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In his downtime, Garrett Hale enjoys talking to kids about the rodeo life. He and his parents, Van and Becky Hale, brought his trailer and horse to career day at Snyder Primary School.
Snyder’s Garrett Hale has rodeo in his blood.
The 2010 Snyder High School graduate will be among the cowboys competing in next weekend’s National Finals Steer Roping event in Mulvane, Kan. While in Kansas, he said he will be proud to represent Snyder and Scurry County.
“It feels pretty good,” he said of representing Snyder. “There are not many people from Snyder competing at the pro level.”
Hale currently ranks eighth in steer roping earnings nationwide with $48,401. He said he knew at an early age he wanted to compete professionally. His father, Van, rode bulls and his mom, Becky, barrel raced.
“It’s kind of in my blood,” he said. “I won my first buckle when I was five and I was hooked. I think I have had a rope in my hand ever since then.”
During and since high school, Hale has competed throughout the west. He said the toughest arena was the Cheyenne, Wyo. venue known for its annual Frontier Days rodeo.
“It is one of the larger places we compete,” he said.
Hale has a goal of winning the average title, which would give him the national title, and win four go-round medals. He is preparing for next weekend’s finals by competing this weekend in San Angelo.
But he does have his sights set on Kansas. He said his biggest rival on the road is Trevor Brazile of Decatur. Brazile is entering the finals with the fifth-highest earnings at $59,641.
While the two are rivals, Hale said it is a friendly rivalry. The cowboys cheer for each other in the arena and they hope every competitor has a good ride.
While his parents are not able to watch him compete at every event, Hale said he knows they are there in spirit.
“They are my No. 1 supporters. I would not be anywhere without them,” he said.
During his down time, Hale likes to promote the rodeo and recently participated in the Snyder Primary School career day.
“It is always fun to see the kids. They love to pet the horse,” he said.
Hale said competing in any type of event is stressful, but he said he has perfected an approach for preparing for his ride.
“When I’m getting ready for a ride, I block everything out. I think about how the ride will go like I am back on the ranch training in our arena. What I do in practice is how I want to perform each night,” he said. “It is 20 percent ability and 80 percent mental.”
After next weekend’s national finals, there will be a break in the schedule. Hale said he will be back on the road in January for some winter events and beginning in June, “it will be getting hot and heavy.”
“Around the Fourth of July is our heavy time of the year,” he said. “It always fun to hit the road.”