Breakaway roping competition is fast becoming one of the most popular highest paying events in the sport of rodeo.
Quite longtime, breakaway roping had been an event typically intended for youth and cowgirls. That has changed in recent times as breed associations have included breakaway competitions for all amateur riders.
Most recently, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association started including Women’s Professional Rodeo Association sanctioned breakaway roping at their rodeos. That has included the annual National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with winners taking home major paychecks.
In breakaway roping, a calf is roped around the neck with a lariat tied by a lightweight string to the roper’s saddle horn. When the calf is roped, it tightens the string which breaks, stopwatch clicks and fastest time wins.
For the first time, breakaway roping was a featured attraction at the recent EquiFest of Kansas in Salina.
There was a breakaway roping clinic all day Thursday, and an open-to-the world jackpot breakaway roping featured Sunday afternoon
Through organization of Kansas Horse Council director Dr. Fred Gardner, trainer Phil Haugen, Weatherford, Oklahoma, conducted the clinic. A champion professional calf roper and horsemanship clinician, Haugen was assisted by his daughter, Hannah Macy, Stephenville, Texas, breakaway roping champion.
A dozen wannabe-champion breakaway ropers gathered early Thursday morning at Ag Hall Arena with lariats in hand. Estimated average age was 15-years-old, likely younger, with two handfuls of cowgirls, remainder was cowboys. A few of the roping students lugged their own calf roping dummies into the arena with them. Several additional “practice dummies” were supplied by Haugen.
With only brief introduction, Haugen asked names of each cowgirl and cowboy and soon was acknowledging them personally. Giving a short demonstration, Haugen said, “Basic requirements of roping are position, swing and delivery. It’s always position, position, position. Let’s go to work roping the dummies while Hannah and I help you each individually.”
Obvious to the most lay observer, there were distinct differences among the students’ experiences and abilities. The clinicians went from one student to the next congenially evaluating their roping and offering suggestions for improvement.
“Now if you’d drop your hand when throwing, the loop will circle down around the calf’s head,” Haugen advised one student.
“Oh, that’s nice. You are sure doing a great job,” the clinician advised a first time very young roper.
Obvious improvement was shown by every participant after about an hour of roping training on the ground. “Well, let’s get your horses saddled up, and we’ll practice roping the sled,” Haugen directed his class.
Again, the young eager learners came out mounted on a wide variety of horses. Some obviously showed roping experience and other horses had never had a rope swung from their backs.
Haugen hooked his four-wheeler to the calf sled, seated himself sideways enabling watching the ropers guiding horses following the sled. Again the clinician congenially evaluated each rider’s abilities making sure they were encouraged and working to improve.
“Now, that’s the way to do it,” often was spoken individually to the ropers. All riders attempted to catch the sled calf a number of times with most of them eventually successfully roping the dummy.
Following a quick dinner break, students came back into the arena to rope live calves provided by Cindy Brown’s JC Cattle Company, Dwight.
“Position, position, position,” Haugen repeated for the umpteenth time when explaining how for the ropers to get their horses into the roping box.
The dozen ropers lined their horses side-by-side extending down the arena from the roping box and took turns following calves. A look-of-fright was apparent on several riders and their horses as well becoming more accustomed as they continued working.
First the cowgirls and cowboys just followed calves out of the box and down the arena. Then they were given the opportunity to attempt to rope the calves.
A few ropers caught nearly every calf they ran. Just about all of the learners were able latch on at least one calf bringing giant smiles to their faces.
“You have all done a great job today. Now just keep practicing every day. Practice makes perfect and is essential to becoming a breakaway roping winner,” Haugen congratulated his students in conclusion.
With assistance from Cindy Brown who furnished calves, the Kansas Horse Council sponsored the EquiFest Jackpot Breakaway Roping Sunday afternoon.
There were 20 contestants in the open division each paying $200 entry fees. Thirteen ropers in the junior competition each paid a $100 entry fee.
Winners received payback tallied from entry fees as well as added money. Fastest times in the first go-round qualified for the short-go-round with winners determined from best times on two calves.
Biggest check winner of the afternoon was Brylee Zook of Garnett who won a total of $1,650. She got $1,600 for fastest time, 10.29-seconds, on two head in the open competition. The additional $50 came after Zook tied with the second fastest time in the junior second go-round.
Second biggest overall dollar winner was Madison Scott of Pomona taking home $1,584. Her accumulation total included: third in the two-head open, $800; fastest second-round open time, $150; first two-head junior division, $484; fastest junior first run, $100; and tie for fastest junior second-round time, $50.
Micah Samples, Abilene, won $1,200, for the second fastest time roping two calves in the open division. Fourth fastest open two-head time made a $400 payback for Michelle Wilson, Osage City. Ashley Moeder, Oakley, got $150 for her fastest time in the open first go-round.
Avery Kinkelaar, Assaria, had the second fastest junior two-head time for $363. Third and fourth in the junior two-head competition respectively went to Montana Heller, Meriden, $242, and Dawson Wood, Kingman, $121.
CUTLINES
Biggest check winner at the EquiFest Breakaway Roping in Salina was Brylee Zook of Garnett taking home $1,650. She roped two calves in 10.29-seconds in the open competition. (Kirkwood Kreations Photography)
Micah Samples, Abilene, won $1,200, for the second fastest time, 11.17-seconds, roping two calves in the open division of the EquiFest Breakaway Roping at Salina. (Kirkwood Kreations Photography)
