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Tie-down roper TYLER MILLIGAN bought his<br />
PRCA card in Sept. 2016, and is now leading<br />
the PRCA Resistol Rookie Standings. The<br />
Pawhuska, Okla., cowboy is aiming for the RAM<br />
Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo and a qualification<br />
to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo<br />
presented by Polaris RANGER in 2018.<br />
COWBOY<br />
GRILLE<br />
WITH MATT NABER<br />
PSN<br />
What horse do you compete on, and what’s he like?<br />
Tyler: His name is Big Time and I got him from Ronnie Austin. He is 13 years old and I’ve had him a year. He’s the only one I have, and<br />
we fit together real well and he lets me catch. He’s got a big stop – he’s just super laid back and not much rattles him at all. He’s<br />
almost too laid back.<br />
You won the Oklahoma State High School Finals Rodeo and the National High School Finals Rodeo. How does high school<br />
rodeo compare to ProRodeo?<br />
Tyler: Man, to me it doesn’t compare – because I’m out here with just a friend of mine. But in high school, you had your family with you and it was more stable. You had people helping you<br />
all the time and taking care of your stuff, and now that isn’t the case anymore.<br />
Out of all the events in rodeo, why do you compete in tie-down roping?<br />
Tyler: It’s just what I’ve always done. I used to team rope and I decided I wanted to calf rope, so I quit team roping and I really enjoy tie-down roping. It’s just really fun and it gives me an<br />
adrenaline rush every time.<br />
What’s the hardest part about competing in tie-down roping? What’s the easiest part?<br />
Tyler: The hardest part for me is the mental aspect of it and not beating yourself up when you’re not winning, and staying positive. The easiest part would be – well, not much of it is easy –<br />
it’s all hard.<br />
Which rodeo are you looking forward to the most, and why?<br />
Tyler: Probably Cheyenne (Wyo.) or Salinas (Calif.). Salinas has the long score coming out of the heading box, and Cheyenne for the prestige behind it.<br />
You’ve won a lot of money competing in rodeo, what have you been doing with it?<br />
Tyler: Putting it away; I save it for buying another horse or I’ve always got something going. Rodeo’s really expensive – my trailer broke down in Reno and I need<br />
to get another axle for it.<br />
What’s the best advice you’ve been given for competing in tie-down roping?<br />
Tyler: Try not to beat yourself – don’t break out and don’t miss, just don’t beat<br />
yourself.<br />
If you weren’t a rodeo cowboy, what would you be?<br />
Tyler: I don’t know, probably just a regular cowboy at the house. We got a little ranch with<br />
black angus cattle, about 200 head, which is enough to keep you busy.<br />
Do you have any superstitions?<br />
Tyler: Not really – that whole hat on the bed thing, I don’t believe in it. I believe you make your own luck.<br />
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome it?<br />
Tyler: The biggest challenge is figuring out how to take a deep breath and not get in a hurry – just take your time and use your head. I overcame it by breaking too many barriers and learning<br />
from my mistakes.<br />
What’s your game plan for the 2017 season?<br />
Tyler: I’m going to go all year long and try to win Rookie of the Year – that’s my main goal, and wherever I end up, I end up. Next year, I’ll try to make the Finals. We went to all the rodeos on<br />
the Fourth and then out to the Northwest, and then hit my Prairie Circuit rodeos when I can. I’m going to try to make the RAM Prairie Circuit<br />
Finals and the All American Finals, too.<br />
What’s your favorite movie?<br />
Tyler: Tombstone<br />
Who’s your favorite musician?<br />
Tyler: Cody Jinks (left) – he’s the only concert I’ve been to.<br />
What’s your favorite app?<br />
Tyler: Facebook<br />
If someone comes to your hometown, what’s the first place you’d take them?<br />
Tyler: The Mexican restaurant, El Vallarta<br />
When you were a kid, what was at the top of your Christmas wish list, aside from rodeo gear?<br />
Tyler: I really wanted a four-wheeler, and one year I got it. But, I drove it through the garage door on accident. My parents weren’t very<br />
happy and I didn’t get to drive it for a while. I was probably 5 years old.<br />
What’s your favorite sport/team, aside from rodeo?<br />
Tyler: Basketball is my favorite sport and I like the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma City Thunder.<br />
TYLER MILLIGAN<br />
12 ProRodeo Sports News 7/21/2017<br />
ProRodeo.com
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