The Decibel The women changing the face of Canadian rodeo
Jul 4, 2025
Jana Pruden, a Globe feature writer, dives into the evolving world of Canadian rodeo, focusing on the rise of women in breakaway roping. She highlights the groundbreaking inclusion of a women's event at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for the first time in history. The discussion sheds light on the historical struggles for recognition and equal pay in a male-dominated sport. With inspiring stories of pioneering women, Pruden captures the passion and determination driving female competitors to carve out their rightful space in rodeo.
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Rodeo Rooted in Ranch Work
- Rodeo events stem from essential ranching skills like roping cattle.
- Competing in rodeos requires constant travel and is a challenging lifestyle for real cowboys and cowgirls.
Breakaway Roping Explained
- Breakaway roping is the second women's rodeo event; it’s fast-paced and timed to the fraction of seconds.
- The event ends when the rope tied to the saddle breaks after roping the calf’s neck, ensuring calf safety.
Breakaway Roping’s Rapid Growth
- Breakaway roping’s rise to inclusion in rodeos is an organic movement driven by advocacy and grassroots efforts.
- The sport grew from under two dozen rodeos in 2019 to over 500 rodeos recently in the U.S.