Steer Roping Has Tuf Cooper Shooting for Another All-Around Title
Tuf Cooper always had gold buckle dreams.
The Decatur, Texas, cowboy accomplished that goal when he won tie-down roping PRCA world championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
However, he didn’t believe winning the coveted all-around world championship gold buckle to be realistic.
“I never thought I could win it, especially when Trevor (Brazile) was full-time rodeoing,” said Cooper, 30.
It was not only a possibility but became a reality for Cooper in 2017. Cooper was crowned the all-around world champion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas that year, beating out Brazile for the prestigious honor.
Cooper earned $301,983 in tie-down roping and $60,107 in steer roping.
“It was a dream come true and one of the coolest things ever,” Cooper said. “God had plans for me to win the (all-around world championship) when Trevor was rodeoing. It was great to get to go head-to-head with the most decorated all-around cowboy ever who happens to be my brother-in-law.”
Cooper is leading the all-around PRCA | RAM World Standings this season with $66,944.
“I just keep on pushing forward with multiple events,” Cooper said. “I wish I could add more events to my plan because I love competing, but for me it is very important to make the Finals in two events (tie-down) roping and steer roping. Last year, I was the only cowboy to make the Finals in two events, but I didn’t win the all-around. Still, you have to give yourself the best opportunity and as many chances as possible to win the all-around.”
Cooper finished third in the 2019 all-around world standings – $32,129 behind champion Stetson Wright.
“My first thought was that I was just going to pick up steer roping and do it,” Cooper said. “It might work out here and there, but to be a consistent, really good steer roper it takes years to master. I just try to keep putting in the work every day because I do want to win the world in (steer roping) multiple times. I want to be a world champion in everything I do.”
Cooper has qualified for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping three years in a row, placing a career-best second in 2018.
As of July 14, Cooper was second in the tie-down roping world standings with $55,303 and 14th in steer roping with $14,625.
Cooper will try and move up in the steer roping ranks when he competes at the National Circuit Finals Steer Roping in Torrington, Wyo., July 19-20.
Cooper finished fourth in Torrington in 2019 and was in the mix to win the event in 2018 but registered a no time in the finals.
“The last two years I have been the last roper in the final round, and I messed up,” Cooper said. “I keep on pushing forward, learning from my mistakes and hopefully capitalize on it whenever I get the opportunity. I’m going to travel to every steer roping they have, and I have never done that in the past. I’m going to get to every steer roping I can and (tie-down) rope at all the steer ropings.”
Courtesy of PRCA