Story by Lindsay Humphrey
Of his four events – team roping, ribbons, chute dogging and breakaway – Tryan Teague has now competed in three of them at a national level. Last year he covered quite a bit of ground to move up from ninth place to fourth to breakaway rope at nationals. “Last year at state finals, I forgot that I could carry two ropes in the breakaway,” said the 13-year-old from Rattan, Oklahoma. “Anybody and everybody offered me a second rope to use. I never needed it, but it was sure nice to have so many people come together to help me.” Despite his obvious success with a rope, what sticks with Tryan the most are the people who cheer him on even when he’s competing against them.
That’s a concept Tryan appreciates partially because it was instilled in him quite early on as a kid. Growing up with three older brothers – Briar, 20, Clancy, 18, and Cutter, 16 – Tryan had a lot of competition just at home in the practice pen. “My brothers and I almost always practice together during the week. We don’t get along all the time, but we still help each other out and have fun together.” If anyone is ever right most of the time, it’s Tryan’s oldest brother, Briar. Even though his other brother, Cutter, tried his hand at rodeo when he was younger, it wasn’t something he wanted to stick with like the rest of his siblings.
“Rodeo is a family sport for us for sure. I grew up riding horses and roping the dummy with my brothers. It never crossed my mind that I didn’t want to ride, rope or rodeo. Cutter tried it but he just didn’t like it as much as the rest of us.” And even though Tryan enjoys spending so much time with his brothers, he appreciates having something all to himself also. Now in eighth grade, Tryan can join the Rattan FFA. He’s been showing market steers for the last 3 years, but now he can do it through his FFA chapter. He also plays baseball and basketball for Rattan Public Schools. No matter what Tryan gets involved in, roping and rodeo will always be his number one priority, especially team roping.
“I’ve been team roping my whole life and grew up watching people do it, so I like it the most. I think it’s the most fun.” Heading is Tryan’s typical position in the event, but he likes heeling better. “I like heeling because it’s a lot harder I think; more of a challenge.” That’s the position Tryan was in when he qualified for nationals with his header, Cross Carson. “We had a pretty rough state finals. Somehow, we caught our short round steer and held onto fourth to go to nationals.” A few go round wins in the chute dogging landed Tryan in fourth place and punched his ticket to Georgia. He didn’t have that kind of luck in the breakaway this year for a second appearance at nationals.
“Nationals was pretty rough, but it was all on me. It’s just a part of rodeo really. I enjoyed getting out of Oklahoma for a bit and I had a lot of fun with my friends out there.” Tryan’s great attitude comes from his parents – Phillip and Misty – who both challenge him to do his best while also being a strong support system no matter the outcome. “My parents are great. They drive me everywhere and make sure I have the horses I need. They are very supportive of rodeo.” With the first rodeos of the season in sight, Tryan has some work to do in his final OKJHSRA season. “I’m looking forward to competing in Woodward because I’ve never done very well out there and I’d like to change that this year.”
