Mike Blair
Mike Blair
Heeler
Mike Blair has been a member of the 40+ Team Roping Championships since its inception, but his start in the sport of team roping has an unlikely origin. Mike had a lucrative career as a professional bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), while he competed in events around the country from 1978-1991. Mike earned his PRCA Gold Card as a roughstock athlete and says, “I thought I would be the last person to get into roping. In 1997 a couple of my friends had me over and we were just hanging out. They got me started [in the roping] and then I began riding one of my daughter’s horses. Once I won some money I was hooked.”
Today, Mike owns two horses - Outlaw and Deuce - who he uses to compete in 40+ Team Roping Championships events, local ropings at the cowboy church, and at the World Series. “They are cutter rejects that I was able to retrain into the heeling. Over the years we have won a couple of seconds in the World Series, and this last year I’ve won about $30,000 on Outlaw, which has been a huge blessing.” Mike is an active member of the Parker County Cowboy Church. He helps put on a roping once a month where the proceeds go to wherever it is needed most. “Being able to put on an event that is fun, but is also making a difference in our community is very rewarding,” he says. Through Mike’s fellowship and continued membership with the 40+, he has opened the door for the organization to have 40+ team roping events at the Parker County Cowboy Church during the regular season.
When Mike isn’t in the roping pen he can be found delivering horse shavings for his business Blair Shavings, Inc. “I have been truly blessed to have a successful business that allows me the flexibility to rope when I want, supports other athletes and businesses with a quality product, and keeps me busy when I am not competing. It has been great seeing the business grow, and I am so thankful to everybody that uses our product.” When asked about his roping goals Mike says, “My goal is to always win more than I spend. I am qualified for the World Series Finale and I will go to the 40+ Finals, so hopefully I rope well and can bring home a paycheck.”
When asked what Mike enjoys most about being a member of the 40+ Team Roping Championships he says, “The fellowship at these events is just so awesome. JP and Wesley bend over backwards to make sure that people have a great experience. You can tell that both of them are Godly men, and I think that if you can leave a good mark in this world by giving more than you take you’re on the right track, and that’s something that they do. I will continue to be a patron at these events because the atmosphere and fellowship is something you can’t find in many other places.”
Mike’s support system starts with his family. He and his wife, Katherine, will be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary this year. “I couldn’t do anything without her. She is my biggest supporter and has always been there for me,” Mike says. Their six year old grandson is also interested in roping. Mike says, “When I finally slow down, I look forward to driving him around.”
