Matt Carrasco
Matt Carrasco, a native of Van Horn, Texas, grew up immersed in the ranching lifestyle. Now living in Alpine, Texas, Matt continues to balance his life as a team roper, family man, and Border Patrol agent, where he has served for 18 years. Before joining Border Patrol, Matt worked as a wind technician. One day, while perched atop a wind turbine in 80 mph winds, a friend called to ask for his social security number. Unbeknownst to Matt, his friend had signed them both up for the Border Patrol Academy. That unexpected call set Matt on a career path he had never imagined.
Matt’s roots in rodeo and team roping trace back to his childhood, where his father introduced him to the sport at the age of seven. He now shares that love of roping with his children. From his first marriage, Matt has three daughters: Nora (22), an accomplished team roper specializing in heading, who won $30,000 during her first year of eligibility in the World Series; Novah (18), a volleyball player on a full scholarship at Sul Ross; and Nevah (16), a varsity volleyball player at Alpine High School. With his wife, Sherri, a pharmacist, Matt has two young children: three-year-old Matias Jasiel and six-month-old Ryann Raine, affectionately called Bonita.
Team roping is more than a hobby for Matt; it’s a family affair and a way to bring the community together. His journey into organizing jackpots began when he met another dad at a junior high rodeo he attended with his eldest daughter. The dad, who owned cattle, asked if Matt wanted to collaborate on roping events. From there, the two began putting on jackpots, a venture that has been a blessing for Matt and his community over the past 15–18 years. Known for his well-run events near college rodeos, Matt’s reputation for excellence led to his involvement with 40+ Ropings. Now in his second full year with the organization, Matt’s goal is to grow 40+ in the Permian Basin, promoting its fast-paced, well-run events with reasonable fees and great cattle.
Matt’s horses are at the heart of his roping success. Every horse he rides has been raised and trained from the ground up, ensuring they can head, heel, and compete at a high level. His daughters learned to rope and ride on Gato, a horse gifted by his father, which Matt considers a cornerstone of their roping journey.
For Matt, his greatest accomplishment isn’t the jackpots he’s won or the roping events he’s built but raising a daughter who can out-rope him on both ends. “People tell me how great, polite, and respectful my kids are, and that’s all because of the chores and lifestyle that come with owning horses,” he shared. His dream now is to win the World Series Finale with his daughter, a testament to the legacy of teamwork, dedication, and family that defines his life.
