Having rodeoed now for nearly two decades, World Champion Team Roper Patrick Smith filled us in on how his career has evolved, his plans for the 2021 season, and the life and business ventures he’s built outside the arena. “I don’t want to be one of the guys that are retired and bitter because they don’t feel like rodeo set them up well enough.”
TCC: When did you start rodeoing?
PS: I picked up my first rope in 1998 and 2003 was my rookie year, I won my first world title in 2005 with Clay Tryan and my second in 2010 with Trevor Brazile.
TCC: It’s 2020, what are your plans moving forward?
PS: Man, it’s crazy to think it’s been 17 years. I have a wife and three kids, and I love rodeo, but I don’t want to be like some of the warriors I see out there doing it at 55 years old.
TCC: This was your first year to rope with Luke Brown, and it hasn’t been the best year for getting a lot accomplished, what are your plans for 2021? Are you going to rodeo?
PS: Definitely, I don’t want to go out on an off year. I have a great partner and a great horse.
TCC: What other ventures are you operating?
PS:
- Driven Services: A west Texas based oilfield services company. A rental business that Trevor Brazile, Tee Stewart and I started.
- Driven Site Services: A company in the DFW metroplex that is septic’s, waterlines, tanks, roads, and pads.
- Patrick Smith Roping – A website where I can teach my trade and sell horses.
- Patrick Smith Tack Line – A partnership with Teskeys
- Raising Roosters – A breeding program that started with the purchase of “Rooster.
TCC: Has COVID-19 affected you as a business owner?
PS: Yes, it’s been a downer year. The oil business in west Texas was rocking and rolling and we had to really scale back, watch ourselves, and cut costs. Things get serious really quick when you start talking about people’s livelihoods and their jobs. Unless your WalMart or Dollar General you’re not capitalizing on anything.
TCC: Because it’s been a light year with the number of rodeos, has having the other revenue streams from the business’ you have built made it easier?
PS: One hundred percent, I have more things to do and more focus on other things.
TCC: Has the effort you’ve put toward your companies affected your rodeo career?
PS: Yes, in 2013 when we started Driven Services, I was at the peak of my career. It spread me thin, but I knew the sacrifices I was making were going to pay off in the long run. But now, we have great people involved in the business and I can trust them when I leave.
TCC: How would you encourage someone to find their passion outside of the rodeo arena?
PS: Know your purpose. I owe everything to the Lord. Don’t make things about you. Make life about others, giving back, and being impactful. Be aware of your surroundings and look for the bigger picture, it will create motivation.
TCC: What have you gained from your rodeo experience that has allowed you to grow outside of the sport?
PS: I’ve established a lot of great relationships, and I have pursued the opportunities those relationships have presented. All of the businesses I own and take part in are because of the network I created with my connection to rodeo.
TCC: What advantages do you have as rodeo athlete to build on your “outside the box” state of mind?
PS: As rodeo cowboys, we have a lot of time on the road. You can’t be heeling steers and practicing driving down the road and a lot of guys don’t take advantage of that time. I use that time to set myself up with opportunities.
I didn’t start with the rig I have now, I started in a pick-up that had 250,000 miles on it with my clothes in a Rubbermaid tub because the roof leaked.
TCC: If you had advice for someone who is trying to figure out what is next, what would it be?
PS: Work ethic is key, use your time wisely. The network you build is so important. Don’t spend your time playing video games or watching social media or every opportunity will pass you up. Build a balance between your work life and your personal life but build a plan. Figure out a way to market yourself and be marketable.
TCC: To do what you do and manage all of the things you mange, it takes a village?
PS: Amen, for sure. Christy taking care of the kids, my parents, my kids supporting me. David, he’s been taking care of my place for years. Tyler helps me drive and take care of horses. But the help came with time and looking at the big picture and setting myself up to grow and be successful. When we back in the box at the BFI, The American, The NFR you can’t imagine the people it took to get us there; the wives, the parents, friends, fans, sponsors, you name it. We didn’t do it by ourselves.
Dropping the ball when you have a full plate is inevitable, the key to my success is not dropping the ball too many times in one place, stay driven.
TCC: How important are your sponsors to your growth as an athlete and a businessman?
PS: I didn’t start out with money, I started out with product and I utilized the product to create a revenue stream that benefited me and them. I’ve done a lot of collaborating with Teskeys and Roper Apparel.
TCC: How do you start the conversations with people in your network about growth.
PS: Don’t approach it with your hand out. Approach it with a plan as how you can help them in advertising or product development. Let them know what you bring to the table. Beat the bushes, opportunities present themselves more often than people think.
TCC: Tell us more about your plans with Rooster.
PS: I have a five-year plan. In 2021 I am teaming up with a ranch and we are going to expand on selling breeding’s to having a herd of mares that we can raise his babies for ourselves to train.
TCC: How old is Rooster?
PS: He is 16.
TCC: How long are you going to continue breeding him?
PS: As long as I can. He’s an amazing animal, and I said that before I bought him. My kids can ride him, he’s pretty, mentally stable, he’s sound.
TCC: What are his babies being used for?
PS: They’re mostly roping prospects, being shown at the roping futurities. They’re beautiful, good color, good confirmation. Nobody will sell me his babies, everyone loves him.
TCC: Are you competing on Rooster?
PS: Yes, he’s gone a lot of places with me this year. I love riding him. He’s been rodeo’d on most of his life and contributed to some big wins.
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