For the first time in history, breakaway roping was included in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Two sisters from Utah, Anna and Cassie Bahe, were part of the prestigious group of women competitors. By the time the dust settled on December 12th, Anna would come in 9th place in the world and Cassie in 5th place. Not only did they finish in the top 10 in the world, the sisters made NFR history by being the only pair of sisters competing at the monumental event for women in rodeo.

Anna won the sixth go-round, and in the process broke the arena record with a 1.7 second run! She also split the go-round win in the seventh round. “It was really cool getting a go-round win. I got a pretty buckle,” Anna said in an interview with the Navajo Times. “I just hope that everyone back home is staying safe from the coronavirus and I was happy to represent the Navajo Nation while competing there.”

Throughout the competition, Anna and Cassie would go back and forth in each round. They have said in a previous interview they have a natural sibling rivalry that has been going on since they were kids. The sisters were taught how to rope by their father, Francis Bahe, who himself was taught by his parents while growing up on the Navajo Nation.

Breakaway was the only event held during the daytime, not in the evenings alongside the rest of the rodeo. The sisters hope the event will become more widespread in the future because of its gaining popularity. Anna is confident that she and Cassie will return to the NFR next year and hopes that they inspire the next generation of female breakaway ropers.