The WRANGLER Horse and Rodeo News is an equine and rodeo publication with circulation in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, Utah and Idaho.
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10 • The WRANGLER • May, 2024 10 • The WRANGLER • May, 2024 MOVING SOUTH: THE GREA ROPER MIGRAION Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, professional breakaway roper and podcast host of In The Loop discusses the influx of cowboys and cowgirls moving to southern states to enhance their careers. O RIGINALLY FROM PUEBLO, COLORADO, Hollabaugh now resides in Springtown, Texas. West of Fort Worth approximately 45 miles, she is strategically centered in a hotbed of roping activity. So far in 2024, she's already racked major wins at the WCRA Stampede at the E and the American Contender finals, and she's sitting 12th in the WPRA breakaway standings (as of 4/19/24, per WPRA website). The year is looking hopeful for a return trip to the National Finals Breakaway Roping, where Hollabaugh took home the average title in 2020. Rodeo and roping have always been key parts of Hollabaugh's life, so a geographic move to give her an advantage in the sport only made sense. "I came to college at West Texas A&M and that kind of got me introduced into Texas. Obviously the panhandle, but a little closer than I was before. I love the culture of Texas and all the great things that we've got, but I still have roots in Colorado." Regarding how the move has impacted her career, Hollabaugh explained, "There's so many opportunities down here. Literally, there is a roping almost every day of the week. That's why the level of competition in Texas is so tough. There are so many chances to get behind a barrier and compete over and over. It makes you step up as an athlete." "When I was in the panhandle, there were a lot more opportunities than there were in Colorado, especially team roping, but there wasn't a whole lot of jackpots. So we were constantly driving down to the Fort Worth area." Over the past several years, it has become increasingly common for breakaway ropers, barrel racers, and team ropers to live a "snowbird" lifestyle to enjoy the best of both worlds. Leaving northern states for Arizona or Texas allows competitors to keep their sharp edge through the winter. Obviously, the downside to the southern states is the summers, which are often harsh on horse and rider. "I haven't been here in the summer for the last few years, because I've been able to be out rodeoing. But I did stay home two summers ago to take care of everything and it was miserable. We try to rope at night, if it cools down a little bit. I think we're seeing a lot of people that live in Texas in the winter trying to get out of the heat here in the summer." For those who live in northern states, it's dižcult to avoid a slower competition schedule during the winter months, but in Texas, that concern is almost completely eliminated. "The weather is just so permitting. I giggle when it snows or hails or we have an ice storm or the wind blows. I used to rope in Colorado when it was 10 degrees and I really thought I was going to get hypothermia! I think ten days out of the winter this year you probably couldn't compete, a very small amount of time, and there's not very many people that get that opportunity all the time." Everyone thrives in a di«erent environment and Hollabaugh encourages people to find what works for them. "I think that you've got to kind of do whatever works for you. It's kind of pick your poison — it's very humid here and when it gets hot, it's extremely miserable. When it gets cold, it's more miserable. I have yet to be in a season of my life where I've been in one place for very long, so you just thrive in the chaos and the atmospheres and you figure out what works best for you, your body, your horses, and your state of mind." Hollabaugh plans to continue capitalizing on the opportunities in front of her to keep her on top of her game. "I think today's day and age, you're constantly adjusting your roping. I would dare to say breakaway roping has gotten to be one of the most, if not the, toughest event going on right now. I love to get to go and compete against these girls, because they make you better. For me, I am not able to replace competitive runs for practice runs. I had to adjust my competitive nature of putting myself out there more and getting in the arena and competing against those girls day in and day out." We wish Hollabaugh the best of luck in her 2024 season and hope to see her in December in Las Vegas. To stay up to date on the breakaway industry and her adventures, be sure to check out In The Loop, which can be found on Spotify, as well as Apple and Google podcasts. All Photos Courtesy of Click Thompson Photography By Teal Stoll