Amanda Terrell CFR 2025

After entering twenty one rodeos, placing at eleven, and becoming the first Ponoka Stampede Ladies Breakaway Roping Champion, Amanda Terrell is set to compete at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. She finished sixth in the regular season standings, thanks to her horses, “John Bunyuns Wonder” aka, Midget, and “Hesa Man Cat”, aka Conway.

Terrell won nearly $12,000 out of Ponoka, which put her on track to qualify for her first CFR.

Breakaway interviews are presented by, Crown + Crow Coffee. Good things come to crows who wait. But first, coffee.

What is your main mounts back story; when and where you found him/her, and what was it about this horse that you knew it was destined for great things/what makes them so special?
This was truly a God thing, and I’m so thankful He was working behind the scenes to let me own this once-in-a-lifetime horse. Midget has been my best friend and has made so many big dreams come true. He came from some good family friends in Colorado, the Sharon family, whose boys had junior rodeoed on him. My dad actually saw him posted on Facebook not long after my good horse Nitro got hurt.

I was in Lubbock at the time, so my roommate brought him down from Colorado for me to try. If I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t 100% sold on him that first night. But, a snowstorm back home allowed me to keep him a bit longer and I was able to rope on him a couple more times and change some things. That night, as I was putting a blanket on my goat horse, I just felt the Lord tell me to ask if they’d be willing to a trade. Which mind you, made no sense to me at the time because he was very special to me, and I had fully planned on retiring him after college. But, I pitched the idea the next day, and it turned out to be exactly what both sides needed. We ended up partially trading our heart horses. Looking back, I have no doubt both horses ended up right where they belong, helping each of us chase our dreams. Just a couple months later, I qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo on Midget, and Stockton Sharon won second at the National Junior High Finals on Mex. It brought so much peace to see them both go on to do great things.

Conway is a newer addition to the team and came from Katie Haythorn! He has been the biggest blessing and has been super fun to get with.  

If this is your first CFR, tell readers how it feels to have qualified to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton, and what are you most excited for?
Wow! This year has been such a blur, blast, blessing, all at the same time. I don’t think anything has sunk in from this year, but I think abundantly grateful sums it up nicely. More than anything, I think I am most excited for the opportunity for us girls to rope on this stage!

What was your most memorable run this season, and what made it memorable?
All four runs at the Ponoka Stampede will forever be etched in my heart. To be one of the first women to run down the lane, and then to be the inaugural breakaway champion was truly a dream come true. I was filled with such an incredible peace every run I made, I knew God was working through me, and my job was simply to trust Him. Those runs gave me the opportunity to bring honor and glory to Him, and I hope that even in my out-of-breath, whirlwind way, I was able to let His light shine through.

What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year? 
Last year was my rookie year in the States, and this year was my rookie season in Canada — so a lot was different, but there were still plenty of rookie mistakes and a whole lot of character development along the way. I never would have imagined I’d end up in Canada this summer, but I’m so thankful I did.

When Jenna and I first decided to go, she jotted out the minimum rodeo count (15) to make work along with all the states rodeos. I asked her if it was even possible to make the finals on just the minimum, and she said, “Well, Shelby Boisjoli Meged did it one year…” And by the grace of God, we’re here.

What challenges did you face this year, and how did you overcome them? How do you keep confidence when things aren't going as planned, or you are in a slump? 
Oh man, life is full of opportunities to grow, and this year was no exception. God is my rock — when the waves of life come, I look to Him for strength and peace. Isaiah 41:10 & Philippians 4:8!!! I’m also blessed with an incredible inner circle, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

Tell readers something good that happened to you this season, other than winning or placing at a rodeo? 
It’s hard to narrow it down to just one, because truly there were great things happening to me and around me every single day. Perspective is everything. You can find a hundred things to be grateful for before you even step foot out of the trailer if you’re looking for them! My momma always reminds me to stop and smell the roses.

What would be your rough estimate of vet work annually to get to the Canadian Finals Rodeo? Do you know a rough estimate of what it cost (without factoring in truck/trailer cost)  to make a run at the CFR?
I am blessed with some healthy boys and a really good vet! Wade Shoemaker keeps the wheels on the bus in our outfit--huge thank you to him! I’d say I probably spend enough on rodeoing to take a really nice vacation and go on a big shopping spree, lol. For reference, just two 30-day Canadian health certificates to cross the border just cost $420 USD.

Making a run at the CFR definitely doesn’t happen with spare change. Between entry fees, fuel, all the day-to-day expenses of life on the road, and the unexpected costs, it’s a big investment. I am so thankful for my sponsors and supporters because they are a huge part of what makes it all possible!

What was the best restaurant you stopped at all year? Any hidden gems to mention?
Tim Hortons takes the cake all the way for me in Canada! In the states Jenna and I ate on the beach in California, and it was amazing!

What is your least favourite part of being on the rodeo road, and what is your favourite?
If I had to pick a least favorite, it would be the all-night drives, border crossings, and paying $5 a day to get service in Canada…My favorite part is basically everything else! How blessed am I to be living in something I once prayed for.

