Haiden Thompson Keeps Winning Ahead of First NFBR Appearance

Haiden Thompson has been making the most of every opportunity in the arena. Since she began junior rodeoing, she has made a name for herself. With her first National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) appearance coming up in Fort Worth, the Yoder, Wyoming, cowgirl has continued to add wins to an already successful season, taking home the Mountain States Circuit Finals average title before most recently winning the breakaway average at the 2026 World Cup Finals. 

Thompson's Mountain States Circuit Finals win came with a specific goal in mind. She entered the finals with only 12 rodeos counted toward her circuit standings, leaving her out of contention for the year-end title. She spent much of the summer chasing a spot in the NFBR, which made it hard to attend enough circuit rodeos to be in the running. 

Instead, she focused on winning the average and securing another trip to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs that way. Thompson delivered, catching all three calves in Loveland to finish with 10.7 on three head. She also won the first round with a 2.7 second run. She was the only lady to rope all three calves out of the 12 girls in three rounds. This accomplished the goal, and punched her ticket to Colorado Springs again next summer. 

The win marks her second consecutive year earning a spot at the NFR Open through the Mountain States Circuit. In 2025, Thompson won the circuit year-end title to qualify. This time, she got it done through the finals average. 

She carried that momentum into the World Cup Finals at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. This was just a jackpot, but a big opportunity for the ladies of the breakaway roping. Thompson continued her dominance and finished first and third in the average. She claimed the World Cup Finals breakaway championship and a huge payday. 

The World Cup Finals brought together team roping and all girl breakaway competition throughout the week. This is a huge team roping event that happens annually, and more recently they added the breakaway to the action. Thompson also competed in the all girl team ropings happening and found success there as well. When you put a rope in this girls hand, she is sure to dominate. 

The 2026 season has already marked a major accomplishment for Haiden Thompson. After a standout rookie year in 2025, she earned Resistol Rookie of the Year. She just barely missed an NFBR qualification last year, and the goal this year was to get to Fort Worth. Now, she got the job done and is preparing for her first trip to the NFBR, sitting No. 8 in the WPRA World Standings.

Congratulations Haiden and good luck at your first of many National Finals Breakaway.