By: Julia Dondero
“Don’t trip on what’s behind you” is team roper Christie McClary’s 2023 mantra. She expressed the importance of valuing the gift of the present and looking forward to the future. This motto has stuck with McClary in many areas of her life and has already impacted her position in the Women’s Rodeo World Championship standings.
For McClary, 2023 is a new year full of big team roping nominations and big wins. For the team roper, mother and wife, the new year brings new opportunities to continue following her passion and have the opportunity at large paychecks along the way. With recent wins at World Series Team Ropings, McClary is sitting comfortably in the top 20 of the Women’s Rodeo World Championship standings, sitting in fourth and thirteenth place in the heeling and heading standings, respectively, as of January 16.
The Texan cowgirl has been nominating her rodeos and ropings since the start of the WRWC and described the benefit and strategy behind it.
“Nominating as much as possible, and at as large of ropings as possible has truly given me the flexibility and opportunity to earn large point values,” McClary explained.
She described the beauty of nominating, in that it allows athletes to determine their own strategy and path to success.
It has been this flexibility and support that has aided McClary in her success and nomination strategy. This flexibility is also what has allowed McClary to be a champion in many areas of life, including being a mother to her twelve-year-old daughter, who has also picked up a breakaway rope and hopes to compete in the WCRA Division Youth when she becomes old enough. “Having the opportunity to share this sport and lifestyle with my daughter has truly been a special opportunity in the WCRA.”
It is this aspect of support that has drawn McClary to the WRWC and WCRA family. She further expanded on this family aspect and how the support has impacted her journey to success, “Having these opportunities for athletes like myself is truly game-changing. It’s not every day we get this kind of exposure and level of support.”
With the WRWC on the horizon, McClary is already looking forward to the WRWC week happening May 14-20 in Fort Worth, Texas. She expressed her excitement for this event, explaining the life-changing payout opportunities and the caliber of competition is truly a special opportunity for all, and is grateful to be a part of it.
