Buckin’ right! Alberta school launches athletes in women’s bronc riding

The Women's Only Ranch Bronc School is helping Alberta women launch their careers in a fast-rising rodeo sport.

Women and girls are learning the ropes about a fast-rising rodeo sport through a program offered in Alberta.

Lasting eight seconds on a wildly kicking horse is the goal for participants of Women’s Only Ranch Bronc School, which has been running near Cochrane since 2022.

“I love feeling the adrenaline,” said Bailey Zuehlke, a ranch bronc rider from Fort Macleod.

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Many rodeos include a saddle bronc event using a specialized saddle, but ranch bronc uses a regular western saddle that riders hold with two hands instead of one. One hand grips a rein while the other holds a rope (also called a night latch).

The Women’s Ranch Bronc Championships (WRBC) was founded in 2016 in the United States after calls from female athletes who wanted to buck tradition and compete in men’s ranch bronc riding events.

Since then, the sport has been rapidly gaining popularity, spreading to Canada, Australia, Europe and Mexico and attracted attention on social media.

“It’s easier for us to actually spread it and show that the girls can do it and be good at it,” said Pearl Body, who runs Women’s Only Ranch Bronc School. She’s also the Ponoka Canadian Finals Champion and the Canadian Finals Reserve Champion.

“I’ve seen a big incline in contestants starting. I put on two schools a year up here and it’s just been full and a full waitlist,” she added.

That’s no surprise to 19-year-old Sophia Bunney from Two Hills, who had been dreaming of getting on a bronc long before the school or the women’s division even existed.

“When I was in Grade 3 we had to do an assignment (asking) what do you want to do when you grow up, and I said I want to be a female bronc rider,” said Bunney, who has taken part in Women’s Only Ranch Bronc School.

“Everyone kind of laughed in my class and said you’re a woman you can’t do that … and now look at me.”

Body says the schools she teaches include lessons on protocols, equipment and techniques that prioritize safety.

When they are ready, participants are paired with bucking stock tailored to their skill level.

One-on-one coaching includes reviewing video replay can help athletes excel in the sport, and potentially compete for a national WRBC title or in the World Finals in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Achieving personal goals are just as important.

Emma Eastwood, a ranch bronc rider from Calgary, took part in two schools and said learning the ropes gives riders a leg up beyond the sport.

“It’s helps in other areas of my life. If I’m nervous to go scrambling on a hike (I think to myself if) I can do this… why can’t I do that?” she said.

“It just helps to push me a little further in aspects of other sports and trying new things.”

Body says the confidence boost is why some people sign up despite not planning on competing — though sometimes that changes after they take the school.

“It could be you just broke up with someone, some of us have kids, you’ve got a lot of stuff going on, or your self-image is a huge one … and a lot that stuff will come out when you get on a horse,” Body said.

“Some of those girls that come in just for the confidence … and then they’ll do well and they’ll get a fire in them.”

The school aims to empower and riders hope that spreads too.

In February, Zuehlke was the only Canadian competing in ranch bronc in the Hawaii Ranch Rodeo and beat out all the other women and men to win the buckle.

“(It’s) pretty incredible to watch the sport grow and I hope it inspires other little girls to prove they can do big things for themselves,” she said.

Alberta kicks off its Women’s Ranch Bronc season this year with the Bighorn Stampede in Caroline on May 15 and the Canadian Finals in Cochrane on June 27.

WRBC events will also take place in Cardston, Chesteremere, Crossfield, Peers, Water Valley, Wildwood and Writing on Stone.