Bozeman, Montana – This weekend, senior Bobcat Paige Rasmussen will compete in her last rodeo at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, and she can’t wait to get back in the ring.
She claims that her family has been involved in rodeo for many years. However, Shelby Rasmussen, her older sister, and the current assistant coach motivated her to start competing in the sixth grade.
She now participates in four events and has the title of Women’s All-Around Champion at the 2021 College National Finals while completing her undergraduate degree at MSU.
Along with breakaway roping, team roping, and barrel racing, she claims that goat tying is both her favorite and best event.
She races her horse into the ring to practice goat tying, jumps off at full speed, catches a goat that is fastened to a stake, and ties up its legs. This activity is timed.
“I think goat tying is my favorite because it all comes down to who works the hardest. It’s not about who has the most resources. It’s not about who has the nice horses. It’s all about the work you put in,” Rasmussen said. “And you know that these girls in the arena, when they do well, you know, it’s all because of their work ethic.”
Rasmussen said she feels confident and prepared to enjoy competing on her home field because this is her last rodeo at the Brick and she recently recovered from a small injury during the fall season.
“I’m not trying to put any pressure on myself, not trying to prove anything. I’m just trying to live it up in here because this is the most amazing atmosphere in rodeoing and I’m surrounded by people that I love and people that I go to school with,” Rasmussen said. “And I know how fun it is to be in here because I’ve competed in here and I just want to feel that rush again.”
The Rasmussen family is not just incredibly musical but also participates in rodeo. At the start of the first performance on Thursday night, Paige and Shelby sang the national anthem.
Her first activities begin on Friday morning, and she will continue through Friday night and the weekend.
