With a total of $22,584 won, Aspen Miller and gelding “Jigsaw” were crowned the 2025 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Breakaway Champions.
“This is my first big win, especially at the winter rodeos,” Miller, 21 said. “I’ve been to the semifinals at San Antonio before but this is the first time advancing. I’m excited for this year and looking to get on a roll.”
Miller put on a dominant showing in San Antonio, finishing No. 1 or No. 2 each time she backed in the box. Her times of 2.1, 1.7 and 1.9 seconds in Bracket 3 saw her round up $6,828 and advance to Semifinal 1, where she won the round with a 1.8-second run.
At that point she already had $12,080 won, and Miller’s strategy of taking “one calf at a time” was paying off.
“I ended up running a calf from my bracket in the semis, and I had the same calf in the finals, too,” Miller said. “So I ran a red baldy a majority of the time. Shane [Philipp] actually ended up buying the calf, and now I can practice on it whenever I get discouraged.”
Unlike other major winter rodeos, San Antonio’s Champion is determined based on total money won, not the fastest roper in the Finals. Miller was No. 3 out in the short go, and although she tries to just rope her game, the numbers sometimes sneak in.
“I tried not to run the numbers back there… but I knew I needed to win no worse than second and Rylee George was right behind me,” Miller said. “She can get it done for sure and had a great calf. She roped outstanding and got the barrier—she had me nervous for sure.”
With a 2.1-second run, Miller finished No. 2 in the short go behind Maddy Deerman’s 1.9. The $10,504 payday was enough to bring her total to $22,584 and secure the championship.
Jigsaw’s puzzle is coming together
The San Antonio win adds to Jigsaw’s ever-growing rodeo resume, which includes the title of first-ever breakaway champion in St. Paul in July 2024. According to Miller, the LA Waters-bred gelding fits the faster setups well, but can adjust when needed.
“I really started pushing him this time last year,” Miller said of the 8-year-old. “I think putting the miles on them like that—the good ones come along and the others might now. He’s been rock solid since.”
Next up for Jigsaw and Miller will be RodeoHouston, where they’re roping March 10–12. Over the summer, she’ll be reuniting with friend TiAda Gray to haul.
