If you think of Alberta when you hear “rodeo,” you may be surprised to learn that a Chilliwack rider was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.
Kaila Mussell is used to being a trendsetter. She is the first and only professional saddle horse rider in North American rodeo history.
These are familiar days for Mussell on his Chilliwack farm.
“Horses have always been a big part of my life and I started riding right after I learned to walk,” she told Global’s. This is British Columbia..
She was a competitor from a young age, distinguishing herself in barrel racing and tricks before following in her father’s footsteps by turning to the rough.
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“I am the first and only woman to become a professional in saddle riding,” she said.
She had a winning career that was accompanied by much joy and pain.
“I broke my neck in 2014. I consider that to be the most serious,” she said.
“I have now had three operations on my left shoulder. I broke my collarbone I don’t know how many times on each side.
From the start, it was clear that Kaila was built to take on the best.
“When I got my pro card, a lot of guys weren’t too happy that I was there. And when I started beating them, they definitely didn’t want me there,” Mussell said.
A proud member of the Skwah First Nation, her success has earned her roles in music videos and entry into some renowned sporting institutions.
“I was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame Indigenous Gallery. I was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Worth, Texas,” Mussell said.
“I looked up to the early cowgirls of the late 1800s and early 1900s, so it’s pretty amazing to be inducted alongside them as well.”
Mussell is a Hall of Fame rider who has taken more than her share of hard knocks
“I broke my left heel. I had ACL surgery on both knees. I broke my right wrist. I have had several dislocations. I could go on,” Mussell said.
But she continues to compete and win, as she has for 25 years.
“I can tell you I never thought the journey would be this long,” Mussell said.
“I tried the idea of retiring and ultimately I said to myself, you know what, I’m not going to retire. It’s part of what I do, isn’t it? »
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