Christie McClary
Christie McClary
Header & Heeler
Growing up in southern California surfing everyday and riding in the show jumping ring doesn’t sound like the start of a successful career for a team roper, but Christie McClary is all about making her own rules. From showing hunter/jumpers to exercising horses on the racetrack, Christie has dabbled in just about every type of competitive horseback riding there is. In the mid 1990s she began working for Angel Crosthwaite at Rancho Mission Viejo working roping horses in the training program for the weekend cowboys who came in from the city. “I learned the basics of roping while working there and I just fell in love with it [team roping],” Christie said.
A few years later Christie tied the knot with Ty McClary and set roots down in Valley View north of Dallas, TX. “My husband’s background in rodeo really helped solidify my interest in the sport. We traveled often while he rodeoed competing in tie-down, team roping, and steer wrestling in the PRCA or while he was picking up for Harry Vold. Basically we got married and it’s [team roping] been my go-to sport since.” Christie has been team roping as a member of the 40+ Team Roping Championships for the last 15 years and loves how the organization offers the opportunity for the whole family to participate. “I head for my father-in-law, Bob McClary, in the 40+, so it’s a full family deal for us!”
Three horses help Christie be competitive on both ends. “My go-to World Series horse is a bay gelding named Fozzy, who is now 20 years old. I got him from a couple that has supplied horses for years for Clay O’Brien Cooper and Jake Barnes. Ozzy and Judy Gillum out of Arizona hosted me one winter and I ended up coming home with Fozzy. He is all business and has been a huge blessing to me and helped my growth in roping. Our biggest win together was back in 2015 when we won the World Series Finale and brought home a $60,000 paycheck.”
Having a steady horse like Fozzy who always puts her in the right spot is key to her success, but Christie keeps herself busy by keeping her palomino gelding, Johnny Ringo, and her red roan gelding, Compadre, legged up too. “Johnny Ringo is one of the most talented and cowy horses I have ever met. He is a switch ender and my main mount, who has all the buttons and speed to bring me to the winners circle time and again.” Johnny Ringo started out as a reining horse and came home with Christie a few years ago, “He is a real athlete and I always enjoy saddling him up.” Compadre also started out in a different industry. After leaving the cutting world behind, he is really finding his confidence as a heel horse. Christie says, “He had seen cows and is willing to get in there, but he didn’t know how to run. Being able to finish him as a heel horse has been so much fun. I am looking forward to switching things up on him and giving him some time on the head side this season as well.”
When asked about her team roping goals Christie said, “At 50 the reward is being able to do it [rope] and having a financial reward at the end is fantastic. As athletes we know that our brain controls the outcome. I have had two rough years back to back at the World Series Finale that have been a wake up call for me. It has been a very humbling experience and a lesson in how to get your mind right. I am focusing on two things this year: 1) Staying true to my ‘why’ because I love this sport and it’s too expensive and time consuming not to love it, and 2) I want to pay off my house this year.” Christie is planning to rope at the World Series Finale with her husband, Ty McClary, this December. She says, “I hope that big win will be in Vegas where we get to bring it all home together.”
Having a family so deeply rooted in rodeo, roping, and competition in general helps the McClary household pursue their goals and dreams. Christie says, “My daughter can ride and rope, but she puts her efforts into volleyball and track where she is very successful. My husband is a sports commentator on the Cowboy Channel and continues to compete in his spare time.” The competitive spirit and exceptional sportsmanship is supported through family values and sponsors alike. “I feel very fortunate to be supported by businesses who create amazing products and also care about the industry. Classic Rope is my rope sponsor and they really produce some high quality ropes. I typically use the Spyder as my head rope and the Radar as my heel rope.” When asked about how she chooses which product to use Christie says, “I am a creature of habit so I don’t like to switch things up all that often. But figuring out what amount of stiffness that also leads to being able to have enough power to catch two feet without hurting my shoulder has been a process when choosing a heel rope. Getting the lay and swing right is tricky, but the Radar really seems to give me the right balance.”
A product that Christie uses everyday comes from another sponsor, Lucky Chuck Socks. “I have been blessed with the best boot sock in the industry for the last few years. They are comfy, have groovy styles, and are affordable. I love them so much I even work as a rep now because they are the best socks bar none.” Whether she is on the road competing or at home in the practice pen, Christie makes sure that her horses have the best care possible. “Equinety’s Omega Powder and oil is fed to all of my horses. It helps manage their stomach needs when traveling and improves their recovery time at home. I have seen a huge improvement in my horses’ health and maintenance, so I feel very fortunate to be sponsored by them.” Equinety takes care of the McClary remuda on the inside and the Bioveta Quad Equine Blend system takes care of them on the outside. Christie says, “It’s a four step grooming system that has significantly cut down my grooming and wash time. The horses’ skin and shine looks so much better than it used to. I love being able to make them look and feel good, and having the Bioveta Quad system has made a world of difference.”
Christie’s attitude and kindness is noticed by each and every person she meets. When asked if she had anything extra to include for this interview she said, “I just want to encourage ladies that it’s never too late to start something and find a way to make it happen. I was a beach girl in California and was able to recreate myself in this sport, and now at 50 years old I still have goals as a team roper. It doesn’t matter if you’re roping in the #6 or the #14; if you have a passion for something just start and take it one step at a time!”
