years old, and if she maintains her mental and physical soundness, Dally expects to run with her for the next 6 years. Draker’s horse, Kid, acts just like a little kid, always wanting to be in the middle of the humans, up close and personal.
The Chynoweths get close to their animals, not only feeding and watering them but also riding them outside the arena on the range and in the mountains. Their commitment to a family tradition has brought them closer together. It is always a lot of work, but they love it. It keeps them together, and it keeps them close to where the cowboys are, preserving their family and community heritage.
– by Karen Munson
Feature image caption: Dally Chynoweth (11) returns after a barrel race in Escalante, July 31, 2021.
Karen M. Munson – Escalante
Karen is an associate editor at The Byway. She is fascinated and fulfilled by all things involved with writing. After graduating from BYU, she taught English at Escalante High School for three years. She pursues opportunities to write and support others in their writing. Karen has published three books with four more scheduled to be released in 2024. She and Reed are the parents of ten children and the grandparents of 35 grandchildren.
Karen is the author of the New Twist on Mental Health column in The Byway.