story by Terry Rhodes
Jerry Gould has been in the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association for the last four years and has enjoyed getting to know folks. “What I like about this association is the relaxed atmosphere. I like hanging out with people and picking up tips about roping and other things. It’s really kind of a vacation to go to the Senior Pro rodeos.” This year Jerry and his heeling partner, Butch Schara are planning to team up in 10 or more of the NSPRA rodeos and get to the SNFR in October.
Jerry began learning to rope 25-plus years ago near his home in Longmont, Colo. “I really wanted to learn how to rope and a friend, Herman Swartz had a roping arena and helped me get started. I bought a rope horse from him and I worked there a couple of summers to pay him off. But I’ve had a lot of help from other people too. I went to some of the Jay Ellerman clinics and that helped me a lot.” The roping community is one that helps people as they progress and Jerry says that he has learned a lot by talking with people and getting good advice. “Guys like Dale and Walt Woodard have been helpful. All you have to do is ask them and they are more than willing to help you with whatever you’re having a problem with.”
Preparation is a mental exercise for Jerry where he focuses on just making a run. “An hour before my run I think about what I want to do and I block out everything else. Then when I back in the box, I’m prepared for it and don’t pressure up. I want to make it just like a practice run. I am really competitive and I don’t like to lose. But everybody misses and everybody has those days when it works and when it doesn’t work. If you do miss one, you can’t dwell on it because that will take you right out of the game – quick.”
Jerry recalls one of those times that will stand out as being the most meaningful to him. “The first time I got to rope with my grandson, Cody Huwa is my most memorable run. He was just old enough to start roping and he came over to my place in Longmont. Tom McKinney and I were teaching him. Cody is 18 years old now and a 6+ heeler. Turning that first steer for him was a big deal for me.”
In the course of Jerry’s roping career he’s had a lot of people that have contributed to his success. “There are so many that have helped me, I can’t name them all. I look up to Walt Woodard and Dale Woodard. Dale is very helpful at rodeos. He doesn’t criticize but will offer suggestions about how to improve. I always looked up to Tom McKinney; he was kind of my big brother. Cindy Gruwell has been a big influence to me, too.”
Jerry has three children and nine grandchildren and counts them as being at the center of his life. “I love my family dearly and they are the most important people in my life.” He lives east of Roggin, Colo. close to his daughter and son-in-law. During the week Jerry works at Arnold’s Custom Seeding out of Keenesburg, Colo. Goals for the future are to continue to rope and compete. “I always admired Doc Yost in the Colorado Senior Pro Association. He was up in his 80’s and was still roping. I’d like to be like him.”
