Go Rope Team Member Profile - Hope Thompson

 

 

HOPE THOMPSON

Hometown:  I grew up in a small town in North East Texas called Atlanta. I first attended North East Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant, Tx about 45 minutes from my home town, then I transferred to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, La.

When did you start roping?  I grew up around horses and started at a young age competing in speed events. I didn’t start roping until I was about 12 years old.

What are some of your biggest accomplishments?  I have won the LCRA breakaway title, TSRA breakaway title, the College Finals, the Wendy Ryon invitational breakaway, WPRA breakaway, WPRA heading, the Wild Fire team roping, Spicer Gripp memorial breakaway roping, the 3 Star Memorial breakaway roping.

What is your occupation, other than roping/rodeo?   I train horses, give private roping lessons and travel doing clinics all over the world!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?   You can’t control the outcome, you can only participate in it.

What horses are you riding now?  I have a 19 year old breakaway horse named “8-Track” that I bought and trained in college. He has won more than I have! I have a 9 year old mare I trained named “Ink” that has definitely made a name for herself. I breakaway, head and heel on her. Most of my heading accomplishments were won on a 14 year old mare named “Zena” recently purchased by Beverly Robbins. I now head on a 7 year old gelding Lari Dee Guy and I are partners on his name is “Andre” and a 6 year old mare named “Waspy.” I have a few young horses and outside horses I am training.

How do you practice?   I rope everyday so I have to divide my “practice” and my “training” When I train, I am focused only on my horses. When I practice for myself I have to put the training aside and focus on winning and/or whatever specific thing I am working on that day. I like to prepare in the practice pen for wherever I am headed to compete, this way when i get to a competition the last thing I have to tell myself is “compete just like you practice”

How do you prepare to compete?   I was taught to have a routine. This way you go through the same steps mentally and physically before each competition. It keeps your mind busy and focused so help avoid nerves and negative thoughts enter your mind. Also, what I mentioned earlier about outcome. We can’t control it, we can only participate in it…so there is no reason to get nervous, all we can do is our best at that moment!

What have been your biggest obstacles?  Physically, the hardest thing I have been through was breaking my leg in the middle of the year while I was winning the WPRA in the heading. I was so mad watching everyone compete and gain on me. But, with the help of so many people I was back sooner than any doctor anticipated, and I was still able to win the title that year.

Who do you look up to?   Donene Taylor inspires me. If you don’t know her, go look her up. Her story is AMAZING, and what she has done to overcome is so inspiring. She is my go to person when I need advice in any area and most importantly she is my friend.

What does GO ROPE mean to you?  I am excited to be a part of the Go Rope Team because of what it stands for. “Life is Short, Go Rope”….or go do whatever it is that you love most in life. Don’t cut yourself short, don’t give yourself excuses, make the most of this short time we are given on earth and don’t take any of it for granted!!!

*20 QUESTIONS*

  1. Birthday: November 6, 1985
  2. Favorite color: I LOVE all colors, but if I had to pick I’d say pink
  3. Favorite food: steak topped with crab and alfredo
  4. Food I hate: sardines, never tried them and never will!!
  5. Favorite book: Mind Gym
  6. Favorite musician/band: I LOVE music so I don’t know if I can pick…Parker McCollum, Bruno Mars, Pink, Koe Wetzel
  7. Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
  8. Favorite line from a movie: “whatcha wanna be married to me for? So I can kiss you anytime I want” ~Favorite college/pro team: New Orleans Saints, WHO-DAT!?!?!
  9. Favorite sport to watch besides rodeo: football
  10. Any superstitions: none really, if I am winning with a certain rope I will keep using it!!
  11. Favorite rope: CACTUS
  12. Favorite saddle: a saddle David Barnes made for me
  13. Favorite quote: “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough” ~Unusual talents: I play the guitar a little
  14. Biggest supporter: My family
  15. Most embarrassing moment:
  16. Phobias: ticks!!!
  17. Last song played on my phone: “Hell of a Year” by Parker McCollum
  18. Last search on the internet: leaderboard of the WCRA