SPRINGDALE — When Brett Jones’ roping partner graduated high school last year, he had a good idea as to who would be a logical replacement.
Jones, who is homeschooled and lives in Fayetteville, vaguely knew Lucas Sheets through the rodeos they’d competed in with each other in the past. He also knew Sheets was looking for a new roping teammate after his graduated at the same time.
“It just made sense,” said Jones, 17. “I went to Lucas and asked him if he wanted to be my partner and rope the heel while I rope the head. He seemed pretty open to the idea, and after a couple weeks he agreed and we’ve been roping together ever since.”
Sheets, who is a senior at Siloam Springs, said he and Jones developed a good friendship from the time they became partners. They not only practiced together, but discovered they enjoyed each other’s friendship outside of the rodeo scene.
Besides being good friends, Jones and Sheets are pretty good ropers, too.
This season, the duo has totaled 18 points in the year-to-date standings of Team Roping in the Arkansas High School Rodeo Association, leaving them in sixth place and 10 points behind first.
“I think the reason we compete so well together is because we communicate on everything, we talk about everything,” said Sheets, 17. “If he has a problem or I have a problem, we let each other know. That’s when we work on it and we improve.”
This weekend, both Sheets and Jones are competing at the high school rodeo event in Springdale’s Parsons Stadium. And since the rodeo is in Northwest Arkansas, both said it’s an event they care deeply about.
Both ropers grew up around Parsons Stadium, not only attending the Rodeo of the Ozarks, but participating in various youth rodeos with their families.
“I know we both love this place, it means so much to all of us,” Jones said. “If we could come out and win this weekend, it’d be really awesome, especially because so many friends and family will be watching us compete.”
Not only do both ropers team rope, they calf rope individually, something that’s helped them gain more skills and experience in the Team Roping event.
Sheets said he and Jones are hoping to keep gaining more experience in the high school rodeo circuit and potentially earn scholarship money so they can compete in collegiate rodeo next fall.
But until that time comes, both are going to enjoy their time together as roping partners and friends.
“That’s the cool thing about being involved with rodeos,” Sheets said. “You meet all kinds of people, you gain more friends and you get all kinds of opportunities.
“I know Brett and I have been having a ton of fun this year, and we’re hoping we can continue that with more success.”
At A Glance
Arkansas High School Rodeo
WHERE: Parsons Stadium, Springdale.
WHEN: Today, 11 a.m.
ADMISSION: Tickets for adults will be sold at the gates for $5. Kids under the age of 12 will be admitted for free.
WHAT: More than 100 participants from around the state will compete in this weekend’s two-day rodeo, which is being hosted by the Springdale Riding Club. Winners in each event will be awarded belt buckles while the All-Around Cowboy and Cowgirl will each receive a belt buckle and a $500 scholarship.