The Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff Fast-Time Award is named after the late 1987 Cowgirl honoree.
There's a new breakaway roping award making its debut at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) this December.
The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame will be launching the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff Fast-Time Award at the NFR, given to the cowgirl that ropes the fastest time in the first round of the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping. (If there is a tie, the award will go to the roper that qualified with the most money.) The winner will receive a custom Montana Silversmiths buckle.
The award celebrates the first time cowgirls have had the opportunity to rope alongside the Wrangler NFR, scheduled to take place Dec. 8 – 10 at Globe Life Field in Arlington. It's named after the late 1987 Cowgirl Honoree Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff, a nine-time world champion, former rodeo director of the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), and rodeo team coach for Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
“We are thrilled to see the increased interest in breakaway roping from the larger community and creating this award was a natural next step,” the Cowgirl Museum’s associate executive director Dr. Diana Vela said in a statement. “We are excited for all the competitors who qualified this year and will eagerly watch results during this year's Wrangler NFR.”
The Cowgirl Museum has also partnered with the WPRA to present the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Cowgirl Award to the NFR barrel racer who exemplifies the style and spirit of the late Jerry Ann Taylor. Fans will vote for their favorite candidate after each NFR round (one through nine), and the award will be presented before the final round.
Additionally, the Cowgirl Museum will be hosting several exhibits from Dec. 3 – 12, celebrating the NFR. The Anne W. Marion Gallery will feature Girls Rode Association artifacts, NFR Barrel Racing, and NFBR Breaking Roping Qualifiers and the barrel racer’s qualifier saddles.
More information is available at cowgirl.net.
