b"From the Back OF THE BOXBy John SamsillYou can contact me directly at johnsamsillteamroping@gmail.com if you have any questionsor would like to schedule a clinic or a lesson.I twenty years, the Fast Back Instinct. Now I use the think if you're a true competitor you neverUltimate Four by Fast Back. I had tried this rope lose the competitive firepreviously but thought it was too light for my style that's in you. You will fightof roping. Now, it feels great and using a lighter rope through injuries, slumps, andhas taken a lot of strain off of my shoulder. I can now or any other adversities thatthrow more loops at the roping dummy and I have may come along. Until recently I have been able toeven noticed an improvement in my reaching abilities. overcome those adversities but now I am at a placeNot that I can reach the same distances that I could in my life where I know I will not. At some point,when I was young but it has improved dramatically. every athlete loses to father time. Im not throwingIt took me a while to accept that I needed a lighter in the towel just yet though. A friend of mine ropedrope but it has been a great decision and I am looking competitively until the ripe old age of ninety-four.forward to seeing what more I can accomplish since I dont know if Ill be able to last that long but I ammy shoulder is doing so much better with this rope. making changes to help me adjust to getting older. II would like thank my sponsors: am not as strong as I used to be or as flexible. AlthoughI do not practice as much as I used to but I alwaysUsher Brand Silver and Saddlery, my balance is still good I know it is not what it usedtry to have quality practices and work on my horsesFast Back Ropes, Omega Fields Supplements, to be. Around four years ago I had shoulder surgeryby scoring more and roping less. It has worked in my and although the surgery helped with the pain I wasfavor, roping less but keeping my horses softer andSaddleRight Saddle Pads and experiencing my shoulder is not the same as it used tosuppler. By doing this they stay more honest and doHassayampa Veterinary Clinicbe. Since we all will either be going through this or arenot try to get too quick, which makes things much going through this change I would like to tell you whatsmoother and quite a bit easier on me because I can changes I am making.stay ahead of my horse and not have to react to The first thing I had to change was my mindset of beingwhat he is doing. Riding an open roper. When I started roping there was nomy horses to keep them numbering system. You were either a professional orin shape also helps keep open roper as they are now called or an amateur. Whenme in shape and I think it you entered a roping it was always open to anyone whohelps my balance quite a wanted to enter. Eventually, producers found ways tobit at the same time. block open ropers from entering the same ropings as the amateurs. The first way I remember them doingA benefit that I have seen this was some producers would have what was fondlyof not roping as many known as a gunsel roping. If anyone doesnt know whatsteers in the practice pen a gunsel is it is not something you want to be known as.is that it helps me stayWanna The first thing I had to change wasSPRUCE UP my mindset of being an open roper.FOR SPRING?We Can It is basically someone who doesnt know anything or isexcited and enthusiasticHelp!not good, to put it mildly. Although it was an effectiveabout roping. It no longerValleyWide Serviceway to separate the open guys from the amateurs Ifeels like a job to me. ISame Day & Next Day Serviceknew when I was six years old that I didnt want to roperope because I love it. IfWe Specialize In:in the gunsel ropings. By the time I was ten or eleven II ever lose that love and Storefronts Call Us For Awould enter the ropings that didnt put any limitationsadrenaline rush I get from Custom Showerson who entered. These were the early open ropings. Bycompeting Ill know its Custom Mirrors FREE ESTIMATEthe time they started the number system I was an opentime to quit. I dont see Shade Screensroper. Being an open roper you develop the mindsetthat happening anytime Residential Windows Mention this ad and receiveof taking on all challengers, so the first thing I had tosoon but if it does Ill Window Film 1 Fchange was that mindset and figure out where I neededknow I made every effort Glass Railings 0% OF Window Repair & Replacementto be entering. The funny thing is that I still get to ropeto adapt to every situation Board Up Servicewith some of my old partners but the difference is thatthat has come my way,24 Hour every time you need us!now we can enter the thirteen and fourteen ropings.including when father Another big change that I made was changing the ropestime came calling.Emergency Service Office:I use. I still use Fast Back ropes but I use the lightestUntil next time Ill see youWe Service Your Every Glass Need. 928-232-3540rope they make now. I used the same rope for probablyat the back of the box.25 N Adams St. Wickenburg, AZ 85390ArizonaRealCountry.com April 2023 11"