Grace Dubois proved persistence pays off at the Total Feeds 19-and-Under Breakaway roping, assembling a 7.22-second average on three head for a total of $8,260.
The event, which is in its third year, is held during the Cinch USTRC National Finals in Fort Worth.
“It started off a little rough, but it worked out in the end,” Dubois of Church Point, Louisiana, said. “I was entered twice, and my first run, I got outrun. But my second run I was 2.06 and won the round for $1,500.”
Dubois switched between horses throughout her runs, strategically preserving her 22-year-old gelding “Cheers” while seasoning her younger horse.
“My good horse is older, so I try to save him,” Dubois explained. “I’ve had him six or seven years. He makes it easy [to go fast] but he’s tight so it’s hard to run one a long ways on him.”
A round 2 time of 2.4 seconds sent her to the short go in the high call position.
“I was high call by half a second—they said I had to be 3-something, so I just made sure I caught him,” Dubois said.
A clutch 2.76-second run sealed the win.
“My mom talked me into entering the breakaway, and I’m glad I did,” Dubois said.
This was the second time Dubois had roped in the Watt Arena recently—the prior time coming at The Patriot where she didn’t have any luck.
Now, she plans on keeping the momentum going. The Dubois clan including four brothers and one sister are all roping at the USTRC National Finals.
“I’ll be team roping in the #9 and #7 as well,” Dubois said.
Looking ahead, Dubois plans to pursue a degree in equine osteopathy in Florida this fall.
“It’s like massage and chiropractics in one,” Dubois said.
