4 The WRANGLER, Horse and Rodeo News • May 5-19, 2022
Wri en by Hope Raley
Way before they were roping partners, Hope
Thompson and Whitney DeSalvo were friends
first, and it's that very reason that Thompson
believes the chemistry is undeniable for the
super-hot women's team of her and DeSalvo.
When the dream team backed into the box at
the Lazy E Arena during the Charlie 1 Horse All-
Girl Team Roping held during BFI week, it was
like déjà vu. And when the dust had se led and it
was Thompson and DeSalvo who had the fastest
aggregate me of 30.78-seconds on four steers, it
wasn't just déjà vu, it was history repea ng itself.
Winning the BFI is a goal that many will never
achieve, and now Thompson and DeSalvo can say
that they have done it not only once, but twice.
"Any win is great, especially with how tough
the compe on has go en, but to win the BFI
twice is certainly something that I will always
cherish and will always be one of my greatest
accomplishments," explained header of the
equa on, Hope Thompson.
In 2020, Thompson and DeSalvo won the iconic
roping for the first me.
Winning any roping today is hard and winning
a pres gious event such as the BFI All-Girl means
you be er be roping sharp, have that special
partner, and have the horsepower to make it all
happen. Every top woman team roper enters the
BFI with only one thing in mind- winning.
"The best of the best enter the BFI All-Girl,
so you definitely have to be on top of your game
when you back into the box," said Thompson.
"Roping with Whitney makes that easy. I've roped
with her long enough that I know that all I need to
do is hold up my end of the deal and Whitney will
clean it up."
Both Thompson and DeSalvo credit the horses
under them for their repeated success at the All-
Girl. Thompson aboard 11-year-old Andre and
DeSalvo aboard 11-year-old Becky.
Thps and DeSalvo
2022 BFI All-Girl Team Roping Champions
With the evolu on of women's roping, Thompson
is proud to be a small part along the journey.
"Women's roping has always been around,
but now that they are showcasing us alongside
the big dogs with big payouts, it's giving us huge
opportunity to actually make a living with a rope.
I am so passionate about what I do, and I think this
is huge for the rodeo industry. I am thankful for
the women in the past who have fought to see the
vision, the current women who take a stand for us,
and I hope that the future steps up and makes it
even be er than where we le it."
For a complete list of results from the 45TH
annual BFI, visit www.bfiweek.com/2022-wrangler-
bfi-week-results/.
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