5 Star Champion Rylie Smith

Team ropers Rylie Smith and Hope Thompson walked out of AT&T Stadium in 2020 as the first female team roping champions in the WCRA. They each pocketed $90,000. The team repeated, winning the Challenger in 2022. “I bought a couple horses with the money,” said the 21-year-old from South Texas. “We live where my mom (Misty) grew up – between San Antonio and Corpus Christi on 37.”
She started roping when she was 13, heading for her dad, Ricky. “He wouldn’t let me dally,” she remembers. “I actually started competing in barrel and goats and poles when I was younger, and started roping when I got older.” She switched to roping calves when she was 14. “My dad told me I had to rope calves good before I could go back to team roping.” The 5’3”, 100 lb. the 21-year-old year old tie-down ropes in the WPRA, using all the finesse she has learned from Justin Mass, 8x NFR Qualifier. “I breakaway rope more now, but I still look for a small horse if I can find one.” She has been watching the rapid progression of breakaway roping. “It’s competitive and the girls are mounted,” she said. “If a horse doesn’t fit you, you are going to struggle out there.” Rylie knows first hand about that. “I have a horse that’s good, but I’m not 100% clicking with her. I do enter breakaway, but I’m not hitting the rodeo trail right now.”
Instead, she is focused on training, roping in the All Girl Ropings, and competing at the UPRA and CPRA rodeos. “From where I live, it’s a drive, but it’s worth it. I want to stay in the horse industry – I don’t want to make a living as a rodeo cowgirl – I enjoy the aspect of training the young horses.” Once they are broke, Rylie likes to take them from there. “Going from the dummy to steers and taking them to their first outing – a few backyard jackpots – that’s fulfilling to me.”
The #6 heeler and #4+ header is a huge fan of 5 Star Equine Products. “I love them. I’m not one for flashy stuff; I’m into it for the protection of my horses. In my opinion it’s the best I can do for my horses – they are giving me everything, so I want to keep them protected as well.” She has a lot invested in her horses, riding two mares that she purchased from LA Quarter Horses (Madison Outhier’s grandparents). She is beginning to see the babies of the stud, BetHesa Cat, he’s out of a Spot Tot mare, his name is Rhyme Tight, she purchased as a two-year-old colt from the Ruby Buckle Sale. “I didn’t plan to keep him a stud, but I never cut him. He’s a pain, but his personality and the way he moves, and the grit – that’s what I want in my horses.” She has six performance horse mares and her stud. She has two babies on the ground and one on the way. VeHesa Cat, Ryme tight.
Rylie would rather stay close to home and jackpot, she spends most of her time training young horses. “If you’re in the seller’s market, this is a great time.”