Punching a ticket to the NFBR 2025 is one of the toughest goals in rodeo, and with the Sept. 30 cutoff looming, the race for the WPRA’s Top 15 is tighter than ever.

This year, four first-time NFBR qualifiers have positioned themselves to rope under the bright lights of Las Vegas for the very first time. From seasoned veterans finally chasing long-awaited dreams to young guns making waves in just their second full rodeo seasons, Aspen Miller, Kinlie Brennise, Suzanne Williams, and Jenna Dallyn are proving that consistency, horsepower, and mental toughness can break down the sport’s toughest barriers.

And while the standings may shift in the coming weeks, these ropers have proven they have what it takes to hold their own in the ever-competitive field of breakaway roping.

Aspen Miller, $99,583

Staying Solid and Holding Strong

Currently inside the top ten in the standings, Aspen Miller has learned to embrace the ups and downs of rodeo life in her second full summer on the ProRodeo trail. After early-season success, Miller has settled into what she calls a “holding position” mindset, aiming to stay steady through the Northwest run.

“It’s a lot harder to win money here than people realize,” Miller explained. “At Coeur d’Alene, I was a 2.3 — the third fastest time of the rodeo — and I split ninth through twelfth. That’s how tough it is. So at this point, I’m just holding my spot and focusing on the big-paying rodeos still to come.”

Her trusted horse Jigsaw has been her anchor, though she’s mixed in her mare Iggy to give him breaks.

“It feels good to have both of them underneath me,” Miller said. “I just want to stay solid with my horses, not do too much, and keep things as simple as possible.”

Consistency has been the biggest evolution in her roping. Once known for swinging for the fences, Miller has embraced a more methodical approach.

“This year I’ve really focused on taking it one calf at a time and knocking them down instead of trying to do too much,” Miller said. “It’s made me more of an average roper, and that’s helped me a lot at the two-headers.”

Even after battling a round of flu on the road, Miller hasn’t lost sight of what makes the grind worthwhile.

“I’m just enjoying the moment and not taking it for granted,” Miller said. “Right now, it’s about keeping things simple and having fun.”

Kinlie Brennise, $97,277

Finding Her Groove in Year Two

Currently hovering around the No. 10 position in the WPRA World Standings with $97,277 won, Colorado cowgirl Kinlie Brennise has found her stride in just her second full year of ProRodeo. What began as a goal of cracking the Top 30 has turned into a legitimate shot at her first NFBR qualification.

Brennise has leaned heavily on her two mounts — Rio and Cat — but admits that Rio has carried the majority of the workload this summer.

“I came into the year with the mindset of, ‘If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it,’” Brennise said. “Rio feels good, I’m confident on him, and we’re roping well together.”

Consistency has been her calling card. While she laughs that Coeur d’Alene in Idaho was her first outright rodeo win of the season, her steady placing at Fort Worth, Calgary, and across the Northwest run has kept her climbing the standings.

“My scoring has come a long way,” Brennise said. “Learning to read the barrier and cattle in the moment has helped me give myself a chance to win money every time.”

Behind the scenes, Brennise credits her support system. Traveling partner Josie Goodrich keeps the rig rolling, while her mom handles entries and logistics.

“If it was up to me, it probably just wouldn’t happen,” Brennise laughed. “My mom is calculating money and rodeo counts before I even leave the arena.”

Her biggest growth this season? The mental game.

“One run at a time — that’s what I’ve focused on all year,” Brennise explained. “I can’t control yesterday or next week, but I can control the calf I have in front of me.”

Suzanne Williams, $97,014

Balancing Family, Coaching, and a Vegas Dream

At 42, Suzanne Williams is proving that the road to the NFBR isn’t only for the 20-somethings. Sitting just outside the top ten in the WPRA Standings, the California cowgirl has managed to balance coaching the Lassen Community College rodeo team, raising a young son, and hauling hard enough to chase her first NFBR qualification.

“I’ve roped for a very long time, but I’m just as big a rookie as anyone else,” Williams said. “My husband and I sat down a couple years ago and decided if I was going to do this, I had to get into the Top 50 to make the winter rodeos, then make sure the right rodeos counted. This year, things just fell in line.”

Her horsepower has been a team effort. Williams has relied primarily on Ducker, while rotating in Flo, a mare owned by family friend Cody Jones, and Solo, her husband’s calf horse, for the longer setups.

“They’re all calf roping horses,” she laughed. “But they’ve been great for me in different situations.” With Jones helping her plan entries and her husband pitching in whenever he can, Williams says her circle has kept the grueling summer run manageable.

On the arena floor, she’s had plenty to smile about. The first week of August alone saw her cash checks at Jerome, Missoula, and Idaho Falls.

“Not huge checks, but a check everywhere I nodded my head,” she said proudly. “With this group of girls, that’s something to write home about.”

Still, the grind isn’t without sacrifice. Williams admitted the hardest part has been missing milestones with her 6-year-old son back home.

“I got pictures of his first day of first grade and I wasn’t there,” she said. “That was rough. But I remind myself there’s a reason I’m out here, and I’ve been waiting 20 years for this chance.”

Exhausted or not, Williams is relishing the ride.

“I’m a gypsy at heart,” she said. “If I have my truck, my dog, my favorite horses, and the people I love, I could be gone forever. I love this, and I’m going to enjoy every minute.”

Jenna Dallyn, $87,984

Riding One Good Horse All the Way

At just 23, Jenna Dallyn has made a name for herself in both Canada and the U.S. rodeo trail, and now she’s sitting near the bubble with $87,984 won — in position for her first NFBR trip.

Dallyn’s journey has been built around her 9-year-old gelding Doc, who has been her steady partner through the highs and lows of the year.

“I bought him as a backup heel horse, and he’s turned into everything for me,” Dallyn said.

After working through some “growing pains” and fusing hocks that sidelined him last fall, Doc came back stronger and more mature.

Her 2025 season highlights include big paydays at San Angelo, Casper, and Salinas, plus a strong July run that helped lock her into the Top 15. While August slowed down, Dallyn leaned on her ability to keep steady.

“The competition is getting tougher every year,” Dallyn said. “You just have to keep placing and take advantage of every opportunity.”

Much of her season has been spent hauling with fellow breakaway roper Amanda Terrell, who she credits for keeping the atmosphere in the rig positive. Add in a supportive family back in Canada, her boyfriend Riley Wakefield, and the backing of friends at home, and Dallyn says she never feels alone on the trail.

“This is my first real year going hard in the States,” Dallyn reflected. “It’s been a learning curve figuring out new setups, new scenes, even just the rodeo offices. But I feel prepared now — and I know I can only do my best every run and let the chips fall where they may.”

Whether they’ve leaned on trusted horses like Rio, Doc, Jigsaw, and Ducker, or on the support of family, traveling partners, and coaches, these women have shown that making the Top 15 is about more than talent alone. It takes resilience, consistency, and the ability to weather every high and low of the rodeo road.

As Vegas draws near, one thing is certain: the NFBR Class of 2025 is bringing fresh energy to breakaway’s biggest stage.