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| Clay Tryan |
Full Name: Clay Tryan | Current Status: Active PRCA team roping header, competing selectively while focusing on family and his sons' careers
The number that tells you everything about Clay Tryan isn't his three gold buckles — it's $3,243,934. That's how much the Billings-born header has cashed at PRCA rodeos, more than any team roper who's ever backed into a box, and he racked it up while raising three rodeo sons of his own.
Biography Summary
When I first pulled Clay Tryan's stats for this bio, I expected the usual three gold buckles and a solid earnings check. But looking deeper into the numbers, you quickly realize how much of this story boils down to one family. Tryan is a three-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world champion header. As of 2025, he sits atop the all-time list as the highest-earning team roper in PRCA history, having passed absolute legends like Rich Skelton and Clay O'Brien Cooper.
He bagged gold buckles in 2005, 2013, and 2014. Add two Wrangler NFR average titles to that list, plus the record for most money won at the Bob Feist Invitational. Through all of it, he stayed a Montana hometown favorite while making a life in Lipan, Texas. Nowadays, he's watching his oldest son Tyler chase down those exact same arena dreams.
What sets Clay apart from almost anyone else on this site? Simple. His family basically is Montana rodeo. His dad was the state's very first NFR team roper. His brothers roped alongside him at the Finals. Even his mom qualified there. You just don't see that kind of bloodline very often.
Early Life
Clay Tryan was born on May 7, 1979, out in Plentywood, Montana. That's way up in the northeastern corner of the state. He grew up in Billings, though, and still lists it as his official hometown on his PRCA profile. High school ended for him at Shepherd High in 1997.
Rodeo was never just a weekend hobby in the Tryan household. It was life. His dad, Dennis Tryan, became the first Montana header to reach the National Finals Rodeo back in 1984. Today, Dennis runs the Wrangler Team Roping Championships Finals in Billings. His mother, Terri Kaye Kirkland, was a standout barrel racer who also made the NFR.
Back in May 2005, Clay wrote a short piece for Team Roping Journal. He was 26 at the time. He talked about how his parents rodeoed heavily when he and his brother Travis were small, then eased up while the boys were in school. But his dad never really stopped entering local ropings. That was the dirt Clay learned to swing a rope in.
By the time he was 10 years old, local Billings news anchors were already interviewing him on TV — old footage that recirculated years later when the town threw him a celebration for his world titles.
Professional Career
Clay bought his PRCA card in 1997 right after high school. It didn't take long for the Tryan name to start popping up everywhere on the pro circuit. Here's how a career spanning three full decades played out.
Building Toward a World Title (1997–2005)
Clay made his NFR debut in 2001. Then came 2003, and something historic happened. Terri Kaye Kirkland, Clay, and Travis all qualified for the NFR in the same season. No mother-and-sons trio had ever done that in rodeo history. They backed it up by doing it again in 2004 and 2005.
That 2004 Finals gave Clay his first NFR average crown, heading for Michael Jones. The big explosion came in 2005. Partnered with heeler Patrick Smith, Clay captured his very first PRCA World Championship. That buckle changed his career forever.
Family Milestones and a Return to the Top (2006–2014)
In 2006, Clay and Patrick won the team roping title at the first-ever PRCA-sanctioned team roping event at Fort Worth. 2010 brought another wild family record: Clay, Travis, and their younger brother Brady all made the NFR together. Three brothers in one event. Nobody had ever seen that before.
The absolute peak of Clay's career hit in 2013 and 2014 alongside heeler Jade Corkill. They were practically untouchable, winning back-to-back World Championships both years. Clay also added his second NFR average title in 2014. That run with Corkill remains one of the most dominant team roping partnerships ever assembled.
Records, the ERA, and a Veteran's Late Run (2015–2022)
Clay and Jade snagged an Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA) World Championship in 2016 during that tour's short run. He kept piling up major wins throughout the late 2010s — Puyallup, Pendleton, and pretty much every big-money jackpot in Texas. In fact, Clay has won more open jackpots than almost anyone, including the BFI, the George Strait, and the US Open.
By March 2021, roping with Jake Long, Clay officially became the all-time highest money earner in Bob Feist Invitational history. 2022 marked his last heavy full-time push for gold. He and Corkill teamed back up, finished 3rd in the world standings, and Clay made his 20th NFR appearance.
