The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
Issue link: http://thewrangler.uberflip.com/i/1522136
some administrative and equal pay issues with the PRCA and WPRA. Although cowgirls can qualify for the National Finals Breakaway Roping, they still stand to win only a fraction of what other rodeo contestants can. While some members are frustrated by the slow progression, others feel that things are headed in the right direction with time. Another factor negatively impacting cowgirls is the entering system. Typically when entering the barrel racing or another PRCA event, competitors can "buddy". When multiple cowboys or cowgirls travel in one rig, they can request to be drawn up in the same slack or performance. This allows them to capitalize on the number of rodeos they can attend, as events often overlap. Unfortunately, the breakaway roping and barrel racing cannot currently be "buddied" together. This means cowgirls are likely to end up in separate performances or slacks to compete in the two events. "I grew up in the amateur rodeo ranks and it's so nice that I can double dip everywhere I go. To me, it has to financially make sense," Erickson explained. Erickson feels that this could be a game changer for the members and associations. "I would love to see the statistics on how many girls would breakaway if they could enter with their barrel run or vice versa. It would be fun to see more girls and what they could win in our all around." As a mother, Erickson offers an added layer of insight into the rodeo lifestyle. With the addition of Cedona, Erickson admits, "It was really intimidating." With her attitude and work ethic, she adapted quickly, competing in her first rodeo eight days postpartum. Hard work, being prepared, and taking care of business remain driving forces of her daily life. "I make sure I have horses saddled when Cedona goes down for a nap, so I can get as many rode as I can while she sleeps. I never go to a rodeo without somebody helping me, because I'm always going to take care of the horses and warm up adequately. To compete at a high level, it's a priority to make sure Cedona is safe and that I'm not there wasting my time." Quincy Sullivan, a New Mexico native, grew up competing in every rodeo event she could. Former National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) and Resistol Rookie Roundup champion, Sullivan finished 12th in the world in 2023 in the WPRA All Around. Oh, and did I mention her NHSRA title was in the heading, her Rookie Roundup title was in the breakaway, and she finished 12th in the WPRA Rookie Barrel Racing standings last year? Sullivan echoed the struggle of entering two events without the ability to buddy them together, "For the next few weeks, I run barrels one morning and then breakaway that night. Or I have to stay an extra day and not go to something else." As a full time college student competing in multiple events, Sullivan balances her schedule by completing her class work in the mornings and practicing into the night. In 2024, she made the difficult decision to focus Cierra Erickson barrel racing at the Big League. Photo Credit: Bridget Britton Photography on breakaway and barrel racing, but said the transition is eased by team roping jackpots she can attend when she's not on the road rodeoing. Sullivan has also considered the summer run and plans to leave her barrel horse at home for a break, so she can focus on breakaway and enter more efficiently over the Fourth of July. When it comes to working through issues on the road, Sullivan advised, "The dummy is your best friend. But when horses aren't working right, it's hard." The rodeo road is not for the faint of heart and the added complications of competing as a multi-event cowgirl require extra preparation and planning. As Erickson says, sometimes you just have to "find that cowgirl try and figure out how to do it." "It's a crazy life, but it's a really, really good life. At the end of the day, you need to be able to say you did what you were supposed to and that needs to be enough. When you get to win or make the NFR or do some great things, thats phenomenal, but there's a lot of joy in the small things as well.", said Cierra Erickson. Quincy finished 2nd in the breakaway roping in Clovis. Photo Credit: Crystal Amen