Kipp’s Turn At The Top May Be Right Now

By Ted Harbin

Photo Courtey of Tyke Kipp

It’s early June, and Tyke Kipp is in unfamiliar territory.

If the season were to end today, he’d earn his first qualification to the National Finals Rodeo, something every cowboy dreams of when he dreams of being a rodeo hand. Kipp’s best year was a season ago, when he finished with $54,898. He had almost surpassed that by June 1.

With visions of a December in Las Vegas playing in his mind, Kipp has made some adjustments to his everyday schedule. He competed at Redding in northern California in mid-May, a time he typically reserves to stay home. Instead, he finished second and added $4,643 to his bank account.

“I decided to go to Redding this year because of the winter and spring I’ve had so far,” said Kipp, 33, of Lordsburg, N.M. “I figured I’d try to keep the momentum rodeo, and it’s a tour rodeo. I’ve always heard good things about it.

“By trade, I’m a rancher, and this time of year, I’m usually home doing my spring work with cattle. I usually tend to business first, and this year, I was able to fit it in on a Thursday and get back to still work my own cows.”

He has surpassed the $50k mark and hopes to continue that streak through the remainder of the regular season. That means he’ll adjust his schedule and try to keep his place among the top 15 in the world standings.

“I’ve made in a few months this year what it took me 12 months to make last year,” said Kipp, the reigning average and year-end champion in the Turquoise Circuit. “Last year, I was kicking around the idea of maybe hanging it up and just circuit rodeoing and focusing on work. What turned everything around for me was king the short round at Reno (Nevada), and it just snowballed.

“I did good at Prescott (Ariz.) and won Cheyenne. After winning Cheyenne, I don’t know if it helped my psyche or my confidence, but it just turned around. They say in this sport, all it takes is just one good win.”

It didn’t just snowball; his momentum began to avalanche. He won nearly $20,000 at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, and he has remained on a heater this spring.

“I’d have to say it’s a little bit of everything,” he said of why the success has followed. “My bulldogging is better, I’m drawing better and I’m capitalizing on opportunities. I feel a lot more comfortable in high-pressure situations.

“I don’t know; maybe it’s just my turn.”