A Standout Goat Tier From Canada Finds Her Winning Stride at Tarleton State

Tori Brower from Alberta Canada has made a name for herself in a major way down in Texas and across the nation of college rodeo. 

Some might recognize the name from her most recent accomplishment at the Women’s Rodeo Championship in Fort Worth, Texas where she won the average in the goat tying, but this wasn’t her first, nor last, trip to the winner's circle. 

Brower started off her collegiate career at Vernon College under coach Marty Eakin before transferring to Tarleton State University under coach Mark Eakin. Her entire career has been spent under the watchful eye of the Eakin family. When she was in junior high school, her cousin was attending Tarleton and ever since she has wanted to wear the purple vest. 

Brower is a three-time qualifier to the National College Finals in the goat tying. She has won the Southwest Region twice and was the reserve champion this year by less than 20 points. 

Behind a great competitor you find a great coach. Brittany Stewart has been that coach for Brower. “She (Stewart) has spent so many hours helping me in and out of the arena. She is always so positive and has talked me off the ledge multiple times,” says Brower. 

Goat horses are not credited with an athlete’s success near as much as other events. Brower wants to make sure that everybody knows her horse is the reason she is the competitor she is today. How many horses beat cancer? And how many then go on to continue winning for another decade? Not many, if any. Seven of the ten college rodeos were won aboard her miraculous gelding. 

The purple vest has made dreams come true for many athletes and that includes Brower. It means so much to go to the CNFR and the fact that she has done it each year she has competed in that vest speaks volumes about the program. Brower stated that that’s a direct reflection of the resources that are provided to the students as well as the coaches. 

As she is nearing the end of her goat tying career there is one goal in mind: national champion. The women's team came up just shy last year and they are gunning for it this year. Brower will do everything in her power to aid in that championship.  

Going into the college finals, or any competition, she leans on God. Her preparations prior to the runs will show up in the arena. Her mental game stays strong through her faith. Lately it has been Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Tori Brower is an incredible athlete but not just for what she can accomplish in the arena. She is a leader with a strong belief system that is demonstrated in everything that she does. We cannot wait to cheer her on in Casper, Wyo. at the college finals as she finishes out her astonishing goat tying career, hopefully as a national champion.

Photo Courtesy of TSU Rodeo Media/ Amberly Russell