Andrew Ward on growing up in a roping family from and going to the Lazy E since he was 6-years-old

Andrew Ward is perhaps the greatest team roper you’ve never heard of, he has quietly flew under the radar of fans, but he has all of the respect of his fellow’s professionals.

At age 31, Ward and his partner Buddy Hawkins II are heading to the Wrangler NFR for the second time ever and second year in a row. They also won this year’s RAM National Circuit Finals.

Ward got started roping because of his oldest brother and his dad started roping together and then, like everyone else, he says, he fell in love with horses.

“I had a passion for it when I was real little,” Ward said.

He still remembers his first check, $47 when he was about 7-years-old.

“I was hooked after that,” Ward said.

He grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma which meant plenty of time spent about half hour away at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, whether it was competing or spectating.

“We got to watch the (Cinch) Timed Event (Championships) when we were little.....We’d have to get up early, but we were homeschooled and they’d let us get out of school early and we’d go over there for the 11 o’clock, we’d watch that one and go back that night back to the 7 o’clock,” he said. “Got to watch all of heroes growing up.”