At nine years old, Erin Johnson swung her first rope. Standing out front of a barn with her father, she remembers the trademark of the Rattler ropes in those years before EquiBrand–a braided and waxed inch and a half tail that resembled its namesake’s warning mechanism. While no warning was apparent on this ordinary day, this rope sparked the foundation to form a very competitive roper who just a few weeks ago roped one in 1.9 at Fort Worth.
Erin continued roping that bucket on and off for years with a trusted companion by her side: a black pony named Split, a title earned as much for the splits in the tip of its ears as for its speed and ability to take you somewhere “lickety split.” Growing up on the family ranch she and her siblings rode their hellacious ponies all over the countryside, bareback until she got her first saddle and started 4-H. At 12 years old another new milestone came as Erin and her family started team roping on muleys with plastic horns and she continued her horsemanship journey riding her father’s rope horses.
These days gave Erin a tenacious spirit and a desire for a challenge, which still plays out today in her preference for hard running cattle that showcase competitors’ horses, horsemanship, and roping ability. While fast is fun and difficult, she enjoys the strategy that goes into navigating additional changing factors and recognizes the long-term benefits to the sport. Dedicated to helping breakaway roping thrive, Erin has served in a variety of leadership capacities and shares her passion for roping with her husband, PRCA cowboy Darnell Johnson.
Together, they share three children who may rise through the ranch and rodeo ranks, although Erin will let it be of their own choosing. She and Darnell simply desire for their children to adopt the morals and values of the rodeo and agricultural industry, regardless of where their passions and life path leads them. In the meantime, the kids get to go on the rodeo road with their parents and help keep life lighthearted in this high pressure sport.
Traveling alongside them is Erin’s horse Chico who was ranked 3rd in the top breakaway horses of 2021. During this season, he carried Erin through an impressive 67 of the 72 PRCA rodeos she competed in. His absence at the remaining 5 was simply due to her mode of arrival–flying rather than driving.
With a reliable and talented horse like Chico, a childhood growing up on a ranch, a team of sponsors, and a wonderful family by her side, Erin Johnson will undoubtedly continue to stay at the top of her game.
Sponsors: Rattler Ropes, Cinch Jeans, TM Leather, Mod West Jewlery, Semas Ranch
