Drew Ellen Stewart was the picture of consistency and lightning-fast hands in the Hooey Jr. Patriot 15-and-Under Goat Tying, where the Normangee, Texas, cowgirl tied her goat in 6.45 seconds for the event win and $10,000.
To make the night sweeter, Stewart came back and bested her own time in the $50,000 Bonus Round, making a 6.22-second run. The bonus was split between four athletes for $12,500 each, bringing Stewart’s evening total to $22,500.
“Me and my mother’s little motto to ourselves is ‘One run at a time,’ so in my mind, I only have one run and I try to go be smooth,” Stewart, 16, said.
Riding self-made mare “Muffin,” Stewart used her skills as a track and field runner to nail the dismount on each of her runs.
“My dismount is 100% my strength,” Stewart explained. “I am a state medalist in the 300m hurtles so that helps me, coupled with my horsepower.”
Muffin is a 5-year-old “cutter reject” mare. Stewart trained her herself, noting her low-headed, flat running style.
“When I’m riding her, I really focus on her pushing her because I want her to know it’s her job to run full speed,” Stewart explained.
The move to ride Muffin was a departure from the original plan of riding her “old faithful” gelding. Earlier in the week he’d stepped in front of Steward after she dismounted, making her fall.
“That was a sign from the Lord above to get on my young horse and give her the opportunity,” Steward said.
The move was the right one, and the Paint mare delivered.
As the dust settled on her big night, Stewart was a bit speechless on the EQN Sports desk alongside the three other Bonus Round winners.
“I try not to take this too seriously, because this sport is supposed to be fun,” Steward said. “I’m very grateful to have this sport and opportunities like this.”
