The United States Team Roping Championships (USTRC) has announced that it has named Julie Bryant to serve as its Director of Marketing and Communications, with Ty Hillman of Weatherford, Tex., to serve as the USTRC Gold Plus member representative.

Bryant is owner of Latigo Associates, a marketing and promotional planning firm based in Fort Worth, Tex., whose client list includes such entities as the Extreme Mustang Makeover, the National Cowgirl Museum and the American Paint Horse Association, among others.

“Julie’s relationships in the horse industry and experience in developing strong communications tools will bring USTRC to the next step in improving member relationships and services,” said USTRC President Kirk Bray. “Over the next year, our members can expect to see more communication options open to them, as well as the regular delivery of information that will make competing easier and more enjoyable.”

Bryant has a long and successful history in the horse industry, beginning with 10 years of service to the American Quarter Horse Association, where she was a field editor to The American Quarter Horse Journal and Director of Youth Activities. Following her stint with AQHA, she served as Director of Communications for the American Association of Equine Practitioners in Lexington, Kentucky until 1998, when she joined the American Paint Horse Association in Fort Worth, Texas, as its Director of Market Development. She founded Latigo Associates, based in Fort Worth, in 2001.

“I am delighted to be working with a group that is so earnestly seeking ways to increase its presence in the horse industry and improve communications with its membership,” she said. “USTRC is looking forward to a two-way conversation and I hope to be able to facilitate that for the member. This sport is filled with opportunity and potential for tremendous growth. I’m grateful to the leadership of USTRC for giving me the opportunity to work with them.”

Hillman Brings Roping Knowledge

Hillman of Weatherford, Tex., has been named as the United States Team Roping Championships Gold Plus Representative. In this position, Hillman will serve as a “concierge” to the USTRC’s premier membership base providing personalized assistance for roping competitions and member services.

Hillman, originally from Sterling, Colo., began roping at the tender age of 7 with his father, Jay and brother, Jett. He claims a bit of notoriety surrounding his summer vacation between fifth and sixth grades, having been cast in the role of Joe Booker in Robert Redford’s critically acclaimed movie, “The Horse Whisperer.”

“It was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my life as I learned at a young age that there are many things in life that are more important than money and fame,” said Hillman. “While pursuing a career in acting is something that many people dream about, Robert Redford’s advice was to go home, grow up like a normal kid, and the movie business would still be there down the road.”

Hillman did go home and now at age 25 holds an Associate in Art’s degree from Weatherford College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Business from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.

He qualified for the National High School Rodeo finals in team roping his junior and senior years, as well as to the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals in 2007.

“We are very proud to have Ty on board with USTRC.” Said USTRC President Kirk Bray. “USTRC is nothing without its members, and Ty will be responsible to make certain they receive all the privileges and benefits associated with membership status.”

Ty and his wife, Stevi, have been married since 2008.

 The United States Team Roping Championships is the official home of America’s Cowboy Sport, representing more than 35,000 competitive team ropers across the country. USTRC brings the sport of team roping to the national stage by providing competition with integrity as the trusted source of team roping competition rules and classifications. USTRC events paid out more than 19 million dollars in 2009 to team ropers from all walks of life.