Rickie Fanning is in the drivers seat for the $60,000 average champion payday at the Kimes Million Dollar Breakaway Nov. 27–30 thanks to an aggregate of 17.97 on six head.
Fanning’s journey to leading the average has been anything but traditional, though, featuring artistic fishing of her rope in Rounds 2 and 5. To add to the drama, Fannings’ off-billet broke in Round 6, too.
“I wasn’t sure when it happened, I just felt my saddle was a little looser when I got done roping my calf in Round 6,” Fanning said. “And I looked down and saw the leather hanging there. I jumped off real fast because that horse is quirky enough that I was afraid he might jump out from under me.”
So far, Fanning has earned $7,500 at the Million Dollar Breakaway with a 2.56-second run in Round 5.
For some context: The Kimes Million Dollar Breakaway Roping is a first-of-its-kind event taking place in Scottsdale, AZ. The top 10 WPRA breakaway ropers were invited and seeded into the finals, while more than 600 entries battled for 15 qualifier spots. Those 15 ladies joined the top 10 for a two-night battle royale to then determine the top 15 using money won and average position.
Now, it’s time for the final four performances that will crown the first ever Kimes Million Dollar Breakaway Roping Champion.
“This is an incredible event,” Fanning said. “The money we get to run for every night, every round is life-changing. It’s huge for us that’s in it, but it’s also huge for the sport of breakaway. What they’re doing for us is amazing.”
Though she may be leading the average race, Fanning explained her game plan for her final four runs includes hitting the barrier and “not safety-ing up.”
“These rounds pay so good that you try to go at every one of them,” Fanning said. “But the hard thing is that my horse is not as tight as some of the other girls’ horses and he’s not going to get stopped as fast. He’s a touch freer and even if I take the same shot, he doesn’t shut it off as fast as they do.”
The gray horse called “Copper” has been owned by Fanning and husband Rhett since he was a 4-year-old. Now 8, he’s been in the trailer on the ProRodeo road the last few years, but didn’t get the call until this year after Fanning lost her rock-solid “Rolo.”
“I don’t have a short horse for a short setup,” Fanning said. “I’m taking these last four runs as practice calves, trying to take my first best shot.”
According to Fanning, her fishing scenarios at the Million Dollar Breakaway came about when she was a little late off the barrier. Copper is so strong and fast that he can make up the ground—but he often “blows up” on the calf and makes pulling off a shot tricky due to her rapid acceleration and the calves’ slower pace. If she’s able to time the barrier as she intends, there won’t be as much catch-up needed, lessening the chances she’s have to fish and pray.
The Breakaway Roping Journal is your source for all things Kimes Million Dollar Breakaway Roping, from rank run videos to results and more. Stay tuned for more coverage coming live from Scottsdale.
