Young trick roper hones skills with plenty of practice

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Nolan Leach adjusts the saddle on Bravo prior to a show in Northeast Texas. Nolan's brother Eric (right) offers last-minute advice for the performance. -- Staff photo by Cope

April 21, 2005 -The tanned, dark-headed young cowboy twirls his rope into all kinds of fancy configurations while aboard the calm, bay mustang. The duo are an entertaining site as they lope around the arena to the cheer of the crowd.

The cowboy, Nolan Leach of New Braunfels, began performing his trick roping routine at the age of 12, but even before that he was good with a rope. "I had done some calf roping before," the 17-year-old said.

But at a San Antonio Stock Show rodeo in the late-1990s, Nolan was enthralled with performer Kevin Fitzpatrick's artful and tricky swirling of a rope. "I went home and the next day I just started messing around with a rope," he said, explaining his initial steps that have led him into a career.

As a 12-year-old, some of his guidance came from some professionals, including Fitzpatrick and Jerry Diaz. "I just called them up and asked for some help," Nolan said.

Of course, it takes more than a few sessions with a professional to become a quality performer. Daily hours of practice are a contributing factor. Even today, some five years later, Nolan practices three or four hours a day.

With his unique talent, Nolan performed in front of a crowd for the first time at age 12. They loved it; and he loved it.

At the age of 14, Nolan's "dream" of owning a wild mustang became a reality. In the fall of 2002, at a Bureau of Land Management adoption event in Glen Rose, Nolan adoped a 3-year-old stud which he named Bravo. "That was the best $170 I've ever spent," Nolan said.

At the Leach's 80-acre place near New Braunfels, Nolan began training Bravo. "On the first training session, Nolan laid the horse down using a trust-based relationship for the training that would follow," shared Eric Leach, Nolan's 19-year-old brother.

Bravo was gelded about six months after being adopted. Nolan continued training him to be used in the trick roping performances. "I wanted a mustang because they are just a real raw horse," Nolan said, meaning they come with no bad habits or concepts of a human-horse relationship.

"He's not bred to be a performance horse though," the cowboy continued. "Such as, he's not a good spinner, and there are other horses that are my favorite to ride. But, overall, Bravo will always be my favorite horse."

Crowds have deemed the duo as a favorite. Just six months after training began, Nolan and Bravo were a featured act in the play TEXAS, performed in Palo Duro Canyon. Then, at age 16, Nolan traveled with Bravo to perform at the largest horse show in Europe, the Stockholm International Horse Show.

Being homeschooled has helped the teen with his travel and performance schedule, thanks to mom Teri Leach. Eleven-year-old sister Cara is also homeschooled, as was Eric.

Nolan's career is enhanced by his brother and sister. "Eric is the brains of the operation, .. and Cara helps me practice by holding the targets," Nolan said with a grin.

Eric is Nolan's business manager, agent, and choreographs the shows, which can include everything from cracking bull whips to popping pistols. Cara helps by assisting with horse care, loading gear in the trailer, etc.

Nolan's father, Philip Leach, has a background in agriculture and has worked as a farrier, but now works as a pilot. Philip's connections in Europe is what helped get Nolan the gig at the big horse show.

The trick roping career hasn't been all smooth sailing. Nolan said he has thrown his shoulder out, been kicked in the head, and even kicked in the knee by another horse, right before a performance.

Nolan said no two shows are alike. "I'm always working on a steady flow of new tricks," Nolan said. "I plan on incorporating another horse into the show. And I'm working on (coming into the arena with) Bravo jumping over a gate while I'm shooting some .45's."

Eric added, "We are always looking at how to make the show better."

Which flows with Nolan's philosophy. "I'm always learning. ... I've had this real intense passion to be the best cowboy."

But does he still, after five years of performing, get nervous prior to show time? "I know I have the practice in ... and I know I'll do the best I can, and I leave the rest up to God."