Ally Bradley competes in the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event recently in Steamboat Springs. Women’s ranch bronc riding will be part of this year’s Cattlemen’s Days celebration.
(PHOTO BY MICHAEL MAGILL)

 

Cattlemen’s Days bringing female bronc riding to Gunnison

 

GUNNISON, Colo. – In the rough-and-tumble world of rodeo, there aren’t many competitors tougher than women who ride bucking horses.

“Their toughness and their willingness to get right in there with the boys is what excites me,” said Kaitlynn Hayes, owner of Rocky Mountain Mini Broncs and KH Bucking Horses, the firm bringing the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships event to Gunnison as part of the annual Cattlemen’s Days celebration.

“Those ladies are tougher than most of the guys that I know. They’re definitely tougher than I am. That’s why I own the broncs.”

This added show – which will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Fred Field Western Center – will be part of the card that includes the return of the Mini Broncs, which had its inaugural run in Gunnison a year ago.

The idea was the brainchild of Kevin Coblentz and Karla Rundell, longtime associates of Cattlemen’s Days. He recognized the history of women’s bronc riding and thought bringing this event to town would be a great way to partner with female-owned businesses to bring a unique Western event to town.

“It’s women supporting women,” Coblentz said. “I’d love to have all eight of our VIP booths to be highlighted by businesses that are run by women. I think this will be a great way to bring everything together and to support not only women, but (also) the ladies in our community that are doing some amazing things.”

Females riding broncs has a history that extends beyond the last century. It became an official event at the Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days in 1906. A decade later, more than 20 rodeos nationwide included it. While there were hills and valleys through the generations, a group of bronc riders, ropers and barrel racers formed the Girls Rodeo Association in 1948.

The GRA is now known as the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association, which sanctions barrel racing and women’s timed events: breakaway roping, team roping and tie-down roping. The ladies riding broncs locally are involved with the Women’s Ranch Bronc Riding Championships, which was established in 2016.

“Gunnison will be one of the first tour stops for the 2027 season,” said Michelle McElroy, who operates the association. “I think we should have some (Australians) and Canadians that will be down that week. We have our U.S. Finals in Steamboat (Colorado) the Fourth of July weekend, and a lot of girls come down for that summer run up till Cheyenne Frontier Days (which begins July 17.

“After Steamboat, we will know who is going to Cheyenne. (Competitors from) Mexico, Europe and Australia would have already been chosen by then.”

It’s adding an international flair to an already entertaining celebration, the culmination being the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, which takes place Thursday, July 9-Saturday, July 11.

“We’ve got an award-winning rodeo, and the committee takes a lot of pride in what we produce,” Coblentz said. “By being able to team with Kaitlynn, putting on something that’s unique for Gunnison but also inspiring. I don’t know if you’re going to find anyone tougher than these ladies.”

Hayes found that out last July, when she produced the mini broncs. She hopes for a good turnout of competitors in both events, and she’d love to kick start a new tradition for Cattlemen’s days.

“I do Cheyenne for (the association) and other events I’m called to do,” Hayes said. “All the girls like our horses, so they keep calling us back.

“I love the Gunnison committee and how involved everybody is. They understand that without what we’re doing with the kids, it’s a chance to really grow interest in rodeo. What that committee is putting into it is awesome, and now with wanting to include the women, it’s like bringing the whole family dynamic together.”