The Score from The Team Roping Journal

Equine Podcast Network
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.Featuring the team roping industry’s movers and shakers and the inside story on iconic moments in team roping history. Part of the Horse Radio Network.

  1. 9h ago

    Passing the Torch: Chelsea Shaffer Hands Over The Score to Calli Montague

    After eight years and more than 3 million downloads, Chelsea Shaffer is handing The Score’s reins to the Team Roping Journal’s newest hire, Calli Montague. Montague, known to most as “Frank’s daughter,” grew up with a rope in her hand and engulfed in the world of team roping from the beginning. A South Texas native who now calls the Texas Panhandle home, Montague came up through West Texas A&M before landing in the American Quarter Horse Association communications department. She spent years waiting for her shot at Team Roping Journal, even after getting told she wasn’t ready the first time she asked. She listened, got to work, and came back when another opportunity presented itself in the spring of 2025. On this episode, Shaffer and Montague sit down for a proper introduction before officially passing the torch. Montague opens up about growing up going to ProRodeos, having a front-row seat to the early 2000s team roping scene, and how she found her way from a communications job to covering jackpots and rodeos full time. She talks about the weekend jackpot crowd and what being a part of it means to her career, how special it is to tell the stories of the ones entering every weekend, and just how much she loves team roping—and talking. The TRJ ladies also dig into what the next chapter of The Score looks like, including Montague’s plans to dig into the existing archives, shine a light on the weekend warriors and build the kind of relationships where guys call her first when something happens instead of the other way around. --- This episode is brought to you by The Dead Horse Ranch. The Dead Horse Ranch is an elite equine facility located outside of Santa Fe, NM. The property sprawls over +\- 6,100 acres and includes multiple houses, over 100 horse stalls, an indoor arena and multiple outdoor riding areas. This unique ranch is turnkey and offers usability as well as upscale luxury. The Dead Horse Ranch is proudly offered for sale by Michael Gregory Jr. Real Estate. To see more visit thedeadhorseranch.com.

    37 min

  2. 2d ago

    The New Mexico Man Who is Leading the World on the Head Side: Get to Know Korbin Rice

    Korbin Rice grew up in Hobbs, New Mexico roping calves with his brother. By his freshman year of high school, they'd switched to team roping full time. By his senior year, he'd made up his mind to rodeo for a living—even though nobody in his family had ever done it. His rookie year, he and Caleb Hendricks drove everywhere. One horse apiece, never got on a plane. He figured out the entering as he went, and eventually landed at Chad Masters' place in Lipan and the rest was history. From Masters came Papa Rock, the sorrel that Rice owes most of his big wins to over these last few years. He was crowned the 2026 RodeoHouston champion with Cooper Freeman, won the Ariat WSTR Finale Open with Jake Edwards back in 2024, and is now sitting No. 1 in the world on the head side with $101,329 won so far. Korbin Rice is a name you ought to write down and remember, we have a feeling he isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Check out this episode to hear his story. --- This episode is brought to you by The Dead Horse Ranch. The Dead Horse Ranch is an elite equine facility located outside of Santa Fe, NM. The property sprawls over +\- 6,100 acres and includes multiple houses, over 100 horse stalls, an indoor arena and multiple outdoor riding areas. This unique ranch is turnkey and offers usability as well as upscale luxury. The Dead Horse Ranch is proudly offered for sale by Michael Gregory Jr. Real Estate. To see more visit thedeadhorseranch.com

    33 min

  3. Jun 8

    The Short Score: How Smith and Rich are Rolling into the Summer Run

    Jake Smith and Douglas Rich head into the 2026 ProRodeo summer run with plenty of momentum after winning the Music City Rodeo in Nashville. In this episode of The Short Score, Smith and Rich break down their win, which moved them to No. 2 in the PRCA world standings and talk about how building confidence before the busiest stretch of the season is so important. Smith and Rich share how their consistent approach paid off in Nashville’s three-head aggregate format, plus what horses they rode. ____ This episode is brought to you by SmartPak and ColiCare. Colic is one of the leading causes of emergency vet visits—and it’s something every horse owner worries about. That’s why SmartPak developed ColiCare, a comprehensive approach to hindgut health and colic prevention. ColiCare combines targeted digestive support with a program designed to help you stay ahead of potential issues—not just react to them. It’s built on research, formulated to support a healthy gut environment, and backed by a unique benefit: eligible horses enrolled in the program may receive up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement. Whether you’re hauling, training hard, or just managing day-to-day stressors, your horse’s digestive system is constantly under pressure. ColiCare is designed to help you manage those risks with confidence. Visit SmartPakEquine.com to learn more about how ColiCare can support your horse’s long-term health.

