001A

Tie-down roper TYLER MILLIGAN bought his PSN GCORWBIOLYLE
PRCA card in Sept. 2016, and is now leading
the PRCA Resistol Rookie Standings. The WITH MATT NABER
Pawhuska, Okla., cowboy is aiming for the RAM
Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo and a quali cation
to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
presented by Polaris RANGER in 2018.

What horse do you compete on, and what’s he like?
Tyler: His name is Big Time and I got him from Ronnie Austin. He is 13 years old and I’ve had him a year. He’s the only one I have, and

we fit together real well and he lets me catch. He’s got a big stop – he’s just super laid back and not much rattles him at all. He’s
almost too laid back.

You won the Oklahoma State High School Finals Rodeo and the National High School Finals Rodeo. How does high school
rodeo compare to ProRodeo?
Tyler: Man, to me it doesn’t compare – because I’m out here with just a friend of mine. But in high school, you had your family with you and it was more stable. You had people helping you

all the time and taking care of your stuff, and now that isn’t the case anymore.

Out of all the events in rodeo, why do you compete in tie-down roping?
Tyler: It’s just what I’ve always done. I used to team rope and I decided I wanted to calf rope, so I quit team roping and I really enjoy tie-down roping. It’s just really fun and it gives me an

adrenaline rush every time.

What’s the hardest part about competing in tie-down roping? What’s the easiest part?
Tyler: The hardest part for me is the mental aspect of it and not beating yourself up when you’re not winning, and staying positive. The easiest part would be – well, not much of it is easy –

it’s all hard.

Which rodeo are you looking forward to the most, and why?
Tyler: Probably Cheyenne (Wyo.) or Salinas (Calif.). Salinas has the long score coming out of the heading box, and Cheyenne for the prestige behind it.

You’ve won a lot of money competing in rodeo, what have you been doing with it?
Tyler: Putting it away; I save it for buying another horse or I’ve always got something going. Rodeo’s really expensive – my trailer broke down in Reno and I need
to get another axle for it.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given for competing in tie-down roping?
Tyler: Try not to beat yourself – don’t break out and don’t miss, just don’t beat
yourself.

If you weren’t a rodeo cowboy, what would you be?
Tyler: I don’t know, probably just a regular cowboy at the house. We got a little ranch with
black angus cattle, about 200 head, which is enough to keep you busy.

Do you have any superstitions?
Tyler: Not really – that whole hat on the bed thing, I don’t believe in it. I believe you make your own luck.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome it?
Tyler: The biggest challenge is figuring out how to take a deep breath and not get in a hurry – just take your time and use your head. I overcame it by breaking too many barriers and learning

from my mistakes.

What’s your game plan for the 2017 season?
Tyler: I’m going to go all year long and try to win Rookie of the Year – that’s my main goal, and wherever I end up, I end up. Next year, I’ll try to make the Finals. We went to all the rodeos on

the Fourth and then out to the Northwest, and then hit my Prairie Circuit rodeos when I can. I’m going to try to make the RAM Prairie Circuit
Finals and the All American Finals, too.

What’s your favorite movie?
Tyler: Tombstone

Who’s your favorite musician?
Tyler: Cody Jinks (left) – he’s the only concert I’ve been to.

What’s your favorite app?
Tyler: Facebook

If someone comes to your hometown, what’s the rst place you’d take them?
Tyler: The Mexican restaurant, El Vallarta

When you were a kid, what was at the top of your Christmas wish list, aside from rodeo gear?
Tyler: I really wanted a four-wheeler, and one year I got it. But, I drove it through the garage door on accident. My parents weren’t very

happy and I didn’t get to drive it for a while. I was probably 5 years old.

What’s your favorite sport/team, aside from rodeo? TYLER MILLIGAN
Tyler: Basketball is my favorite sport and I like the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

12 ProRodeo Sports News 7/21/2017 ProRodeo.com