Tryan, along with partner Patrick Smith, captured the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s 2005 Team Roping World Championship at the NFR in Las Vegas Dec. 2-11. Tryan and Smith pocketed $71,683 during the 10-day Finals Rodeo, bringing their 2005 earnings to a grand total of $167,204 apiece. In addition, the duo set a new NFR arena record - posting a 3.5 second run in the ninth go-around.

On Thursday evening, Tryan, with his wife, Bobbi, his dad Dennis Tryan and mom Terri Kaye Kirkland, and other family members surrounding him, sat quietly as accolades were laid on him.

As his NFR television coverage played overhead on the big screens, Scott Breen, sportscaster for KTVQ-2 congratulated Tryan and complimented him on a job "well done".

Joe Kusek of the Billings Gazette concurred, saying "Our World Champion is exemplary - he is a worthy champion and a testatment of what is good about rodeo."

BLS owner Patrick K. Goggins opened the program by welcoming everyone. He recalled back in the mid '90's when Clay was playing basketball at Shepherd High School. Goggins said Clay and his brother Travis would miss a few games or leave early because they were going roping.

"We said at the time, well you better decide what you want to do, rope or play basketball," Goggins said, adding, "Well, I guess you did."

BLS Horse Sale Manager Bill Parker knows Tryan well. He watched him grow up while roping with Tryan's dad, Dennis.

In addition, Clay's last "punch-the-time-clock" job was at Billings Livestock Commission Horse Sales - the winter before he qualified for his first NFR.

Parker said he admired Clay for joining the great world champions and also because "You have always been and still are a good person."

Steve Miller of Montana Silversmith's, Columbus, MT creator of the gold buckles for the PRCA World Champions, said "I kept telling them in Columbus to go ahead and put 'Tryan' on the World Champion team roping buckle because I was pretty sure one of them was going to win it."

Family friend and roper Levi Britton said he is working with Montana Highway Department officials to get a highway sign which states that Billings is the home of Clay Tryan, World Champion Team Roper.

Way to go, Clay - rope on!!!