Sarah Angelone is the newest American Rodeo breakaway champion, roping in 2.16 seconds to secure her $100,000 prize.
“It’s not true yet,” Angelone said. “It’s a pinch me moment right now.”
Saturday Mar. 9 started out at Globe Life Field with a round of 10 ladies—five who’d advanced through the Contender Tournament system and were eligible for $1 million, and five who were invited via the 2023 WPRA Breakaway World Standings finish, making them $100,000 eligible. Angelone finished No. 4 in 2023 and was part of the $100,000 crowd.
A time of 2.47 seconds in the 10 women round placed Angelone in the bottom slot to advance to a clean slate finals.
“This is my first time to be at Globe Life,” Angelone said. “I was a little long on my first one and didn’t think I was going to make the top four.”
American Rodeo Breakaway Final four time
Angelone was first out in the final four with two $1 million-eligible ropers behind her.
Back in the warmup pen, box help and friend Lowman said the game plan was for Angelone was to, “Not back down, that’s for sure.”
In the chute was a black beef-bred calf supplied and pushed by 2020 PRCA Tie-Down World Champion and friend Shad Mayfield. Then, it was time for Angelone to back into the box for $100,000.
“I was first out, and I really needed to go for it,” Angelone said. “But I just felt like I needed to take an extra swing and make sure I caught. It was a gamble and Dani [Lowman] told me not to do it, so I thought, ‘Ah, I just messed up winning The American.’”
She had to wait out three other ropers, including sister Martha. When the dust settled, Angelone was $100,000 richer.
“I’m not sure what I’m going to do with $100,000, but I’m not going to blow it,” Angelone said. “I’m going to invest it. Not horses…maybe one horse, but I’m going to invest the rest.”
For Angelone, the win is an exclamation point on a mindset change that has seen her go from the talented horse trainer to deadly rodeo competitor.
“Dani and I have been talking about winning for the past week,” Angelone, 25, said. “Being around people who inspire you to be better is lifechanging. Dani’s been [at my house] for a month-and-a-half and she’s electric. I’m grateful to have her in my corner and push me to be better.”
Angelone’s been gaining steam for more than a year, starting with being coaxed out onto the ProRodeo trail by 2022 WPRA Breakaway World Champion Martha. She rocked the summer rodeo trail, advancing to her first NFBR. There, she won two go-rounds and (whether she admits it or not) has caught the rodeo bug. Now, she has a $100,000 to play with on the ProRodeo road.
Angelone thanked her family including her mother, boyfriend Teagan Yeary, Lowman and her sponsors for their support.
