Goat Tying - Laura Pittman

Carolina Cowgirls: Joleigh Galloway

Joleigh Galloway has a knack for learning new things quickly and then turning around to teach someone else and pass that knowledge forward. A high school junior from Liberty, SC, Joleigh competes in breakaway roping, barrel racing, goat tying, pole bending, and team roping. In addition, she does leatherwork under her business Diamond G Leatherworks.

Joleigh has been around rodeo for many years. She was running barrels on a leadline at 2 years old and sat on a whole bunch of horses before then. Her dad is a long-time pickup man with several different rodeo associations and also judges some. Before she was born, he traveled on the team roping circuit as well. With her dad’s fine teaching, Joleigh began competing in the Foothills Youth Rodeo Association at around three years old.

Breakaway Roping Goat Tying Horses

East Coast Calf Ropers: Emma Reynolds

Six Mile, South Carolina, a community home to less than 1,000 people, is home to a special cowgirl named Emma Reynolds.

Currently in her senior year of high school, Emma finds a way to make the most of every day, finding the joy in life and working to make her dreams come true. A talented breakaway roper and goat tying, she stays involved in her church and community while going down the rodeo road.

It’s a family endeavor with the Reynolds and for Emma, rodeo is deep in her blood — in fact, she went to her first rodeo at 3 weeks old.

Barrel Racing Breakaway Roping Goat Tying Horses

East Coast Calf Ropers: Gracie Fritts

Gracie Fritts attitude and faith are as notable as her roping talent. The Lexington, North Carolina cowgirl has had her fair share of setbacks on the rodeo road. Rather than become discouraged, she has allowed it to shape her outlook in a way that lets her enjoy the game and appreciate her horses and the God-given opportunities before her.

Breakaway Roping Clinician Goat Tying Horses Steer Wrestling Youth

Rodeo U: Where Cowboys and Cowgirls Go to School

Some folks are born with rodeo in their blood. Maybe it is genetic, or maybe it is a God-given surprise. Perhaps it is both. From the first glimpse of the arena lights, a stirring happens deep inside. When this is paired with a love of horses, passion is born.

Occasionally people have the opportunity to act on this innate passion from childhood, but many grow up in neighborhoods removed from the rodeo world. These individuals have to work extra hard and burn up the highway to make their goals and dreams come true.