Daily Archives: February 15, 2010

Last year, two brothers whose rodeo bloodlines run deep helped break in a rookie tie-down cowboy — showed him the ropes, so to speak.

This year, the novice has turned all that coaching, tutoring and relentless ribbing into a trip to the top rung of the event, shoving his mentors and traveling buddies aside.

Does Shane Hanchey acknowledge his adopted brethren for his overwhelming success this year?

Sure, to some degree. But mostly, he says the credit goes, in true cowboy fashion, to his horse.

“My horse and I have a good bond, and it’s easy when you have a good horse,” said the current PRCA tie-down world standings leader.

Hanging out with Clif and Tuf Cooper, sons of rodeo Hall of Famer Roy “Super Looper” Cooper, didn’t hurt his swift ascent, either.

But when Hanchey spreads the credit around, his gaze first falls on his mount.

His horse, Reata, has been Shane’s steed for six years, since his sophomore year in high school.

“I don’t have to worry about him while I’m sitting in the box. He’s so solid, reliable,” Hanchey said. (read more)