With the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway and the National Finals Breakaway Roping stacked back-to-back, preparation for the Top 15 breakaway ropers has looked different in 2025.
Between schedule changes, limited jackpot opportunities, winter weather and heightened biosecurity concerns, the ladies have had to adapt—balancing practice, horse care and mental sharpness as the biggest week of the season approaches.
Dig into the first of three articles in a series breaking down how the top ProRodeo breakaway ropers are preparing for the $1.3M week below thanks to Top Hand Ropes.
15. Macy Young – Staying busy
Young has qualified for her third Finals on Mister Judge Boomer, a big, tall bay gelding known as “Boomer.”
“I roped on Thanksgiving, roped one other day and went to a jackpot, and that’s been all. We are pretty busy [at our ropings] and I have been announcing from 8 in the morning ’till dark. And that’s me leaving early to go feed horses. We slow down after the ninth and go to four days a week, so I’ll have time to practice. My announcing is sharper than my roping right now.”
“I always said the NFBR is in our extreme busy time, so the Finals being moved back helps with that.”
14. Bradi Good – Holding pattern
Good and two star geldings “Rango” and “Roofie” are locked and loaded for the upcoming events.
“I was ready to go back when we were supposed to leave, but then everything came to a halt. So I’ve just been putting the horses on the walker when it’s been cold and rainy, keeping them legged up, and we leave next week to go back out to Scottsdale and then come back to Fort Worth.”
“I’ve been making practice runs. Rango is 16, he knows what to do so I just run two or three calves. Make good rodeo runs. And then my younger one Roofie, it depends on what he needs. Sometimes I run one in there, track the calf and make sure he’s honest with me, and then I’ll make rodeo runs on him so I can get the feel for it. To me, Roofie gets in his stop a little earlier than Rango. Rango goes through my throw and is a little freer. Roofie is starting to get in his stop earlier and makes it happen a little faster.”
“I think I’m going to start off the NFBR on Rango, and something happens or I need the go-round win I’ll get on Roofie. He’s my go-round horse for sure.”
13. Suzanne Williams – Headed to Arizona
Mother and Lasen Community College coach Williams had a little extra coordinating to do for Kimes and the NFBR, due to her California address and son Landon’s Christmas.
“I have been home trying to figure out logistics, since I’ll basically be gone for Christmas. I have been roping and practicing every day at home and when the college kids. The weather in Susanville has been beautiful. I am headed out to Arizona, just to get some competitive runs under my belt before the Kimes deal. Solo mission to Arizona and my husband and son will join me, and then we’ll drive to [Fort Worth].”
12. Bailey Bates – Riding on the range
Bates struggled with horsepower throughout the year after her No. 1 “Rocket” cut his leg in the trailer. She jump rode and won enough to make the Finals, and now it looks like her team of horses is coming back together for the richest week of the year.
“I’ve been home, getting into a routine. I try to do some physical activity in the morning, and in the afternoon when it warms up I’ll go out and practice. Ride in the range, exercise the horses and get a good sweat on them. By that time we’ll have the calves in and sorted, and the horses are warmed up enough to rope. I’ll get a few runs on Reno, Rocket and a young one named Diggy. I’ve also been riding an older horse named Little Mama, and that’s because my mom said she looked kind of sad. Them and come back out later to rope the dummy and feed.”
“I’m ready for the Finals. We think about it being in Vegas at the beginning of December all year and now it’s [moved] and at the end of December, and it’s like, ‘O.K., come on.’ I got my jitters out and it’s been a long waiting game. But it’s exciting, first Finals. Wherever it is.”
11. Kinlie Brennise – Ready to lock in
Brennise was one of the most disappointed the NFBR was moved from Vegas to Texas, but has adapted her game plan to accommodate the new location inside Cowtown Coliseum.
“The last few weeks, before I came out to Vegas, I was roping every single day. Keeping the runs on my good horses to a minimum, just making sure they feel good, and then riding more practice horses. Trying to work on reaching and roping fast. Now that I’ve been in Vegas, it’s been more mental work. Overall I feel really ready. I mean, I know how to rope so it’s just staying locked in.”
“Thankfully since I’ve been in Vegas, my horses have been at Haley Wright’s house in New Mexico and she’s had someone to put them on the walker for me so that’s been amazing. I’ll be in Vegas ’till the end so afterwards I’ll go to her house, rope for a few days and then go to Scottsdale.”
