Taya McAdow and Haiden Thompson were the top dogs of the 2025 Mountain States Circuit Finals, with McAdow securing the Average Championship while Thompson earned her way to $22,566 and the Year-End title.

For both these cowgirls, a trip to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs in July 2026 is part of the deal, where they’ll represent their circuit against 24 other breakaway ropers.

Mountain States Circuit Average Champion: Taya McAdow

McAdow and gelding “Rabbit” were the last pair standing at the Mountain States Circuit Finals, posting times of 3.4, 3.5 and 3.1 seconds to win Rounds 1 and 3, earning a total of $7,822. Their win came following a grueling Round 3 with 11 no-times.

“I was second in the average going into the third round, so I was second-to-last, McAdow, of Fort Lupton, Colorado, said. “So I got to see all 10 before me not catch, which is unheard of. There is such talent in the circuit. It didn’t phase me much, though. I’ve roped my entire life, and you get conditioned [to execute]. I wanted to make the best run on what I had, and that didn’t change.”

Rabbit delivered the fastest run of their finals thus far, sealing their 10.0-second average win.

“Rabbit and my husband Ross made the Circuit Finals in the tie-down roping, and I’ve made it the last five years in the breakaway roping,” McAdow said. “So he’s a dual purpose horse for our family.”

The 12-year-old gelding’s namesake is his ears. He sustained a head injury as a baby that required his stitches, and when they sewed him back together, his ears became permanently pointed upwards. According to McAdow, he can move them side-to-side, but not back.

“He get’s really mad when it rains,” McAdow laughed. “But he’s always got somewhere to be dry at home. He is almost human. He is very sensitive, so if you’re excited, he’s excited. If you’re upset, he’s upset. He gives lots of kisses—he’s something else. He understands.”

McAdow purchased him as a 4-year-old, and the pair have now been together for eight years. Registered as Hickorys Lil Rey, Rabbit’s cow blood is almost as strong as his work ethic.

“He used to stop so hard,” McAdow said. “At a jackpot, he stopped so hard that it ruptured the disc between my C3 and C4 vertebrate. We have worked really hard on him trying less hard. Some of his ability is plenty.”

Together, McAdow and Rabbit tackled the ProRodeos on the Mountain States Circuit in between her full-time job as a feeds sales rep. According to McAdow, the circuit is doable for those who can only rodeo on the weekends.

Taya McAdow’s Mountain States 2025 Resume:

• Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper, WY, $3,996
• Brush Rodeo, Brush, CO, $1,816
• Evergreen Rodeo, Evergreen, CO, $1,560

“For me, getting to rodeo is about the relationships,” McAdow said. “I get to haul with my sister-in-law Makenna and best friend Jessie Miller—or by husband. I want to thank my mom, dad, Britt, Makenna, friend Jessie, and my husband. He also works full-time, but he made sure the arena was watered and was there to open the chute when I got home from work. It’s nice to know you have people pulling for you, praying for you.”

Mountain States Circuit Year-End Champion: Haiden Thompson

Thompson put on an dominant showing throughout the Mountain States Circuit to win by a landslide—$22,566. The 2025 Resistol Rookie of the Year set a new earnings benchmark in the rookie race, rounding up a total of $64,624, and will get to rope at the NFR Open during her sophomore season of ProRodeo.

Haiden Thompson’s Mountain States 2025 Resume:

• Sheridan WYO Rodeo, Sheridan, WY, $2,239
• Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo, Casper, WY, $7,122
• Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Inc., Gunnison, CO, $3,290
• Rooftop Rodeo, Estes Park, CO, $4,249