Quincy Sullivan clinched the inaugural USTRC Total Feeds Open Ladies Breakaway Championship on Tuesday, April 25, with a neat 8.82 second aggregate on three head. 

For the victory, Sullivan took home a total of $17,960. 

“It was a really good roping, and it paid even better,” Sullivan, 19, said. “The money added was a draw for sure. They said $10,000– added in the breakaway, and I was already going to be here for the #12.5 team roping. Now, it’s pretty cool to be the first girl to win a USTRC Breakaway title. It’s an amazing opportunity at a lot of money, and I feel like it’s only going to get bigger.”

To bring home the championship in the Open Breakaway, Sullivan aimed to “knock ‘em down” without breaking the barrier on the short score. Throughout her three runs, she roped in 2.56, 3.61 and 2.65 seconds. Sullivan’s average payday earned $13,440, but second place and third place fast time checks gave her an additional $4,520.

“I think [the USTRC] did a good job setting it up,” Sullivan said. “It was well thought out, and it was nice they pulled out the better calves for the short go—a nice advantage for everyone, so nobody drew a bad one.”

Before earning her short-round run, though, Sullivan focused on keeping things smart and simple. 

“The first run, I just went and caught; got the start figured out. My plan was to just knock ‘em down and hopefully draw the better calves. Luckily, I did, and my horse was amazing today. He gave me the chances to win. He puts me in the same spot every time.”

Sullivan’s teammate, “Cricket,” has only been with her three months. Since then, the two of them have won a breakaway round at the Bob Feist Invitational and picked up checks at jackpots and college rodeoing for Clarendon College in the Texas panhandle. For Sullivan, Cricket is the perfect partner with an excellent work ethic. 

“I love that he tries every run,” said the waning freshman. “He has so much try and heart, and he wants to be a winner. I’ve won a lot on him recently, and he has a great personality, too.” 

Registered as San Joes Ltl Haida, Cricket is sired by San Joe Playboy and out of Haidas Little Pep mare Haida Fina.

Sullivan plans to transfer to Sul Ross for the second half of her college career in pursuit of a degree in Ag Business. Originally from Peralta, New Mexico, she competes in team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping as a way to keep herself sharp and competitive—and it appears to be working.

In 2020, with Luiz Mendiaz on the heels, Sullivan became just one of three women to ever earn a National High School Finals Rodeo Championship in the team roping. 

“Doing so many different events keeps me from focusing on one,” Sullivan said. “I feel like I’m more aggressive doing more events and keeping my mind busy. If I’m doing bad in one event, I always have the next one to focus on.”

Next, Sullivan will breakaway in the Resistol Rookie Roundup in Fort Worth, April 28–29, before jackpotting around North Texas and eventually heading back to New Mexico to compete on the Turquoise Circuit. 

Average

1. 8.82         Quincy Sullivan, $13,440
2. 8.86         Bailey Gubert, $10,080
3. 9.16         Jenna Lee Adams, $6,720
4. 9.5  Weslynn Reno, $3,360

Round 1

1. 2.5  Cheyanne Guillory, $3,600
2. 2.56         Quincy Sullivan, $2,520
3. 2.57         Sarah Angelone, $2,000

Round 2

1. 2.02         Rylie Edens, $3,600
2. 2.11         Madison Outhier, $2,520
3. 2.13         Quincy Sullivan, $2,000

Fast Time Short Go 

1. 2.00         Bailey Gubert, $2,000