A local cowgirl from the Warm Springs area made her mark at the Oregon High School Rodeo Association State Finals this week, winning the Breakaway Roping event in the opening round of competition.
Brinley Mae Holyan posted the fastest time in the event against the top competitors from across Oregon, claiming first place and announcing herself as one of the state's elite high school rodeo athletes.
The 2026 OHSRA State Finals ran June 11–14 at the Crook County Fairgrounds in Prineville — just south of Jefferson County's border. The event drew competitors from throughout Oregon, representing months of qualifying performances at regional rodeos in Klamath Falls, Hermiston, Prineville, and Burns.
Breakaway Roping
Breakaway roping is a timed event in which a competitor on horseback ropes a calf as quickly as possible. Unlike team roping or traditional calf roping, the rope is attached to the saddle horn with a breakaway string — it releases when the calf hits the end of the rope, stopping the clock. Speed, horsemanship, and precise timing are all essential.
Holyan's first-place time in the opening round put her in contention for a top overall finish and potential qualification for the National High School Rodeo Association Finals, which brings together top high school competitors from across the country.
Jefferson County's Rodeo Tradition
Jefferson County and the surrounding communities of Warm Springs, Culver, Metolius, and Crooked River Ranch have long been home to strong rodeo culture. The sport is deeply connected to agricultural traditions and Indigenous horsemanship across the region.
Holyan's performance at the state level is a reflection of that tradition — and of the competitive development happening in the region's youth rodeo community.
Full state finals results will be posted at ohsra.org. Congratulations to Brinley Mae Holyan and her family on a standout performance representing Jefferson County and the Warm Springs community.