St. Paul Rodeo adds breakaway roping event for first time in 87-year history

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- If you’ve ever been to a rodeo, you’ve heard the term “breaking the barrier”.

Thankfully, Wilsonville’s Mattie Turner didn’t literally do that when she performed at the St. Paul Rodeo on Tuesday, but she certainly did do that metaphorically.

“It’s history being made really, and it’s fun to be a part of,” said Turner, who was a part of the rodeo’s first-ever breakaway roping event.

Breakaway roping features a cowgirl lassoing a calf. That rope is attached to the saddle by a small string. Once the calf is lassoed, it breaks the string on the saddle and that’s when the time stops. The lower the time, the better the result.

Traditionally, the event has not been a part of major rodeos, but over the past few years, it’s gained more and more acceptance.

“So excited,” said Turner of her reaction when she found out St. Paul would be adding the event. “Been waiting for a long time. For a couple of years, I was always like, ‘When’s St. Paul going to add it?’ There’s a lot that they had to do to make it work. It’s more contestants, more livestock, more added money, so just kudos to them for doing everything right and adding us in.”

The addition of the event also signals a larger movement within the rodeo. Prior to the previous few years, the only event women could do professionally in the sport was barrel racing.

“It means a lot because it’s another way for women to be a part of rodeo. A lot of us love it, but if you’re not into barrel racing, then that’s the end of it after college, so to have breakaway added, it’s amazing,” said Turner. “It’s good to see that other little girls have something to look forward to and can be a part of rodeo as well.”

Turner hopes that this is just the beginning and that someday the event can be a permanent part of rodeo at the highest of levels.

“Just to see us at every rodeo that the PRCA has and equal money across the board. Eventually, being at the NFR (National with the other events with equal money,” said Turner of her goals for the sport. “That’s where I would love to see it go. I think it’s headed in the right direction. It’ll take time, but it’ll be worth the wait.”

In the meantime, though, Turner wants to express how grateful she is and so does someone else as well.

“I think most importantly it’s just saying thanks to St. Paul and letting them know how appreciative we all are of it, really,” said Mattie.

Right on cue, as if to add an exclamation point, Turner's horse, Don Juan, neighed.