Durango cowboy Calvin Brevick makes his name know in in the Team roping world.
<br> Calvin Brevik, front, credits his father, Phil, for teaching him the tricks of the trade from an early age. Today, Phil Brevik often fills in as a training partner between competitions. One crucial element is not leaving the starting gate too early; riders train their horses to take off on command instead of instinctively pursuing the runaway steer right away. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
At the end of roping practice Calvin Brevik walks his horses to put out to pasture. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
Calvin Brevik, right, champion team roper, takes of on his horse Buddy, along with his father Phil on Mexico, during practice roping steers on the family ranch east of Durango.JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald<br>Durango - 10/19/12 - Quarter horses are the most common breed used for roping events because of their acceleration and agility. A fit, healthy horse is key to shaving precious seconds off a runtime. "Exercise and feed them well...as you would yourself as an athlete," Brevik said.
<br> Calvin Brevik, champion team roper, chases down a steer while practicing team roping with his father, Phil, on the family ranch east of Durango. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
Calvin Brevik won this championship saddle earlier this year. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
At the end of roping practice Calvin Brevik plays a little with one of his dogs. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
One of Calvin Brevik's ropes hang on the side of his horse. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald<br>Durango - 10/19/12 - Brevik, 24, has been rodeoing for almost 20 years. He loves it for both instrinsic and financial reasons. Right now rodeo winnings are his primary income.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald<br>Durango - 10/19/12 - Brevik wraps his horses' hooves in braces to protect against "overreaching", when the rear hoof impacts the tender ankle area on the front leg. Longer tails are also braided to avoid getting caught in the rope.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald<br>Durango - 10/19/12 - Brevik displays the silver belt buckle he won at a Fort Collins rodeo in May. He is pining for more hardware, specifically the coveted golden buckle at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where he hopes to be next year.
JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald<br>Durango- 10/19/12- Calvin Brevik, right, champion team roper, takes off after a steer with his father Phil while practice roping steers on the family ranch east of Durango.
<br> Calvin Brevik, right, champion team roper, takes off with his father Phil while practice roping steers on the family ranch east of Durango. JERRY McBRIDE/Durango Herald
