Her other notable milestones: six-time Bill Pickett Invitational Barrel Racing Champion five-time Bill Pickett Invitational All-Around Cowgirl 2003 California State Fair Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and 2010 California Silver Lining Champion. Townson built a cowgirl career breaking barriers and carving out her place in rodeo history books. But despite her condition, deep down in Townson’s heart she felt she had unfinished business - one day returning to rodeo arenas and competing at the National Finals Rodeo. “It was so painful that I couldn’t ride.” Like that, traveling the country for decades to win everything from horse trailers and saddles to designer buckles and hard-earned cash wasn’t the norm anymore. “One day I was playing tennis and injured my knee,” she said. But by the mid-2000s, her career came to a startling halt. The next year, she became the first black cowgirl to compete in the International Professional Rodeo Finals. Training with barrel racing legends, Townson ended up becoming 1989’s International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) Western Region Champion. In order to be the best, though, I also knew I had to learn from the best in our industry.” “I’ve always believed in myself and that I could win in this sport. “I’m a big dreamer,” said the veteran, California-based cowgirl. The 61-year-old professional barrel racer and riding instructor knows a lot about the true grit it takes to become a champion.
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