Brooke Ladner doubled up on 2024 Southeastern Circuit titles, securing the year-end with $23,669 won and roping three head in 7.9 seconds for the average championship on her third consecutive trip to the Circuit Finals.
“It’s exciting to have won,” Ladner, 22, said. “I know it’s not the NFR, but to me, it feels like all the hard work is finally paying off.”
Ladner roped her calves in 2.9, 2.9 and 2.1 seconds to earn a total of $11,867.
“My last run was really memorable,” Ladner said. “The girls were roping a lot faster Sunday, and I went out there and did what I felt I had to do. I took the first shot I saw and it all came together. Spider does what I need him to do every time.”
Hailing from Poplarville, MS, Ladner took up amateur rodeoing out of high school. When the Southeastern Circuit began adding breakaway to more rodeos, she turned her attention to ProRodeo. She made her first Circuit Finals in 2022 and missed every calf. From there, it’s been a slow build to the top.
“I think the biggest change in my roping at this Circuit Finals was my confidence,” Ladner said. “My goal going in this year was to win a round. I’d never won a round—so I wanted to take it one run at a time. I am not an average roper… I’m a one head roper. I tried to make every run [it’s own rodeo]. Run at the barrier, no extra swings, don’t safety up.”
Ladner did it riding DS Keeperofthescotch, a gelding she calls “Spider.” Currently 10 years old, Ladner bought Spider as a finished breakaway horse—but he lacked the seasoning it takes to make a solid rodeo horse. She began hauling him in 2023, and this year was their time.
“This summer I feel like Spider really changed my roping,” Ladner said. “I had a really good summer—the best I’ve ever had. On the ground, he’s very hateful, and crazy to warm up. But he’s easy in the box and loves his job. I rode him everywhere this summer—from Cheyenne to Nampa.”
Brooke Ladner’s Southeastern Rodeo Paydays
- Southeastern Livestock Exposition & Rodeo, Montgomery, AL — $2,781
- Mt. Pleasant Rodeo, Mt. Pleasant, TX — $1,940
- Rodeo of the Ozarks, Springdale, AR — $1,900
With an NFR Open Qualification on her calendar now, Ladner says she hopes to make a bigger Western loop out of her Colorado Springs trip. She also plans to enter the 2025 winter ProRodeos available to her and “see how it goes.”
2024 Southeastern Circuit Finals Breakaway Results
First round: 1. Amanda Coleman, 2.7 seconds, $2,967; 2. Brooke Ladner, 2.9, $2,225; 3. Lacey Nail, 3.0, $1,483; 4. Hollie Ladner, 11.9, $742.
Second round: 1. Brooke Ladner, 2.9 seconds, $2,967; 2. Whitney Keller, 3.2, $2,225; 3. Bobbie Jo Alcazar, 4.7, $1,483; 4. Kelsey Mabry, 11.6, $742.
Third round: 1. Laramie Johnson, 2.0 seconds, $2,967; 2. Brooke Ladner, 2.1, $2,225; 3. Della Bird, 2.5, $1,483; 4. Lacey Nail, 2.9, $742.
Average: 1. Brooke Ladner, 7.9 seconds on three head, $4,450; 2. Lacey Nail, 5.9 on two head, $3,338; 3. Kelsey Mabry, 23.3, $2,225; 4. Laramie Johnson, 2.0 on one head, $1,113.
