RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - The young lady from Rockvale, Tennessee who competed in the World Women’s Ranch Bronc Championship came out of the chute and into the dirt at full speed on Saturday and Sunday. Katherine (Katie) Madison Coker was riding for TEAM USA in the most prestigious international rodeo event for women, that took place in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Final results of the event weren’t released until about 10-O’clock Monday night. WGNS learned that Katie, who entered the competition as a Top 10 contender, was in the lead at first place towards the end of Round 1 with 78 points. The following day on Sunday, Katie rode for an impressive 6.5 seconds on a randomly drawn horse that other contestants didn’t want, due to it being a horse known for its unpredictability. But, in Bronc riding competitors have to ride for the full 8-seconds in order to gain the valuable points. If you don’t conquer the 8-seconds, you don’t conquer any points.
During the wild ride, she was hit in the face by the saddle horn. Katie went down for several harrowing minutes - until Arena Medical staff were by her side and helping her get back on her feet. Thankfully, the Rockvale Cowgirl walked out of the arena on her own, after suffering a very hard slam to the ground. The good news… she escaped serious injury. The bad news… the ride didn’t add up to the points that she needed to maintain her seat at first.
She had 12 competitive rides this season and looks forward to returning next year for another try at the outstanding gold Championship belt buckle, not to mention the title! On a side note, the title elusively escaped her this year by a mere 1.5 seconds.
