Tori Brower wrote her name in the history books by winning both the event and world titles at the inaugural Smarty Goat Tying Showcase during the 2025 Women’s Rodeo World Championship.
The 23-year-old from Stettler, Alberta, Canada, put together three runs for an aggregate of 19.74 seconds, worth $3,086. A recent Tarleton State University grad, the win not only capped off her college career but also served as a high-pressure-practice for the CNFR.
Here’s what she had to say about her journey, her horse Nemo, and what comes next.
Q&A with Tori Brower
BRJ: Let’s talk about goat tying—when did you start getting serious about it?
Tori Brower: “I was actually a little late starting. I didn’t do junior high rodeo until the eighth grade, but I had a lot of family members who mentored me early on, so that helped a lot.”
What drew you to goat tying over other rodeo events?
The intensity. The work ethic it demands. It’s physical, fast-paced, and it keeps you in shape. That’s what hooked me.
What do you consider your biggest strength in goat tying?
Consistency. My dad always told me “no wasted movements,” and that’s stuck with me. Some people say I don’t look fast, but I’m efficient and that’s what counts. Those movements definitely came from repetition and muscle memory. I also played other sports in high school—mainly basketball and track—so I think that helped develop my coordination and athleticism.
How did you hear about the Smarty Showcase and why did you enter?
I knew it was my last year of eligibility, and when they posted about it in the fall, I knew I had to nominate. I nominated every college rodeo I could.
What did it mean to you to compete in this showcase?
It meant everything. I’m excited for the girls who get to do this in the future. It’s a big step forward and opens doors for the sport.
What was your game plan going into today’s runs?
I tried not to overthink it. I perform best when I focus on being smooth and present in the moment—not when I’m too analytical.
Walk us through your three runs.
The first run was tricky—the eye was right at the mouth of the arena and my horse slowed up a bit. By round two, I knew I needed to keep him pushing through. The goat in the second round was great—my friend had him before me and he stayed on the end. In the short round, I just focused on staying smooth and it all worked out.
Tell us about your horse. What’s his name and story?
His name is Nemo. He’s 21 now. We’ve had him since he was born—he was actually an accident from a mare getting in with a stud. Everyone told my parents to get rid of him, but my sister Shayna rode him first, and my dad roped on him. He even had sinus cancer when I was in eighth grade, and we didn’t know [his prognosis after surgery]. He’s a little wild, herd bound, and a pain sometimes, but he’s honest, he never ducks out, and he gives everything every run.
What’s next for you?
I’ll be breakaway roping in Pro Rodeos this summer, then coming back to Tarleton to finish my master’s. I’ll be the graduate assistant for the year and see what happens from there.
Final thoughts? Any shoutouts?
Big shoutout to Smarty and Women’s Rodeo. This was such a cool opportunity and I’m really thankful they’re giving goat tying this kind of platform.
