Tayla Moeykens

By Patrick Everson

Rodeo is just a different kind of sport, in ways too numerous to mention. But one way is on full display this week in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Imagine Patrick Mahomes helping out Josh Allen somehow, during an NFL playoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.

It’s not happening.

But when barrel racer Tayla Moeykens needed another horse this week, fellow first-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Katelyn Scott rode to the rescue.

“I called Katelyn after the third round, just to ask for help finding a horse,” Moeykens said. “I didn’t call her to ask specifically for a horse. I just asked if she knew of any available. And she said, ‘Well, you can run him.’”

Him would be Kian, Scott’s backup horse this week. Moeykens has worked with three horses through eight go-rounds of this week’s Wrangler NFR, riding Kian in Rounds 5 and 7.

In fact, Scott’s best time of the week came in the seventh go aboard Kian, at 14 seconds flat.

It’s quite a story. Fifteen women battling for huge season-ending money, with so much on the line. And two first-time qualifiers, just trying to get their bearings at this massive event, yet one helps out the other in a big pinch.

“Rodeo, to me, has always been a big family. We help each other out, we do what we can,” Moeykens said. “Katelyn was gracious enough to offer me her horse. That’s pretty typical in rodeo. If we see somebody struggling, we help them out.”

Scott was more than happy to assist.

“Just to be able to help Tayla has been amazing. She’s rode my horse better than I have,” Scott said with laugh. “I’m glad I could help. Why wouldn’t I?

“That’s why I love rodeo.”

It speaks to the sisterhood of all 15 barrel racers who qualified for the NFR. Yes, they all want to win in a big way this week. But there’s a shared respect and goodwill toward all, even newcomers in their first NFR.

“If you were back there with us, you’d see. We’re telling each other good luck, we’re cheering each other on,” Moeykens said. “With the top 15, I’ve felt so welcomed by all of them.

“They’ve given me pep talks. They’ve been giving me advice.”

And one even gave her a horse for at least a couple go-rounds. It’s just one of so many things you see with rodeo in general and the NFR in specific, that you’d never see in any other sport.