Stepping Back, Roping On (2023–Present)
Since 2022, Clay has cut back significantly. He's stated openly in interviews that he isn't grinding out 80 rodeos a year trying to force another NFR run. But don't call him retired. He still enters big winter setups like RodeoHouston (which he won with Jake Long in early 2026) and ropes frequently with his sons.
His 2025 season saw him take home wins at West Texas, Celina, and the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show while hauling with a mix of younger partners.
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Graduates Shepherd High School; turns pro |
| 2001 | First Wrangler NFR qualification |
| 2003 | First mother-sons trio (with Terri Kaye Kirkland and Travis Tryan) to qualify for NFR in same year |
| 2004 | Wins first Wrangler NFR average title, heading for Michael Jones |
| 2005 | Wins first PRCA World Championship with Patrick Smith; wins first Bob Feist Invitational |
| 2006 | Wins first PRCA-sanctioned team roping title at Fort Worth Stock Show with Patrick Smith |
| 2010 | First trio of three brothers (Clay, Travis, Brady) to qualify for NFR together |
| 2013 | Wins second PRCA World Championship with Jade Corkill; wins Cheyenne Frontier Days |
| 2014 | Wins third PRCA World Championship and second Wrangler NFR average title with Jade Corkill |
| 2016 | Wins Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA) World Championship with Jade Corkill |
| 2021 | Becomes winningest roper in Bob Feist Invitational history ($256,111) |
| 2022 | Finishes 3rd in world standings; qualifies for 20th Wrangler NFR |
| 2024 | Son Tyler Tryan named PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year, team roping headers |
| 2025–26 | Competes selectively, often hauling alongside sons Tyler and Braylon |
Major Achievements
Strip away all the fluff, and Clay's résumé is ridiculous. Three world titles, two average crowns, and more PRCA cash than any team roper in history.
- 3x PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header (2005, 2013, 2014)
- 2x Wrangler NFR Average Champion (2004, 2014)
- 20-time Wrangler NFR qualifier
- 2016 Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA) World Champion
- 3x Bob Feist Invitational Champion; all-time leading BFI money winner
- 2x George Strait Team Roping Classic champion
- Cheyenne Frontier Days champion (2013, 2022)
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header | 2005, 2013, 2014 |
| Wrangler NFR Average Champion | 2004, 2014 |
| Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA) World Champion | 2016 |
| Bob Feist Invitational Champion | 2005, plus two more (with Corkill and Smith) |
Career Statistics
| Season | World Standing | Season Earnings | Primary Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3rd | $264,955 | Jade Corkill |
| 2023 | 180th | $8,603 | Various |
| 2024 | 210th | $7,128 | Various |
| 2025 | 65th | $32,591 | Various |
| Career | — | $3,243,934 | — |
Stats verified via Tryan's official PRCA Sports News profile. Complete yearly breakdowns prior to 2022 are omitted due to incomplete public PRCA records.
Records
- All-time career earnings leader among PRCA team ropers ($3,243,934), blowing past Rich Skelton ($2.99M) and Clay O'Brien Cooper ($3.00M).
- Highest money earner in BFI history with over $256,000 won in Reno/Guthrie.
- Set two distinct family milestones at the NFR: first mother-and-sons trio (2003) and first three-brother trio (2010).
Net Worth
Clay's official PRCA earnings stand at $3,243,934 according to PRCA records. But keep in mind, pro cowboys pull in huge checks outside PRCA rodeos — private jackpots, clinics, gear sponsorships, and horse sales. Clay is widely considered one of the richest jackpot headers in history. Because private jackpot payouts aren't tracked on public ledgers, any random "net worth" figure you see posted on random celebrity websites is purely made up.
Gear & Equipment
Great headers need elite head horses, and Clay has ridden some of the best. His first NFR run in 2001 was on Precious Speck, a Hall of Fame head horse owned by his brother Travis. His 2005 gold buckle came aboard "Thumper" (Dockalickin), a fast Dash For Cash gelding. His 2013–14 back-to-back world titles were won riding Dew The Cash. In recent seasons, he's ridden Johnson (Cee How Nifty) and a mare named JLo.
