Brent Lewis aboard his signature horse, Grumpy. He rode Grumpy, the 2000 AQHA/PRCA tie-down horse of the year, without a bridle or tie-down at the 2001 Dodge National Circuit Finals rodeo to a second-place finish. Photo by Dan Hubbell.

After 14 years in professional rodeo, Brent Lewis has decided to retire. The 35-year-old tie-down roper (and occasional team roper) from Pinon, N.M., is the 2000 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average champion, qualified for 11 Wrangler NFRs, won nearly $1.5 million, was the Resistol Overall Rookie of the Year in 1991 and won countless major rodeos during the course of his career.

"I just kind of got sick of being gone all the time," Lewis said. "And all the other problems that come along with rodeoing."

Lewis and his wife, Cami, have a daughter, Sierra, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy, so time at home becomes an even higher priority.

"I’ve been riding some horses with her and she’s riding by herself, which she’s never been able to do," he said. "It’s been great."

Training horses, putting on schools and being a family man will consume his time now, and with tie-down roping’s rise in popularity, he thinks interest for both his endeavors will be well-received.

While he won’t completely rule out a comeback, the chances of one happening are closer to none than they are to slim. Nonetheless, his competitive spirit, superb horsemanship and ceaseless good nature will be missed on the rodeo road.

"I feel pretty happy with what I’m doing and I don’t crave rodeo at all," he said.