Team Roper Tyler Wade Staying Positive

Team roping header Tyler Wade has proven over the last few years he’s one of top cowboys in his event, qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Wade, who is roping with Billie Jack Saebens, has kept a positive approach without rodeos taking place because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have been rodeoing since I was 18 and have never had a break before,” said Wade, 27. “This has been nice. I don’t have to prepare for anything. I don’t have to leave Thursday and come back Monday.”

Wade lives in Terrell, Texas, 30 minutes from Dallas, and he doesn’t have to look far to find a practice partner.

“My brother-in-law Dustin Davis lives here in the same place,” Wade said. “He’s in the top 20 (19th) in the (team roping heeler) world standings. I head, he heels, which makes things pretty easy. We rope together every day.”

Since 2000, Wade’s father, Jerry, has had an indoor arena in Terrell, where they rope, and the family lives on his land.

“I’m building a place across the road, so I have been working on it and have been doing lessons,” Wade said. “My wife (Jessi) has some outside horses, and we have been roping. The only thing about doing things this way, it’s not bad, but you don’t really see progress in your life. I usually give roping lessons, and what I make I put toward entry fees, and when I win, say $2,000 or $3,000, your hard work pays your fees. What you win you do what you want with it. We’re just getting by, but I really don’t mind it.

“My dad has been putting on ropings since he built the arena. We don’t have an excuse when it rains. We get after it every day regardless.”

Wade and Jessi have a 1-year-old son, Weston.

“My plan is just to roll with the punches (about rodeos coming back) and see what happens,” Wade said.

Courtesy of PRCA