Getting to know Tana

When Tana Poppino made the decision in July of 2006 to quit her job as a media coordinator and rodeo full-time, she took a leap of faith, literally, on the back of her bay gelding, Amigo. With her faith in God and Amigo, Poppino spent the next year qualifying for her first National Finals Rodeo. She repeated the trip in 2007, and that year she also took home the biggest check of her life when she won the Calgary Stampede. 

The mother, wife and former full-time media relations coordinator from Big Cabin, Okla., has lived her life on the back of a horse but only recently became a full-time rodeo cowgirl. For the last ten years Poppino has counted on her stout partner, Amigo, but injuries in the past two years made her look towards a new equine here - Goose. The calm grey gelding was wildly different from the more nervous, quick Amigo, but soon Goose and Poppino would find their stride as well, a pleasant surprise for Poppino.

Now with two rodeo-ready, healthy horses, Poppino is setting out on the PRCA/WPRA circuit for the 2010 year, looking to make a run at the NFR. 

Tana on Goose

Tana on Amigo

Please check back the rest of the week to see more of our series with Tana Poppino!