FSLM Student Profile
/Meet Tate Beck
by Reese Langdon
Years of dedication, months of anticipation, and days of long, grueling practices, all for a mere few seconds of competition: this is a cycle that is all too familiar for those who participate in the centuries-old sport of rodeo. Redwater sophomore Tate Beck is no exception.
“My grandparents always did rodeo [when I was] growing up, and I would go to as many of the events as I could,” Tate said. “My friend also rodeos, and he taught me how to rope.”
Fast forward to today, and Tate competes in five events through the Southwest High School Rodeo Association: breakaway, ribbon roping, heeling, chute dogging, and tie-down roping.
“My favorite rodeo event is tie-down,” Tate said. “I really like this event because it uses more adrenaline trying to flank and tie the calf as fast as possible. The feeling when you have a good run or tie your fastest time is just awesome to me.”
Rodeoing pushes its competitors to go faster and be tougher than they thought possible. Other than being a sport that takes a lot of grit and perseverance to succeed, rodeoing also has other benefits. “Rodeoing is really important to me for a lot of reasons, [like] the friendships that you make from all over,” Tate said. “It’s a way to go out there and have fun, and the feeling when you win is what makes it special to me.”
Rodeo is a highly competitive sport, so winning does not come easy. Many early mornings and late nights of practice are a requirement for success. “Most of the time when I practice, I practice tie-down, where you rope the calf and tie its feet; or heeling, when I rope the two back feet of the steer,” Tate said. “I rope the dummy everyday and try to rope live a couple times a week.”
Rodeoing is a high-risk activity, though, fortunately, Tate has never incurred a serious injury. “Rodeo is a very dangerous sport,” Tate said. However, to Tate, that danger is an integral part of the sport he loves. “There is a risk in everything that you do in life,” he reflected. “The adrenaline that you get from it is just awesome.”
Tate practices in the evenings after school, as well as on weekends not already occupied by rodeoing. All of this work is in pursuit of the goals this athlete has set for himself. “One of my goals right now is to win the all-around saddle in high school rodeo,” Tate said. “To work towards my goal, I’m just going to keep practicing as much as possible and keep trying as hard as possible.”
Though Tate’s eye is on the prize, it has become even more than just winning or losing. There is a sense of comfort that comes along with this competition. “The rodeo community is awesome,” he said. “Some of my best friends have come from rodeo. It’s really like a second family. If you ever need anything, they will let you use their house, their rope, anything you need to help you out.” Every high schooler needs a get away from reality, and Tate and his rodeo family have found their forever second home through this uncommon extracurricular.
“It’s one of the best decisions I have ever made because of the friendships I’ve made through rodeo and the experience I’ve had. It’s just the best thing.”
Due to his amazing experience that he has had through the Southwest Arkansas High School Rodeo Association, he would recommend this way of life to anyone. “I would definitely tell [anyone] that they should [rodeo],” Tate said. “It’s one of the best decisions I have ever made because of the friendships I’ve made through rodeo and the experience I’ve had. It’s just the best thing.” He plans to continue rodeoing after high school.
With his work ethic and the support of his family and friends, Tate is on the right track to achieving his goals. Rodeo is more than just a side hobby; it is a way of life and a home.