JUSTIN THIGPEN
2013 WORLD CHAMPION TIE-DOWN ROPER
2013 WORLD CHAMPION STEER WRESTLER
Hometown: WAYCROSS, GA
age: 31
Justin Thigpen of Waycross, GA repeated his winning ways in 2013 and left IFR44 with
two more world titles to his credit. Despite winning both the tie-down roping and the
steer wrestling world championships, Thigpen wasn’t without challenges along the way.
“This year had a lot of trials and tribulations,” Justin said. “I lost my steer wrestling
horse to colic this year and that was a huge loss for me. I was able to ride some good
horses, though, and that made the difference.”
“The IFR was a struggle for me this year. I didn’t draw the best in either event, but I was
able to make it work for me and win both titles,” Thigpen said.
“Winning to me is staying consistent. You may not win first all of the time but if you get
a check, you are a winner. It takes dedication and time in the practice pen. Everyone has
their day, but the ones that stay consistent are the ones that I call winners,” said Justin.
“I’m hoping to have another good year and be back at the finals trying to win two more
world championships. I have a new steer wrestling horse and some other young horses, I
plan to have a deeper arsenal of horses this year.”
“I have a great support group in my family and travel with some great people. We had a
baby boy in October, Slade Weston Thigpen, that was the high point of the year.”
Thigpen’s 2013 world titles bring his tally to three gold buckles in the steer wrestling and
five gold buckles in the tie-down roping.
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