The Breakdown

Bailey Bates rose to the occasion at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, seizing her last chance of the ProRodeo regular season to earn $34,978 and climb from No. 19 to No. 12 in the WPRA World Standings—securing her first career NFBR qualification.

On the latest episode of The Breakdown, listeners hear directly from Bates and Australian roper Arianna Varischetti about the partnership with borrowed gelding Reno that made the difference.

Bates entered Sioux Falls outside the Top 15 and opened with a no-time that nearly ended her season. Instead of folding, she regrouped for a 2.7-second run, added a 2.6 in the semifinals, and capped the weekend with a blistering 2.1 in the finals. The comeback vaulted her into Vegas for the first time.

The Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway, presented by Boot Barn, is the premier event in women’s rodeo, featuring a record-breaking million-dollar purse, inspiring competition, live concerts, shopping, and family fun at WestWorld of Scottsdale, November 24–30.  

MillionDollarBreakaway.com 

With a 2.4-second run in the championship round at the Cinch Playoff Series stop in Puyallup, Washington, Rylee George captured a bucket-list victory, banked nearly $20,000 on the week, and rocketed from No. 12 to inside the top 10 in the WPRA World Standings with $114,428.

Now, fans can hear the full story straight from George on the latest episode of The Breakdown podcast, where she opens up about the high-pressure runs, the electric Puyallup atmosphere, and the horsepower that carried her to victory.

Mane ‘n Tail® Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner delivers champion shine with a pH-balanced formula powered by protein, coconut, and avocado oils. It deep cleans sweat, dirt, and sand while moisturizing to prevent breakage. Saddle Safe™ and performance-proven, it leaves every coat, mane, and tail with an arena-ready, high-gloss finish.

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On this episode of The Breakaway Breakdown, we sit down with Aspen Miller, Kinlie Brennise, Suzanne Williams, and Jenna Dallyn—the ropers writing their names into the record books for the very first time.

From seasoned veterans chasing long-awaited dreams to young guns finding their stride in only their second ProRodeo season, each woman brings grit, horsepower, and resilience to the toughest stage in breakaway roping.

Mane ‘n Tail® Ultimate Gloss Shampoo and Conditioner delivers champion shine with a pH-balanced formula powered by protein, coconut, and avocado oils. It deep cleans sweat, dirt, and sand while moisturizing to prevent breakage. Saddle Safe™ and performance-proven, it leaves every coat, mane, and tail with an arena-ready, high-gloss finish.

Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal

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For the first time in WPRA history, the top two breakaway ropers in the world are not only rewriting the record books—they’re rewriting the way the game is played.

On the latest episode of The Breakaway Breakdown Podcast, we sit down with Taylor Munsell and Shelby Boisjoli-Meged. At the time of recording, Munsell held the slightest edge in the world standings. But since then, Boisjoli-Meged has surged ahead—overtaking her by just over $1,000 as the race for No. 1 intensifies.

With five full weeks of rodeos left before the NFBR, both cowgirls share candid insights into the pressure of chasing history. Together, they’ve already banked more than $323,000 in 2025 earnings, closing in on the single-season record of $197,706. Both admit that the chase—and each other—are pushing them to rope sharper, ride stronger, and stay mentally tougher than ever before.

Fastback Ropes was created in 1995 with a single mission in mind—create the best rope on the market. And they have two ropes we know breakaway ropers are going to love; The Edge and The Athena. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged uses The Edge, which is a four-strand calf rope made of texturized poly for a tough and durable finish to help you outlast the competition. The Athena is a pink breakaway rope with a purple core. The core gives the Athena enhanced tip weight and will deliver a snappy finish and close. Check out Fastbackropes.com for more information and to purchase your FastBack Ropes today.

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On this episode of The Tie-Down Breakdown, Dylan Hancock talks about trading a baseball glove for a rope, the eye-opening rookie year that taught him what it takes to win, and the breakthrough that proved he belongs at the top level of ProRodeo.

Hancock also shares what it felt like to get the call to the Cinch Timed Event Championship and how he’s preparing to head back in 2026 after the Lazy E Arena announced the roster of athletes. From horsepower to mindset, Hancock explains how his approach has shifted since his first Finals and what’s fueling his summer hot streak.

EAST OF WALL, a new film directed by Kate Beecroft that is a portrait of female cowgirls in the “New West,” about a rebellious rancher who must cope with her family, losing her ranch, and providing for a group of wayward teens. Only in Theaters August 15.

