Angelone

By Patrick Everson

As the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo prepares to wrap up its 10-day run at the Thomas & Mack Center, it’s worth reminding that one gold buckle has already been earned in the rodeo world.

Martha Angelone put a bow on her strong season by wrapping up the world championship at the Wrangler Nationals Finals Breakaway Roping. The Finals were held Nov. 29-30 at the South Point Arena, and Angelone entered the two-day, 10-round event in a very good spot.

She’d already won $109,097 in the regular season, $37,000 more than her nearest pursuer. That took off pretty much any pressure.

“I just went and roped and tried to win as much money in the go-rounds as possible. I didn’t worry about the average,” Angelone said Saturday morning, ahead of the Wrangler NFR’s final performance. “I figured I could win more in the rounds, if I go for those.”

Angelone nabbed two go-round wins, along with a second-place, fourth-place and sixth-place effort. That added about $20,000 to her season total to keep her well atop the world standings, wrapping up the year with $130,304. Taylor Munsell of Alva, Okla., finished second in the world standings at $90,845, just ahead of Erin Johnson ($88,720) of Fowler, Colo., and Lari Dee Guy ($88,585) of Abilene, Texas.

It’s a big milestone for Angelone, who hails from Virginia, where there’s not much roping going on. She moved to Stephenville, Texas, and has really had to grind it out to get this point. She’s traveled on her own, and it’s taken a lot of hard work just to make enough money to afford the horses she needs to be competitive.

“I’ve had to do it all myself, so it’s more rewarding for me,” Angelone said.

The world title in breakaway roping comes about a month after Angelone nearly won the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association all-around title at November’s WPRA Finals. She finished second in the season-long standings, behind her sister Sarah Angelone.

“I’m happy for Sarah. We were going back-and-forth for it,” Angelone said. “I wish I’d won it too, but I’m proud for her.”

The world title in breakaway certainly helps take the sting off. It’s been 10 days since the Wrangler NFR Breakaway Roping ended, and Angelone is definitely excited to have that first gold buckle.

“It’s all starting to sink in now, and I’m blessed to be able to be standing where I’ll be tonight.”

Indeed, she’ll be standing with the rest of the Wrangler NFR champions, as she should be.

“I’m happy about that,” Angelone said. “I’m ready to get my gold buckle and my saddle tonight at the Thomas & Mack Center.”