The last thing Riley Webb planned to think about was competing for the 2025 tie-down roping world title.

But suddenly, the reality of his goals for the season collided with the moment he was experiencing, intertwining in a way he never envisioned.

In April, the rodeo world lost legendary cowboy Roy Cooper to an accidental house fire. The 69-year-old ProRodeo Hall of Famer won eight PRCA world titles during his storied career, including six in tie-down roping.

Webb, a lifelong Texan, grew up around the Cooper family. His parents helped the Coopers put on junior roping competitions for years, events he competed at during his childhood. Roy was a mentor who guided the up-and-coming PRCA competitor way during the early stages of his career.

After the tragedy, people began to reflect on Coo

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