NLBRA Spotlight: Faith, Family and the Making of a World Champion

From youth riders to professionals, we sit down with the people making a difference in our equestrian and rodeo communities. Kicking things off is Josie, an NLBRA breakaway roper whose faith, family and grit have made a real impression on us. Below, she opens up about the horses who shaped her, the last-minute mount swap that led to a World Championship, and the lessons in faith and resilience she's carrying forward.

1. How did you first get introduced to horses, and how did that lead you to NLBRA?

My entire family rodeoed for years, so I’ve always been around horses. But I really became interested in rodeo when I was about 7. My cousin Clarke was competing in Little Britches, and I used to watch him practice a lot. I thought it looked like so much fun and decided I wanted to try it for myself. Almost everyone in my family rodeos in some way, so I’ve always had people around me to learn from, practice with and cheer me on.

2. What’s been your proudest moment as a rider so far?

I’m proudest of how I’ve learned to handle a bad run. Instead of getting mad about it, I try to stop, pray and thank God for keeping my horse and me safe. I remind myself that even when a run doesn’t go the way I wanted, it could have been much worse. Then I ask Him to help me keep my attitude under control and move forward.

My faith is a really important part of rodeo for me. It helps me stay grounded and remember what matters most.

3. What do you hope to carry with you from your NLBRA years, wherever the road goes next?

Even if God has my friends and me on different paths, I hope we can stay close and not drift apart. I’ve made friends through Little Britches who feel like family, and I hope those friendships continue long after our years competing together are over.

4. Tell us about the horses you ride. Is there one that has taught you the most about riding, or even about yourself?

All the horses I ride are hands-down incredible, and I thank God every day for them. They are all very different, though, so the biggest thing they have taught me is how to adjust quickly.

I might have to go from riding one style of horse to a completely different style of horse at the drop of a hat. Learning how to listen to each horse, change the way I ride and meet them where they are has made me a much more adaptable rider.

5. Tell us about having to compete on your cousin’s horse at the World Championship.

A few weeks before Nationals, I went to catch my good horse, Arrow, to practice and realized he had a big cut near his back left foot. He was acting really sore, so I knew I couldn’t compete on him.

My normal backup breakaway horse was also hurt. My next option was my ribbon roping horse, but I was already competing on him in ribbon roping at Nationals. Because breakaway is such a fast event, my dad and I were worried that using him for both might make it harder for me to get him moving forward enough for the ribbon roping.

That’s when my cousin Clarke offered to let me use Bam. He wasn’t planning to enter her in the tie-down, so I practiced on her for the first time only a few weeks before Nationals. It was definitely nerve-wracking.

She ran closer to the cow than I normally like my breakaway horses to be, so we fought each other a little in the beginning. But I’ve been blessed with an amazing dad and family who are the best coaches and cheerleaders in the world. They helped me get her backed off a little, and after that, we fit together like peanut butter and jelly.

I kept reminding myself that God had allowed everything to happen for a reason. I just had to trust that He would take care of us, whether it went the way we wanted or not.

6. Who inspires you most in the horse world?

My family inspires me most. Almost everyone in my family rodeos, and I’ve grown up watching how hard they work. They are always there to coach me, encourage me and remind me to keep working, even when things are difficult.

They are also my biggest cheerleaders. Having a family that understands rodeo and gets to practice and compete together makes it even more special.

7. How has the rodeo community shown up for you along the way?

I can be really hard on myself. I’ve been working on it, but I still have days when I struggle.

When that happens, someone from my rodeo family always seems to come find me, encourage me and lift me back up. It’s really special to know that there are people outside of my immediate family who believe in me and care about how I’m doing.

8. You’re known for helping younger contestants. Why does that matter to you?

Kids are so much fun to be around, and I’ve always loved helping people. I was fortunate to have my grandfather, dad and mom there to help me when I was learning, and I enjoy being able to support younger contestants now.

My favorite part is watching something finally click for them. Whether they understand something they’ve been working on or make a really good run, I love celebrating with them. Helping them is fun, but seeing how proud and excited they are afterward is the best feeling in the whole wide world.

9. What advice would you give to younger ropers or kids just starting out in rodeo?

Always keep God first. Keep your head down, keep working and don’t let one bad run change your attitude or make you give up.

10. Who’s your all-time favorite “heart horse,” and why?

I honestly can’t choose between Bam, the horse I won the World Championship on, and Raven, the horse my Uncle Buddy gifted me before he passed away. They are both insanely good horses, and they are both my babies.

Raven is my good barrel and pole horse, and we eventually made her into a breakaway and heel horse too. Uncle Buddy loved hearing about how Raven and I were doing, and he was ecstatic when we started roping on her. He loved watching our videos.

Raven is also special because my family raised her from a baby. When my cousins and I were told to each choose a colt, I was the last one to pick because I was a very indecisive little kid. Then Raven walked right up to me and started sniffing all over me. I remember thinking, “I want this one. She likes me. She’s going to be mine, and I’m going to be hers.”

We also own Raven’s sire and stand him at stud. She carries Uncle Buddy’s Walking C brand, which came from his last name, Chapman. Uncle Buddy wanted each of us to have a baby by his stud, so Raven represents a piece of his legacy. She reminds me of him all the time. I often look at her and think about how proud he would be of how far she has come.

Bam is equally special in a different way. She and Raven both fit me like a glove. They are sassy, love attention and will let me know when they don’t understand what I’m asking. Bam also puts up with almost anything I throw at her. Sometimes I swear she looks at me like, “Woman, what were you thinking?” But she doesn’t get bothered easily, and she has always taken care of me.

I could never choose between them. They both mean far too much to me.

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