The steer wrestling in rodeo is known as the big man’s event but it is the equine power they back into the box on that can make all the difference. Six-time National Finals steer wrestler Will Lummus knows the best of the best for horsepower.
Walt Arnold’s mare Shelby is has taken many to the pay window including Arnold when he cinched a College National Finals title with her in his corner. She has been the Reserve Horse of the Year for three years.
“Shelby’s a really cool animal, man. She’s so simple, she’s simple in the corner, she scores great, got a ton of run and has a little bit a of a move, like when you get off... Which really does a great job setting your feet,” Lummus said.
As rodeo horsepower evolves, steer wrestling horses are keeping up with the times as well. You can expect to see not only horses that were bred to race on the track but barrel horses and more that shined brighter in the big man’s event.
“Having a horse that’s more broke that you can actually ride and be a cowboy, that’s what seperates horses, in my opinion, just to give you a better chance to win,” he said.
An elite, broke horse that Lummus knows well is Clayton Hass’ Benz. While the big bay gets excited when he backs into the box, he scores good and Hass can still pull him out for the team roping as well.
“Benz is short stridded so you can really feel him gaining on steers and again, he’s got the big move like Shelby does, maybe even a little more and that’s why I think, you know, I’ve won $3-4 million just on Benz... I’d step on him tomorrow and go try to win something and would trust him to do it,” Lummus said.
Benz is super star in his own right but when he was sidelined half way through the 2024 season, it was Winsten McGraw’s Swamper who stepped up.
