Tyce McLeod, the 2021 Canadian Champion Heeler, is rolling into his 6th straight CFR in the #7 spot on the heel side with $24,179.24 in season earnings. McLeod racked up a majority of his winnings at the Maple Leaf Circuit rodeos, collecting $17,498 to sit #1 in those Standings going into Regina this November. The Saskatchewan cowboy has become a staple at the CFR as of late, qualifying to each Canadian Finals since he filled his permit in 2018. However next week will be his 1st Finals in Edmonton, where he will heel for Dustin Bird.
Question: How's it feel going into Edmonton next week? How was your season/summer?
Answer: Oh shoot, it's good. I've never made the CFR in Edmonton so I'm kind of excited about that. Our summer was pretty good, we actually had quite a bit of fun I thought. We travelled with Kavis & Denim, had some ups and downs but it was good.
Question: Have you roped with D Bird before?
Answer: I roped with him at the TRC Jackpot in Ponoka earlier this spring and we won 4th. It's actually funny that we are roping together cause 2 years ago or so, I went to his house for the first time and it was raining. He made me move like 350 square bales into his barn and that was the first time I ever really met him. It should be good. He likes to go fast and I like that.
Question: What horses did you use this summer?
Answer: I used 'Bonnie', she's a 10 year-old mare. I guess you could call her my main mount. I used my old grey a little bit at the end of the year, he's 19 years old and just solid. I'm going to probably start Round 1 on Bonnie is the plan.
Question: What's the gameplan leading up to Edmonton and once you get there?
Answer: Lately, I've been going over to the arena where Tuftin lives and ropes at, every single day. I’ve been roping on 10 or 12 horses, getting ready for the futurities and stuff. He's got a set of big and strong steers there and I make Tuftin get on some of Ryan Stolson's good head horses to duck some back for me. I'll ride dad's heel horse and stuff just to practice. The plan when I get there is to catch 2 feet ya know, every time.
Question: What Heel rope do you use?
Answer: Powerline Rain or Shine. Hard Medium.
Question: What's your favorite rodeo in Canada?
Answer: La Crete. They've really grown money wise in the past couple years and they just take care of us better then anywhere. They got the best cinnamon buns you can eat. It's a long ways from Waldeck just to get a cinnamon bun, but man they're good.
Question: Who's been the biggest influence on your roping career?
Answer: Definitely growing up and stuff it was my dad for sure. When I was growing up, he was an 8 heeler and he taught me how to heel, let me ride his good heel horses and all that. To be honest with you, if I'm ever having heck now I'll actually call Tee and he tells me what I'm doing wrong.
Question: What do you want to achieve yet?
Answer: You know what, I want to win Round 1. I've been there 5 times and have never won a round yet. I've gotten the buckle at the end but never got one in the middle. But I plan to rodeo as long as I can. The idea is to make a living riding horses and using a rope and just do that as long as I can. After the CFR, I'm going to go down south with Kavis & Denim to the fall rodeos and I will rope with Clay Ullery for those.
Question: What other CPRA Heel Horse would you like to swing a leg over?
Answer: I would like to ride Denim Ross's JP or Braden Brost's roan. Braden's roan always looks like he is in the right spot, he has a good easy stop. Denim's horse looks super fast and he reminds me of my old brown that I won Canada on, he's fast and on the stronger side and always travels through his stop, I like that.
Question: Who else are you excited to watch in Edmonton?
Answer: Denim & Kavis for sure. I travelled with them all year and we talked about it for hours and hours and hours. And I've known Kavis since he was swinging his rope backwards roping the dummy. I've watched those guys practice and they have been practicing this run for years, every day, 100x a day, so they're going to be interesting to watch. And then obviously Tee and Sid. The reason for that is that Tee has won the first round every year he's been there. The funny thing about that is he's been 4.3 in the 1st round every time, so we will see if he can go 3 for 3. That's why I told you my future goal is to win Round 1… so Tee can't.
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