Breakaway roper Cheyanne McCartney takes two rounds at Calgary Stampede after year of redemption
The 2023 National Finals average champion won both her Pool B rounds so far and has already qualified for Championship Sunday in her second year.
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Cheyanne McCartney walked into the Calgary Stampede rodeo with one goal: finish what she started last year.
The 2023 National Finals Breakaway Roping average champion is having the week of her life. She's won both of her Pool B rounds so far — with lightning-quick times of 3.1 and 2.5 seconds — making her the only participant to score bronzes from the first two days. That $14,000 has already locked her into Championship Sunday.
"It's a huge deal, you know?" McCartney said when asked about competing here. "In 2024, I sat up top over the boxes here with Joe and Jenna Beaver and watched the rodeo, and just thought, 'Man, how amazing would it be to run a calf in this arena in an environment like this?'"
Last year's debut was bittersweet. She earned enough from pool action to make Championship Sunday but no-timed her semifinal trip. This year, she's not taking any chances.
"Roping here, it's almost like three one-headers, you know?" McCartney said. "You're not roping for an aggregate. You're just trying to make the fastest and best, most aggressive run that you can. I would say probably I've learned it's about just being a little more aggressive on my start and when to throw my rope."
The event itself is a relatively recent addition to the Stampede. Ladies breakaway roping wasn't in the spotlight until 2024, when McCartney qualified by winning the Stampede qualifier. She's grateful the rodeo took a chance on the women's event.
"I'm just really thankful that they decided to add us and want to have us," McCartney said. "And now every year, I just really look forward to coming here and competing."
Currently ninth in World Professional Rodeo Association standings with $50,150.82, McCartney is focused on staying positive after a rough week the week before arriving in Calgary.
