Otero’s Linsay Rosser Sumpter Named Commissioner of the Women’s Rodeo World Championship

In March, the Women’s Rodeo World Championship (WRWC) named Linsay Rosser Sumpter their event commissioner. Sumpter is also the Head Rodeo Coach at Otero College. Some of her responsibilities with the WRWC include working with the athletes, increasing their opportunities, and ensuring their experience with the WRWC is collaborative and positive. She will help build and expand female rodeo talent and continue the growth of women’s rodeo.

This year’s event took place at the Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, May 16-18 with a total payout of more than $750,000. In the past 3 years the WRWC has paid out more than $2.2 million to female rodeo athletes. This dollar amount makes it the largest annual purse in the women’s rodeo world. At this event, they crown World Champions in Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Barrel Racing, as well as an all-around champion. WRWC is a culmination of a year-long race of women’s rodeo events worldwide. Athletes qualify for the WRWC by earning points and leaderboard positions using the VRQ (Virtual Rodeo Qualifier). There are two divisions within the competition, pro and challenger. This year, a total of 148 women competed in the events. More information can be found on the wrwc.rodeo website.

Sumpter said, “I’m so excited for the opportunity to work with the WRWC. I saw a need for a better future within in the sport of rodeo for women, it’s been on my mind for my entire tenure as a coach and has influenced how I coach. The WRWC is the platform of change that women in the rodeo industry needed.”

In addition to her duties as Commissioner of the Women’s Rodeo World Championship, Sumpter is also the Head Rodeo Coach at Otero College. She has been an immeasurably valuable asset to the program since 2009. She is the student’s advisor, mentor, and example. Before moving to Colorado, Sumpter was a collegiate competitor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she was a multiple-year College National Finals Rodeo qualifier. She owned and operated her own rodeo school, in both California and Colorado, where she trained young rodeo athletes in various rodeo events.

According to Otero College President, Tim Alvarez, “The Women’s Rodeo World Championship is lucky to have Linsay at the helm. And this is a perfect time for her to help. They could not have found a more qualified person. Mrs. Rosser Sumpter possesses relentless commitment to excellence, a tenacious spirit, and her positivity is contagious. We wish her the best in this professional endeavor. She represents Otero College with dignity and class. She makes everyone she is around better.”

While she did compete in the WRWC the previous two years, Sumpter did not enter as a contestant this year. She continues to compete in other smaller rodeos, team roping, and barrel racing events. As a mom, a wife, a coach, a competitor, and now as a commissioner, she has her hands full. Otero is lucky to have her and the students even more so. She is an excellent role model and a valued part of campus.

For questions about the Otero Rodeo team, you can contact Coach Sumpter at 719-384-7876 or email linsay.sumpter@otero.edu.