story by Lindsay Humphrey
By the end of Cowboy Christmas, a rookie found herself at the top of the women’s all-around race in the RMPRA. That name was Breyer Newman from Rigby, Idaho. “My older siblings (Baden and Braily) got into the RMPRA and I wasn’t sure if I would get to enough rodeos this year to warrant buying my card too because I had high school rodeo this spring and I was in between horses for a bit,” said the 18-year-old. “My brother bought my card for me and told me that I wouldn’t regret it. I’ve made it to a lot more rodeos than I expected. I’ve been winning some money, so I haven’t needed to work at home as much to pay for entries.” As the summer draws to a close, Breyer’s concluded that her older brother was correct.
“Since Idaho high school rodeo is split into districts, I don’t get to see as many of my friends during the season. In the summer we all go to rodeos together and get to see a lot more of each other. The best part is that it’s warm and sunny because our spring rodeos are mostly all rainy and cold in the spring.” While high school rodeo is challenging, nothing can fully prepare a competitor to step up on the professional stage. Even though her first year in the RMPRA has been challenging, Breyer’s met everything and everyone who’s come her way head on. “Pro rodeo is way more intense and obviously there’s more money on the line and we’re all traveling a lot. It’s been an adjustment, but this summer has shown me that pro rodeo is fun and that it’s something I want to do later on.”
Headed to Bozeman, Montana, to pursue a degree in business management and accounting at Montana State University, Breyer will be competing for the wildcats thanks to a rodeo scholarship. She’s bringing her skills in breakaway roping, barrels, goat tying and team roping to the table for her team. Goat tying is one of her favorite events, but it’s very clear that breakaway roping and barrel racing are two of her best events at the moment. Breyer finished her senior year as the IHSRA District Four all-around, breakaway and barrel racing champion. It’s a first-time accomplishment for her in high school rodeo but chasing all around titles by way of fast calves and clover leaf patterns isn’t new for Breyer. This year alone she was the all-around cowgirl at the Panguitch Invitational High School Rodeo and the High Desert Junior Rodeo Association.
All these titles were earned on the back of Breyer’s main mount, Effie. “We got Effie a few years ago as a barrel prospect that I could move up on. I wasn’t sure if she was the right fit for me.” At the time, Breyer was in between rope horses and so Effie stepped into the box for a go. “I got her started in breakaway and the more I roped on her the better she ran, the more we clicked and got used to each other.” The team’s been almost unstoppable ever since. Even though they won their district and made it back to the short round at state finals, Breyer and Effie came up short when qualifying for nationals. “She worked amazing and is solid for me every time. She’s my main one and has won the most for me but I have a few young ones that I can run also. I try to give her a break whenever I can.”
Even though rodeo’s been part of Breyer’s whole life, it was a new venture for her parents – Tom and Kathryn. “My parents grew up around horses on the ranch, but my brother was the one who got my family into it. My sister and I followed his lead because we were going to his rodeos anyways.” Some of Breyer’s first and best memories of rodeo come from the early days competing in the local junior rodeo association. One memorable pole run stands out as a favorite for Breyer. “I was probably 5 when I ran poles on this big Appaloosa. He turned the end pole and I got rocked behind the saddle. Everyone was freaking out, but I just rode it home.” Earlier that day, Breyer was goofing around by riding behind the saddle when she got in trouble with her parents for it. Much to their dismay at the time, that goofing off was good practice.