What therapies are a must have for your horse? 
I’m grateful to have my sister, Ashley Sims, who is becoming an equine osteopath, so my horses get worked on pretty regularly! MVP supplements have been a huge staple in my program, and the boys love their Equiscope sessions. Magnet blankets, liniment, and Soft Rides are absolute musts when we’re traveling. 

How do you manage to balance life at home/work with life on the road?
Sometimes it feels like a three-ring circus! I’m in graduate school at Texas Tech and fully online this year which just means my laptop goes everywhere with me!

Who did you travel with this year? Do you have a funny or heart warming story you could share about your time together, or anything you would like to share about them? (you kept one another going when you wanted to quit. The tires lit on fire. You got in a ditch fight and then tied to win the rodeo..) 
Oh goodness…there have been a lot of these moments with JD! I moved out of my house in Lubbock, stopped at home, and basically moved to the Dallyn Residence in May. Jenna and I’s weeks always seemed to have themes that taught us some pretty important lessons--a lack of stalls theme, a vehicle theme, a full-on character development week, hat debacles, and I think my favorite was the “horses not where they’re supposed to be” theme.

Long story short: we rolled into Spanish Fork in the middle of the night and there were no stalls or places to build pens. Rookie mistake we know…we put them in the stock pens for a few short hours. When we went to grab them, Midget and Doc were GONE, halters still hanging on the fence. Turns out, the stock contractors had graciously moved them and put them in the lead-ups to the bucking chutes!

How are you preparing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo practice wise? What is your routine like to be ready for Edmonton
Right now, I’m still on the road rodeoing in the States! But I’m entered in Texas, so I’ll probably pay Jerrad Hofstetter, and Lari Dee Guy, a visit before I head north to get some good practice in. Have to treat it as just another rodeo.

If your horse was an actor/actress in a movie, who would play them, or if your horse was a character from a movie, which character do they remind you of and why?
If you know, you know — I think the boys could play Dale and Brennan from Step Brothers pretty easily. They are quirky to say the least, and really are like two peas in a pod. Once they decided to love each other, there’s nothing that can separate them. Jenna’s Doc, aka Doorknob, fills this role also.

If you could swing a leg over another qualifier's horse, who would it be and why?
I was blessed to swing a leg over some dream horses this summer — Kashley Seitz’s “Pankcake,” Jenna Dallyn’s “Doc,” and Riley Wakefield’s “Rodney.” I am forever grateful for each of them and the opportunities to ride their amazing horses! Thank you, thank you!

Are you a type A or type B breakaway roper?
Hmmm… classic lawyer answer — it depends! If you know me, you know I do not like waiting around, so I’m always running later than everyone else. I think I gave Jenna and Shaya major anxiety at the beginning of the summer because they were sure I was going to miss my run. Knock on wood, I never have and always seem to show up with perfect timing. I usually try not to worry about too much, I honestly compete better the less I think and the more I just go rope! But I am extremely meticulous about things, especially when it comes to my stuff and horses. I like my ropes feeling just right, so I’m not afraid to cut a new one after just a run or two.

How many breakaway horses do you currently have in your string?
Currently just the two!

What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
Trust the process and remember that each day is a gift. Carry a good attitude because it truly makes all the difference. Choose joy even on the hard days. Find a strong inner circle who lifts you up. Trust the horse beneath you.

What God has for you, no one can take away, and what He withholds was never meant for you. Let go and let God, and don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.

There are so many people to thank for the love and support I have been given whilst chasing my dreams.

Mom and Dad--thank you for raising me to chase big dreams and letting me grow up to be a cowgirl!  You’ve been there for every step of the way. Your sacrifices, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me are the reason I get to live this life. I am so proud to be your Amanda Paige!

Ashley and Wyatt--you two are my heart. Thank you for being my biggest encouragers, cheering me on, and reminding me who I am. Your love and belief in me mean the world and I am so grateful for you both.

To all of my family and friends--thank you for being the village behind me, for the late-night calls, encouraging texts, and celebrating every win big or small. You have no idea how much it means to me! I’m so blessed to have each of you in my corner. I think y’all might single-handedly keep the Cowboy Channel in business!

To the Dallyn Family (My Second Family)--Thank you for taking this little American girl under your wing and into your home, and for treating me like one of your own. Rocky, thanks for pulling me out of the ditch and herding buffaloes. Janice, thank you for making me feel at home and always keeping me fed. Riley, thank you for all the roping lessons and come-to-Jesus meetings. Jenna, thank you for being a true best friend. You have been that to both me and my sister, and you feel like a sister to me. Thanks for always being there for me in some of the toughest times this summer and for celebrating the highs like they were your own.
Britt, thanks for all the good laughs and spike ball.

To my sponsors—I wouldn’t be on the road without Mr. Bob Matney—thank you for believing in me and giving me the opportunities to chase my dreams. Huge thank you to H&H Trailer Sales, Wrangler, MVP, Buffalo Brand Seed, Hamblen Hats, and Matney Transportation.

To all the Canadians—Thank you so much for welcoming this American girl to come rope up north. Huge thank you to the Ponoka Stampede for adding breakaway—I am honored to be the inaugural winner. Your decision is what ultimately shaped my season and sent me to my first CFR!