Haiden Thompson had the money-winning week of a lifetime at the 2023 Hooey Jr. Patriot winning a total of $75,000 with a rope.
“I’m just thankful,” Thompson said. “There are a lot of people who supported me to get me to where I am and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I’m keeping a grateful, thankful mentality about all of it. Win or lose, I am just happy to be here doing what I love.”
Starting a week of winning
Thompson’s week started out with a dominant showing in the 19 & Under Breakaway Semifinals. Thompson entered the semifinals with the maximum two entries—a drop in the bucket of more than 300 entries.
Despite the odds, she went on to rope in 1.86 and 1.91 seconds in Round 1, winning No. 1 and No. 3 for a total of $8,000. In Round 2 she roped in 1.75 and 1.79 to go one–two, winning $8,500. She rounded out her semifinals haul with a No. 1, No. 2 finish in the average for $8,500, bringing her semifinals total to $25,000.
But Thompson was just getting started. She advanced to the Hooey Jr. Patriot Finals on Sunday, Mar. 10, in the high callback position in a field of 15. As the short go progressed, competitors took barrier after barrier in the shorter Will Rogers Coliseum setup. The remaining ropers adjusted accordingly, and No. 9 high call Kaydence Tindall roped in 2.74 seconds. From there the race was on, with the times dropping closer and closer to the 2 second mark.
Teen phenom Harley Pryor roped in 2.12 seconds from the No. 3 high call, setting the bar for Thompson.
“I knew my calf was going to be a little bit slower, which I knew was going to help me out a bit,” Thompson said. “I didn’t think I got out, but my sister Hadley was in the corner and when I heard her yell, ‘Yeah!’ I knew I was good. I just saw the cow and threw.”
Thompson roped in 2.03 seconds, securing her $50,000 payday. In all, the Yoder, Wyoming cowgirl left Fort Worth with $75,000 won.
Haiden’s horsepower
Thompson’s No. 1 mare all week was 12-year-old “Foxie N Fancy,” known simply as “Foxie.” Bred by AQHA Hall of Fame inductee Frank Merrill, she’s Grays Starlight-bred on top and Docs Stylish Oak on the bottom.
“Foxie’s been my No. 1 for a while, and she’s really good for short setups like this,” Thompson said. “She really helped me pull it off here today. I ride a lot of colts at home, and they make you appreciate broke ones like her more.”
The Gillette College Student stays busy with schoolwork, colts and rodeoing. In 2023 she won the CNFR All-Around Championship, and has no plans of slowing down.
