Breakaway roping champion Jane Ryan responds to pregnancy concerns

"I'm a very fit, active person - pregnancy is not a big deal for me," she said. "I've kept entering events because I feel comfortable with it all."

Currently 33 weeks pregnant, Jane was less advanced in her pregnancy when she became the Australian breakaway roping champion in January.

She said she'd done the same thing with her first baby, Lexi, now 23 months old.

"I competed 'til the end of March 2020, when COVID shut us all down," she said.

"Everyone had to stay home then, not just me, but I rode to three weeks before I had Lexi.

"I'm very lucky, I've had very smooth pregnancies."

In the past Jane did a little campdrafting and barrel racing but now concentrates on roping, which she says takes a maximum of five or six seconds each go.

"There are no tight turns, no jinking and go again," she said. "Plus, my little horse Deadly is very light-footed; I don't even feel him move."

Jane said she had the support of her husband Aaron, who was one of the announcers at Road to Rodeo on the weekend.

"He knows I'm confident and capable," she said.

"He knows too that if I wasn't feeling right I'd sit out.

"I don't ride during the week outside the hours when he's there."

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Jane is originally from Pekina in South Australia and is a member of the Willoughby family, one of the best known in rodeo in the state, and her mother Barb Willoughby is the biggest supporter of her decision to compete while pregnant.

"There will be those who tut tut and roll their eyes at her riding still as she is obviously late in this pregnancy," she said.

"Well, roll your eyes, but you better know that Jane is one incredibly fit healthy woman who has ridden every day.

"Yes, she can still get on her horse without a mounting block at 33 weeks.

"She can still haul and stack lucerne hay in the shed, she can still work a night shift on the digger, and the best bit - she is also one hell of an amazing mum to a toddler."

Barb said her daughter had blown the naysayers out of the water with her capabilities.

"There has to be a greater word than 'proud' for this mum n dad to be able to express how we feel," she said.

"Breakaway ropers be ready, her fire in her belly will never be stronger than when she has not been able to rope for a few weeks."

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Jane paid tribute to her fellow competitors for their support.

"I have a phenomenal support group round me - nine out of 10 rodeos I'd go to myself with Lexie, who's 23 months.

"They really help me, a really lovely group of girls."

She moved to Queensland when she finished school and has been here for the best part of 20 years.

"I've had some wonderful success over the years, and I feel as if I'm getting better and stronger," the soon-to-be mother of two said. "I'll just have to try and keep up with the young, skinny kids."

In the meantime, she doesn't know whether she and Aaron are having a boy or a girl.

"We just want a healthy baby," she said.

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