WPRA NEWS

Thompson Takes All-Around Crown in the WPRA

By Joe Kusek

Haiden Thompson estimates she has won 75 championship saddles during her still ascending rodeo career.

She’s kept a few that are close to her heart, sold a few and given away some to younger rodeo competitors.

When you and your seven siblings are all heavily involved in rodeo, saddle space is at a premium around the family homestead.

But this most recent acquisition, it’s a keeper.

Displaying roping and racing skills in four different disciplines, Thompson won the all-around title at the WPRA World Finals, Nov. 7-10 at Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas.

“Winning that saddle put that saddle definitely at the top of the list,” she said. “A very special win to me.”

Competing on her permit, the 21-year-old Yoder, Wyoming cowgirl earned money in team roping heeling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing for $7,084.

It was enough to edge Cadee Williams of Big Timber, Montana by $307. Williams won the National Finals Breakaway Roping average title in 2022 and the National High School breakaway roping crown in 2008.

Kenzie Kelton, of Mayer, Ariz., was third with $4,355. Thompson and Kelton were team roping partners in Waco and Kelton won her first world title being crowned as WPRA World Champion Team Roping – Header.

“It was kind of a shock to win,” said Thompson, who was the College National Finals Rodeo all-around champion for Gillette College in 2023. “They were announcing the places and said Kenzie was third, Cadee second … no way they were going to announce my name right now.

“It was a thrill. I’ve worked so hard for this all my life. It’s not every often you get to be a world champion.”

Competing at her first WPRA World Finals, Thompson earned $2,184 in breakaway roping, $2,030 in tie-down roping, $1,466 in barrel racing and $1,402 in team roping. Along with winning money in every event, she also won a round in team roping, breakaway roping and tie-down roping.

“I was moving in every direction. I had to just jump, jump, jump,” Thompson said with a laugh about competing in multiple events. “Being my first time there, I didn’t know what to expect. Just make every run a good one. It was being in the moment and being consistent. You have to be mentally prepared for each event. You can’t be down about the last one.

“I’m pretty good about letting things go. Five minutes and it’s done. I move on pretty quick. Go for the round money. It’s easier said than done, not to be worrying about anything else.”

While Thompson backed in the box for cash runs, her sister Hadley was caring for the other horses.

“All my life, my family has been supportive,” said Thompson, who is the third of eight children. “I couldn’t be where I am today without family support. You can’t do it alone.”

The all-around didn’t just happen that weekend.

“It’s all the work put in prior to the event,” she said. “There is a lot of preparation. We practiced all day, every day. You put in the hard work, you get good results.”

Thompson competed on her own horses, Foxie and Tom, in breakaway roping and rode borrowed horsepower for the other events.

“Oh man, I love them all. I have a blast,” Thompson said of her favorite event. “But I have to say I like breakaway roping the most. In team roping, there are so many parts. With breakaway roping, it’s you, your horse and of course, it takes a little bit of luck.”

Rodeo is the fabric that binds the Thompson family. Her parents, Thorpe and Shelly, have always been heavily involved with the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association. Thompson tagged along with older sisters Jamie and Jacey in her early years.

“I picked it up from them,” said Thompson, who was home-schooled through high school. “When I was seven, I started Little Britches Rodeo. The first finals, I won four saddles and 25 buckles. It was fun from that day on. I love winning.”

Thompson was a four-time qualifier for the National High School Finals Rodeo and three-time qualifier for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo.

That competitiveness goes beyond the arena.

“Oh, we’re 100 percent competitive,” she said with another laugh. “Very competitive with family … who wakes up first in the morning … everything is a competition.”

Thompson’s 2025 will be a balance of finishing her business degree online, “Pull up the trailer and pull out the homework,” and chasing her professional rodeo dreams. Thompson has a big lead in the Central Rocky Mountain Region all-around cowgirl standings with points in goat tying, team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing.

“I definitely want to make the Finals and win rookie of the year,” she said. “In rodeo, there are lots of ups and downs. Rodeo is very humbling. You just have to get back in the saddle.

“The (all-around) win gives me lots of confidence. I love it.”

And to top off the weekend she won the Priefert Chute used at the WPRA World Finals through a random drawing. With all the roping she does, it will be a welcome addition to the family arena.

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