Tuesday night in Cowtown Coliseum was an electric breakaway roping performance at the semifinals of the 2022 Women’s Rodeo World Championship.

Two-time National Finals of Breakaway Roping Qualifier Martha Angelone was last in the round and fired off a 2.20-second run to top the round, worth $1,000, besting Britta Strain’s 2.92-second run in second.

“There’s no safety for this cowgirl,” the announcer yelled as the calculators came out. “She didn’t want to just move on, she wanted to win the round—and she did!” 

GUNSLINGER: Keeping Em Honest and Throwing Fast with Martha Angelone

He wasn’t wrong. Angelone backed in the box with the intent to dominate. 

“I was thinking I’d have to try to win the round so I could win the (year-end pro division) World Championship,” Angelone said. “I didn’t know if I’d have a shot to come back tomorrow because I had a broken barrier on a run. But man, when they gave me a chance—it pumped me up, that’s for sure.” 

Angelone, Hope Thompson and Britta Strain were three of the front runners for the Women’s Rodeo World Championship race, and three of the high callbacks to move on to the Showdown round at the WRWC on Wednesday, May 18. They thickened the plot by finishing the round with the top three fastest times to all move forward.

When the official results were tallied, Angelone not only had the round, but also had the third-place aggregate position, worth $1,900, and the year-end World Championship title, worth a cool $5,000 bonus. (This is different from the WRWC title that will be awarded at the end of the Triple Crown of Rodeo Round on Wednesday night.)

As if Angelone’s quick roping isn’t impressive enough, she switched things up with a new horse for the WRWC. Gunna Shock Ya, known as “Jesse James,” is Angelone’s newest horse addition. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by PRCA All-Around hand Tanner Green.

“I just got Jesse James two weeks ago,” Angelone said. “He was supposed to be for sale, but I really got along with him, so Tanner is letting me haul him and use him. We’re starting to get it together.” 

Angelone may have a World Championship title secured, but she will be patiently waiting her turn at Dickie’s Arena on Wednesday night to take a shot at the Showdown and Triple Crown of Rodeo rounds. Her schedule has been brutal for the past few weeks, between WCRA events, ProRodeo travel and jackpots to fill in the gaps. It may be an intense time, but Angelone is soaking it all in.

“I love weeks like this, when we get to rope for this much money,” Angelone said. “But I’m glad everything is close to home this week so I can sleep in my own bed. 

Taylor Hanchey will join Angelone, Strain and Thompson as the four Pro contenders meet up with previously No. 1 seeded Josie Conner in the Showdown round on Wednesday. They will go against the five qualifiers from the Challenger division, and the top three from the entire pool will advance to the Triple Crown of Rodeo round, where one breakaway roper will earn $60,000 and the WRWC event title. 

Results

Pro Semifinals 

1. Martha Angelone, 2.20-second run, worth $1,000
2. Britta Strain, 2.92-second run
3. Hope Thompson, 3.20-second run
4. Marybeth Beam, 4.39-second run

Aggregate 

1. Britta Strain, 10.15 seconds on three, worth $2,900
2. Hope Thompson, 10.97 seconds on three, worth $2,400
3. Martha Angelone, 11.64 seconds on three, worth $1,900
4. Taylor Hanchey, 13.10 seconds on three, worth $1,400
5. Cadee Williams, 15.14 seconds on three, worth $900
6. Lari Dee Guy, 15.80 seconds on three, worth $500