Terrell, TX - In an electrifying finale at the National Finals Rodeo, local hero Tyler Wade, alongside partner Wesley Thorp, clinched their second consecutive Team Roping Header World Championship, sealing their victory with a remarkable 3.8-second performance in Round 10. The duo’s journey to this prestigious title was marked by grit, resilience, and an unwavering bond that proved essential in the high-pressure environment of the rodeo arena.
Terrell, TX - In an electrifying finale at the National Finals Rodeo, local hero Tyler Wade, alongside partner Wesley Thorp, clinched their second consecutive Team Roping Header World Championship, sealing their victory with a remarkable 3.8-second performance in Round 10. The duo’s journey to this prestigious title was marked by grit, resilience, and an unwavering bond that proved essential in the high-pressure environment of the rodeo arena.
As the final pair to compete in the last round, Wade and Thorp found themselves in a nail-biting situation. With the competition heating up, they had mere minutes to adjust their strategy after witnessing competitors Coleby Payne and Clay Smith falter, and Clint Summers and Jake Long take the lead in the Average. Despite the stakes, Wade and Thorp chose to stick to their winning formula rather than panic.
“We knew we had a good steer, so we decided to just make a run," Wade explained. Their decision paid off, as their 3.8-second run secured them the runner-up position in the round and more than enough points to clinch the coveted Gold Buckles.
Reflecting on the tense moments leading up to their run, Wade recalled a conversation with Thorp. “Ten seconds before we got in the box, I looked at him and said, ‘What do we need to do?’ and he said, ‘Make our run.’ We kind of left it all out there,” Wade said, encapsulating the spirit of teamwork that underpinned their success.
Thorp echoed Wade’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of synergy between partners. “To make a great team, you need two guys at their best that work well together. It’s just a comfort level where I can do my best, and he can do his best,” he noted.
Entering Round 10, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and uncertainty, as numerous scenarios could have led to split World Champions. Following Round 9, projections suggested Thorp would take home the Heeling World Title, while Wade faced a precarious position. Yet, they persevered, turning the tide after an inconsistent run leading up to the final round.
The duo’s journey to the championship was anything but smooth. After dominating the first two Go-Rounds with record-setting 3.7-second runs, they faced a series of setbacks, including two no times in Rounds 7 and 8, which opened the door for rival teams. “It’s hard to sleep when you miss,” Wade admitted. “It’s hard team roping because you’re letting down everybody when you don’t do your job. For me, I just hate letting people down.”
However, their resilience shone through as they rebounded with a solid 4.6 in Round 9, setting the stage for their championship-winning run. Over the course of the competition, Wade and Thorp averaged an impressive 3.8 seconds across their six qualified runs, culminating in a total earnings of $361,480 each, with $169,742 accrued at the National Finals Rodeo alone.
When asked if he had gone to bed the night before with thoughts of waking up as a World Champion, Wade’s response was straightforward: “You always hope. But in rodeo, anything can happen.”
As the dust settles on this extraordinary championship run, Tyler Wade returns to his hometown of Terrell, Texas, not just as a champion but as an inspiration to aspiring rodeo athletes. His story is a reminder of the power of perseverance, teamwork, and unwavering determination, qualities that resonate deeply in the heart of every rodeo enthusiast.