How do you put into words the moment your lifelong dream becomes reality? The years of sacrifice, the miles on the road, the early mornings, and late nights — all leading to one moment. For Kinlie Brennise, that moment has arrived. The Craig, Colorado, cowgirl has officially qualified for her first National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) — and the feeling is one she’ll never forget.
“Qualifying for my first Finals means everything to me,” Brennise said, emotion softening her voice. “I’ve wanted this ever since I was a little girl.”
With an impressive $109,767 earned during the 2025 season, Brennise will ride into Las Vegas ranked 11th in the world, ready to rope under the bright lights of Sin City and prove herself among the best in the business.
Her road to the Finals wasn’t paved with dozens of wins — just one, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho— but rather with grit, patience, and the kind of quiet consistency that defines champions. Throughout the year, Brennise stacked up top finishes at major events, including the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and the Calgary Stampede, solidifying her place among the elite.
“It really speaks to my consistency, which is something I always strive for,” Brennise said. “I just try to make the best run I can with the draw I get. I was really happy with how the season went.”
Her consistency came from more than just skill — it came from trust. Trust in herself, in her horses Rio and Cat, and in the plan God laid before her.
“After Fort Worth, I knew I could do it,” she said. “I just had to keep my head down, work hard, and stay focused through the rest of the season.”
Raised on an elk hunting ranch in northwestern Colorado, Brennise grew up knowing the values of hard work and family. Those same lessons shaped her path both inside and outside the arena.
Now based in Stephenville, Texas, she balances life as a professional athlete and entrepreneur — co-owning a successful aesthetics spa while continuing to chase her professional breakaway roping career.
“I’ve put in the work, and I’ve learned that hard work really does pay off,” Brennise said. “God had a plan all along. It’s just about trusting Him.”
As she prepares to back into the box at the 2025 NFBR, set for Dec. 2–3 at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Brennise takes a moment to reflect, not just on the destination, but on the journey that brought her here.
“Rodeo is such an amazing sport,” she said. “This means so much to me, and I’m just so grateful for the people and the connections this lifestyle has given me.”
With the 2026 season already underway, Brennise’s story is far from over, it’s just beginning.
“This is just the start of my journey,” she said. “I’m excited to keep working hard and see where it takes me.”