Shane Hanchey Shares How Life is Changing

World Champion Tie-Down Roper Shane Hanchey is still going strong, winning at every corner, and expecting life changes this year.

Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

Talking with the 14-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Shane Hanchey is like sitting down with a friend.  His southern mannerisms and kind spirit are evident.  While some things continue to be the same, others will be life-changing in 2024 for the Sulphur, La., stand-out.  

The rodeo road has remained busy and successful for Hanchey. He has picked up checks at Bellville and Waco, Texas along with earning money at the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo in Heber City, Utah. Recently, Hanchey's performance at Belton, Texas of 8.6 seconds earned him a second-place finish and $1,653.

Hanchey commented, "The year is already better than it was last year in terms of money, actually."

While Hanchey knows he has started the year off well, he is having to overcome a big obstacle — his main mount is out with an injury.

"My good horse got injured at the National Finals in December. So, I'm kind of back to not having a horse for the winter rodeos. Luckily this horse, Rolling On The River, has stepped up and been able to help me win some money toward the standings. I also won the American Contender Central Region along with the Contender Finals in Abilene. It's been really good as of late, and I am just looking forward to the rest of the year."

Adversity and obstacles have not ever stopped the 34-year-old, goal-oriented man. In 2021, just 10 days before the NFR was to start, Hanchey was dealt a devastating blow. The horse he had ridden all year and experienced much success on, passed away. Hanchey answered by winning the first round.

Stylish Bugsy was at the 2023 NFR with Hanchey. The tie-down ropers are allowed to breakaway the calves to run them through and get them ready for the performances. It was during this breakaway session that Hanchey believes the horse hurt a hind leg. While it is not a career-ending injury, it has taken the horse out until likely the end of May for Hanchey. The loss of his ride at the NFR was major as this horse had just been recognized as the PRCA Tie-Down Horse of the Year.

Rolling On the River, a 2019 gelding by Smooth as a Cat and out of Creedence Clearwater (Peptoboonsmal) owned by Walter Johnson, had some big shoes to fill, but he didn't know it. Just as Hanchey has done his whole career, the young horse just stepped up and performed.  

"I've got some great clients that trust me with these horses and one of them is Rolling On The River. Just today, Beau Peterson won every round and the average of the Royal Crown 6 and Under Breakaway and then I came back and won two rounds and the second in the average of the 6 and Under Tie-Down. He's just good, every step of the way."

Speaking of the Royal Crown, Hanchey has taken full advantage of the recent move in the industry toward calf roping futurities. In fact, he decided to forego the PRCA rodeo at Jackson, Miss., to attend the Royal Crown futurity roping events in Buckeye, Ariz. For his efforts, he collected $10,345 not including what Beau Peterson won in the breakaway roping.

Peterson was spotted at a junior roping by Hanchey some years ago. He could tell that she had a lot of talent with a rope and that she excelled in horsemanship. Hanchey knew that Peterson trained her own horses and put the time in. Several years later, Peterson didn't have a horse to ride at Oakley, Utah, so she reached out to him. He let her ride one of his horses and the relationship began to form between Hanchey, his wife Taylor, and Peterson.  

Shane Hanchey and Beau Peterson at the Royal Crown roping futurity

Peterson has since been a part of the program. In 2022, Peterson and Taylor made the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) together after being traveling partners all year. Peterson continues to be integral and with some future life changes coming for the Hanchey family, she will be important.

In May of 2024, the Hanchey family will increase from two members to three. Shane and Taylor are expecting a very special little boy to arrive who is already loved very much.  

"This is an exciting year for me. I get to be a dad at the end of May. We are looking forward to that and are so excited. If I had to guess, that will throw a wrench in my summer rodeos because I will want to be at home more often than wanting to be out on the road."

Hanchey has a refreshing perspective on rodeo being the veteran in the tie-down field.  When asked about his goals for this year, he is still very much a competitor at heart.

"First off, I want to win another gold buckle. I think that will always be the goal until I quit rodeoing. Making the National Finals, of course. I know I'm not the young guy anymore. I've been fortunate to make quite a few consecutive finals, but I know it is never a given," Hanchey said.

What is a given is the work ethic and commitment the world champion exhibits. From competing in Abilene, Texas, driving to Buckeye, Ariz., for the Royal Crown, then back home to work toward getting the 4-year-old set of horses ready for the Roping Futurities of America all within a few days, Hanchey takes his job serious and goes all in for his clients and himself.  

The Louisiana man will be in San Antonio, Texas beginning Saturday, Feb. 17, and then on to Tucson, Ariz., for the La Fiesta de los Vaqueros PRCA rodeo.