Kicking Off the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Competition

   The NFR may have ended but the spotlight is just heating up for the cowgirls of the breakaway roping world. With the National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) only days away, the cowgirls first have the chance to show off their skills and take home big money in Scottsdale, Arizona,  before heading to Ft. Worth, Texas for the NFBR. 

  The biggest breakaway purse in the nation is up for grabs at the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Competition. This event was formed several years ago when the Kimes Ranch family stepped up, in partnership with Boot Barn, Chris Neal Productions, and several other sponsors, to provide the cowgirls of the breakaway world a top-notch large payout opportunity since they were excluded from the NFR competition. The inaugural event was in 2023. Normally held in Scottsdale, Arizona, November 24-30, this year’s event was rescheduled for December 16-21 due to the equine virus concerns in the previous month.

  Held at WestWorld in Scottsdale, the days of Kime’s Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Competition are filled with the toughest competition and the thrill of chasing a huge payout. Concerts round out the experience with performers such as Jeremy McComb, Josh Meloy, and Austin Burke as this year’s headliners.

  There are multiple ways that cowgirls can qualify for the event. Because it is an open event and not sanctioned by a specific rodeo organization, there are several qualifiers such as the Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier Oklahoma’s Richest and the Million Dollar Breakaway Scottsdale Last Chance Qualifier. Spots are awarded to 15 qualifiers from these events, and the rest of the field is made up of the top 10 breakaway ropers in the world standings at the time. These women will compete for the million over a course of 10 rounds. In the semifinals, 141 women will compete.

 The 2025 qualifiers from the world standings include (listed in order of ranking):  Taylor Munsell, Josie Conner, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Rylee George, Hali Williams, Aspen Miller, Cheyanne Mccartney,  Maddy Deerman, Beau Peterson, and Joey Williams. Hali Williams, daughter of famous team roper Speed Williams, was last year’s High Money Earner of the Event, and returns to defend that title. Her horse, Redlight, was also named the Horse of the Event. In 2023, it was cowgirl Kelsie Domer who took home the big money.

  For the 2025 competition, a new opportunity has been added known as the WRWC Challenger Initiative. This incentive offers a tiered cash side pot thanks to the Women’s Rodeo World Championship.

  This year’s schedule goes as follows: on December 18, breakaway finals rounds 1-3 will be held as well as a concert with Jeremy McComb. On December 19, rounds 4-6 will occur and Josh Meloy will perform. Then on December 20, rounds 7-10 will happen and Austin Burke will give the final concert.

  CBS will be streaming the event on their network, and the Million Dollar Breakaway website (milliondollarbreakaway.com) will have a live feed that can be accessed for free daily (excluding the final main performance). CBS will also be hosting a recap show of the event on January 18, 2026.

    While a newer event, the quality of competition and the massive payout have quickly made it both a fan and participant favorite.