There's nothing quite like making a great rope horse. And considering at least five different producers are paying some $5 million collectively at a dozen futurities this year, it's easy to see why newcomers are jumping in with both feet.
Recreational team ropers like Phil Hooker are starting to realize that instead of buying a finished horse, they can buy a great prospect that actually makes money during the seasoning process. Born in Oklahoma and raised in Wyoming, Hooker now lives in Comfort, Texas. He spent decades selling real estate for a living and heeling steers in his spare time.
“I bought a 5-year-old this spring at the Western Heritage Classic sale in Abilene, consigned by the Stuart Ranch,” Hooker said. “I'm semi-retired and, as I'm getting older, I don't care as much about the roping. But the horses? That's fun stuff.”
A friend recommended he send the gelding to up-and-coming trainer Kirby Blankenship, 23, of Dublin, Texas. So he did that and they entered Fort Worth and the Riata Buckle. Hooker's prospect, Seven S Cocktail, was a year older than what he wanted. But it was a feat just finding that one.
“That was
