Coonabarabran's Shawn Robin Chape set a new arena record and took home the ABCRA Breakaway Roping Champion 2024 title at the National Rodeo Finals in Tamworth from 23 to 25 January. 

Shawn finished first place in the first and third rounds with a time of 1.9 and 1.69 seconds respectively and fourth in the second round with a time of 3.4 seconds on her horse Rio. 

"Rio is just sensational. He's very confident and such a natural."

Shawn and her husband, Glen, posing with Shawn's national title. Photo: supplied.

The champion's roots however lie over 12,000 kilometres away in a small town called Rozet in the northeast corner of  Wyoming where she grew up on a ranch. 

"Horses and rodeo were always a way of life," Shawn said. 

She competed in rodeos throughout her school time and later in college as well. 

While attending college in Texas, Shawn happened to meet a cowboy called Glenn from Walgett and the two hit it off. 

Unfortunately, Glen got injured in a rodeo and had to return home but Shawn decided to follow him back to Australia.  

Her boots first touched the ground in Australia in 2013 and since then she has been at home in country NSW. 

The couple initially lived in Carinda before moving to Coonabarabran in October 2022. 

Shawn with her husband Glen and son Kyle. Photo: supplied.

Coming to Australia, was a bit of a shock for Shawn at first. 

"The United States is a country of convenience.

"If you walk into a gas station in the States, there is the Taj Mahal of snacks. I remember the first time I walked in and there were only five kinds of candy bars and I was like, 'Wow that's not what I'm used to.'"

"But you learn to adapt and now, I don't even really notice it anymore."

There are also some differences between American and Aussie rodeo culture that stuck out to Shawn. 

"It's a lot more family-oriented here," Shawn said. 

Rodeos in Australia usually only last a weekend whereas in the States they can go on for a week.

"Here, you can see parents and children competing the same weekend, and in some instances together," Shawn said. 

But just because the events are shorter doesn't mean they aren't easier. 

"It's still tough at the top. It's very competitive," Shawn said. 

Shawn's husband Glen, who is a two-time Australian rodeo champion, has been her rock during her training. 

"For the past 11 years since I have been here, he has been a constant source of support for me, morally, mentally, or even just helping me practice. If it wasn't for him, none of this would have happened."