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The champ’s new rig. [Photo: Dakota Horse Magazine]
Maize TwoBears, a student at Bismarck State College (BSC), recently etched his name into the Wrangler Team Roping Association (WTRC) record books. Raised in Cannonball, North Dakota, TwoBears roped to the top at the Indian Three Irons Memorial held in Billings, Montana and produced by the WTRC. His remarkable feat? Walking away with the coveted prize: a horse trailer. What’s more impressive is that TwoBears didn’t even own a horse trailer before his latest win.
Reflecting on his win, TwoBears humbly attributed a significant portion of his success to luck.
Maize TwoBears always has a rope and a smile. [Photo: Dakota Horse Magazine]
The all-around roper described the day of roping like this, “We pulled into Billings on Friday about 1:30 am, because I had afternoon classes. We put up the ponies at the Metra and slept a little. We roped in the first roping — no good, and in the second roping, I had eight runs. I had three runs coming back to the second round, hit or miss. Then I got to come back to the short round,” explained TwoBears.
TwoBears and his partners were 20th and 21st high call back in the short go. Strategically, TwoBears and his partners said, “We might have to kind of go for this if we want to, at least, get some kind of money out of it.”
TwoBears ended up putting not one, but two 5-second runs together. “We were barely scratching by. People were catching, you know, fractions of a second slower than us,” said TwoBears. In the end, TwoBears took home the 4th and 5th place checks, securing his spot to the winner’s circle.
As far as horsepower and opinions about roping, TwoBears added, “I have a 16-year-old sorrel mare. She’s actually a solid head horse. I, kind of, heel on her, and she’s not a very great heel horse, but she’s a solid head horse. I just picked up a buckskin 5-year-old head and heel horse. He’s a good one, and I’m looking at another one. What I look for in a heel horse is speed, you know. You must have speed in them.”
TwoBears said he was grateful towards his roping partners that day: Joedon Mckenzie, Mandaree and Kayden Howe, Crow Agency.
TwoBears embarked on his rodeo journey at a young age, initially beginning as a bull rider before transitioning to roping, under the guidance of his grandfather and mentors like Royce Heart of Parshall, N.D. Despite the challenges of balancing academics, work, and rodeo commitments, Two Bears says he remains steadfast in earning a degree and roping as much as he can.
Dummy practice. [Photo: Dakota Horse Magazine]
Currently studying farm and ranch management at BSC, TwoBears says he plans on furthering his education and transitioning into welding. He is signed on as an athlete for the BSC Rodeo team that will begin competing this fall 2024.
Reflecting on his upbringing, TwoBears emphasized the importance perseverance. As he looks ahead to future Badlands Circuit rodeos and endeavors, TwoBears stands as a shining example of grit, talent, and purpose.
Whether in the arena or the classroom, TwoBears is inspiring with his determined spirit, smile, and humbleness.
For the full interview, stay tuned for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.
Tisa Peek is a long-time horse trainer, competitor in barrel racing and team roping, and writer about the equine. Rodeo and horses run deep in her roots. JT Family Equine is where she calls home, south of Bismarck, ND. Tisa, along with her husband, Jon, and boys, Blu and River, train horses and host clinics. Tisa is the host for Dakota Cowboy on BEK TV.