In a standout performance at the Total Feeds Open Breakaway Roping, 19-year-old Kieley Walz captured the win with a blazing aggregate time of 6.52 seconds on three head.
Roping in 2.04, 2.17, and 2.31 seconds respectively, Walz took home a $11,180 paycheck at the event held alongside the Cinch USTRC National Finals.
“This is my kind of setup,” Walz said. “I love it so much. Just that blast out right there.”
Walz was riding her veteran mare Bella, who’s registered as I Love Firefighters and sired by the Walz family stallion IMA Firefighter. Originally started as a barrel horse, Walz credits Bella’s genetics for her intense speed.
“Her explosive power is what gets me my fast shots all the time,” Walz said. “She just explodes out of the corner.”
Though the open win looked effortless, Walz said she’d been fighting through a rough patch.
“I definitely was in a hole for a little while… just mentally I wasn’t roping the best,” Walz admitted. “This is a really big confidence boost for me.”
It’s a big financial boost, too, allowing Walz to enter more jackpots and rodeos with Southeastern Oklahoma State University, where she’s coached by Christi Braudrick.
Walz said she’s been working hard to clean up her slack and delivery.
“I had a really bad habit of jerking my arm back when I threw,” Walz said. “I’ve really had to work on that to catch my slack consistently.”
Next on her agenda: the final college rodeo of the season in Guymon, Oklahoma, where she’s gunning for a top three finish to qualify for the College National Finals Rodeo.
“I’m sitting fourth,” Walz said. “So yeah, I’m going to have to blast again. They’re all walking fresh calves, and that’s not my thing. So I’m kind of nervous, not going to lie.”
