LIVINGSTON, Ala. - When the No. 8 University of West Alabama women's rodeo team embarks for the 2024 College Finals Rodeo in June, senior wrangler Jaylie Matthews will be riding her longtime partner Sis as she competes for the program's second straight national championship.
Growing up in Wynne, Arkansas, Sis has been a major part of Matthews' life for the past 12 years.
"Sis was my mom's horse before she was mine. She's been a part of our family for a large chunk of my life," said Matthews.
Since Jaylie and her sister Taycie Matthews, a fellow member of the Tiger Rodeo squad, began riding Sis at an early age, The Ozark Region's top horse has been a major part of the girls' success at the collegiate level.
"Taycie and I have been riding since we were young, and we've always favored barrel racing. We spent a lot of time riding with our mom and grandparents as kids, mostly with Sis. I guess you could say it's in our blood in a sense.
Sis is no stranger to the big stage or the recognition that comes along with it. During the Matthews' stint at East Mississippi Community College, Sis was named the 2021 College National Horse of the Year.
The early success of Sis and the Matthews sisters on the collegiate circuit caught the attention of West Alabama head coach Daniel Poole.
"The work ethic of these athletes is what really stands out to me. Keeping up with your own health and conditioning to do what we do in this sport along with the upkeep of the horses is a full-time job," said Poole.
With the help of her star mare, Jaylie finished the regular season top in the Ozark Region in barrel racing and sixth in the national rankings.
"Sis is honestly a superhero. Taycie and I swapped back and forth with her when we felt as if we were struggling with our other horses. It's paid off big time in a lot of spots for both of us over the years," said Matthews.
The UWA senior has won the Ozark Region title four out of her five years on the circuit. Her sister won the other remaining year.
"I would say we really feed off each other's energy. We encourage each other, but we're also constantly competing to make each other better.
Jaylie and Taycie will both compete in the barrel racing event College Finals in June, with Taycie finishing just behind her sister in the number two spot in the Ozark Region.
The Matthews sisters highlight a West Alabama team that secured its third straight Ozark Region title in 2024. In the coming days, the Tigers will look to add a second straight national championship when they enter the Ford Wyoming Center on June 9-15.
