Breakaway Roping Removed from 2026 Clovis Rodeo Following Contract Dispute

One of California’s largest and most coveted rodeos has announced that breakaway roping will not be included in its 2026 event. This is a decision that has quickly sparked reaction across the rodeo community.

The board of directors for the Clovis Rodeo confirmed that breakaway roping will not return for the rodeo’s 112th annual event, scheduled for April 22–26, 2026.

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In a statement released by the board, organizers said the decision followed extended negotiations regarding the event.

“After lengthy negotiations, the Clovis Rodeo Board of Directors has voted to not include breakaway roping at their 112th Annual Clovis Rodeo in 2026,” the statement read. “The decision is based on a difference of opinion regarding prize money and the term of the agreement.”

The board also noted that breakaway roping is not a required event under the rules of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, meaning individual rodeos can determine whether or not to include it. Clovis added the breakaway in 2022. 

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A Growing Event in Professional Rodeo

The announcement comes at a time when breakaway roping is experiencing some of the fastest growth in professional rodeo.

In 2019, breakaway roping was introduced as an official event at PRCA rodeos alongside the WPRA. Since then it has grown immensely. A majority of the biggest rodeos of the year have included the ladies with a rope, and Clovis has historically been one of them. 

A major part of that growth has been the effort to bring equal added money to the event.  Equal prize money has long been a topic of discussion in professional rodeo. Barrel racing finally got their equal added decades ago, and the WPRA has since worked toward achieving the same standard for breakaway roping girls too.

Since 2023, the WPRA has been implementing a gradual timeline designed to help rodeos increase their added money for breakaway roping.

In a statement to its members following the Clovis announcement, the WPRA acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the decision.

“We were saddened to learn today the Clovis Rodeo Board of Directors voted to not include breakaway roping in their 112th Annual Clovis Rodeo in 2026,” the organization said. “It is a disappointment for the WPRA, for the Clovis Rodeo and for our breakaway ropers.”

The organization also expressed appreciation to rodeos that have worked toward equal added money, whether by immediately matching other events or gradually building toward that goal. 

A Bucket List Stop

For many rodeo athletes, the Clovis Rodeo has become a bucket-list event.

The rodeo is widely known for its traditional California setup, featuring a long score and large cattle that challenge competitors and create unique runs rarely seen at other rodeos. That setup has made Clovis what it is. 

In 2025, breakaway roper Macy Young claimed the Clovis Rodeo title with a 14.1-second average on four head. This win proved significant for Young, helping propel her toward qualification for the National Finals Breakaway Roping later that year.

The rodeo has also produced memorable moments in previous seasons.

In 2024, veteran roper Lari Dee Guy captured the Clovis title with a 14.4 second 4 head average. Other Clovis breakaway roping winners include Hanna Hundsdorfer in 2023 and Gianna Cianfichi in 2022.

It just keept getting faster, with more entires, and more money. But now, could those 4 ladies be the only ones to ever claim the Clovis title? 

Timing Raises Questions

The timing of the decision has also raised questions among competitors and fans.

With the rodeo scheduled to take place in just a few weeks, many athletes had already been preparing for the event when the announcement was made.

The decision also comes shortly after another major rodeo, Cheyenne Frontier Days, announced significant format changes to its own competition structure. 

Cheyenne Frontier Days Moves to Qualifying Format Eliminating Slack in 2026The historic rodeo will eliminate slack rounds and introduce a qualifying system, prompting discussion and controversary across PRCA and WPRA members.

Clovis and Cheyenne are often compared because both feature unique long-score setups, a style of roping that creates longer runs and unique challenges compared to standard rodeo formats. Cheyenne still will host the breakaway ropers, but the entire rodeo made a big change to their format. Now Clovis is making changes too. 

Following the announcement, reactions quickly began appearing across social media from competitors and fans, particularly within the California rodeo circuit.

Many breakaway ropers expressed disappointment over the loss of an event that has become an important stop on the spring calendar.

While the Clovis Rodeo Board emphasized its continued commitment to the traditions of the event and noted its early efforts toward equal prize money in other events, the removal of breakaway roping highlights the broader discussions still taking place within professional rodeo about the future of the fast growing event.

For now, the 112th Clovis Rodeo will continue with its traditional slate of rodeo events, but unfortunately without breakaway roping on the program for 2026.

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