PRORODEO Sports News February Digital Edition

it’s something I still love to do,” she said. “I’ve got to sleep on it and mentally reset overnight, then through the day. I have a great support system, so it makes it pretty easy.” That support system extended to her equine partner, Hotrod Song – also known as “Colonel” – a 13-year-old sorrel gelding whose journey is deeply tied to Munsell’s own roots. Raised in Woodward, Okla., Colonel came into her program after a winding path, and nearly left it just as quickly. “The first day I rode him, he was so broke and touchy feely,” Munsell said. “I couldn’t hardly even lope a circle on him.” Colonel soon became the cornerstone of her champi onship run. Munsell ultimately made the decision to buy him, believing he was the missing piece she needed when breakaway roping was added to professional rodeo. “I knew I needed him. He’s the missing piece to my tool box,” she said. “He’s paid for himself over and over again. He’s a true blessing and a freak-of-nature athlete.” Along with her world championship, Munsell broke the WPRA regular-season earnings record with $191,175. She finished with $209,021 overall. As she looks toward the 2026 season, the world title provides momentum, but also motivation. “I don’t want to ever have another Finals where I run five in one day and have a day like (Dec. 23),” she said. “So that’s a huge driving motivation.” Above all, Munsell credits her faith for guiding every step of her journey. “I’m just so thankful to the Lord for everything he’s blessed me with,” she said. “He’s just had his hand in all of it, making so many moves that pointed me in the right direction to make all the things come together for this to be possible.”

TAYLOR MUNSELL WINS FIRST BREAKAWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP By Kensie Darst-Todd, Special to PRORODEO Sports News T aylor Munsell arrived at the National Finals Break away Roping knowing a world championship was within reach. Leaving Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 23, she did so as the newly crowned world champion, an accomplishment that she said felt almost unreal. “I don’t know that it’s fully sunk in yet,” Munsell said. “It’s a surreal feeling. I came in here knowing there was a possibility I could do it or it would happen, and to finally finish it was an awesome feeling.” The Alva, Okla., cowgirl sealed her first gold buckle in dramatic fashion during Round 10, splitting the 2.0-second run three ways with Josie Conner and Joey Williams. With the title still undecided entering the short round, Munsell welcomed the pressure brought by her competitors. “Shelby and Josie didn’t back off at all, and I truly appreciate that,” Munsell said. “It made it all exciting … I just said to myself, ‘I need to make the best run I can, and let the trips fall where they may.’” Her first world championship title did not come without adversity. Munsell’s opening performance proved chal lenging, as she missed catches in rounds 1, 2 and 5. She rebounded with a 3.0-second run in Round 3 and followed it up with a 2.1-second run in Round 4, but the demanding format required a mental reset before returning for the final rounds. “I truly love (breakaway roping), even when it goes bad,

Taylor Munsell came away from Fort Worth, Texas, with her first National Finals Breakaway Roping World Championship. (PRCA photo by Kristen Schurr)

42 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2026