Like every year, there was a carousel of team roping partner changes between the end of the Wrangler NFR and the beginning of 2021.
One of those changes saw a rookie and a veteran team up. Patrick Smith, who’s partners have included Trevor Brazile, Clay Tryan and Kaleb Driggers, will rope with 2020 Resistol Rookie of the Year Tanner Tomlinson in 2021.
Smith has been to the Wrangler NFR 12 times and won two World Championships. At 41-years-old, he is more than twice the age of his 20-year-old new partner, who he has had his eye on for a long time.
“It seems like once every decade somebody comes along and changes the game, I think Tanner is definitely going to be one of those,” Smith said. “I just want to be the guy that catches a lot by two feet and let Tanner show off. That’s my plan.”
The duo talked with Steve Kenyon about how their partnership came together, Patrick showing Tanner the ropes and the competition they are facing in 2021.
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