Roper Currently sitting 10th in the PRCA world standings, Zac Small is not your typical team roper. He recently graduated from Tarleton University in Stephenville, Texas, finishing the necessary prerequisite courses for vet school in just three and half years. This fall Zac will head to Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee to begin his veterinarian studies. He hopes to have the PRCA finals made by that time.
Zac grew up in Afton, Oklahoma in a very tight knit family. His father, Tony, is a veterinarian who specitalizes in embryo transfer in cattle, in addition to working cattle sales. His mom, Kristi, works in his business.
Zac, 21, and his siblings, sister, Courtney, 24, and brother, Blair, 22, attended private school as youngsters. During high school they were homeschooled using the accredited Christian based A Beka Academy. Even as adults the family remains very close. Blair is involved with the operations of the indoor arena, and Courtney works for her father.
As a child, Courtney’s love of horses got the family involved in their current lifestyle. Zac started roping from a pony when he was just eight. When he was ten, the family built an indoor arena in Grove, Oklahoma, giving the kids more opportunities to rope.
“We would get up and rope the dummy or Hot Heels on colts in the morning, then do school work. There was a lot of emphasis on our school work,” says Zac. “Any time we weren’t doing school work, we roped.”
Throughout high school a fairly large church gathered at their indoor arena with a very active youth group. Ingrained with an exceptional work ethic in roping as well as school, the Small family, has enjoyed their share of success at the USTRC Finals.
Once he completes a four-year degree at veterinary school, Zac plans on returning to Oklahoma and working with his father.
“I believe I’ve been blessed and I give all the glory to God to have the opportunities I now have to rodeo. I’m excited to see what happens in the future.”
COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
Every day possible. I ride three or four horses a day when I’m not competing.
Do you make your own horses?
My best horse was purchased as a two year old and his training was a family effort.
Who were your roping heroes?
My dad. He didn’t rope a lot until we got interested. When I was little he won a couple of trucks and trailer in a month’s time.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My parents.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My family. Especially being home schooled, we’ve been very close.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
I enjoy hunting occasionally.
What’s the last thing you read?
Good Call by Jace Robertson
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Dedicated, Positive, Hard Working
What makes you happy?
Making good grades and winning.
What makes you angry?
The opposite of my last answer.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would probably invest it in land.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My worst quality is I tend to get stressed. Best quality is a good attitude.