At just 16 years old, Madison Outhier became the first-ever Breakaway Roping Champion at RFD-TV’s The American, competing against the best in the world at AT&T Stadium — and winning.
Now 17 and a junior in high school, Madison looks back at growing up as the daughter of a rodeo cowboy and a polo player, and what her first experience at The American meant to her.
Also playing polo and serving as the captain of her high school basketball team, Outhier says rodeo holds a special place in her heart. “I’ve been to all the big rodeos with my dad, seen those San Antonio, Houston arenas,” she says, "... and I always dreamed that I would get to be in that position, to compete in one of those one day.”
On becoming the first roper to win the Breakaway title at The American, she says, “That was the craziest and most surreal moment of my life. ... I don’t think I’ll ever get to match that accomplishment.”
