The rise of women in rodeo
Saioa San Francisco Arilla
Chinook Writer
Elli Rettinger, a physical therapy major and Casper College Rodeo Team member, competes in goat tying.
In the Casper College rodeo arena, women are breaking barriers and rewriting the rules of athleticism. Cowgirls rewriting the storybooks of rodeo. Back in 1920, women couldn’t even participate in rodeo.
Elli Rettinger, a CC cowgirl studying physical therapy at Casper College said, “As the times are changing, more women are getting into it, which is great.”
The women’s team at CC didn´t have a coach until this year, making the women’s rodeo team less popular.
Rettinger said, “In past years we had eight people on the team. This year we have 20 girls, and now that we have a female coach I think the numbers will get bigger.”
In a sport traditionally dominated by men, the rise of women in rodeo is a story of courage, perseverance, and a lot of heart. Women like Rettinger try every day to prove they belong in the sport. Rettinger continued with her disciplined approach to the rodeo even with a broken ankle.
She said she told the doctor, “You are not putting me in a cast. I would wear a boot walking around but not when I am on my horse.”
The women share an amazing passion for the sport, and they will do anything to keep participating.
Rettinger said, “I´ve been doing this since I was born. It is like second nature for me.”
It’s not just about winning medals or setting records, it’s about breaking barriers and blazing trails, showing the world that women belong in the saddle just as much as men.
Differences between genders in the sport can be challenging for the female athletes.
“I try not to affect me, but generally it does affect a lot of women,” Rettinger said.
Rettinger explained that the breakaway roping event at the National Finals Rodeo in Vegas doesn’t let women run in the same building as men. As more women enter this sport, they are trying to come together and push event organizers to allow the women to compete in the same building as the men. She also explained that some men look down on women when they try to rope.
Rettinger said, “I think it affects women more subconsciously than they think.”
Although women are still fighting for equal footing in the sport, the rodeo industry is working on equality of genders.
Cowgirl Bobbi Krammerer, a nursing student at CC said, “The rodeo industry has leveled the money to be won out in the last decade. Different associations create different opportunities for both men and women.”
At CC, the female rodeo athelets are challenging stereotypes and proving that the arena is no place for gender discrimination. Their journey hasn’t been without its challenges. They’ve faced skepticism and prejudice, but they’ve refused to back down, pushing through the obstacles with a determination and belief in themselves.
