MEET ROPE
Rope Myers was born to be a rodeo cowboy. Not only were his parents, Butch and Fanchone, actively competing in the sport, so was most of his entire extended family. And on top of that, they named him “Rope”, leaving no alternative but to at least explore this thing called rodeo. But it soon became apparent that this little cowboy would do more than just dabble in the sport. Since 1995, Rope has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in the steer wrestling event, and was runner-up to the world title that same year. In 2001, Rope became the World Champion Steer Wrestler, while smashing the NFR arena average and the record for steer wrestling earnings in one year. He is also the 2002 Gold Medalist at the Olympic Command Performance Rodeo. From his earliest days in junior rodeo and Little Britches, his career is peppered with championships and titles. He is the 1991 College National Finals Rodeo Champion, the 1992 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year, and the 1998 Texas Circuit Steer Wrestling Champion. He’s been featured in several national publications, including Sports Illustrated, American Horse, USA Today, Cowboy Sports Entertainment, Western Horseman, and the Rolling Stone Magazine. Recently, Rope and his family were featured on the CBS news program 48 Hours. But while the rest of the world watched the development of a rodeo superstar, God was doing a much greater work.
Saved at age 12 during a rodeo church service, Rope spent the early years of his new identity in Christ hungering for knowledge and trying to develop that relationship with Jesus. But a lack of resources and very little guidance paved the way for the resurgence of his first “god” – rodeo. His competitive fire and determination to be the best in his field resulted in great worldly success. But the seed had been planted, the hunger for the Lord still burned below the surface, and despite appearing to ‘have it all’, Rope knew something was missing. In 1995, he married, and began regularly attending church services. His wife, Candice, was beginning a Christian Country music ministry, and It didn’t take long to see what the Lord had in mind. Gradually, Rope began speaking at some of the services Candice was providing music for. Then, in early 1999, what started as a gradual rededication exploded into a wildfire when the Lord spoke clearly into his heart about the call on his life.
Rope with his father, Butch Myers, 1980 World Champion Steer Wrestler.
Rope with his brother, Cash Myers, 2000 Rookie of the Year.
A few years, four children, and thousands of miles later, the Myers are combining rodeo and music into a ministry designed to evangelize the lost, build up the believer, and encourage unity in the Body of Christ. Their ministry includes services at rodeos, cowboy and mainstream churches, Bible studies, and concerts. In 2004, Rope began a consultant relationship with Sky Ranch Camps, a premiere Christian youth camp and retreat center in Van, Texas. He is now at Sky full time, as the Director of Equine Ministries, where his wife, Candice, serves as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
Visit skyranch.org for more information on camps and special events. The Myers’ ministry, White Riata, (Candice means “white” and ‘riata’ is Spanish for “rope”) is based in east Texas, where they live with their children, Layton, Holden, Tierney and Storey.
“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4, NKJ