Breakaway roping is one of the simplest events in ProRodeo, but the differences in opportunities, Las Vegas Finals and prize money can be murky if someone’s not immersed in the industry.
The Breakaway Roping Journal rounded up some of the most-asked questions about breakaway roping and the 2024 NFBR.
Table of contents
Is breakaway in the NFR?
Breakaway roping isn’t included in the seven events at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas due to tradition and structure.
The NFR, established in 1959, originally focused on events traditionally dominated by male competitors, like bull riding, bronc riding, and team roping. In 1967, barrel racing was added in partnership with the WPRA. While there’s growing interest in adding breakaway roping to the NFR, change has been gradual, influenced by factors like logistics, prize money, and maintaining the rodeo’s established format.
Instead, breakaway ropers compete in the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR), where the Top 15 WPRA breakaway ropers duke it out for the World Championship.
Did you know? Breakaway Roping is the fastest growing event in ProRodeo, with more than 500 rodeos adding it to their roster since 2019, generating a massive economic impact for the PRCA, WPRA and individual events.
What is the NFBR?
The NFBR is a two-day, 10-round event produced by the WPRA and PRCA. The Top 15 breakaway ropers compete for a total of $300,000 in prize money.
The NFBR began in 2020 when the NFR was moved to Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFBR became the new place to crown the WPRA Breakaway World Champion, taking place of the WPRA World Finals each year in Waco.
Hosted at the South Point Casino, the NFBR runs a few days ahead of the NFR. The South Point Casino’s spacious equestrian center provides a good venue for the event, offering ample seating and a state-of-the-art arena.
When is the 2024 NFBR?
The 2024 NFBR is set to take place December 3–4 at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas.
Where can you buy NFBR tickets?
NFBR tickets can be purchased online at southpointarena.com or ticketmaster.com, by phone at 866-796-7111 or at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa box office.
General admission tickets are $30 each day, with reserve admission tickets available for $45 per day.
Tickets are electronic unless purchased at the box office or specified otherwise online or over the phone.
How much does the NFBR pay?
According to the WPRA, the 2024 NFBR is set to pay out $300,000 in partnership with Tito’s Vodka across two days of competition. Exact go-round payouts and the average payouts have not been released.
Who won the first NFBR?
The first NFBR took place in Texas in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jackie Crawford was crowned the first-ever NFBR World Champion.
2020: Jackie Crawford
Jackie Crawford won her 20th WPRA world title and 3rd breakaway roping title upon the conclusion of the first National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) with $47,185 in earnings.
Crawford won the Round 1 with a 1.9-second time at the NFBR in Arlington, which earned her the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff Fast Time Award. Crawford went on to place in six of the 10 rounds, holding off fierce newcomer Martha Angelone for the World Championship.
2021: Sawyer Gilbert
“Sawyer Gilbert showed up and made a bold statement at the 2021 National Finals of Breakaway Roping as she was crowned the World Champion Breakaway Roper and the Average Champion.
“It was my dream before it was even possible for breakaway ropers,” Gilbert said, “to win the average and the world title. Obviously, coming into this, I wanted to win the world for sure because it’s the coveted gold buckle, but to win the average to get me to that world title is even more special.”
2022: Martha Angelone
When the chips were on the table and the breakaway roping world championship was on the line, Martha Angelone reminded everybody why she earned the nickname “Gunslinger” at the 2020 National Finals Breakaway Roping.
A hunger for gold awakened inside Angelone in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, that year.
“I even told Jackie [Crawford] today that, ever since I won (the reserve world championship) to her in 2020, I’ve come back and wanted this every year,” Angelone said.
2023: Shelby Boisjoli-Meged
Shelby Boisjoli-Meged finished an incredible year of ProRodeo roping as 2023’s Breakaway Roping World Champion, earning $197,706 across 100 rodeos and the NFBR.
“This win means the world to me,” Boisjoli said. “This is the biggest blessing.”
In 2021, Boisjoli entered the NBFR ranked No. 1, only to lose the title to Sawyer Gilbert. This year, though, there was absolutely no question as to who is the queen of breakaway.
