National Finals Rodeo’s lineup is becoming more Western-themed than cable network executives looking to fill primetime with new versions of their beloved series.

One example: The Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping at South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Nov. 29-30, preceding the Dec. 1–10 NFR at Thomas & Mack Center.

Breakaway roping for women is a variation of tie-down rope, but the calves are not tied down like in traditional men’s NFR events. It has been around for over 50 years, but it has recently grown in stature – so much so that there is talk of breakaway roping being made an official NFR event.

“There are some obstacles to overcome, but it’s being bantered back-and-forth and discussed a lot,” Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association CEO Tom Glause stated about women’s breakaway rope joining bareback riding and steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and tie-down roping as NFR events.

Glause stated that breakaway roping is now more popular than ever since the introduction of national championship events in 2020. Glause attributes much of the growth to the 2019 American breakaway competition, which is a highly profitable rodeo held at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

“Madison outhier, a high school polo player and basketball player, was 16 years old when she won $100,000. It captured the spotlight,” he stated about her father Mike Outhier. If I had to choose one moment that catapulted it all, this would be it. A young girl won big on a large stage.

Glause stated that there were 62 breakaway ropes in conjunction with sanctioned rodeos. These paid approximately $600,000 in 2020 and more than 200 in 2021. The total purse was over $2 million. He anticipates that there will be more growth in the coming season.

The NFR has been sold out for over 30 years and adding breakaway rope to the show will not sell more popcorn, beer or tickets. It would also create an expense and a need for more space in the Thomas & Mack Center footprint to accommodate additional livestock pens, horse trailers, and pickup trucks that pull them.

The addition of another event would also add time to a show that is now only two hours long as the NFR’s television partners prefer.

“We are open to the possibility of adding another ladies’ event. Glause stated that there are some logistical challenges that must be resolved before the event can become a reality.

He believes that the next step in the progression of breakaway roping will be to move to South Point, a cowboy-centric area, where the prize money will rise to $250,000.

Glause stated that South Point was “certainly the place to go” about its reputation as NFR headquarters prior and following the National Finals.

Ryan Growney, South Point general manager, said: “When Paula Gaughan and Michael Gaughan built South Point they created a place for cowboys to call home. We call it Vegas Cowboy Central.” We’ll be calling it Vegas Cowgirl Central with the addition of Breakaway Finals. It will be an incredible addition to the many other activities and events held at the South Point during the first two weeks of December.