Jackie Crawford became the WCRA’s first breakaway champion at the Windy City Roundup in Chicago in Jan., 2019, winning $52,347 and etching her name in the WCRA history books.
“The WCRA was amazing for adding breakaway in 2019—and it really allowed us to showcase breakaway and what it could be,” Crawford said. “They announced they were going to add breakaway [to Windy City]. There were several conversations with Bobby Mote and that crew trying to get the breakaway in. When they said ‘Yes,’ it was a whirlwind of emotions, excitement and ‘Holy cow, we’re in!’ We got to compete just like everyone else for $50K.”
For Crawford, competing in Chicago took her back to her home state of Illinois, somewhere she’d left to learn how to rope, attend college and go to work riding horses for names like Lari Dee Guy.
Who competed at the 2019 WCRA Windy City Round-Up?
- Jackie Crawford
- Cassidy Boggs
- Lari Dee Guy
- Sarah Morrisey
- Justine Doka
- JJ Hampton
- Kelsie Domer
- Hope Thompson
How’d Jackie Crawford do it?
Riding iconic gelding “T-Boy,” who earned her the 2020 WPRA Breakaway World Championship, Crawford roped in 2.17 seconds in the long go and 2.28 seconds in the short to win it all.
“For us breakaway ropers, the Windy City Round-Up felt like we were a part of breakaway history,” Crawford said. “This was huge for women. I was so lucky and fortunate that I was able to win the first $50K. it was unreal.
Since then, Crawford’s added a smattering of other WCRA Championships to her trophy case, including the 2023 WRWC Team Roping Heeler Champion.
