Photo by Roseanna Sales
This Canadian cowgirl is living a full-circle life. Her first rodeo was at 11 days old, and years later, she’s one of the leaders promoting the industry that is everything she embodies, both on and off the air. She embodies grit and grace, from roping at the Ponoka Stampede while she was Miss Ponoka Stampede to waving to fans during her time as Miss Rodeo Canada, and now, interviewing athletes on The Cowboy Channel. Katy Lucas is the definition of a true cowgirl.
Looking back on her childhood, she reflected on fond memories that started her love of listening to rodeo stories and wanting to share them with others. This passion began in their family home around the kitchen table.
“One of my favorite memories growing up was during the summertime when people would stop by the house in between rodeos, park their trailers, and keep their horses at our place – after dinner, they’d all sit around the table and share these awesome stories,” shared Lucas, “I used to beg my mom to let me stay up late so I could listen to them.”
Growing up in a deeply rooted rodeo family sparked her love and knowledge of the sport.
“Our parents never pushed my brother or me to the rodeo, but as soon as we said we wanted to, they were behind us, ready to support us 100% of the time, and still are to this day with any decision we make.”
Rodeo journalism and broadcasting have been her passions since high school when Lucas had a regular feature in the Canadian Pro Rodeo News Magazine. While she loves sharing pieces from the rodeo trail through writing, she has always wanted to conduct interviews.
In 2010, the Lucas family was invited to the 100th anniversary of the Pendleton Round-Up to participate in the festivities and celebrate the milestone of an iconic rodeo. Knowing this, Lucas bought a $30 Walmart recorder and packed it in her bag just in case an opportunity presented itself. As a shy teenager, she asked her dad for help finding an athlete to interview.
“My dad said, ‘OK, I’ll get you someone good.’ I was sitting on the grass watching the rodeo when my dad walked up with Trevor Brazile,” explained Lucas, “So my first interview was Trevor Brazile. He was patient and gave me the professionalism he would have given any experienced broadcaster. It was a great first experience.”
Not knowing but having complete faith that something like The Cowboy Channel would exist one day is what pushed Lucas to pursue broadcasting and journalism in college, hoping it would all work out.
She’s seen world champions retire and the next wave of world champions start their careers, conducted on-air interviews at historic rodeos like the Pendleton Round-Up and Cheyenne Frontier Days, reported on Western Sports Round-up, and during the 2024 National Finals Rodeo, her lifelong dream came true. Lucas conducted interviews in the tunnel for each timed event go-round champion and asked each newly crowned world champion one question as they took their place to receive their gold buckle.
Photo by Faith Kirk | High Country Photography
“I get to see things from a fan’s perspective. I’ll never pretend to know what these athletes go through or fully understand how hard they work. But I get to see from a fan’s perspective, from the outside looking in, and appreciate their progression,” explained Lucas, “I haven’t been there while they’ve been grinding, but I see the big moments and the milestones along the way, and that’s pretty amazing.”
Whether you know Lucas personally or see her interviewing your favorite athletes on air, one thing is sure: her passion for broadcasting, love for rodeo, and her warm, kind nature leave a lasting impression on everyone she meets.
