It Started with one athlete

Every organization has a beginning. Ours started with a simple question:

What happens when a rodeo athlete can no longer compete?

In 1998, that question became impossible to ignore.

After a devastating injury ended the career of world champion bull rider Jerome Davis, the western sports community did what it has always done. Friends became family. Competitors became neighbors. People from across the sport rallied together, raising money to help Jerome and his family navigate an unimaginable chapter.

It was a remarkable act of generosity. But it also revealed something bigger.

For generations, rodeo athletes have competed as independent contractors, traveling thousands of miles each year without the safety nets found in most professional sports. No team doctors. No athletic departments. No player benefits. When an injury, health crisis, or personal challenge changed everything, too many athletes were left trying to figure it out alone.

That moment became the foundation for something bigger than one athlete's story.

As Western Sports Foundation grew, so did our understanding of what athletes truly needed.

Financial assistance mattered. It still does. But we learned that lasting support requires more than financial assistance alone.

Athletes need someone to call after a concussion. A licensed counselor when life feels overwhelming. Guidance through recovery. Help preparing for life beyond competition. They need trusted experts, meaningful connections, and a place to turn before a challenge becomes a crisis.

Because while a check can help someone through today, a support system can help change what comes next.

tHE sUPPORT WAS THERE. tHE SYSTEM WASN’T.

Meet Our Team

Mai-Brit leads the Western Sports Foundation with one simple belief: no athlete should have to face life's toughest moments alone.
She spends her days building partnerships, growing programs, and connecting people who care deeply about the western community. Whether working with athletes, families, sponsors, or supporters, her focus is always the same: making sure help is there when it's needed most.
Mai-Brit believes the strength of western sports has never been measured by what happens in the arena alone. It's measured by how this community shows up for one another long after the ride is over. Every day, she's working to build a stronger support system so every athlete knows they have somewhere to turn.

If you've ever reached out to the Western Sports Foundation, there's a good chance Elaine was one of the first people you connected with.
She walks alongside athletes and their families every day, helping them navigate everything from mental and brain health resources to educational opportunities and support during life's toughest moments. Whether answering questions, coordinating care, or simply listening, Elaine's goal is to make sure every person who reaches out feels heard and knows they don't have to figure it out alone.
Behind the scenes, Elaine keeps WSF moving. She works closely with our providers, partners, and athletes to ensure the right support reaches the right people at the right time.
Known for her kindness, steady presence, and genuine care for the western community, Elaine believes that sometimes the most important thing you can offer someone is knowing they're not walking through it by themselves.

At Western Sports Foundation, you'll find a team of people who care deeply about the western sports community.

Serving athletes isn't just what we do, it's why we're here. Every conversation is an opportunity to listen, encourage, and help someone find the care they need.

While our staff may be small, we're surrounded by an incredible community of providers, partners, volunteers, donors, and advocates who generously give their time and hearts to this mission. Together, we're able to make a lasting difference in the lives of athletes and their families.

Our Board of directors

No one person understands every challenge an athlete may face. That's why our Board brings together voices from across western sports, business, and philanthropy. Different experiences. One shared commitment: making sure athletes have somewhere to turn when they need help.