Published: February 08, 2008 04:27 pm            

Holding her own

Christina Childs

For professional saddle bronc rider Kaila Mussell, the memory of her first go around in the arena aboard a bronc was far from descriptive, in fact, she summed it up with one word, “brief,” but despite its lack of fanfare, Kaila was certain about one aspect, “It all went by so fast,” she said. “I can’t really recall what I did, but I definitely knew I wanted to go back for more.”

Kaila, the daughter of famed saddle bronc rider Jack Mussell, came by her destiny naturally.

Growing up in Canada, she enjoyed a childhood spent on horseback. Starting out in pony clubs and junior rodeo rings, Kaila eventually found her way into the world of professional competition.

“I progressed from barrel racing and riding steers to trick riding, and I did that for about six years,” Kaila said. “I had the opportunity to perform at the Calgary Stampede and other pro rodeos.

“In 2001, I started riding broncs, at the age of 21, which is a late age to start, but it was something I always wanted to do and I was looking for a new challenge.”

After earning her badge in the saddle bronc ring, working her way through amateur competitions, Kaila set her sights on becoming a professional, a task that would revitalize the role of pioneering cowgirls of the past, while at the same time putting in motion a potential rough stock revolution.

“I had done really well in the semi-pro associations up in Canada and in the western states, so I decided I wanted to go pro,” she said. “I did the research, and read the rule book. It didn’t say anything about women being unable to compete, and actually it’s pretty open in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) about there’s no discrimination from gender or race and different things.”

In order to become, a PRCA card holding member, every hopeful must fulfill the same requirements, earning at least $1,000 in winnings.

Kaila’s journey began in the small homegrown town of Prideville, Ore. where she rode to the money window and became accustomed to media mania.

“They made a big deal out of it because they realized I was a woman that had placed and it was the first time in history that any woman had placed in any of the rough stock events in pro rodeo,” she said.

Being a woman also added a social obstacle to overcome. Breaking into a world dominated by men, posed in some senses an overwhelming task, but surprising to Kaila the measure of man was equal to that of woman if the goal was the same.

“As a woman, everyone is going to pay attention and notice,” she said. “At first, it’s kind of disbelief that you’re riding, that you’re actually going to be getting on broncs. They think, ‘women can’t ride broncs,’ but once they see you out there trying, doing the same thing and doing it for the same reason they are, they have a lot of respect for you.”

Fans reacted to Kaila’s entrance in a similar fashion.

“The fans have been really positive,” she said. “I tend to be a fan favorite when they know that I’m a woman competing against men, the only woman.

“Most of the time the fans, regardless of how I do, they are really excited to see that because it kind of opens up opportunities in their mind that maybe they are capable of doing other things.”

Kaila continued her journey and earned her pro card in Florida, winning money and notoriety along the way. Eventually, knee surgery, combined with a severe shoulder dislocation which was followed by another trip to the surgeons table, ended her season early, but didn’t damper her aspirations in the least.

After returning to the arena in early 2007, she went on to place in a number of big shows including a Top 10 finish in the Mesquite Championship Series. Her successful return to the pro rodeo world, ignited a new interest in her quest to become the first woman ever to tote the title of World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, but although she aimed to be the first to be crowned queen, there have been others who have gone down her road before.

“Kaila’s riding saddle broncs is not something new in the pro rodeo world, but it’s kind of a revival,” said Jim Bainbridge, senior public relations coordinator for the PRCA. “There haven’t been very many women that have attempted to do this in a long time. And something unique about Kaila is she’s proved herself over a period of years, when she’s healthy, of being a very competitive rider.”

Four-time Cowgirl Hall of Fame nominee, and legendary saddle maker, Wendy Allen, said there is no question as to the impact Kaila is having in the arena and around the world.

“Kaila Mussell is changing the face of pro rodeo,” Allen said. “She is making it easy for any other woman who would ever want to do this; she’s doing ground breaking, history making advances for women, not only for women, but for the American dream.”

Breaking records and blazing trails, although significant moments, were never main motivations for Kaila, in the beginning, it was simply about following her passion.

“Initially, when I started riding, it was just about me and wanting to accomplish what I set out to do,” Kaila said. “First, it was learning how to ride broncs, from there, compete and do well against men, from there, get my pro card. Initially, it was just about me and when I got asked that question I said, ‘No, I’m not doing this for women, I’m doing it for myself because I love it and I want to do it.’

“As I have gotten older and looking at it, I think it’s actually really cool that I am being a pioneer with what I do and opening doors for women in the sense that they can look at me when they thought they would never see a woman out there and now they are.”

Although becoming a role model was an unintentional byproduct of Kaila’s success Bainbridge said it would be almost impossible for a rider in her shoes not to be an inspiration to others.

“Her story isn’t widely known yet and I think to whatever extent her story gets out there in the world, it will encourage other young women around the country to think more seriously about going beyond junior programs and trying to make a go of it at the professional level,” he said.

Despite a number of setbacks, including major surgeries and a couple of shoulder dislocations, Kaila hopes to make 2008 the year her story is primetime.

“My ultimate goal is the NFR,” she said. “That’s where I plan to be next year in December, and if all goes well, that’s where I’ll be.”

As she sets her sights on the upcoming season, many will be watching from the wings, cheering her on, and in many respects, riding right along with her as she paves the way for women everywhere to follow in her footsteps.

“To be a role model, now, even when I get bucked off, just the fact that I get on and have these people looking up to me, it kind of makes it easier because you’re like, ‘If nothing else, I’m doing good in terms of equality and giving people hope that there are other possibilities in life,’” she said.

        

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