Kristin Reaves of Sam Houston State University, made the final runs of her collegiate career at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) in the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper, Wyo., June 15-21. The decorated goat tier has left an enormous impact on the sport and hopes to continue making a positive difference in the next generation of competitors.
With a lengthy list of accomplishments throughout her rodeo career, Reaves has put countless hours into honing her craft. The talented cowgirl explained some of the unique challenges faced by competitors in the physically demanding event.
“Being a competitive goat tier isn’t just about being strong in the arena, it is about training the body to be able to get off a horse going 30 plus miles per hour. Most injuries are caused by either the dismount itself or making direction changes as the goat moves,” Reaves explained.
Reaves, who has had a long and very successful career in the arena, knows better than most what it takes to become an elite athlete in the event.
“I train my body by doing agility moves outside the arena, with direction changes and learning how to slow my legs down at a high rate of speed. Before every run, I wake up my nervous system by doing drills to help keep my feet moving fast.”
With age comes experience, but it also emphasizes the physical demands of the sport.
“With me being 24, I have to work even harder than I did even when I started as a freshman in college, because getting off going that fast and slowing down so quickly definitely takes a toll on the body after doing it all these years."
Reaves and her 2025 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southern Region Goat Tying Champion SaddleReaves was favorited to win the national championship at the CNFR in 2025, but when her goat got up in the first round, everything changed in an instant. The four-time CNFR qualifier holds the arena record in the Ford Wyoming Center at 5.5 seconds and knew these were the finals runs of a pivotal stage of her life.
“It was heartbreaking, because I have had a goal to win that title for as long as I can remember. After changing my mindset, I knew I could either throw my sucker in the dirt or I could go out fighting. I had never won a round at the CNFR before, so instead of focusing on the title, I focused on trying to be the fastest I could be and get a CNFR ring.”
Ever a gritty competitor, Reaves came back in Round 2 with a 5.8-second run to earn the win. With the possibility of a national championship beyond her grasp, she did what the best athletes do when things are not going their way and went all out in the coming rounds.
“I was just out there having fun without the pressure of winning a national title. I switched horses and rode my breakaway horse, Hemi. I wanted to let him see the inside of the infamous College finals arena. I knew I had a smaller goat, which is easier with me being smaller and I let it all hang out.”
With years of hard-earned wisdom and knowledge to share, Reaves looks forward to the next chapter of her career.
“I look forward to helping the next generation of goat tiers, because one day goat tying is going to hopefully grow and I can’t wait to see where it goes!”
Always remaining positive, Reaves treasures the many lessons gained through her years of competition.
“The sport itself is greater than any accomplishment. It taught me how to be resilient, determined, and grateful for any opportunity. These traits are not just for the sport of rodeo, but are traits that I will use my entire life . It taught me how to be grateful for the wins and even the losses. It pushed me to be a better competitor and a better person because those hard ‘losses' changed my mindset to become stronger. This was the most fun 15 years and I am just so grateful I got the opportunity to do it!”
Photos courtesy of Kristin Reaves.