Women and Rodeo

Re “Even Cowgirls Get the Bulls,” April 14.

While it is always nice to read an article on rodeo, it upsets me when misrepresentations are made. This article featured women who said they can only get a fair shake and compete in every event in gay rodeos, unlike mainstream rodeos, which discriminate against women, denying them the opportunity to compete in every event. This is absolutely untrue.

I am one of two women in this country to have earned full membership in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assn. I am a team roper. I choose not to compete in rough stock events or any other event in rodeo. But I am allowed, as well as any other person of any race or gender, to compete in every event at every rodeo the PRCA sanctions. I have never been denied by any rodeo association, professional or otherwise, from competing in every event. There is no discrimination in rodeo. You do not see many women competing on a professional level because of the physical demands, not because they are denied the opportunity.

I am proud to be a woman in professional rodeo. I am treated like a lady and respected by male competitors. I give the women in gay rodeos credit for competing and wish them much success, but please get some facts straight before speaking out about rodeo.

KATHY SALISBURY

Santa Clarita