story by Lindsay King
Mixed team roping is quickly becoming a highly competitive event in the M-SRA, especially for Travis and Tanya Goad from Reydon, Oklahoma. For the past three years, Travis and Tanya, along with their kids, Kyler, 12 and Kynlee, 8, have spent six weeks in Nebraska to compete specifically in the mixed team roping in the M-SRA. “We have loved the people and families we have gotten to know through the years. The M-SRA does what is best for whole association and not just for the individuals,” Tanya said.
Travis also competes in the open team roping, winning the M-SRA finals in 2016. “They do a great job of taking care of their contestants and making sure the finals are an important event,” Travis said. Tanya is also an avid breakaway roper, making appearances at the KPRA finals several times. “My proudest moment was winning the mixed team roping with Travis last fall. After losing my dad in May, I set a goal to finish out the year with success in the mixed team roping.”
Both Travis and Tanya were taught how to rope by their fathers. This unique bond led them to become their role models. “My dad helped me growing up but now my brother gives me tips when we are both at rodeos together,” Travis said. When Tanya’s dad passed away, Travis became her coach. “Travis has stepped up to coach me and encourage me when I need it. I do still catch myself thinking back to what my dad would tell me,” Tanya said.
Travis and Tanya work at Reydon Public School together, making them partners in life, work, and team roping. Tanya is the librarian, art teacher and yearbook coordinator, while also being the assistant coach for the junior high and high school girls softball and basketball teams.
“This year I am teaching industrial technology and coaching pre-k through sixth grade basketball. I am also the assistant coach for the junior high and high school boys basketball teams,” Travis said. A coinciding summer vacation has allowed the Goads to purchase a RV for their multitude of rodeo trips over the three-month break.
Keeping their kids involved in rodeo is the main goal behind their continued careers in the sport. “Rodeo teaches a lot about life. I feel the time we get to spend with our kids going to and hanging out at rodeos is a special situation. During the school year we are constantly running from one event to the other so loading up to go do what we love with them during the summer is amazing,” Tanya said. The family’s favorite rodeo to go and watch is in Cheyenne. “It’s the ‘Daddy of em All,’ and it is such an exciting event for people of all ages,” Travis said. One day Travis wants to compete on the grass at Pendleton.
“For now, my goal is to win in all three associations, M-SRA, KPRA and NSRA, in the same year. I won the TCRA and KPRA in the same year but never all three at once,” Travis said. A long and healthy career in rodeo allowing Travis and Tanya to rope with their kids is what keeps them in the practice pen each day. “We usually try and go somewhere at least every weekend to either practice or compete,” Tanya said. Rodeo has provided an extended family and is a great place for the Goad kids to grow up in. “It is something special to get to grow up in rodeo and I am thankful my kids get that opportunity. It is a positive environment with like-minded people who have the same goals and integrity as we do that make it easy to have our kids around. I would not trade this life for anything,” Tanya finished.
