Article & photos by Jeremie Newcom
Horseman Cliff Goodrich and his wife, Julie, are passionate about family, horses and helping young competitors to be better at the sport of calf roping and breakaway. For the 22nd year Cliff Goodrich hosted his Fall Roping and Breakaway Clinic at his arena in Humboldt, TN, Saturday, September 28, 2013. A Fall Jackpot Calf Roping competition followed the clinic on Sunday, September 29.
Calf roping is a timed event in which a rider catches a calf by throwing a loop from a lariat around the calf’s neck, dismounting from the horse, running to the calf, and then restraining it by tying three legs together. The fastest time wins. Breakaway roping, a variation of calf roping, is the art of roping the calf, but the calf is not thrown down and restrained.
Born into an equestrian family, Goodrich went to UT Martin on a rodeo scholarship. He has been conducting clinics for over twenty years. On Tuesday evenings, from April to the end of September, he can be found in the Goodrich’s arena teaching and encouraging young rodeo athletes—many of whom go on to compete in amateur and professional rodeos. On September 28, young rodeo athletes traveled from all over to attend the Goodrich Calf Roping and Breakaway Clinic.
Rachel Carrington, a junior at Jackson Christian School, has attended the clinic for three years. She and her seven-year-old bay gelding, Nacho, are getting ready to compete in team roping.
Monica Steward from Marshfield, Missouri, has only been roping for two years. Monica, age 16, became interested in the sport after watching a local rodeo.
Sage Keener from McEwen, Tennessee, and her horse, Electric, have been roping together for three years. Her mother, Nicole, rescued Electric when he was two years old.
“Sage has learned everything on this horse,” said Nicole. The beautiful chestnut gelding, sired by Electric Playboy, was bred to be a cutting horse. His career was cut short when he was diagnosed with EPM—a neurological disease caused by a protozoal parasite. He was put on Marquis® (Ponazuril), an antiprotozoal oral paste, and Electric, now 14, has been symptom free ever since.
Cliff Goodrich’s arena is located at 403 Hwy. 45 in Humboldt, TN. Goodrich’s clinics are designed to benefit those just starting in the sport as well as advanced ropers. Topics covered included how to practice, groundwork, horsemanship and the importance of developing a winning attitude.
Horseman Cliff Goodrich and his wife, Julie, are passionate about family, horses and helping young competitors to be better at the sport of calf roping and breakaway. For the 22nd year Cliff Goodrich hosted his Fall Roping and Breakaway Clinic at his arena in Humboldt, TN, Saturday, September 28, 2013. A Fall Jackpot Calf Roping competition followed the clinic on Sunday, September 29.
Calf roping is a timed event in which a rider catches a calf by throwing a loop from a lariat around the calf’s neck, dismounting from the horse, running to the calf, and then restraining it by tying three legs together. The fastest time wins. Breakaway roping, a variation of calf roping, is the art of roping the calf, but the calf is not thrown down and restrained.
Born into an equestrian family, Goodrich went to UT Martin on a rodeo scholarship. He has been conducting clinics for over twenty years. On Tuesday evenings, from April to the end of September, he can be found in the Goodrich’s arena teaching and encouraging young rodeo athletes—many of whom go on to compete in amateur and professional rodeos. On September 28, young rodeo athletes traveled from all over to attend the Goodrich Calf Roping and Breakaway Clinic.
Rachel Carrington, a junior at Jackson Christian School, has attended the clinic for three years. She and her seven-year-old bay gelding, Nacho, are getting ready to compete in team roping.
Monica Steward from Marshfield, Missouri, has only been roping for two years. Monica, age 16, became interested in the sport after watching a local rodeo.
Sage Keener from McEwen, Tennessee, and her horse, Electric, have been roping together for three years. Her mother, Nicole, rescued Electric when he was two years old.
“Sage has learned everything on this horse,” said Nicole. The beautiful chestnut gelding, sired by Electric Playboy, was bred to be a cutting horse. His career was cut short when he was diagnosed with EPM—a neurological disease caused by a protozoal parasite. He was put on Marquis® (Ponazuril), an antiprotozoal oral paste, and Electric, now 14, has been symptom free ever since.
Cliff Goodrich’s arena is located at 403 Hwy. 45 in Humboldt, TN. Goodrich’s clinics are designed to benefit those just starting in the sport as well as advanced ropers. Topics covered included how to practice, groundwork, horsemanship and the importance of developing a winning attitude.
