Opportunities for women in rodeo are expanding at a rapid pace, and the WRC continues to be at the forefront—especially with the addition of the Goat Tying Showcase during the 2025 WRWC.
Torrington, Wyoming, cowgirl Haiden Thompson is particularly excited for this addition, as she sits atop the Goat Tying leaderboard after a successful fall college rodeo season.
“I’m super excited for it, and it’s so cool that they’ve added it,” Thompson said. “I think there’s going to be a lot of interest in it because college rodeo really is a last stop for goat tyers. Being able to still compete and run at some good money is amazing. We’ve had three college rodeos so far this fall and have two left. The first one didn’t go as planned, but the second and third went very well, so I was thankful about that. Hopefully, it continues going well and I can stay up there in the leaderboard.”
After completing an associate’s degree in business, the 20-year-old cowgirl is continuing her education and college rodeo career at Gillette College.
“My coach is great, and I’m part of a great team,” she said. “I’ve been to the College Finals twice, and I’ve had some pretty good luck both years. I’m excited to go back again next year. Hopefully, that’s in the cards for the future.”
For Thompson, rodeo is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life. Since beginning her rodeo career as a small child, her passion and goals have only grown, and having an online course load gives her the ability to spend more time in the arena.
“I have a lot of horses here at the house, so I’m busy with them when I’m not on the road,” she said. “I plan on getting my [Pro] card and ProRodeoing this coming year. I have a lot of goals, one of them being to win the Resistol Rookie in the breakaway next year and I would really like to try and make the finals. I’m also super excited for the WRWC and always have high expectations and hopes for that.”
As a rodeo athlete, preparation for what often amounts to mere seconds of actual performance consists of months, or even years, of practicing and refining your skills.
“Whether it’s goat tying, roping, barrel racing or whatever you’re doing in life, the mental side of it is super important,” she said. “I put in all the work at home before the rodeo and then just treat the rodeos like another practice run. You have to tell yourself, ‘You’ve practiced and you know how to do it, so let the chips fall into place how they’re supposed to.’”
As she begins to look to the next step in her rodeo career, Thompson applauds the ever-growing opportunities given to women who want to rodeo full-time.
“There’s so much money being added to these events, and now us girls can be out there and have a chance to rodeo and do this for a living instead of just for fun,” Thompson said.
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