Best for Last: Martha Angelone Tops Round 1 at WCRA’s 2024 Stampede at The E with 2.37

Martha Angelone has been on her grind since the National Finals Breakaway Roping in early December—and she used her momentum to her advantage on Thursday, Jan. 4, in Round 1 of the WCRA’s Stampede At the E, winning it with a 2.37-second run.

“I knew I had a slower calf,” Angelone said. “So, I got on my good horse tonight Jesse James. I had to make sure I saw the start—I tried to see neck rope, but I was honestly off of it a little bit and used my rope a little more than I should have in the first round. But it was a good, sharp run to start off the week.”

Angelone was last out in a round of 12 ropers—an advantage she gained by coming into the Stampede At the E with the most points on the leaderboard by more than 1,500.

“Being last out was a big advantage,” Angelone said. “That’s why I try to nominate a lot at these things—you go later and get to know exactly what you have to be. Right before I roped, there were five girls who had a no time. So I knew I had to catch two calves to make it back on Saturday.”

Angelone and Jesse James are no strangers to the WCRA family of events—winning the Women’s Rodeo World Championship breakaway in 2022 in Fort Worth.

“The WCRA and WRWC have opened up so many doors for me. A lot of the girls don’t spend the money and nominate—but you’ve got to think of it as an investment. The Women’s Finals in 2022 changed my life. Since then it’s just gotten better and better for me. I know a lot of people don’t understand how to nominate—but I feel like once you get here, they’re easy to understand and if you go make good runs you’re going to get paid a lot.”

Martha Angleone

With the round-topping performance, Angelone is seeded into the Saturday night short round.

“I think [Friday] I’ll probably ride one of my younger horses, since I already have a spot in the short round,” Angelone said. “Give Jesse James a break until Saturday.”

Angelone’s plan for Saturday?

“Go as fast as I possibly can,” Angelone said.

Progressive Round 1 Breakaway Results