The Breakdown

Equine Podcast Network
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The Breakaway Roping Journal and CalfRoping.com present "The Breakdown," a weekly podcast featuring breakaway roping and tie-down roping's top talent, from the professional athletes, to the amateurs, to those breeding the top horses in the game. Each episode features an interview with a top athlete or personality in the rodeo industry. We also feature bonus episodes with roping tips from Roping.com, exclusive event interviews and more.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Breakaway Breakdown: Kayelen Helton Breaks Down Mental Toughness, Horse Power and the Evolution of Breakaway

    Texas cowgirl Kayelen Helton joins The Breakaway Breakdown to talk about balancing a full-time career as a licensed professional counselor with life in the rodeo arena, while still competing at a high level in both breakaway and team roping. Helton talks growing up in Texas junior rodeo, competing through the amateur and college ranks at Tarleton State, and navigating the rapid evolution of modern breakaway roping. The conversation dives deep into the mental side of competition, how Helton’s counseling career has shaped her mindset in the arena, and why routine, horsemanship and confidence still matter more than ever. She also shares her thoughts on developing rope horses, the importance of finding horses that fit your style, and what she’s learned since stepping into the breeding world with her stallion Cat Man Sand. From winning on the all-girl team roping side to building a program around horses she believes in, Helton offers an honest look at what it takes to compete while balancing career, horses and life outside the arena. About Roping.com Roping.com gives team ropers, breakaway ropers and calf ropers access to training videos, event coverage and instruction from some of the best in the business. From futurity insights to jackpot strategy and horsemanship tips, Roping.com delivers year-round content built for every level of roper.

    57 min

  2. APR 27

    The Tie-Down Breakdown: Inside Fast Back Ropes with General Manager Coy Upchurch

    This week on the Tie-Down Breakdown, Fast Back Ropes General Manager Coy Upchurch sits down with endorsee, breakaway roper and EQN Sports Host Amy Wilson for a conversation that covers just about everything a roper could want to know about the rope making business. Coy walks through his career from the tie room to the front office, breaks down how a Fast Back rope is made from raw materials all the way to the coil, and explains why the weather matters more than you might think. He also talks on what ropes beginners should buy, the difference between nylon and poly, how endorsee feedback shapes future ropes, and even the time they tried to make a rope out of bulletproof Kevlar. If you've ever wondered what goes into the rope you throw—this one's for you. About Fast Back Ropes World Champions trust what works—and since 1995, Fast Back Ropes has delivered just that. Known for industry staples like the Edge calf rope, built for speed, balance, and feel, and the Athena, designed for a quick, clean breakaway delivery, Fast Back continues to set the standard. With options in Soft and Extra Soft, every rope is built with durability you can trust. Shop ropes, boots and apparel at fastbackropes.com.

    37 min

  3. MAR 17

    The Breakaway Breakdown: San Antonio Champ and No. 1 Cowgirl in the World Jaci Hammons

    On this episode of The Breakaway Breakdown, No.1 cowgirl in the world Jaci Hammons tells us her story, what the win meant to her, and her plan for the rest of the season. 2026 Resistol Rookie contender Hammons turned a week of 2-second runs into $25,319 and the biggest win of her young ProRodeo career, claiming the 2026 San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo title with a 2.0-second run in the finals and the highest total earnings of the rodeo. With this win, Hammons also sits No. 1 in the World with $40,796 won so far. Host Calli Montague sits down with the Texas native to introduce her to the breakaway fans. Episode supported by Roping.comGet unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more. Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal Follow on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

    13 min

  4. MAR 2

    The Breakaway Breakdown: Suzanne Faske on Son Elijah’s Breakaway Breakthrough

    The latest episode of The Breakaway Breakdown captures the story of Elijah Faske, the 12-year-old Texas cowboy who ropes legally blind, from his mom Suzanne’s perspective. When Elijah caught his calf at the January Texas Junior High Rodeo Association Region 7 rodeo in Edna, Texas, it was more than just a clean run for him and his family. The video of Elijah’s first catch later made rounds on social media, but the story behind it starts earlier. Elijah came to the Faske family when he was nearly 6 years old, after a disrupted adoption. He was born in China with a birth defect that left one eye completely missing, and in the other eye he has coloboma, which causes gaps in his vision. Host Calli Montague talks with Suzanne to hear the story of how Elijah found his way to breakaway roping, her experience as a mother of more than 28 kids, and how the Western way of life has truly changed her family for the better. Episode supported by Roping.comGet unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more. Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal Follow on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

    35 min

  5. JAN 15

    The Breakdown: Calli Montague Joins the Mic as Breakaway Coverage Evolves

    This week on The Breakdown, Tie-Down Breakdown host Hannah Mann is joined by Calli Montague, the newest member of the Equine Network and Western Sports Group team. With previous Breakaway Breakdown host Lillian Kent transitioning into a role on the Horse and Rider side of the Western Sports Group, Calli will step in to help lead Breakaway Roping Journal coverage and interviews in the interim. Calli shares her rodeo background, her path into Western media and what she hopes to bring to the Breakaway Roping Journal as the sport continues to grow. In this episode: An update on team changes and what they mean for BRJ coverageCalli’s rodeo and media background, from junior rodeo to West Texas A&MHow the Western Sports Group collaborates across brands during busy stretches of the seasonWhat Calli hopes to build during her time on BRJ Follow along with the Team Roping Journal, Breakaway Roping Journal, CalfRoping.com and BarrelRacing.com for coverage from across the Western Sports Group team.

