A Women’s Only Ranch Bronc School in Alberta is training women to compete in ranch bronc riding to launch their professional rodeo careers [1, 2].
The program challenges long-standing rodeo traditions that have historically excluded women from this specific discipline [2, 4]. By providing a dedicated training environment, the school aims to create new career pathways, and grow the sport across the province [2, 4].
Participants include Emma Eastwood of Calgary and Sophia Bunney, 18 [1], of Cessford. The riders focus on the technical skills required for the fast-rising discipline, which emphasizes a different style of riding than traditional saddle bronc.
"I picture the perfect ride in my head before I get on," Eastwood said [3].
The initiative gained visibility during a competition held on June 14, 2025 [3]. The event highlighted the growing number of women willing to enter the arena and compete in events previously reserved for men.
Bunney noted her determination to succeed in the sport. "I'm very stubborn and I don't like being defeated," Bunney said [2].
Program leadership said that the goal is to make ranch bronc riding accessible to women across Alberta [5]. The school operates across various locations, including Crossfield and Calgary [2, 3], providing the necessary coaching and livestock to prepare riders for sanctioned events.
The rise of the school follows a broader trend in the rodeo circuit to diversify participants. By focusing on ranch bronc riding, the program allows women to develop a specialized skill set that is increasingly recognized in competitive rodeo circuits [2, 4].
“"Our goal is to make ranch bronc riding accessible to women across Alberta."”
The establishment of a women-only training school for ranch bronc riding represents a structural shift in rodeo culture. By institutionalizing training for women in a discipline that was traditionally a male stronghold, the program is not only expanding the talent pool but also pressuring rodeo associations to formalize and expand women's categories in competition.
