Dan Denmark

#SundaySpotlight 

Shannon McCright - Header 

Shannon has been a member of the 40+ Team Roping Championships for the last four years. Whether she is competing or just riding at home, she ropes off her 11 year old Quarter horse named "Hooch." 

Shannon says, "I got him as a started 4 year old, but with the help of a good friend they taught me how to finish him in the heading. I started and won money in the breakaway and another friend started him and won money in the tie-down roping. This is the first horse I have ever attempted to finish so he is pretty special to me." 

When asked who got her started in team roping Shannon told us about her beginnings as a young rider. "When I was 10 I wanted a pony, but I had never been around a horse in my life. Well, Justin and Tammy Parish were cousins on my Dad's side, so I went to them for riding lessons. A year later I was roping with them, and it was really nice because every time I roped I was at their house so each and every run was watched and corrected by some of the best ropers in my eyes. From riding and roping they correct everything to try to make me the best I could be, which I know had to be a challenge for them because I was never serious about anything at that time. I wouldn't be the roper I am today without them." 

Shannon attended the 2023 40+ Team Roping Championships in Hamilton, TX and competed in a couple of different events. One of her goals is to travel to Las Vegas, NV for the World Series of Team Roping Finals. "Really I just love to rope, so as long as I continue to rope a little better each time I back into the box then I am meeting all the goals I set for myself," Shannon says. When Shannon is not roping she is traveling to support her 11 year old son who competes in multiple sports. "When I get to rope on the few days off it's always a great day, and he is always willing to help open the chutes. I haven't gotten him to love to rope yet, but we still have time!"