Brea McGrew

This is Brea McGrew’s third year roping and the first time she’s been invited to the Reno Rodeo. She got her start in the sport when her husband renewed his roping career after retirement. “I’d much rather participate than just watch,” she said. ” It’s a pretty neat deal. People come here from all over the place.”

McGrew, a veterinarian, faced unusual circumstances this year. Her roping partner took a new job and had to drop out of the competition. That left McGrew, of Dixon, Calif., scrambling to find a replacement. She only roped with her new partner once before today’s event. She’s also recovering from a back injury.

“People say roping is a lot like golf. It’s very mental. You also have to have a good partner, a good horse (and) draw a good steer. Everything has to line up just right.”

— Rahel Solomon