story by Terry Rhodes
RMPRA member, Matt Liston with wife Lynette
(back row L to R:) Cade, Ty, Taylor, Mitch (Kassie’s husband), and Kassie
– courtesy of Kassie Liston
A student of the game. That’s how RMPRA member Matt Liston describes his attitude towards the sport of team roping. He is on life-long journey to improve his ability and is constantly learning about the sport. “Over the years I’ve been to a lot of clinics, talked with people, and try to soak up as much information as I could. And I do try to be a real student of the game.”
He says that having a competitive mind set is essential to achieving success in the arena. “It doesn’t matter if it is team roping or some other sport you have to have a competitive nature to be successful.” But being a classy competitor is part of the equation too, and Matt describes his philosophy on sportsmanship. “I have always tried to teach my kids something that I have tried to practice. That true ‘cowboys’ are humble winners and gracious losers. It’s easy to be a good winner but learning how to be gracious in defeat is an even more impressive trait.”
Matt has been in the RMPRA since its beginning. He likes the association because of the many life-long relationships that he has made. “We’ve known the people that make up the Rocky Mountain association for years and it’s a good local association that puts on good quality rodeos that are close to home. It’s a great amateur association. Rodeo is a great sport to get the family involved in. I value the friendships I’ve made much more than any rodeo accomplishment.” He also holds a PRCA card.
He began roping with the help and influence from his father, Robert Liston. “I grew up on the family ranch and dad was a team roper. His passion was raising and training Quarter Horses, so I was all around it as I grew up. I learned my riding and roping from him and he helped me the most. He’s been my biggest influence and has always been my idol. I’ve always wanted to be like my dad.” Matt was on the high school rodeo team. “I roped with Brian Roundy and we won second in the state in my junior year and won the state in my senior year. So we got to go to the National High School Finals twice.”
Having the right horse to rope on is essential and Matt believes he has one of the best. “The horse I rope on is owned by the ranch I manage and he’s an 11-year-old gelding we call ‘Snaz’; he is Shining Spark bred. He’s by far the best one I’ve ever had and he has really helped me step my game up. I really like the Shining Sparks and Freckles Playboy lines for rope horses.”
Matt is the manager of Diamond H Ranch, owned by Bill and Amy Hirschi in southern Utah. They train, and sell team roping horses, so a good part of his work day is dedicated to riding and roping. The daily work for Matt starts with ranch business in the morning, and then starting to work on the 10 to 12 head of horses that are in training with fellow RMPRA member Chase Sullivan. “We usually ride and rope in the afternoon. I have been very blessed to be able to do something I love for a living.”
Matt and his wife, Lynette live in New Harmony, Utah. The couple have four children, Cade, Kassie, Ty, and Taylor, the youngest, is still in high school. Matt says, “Lynette is the greatest team roper’s wife ever. She’s really patient with me, very supportive, and loves to go to watch team roping. She’s the greatest rodeo mom and wife.” Leisure time is spent with family or doing some hunting or fishing. Goals for the future are to continue to rodeo and , “…hopefully become a better heeler. I want to one day help my grandkids get started in this sport. I think I’ve got a pretty good ‘gig’ going right now.”
