Wyoming cowgirl Haiden Thompson unknowingly roped her way into the history books at the Othello PRCA Rodeo in Washington, where her season earnings climbed to $61,888 — enough to surpass Josie Conner’s 2022 rookie record of $61,233 and set a new standard in the Resistol Rookie breakaway race with nearly two weeks still left in the ProRodeo season.
“It completely snuck up on me,” Thompson admitted. “I honestly had no idea. Josie did that and made the Finals, and I’m barely sniffing the top 20. It’s crazy how the money has changed and how much tougher it’s gotten.”
“Winning the Rookie of the Year is still an accomplishment of mine that gets announced a lot of the time when I back in the box. To be honest with you I didn’t even know I had the most money won for a rookie, but Haiden breaking the record just shows how much breakaway is growing and how good the opportunities are. Congratulations to her on a great Rookie Season.” – Josie Conner
A Rookie Year of Lessons
Thompson’s rookie season wasn’t built on winter building runs — she didn’t hit full stride until Guymon in June. Her original goals were modest: finish inside the top 30 to get into winter “building rodeos” next season and secure the rookie title. But a string of standout wins — at Bozeman, Estes Park, Gunnison, and Belle Fourche — combined with consistency at circuit stops like Casper and Sheridan, added up to one of the most lucrative rookie campaigns in breakaway history.
“Honestly, my favorite win was probably Belle Fourche,” Thompson said. “I was first out, first time ever roping there, and had no idea what to expect. That one really stuck with me.”
Much of her season was built around traveling alongside World Champion Martha Angelone, who not only shared her horses but also her experience.
“Being able to get in the rig with Martha was huge,” Thompson said. “The things I learned from her, whether she was winning or losing, were just as important.”
The Loss of Foxy
But Thompson’s milestone comes shadowed by heartbreak. Her star mare, Foxy and Fancy, suffered a catastrophic injury in late July at Thompson’s home in Yoder, Wyoming. After multiple veterinary consultations and a surgery attempt in Arizona, circulation problems ended any chance of recovery.
“She got hurt in her pen — it was just a freak thing,” Thompson recalled. “The vets said I’d never ride her again. We tried surgery, and at first it looked good, but then it went downhill so fast. My eyes were swollen [from crying] for a week straight. She made everything so easy, and suddenly I didn’t know what horse I was going to ride.”
Foxy wasn’t just another horse. She was the kind that only got along with Thompson, and together they regularly posted times faster than 2 seconds on short scores.
“I’ve never been so close to falling off a horse so many times,” Thompson laughed. “She gave me so many bruises, but she taught me everything about breakaway roping. She really only worked for me — we were meant to be together.”
Looking Ahead
Though she rode trusted gelding Tom to the Othello win that pushed her past Conner’s mark, Thompson admits she’s still searching for her “next Foxy.” For now, she plans to regroup after Sept. 30, skipping some fall rodeos to focus on finding a new mount and preparing for winter rodeos and the Kimes Million Dollar Breakaway coming in November.
“It’s crazy to think my rookie year is almost like a building year,” Thompson said. “But breaking this record is pretty special — especially being able to do it on Foxy. If you would’ve told me in January this is where I’d be, I would’ve said no way. It’s been a year full of learning, but I know it can only go up from here.”
