RODEO NEWS

Anita Ellis Returns to Win San Antonio; Hammons Moves to No. 1 in World Breakaway Standings

By Ann Bleiker

Words really can’t fully describe the comeback of WPRA barrel racer Anita Ellis but rodeo fans who watched the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo witnessed that comeback firsthand. Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho, suffered a traumatic brain injury on November 15, 2025, after sustaining a serious fall from her futurity horse where she hit her head when she landed on the concrete at the arena in South Jordan, Utah. She was transported to the hospital in Salt Lake City where she remained until November 25 when she was released to go home to continue outpatient therapy.

She and her family had to make the difficult decision days later to turn out of her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Fast forward three months where she miraculously made her official return to the professional rodeo circuit at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

Now sporting a helmet, Ellis practically picked up where she left off placing third in the first round of Super Series four in a time of 14.43 seconds. The round was won by reserve world champion Tricia Aldridge in a time of 14.18 seconds. Ellis then placed second in the second round behind another NFR qualifier Carlee Otero. Otero stopped the clock in 14.23 seconds while Ellis was 14.27. She qualified for the semifinals and once there she finished second again this time in 14.22 seconds, behind NFR qualifier Hayle Gibson Stillwell with a 14.19.

Full of confidence Ellis and SGL Rico stopped the clock in 14.16 seconds to win their first San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo title and left town with $24,768 to begin her quest for her second Wrangler NFR qualification.

“This win means more than I can put into numbers or checks,” stated Ellis, who is currently ranked third in the world standings. “There was a time not long ago when just walking without dizziness was a victory. So, to be back in the arena, competing at this level, and standing in the winner’s circle again – that’s something I don’t take for granted. Faith, hard work and the right people around you matters.”

While Ellis was making headlines in the barrel race, WPRA rookie Jaci Hammons was making her own on the breakaway end in San Antonio. Qualifying out of Super Series three as the second highest money earner with $4,404 second to NFBR qualifier Aspen Miller she rolled into the semifinals where she took second on a night that ProRodeo Hall of Famer Cody Ohl commented was four of the best breakaway roping runs he had seen. Jordi Edens-Mitchell got the semifinal win with a 1.9 and Hammons stopped the clock in 2.0 seconds.

In the finals, Hammons and Edens-Mitchell would battle it out once again with Hammons getting the victory in a time of 2.0 seconds. Edens-Mitchell had a 2.1, with Josie Conner and Ft. Worth champ Jill Tanner tying for third in a time of 2.2 seconds.

“Still not sure it’s sunk in yet,” noted Hammons about the win in San Antonio, where she picked up over $25,000. “I still can’t believe I got to take that last victory lap. I just keep thanking God for letting me live this life and the opportunities he’s already given me this year. Now we’re off to Houston on Thursday!”

Hammons is searching for that 2026 Resistol Rookie of the Year title and currently leads all rookies with an astonishing $40,796 at just eight rodeos. Kirby Rawlinson, who is currently competing in the first set at RodeoHouston, is second in the rookie standings with $14,882. With Hammons win in San Antonio she took over the top spot in the WPRA breakaway roping world standings surpassing Jill Tanner.

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