story by Siri Stevens
Justin Thigpen broke the longtime record of 7 IPRA Tie-Down Roping World Championships by moving ahead of Tom Walker and Walt White this year with his eighth championship. “I know them both and this is a great accomplishment and makes all my work and dedication to the sport worth it,” said the 35 year old from Waycross, Georgia. “I’ve been roping calves since I was a kid. I’m very blessed to have so many great people behind me and accomplishing this is an awesome feeling.”
Justin belongs to seven associations, competing in more than 100 rodeos a year. He is also a stock contractor and rodeo producer, producing ten rodeos a year, and he trains horses as well. “I like to stay with roping horse, but I’ll train anything. People send me horses all the time with all different demeanors.” Add to that mix two sons – Slade (4), and Trent (2) – and Justin’s life is never dull. “They both pack ropes from the time they wake up until they go to bed.”
Justin is hoping to expand T-T Rodeo Company. “I love the production side as well as the competing side of rodeo.” He produces rodeos all over the southeast, and does everything from setting up the panels to bringing in the stock. “It’s a great place to raise the kids –they ask when their next rodeo is.”
Justin competes in tie-down roping, steer wrestling, and team roping. Along with his World Champion Tie-Down Roping title, he also won the All-Around. Going into IFR 48, he had a big lead in the tie-down roping, but could have lost the All Around title. “It’s still a thrill to win a world championship,” said Justin. “It’s always a challenge.”
“My family is what keeps me motivated to stay with it,” said Justin, whose wife, Laura, is an esthetician. “We have a busy life – between all the horses we get ridden every day, rodeo, and the kids – there’s not much laying around.”