    30 min

  4. May 21

    Sterlin English: From the USTRC to the Dutton Ranch

    Sterlin English is used to seeing his name at the pay window. Now it shows up in the cast list of Taylor Sheridan's newest project. The team roper plays Austin Lewis on "The Dutton Ranch," the latest Yellowstone spinoff. The first two episodes dropped early May 15 on Paramount+, with new episodes streaming weekly for the next seven weeks. English, who won the US Finals in 2015 at 12 with his father, booked the role right before winning the Riata Championships in 2025. He flew from set to Guthrie, Oklahoma, came back from the 30th call-back in the #14.5 with Miles Baker and won more than $17,400. He won the #12.5 with Trey Southern the same week and picked up the 6-and-under bonus on Shiney Lil Peso. He filmed for roughly six months opposite Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Annette Bening and Juan Pablo Raba. The door opened early. English's father once ran a ranch for actor Kiefer Sutherland and worked on "The Cowboy Way." Stunt coordinator Chris Howell gave English his first SAG gig. Stunt work, MMA training with Clint Roberts and a stretch crashing at Chad Daschenau's place in California built the foundation. COVID-era self-tapes brought a manager, agents and eventually the Sheridan audition. He is not chasing the NFR. He plans to keep jackpotting—the Riata, the World Series of Team Roping Finale—while taking on more film and television work. He proposed to his fiancée, Jayden, on the New York premiere trip after sprinting through DFW with 60 seconds to spare. His gear stayed his own on set: Cactus Thriller head ropes, Resistol hat, Wrangler shirts, his own boots. But his famous lucky pair with the holes did not make the wardrobe cut. Hit play for the full conversation. --- This episode is brought to you by The Dead Horse Ranch. The Dead Horse Ranch is an elite equine facility located outside of Santa Fe, NM. The property sprawls over +\- 6,100 acres and includes multiple houses, over 100 horse stalls, an indoor arena and multiple outdoor riding areas. This unique ranch is turnkey and offers usability as well as upscale luxury. The Dead Horse Ranch is proudly offered for sale by Michael Gregory Jr. Real Estate. To see more visit thedeadhorseranch.com

    36 min

  5. May 19

    The Score: Kayelen Helton Tells Her Story, Talks Mental Toughness, and Gives a Look Into Her Life

    Texas cowgirl Kayelen Helton joins The Score's Calli Montague to talk about balancing a full-time career as a licensed professional counselor with life in the arena, while still competing at a high level in both breakaway and team roping. Helton talks growing up in Texas junior rodeo, competing through the amateur and college ranks at Tarleton State, and now a mainstay in the jackpotting scene. The conversation dives deep into the mental side of competition, how Helton’s counseling career has shaped her mindset in the arena, and why routine, horsemanship and confidence still matter more than ever. She also shares her thoughts on developing rope horses, the importance of finding horses that fit your style, and what she’s learned since stepping into the breeding world with her stallion Cat Man San. From winning on the all-girl team roping side to building a program around horses she believes in, Helton offers an honest look at what it takes to compete while balancing career, horses and life outside the arena. About Cactus Ropes Cactus Ropes has been trusted by the best in the world for more than 25 years. Whether you’re reaching for The Future, the C4 or a breakaway rope like the Tsunami, Cactus Ropes are built by ropers, for ropers. See the full lineup at cactusropes.com.

