The Breakaway Roping Journal launched on Sept. 7 of 2020, just in time to capture the explosion of the sport. With three months in our rope cans, we are thankful for our readers for following the sport and the industry we love and plan to continue to bring more news stories, horse care tips, breakaway roping tips and more in 2021. Here are the top 10 stories from 2020:
10. In Loving Memory: The Bahe Sister’s Say Goodbye to the Great Roy
Cassie (Bahe) Latham and Anna Bahe put down their great horse Roy, just months before competing at the inaugural National Finals of Breakaway Roping.
Courtesy Bahe Family
9. Breakaway Benefactors: The 10 Unsung Heroes
Breakaway has become wildly popular with producers, but not because people #ropelikeagirl. The Breakaway Roping Journal contributor Julie Mankin shared 10 profiles of the unsung heroes behind this historic occurrence that are examples of how breakaway got here–despite being excluded from mainstream professional rodeo for exactly 90 years.
8. Taking the Lead: World No. 1 Breakaway Roper Cassie (Bahe) Latham
After a big win at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, Idaho’s Cassie (Bahe) Latham took the world by storm as she lead the WPRA breakaway roping world standings.
7. Crawford to Rope 6 Months Pregnant at Inaugural National Finals of Breakaway Roping
Jackie Crawford roped six months pregnant at the National Finals of Breakaway Roping in Arlington, Texas, with her unborn child, Journey.
6. All About Angelone: Virginia Cowgirl Leads on Eight Heading into Final Day of NFBR
Virginia’s Martha Angelone roped eight calves in 20.40 seconds to lead the average as she headed into the National Finals of Breakaway Roping’s final day of competition on Dec. 10, 2020, which she ended up securing the average win.
RC Photography
5. Crawford Crowned WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper
Jackie Crawford made history as she won her 20th WPRA world title, and was the first women to be awarded the National Finals of Breakaway Roping World Championship title on the same dirt as the National Finals of Rodeo contestants.
Jackie Crawford was six months pregnant, roping in a saddle with a horn cut off and still roped four calves in 9.9 seconds to lead the first-ever National Finals of Breakaway Roping in Arlington, Texas’s Globe Life Field in 2020.
The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association crowned a joint breakaway world champion at the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR).
2. Four Teenage Breakaway Ropers Won $147,600 (and a Truck and Trailer!) During NFR Week
Everyone had their eyes on the first-ever National Finals of Breakaway Roping during NFR week, but what many missed was the four teenage breakaway ropers that won big—Josie Conner, Aspen Miller, Madison Outhier and Harley Pryor.
Courtesy Texas High School Rodeo Association/Jennings Photography/Pryor Family
1. Crawford Calls Her Own Illegal Catch, Gives Up Top Spot in NFBR Average and Standings Lead
Jackie Crawford did something remarkable that could have taken her out of the NFBR average and a chance at winning the world title as she tracked down the National Finals of Breakaway Roping judges to clarify that she’d got a back leg in her loop and deserved a no-time.
