The next generation of breakaway ropers made their mark at the 2025 World Championship Junior Rodeo, with Brook Banks and Josey James winning world titles.
The WCJR, held at the iconic Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, brought together youth athletes from across the country who had been nominating events through the WCRA’s Division Youth all year long. With leaderboard points on the line and more than $400,000 in total payout, competitors faced off in open rounds, semifinals and finals. Banks walked away with $5,100 and the Youth world title, while James earned $2,900 on-site en route to claiming the Junior division title.
Banks Locks It Down on a 6-Year-Old Rolo
Bristow, Oklahoma’s Brook Banks came into Guthrie and dominated, tallying 11,313 points and winning the Youth world title by 1,604.50 points. She placed in both open rounds, won the average, and posted one of the fastest times of the week—a 1.83 in the finals—to finish her week with $5,100 in earnings.
“I just came to jackpot in the qualifying rounds since I was already seeded into the semifinals,” Banks said. “I won third in both open rounds and won the average. I walked away with a pretty good paycheck.”
Her week kept building. Banks stopped the clock at 2.40 and 2.49 in the open rounds, then roped a 2.25 in the semis and threw down a blazing 1.83 in the finals.
Banks’ horsepower came in the form of a 6-year-old gelding named Rolo, who she and her family bought off the racetrack at age 4.
“He’s been amazing,” Banks said. “We ran barrels on him first, then started roping on him. He’s only 6, but he acts like he’s done it forever.”
Despite Rolo’s age, he’s proving reliable under pressure, whether at jackpots or under the bright lights of the Lazy E. Banks knows the value of a calm, smart horse in a high-stakes setup.
“I usually just jackpot on him or pony him around,” Banks said. “Every once in a while, I’ll breakaway a few slow calves at home, just enough to keep him tuned up—but he works the same every time.”
With $5,100 earned inside the Lazy E, Banks is already thinking ahead.
“I’m going to put it in my bank account and enter more rodeos,” Banks said. “That’s the plan.”
James Stays Solid with Cracker Jack and Nikita
In the Junior division, 17-year-old Josey James of Bulverde, Texas, stayed calm and climbed her way to the WCJR world title with 25,986 leaderboard points. She pulled a $2,900 check out of Guthrie and sealed the world title with a 2.25-second run in the finals.
“It feels great—I’m super blessed,” James said. “It’s been a great week. I’ve caught every single calf I could, and I’ve done what I could with what I’ve drawn.”
James’ journey to Guthrie included nominations at Patriot qualifiers, junior rodeos and even small stock contractor events in Kingsbury, Texas. Every rodeo, big or small, counted—and her year-long consistency paid off.
“My first run here, the calf ran on a little harder but I still got him caught,” James said. “Second run was about the same. They ran, but I was ready for it.”
While her main mare Nikita had carried her through the bulk of the nominating season, James made a late switch to her horse Cracker Jack once she arrived at the Lazy E.
“I came here thinking I’d ride Nikita, but I started off on Cracker Jack and it was going pretty good, so I stuck with him,” James said. “He gave me a lot of confidence all week.”
Her success, she’s quick to admit, wasn’t a solo act.
“I have a super good support system,” James said. “My mom and grandparents back home, and especially my dad—he takes me everywhere. I couldn’t be where I am without him.”
With the world title secured and a little money in her pocket, James already knows where it’s going.
“I’m going to save it and keep entering more rodeos,” James said. “That’s the goal.”
