Kirby Rawlinson is setting up her 2026 Resistol Rookie bid in an almost too-good-to-be-true fashion; advancing to the Finals of the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway with major winter rodeos including RodeoHouston and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on the calendar, too.
With $25,000 being paid to the go-round winners throughout the next 10 rounds of the Million Dollar Breakaway, 25-year-old Rawlinson is hungry for the opportunity, roping alongside 10 invitees and 14 women who battled their way through the qualifying system alongside her.
“The Kimes breakaway is life-changing for us,” Rawlinson said. “You don’t get an opportunity to rope for this kind of money—ever. Us girls wait all year long for something like this.”
Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Payout
Rounds
1st: $25,000
2nd: $20,000
3rd: $15,000
4th: $10,000
5th: $7,500
6th: $5,000
Average
1st: $60,000
2nd: $40,000
3rd: $30,000
4th: $20,000
5th: $15,000
6th: $10,000
Rawlinson earned her spot at the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway semifinals through the Oklahoma’s Richest in Guthrie. When she arrived in Scottsdale, Arizona, she roped in the Last Chance Qualifier on Dec. 16 for a chance to get some experience inside WestWorld’s Equidome.
On Dec. 17, a clutch 1.86-second run in Round 1 of the Semifinals secured her position to rope against the best breakaway ropers in the game.
But who is Kirby Rawlinson?
Rawlinson hails from East Texas, growing up in Wharton, Katy, and now living in Waller, Texas. She grew up around rodeo, youth rodeoed extensively and became the first all-girl team to make nationals in high school rodeo with Rylie Smith on the heels. She team roped and breakaway roped throughout college, slowly turning her focus more towards breakaway as the event gained traction and opportunity.
Now, armed with an degree in agribusiness from Texas A&M University–Commerce and a pile of amateur rodeo experience, Rawlinson is ready to hit the big leagues.
At the center of her success is longtime partner Spud, a 17-year-old gelding she’s owned since eighth grade. The pair has been together for 13 years, and their familiarity shows when the pressure is on.
“He’s my everything—my go-to horse,” Rawlinson said. “I know I can trust him, and he knows me. Every time I nod my head, he gives me everything he’s got.”
Spud, who Rawlinson describes as “old faithful,” now only gets called on for the biggest moments as he ages—but Scottsdale certainly qualifies. Although known for his speed across the line, Spud’s favorite thing is food and the cookies Rawlinson feeds him after every run.
“I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Kimes for giving us breakaway ropers this opportunity. They truly care about us girls and are making sure we get a chance to rope for big money.” – Kirby Rawlinson
Game plan for Kimes and beyond
Rawlinson’s competitive approach is straightforward and fearless. She doesn’t rope for the average—she ropes to win.
“I’m a one-header roper,” Rawlinson said. “When I’m back in the box, I know there’s one shot. I go for broke.”
The mentality has served her well thus far, putting her in the mix with some of the best ProRodeo ropes in the game. As she looks ahead to 2026, she plans to maximize the Winter rodeos she’s qualified for, walk-up replace at any others she can, and make it into the Top 15 in the World. To do it, she’ll lean on hauling partner and “second mom” Stephanie Braman—who is also a ProRodeo rookie in 2026—as well as her family who have supported her all the way.
