COWGIRL Q&A
Life on the Rodeo Road with
NICOLE
BAGGARLEY
BY KEYLIE KEMBLE
NFR BREAKAWAY ROPER MAJOR REGULAR SEASON RODEO WINS: •• Back When They Bucked (Deadwood, South Dakota), $2,802 •• Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, South Dakota), $3,552 •• Cheyenne (Wyoming) Frontier Days, $13,191
T
he biggest dream of any cowboy or cowgirl is to compete at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. As of last year, the NFR has added breakaway roping to the event roster as another chance for cowgirls to show off their talent and hard work. Before last year, breakaway was strictly held at the Women’s Pro Rodeo Finals, organized through the WPRA. In the interview below, I am excited to talk to Nicole Baggarley about the rodeo road, hours spent, horses trained, and teamwork it takes to make it to the NFR. Nicole Baggarley is a 2021 NFR Breakaway Qualifier who grew up in Mountainair, New Mexico and now resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
WHAT DOES HAVING BREAKAWAY IN THE NFR MEAN TO YOU? “It means everything. It is huge to have new opportunities given to us cowgirls. It’s been an amazing outlet for women and girls to continue breakaway roping after college. Before this opportunity, breakaway was an event that was only included in amateur rodeos and jackpots.” HOW DID YOU GET INTO BREAKAWAY ROPING? “I was a die-hard barrel racer and pole bender when I was younger. As I started getting older and moving into tougher age groups, I needed an edge, so my dad made me start roping. In the beginning, I honestly didn’t want to rope and it wasn’t part of my long term plan, but I couldn’t be happier.” HORSEPOWER IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IN BREAKAWAY ROPING. THIS EVENT REQUIRES A HORSE THAT CAN SCORE STRAIGHT, RUN FAST, AND STOP HARD. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HORSES? “Calamity is my baby. She is the first horse I raised and trained on my own. She is a running bred mare which most people think don’t make good breakaway horses, but she never outran me or gives me a bad shot. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my main girl. She was born two days before my birthday and has been the sweetest, best horse to be around and travel with. She is truly my best friend.
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