PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — If you’ve ever been to a rodeo, you’ve heard the phrase “breaking barriers.”
Thankfully, Wilsonville’s Mattie Turner didn’t do that literally while performing at the St. Paul Rodeo on Tuesday, but he certainly did figuratively.
“This is truly history being made and it’s fun to be a part of,” said Turner, who participated in the first breakaway roping competition in rodeo history.
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In breakaway roping, a cowgirl catches a calf with a rope, which is attached to the saddle with a small string. Once the calf is caught by the rope, the saddle string breaks, at which point the time stops. The shorter the time, the better the result.
Traditionally, this event has not been part of the main rodeo, but has become more and more accepted over the last few years.
“I’m so excited,” Turner said of his reaction when he found out St. Paul’s was adding the event. “It’s been a long wait. For two years I was always wondering, ‘When is St. Paul’s going to add it?’ There’s just so much that they had to do to make it happen. They need to add more contestants, they need to add more livestock, they need to add more funding. So I just kudos to them for doing everything right and adding us.”
The addition of the event also signals a larger movement in rodeo: For the past few years, barrel racing was the only event in the sport that women could compete in professionally.
“This means a lot to us because it’s another way for girls to get involved in rodeo. A lot of us love rodeo, but if barrel racing isn’t our thing, then it’s over after college, so it’s great that they’ve added the breakaway,” Turner said. “I’m happy that other little girls have something to look forward to and can get involved in rodeo.”
Turner said this is just the beginning and he hopes the event one day becomes a permanent part of rodeo at the highest level.
“To go to every rodeo that the PRCA sponsors and see the prize money be equal across the board, and eventually go to the NFR (National Championships) and have equal prize money along with the other events,” Turner said of his goals for the sport. “I’d like to see that happen. I think we’re heading in the right direction. It’s going to take time, but it’s worth the wait.”
But in the meantime, Turner wants to express how grateful he is, and wants others to do so as well.
“I think the most important thing is to say thank you to St. Paul and let them know we all really appreciate it,” Mattie said.
Just then, as if to add an exclamation point, Turner’s horse, Don Juan, neighed.
