“I’m a woman in a man’s world and I wholeheartedly support and respect that,” says Chelsea Taylor. “I never expect special treatment, but I love to learn, work and pull my weight. I want my respect to be earned in any industry.”
At Rafter C Cattle Company, that weight includes early mornings, late nights, hauling bucking bulls across the country, and managing herds of cattle and horses. Meanwhile, Taylor balances raising three children alongside her husband and business partner, Clay. Whether she is at home training the next generation or behind the chutes flanking at events, Taylor is all in.
After a decade in oilfield administration, it was time for a change at Rafter C Cattle Company. Founded by her husband, Clay, in 2000, and based in Sayre, Okla., Rafter C was growing and so was the need for Taylor’s presence.
“When I gave birth to Rocky in 2022, the cherry on top for our family, it was time to be a momma and wife. Our business had also reached a degree that required both of us, full time.”
Merging family and business can be a challenge in any lifestyle or industry, but for those who understand what happens behind the scenes in rodeo, this is no simple task. Despite the logistics, it is all worth it for Taylor. Being able to work alongside Clay and raise their family together full time was a natural progression. Shortly after the transition, Rafter C became partners on a rodeo card, Fettig Pro Rodeo.
Taylor plays no small role in the operation, managing the herd of 80 head of bucking bred females. From breeding bull selection, calving season, picking replacement heifers, registrations, processing, sorting, flanking, bucking, feeding, and filming, Taylor does it all. A horse lover at heart, Taylor sees the operation as more than just a job and recent developments are highlighting her passion.
“We just recently put together a band of bucking mares that are currently in foal. It’s kind of a dream come true for me. I’m such a horse girl but we have very specific requirements for my mares. They have to buck and/or be a producer and flash/eye appeal is an absolute.”
Great operations are built through strong collaborations and working with multiple-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Trey Kimzey, is a key in the Rafter C program.
“Trey has been a pivotal figure and we consider him one of our own. We’ve partnered with him on bulls for close to 10 years.”
With both Trey and Clay having insight as competitors, they have a deep understanding of what the bull riders want.
“I’ve learned everything I know from watching and listening to them. We’ve bucked thousands of bulls and talked for hours. There’s so much more than just picking a bull and a rider for each event.”
While rodeo life can be incredible, difficult choices come with the territory. As superhuman as she may be, Taylor can only be in one place at a time.
“It breaks my heart when I miss my kids events, although they understand the ultimate goal is to provide for them.”
The couple have three children, Timber (9), Asa (6), and Rocky (2), and Taylor describes it as an “all hands on deck” situation when work duties call.
“Teamwork makes the dream work around our hacienda,” she quipped.
It may not always be easy, logging countless miles in the truck and putting heart into everything she does, but for Taylor, it is worth every mile and every moment. Determined to make her own way in the industry, Taylor has earned her place by continuing to show up, all in.
PC: Photos courtesy of Chelsea Taylor, action shot by Chute It Photography