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.
10. Joey Williams – Getting ready in the cold
For four-time NFBR Qualifier Williams, getting ready to rope on a stage like this is old hat. She’s been balancing the workload between a-stringer “Baybe” and “Reba.”
“I’ve been going to an indoor in town that’s about 20 minutes away. It turned into winter up here. I have three horses I’ve been practicing on; Baybe, Reba and a mare called Jewel. Baybe has been getting a couple of calves here and there, Reba has been getting a lot of heavy duty work to get ready, and Jewel [to practice for myself]. I’ve been trying to stay sharp I haven’t been anywhere in a long time. I’m just trying to take those competitive throws like I would at a jackpot or a rodeo.”
9. Beau Peterson – Getting the reps in
Peterson may have her eye on more Riata Stallion Incentive cash at the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway in Scottsdale. She took $6K in incentive money home by entering the Riata sidepot at Oklahoma’s Richest in October.
“I haven’t been roping a whole lot with the EHV stuff, and then we went to Vegas. But now that I’m home, I have about four horses that I practice on for me, and then it’s just getting my good ones ready to go for the Kimes and then our Finals. Nothing too crazy, just getting reps in. I plan to take Festus and TLC, he’s a 7-year-old Kit Kat Sugar I got in the spring.”
8. Maddy Deerman – Getting aggressive
Deerman was honest with herself after coming home for the summer with a few bad habits, and got to work fixing them. Now, after two solid months of practice, Deerman is undoubtedly ready to back into the box for some big money.
“I came home from the summer with a few bad habits I wanted to fix. When I was gone, especially in August, I got to where I was sitting down [in my saddle] and not being aggressive. So I have been trying to practice correctly and gain confidence. I’ve set up a dummy with a saddle [above] so it’s been good for my tip—just keep it down and train me to throw down. I was letting my rope go early and too high so I have been training to be correct.”
“I haven’t been anywhere since November 15th, and I’m someone who likes to enter and go rope at people’s houses to stay sharp.”
“I am super excited for it to be in Texas, honestly. I didn’t have the best [NFBR] last year, and I am excited for Cowtown. We have it mostly sold out—and Cowtown can get loud and exciting. I am also looking forward to taking the horses home and being able to sleep in my own bed each night. I am thankful it’s still happening. I know it’s not in Vegas at the South Point of Thomas and Mack, but I am glad it’s happening and we get a chance to show that people are interested in breakaway roping. I do think it needs to get back to Vegas next year, for sure.”
7. Cheyanne McCartney – Staying consistent
2023 NFBR Average Champion McCartney isn’t overcomplicating her Kimes and NFBR prep, making sure she gets her reps in both on the dummy and in the saddle.
“Every day I’ve been practicing on my stationary horse, I have a couple of horses I made a handful of practice runs on every day. And then just making sure Lexus feels good—I won’t make a ton of runs on her.”
6. Aspen Miller – Keeping the fresh off
It’s been chilly in Texas—and Miller has been sure to keep her horses thinking about the job at hand. She’s enlisted two a-string horses Jigsaw and Iggy for practice, as well as Ice.
“I’ve been practicing roping and making sure my horses aren’t too fresh. The cold weather has them feeling good. I’m not trying to change too much—just get reps in. I have Jigsaw, Iggy and a yellow horse I call “Ice.” I’m just trying to ride as many as I can.”