    32 min

  6. JAN 8

    The Breakaway Breakdown: NFBR Champions Rylee George, Taylor Munsell

    The newest episode of The Breakaway Breakdown is a two-for-one listen—NFBR average champion Rylee George, followed by 2025 WPRA Breakaway World Champion Taylor Munsell, both fresh off signature wins that defined their seasons. Host Lillian Kent opens with George’s NFBR average run: 29.0 seconds on 10 head, a new aggregate record, and more than $25,000 earned during the Finals. George breaks down how the week unfolded—and how the horsepower (and strategy) changed depending on what she drew. Then the episode pivots to Munsell’s season-long story: a 2025 world title campaign that ended with a season earnings record of $209,021. Munsell walks through what’s next—San Diego, Fort Worth, and the rescheduled Prairie Circuit Finals—while detailing how she manages a deep string of horses (including Colonel, Monster, Ray, Goon and Vegas) and keeps them fresh. Episode supported by Roping.comGet unlimited access to roping.com‘s comprehensive tie-down, breakaway, and team roping video library and learn from World Champions Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield as well as top trainers Logan Harkey and Justin Maass. Rope with legendary breakaway ropers like Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and 2024 NFBR World Champion Kelsie Domer. Plus, binge hundreds of hours of live and archived ropings including the Cinch Timed Event Championship, The Patriot Events, and more. Connect with Your Hosts: The Breakaway Roping Journal Follow on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

    41 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    The Breakaway Breakdown: Kimes Breakaway Champions

    The latest episode of The Breakdown Podcast takes listeners inside the most talked-about finishes of the 2025 Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway, featuring on-the-ground interviews with all three event champions—Hali Williams, Josie Conner and Maddy Deerman. Conner and Williams elected to become co-champions after tying as the event’s highest money earners, each earning $115,000. Their candid, post-event interviews hear Conner reflect on early momentum and a few barrier penalties while Williams rose throughout the event. They also reflected on what it meant to share the milestone win with someone who’s been both a longtime competitor and friend. The episode also features an interview with Deerman‑Jacobs, who quietly delivered one of the most impressive performances of the week. Deerman-Jacobs roped all 10 head clean to win the average in 23.58 seconds, a feat she now calls the biggest victory of her career. Walking back to the trailer, she opens up about overcoming self-doubt, balancing speed and consistency on a "short" horse, and the emotional weight of winning a title she never expected to be hers. This episode is brought to you by FastBack RopesFastback Ropes was created in 1995 with a single mission in mind—create the best rope on the market. And they have two ropes we know breakaway ropers are going to love; The Edge and The Athena. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged uses The Edge, which is a four-strand calf rope made of texturized poly for a tough and durable finish to help you outlast the competition. The Athena is a pink breakaway rope with a purple core. The core gives the Athena enhanced tip weight and will deliver a snappy finish and close. Check out Fastbackropes.com for more information and to purchase your FastBack Ropes today.

    17 min

  8. 12/22/2025

    The Tie-Down Breakdown: Haven Meged’s Road to Seven Straight NFRs

    From a ranch kid in Miles City, Montana, to a world champion with seven straight trips to Las Vegas, Haven Meged joins The Tie-Down Breakdown to talk about the moments that shaped his career. Meged reflects on his unforgettable 2019 rookie year, the evolution of tie-down roping, and the horsepower behind his success, before opening up about the injury-filled, high-pressure summer of 2025 that tested him mentally and physically. About The Edge from Fast Back Ropes The Edge is a four-strand calf rope made of texturized poly, built for ropers who demand consistency run after run. Known for its toughness and durability, The Edge holds up in all conditions while maintaining a reliable feel, making it the go-to rope for Haven and Shelby Meged.

    34 min
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The Breakaway Roping Journal and CalfRoping.com present "The Breakdown," a weekly podcast featuring breakaway roping and tie-down roping's top talent, from the professional athletes, to the amateurs, to those breeding the top horses in the game. Each episode features an interview with a top athlete or personality in the rodeo industry. We also feature bonus episodes with roping tips from Roping.com, exclusive event interviews and more.

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