Father-son roping team seeks success in the arena

Perrin’s James and Eddie Brock are no strangers to team roping, but competing together is a recent development.

The father-son team roping duo competed at the Jack County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo and although they didn’t have a qualifying time Friday, they said winning is in their future.

James, 57, said his 21-year-old son Eddie ropes all the time, but he is just now starting back.

“I was hot and heavy in it until ‘02 and I quit and raised by boys, but I’m back at it and roping with him,” he said.

The two have been roping together competitively twice a week for about the last six months.

“I’ve liked it all my life. I started back in ‘77 or ‘78. We don’t miss very often,” James said. “Eddie has been roping since he was in diapers.”

The pair have not had a chance to practice much lately. Their practice area at home has been too muddy with recent rains. They were able to get a little practice time in last week at a friend’s place in Poolville.

After a disappointing performance in Jacksboro Friday, the two were looking ahead to competing in Nocona Saturday and getting closer to their personal best time.

“We’ve been down in the fours (seconds),” James, the team’s heeler, said. “Nowadays if you’re not in the fours or fives, you don’t place. You’ve got to throw it fast and hope it works.”

“So you have to take a low percentage shot or you don’t place, but you have to take your chances to win,” Eddie said.

Both of them rodeo in their spare time. Eddie works as a Highway Tech II for TxDOT and James serves as Jack County Commissioner - Precinct 2.

James said he is glad to have something fun to do with his son each weekend.

“It sure beats sitting at home,” he said.