June 8, 07

Dear David,

Just a note to say that it was wonderful to see you last week. Thanks for all your many kindnesses and the great conversation! As ever, it was super to be at the training center. You were so right- Walt was wonderful! I really enjoyed all of it! It was an added bonus to be present on Saturday night to see Cade sew up his rodeo season . You should be so proud o fhim - he is a fine young gentleman and a heck of a rodeo star!

I'm already planning my next visit! I hope your family and business will enjoy a great summer!

Ever,

Denee

June 8, 07

David:

Thanks so much for the wonderful hospitality and accommodations last week for the Walt Woodard clinic. I cannot remember a more enjoyable event.

You have created a fantastic facility and I was so impressed at the organization and content of the entire clinic.

I have been using your catalog for a while but after the tour of your store and nice generosity (the ropes, bag, etc.) I will certainly continue my mail order business.

I was in need of a 28" girth and there was not one in stock at the Pro-shop, so Krece was kind enough to let me use one. I forgot to return it when we finished. All of my girths are NRS so I did not notice when I unsaddled. However, Iordered two new ones and here is the one I borrowed. Thanks so much.

Please pass on to all of your staff that I was privileged to meet and become acquainted with, how much I appreciated their attitude and their attention to my needs. You certainly have put together a fine and elite gorup of people that reflect well on your organization and you personally. What is really impressive to me is, to a person, they all acted as if they really enjoyed their job. How refreshing in today's world.

Thanks again for a wonderful experience and I look forward to many more visits to NRS training facility.

Sincerely,

Charley Hicks

June 07

Dear David,

We wanted you and your incredible team to know that we had a fabulous time last weekend at the Walt Woodard Clinic. Your facility, cattle, crew and total set up was over the top! Also thank you so much for the generous rope bag full of great ropes. We really appreciated all the details to make us so very comfortable. from food (which was delicious) to the availability of bits, tack to try-out! We so appreciated all the conveniences. Cade allowed Deb to use his saddle - immediate improvement. Krece suggested we take home with us & we could purchase from you. We will follow up today.

Thanks,

Gary & Deb Atchley

February 14, 2006

Mr. Isham,

I wanted to send this letter of appreciation to you in regards to the Walt Woodard January roping clinic. The whole experience at the facility before, during, or after the roping clinic was outstanding. You have a good group of folks working the arena facility. From day one I was catered too. They all seemed to go out of their way to find out if you need anything. I have shared the experience with several others since returning home and I have always said “zero complaints”. The facility and the staff are top notch. The environment is really a “laid back” type atmosphere. I would highly recommend this place to anyone whatever your level or discipline.

As far as the roping clinic, or for anyone that wants to try to rope, man you have got to try the Walt Woodard roping clinic. It too was a great experience. I had so many people tell me that Walt teaches only his way or that he is pretty hard guy about what he wants to teach. That is absolutely not true. He is really one of the best guys you could have teach you how to rope or how to improve your roping. This is a guy that has so much experience in roping, teaching, and in everyday life. I found that just listening to him was an experience in itself. I also want to share that Walt is so committed about trying to teach everyone in the class. We had three ropers from another country that could not speak English. Walt called an interpreter on his cell phone, put the guy on speaker phone, and basically got his message across to these guys the best he could. He also did this multiple times. He did not have to do that but that is what kind of teacher he is. He is committed to teaching people to rope or to rope better.

You have a great staff, a great facility, and some great instructors coming to this site. Again I want to say THANKS!

Jason Strickland, President
Network Service Consultants, Inc.
Hortense, GA

Walt Woodard Clinic: January 04

Just a note to let you know that the clinic must have worked. Earlier this year I won Talequah PWRA in the heeling and 2nd at Wichita. Could have went to the PWRA Finals this year in healing in 13th place if I had purchased my card. Maybe next year. Hey, I didn't even fall off my horse! Ha Ha

LaDean Cummins
Norman, OK

I had so much fun at the June 2004 Walt Woodard clinic. My parents told me to choose a graduation present and I do not think I could have chosen a better one. Walt has helped me to advance to the next level of my roping ability and without his help I would not be as consistent as I am today. My dad and I drove down from Ozark, AR and we were delighted to see such a wonderful facility and such welcoming people. I wrote an essay for the scholarship program and I just wanted to let you know what an excellent program I think that is. I am sure it has helped and will help many people. I appreciate everything NRS has done for team ropers. Without it learning to rope would be much more difficult.

Thank you,

Callie Bailey
Ozark, AR

April 30, 2004

I just wanted to thank you, the NRS family, Tony Lama, and Walt Woodard for such a wonderful learning experience my family and I had during the 2004 Tony Lama/Walt Woodard clinic. The hospitality and generosity of NRS, Michelle Robinson (NRS), Steve Corp (Tony Lama), and Kelly Riley (Tony Lama) were the best.

Walt is an excellent teacher. His ability to explain your mistakes and praise your good runs made me have a more positive outlook and feel more confident with my roping ability. The knowledge, information, and the stories that you and Walt shared with everyone were unbelievable.

