I learned about Katie through seeing her kind offer to help a mutual friend getting started in the world of breakaway roping. I was later able to chat with her some and discovered the many talents and passions of this Colorado cowgirl.
The ranch and the lifestyle have trickled down through the generations in the Jolly family, but Katie has made another name for herself while competing in barrel racing, team roping, and breakaway roping competitions. In addition to competing, she trains horses and manages her own herd of cattle.
When asked about her breeding program, she mentioned recognizable names on both sides such as Frenchman’s Guy, Dash for Cash, and Corona Cartel. Pairing the ability to run with cow sense, and then ensuring the horses had the sound mind to be around family members without concern, Jolly strives to get a versatile mount. The ideal finished product is a horse with a good mind, who you can haul to the rodeo and win off of in multiple events, or rope with at the jackpot. Aside from the pride that comes from competing on a horse you raised and helped develop, Katie finds pleasure in the time spent roping off young horses, riding them outside the arena, and dreaming of having a string for herself, her sister, and her nieces and nephews to compete off of at the top level.
While home is still Colorado, Jolly spends part of the year in Arizona, which enables her to be close to many jackpots. When not ranching, she is barrel racing, and when not barrel racing she is roping. No stranger to competition, Katie has ridden at well-known events such as the World’s Richest in Montana, and the Cheyenne rodeo. She ran barrels in Cody, Wyoming, and also qualified for the American, the latter of which she hopes to return to.
Despite all these major accomplishments, she stays humble, and is quick to speak of learning to enjoy the process and appreciate each horse’s journey. A talented woman, she can kill a rattlesnake with a rope, and loves a good challenge.
Katie Jolly is one to watch in the arena and in the western world, who will undoubtedly be offering up quality roping instruction, fine horses at reputable sales, and a great deal of support to initiatives bettering the sport of breakaway roping.
A few fun facts and pieces of advice from Katie:
Her motto: It’s not winning and losing, you either win or you learn something. But even if you win, you still learn something.
Advice to beginners: Most of the good people you watch started where you are. They might have had more resources, or been younger, but that’s okay. It doesn’t matter where you start, so long as you keep going. Spend time around people who want to help and keep it in your heart. A beginner always has a chance even against more seasoned folks, so believe in yourself.
Favorite rope: Willard 3 strand 9.5…great value–they last and are impressive on the ranch and in the arena. Durability and reliability.