    59 min

  6. May 1

    The Short Score: Spring Sets the Pace for Summer

    Winter and spring have flown by on the 2026 ProRodeo season with the summer right around the corner. On this episode of The Short Score, some of the spring's biggest winners talk about their wins. Lightning Aguilera and Wyatt Cox claimed the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo thanks to a $24,218-a-man rodeo. From there, the biggest hit of the year came in RodeoHouston, where Korbin Rice and Cooper Freeman delivered a statement win with a 4.6 in the four-man, pocketing over $65,000 apiece. From Houston to Austin where Tanner Tomlinson and Coleby Payne secured their second winter win with an 11.6 on three head. The Texas Swing wrapped in San Angelo, where Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira added another win to their resume with an 18.7 on four head, earning $9,453 each. Out west, Jr. Dees and Landen Glenn picked up their first major win of the season in California, finishing with a 29.8 on four head to take home $10,920 apiece. ____ This episode is brought to you by SmartEquine and ColiCare. Colic is one of the leading causes of emergency vet visits—and it’s something every horse owner worries about. That’s why SmartEquine developed ColiCare, a comprehensive approach to hindgut health and colic prevention. ColiCare combines targeted digestive support with a program designed to help you stay ahead of potential issues—not just react to them. It’s built on research, formulated to support a healthy gut environment, and backed by a unique benefit: eligible horses enrolled in the program may receive up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement. Whether you’re hauling, training hard, or just managing day-to-day stressors, your horse’s digestive system is constantly under pressure. ColiCare is designed to help you manage those risks with confidence. Visit SmartEquine.com to learn more about how ColiCare can support your horse’s long-term health.

    19 min

  7. Apr 23

    Jade Corkill Gets Real on Winning, Fatherhood and the Moment That Changed Everything

    This episode of The Score wasn’t planned—but it turned into one of the most meaningful conversations we’ve had. Fresh off a dominant showing at the U.S. Finals, three-time World Champion Jade Corkill sat down for an extended, unfiltered conversation that goes far beyond the pay window. After taking the #16.5 with his son Colby and the Open with Tanner Tomlinson, Corkill opens up to TRJ's Calli Montague about what that moment really meant—and why, in his words, it felt like a world championship. What follows is a candid look at the evolution of a competitor. Corkill reflects on the shift from chasing titles to finding fulfillment in watching the next generation rise—especially when that next generation is your own kid. He breaks down the mental side of team roping at an elite level, from handling pressure and staying present to the simple truth that most competitors beat themselves before the steer is ever roped. It’s equal parts philosophy, fatherhood, and high-level strategy—told in a way only someone who’s lived it can explain. Whether you rope or not, this episode hits on something bigger: perspective, growth, and what it actually means to win. --- This episode is brought to you by The Dead Horse Ranch. The Dead Horse Ranch is an elite equine facility located outside of Santa Fe, NM. The property sprawls over +\- 6,100 acres and includes multiple houses, over 100 horse stalls, an indoor arena and multiple outdoor riding areas. This unique ranch is turnkey and offers usability as well as upscale luxury. The Dead Horse Ranch is proudly offered for sale by Michael Gregory Jr. Real Estate. To see more visit thedeadhorseranch.com

    1h 2m

  8. Apr 3

    $120 Million on the Table: Where the Real Money Is in Team Roping Right Now

    The money in team roping has never been bigger—and most ropers still don’t realize how deep it goes. In this crossover episode with Solo Select, industry leaders break down the full earning potential across futurities, Riata, Old West, Royal Crown, and the Global Handicap System. From 4-year-olds with million-dollar upside to everyday ropers stacking checks, this episode maps out where the money is, how to access it and why the pipeline has never been stronger. You’ll hear: How team roping surpassed $120 million annually in payoutsThe real earning potential of futurity horses (hint: it’s bigger than advertised)How intermediate and non-pro ropers are winning serious moneyWhy tracking earnings and pedigrees is changing the breeding gameThe full lifecycle of a rope horse—from yearling to jackpot winnerWhy youth roping is outpacing every other sport in earnings If you rope, own horses, or are thinking about getting into the futurity game, this is the clearest look yet at where the industry is headed—and how to get your piece of it.

    1h 7m
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.Featuring the team roping industry’s movers and shakers and the inside story on iconic moments in team roping history. Part of the Horse Radio Network.

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