Jett Parker kept things cool in The Hooey Jr. Patriot 12-and-Under Breakaway Roping Finals, roping in 2.43 seconds for his “biggest check ever,” worth $20,000.
“I first walked into the box, and my dad said, ‘See an ear.’” Parler, 11, said. “I turned around, nodded, saw my start, brought my tip down and kept my loop open. I threw a good loop on him and knew I’d done it.”
Rattler Rope added $15,000 to the Patriot Breakaway Ropings; $5,000 in each division.
He did it in a field that originally included more than 190 young cowboys and cowgirls, advancing to the Finals with an aggregate of 4.61 seconds on three head, earning $4,500.
Parker’s partner was 11-year-old gelding “Deuce” trained by his dad Jason. According to Parker, they just got Deuce back from an injury he sustained in Las Vegas.
“Somebody pulled out in front of us and he slid one leg down the other and cut himself in the trailer,” Parker said. “But he did good with the time off. He can run and stop real good. He’s real good minded and bred real good. He’s special.”
Armed with a special horse, Parker can focus on his roping. He says he focuses on keeping his arm up, tip down and loop open.
With the money, Jett Parker plans to by another horse, looking for something finished to haul in the youth breakaway and calf roping. His goal is to make the NFR in the calf roping.
