From English saddles to Western speed, Addison Williams has lived a lifetime in the saddle—and she’s only 17. A Canton native and daughter of rodeo parents, Addison represents a new generation of cowgirl: educated, empowered, and fully immersed in a sport that’s equal parts grit and grace.
She attends i-Grad Academy and dual-enrolls at Georgia Highlands College, juggling psychology classes with early-morning training sessions and weekend rodeos. “I realized early on that I chose a very time-consuming sport,” she explains. “We leave for rodeos on Thursdays or Fridays, and I needed a flexible school schedule to match the lifestyle.”
Addison's first steps into the horse world began at just four years old. She started in English disciplines—jumping and dressage—and rode competitively until she was 13. But by then, the roar of rodeo crowds and the thunder of hooves around barrels had captured her heart. “I was doing both at once for a while—English riding and barrel racing,” she laughs. “Eventually, I left for the ‘dark side,’ as my English coach called it, to go full rodeo.”
Today, she competes in Barrel Racing and Pole Bending, two of the most explosive events in the arena. Her trusty horse, Dolly, is always at her side—her partner in every loop, turn, and sprint. “You don’t just vibe with every horse,” Addison says. “But when you do, it changes everything. Dolly and I—we’re a team.”
Rodeo, she’s quick to point out, isn’t just about raw speed or showmanship. It’s about connection, consistency, and mental strength. “Your horse can feel everything you feel. If you're not right mentally, you won’t ride right physically. And they know, they sense it in you.”
In 2024, Addison was crowned Rodeo Queen of the RockN’5L Rodeo Association. And as the first teen to represent the Miss Rodeo Georgia Association, she now wears her sash and title with purpose—to educate and inspire younger riders. “There are a lot of girls who don’t even know rodeo is an option,” she says. “I want to change that.”
To help demystify the sport, Addison offers a breakdown of rodeo’s key events. “You’ve got roughstock events like saddle bronc and bareback riding, and of course, bull riding—my dad rode bulls for eight years,” she shares. “Then there are the timed events—team roping, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling. It’s all about precision.”
Barrel Racing, Addison’s specialty, looks simple at first glance: a horse and rider racing a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. But it requires meticulous control, reading each arena’s unique setup, and pushing speed without sacrificing accuracy. “Every arena is different—smaller ones can shave your time by a second, and if barrels are too close to the fence, you’ve got to adjust your turns. It’s all a mental game.”
Her parents play an enormous role in her journey—not just emotionally, but in the daily routines. “I have to ride at least three times a week,” she says. “That’s not from a coach. That’s from Mom and Dad. They keep me—and Dolly—conditioned. Like training for a marathon.”
Addison’s long-term dream? Competing at the collegiate level and ultimately earning a spot in the Miss Rodeo America pageant. “Some girls do the pageant but don’t compete in rodeo,” she says. “I do both. And I think it’s important to show the full picture of what rodeo is.”
With few colleges in Georgia offering rodeo, Addison is exploring programs in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama—schools that have full barns, arenas, and travel schedules, just like any other sport. And she’s not afraid of the independence it’ll require. “I’ll be hauling my horse by myself. Truck, trailer, the whole deal. But that’s the life I want.”
For Addison, rodeo isn’t just a competition. It’s her compass, her classroom, and her calling.
“Find what lights your heart on fire,” she says with a smile. “And don’t let go.”
"We don’t watch Netflix—we watch rodeo. Every night. This is all I do, all I love."