More from The Tie-Down Breakdown

• The Tie-Down Breakdown: Kyle Lucas on Chasing His Own Legacy
• The Tie-Down Breakdown: Tuf Cooper’s Nashville Win and 2025 Mindset
• Introducing Hannah Wheeler: New Host of The Tie-Down Breakdown
• The Tie-Down Breakdown: Spring Roundup
• The Tie-Down Breakdown: NFR Catch-Up

Fresh off her career-defining win at Cheyenne Frontier Days, Arizona roper Danielle Lowman joins The Breakaway Breakdown Podcast to talk new horse challenges, mental grit, and chasing down an NFBR berth.

In this episode with Danielle Lowman podcast, Lowman shares the behind-the-scenes grit it took to win The Daddy of ’em All with a 4.3-second run—aboard a green 6-year-old gelding she’s only been hauling since June. That horse, “Gucci,” is still a work in progress, but their Cheyenne performance shows what can happen when talent meets trust.

Get unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more.

Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal

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Resistol Rookie Haiden Thompson’s 2025 ProRodeo season just kicked into high gear—and she’s taking us along for the ride in this week’s episode of the The Breakdown Podcast.

The Wyoming cowgirl racked up an eye-popping $21,041 in earnings in just one week, with cash-ins at Estes Park, Sheridan, Casper, Gunnison and Cheyenne. That whirlwind run didn’t just move her up the WPRA World standings—it launched her into the lead of the Resistol Rookie race.

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Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal

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• $100K Talks with Taylor Munsell on The Breakdown Podcast
• Josie Conner’s $100K Win at The American Rodeo
• Breakaway Futurity 101 with Cheyanne McCartney
• Mastering Rodeo Mental Performance with Donene Taylor

Cowboy Christmas brought the heat in 2025—and in this episode, three of breakaway roping’s biggest winners join us to relive the highs, hustle, and horsepower behind their standout runs.

Aspen Miller breaks down her marquee win at the Greeley Stampede, where she dominated the three-head average and banked over $11,000.

Amanda Terrell reflects on her history-making victory at the prestigious Ponoka Stampede in Alberta, becoming the first-ever breakaway champion in the event’s long-standing legacy.

And Erin Johnson, the seasoned Colorado cowgirl and four-time NFBR qualifier, shares how she topped the Cowboy Christmas earnings leaderboard with more than $16,000—capping her week with a clutch win in Prescott, Arizona.

Get unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more.

Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal

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• $100K Talks with Taylor Munsell on The Breakdown Podcast
• Josie Conner’s $100K Win at The American Rodeo
• Breakaway Futurity 101 with Cheyanne McCartney
• Mastering Rodeo Mental Performance with Donene Taylor

Kyle Lucas grew up in a rodeo family—his dad is a six-time NFR qualifier and his sister, Katy, is a Cowboy Channel staple. But now, Kyle’s looking to build a name of his own.

In this episode of The Tie-Down Breakdown, Kyle shares what it’s been like navigating the pro rodeo trail from Canada to the States, the lessons he’s learned since his rookie year in 2013 and why this season feels different. He talks about riding standout horses like Peso, leaning on faith to stay grounded and how the camaraderie with Logan Bird is making a big difference on the road.

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• The Tie-Down Breakdown: Tuf Cooper’s Nashville Win and 2025 Mindset
• Introducing Hannah Wheeler: New Host of The Tie-Down Breakdown
• The Tie-Down Breakdown: Spring Roundup
• The Tie-Down Breakdown: NFR Catch-Up

On the latest episode of "The Breakdown," hear from two of ProRodeo breakaway's top money earners from the weekend of June 20–22; Maddy Jacobs (formerly Deerman) and Cheyanne McCartney.

Jacobs rounded up a total of $13,681, picking up a check mid-week at Fallon’s 3C PRCA Rodeo in Nevada before setting the weekend on fire in Nampa and Elko.

McCartney amassed $8,211 with her win at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, and has moved into the Top 15 as the breakaway field enters the lucrative "cowboy christmas" week.

Get unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more.

Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal

Follow on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

• $100K Talks with Taylor Munsell on The Breakdown Podcast
• Josie Conner’s $100K Win at The American Rodeo
• Breakaway Futurity 101 with Cheyanne McCartney
• Mastering Rodeo Mental Performance with Donene Taylor