JJ Hampton has been roping at the highest level since the early 90s and has ridden a two-time WPRA Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year in the past, so she knows what she wants out of her equine partners.
Hampton says she looks for older, grittier horses that aren’t too strong because it helps her swing harder. She also wants horses that are easy to get in front because she ropes way above her horse.
“I’ve gotten some bad habits on Millie, making her duck because I’ve been riding in the back not in front of her,” Hampton said. “I told myself in the last three rounds (of the National Breakaway Finals) that I was going to get off my butt, get in the front, catch these calves and I did.”