story by Lindsay King
The three best friends that anyone ever had: Houston Shipley, his dad Worm and uncle Justin work and rope together every day. “When I was born my dad made the INFR in California. You could say that I was quite literally born into calf roping. I was only a couple of months old when we went out there,” said the Copan, Oklahoma, 15-year-old. Day in and out, Houston can be found shoeing horses and riding colts alongside his biggest influence, his dad. “I have learned everything I know from my dad and uncle. It has been cool to have them in my corner.” Houston has gone to work with his dad and uncle since he could walk, now he works right along side them also as a farrier. “It is a pretty big comedy session between the three of us, you never know what one of us is going to do. We always have friendly betting matches going on between us when we rope or flank.”
His mom Kelly is a hoot also. “Mom is there for me through everything and supports me no matter if she thinks my crazy ideas are good or not. She helps turn calves out, rides horses, whatever needs to be done she does.” One of Houston’s fondest memories of rodeo was watching his dad compete at Pendleton two years ago in the steer roping. “He made the short round and it was neat to watch him compete and just hang out there. That is easily my dream rodeo to compete in, mostly to be able to say that I have done it.” As a homeschooled sophomore, Houston has his sights set on making the CNFR and circuit finals one day. “My goals for this next year are just to make the best of what I draw and not worry about what everyone is has done. I just want to make the best run I can every time.”
Houston’s favorite event happens every Thanksgiving at the Lazy E: Chris Neal’s Rising Stars Calf Roping. He’s won fast time there twice and was the reserve champion in his division two years ago. “It is one of the better places to go rope calve and the competition is pretty tough, which makes it fun.” Last year Houston won the average in the ribbon, breakaway and tie-down roping at the OJRA finals in addition to a trip to nationals in calf roping. “That was the first time I ever got to do that, and it was neat. I did not draw well and it was muddy, nothing in the arena went well for me at nationals. But it is easily my proudest accomplishment, it was such a fun experience.”
Everyone says Texas has the toughest competition, but Houston disagrees. “The competition is stiff in the OHSRA. I always know that I am roping against the best. But even though the competition is tough, you still have a lot of support from everyone behind the boxes.” The hardest part about calf roping for Houston is seeing his start. “My main goal is to get the start I want because it helps set up the rest of the run. Being mentally and physically tough and prepared is probably the hardest part about rodeo in general.” Houston knows that rodeo has provided him with a lot of unique opportunities we could have found no where else. But the friendships truly cannot be beat. “I cannot thank my parents and my uncle enough for all they do to support me: keeping me mounted and all the calves we have to practice on. My uncle practices with me all the time and he is always giving me a hard time about everything that I do. But I am very thankful for all of it.”
