The National Finals Rodeo has always been the number one rodeo and goal of every cowboy out there. Now, the NFR has added another chance for cowgirls to show off their talent and hard work. Breakaway roping is an event that has taken off to new heights in the last couple of years.
I sat down with Nicole Baggarley, a 2021 NFR Qualifier for Breakaway, to talk about the rodeo road, the number of hours she spends perfecting her skill, and teamwork it takes to make the NFR with. Baggarley grew up mainly in Mountainair, New Mexico, and now resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Q: What does having breakaway in the PRCA and NFR mean to you?
A: “It means everything. It is huge to have the opportunities we are given.” Baggarley said. “It’s been an amazing outlet for girls to continue breakaway after college. Before this opportunity, breakaway was an event that was only included in amateur rodeos and jackpots. “Since I only rope, it’s a game changer for me and girls like me.”
Rodeo takes time and hard work from the beginning to get to the big stage. Nicole Baggarley started roping when she was just 9 years old needing to gain all around points in junior rodeo. “I was a die-hard barrel racer and pole bender. Then as I started getting older and moving into tougher age groups, I needed an edge, so my dad made me start roping.” Said Baggarley when asked about how she got introduced to roping. “I didn’t want to rope and it wasn’t part of my long term plan, but I couldn’t be happier.”
Q: Horsepower is the name of the game in breakaway roping. This event requires a horse that can score straight, run fast, and stop hard.
A: “Calamity is my baby. She is the first horse I raised and trained on my own. She is a running bred mare which most people think don’t make good breakaway horses, but she never outruns me or gives me a bad shot.”
Calamity is her main rodeo horse that gets the spotlight. Calamity or her registered name, Six Moon Legacy, is by a Martha Six Moons stud out of a foundation ranch bred mare. She isn’t special in her papers but she is special to Nicole and is a stand up breakaway horse.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my main girl. She was born two days before my birthday and has been the sweetest, best horse to be around and travel with. She is truly my best friend.”
Nicole trains horses as well when she is not on the road. JoJo, One Smart Lesa, is a 6-year-old mare, by One Smart Mate by One Time Pepto out of Jo Lesa Lena. JoJo is her next up and coming breakaway partner. She suffered an injury this season but is getting back in business to join Calamity and Nicole down the road. Nicole enjoys training young horses and seeing the progress they make over time and seeing what they are capable of as they grow.
“They are opposites. Calamity is a calm, laid back mare who just goes with the flow and takes her job seriously. JoJo, however, is a high powered, energetic, electric mare that loves her job.”
Q: What are your rodeo goals?
A: “My big goal is to make the NFR again, my end goal is to win a gold buckle before I am done. This year, my goal is to focus on circuit rodeos and training younger horses, such as JoJo.”
It is every cowgirls dream to have a gold buckle with their name on it. Baggarley plans to keep training and have more horses ready to get back on the rodeo road to the NFR.
Q: There are many challenges that arise while rodeoing. Nicole speaks on some of these challenges and how she overcomes them. One major challenge is the hours. When asked how hours can affect you while traveling Nicole responded,
A: “It is all mental, the hours add up in a hurry and can make you tired and worn out, but mentally, you have to tell yourself that you got this and have to keep working. You must keep yourself between your ears. I realized while being gone I love home. I love my bed and my arena, but I know the end goal is worth it. The hours, miles, late nights are all worth it.”
Q: Who do you have in your corner?
A: Nicole comes from a large ranching background with amazing parents, Kevin, and Jenny Sweazea. “It is a team effort to do this sport and I couldn’t be more grateful to have my parents, and great husband Brice by my side.” Brice Baggarley is a roper himself and the head coach of the New Mexico State University rodeo team. Nicole says, “Brice is my rock, he has taught me as much about roping and horsemanship as anyone. I am so thankful to have him in my corner supporting me.” Another person Nicole speaks on as a mentor is Luke Jefferies, a calf roper from Arizona. “I used to spend almost every winter in Arizona with Luke and Kelsey to rope and practice. They are a huge factor in my success, and I appreciate everything they have done for me.”
Q: Rodeo is a tough sport, and it takes a strong will and heart to get to the top. I asked Nicole what she would tell women who are looking to get started in breakaway roping and she responded with this,
A: “Go at it with all your heart. The biggest thing is you have to learn from everyone you can. Take something from everyone, use what works and let go of what doesn’t. Make your own style and never stop learning. You can do anything you put your heart and head to, but you must work hard and go at it full force.”
Nicole’s favorite quote to keep her going is, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest til’ your good is better and your better is best.”
This article was originally written for the Summer 2022 Issue of Modern Cowboy Magazine. (Previously known as Cowboy Lifestyle Magazine). Catch more stories from this issue below!
