Roper Review: Shane Brown

Most ropers only dream of winning the kind of money paid at the World Series of Team Roping finale in Las Vegas. Those dreams recently came true for Shane Brown, Robstown, TX, and his partner, J. R. Wood, Sinton, TX. The duo won the #13 on December 6th, splitting $254,000. The team previously won the #12 roping at the World Series roping in Sinton, TX earlier this year. Brown and Wood both had their numbers raised, to a #8 heeler and #5E header, respectively, forcing the pair into the #13 Finale. The duo came from sixth high call to win the roping with a 29.65 aggregate time on four head.
Shane, and older brother Scot, grew up in a farming and ranching family and were riding before they were walking. They started roping young and team roped and roped calves through school. Growing up, Shane won a couple of TYRA state championships in calf roping. In 1997 he was the Texas High School rodeo team roping champion header. In college Shane eventually dropped calf roping and focused solely on team roping.
After high school Shane pursued an education at Texas A&M where he earned his degree in Animal Science and a Masters in Agri-Business. After graduation, Shane was a commodities broker for five years and is now a Vice President and the Robstown branch manager for Texas Farm Credit.
Shane is married to his lovely wife, Ravyn, and the couple has two daughters, Bailey, 8; and Blakely, 5.
“I met my wife in college,” says Brown. “We both grew up in rodeo. Once we married, she slowed down to raise our girls. Now she’s a stay at home mom and far busier than I am.”
Brown admits to being fiercely competitive. This trait benefits his other hobby and passion – golf where he carries a #3 handicap. Being competitive and handling pressure runs in this family. Two years ago, his brother Scot, won the #11 at the World Series finale.
Undoubtedly family comes first for Brown, “We do a lot as a family. Right now my girls are active in gymnastics and volleyball. I haven’t been roping as much lately. Basically just enough to qualify for the World Series finale.”
COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
Once or twice a week. But in preparing for the WSTR Finals, we would practice several times a week.
Do you make your own horses?
Typically yes. My dad raised the horse I rode in Vegas, and I broke and trained him.
Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
Phil Lyne. I grew up roping with him and rodeoed with his daughters. My dad was an extremely good roper and gave it up so we could rope.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My family.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents, my wife, and God.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
A perfect day would be playing golf in the morning. Then hanging out with my family and roping in the afternoon.
Favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove.
What’s the last thing you read?
Emails.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Driven, family-oriented, competitive.
What makes you happy?
Being with family and friends.
What makes you angry?
Laziness.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy some acreage that my family and I could enjoy.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My worst is lack of patience for people who don’t try. My best is lots of patience for people who try hard.