The next generation of breakaway ropers are in a league of their own, and it was never more apparent than at the 2024 World Championship Junior Rodeo (WCJR) at the Lazy E Arena, where Harley Pryor, Kaydence Tindall, Josey James and Kali Jo Bannister took the top breakaway honors.
Breakaway roping at the WCJR has been on an upwards trajectory, growing from a $36K payout in 2022 to $55K in 2023 and more than $85K in 2024.
The competition was split into the Junior Division (16–19) and Youth Division (13–15), with an event champion and World Champion awarded in both divisions.
How do you win a WCJR World Championship?
The journey to becoming a WCJR World Champion begins long before the athletes set foot in the Lazy E Arena. Using the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier system, youth can nominate their rodeos and jackpots to earn points and climb the WCJR leaderboard. The top-earning athlete becomes the World Champion.
An added bonus of nominating events to the WCJR is the opportunity for an automatic seed into the Semi-Finals (skipping the need for the Qualifying Rounds) and paid entry fee.
2024 WCJR Breakaway Champions:
Junior World Champion: Harley Pryor
Hometown: Moore Haven, Florida
Age: 16
Total leaderboard points: 23,762.5
2024 WCJR earnings: $7,000
Favorite 2024 WCJR moment: “Kaydence Tindell and I both being from Florida—and her winning [the Junior Breakaway event] and me second behind her, plus winning the world is my favorite memory.”
Junior Event Champion: Kaydence Tindall
Hometown: Felda, Florida
Age: 19
2024 WCJR earnings: $11,788
2024 WCJR times:
- Round 1: 2.3 seconds
- Round 2: 2.96 seconds
- Semifinals: 2.61 seconds
- Short Go: 2.0 seconds
Favorite 2024 WCJR moment: “My favorite memory from this year would have to be making it through all of the qualifying rounds and doing my job in the championship round.”
Youth World Champion: Josey James
Hometown: Bulverde, Texas
Age: 15
Total leaderboard points: 17,524.25
2024 WCJR earnings: $2,295
Favorite 2024 WCJR moment: “My favorite memory was being interviewed after I roped and all the people congratulating me when I left the arena. It felt like a big accomplishment and everyone noticed.”
Youth Event Champion: Kali Jo Bannister
Hometown: Jacksonville, Texas
Age: 15
2024 WCJR earnings: $4,945 (between barrels and breakaway)
2024 WCJR times:
- Round 1: 2.56 seconds
- Round 2: NT
- Semifinals: 2.44 seconds
- Short Go: 2.09 seconds
Favorite 2024 WCJR moment: “My favorite memory was definitely getting handed my big check and buckle because that’s when I really felt like I had accomplished a huge goal of mine.”
