WPRA NEWS

Consistent Roping Proves Key to Domer’s 2024 Breakaway Roping World Title

By Ann Bleiker

Sometimes it pays to not know. The idea of “ignorance is bliss” turned out to be beneficial for Kelsie Domer as she backed into the box with an average and world title on the line to close out the 2024 rodeo season.

Although the majority of the audience in attendance, and those watching on The Cowboy Channel at this year’s 2024 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, knew that Domer had won the average title prior to roping her 10th and final calf, she was truly unaware of the situation.

“Of course I was shocked, and as crazy as that seems, I truly was because I was aggressive and I was proud of the shot I took,” recalled Domer when reliving the moment her loop came up empty on her final calf. “I’ll take that shot 99 more times, and probably 99 more times, that’s going to work, so it was just one of those things. A lot of people asked if I let the pressure get to me and I truly didn’t and honestly, I didn’t know that I had the average won before I ever roped.

“I was just focusing on my game plan and sticking to my game plan and doing what I had done the other nine rounds. So, I was proud that I stuck with that. Had I known I had the average won I don’t honestly know what I would’ve done. I might have still taken that same shot, because I’m not one just to safety up. I was obviously bummed as everybody wants to go 10 for 10.”

   Domer, who calls Dublin, Texas, home with husband Ryan and 2-year-old daughter Oaklynn, finished with a total time of 22.0 seconds on nine head, with Macy Young a distant second in a time of 30.1 on nine head. The close to 2,500 in attendance at the South Point Arena knew the world title hung in the balance as well for Domer with that final calf, so the miss left them all stunned but they also were appreciative of the roping they had witnessed from Domer over the 10 rounds.

   “I still didn’t know I had won the average until I got all the way back around the arena, so that was a very special moment for me as I just missed one, but I got a standing ovation,” noted Domer when talking about the reception she got from the crowd after that final run. “People don’t get a standing ovation after you miss one, so it was cool to see that and feel that support.”

   With the miss by Domer and the 10th round win going to 2022 World Champion Martha Angelone it was anyone’s guess on who was going to come out on top. Domer’s saving grace was her consistency and the big bonus that came with winning the average title. When the final calculations were complete Domer edged Angelone by $3,253 for her fourth breakaway roping world title and 10th overall WPRA World Title.

            “This was my first year (since the NFBR was established) that I had a chance at a world title,” stated Domer, who came in ranked fourth in the world. “You know in years past mathematically I had a chance, but realistically to achieve that everybody else had to fall off. But, this year, there were probably five or six of us that had a pretty good opportunity to make a run at the world championship and that speaks to the growth of the sport. Hopefully one of these years 15th will have that same chance.”

            Domer’s previous breakaway world titles came in 2017-2019 prior to breakaway roping being added to PRCA rodeos across the country and instead was won going to co-approved jackpots. Adding this world title to her resume brings a new sense of accomplishment to this talented roper.

            “I think it’s just how we got this one that it means more,” said Domer, when asked how this one compared to the other three. “You know, now that we get to go to ProRodeos, we’re gone so much more compared to what we had to do for the other ones. Not that we didn’t travel as much, but it was all jackpots, and we would go on the weekends and be back home during the week. Now we are gone for longer stretches of time and you realize how much more work you have to put into the championship being gone from home that long.

            “Being able to travel with my family and just seeing all the new things with Oaklynn makes it that much more special for me.”

            Speaking of special, Domer was quick to credit her 19-year-old chestnut gelding Little Man for helping her reach the pinnacle of the sport this year.

            “He did his job and worked amazing,” she said about the horse she acquired in 2018 and was voted as the Horse with the Most Heart in 2024. “He’s been a huge blessing and to have the Top 15 see him having a big heart like I see him was probably the coolest part of the whole deal. That was pretty special.”

            Another cool moment for Domer was being recognized following the 10th round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

            “It was super cool to be able to go on stage at the Thomas and Mack with all the other champions and to join (barrel racer) Kassie Mowry in bringing the (WPRA) titles back to Dublin. It was definitely a cherry on top for the season to bring it back to the same town.”

            So how does the champ plan to defend her title in 2025?

            “I will have pretty much the same plan as last year going to most of the same rodeos and just keep my family with me and hopefully enjoy all the little things in between.”

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