Playing Style
Ask anyone in team roping to describe Clay's style and you'll hear one word over and over: aggressive. Rich Skelton once noted that Clay ropes the exact same way whether he's at Cheyenne, a small jackpot, or Round 10 at the Thomas & Mack. He scores tight, reaches fast, and gets the steer turned in a split second. That speed gives heelers a clean shot every single time.
Injuries and Challenges
Remarkably, Clay hasn't suffered any catastrophic, career-ending injuries over 25+ years in the dirt. His biggest hurdle lately has been time management — balancing a grueling rodeo schedule while trying to help his three sons get their own rodeo careers off the ground.
Training, Diet & Fitness
Clay doesn't talk much about gym workouts or strict meal plans. Like most veteran cowboys who grew up in the sport, his fitness comes from riding multiple horses a day, practicing in the arena, and handling the physical wear and tear of living on the road.
Personal Life
Clay is married to Bobbie Tryan. They have three boys: Tyler (born 2006), Braylon (born 2007), and Dash (born 2014). They live in Lipan, Texas. Tyler won the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year for heading in 2024. Braylon heels for his dad at various rodeos, and Dash plays golf and baseball alongside roping.
The family tree goes deep. His dad Dennis was an NFR header. His mom Terri Kaye ran barrels at the NFR. His brothers Travis (11-time NFR) and Brady (2-time NFR) both competed at the top level, and his cousin Chase Tryan is an NFR-qualifying heeler too.
Official Social Media Profiles
Clay keeps things pretty quiet online. He doesn't run a heavily promoted public Instagram or Facebook page. The best place to follow his schedule and video breakdowns is through his PRCA Bio Page or his instructional videos on Roping.com.
Legacy
Clay Tryan's spot in rodeo history was locked in years ago. Three world titles and $3.2 million in earnings prove that. But what makes his story really cool right now is watching him pass the torch. Seeing a father, three brothers, a mother, and now a rookie-of-the-year son all compete inside the same NFR arena is something rodeo rarely gets to see.
Interesting Facts
- Born in Plentywood, Montana, but considers Billings his true hometown.
- Turned pro in 1997 right after graduating from Shepherd High School.
- Was interviewed on local news as a 10-year-old roper long before his first world title.
- Qualified for the NFR alongside his mom and brother in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
- Roped at the 2010 NFR alongside both of his brothers, Travis and Brady.
- Holds the all-time PRCA earnings record for team ropers ($3.24M+).
- Is the all-time money leader at the Bob Feist Invitational.
- Won world championships with two different heeling partners: Patrick Smith and Jade Corkill.
- His eldest son, Tyler, was the 2024 PRCA Heading Rookie of the Year.
- His middle son, Braylon, actively heels for him at PRCA events.
- Rode Hall of Fame horse Precious Speck at his first NFR.
- His dad Dennis was the first team roper from Montana to qualify for the NFR in 1984.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many world championships has Clay Tryan won?
Clay Tryan has won three PRCA World Championships in team roping (heading), in 2005, 2013, and 2014.
Is Clay Tryan retired from rodeo?
Not officially. He hasn't chased a full NFR-qualifying season since 2022, but he still competes at select major rodeos, often alongside his sons.
How much has Clay Tryan earned in his PRCA career?
Tryan has earned $3,243,934 in official PRCA competition, making him the highest-earning team roper in association history.
Who has Clay Tryan roped with during his career?
His primary partners include Michael Jones, Patrick Smith, and Jade Corkill, along with Jake Long and his son Braylon Tryan.
Is Clay Tryan related to Travis Tryan?
Yes. Travis is Clay's brother and an 11-time NFR qualifier. Their younger brother Brady is a two-time NFR qualifier.
Is Clay Tryan in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame?
Not yet. Since Clay is still active, Hall of Fame induction usually waits until a contestant finishes competing.
The Final Verdict
Clay Tryan's career is unique. On one side, you have the richest team roper in PRCA history with three gold buckles. On the other side, you have a dad passing down his entire game plan to his boys in real time. He's still entering, still winning checks, and still showing Tyler, Braylon, and Dash how to handle business in the box.
Do you think Clay Tryan will add another major win or even a fourth gold buckle alongside his sons? Share your predictions in the comments below!