Why would a mother of two, with a full-time job, a farm, and cattle say “Yes” to a commissioner position for the Women’s Rodeo World Championships?
Because I believe in the opportunity. Opportunity is defined as a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something. When I was approached by the PBR and the WCRA to be the commissioner of the largest women’s-only event with $750,000 added purse, I knew it would be my honor to serve as the voice for women in rodeo within the WRWC.
READ: Linsay Rosser-Sumpter Named Commissioner of Women’s Rodeo World Championship
I have had so many circumstances that have led me to this path. From my family history in rodeo, to coaching, from being a mother, this opportunity is my chance to give back to the sport that transformed me into the woman I am today.
I believe in what the WRWC is trying to do for women in rodeo. I believe in the platform that is being built for all women in rodeo. I believe that the goals of the WRWC and what we will do for the women in rodeo.
Articulating my feelings into words is a feat. I am of the generation of women who put their rope cans on the corner of the saddle house, sold their rope horses to focus on barrel racing because it was the only way to stay connected to rodeo after college. I love rodeo. All aspects of the sport. Rodeo has given me everything. My family has been blessed by rodeo in so many ways: my parents met because my mother was a rodeo queen; my grandfather, Cotton Rosser, has been quoted many times saying he has not made a lot of money in the rodeo business, but he had made “Millions of dollars’ worth of friends and memories;” I met my husband at the historic Cow Palace. It’s easy to summarize that rodeo is our life.
I have always believed in giving opportunities to women in rodeo, and the excitement they can provide from the standpoint of a producer. To the women who can not travel to every rodeo. The opportunity that the WRWC gives to women is so vast. I believe in the sport, and I believe in women. Most of all, I believe rodeo productions are ready to benefit from the excitement women’s rodeo has to offer.
READ: A Shortcut to the $750,000 Women’s Rodeo World Championship
The WRWC is innovative to our sport. It is young and, absolutely, we will have growing pains just as any new event will have. We will evolve and transform but, no matter what, we will be dedicated to the women in rodeo and the expansion of our opportunities within the sport.
I want rodeo to teach every young girl in the world what it has taught me. From the enthusiasm for the sport to the preservation of the lifestyle, I want to show the next generation what we have to offer. I want to leave a legacy that my two sons will be honored to watch their wives compete in one day and can be used to assist their daughters in growing further.
For me, saying yes to the WCRA and the PBR for this position was automatic. I am honored to join a progressive team devoted to the sport of rodeo. I am passionate about this team’s loyalty to not only the athletes, but the timers, gatemen, chute help, and everyone in between, who are the foundation of the culture and love I grew up with.
The WRWC is an event that is raising the antiquated bar for women in professional rodeo. We are long overdue for equal pay, and we are entering in numbers to prove that point. We at the WRWC are ready to make women in rodeo the stars that they deserve to be.
The time is now. The WRWC has added $750,000 for women in rodeo three years in a row, and we are not stopping there.
