Jordan Jo Hollabaugh continues an excellent 2024 record with a win at The American Contender Finals in Abilene, Texas, with a time of 2.21 seconds, winning $15,000 and throwing her hat in the ring for the $1 million prize at The American Rodeo in March.
“This year’s been fast and furious, and I’m very thankful we get these opportunities,” Hollabaugh said. “My horse was a little tight and I pulled across the line, but my calf was right there, and I got him roped.”
The fresh, fast calves made for a tricky start in Abilene as they trickled out of the chute before taking off at Mach 9 speed. Hollabaugh was the only roper to break into 2-second territory.
“You couldn’t take a good start… you had to let them out there a little bit,” Hollabaugh said. “But then they were hauling butt. I have no idea how I got out. You can see me saying in the video, ‘Holy cow, I don’t know how I got out.’ It was a tough setup because of that.”
The win is another line in Hollabaugh’s 2024 ledger. In January she won the WCRA Stampede at the E, worth $15,000, before advancing to the finals at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo where she earned a total of $8,000. She’s currently sitting No. 10 in the WPRA breakaway standings with $11,465 earned throughout the season.
Both the success of the last six weeks and perspective on breakaway’s rapid growth isn’t lost on Hollabaugh.
“I was going through my office—and I’m a hoarder—but I was going through all the back numbers from the first places [breakaway ropers] went, and it was pretty surreal to go through that stuff and remember that 4 and 5 years ago was the first times we were going to those events,” Hollabaugh said.
“The past few years I’ve had to do a lot of learning. I had to learn how to lose and went through some trials. I failed a lot trying to get there. My last few years I’ve not gotten what I wanted accomplished—and I’m thankful for that because it’s pushed me to be a better roper and a better person. I keep trying to fight the good fight every day and do what I get to do.” – Jordan Jo Hollabaugh
As she looks towards Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, for the 2024 American Rodeo, Hollabaugh was reminded of the last time she competed in Globe Life.
“Arlington is a special place to me, because that’s where we competed the first year we had the NFBR,” Hollabaugh said. “I placed in eight out of the 10 Rounds in Globe Life Field, and I will never forget what’s it’s like to go down the tunnel there for the first time. I think getting to go there again is going to be another cherished memory and I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
Find full American Rodeo Contender Finals results below, thanks to Equinety.
