Katie Coker, a 25-year-old Rutherford County-grown cowgirl, tied for first place in the Women’s Ranch Bronc Championship at the 2024 Cheyenne Frontier Days, held in July in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Coker and Missouri’s Allysa Spierings finished the two-day event dead even, each with a score of 159, splitting World Championship honors.

2024 co-champions Katie Coker and Allysa Spierings; photo by Alex Riley

For many years, the only competitive rodeo event for women was barrel racing, but bronco riding has gained popularity in recent years, giving Coker and other female riders the opportunity to compete in the exciting discipline.

The Rockvale rider, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Coker, left the Wyoming event and headed to Deadwood, South Dakota, to continue riding on the bronco circuit.