Q&A: John Robertson

The Lake County Leader sits down with professional cowboy John Robertson

John Robertson, from Polson, is currently ranked third in the PRCA Montana Circuit for team roping in the heeler division. He’s earned $6,643 so far in winnings.

When and how did you get into rodeo?

I grew up rodeoing. My whole family rodeos and has been rodeoing since I can remember.

How did you choose team roping?

Team roping has always been a part of my family and as long as I can remember my whole family has team roped.  When I was young I decided I wanted to be a heeler.

What kind of events/accolades/awards have you won?

I have won numerous awards from the junior level all the way up to the professional rodeo level. I have been to the Montana Circuit finals rodeo six times and the Dodge Circuit finals one time.  I have also made the Canadian Professional rodeo finals two times. 

I have been in the top 35 in the world standings for two years.

How much traveling do you do during the rodeo season?

I put 40 to 70 thousand miles on my truck a year depending on where I am rodeoing.

What’s the hardest thing about team roping?

The hardest thing about team roping in my mind is staying positive with myself, my partner and horse.  A lot of the time, you go without winning for a while and it’s hard to keep your attitude positive.

How important is it for your horse to be at peak performance?

Keeping your horses in the best condition is the most important thing about rodeoing no matter what event you are in because without your horse, you don’t go far down the arena. It is always a good idea to keep more then one horse around while you are rodeoing for the reason if one gets tired you can always use your backup horse for a few rodeos until your main horse gets back to peak condition.

I am lucky enough that I have a father-in-law, Cliff Milliron, who trains rope horses so he is always keeping me on the best rope horse. I am riding a horse that Cliff raised and trained, I have also made it the rodeo finals on Cliff’s horses. 

When you do get downtime, what do you like to do?

Well during the rodeo season, I try to practice between my rodeos and keep in shape. Other then rodeo, I am newly married and building a house so I like spending time with my wife and working on our home here in Polson.

What “keeps you coming back” when it comes to

riding in rodeos?

Rodeo is like a bad habit: Once you start, you can’t stop! It’s a tradition with my family; we have done it for years and probably will do it for many years to come.

How much practice do you have to put in outside of the events?

I try to practice everyday on my roping and making sure my horses are working as best as their abilities. 

How long have you been living is the Mission Valley and what keeps you here?

 Well I have been living in Polson for about four years working and Polson is where my wife Jessica is from, so I figured that is a good reason to stick around.