The best way to learn about life as a PRORODEO competitor is to experience it. At least, that’s the approach Taylor Munsell took from the start.
Since her rookie season in 2019, the Alva, Okla, cowgirl has been picking up insights, all while trying to establish herself as one of the best breakaway ropers in the business. It has led to four straight trips to the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping and a reserve world title back in 2022.
She hasn’t lacked for success or confidence during the journey so far. But this year, things have reached a new level.
“I told somebody that I honestly don’t feel like I’ve roped to the best that I could this year, but something that I have done is give myself a lot of really good goes,” Munsell said. “I’ve been scoring good, riding my horses good and giving myself the opportunities to win. I probably missed as many opportunities as I’ve successfully completed, but I’m giving myself a lot more opportunities to win first than I have in the past.”
Munsell’s winning ways have her in position for a career-defining season. As of the July 10 update to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Breakaway Standings, Munsell is the overall leader with more than $119,700 in earnings for the season. She’s almost $37,000 ahead of Josie Conner in second-place.
The 2024 Prairie Circuit Finals champion has been building a lead from the opening run this year, picking up checks at some of the bigger winter rodeos like Fort Worth and Odessa.
Then came RodeoHouston.
Munsell placed in every round, including a win in the finals to claim more than $70,000 at the event. Since then, it’s been about adding on little by little. So far, she’s won six events, including a victory at Reno just ahead of the Fourth of July. That proved to be crucial as she only picked up one additional check during the holiday schedule. Munsell got back on track in Calgary, placing in the first two rounds, including a win in second go.
“I don’t know why, but the Fourth is just not a good week for me. It just never is. It’s always good at Reno and it’s always good at Calgary, but it’s never good in between,” she said with a laugh.
Munsell is extremely grateful for the lead in the standings and the confidence her early season success has provided. She’s also fortunate to have all three horses at her disposal. Ray and Colonel have been her travel companions, while Monster gives them a reprieve when she gets closer to home for events.
It’s a good start, but it’s also far from over. There are still plenty of chances for other breakaway ropers to make up ground on her. Munsell knows that her lead can certainly narrow quickly.
But those years of experience seem to be paying off and, if nothing else, Munsell is excited to show what she’s learned along the way.
“This is the first year I feel like I’ve got it together going into the summer. Usually, the summer is a little bit rocky for me at the beginning, but Houston definitely helped set up the whole year,” Munsell said. “Winning something like that, not just in the standings, but also just having that kind of money to go through the summer on is super helpful. It’s been just kind of a blessing that it’s all come together this year.”
Photo courtesy of Fernando Sam-Sim/@fsamsin