Joey Williams placed in all three rounds at the 2025 Montana Circuit Finals in Great Falls, Montana, earning her second consecutive average title and securing her fifth Montana Circuit Breakaway Roping title.
Williams has proved time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned with, no matter where she is on the map. However, when you give her the home state advantage, consider it game over. The four-time NFBR Qualifier came into the Montana Circuit Finals in the number three position with $14,562.63 in earnings. Capitalizing in the regular season with wins in Missoula and Hardin, Montana, she came into the finals with a little ground to make up, but she never wavered.
The Montana Circuit Finals is no easy feat. With 2023 World Champion Shelby Meged and 2022 NFBR Average Champion Cadee Williams in the lineup, there is no room for error. Williams turned in times of 2.7, 2.3, and 2.9 seconds to win a check in each round and claim the average title with a 7.9-second total on three head. Williams wrapped up her fifth Montana Circuit Championship, taking home $8,076 in finals earnings.
“Having a good circuit finals is a great way to start off the year”, says Williams. “I am very thankful that I got to spend the week with my family in Great Falls.”
Williams has the winning recipe when it comes to horsepower; she rode her mare Reba throughout the finals. Reba is by Williams’ stud Smoke N Sunrise and out of a full sister to her longtime standout horse, Baybe.
“She’s been on the trailer with me the last few years, so it’s really fun to get to win the circuit on Reba as well as Baybe,” Williams said.
In addition to clutching the circuit championship, this win will also qualify Williams for her fourth NFR Open, set to take place in Colorado Springs in July 2026. This event offers one of the largest payouts of the year and determines the national circuit champions in each event.
“I’m definitely looking forward to another chance at the NFR Open,” Williams said. “This circuit championship is special to me, especially getting it done on Reba.”
Montana Circuit Finals Breakaway Results
First round: 1. Jacey Fortier, 2.0 seconds, $2,937; 2. (tie) Celie Salmond and Molly Salmond, 2.3, $1,836 each; 4. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged and Joey Williams, 2.7, $367 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Cadee Williams and Joey Williams, 2.3 seconds, $2,570 each; 3. Dusti Bird, 2.6, $1,468; 4. Jacey Fortier, 2.7, $734. Third round: 1. Ellie Meeks, 2.4 seconds, $2,937; 2. Dusti Bird, 2.5, $2,203; 3. Cadee Williams, 2.6, $1,468; 4. Joey Williams, 2.9, $734.
Average: 1. Joey Williams, 7.9 seconds on three head, $4,405; 2. Jacey Fortier, 8.1, $3,304; 3. Celie Salmond, 8.7, $2,203; 4. Cadee Williams, 16.8, $1,101.
