RAPID CITY, S.D. – Sawyer Gilbert, a professional breakaway roper from Buffalo, S.D., has signed a sports sponsorship agreement with Monument Health.
Gilbert grew up on the back of a horse. She is the sixth generation on her family’s ranch (Gilbert Angus Ranch) in Buffalo. During high school, she competed in goat tying, team roping, cutting and breakaway roping. She was a two-time South Dakota high school state champion breakaway roper in 2017 and 2018, and two-time reserve champion goat tyer.
After high school, Sawyer attended Weatherford College where she was the Reserve Region Goat Tying Champion, and was on the Championship Girls Team. In 2019, she won the Rope for The Crown and the long go at The American. Gilbert went on to win Rookie of the Year in the Badlands WPRA Circuit. In 2021, she won Cheyenne Frontier Days, Pendleton Round Up, and finished off her 2021 season by winning the NFBR Average and World Title.
“Professional rodeo falls far behind in specialized training and health care for its professional athletes compared to other major sports,” Gilbert said. “Specialists that help me excel in my performance, diet, and training are one of the keys to my game, and I truly believe it is what sets me apart from the rest of my competitors in my field. I am fortunate to partner with Monument Health and be a part of this elite group of professionals in and out of the healthcare industry.”
“We’re very happy to have Sawyer be a part of Monument Health and represent our organization. She and her family are longtime members of our community and represent strong South Dakota values,” said Justin Feeser, Northern Hills Manager of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. “Her already-long list of accomplishments in rodeo speaks to her determination and work ethic. She will be a great ambassador for Monument Health, and we look forward to supporting her as she works to accomplish her goals.”
Gilbert is the sixth professional athlete to sign with Monument Health Sports Performance Institute. She joins Dennae Russell, professional Paralympic snowboarder, Ricki Engesser, professional breakaway roper, James Carter, professional freestyle motocross athlete, Tamara Gorman, U.S.A. national team triathlete, and Martin Christofferson, U.S.A. National Team Bobsled athlete.
