In a loaded field of nearly 400 breakaway ropers, Brooke Bruner and Macy Hancock rose to the top, tying for the win in the 19 & Under Breakaway Roping Semifinals at the 2026 Patriot.
Both cowgirls posted a blazing 4.14 seconds on two head, earning $5,085 apiece and securing spots in Sunday’s championship round.
“It was intense and I was scared,” Bruner laughed. “But I knew my horses were going to go do their job. It was just a matter of me doing mine.”
In a salty semifinal round, both Bruner and Hancock knew they needed to be quick to win money. With a 4.57 on two being the cutline to make it back to the finals, Hancock described the roping as “a big-time knife fight.”
“With that many girls, you just have to back in the box and make it another practice-pen run,” Hancock said. “Take as many shots as you can correctly and keep your horse freed up so he stops when you want him to.”
Bruner kicked things off in Round 1 with a sharp 2.02-second run aboard her horse Taco, a 14-year-old gelding she credits with shaping her career.
“He gives me the same run every time,” Bruner said. “He’s just been the biggest blessing of my life.”
Hancock matched the pace with a crisp 2.11 in Round 1, then followed it with a 2.03 in the top 50 round to secure the tie. Riding an eight-year-old gelding she recently purchased from Beau Peterson, Hancock said she and the gelding are still finding their rhythm.
“The first week wasn’t too good, but we’re getting it figured out,” Hancock said.
For both ropers, the semifinal win brings momentum and opportunity. With the Patriot finals set for Sunday inside the historic Will Rogers Coliseum, the co-champions now turn their focus toward another high-stakes performance.
“It’s going to be electric,” Bruner said. “Will Rogers Coliseum is loud, and it’s an incredible experience to rope in there.”