The facilities, NRS staff, food, and the individual support were excellent. Thanks again for an unforgettable experience, friendships made, and plenty of knowledge learned.

Sincerely,

Roxanne Clipper
Huntsville, TX
2004 Tony Lama/Walt Woodard Clinic participant

NRS Staff,

THANK YOU for maiking my experience at the NRS facility and the TLX/Walt Woodard facility and the TLX/Walt Woodard clinic the BEST! I cannot think of anything you could have done better! I hope to see you again at another event.

Thanks again...it was AWESOME!!'

Connie Schneider

Jason will be glad to know I gained 5 pounds because of his good cooking! Thanks for everything Michelle!

I just wanted to drop you all a short note to let you know how much Jade & I enjoyed the trip to the 2nd annual Tony Lama/Walt Woodard Roping clinic. It was fabulous. Everything was so well organized, the food was wonderful, and the facilities were out of this world. You went above and beyond to make everyone feel so comfortable. This was a trip that we will remember for many years to come. Thank you again for everything! We hope to see you again in the future for other clinics. :)

Pam Nobles
Barnwell, SC 29812

Ok, enough about me,

Jason Graves
Poteau, OK

Interview with Beryl Sears
2002 NRS Events School with Walt Woodard

Beryl Sears has been a professional educator for 18 years and currently is the Superintendent for the Howe Independent School District. Beryl’s experience as a roper has been primarily limited to the dummy in the backyard. Being an educator, he knew there had to be a teacher who could help him improve his roping schools and his enjoyment of the sport. Here’s our conversation with Beryl.

NRS: How did you become interested in team roping?
BS: I have a farming background growing up on a farm in southern Oklahoma and always have had an interest in our western heritage and have been a big rodeo fan all my life. I went to Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma the same time as Roy Cooper and I followed his successful career while at Southeastern and through the PRCA and have always been inspired by his skill. Also, a couple of my former students at Sam Rayburn ISD, Gibbs Keeton and Brandon Lyles, are doing pretty good at roping. Knowing and watching these guys and having other friends and neighbors that are good ropers motivated me to want to give it a try.

While I know I won't be in the NFR, at least now, I can participate some and won't have to be just a spectator.

NRS: What made you decide to attend the NRS roping school?
BS: I had been roping a dummy in the backyard for several years. However, my roping was mostly self-taught and I had developed some really bad habits. I had never been to a roping school before. It's funny how I found NRS. I sent an email to USTRC and asked about roping schools. Someone for USTRC replied and told me I should contact Ricky Greene and gave me a phone number. I called the number without knowing that it was his home number. His wife answered the phone and told me about NRS in Decatur. I then called NRS and talked to Sonny Miller. After just a few seconds on the phone with Sonny, I knew I was talking to the right person about roping. I learned more about roping and on the phone with Sonny than I had ever learned before. I enrolled in the Walt Woodard Clinic over the phone and could not wait until the school. I won't forget Sonny answering one of my questions with "well, that all depends on just how good a horseman you are."

I am already planning to attend another NRS Roping Clinic in September. I am working with my roping skills and with my horse and will be a lot better prepared for the next one. Three of the guys in the school that I was in had attended previous NRS schools. These guys were a real encouragement to me. I was impressed and amazed with their skills. It was hard to believe, but each of these guys kept telling me that they were all at my level when they attending their first NRS school.

NRS: How well did NRS do in providing useful instruction?
BS: Well, you should asked Sonny and David that. They will tell you that on the first day of the school I couldn't even get my horse in the box. Every minute of every day I was learning.

At one point I felt like I was receiving too much individualized instruction. Everyone was working with me. One of the things that encouraged me the most was the positive attitude of everyone at NRS. I was hard on myself, but everyone at the school was making me feel comfortable. I was never criticized and never once was I made to feel out of place or like I didn't belong. I was in the school with some pretty good ropers and they would come by me and say "you're looking good."

NRS: How would you rate the NRS Events school on a scale of 1 to 10?
BS: If I were to rate the NRS roping school on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, my rating would definitely be 10. The hospitality of David and Sonny, the individualized instruction, the instructor's knowledge along with the knowledge of the staff, and the support and encouragement were all outstanding.

NRS: What would you say was the best part of the school for you?
BS: Everything about the school was great. There was nothing that was not enjoyable. Naturally, developing my roping skills was the most important part of the school. However, there was so much more. This was not just a school, but rather a well-rounded experience.

The school was more like a vacation to me. Like I told Walt, Sonny, and David, I had the time of my life!

NRS: Would you recommend an NRS Events school to someone else?
BS: I am planning to attend another NRS roping school in September and I certainly will recommend NRS roping schools to friends and to anyone that aspires to rope. My 12 year-old son wants to learn to rope. If he doesn't go with me this September, we will attend a NRS school together next year. It is now a goal to have him heel with me.

Our goal is to make all of our students at NRS Events schools feel the same as Beryl. If you would like more information about our schools and upcoming dates, call Sonny Miller at 1-800-GO ROPIN (1-800-467-6746).