For Jamie Ellsworth, rodeo has always been about relationships. She devotes herself to her horses, her family (especially her nieces and nephews), and her friends. As a third-generation competitor, she carries on a family tradition while also forging her own path in a new location with her own family and friends.
Growing up in Upstate New York, Jamie was entering rodeos alongside her grandparents, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and sisters. In the summer, Upstate New York was full of rodeo opportunities, with weekends often offering five different options of rodeos and jackpots to attend, many sanctioned by the APRA and co-sanctioned by the IPRA.
There was always someone there to push her calf and help her out in the box. Everyone in her family either ropes, runs barrels, or does both (her dad bulldogged too). Jamie ran barrels herself for years and still enjoys it, although she focuses solely on the roping now.
This family thread is ever apparent in her life, and her very best horse and the one that made her whole career was one her brother gave her named Spook. Even up until he turned 26, he helped Jamie qualify for every Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) Finals. After years of carrying her to victory and joyful moments, Spook now enjoys retirement as king of their barn, staying fat and sassy as he celebrates his 28th birthday this year.
Another one of her fine horses came from her uncle and was his primary rodeo horse until he began slowing down some and not spending as much time on the circuit. This horse, Spooner, fit right in with his “S” name and winning drive. An extra special benefit comes from his having been trained by her uncle. Her final “S” is Scooter, a horse she trained with a focus on long scores.
In 2005, Jamie came to North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Today, Jamie lives in Pageland, South Carolina, with her husband Alex, a heeler in the team roping. She serves as the Breakaway Director for the Southern Rodeo Association (SRA) and is also on the Board of Directors for the rodeo organization. In addition to her volunteer work with the SRA, and her own competition and practice, Jamie works full time for an all-encompassing farm outfit (cattle, trucks, pinestraw, etc.).
Jamie takes great pride in her horses and doesn’t skimp on practicing or conditioning them. She will ride at least five out of the seven days each week whether there is a rodeo on the horizon or not. She will rope 2-3 days, ranging from roping the dummy on the ground to roping the sled. depending on the weather conditions in the arena.
Since moving here, she has made the SRA finals every year except for one, and shared a particularly special moment with Alex when they both won the world in the IPRA in the same year (2012).
Her favorite rodeo today is the rodeo in Gates, NC. She has won it 8 or 9 times, and finds it consistently to have a good crowd and be hospitable, even if it is a long haul from her S.C. home.
Her wins come with her Cactus Hooey Core 9.5 rope in hand, and she loves the way the rope feels and the way it has body but also stays open. She also uses Cactus boots and a Cactus saddle and is proud to be sponsored by Cactus.
With East Coast competition getting as tough as it is in the rest of the country, Jamie strives to be her best. In her service as the Breakaway Director, she watches the growth of the sport and is confident it will continue to grow, stating like the Field of Dreams movie, “if you build it, they will come.” This is an especially exciting time for youth ropers such as her sister who ropes in Kentucky.
Jamie is quick to mention she couldn’t do any of this without her amazing group of friends who support each other always–win, lose, or draw. And she references professional breakaway roper Shelby Meged (formerly Boisjoli) to say, if you’re not enjoying the journey, why do it?
So, Jamie and her friends find joy in the journey and in doing so, add a wealth of passion to the sport.
