Wyoming’s Haiden Thompson is making a statement early in the 2025 Resistol Rookie of the Year Race, garnering the 2024 WPRA World All-Around Title in Waco, Texas.
“I knew Kenzie [Kelton] was leading the All-Around coming in, and she had a pretty good weekend,” Thompson said of her team roping header. “Cadee [Williams] had a good week too, and I thought I was third. So to win was exciting.”
The multifaceted cowgirl breakaway roped, heeled, barrel raced and calf roped to get it done. In all, Thompson earned $9,332, a trophy saddle and a ton of confidence headed into her rookie year—where she intends to come out on top.
“I haven’t had a very good last couple of months so I don’t know if I’ll be able to get into the building rodeos,” Thompson, 21, explained. “But I still hope to make a good summer, fall, make the Finals and definitely win the Rookie. If I’m going to go out there, I’m going to give it my all.”
Haiden Thompson’s horse help
Thompson rode a collection of horses in Waco, surrounded by the Pryor family and Kelton for support.
In the calf roping she rode “Lil Man,” a gelding owned by Billy and Melissa Morrow. Together they won Round 3 with a 10.8-second time.
“I rode him for the first time on Wednesday and he saved my butt,” Thompson said. “He was perfect. I calf roped a lot growing up, but hadn’t done it on a while.”
In the barrels she rode “Turbo,” registered as Fabs Famous Kat. Turbo is owned by Nick and Lora Nichols.
While Thompson is a switch-ender in the team roping, she chose to scoop up the heels for Kelton in Waco. To do it, she rode Kelton’s “Mississippi,” registered as Cat 992. In Round 2, the pair topped the rest with a time of 6.5 seconds.
And in the breakaway—which Thompson may be best known for—she rode her own mare “Foxie,” registered as Foxie N Fancy.
“I’ve been wanting to come down here for this for a long time,” Thompson said. “I’ve been staying down here with a good friend Harley Pryor and it all just worked out. It’s been a blast—I’ll definitely be coming back every year.”
Find full 2024 WPRA Finals Results here.
