Would you guess they rope in France? If you guessed yes then you are right. The cowboy and roping influence is worldwide and southern France is a place that roping is exciting and people just want to learn more. This summer myself, Roger Hanagriff, rodeo coach at Texas A&M Kingsville along with my wife Gena and brother-in-law Wade Brown put on a team roping clinic in Saint Martin de Crau, which is located one hour east of Marseille, France. We are all avid team ropers and horses trainers, so the idea to teach and experience a different roping environment was an interesting challenge. Our host for the clinic, Patrice Fabre and his son Jordan had visited our home in Texas and asked if they can develop a clinic that could pay for the travel cost, would you come? Of course, the answer was yes and that set the ball rolling. The clinic was not only a chance to help ropers, but also to bring US influence into France. The influence is already there with Professionals Choice equipment, Master Saddles and other name brand suppliers. The school also used a mechanical Hot Heels, which was a great tool considering cattle and many novice ropers. The facilities were great with a very nice arena and a western saloon built using old crossties with cement chinking that anyone would welcome built. 

Team Roping USA provided buckles to give to winners of clinic competitions and Outlaw Ropes provided discounted ropes to better equip participants that needed supplies.  

The clinic resulted in a two-day format with 17 ropers attending sessions that started at 9 AM with some basic roping and horsemanship then broke for a lunch and some review of video and a needed break from the hot sun. The afternoon session started around 3 PM and involved the Hot Heels and more advanced work. The evening was more video analysis  at the western saloon and dinner, but we would call it a gorging of food!  Eating in France is more of an event and involved courses of food that you need to set a pace to complete. The clinic was a success. Nearly all participants communicated what they plan to work on prior to that second clinic. The winners of the buckles from the two-head competition were Patrice Fabre and his son Sebastian. Fastest time of the clinic was a 7.4 from Jordon Fabre and Chaps Jayne. The clinic was also a success as there are about 20 ropers in their association, but only five of the participants were from the association, so this brings some new ropers into the sport. We are planning a second clinic next summer and hope to get more ropers and even plan a larger competition. Language was a small barrier as most learning was illustrated versus verbally communicated. However, next year we need to learn more French!     

- Gena Hanagriff     

TR-USA Sponsors Buckles for

Team Roping Clinic in France!