Madalyn Richards ’25 was no stranger to the pressure of the rodeo arena. After years of competition, she had faced countless nerve-wracking moments. Yet, before her final run at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, a rare sense of nervousness washed over her.
It was an unusual feeling for someone who had competed so many times that it had almost become second nature. But this time was different. The stakes were higher, the title was within reach, and the weight of all she had worked for seemed to rest on her shoulders.
In that tense moment, Richards knew she had to draw on everything she had learned — from the mental toughness her mother instilled in her to the roping techniques her father taught her to the years of experience she had gained competing across Texas and beyond.
She also relied on a personal ritual: before every competition, she writes down her goals, reads them and firmly believes in them. This practice helps her focus and stay grounded. When she accomplishes her goals, she has those notes to look back on, a tangible reminder of her journey.
With her heart pounding, she rode into the arena on her trusted horse, Dually, and in the seconds that followed, she secured her place as a national champion in breakaway roping. To this day, she still has the note with her goals from the College National Finals Rodeo, a testament to her mental preparation and perseverance.
Learning the ropes
For Richards, rodeo isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifelong passion that began for her at the age of 6 living in her hometown of Hereford. Growing up in the agricultural industry working on her family’s feed yard, with an accomplished rodeo competitor father, she learned early, starting with barrel racing and quickly moving on to breakaway roping under her father’s guidance.
Despite her deep love for the sport, Richards chose Texas A&M University just as much for the education as for a rodeo career.
“I came to Texas A&M to go to school, not just to rodeo,” she reflected, a sentiment that underscores her commitment to both her academic and athletic pursuits.
Richards is set to graduate in December from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a degree in agricultural communications and a minor in agricultural economics. And in January, she will begin her master’s in agricultural economics with the goal of protecting the only way of life she has ever known through a career in agricultural policy.
Her time at Texas A&M has been marked by an incredible balance between her academic responsibilities and her rodeo career. Competing in five college rodeos each in the fall and spring, Richards consistently proved herself in the arena. One standout moment came at the first rodeo of this season at Texas A&M-Commerce, now East Texas A&M University, where she won both the breakaway and goat tying events as well as the all-around title — an achievement she had never accomplished before.
As the season progressed, Richards continued to gather points, ultimately winning the Southern Region Championship in breakaway roping, placing third in goat tying and securing the all-around title for the region.
These victories provided her with the momentum needed as she headed into the College National Finals Rodeo, where her championship win would become the crowning achievement of her college rodeo career.
The road to a national title
The College National Finals Rodeo is the pinnacle for many college rodeo athletes — a stage where the best of the best come to compete. For Richards, the stakes were high and the pressure was immense. Normally composed, she found herself unusually nervous before her final run, a departure from her usual calm demeanor.
“I was nervous waiting for my final go,” she said. “I usually don’t get nervous because I’ve done it a million times.”
Her coach, Roger Hanagriff, Ph.D., was even more on edge knowing how much was riding on this final performance. But as Richards rode into the arena for her final go in the breakaway roping event on Dually, a horse she had trained since she was 11 years old, the nerves began to dissipate. In that moment, everything clicked. She made the run, hit her mark and as soon as the rope tightened, she knew she had won the national championship.
Richards’ journey to the national title was captured by Texas A&M AgriLife in a three-part video series, documenting the highs and lows of her season.
“When they started filming at the beginning of the season, I never expected it to end with me winning,” Richards said, reflecting on the whirlwind experience.
The victory was the culmination of years of hard work, countless hours of practice, and a deep bond with Dually, who had grown alongside her through the ups and downs of her rodeo career. In goat tying, she rode another trusted horse, Chanel, whose strength and agility were instrumental in helping her achieve top finishes in both events, leading to her securing the all-around title.
Looking to the future
With two years of college rodeo eligibility left, Richards plans to continue competing, but she also has her sights set on a career in agricultural policy. She has already started laying the groundwork for this career through an internship with the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition, where she advocates for rural landowners and defends against encroachments on land rights.
Her goal is to leverage her education and rodeo experience to make a difference in the agricultural community.
“I want to do everything I can to protect this way of life through my career,” she said.
With a background deeply rooted at the intersection of ranching and rodeo paired with a rigorous academic education, Richards is uniquely positioned to become a strong advocate for the agricultural industry.
Despite her many accomplishments, Richards remains humble and grounded.
“For some, rodeo is everything,” she said. “For me, I know that Texas A&M is preparing me for whatever path I choose to take.”
While rodeo will always be a part of her life, she is determined to make a lasting impact in the world of agricultural policy, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same opportunities and freedoms she has had.
A family tradition continues
As Richards looks to the future, she is also excited to welcome her younger sister, Lucy ’28, to Texas A&M this fall. Lucy will be competing alongside Richards in goat tying and breakaway roping, adding a new dynamic of sibling rivalry to the rodeo team.
“Being Aggies is such a privilege to us,” Madalyn said, reflecting on their family’s deep connection to the university. As a fourth-generation Aggie, the Richards’ pride in their alma mater runs deep.
The Texas A&M rodeo team, which has won the Southern Region for the past three years, will undoubtedly benefit from the addition of another Richards sister. But for Madalyn, it’s not just about the wins; it’s about continuing a legacy that honors her family’s history while forging a future that is uniquely her own.
Watch the journey unfold
Follow Madalyn Richards ’25 and Gavin French ’25 as they fought their way through the 2024 rodeo season on the road to the College National Finals Rodeo. Watch their journey on the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences YouTube channel today!
