The Breakaway Roping Journal is proud to be source for breakaway roping news across the rodeo industry, bringing milestone moments, ProRodeo updates and the stories behind the stars of the community into the spotlight.
Here are the top five breakaway news articles of 2024.
No. 5 Here’s the Official 2024 Top 15 Breakaway Ropers
“The moment the entire breakaway community has been waiting for: the Top 15 breakaway ropers competing at the 2024 NFBR.
It’s been a grueling summer rife with competition that’s better than ever, leading the ProRodeo cowgirls to step up their game in ways they haven’t had to before.
“The girls that are out here every year know that we almost always beat previous years’ times by .1 or .2 of-a-second,” 2x NFBR Qualifier Hali Williams told BRJ in August. “So, our rodeos just continue to get faster every year and we have to account for that and continue to push ourselves to become better and faster.”
No. 4 How Have Top 20 Breakaway Earnings Changed in the Last Year?
“Observation 2: Top five are closer this year than in 2023
In 2023, $32,838 separated the top five after Labor Day. In 2024, only $19,082 separate them.
“It’s going to be a really cool World Title race this year,” 2022 World Champion Martha Angelone said. “I think it’s gonna come down to the very end and somebody isn’t gonna run away with it like they have for the past couple years.”
Angelone, who currently holds the No. 5 position (same as this time last year) currently boasts more than $12K in 2024 than this time in 2023.”
No. 3 Hooves, Wings and Wheels: How the Rodeo Family is Helping with Hurricane Helene Recovery
“From the moment Hurricane Helene’s rain stopped hammering North Carolina, the recovery process began with rodeo families of all backgrounds in the mix.
Despite the devastation, communities across North Carolina—and the entire country—have been springing into action. From trucks and trailers hauling items up accessible roads to mule teams, smaller airplanes and helicopters tackling the rougher routes, it’s clear North Carolina will come back stronger from the disaster.
The Breakaway Roping Journal has been in contact with several members of the rodeo network to gather information on where anyone can contribute to the recovery of Western North Carolina.”
No. 2 Hope Thompson Out for At Least of 6 Weeks After Rope-Barrier Wreck in Clovis [Trigger Warning on Video!]
“WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper Hope Thompson is recovering after the barrier caught her horse’s bridle in Clovis, California, whipping her horse around and ejecting her over the front into the dirt.
Thompson, 38, of Abilene, Texas, was coming off a win in the first round of the $15,000-added Clovis Rodeo, having been 2.9 to win $1,640, when she backed into the box to nod her head on her second calf.”
@breakawayropingjournal Hope Thompson’s recovering after a freak barrier accident in Clovis, California, that separated her right shoulder along with a broken humerus bone. Hope is adamant the event was a total accident, noting her 14h horse “Dreamer” leaves the line flat and at the perfect height to have his bit caught like it was today. The Breakaway Roping Journal and Hope’s @resistol1927 ♬ original sound – The Breakaway Roping Journal
No. 1 Shiloh Napp’s Brother Shane Hadley Survives TBI to Push Breakaway Calves
“Resistol Rookie of the Year candidate Shiloh Napp sticks out—at 33 years old, she’s one of the eldest in the field—but the Enterprise, Mississippi, cowgirl’s true superpower is the man pushing her calf every chance he gets; traumatic brain injury survivor and brother Shane Hadley.
In 2018, Hadley was bulldogging at the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association ProRodeo (PPCLA) in Mineral Wells, Texas, when the steer cut in front of his horse. When he and his horse went down, Hadley’s head was the first thing to contact the ground.”
The Breakaway Roping Journal is the source for all things breakaway, wether it be ProRodeo, futurity coverage or stories on the personalities that make the sport great. Stay tuned for 2024 NFBR coverage thanks to support from Top Hand Ropes, Equinety and Resistol. We’re just getting started.
