OklahomaHorses Magazine July 2022

W hen Steve and Trish Lux saw the blip on the ultrasound, the proud father announced, “Why, it looks like a little ole tater!” The name stuck. For the past 27 years, life has been nothing short of a big adventure for roper Tater Lux. An early adventure included his disap- pearance while at one local roping pen. The remote location caused his father to be only somewhat concerned. When the bright-eyed, redheaded youngster popped back up, he happily announced that the house had an indoor pool. When Lux admonished his son for basically letting himself into a house, lit- tle Tater was quick to say that the owner had let him in, and “He is a real nice guy.” After Tater Lux finished college, he and his father tried to hit several rodeos in one weekend. They were running late on their way to the Calico Rock Lions Club Rodeo in north-central Arkansas. The roads are full of blind curves and plenty of hills. Tater Lux was at the wheel. He was determined to get to the rodeo before the steers were turned out. When his brother Andrew Lux, who had the horses tacked up and ready to go, called to find out how far away they were, he also relayed the information that team roping was about to begin. The driver stepped on it. His dad nervously spit out, “Take it easy! I’d rather they turn our steer out than wreck this truck!” At about that time, he noticed blue lights reflecting off the distant trees. Tater Lux topped the hill. A state trooper stood in the middle of the road conducting sobriety tests. Lux hit the brakes, sliding right on past the trooper, who didn’t move. Once the truck screeched to a halt, Lux put Growing up, young Tater Lux always always had a rope in his hand. Tater Lux A Rising Star by Kim Redo | Photos courtesy of Tater Lux 18 OklahomaHorses • July / August 2022