Rules & Regulations

• All contestants must be female.
• No membership is required to compete unless otherwise specified for a particular qualification pathway, sidepot, or partner program.

Contestants must qualify through an approved qualification pathway:

• Kimes VRQ Leaderboard
• Scottsdale First Chance Qualifier
• Coastal Qualifier
• Canadian Qualifier
• Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier
• Scottsdale Last Chance Qualifier
• Buy Back Round
• Premier Women’s Rodeo Challenger

• Entry fees and other required fees must be paid in full before a contestant may compete.
• Contestants must remain in good standing with the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway, CN Productions, its producers, and applicable qualification partners.
• Contestants must wear their assigned or provided back number while competing. Failure to wear the assigned back number will result in disqualification.

Contestants must wear full western attire while competing. Unless otherwise announced, required attire includes:

• Western hat or approved protective helmet
• Long-sleeved western shirt
• Western jeans
• Western boots

• Contestants must be mounted, prepared, and ready to compete when called. Failure to report when called may result in a no-time.
• Event officials may use flaggers, backup timing devices, or video review to confirm a time when necessary.
• A contestant has a maximum of 25 seconds to complete a run.
• The official time stops when the rope breaks away from the saddle horn.
• A contestant who breaks or beats the barrier will receive a 10-second penalty.
• A designated judge may assess a 10-second penalty if the judge determines that the contestant clearly broke or beat the barrier.
• Contestants may not rattle, strike, or manipulate chute gates, roping box gates, or barrier equipment.

A contestant may remain in the roping box for no more than 45 seconds after all of the following have occurred:

• The calf has been loaded
• The barrier has been pinned or properly set
• The arena has been cleared for competition

No outside assistance is permitted other than:

• One authorized calf pusher
• One roping box helper

• The roping box helper may assist the contestant or horse before the contestant calls for the calf.
• Once the contestant nods or calls for the calf, the helper must immediately release all contact with the contestant and horse.
• Any prohibited assistance after the contestant calls for the calf may result in a no-time or disqualification.
• No person may intentionally influence the horse, calf, barrier, chute, or contestant during a run.
• A bell-collar catch is mandatory for a qualified time.
• The legality of the catch will be determined based on the position of the loop at the moment the rope breaks away from the saddle horn.

To be considered a legal bell-collar catch:

• The loop must pass completely over the calf’s head.
• No appendage may remain inside the loop.
• The loop must be above the calf’s knees.
• The loop must be in front of the calf’s hip bones.
• The loop must draw tight around the calf.
• The loop must cause the approved breakaway string to break from the saddle horn.

• Contestants must use the breakaway string supplied or approved by event management.
• Nylon string will be used unless event officials determine that cotton string or another approved string is necessary.
• Contestants may not alter, weaken, replace, or manipulate the approved breakaway string.
• An approved flag or marker must be attached to the end of the rope secured to the saddle horn.
• The flag must be clearly visible to the designated official or timing system.
• Contestants may not break the rope or breakaway string from the saddle horn by hand.
• Any equipment determined to be altered, unsafe, or noncompliant may result in a no-time or disqualification.
• If a calf ducks back before the score line, falls down before the score line, or fails to break the neck rope at no fault of the contestant, the contestant will receive an automatic penalty-free re-run.
• If a contestant is fouled by the neck rope on the calf, the contestant will receive a re-run. If the contestant breaks the barrier during this situation, the contestant will have a 10-second penalty on the re-run option and a lap-and-tap start will be used.
• Livestock will be chute-run or random draw based on the event’s approved stock-draw.
• The stock draw will be conducted under the supervision of event management, arena officials, or designated judges.
• If an animal is removed from competition for health, safety, or performance reasons, event officials will determine the appropriate replacement or rerun procedure.
• Decisions regarding livestock suitability and removal are final.
• All livestock and horses must be handled according to professional rodeo animal-welfare standards.
• Contestants must maintain reasonable control of their horses and equipment.
• Excessive jerking, striking, whipping, spurring, or other mistreatment of an animal is prohibited.
• Contestants may not intentionally injure, endanger, or mistreat livestock, horses, or other animals.
• A judge or event official may immediately stop a run when animal welfare or safety is at risk.

Any contestant found to have abused or mistreated an animal may receive any, some, or all of the following:

• A warning
• A no-time
• Removal from the go-round
• Disqualification from the event
• Forfeiture of earnings
• Suspension from future events

• Serious animal abuse may result in immediate disqualification without warning.
• Professional and sportsmanlike conduct is required in and out of the arena.

The following conduct may result in penalties or disqualification:

• Abusive or threatening behavior
• Harassment of contestants, staff, volunteers, officials, or spectators
• Intentional interference with another contestant
• Altering equipment or official results
• Misrepresentation of eligibility or qualification status
• Refusal to follow the instructions of an official
• Conduct that creates a safety risk
• Conduct deemed detrimental to the event

• Cheating or attempting to gain an unfair competitive advantage will result in immediate disqualification.
• Disqualification may include forfeiture of entry fees, positions, points, qualification berths, and prize money.
• The back arena gate will remain open during all breakaway roping competition.
• Contestants are permitted one loop only. A dropped loop is considered a throw. No second loop or additional throw is allowed. Once the contestant has made one cast of the rope, the run is complete. Any attempt to throw a second loop will result in a no-time.
• Contestants must comply with reasonable interview, awards, autograph, and media obligations communicated by event management.

Instant Replay Review

Instant Replay Review will go into effect during the Million Dollar Breakaway Roping 10-Round Finals. The following rules will apply to Instant Replay Review:

• Instant Replay Review Requests may be made only by: (1) an M$B Finalist Contestant, (2) an M$B Finalist Designated Helper, or (3) an M$B Official Judge.
• Review must be called immediately.
• Review will be evaluated by two official judges.
• M$B Judges’ call is FINAL.
• An M$B Official Judge has the right to decline a review request.

Stall Cancellations & Entry Changes

• Stall cancellations and entry changes will be accepted until the published deadline.
• Entries or stalls canceled before the applicable deadline will be eligible for a refund in accordance with the published refund policy.

Late changes may be subject to the following fees:

• $50 for approved online changes
• $100 for approved on-site changes

• Event management reserves the right to deny changes submitted after the published deadline.
• Contestants are responsible for confirming that their entry information, classification, horse information, and qualification status are correct before competing.
• All Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Roping management and judges have the right to give an automatic disqualification for any misconduct in or out of the arena.

The Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway reserves the right to amend, clarify, interpret, or supplement these rules when necessary.

Any material changes will be communicated to contestants before the affected competition whenever reasonably possible.

Event-specific ground rules, contestant communications, posted notices, and instructions issued during contestant meetings will be considered part of the official rules.

When an event-specific rule conflicts with this document, the event-specific rule published or announced by Million Dollar Breakaway management will govern.

The 2026 Semi-Finals will include up to 211 competitors:

• 20 from the Scottsdale First Chance Qualifier — 5 from each long round, 10 from the aggregate
• 20 from the Coastal Qualifier — 5 from each long round, 10 from the aggregate
• 20 from the Canadian Qualifier — 5 from each long round, 10 from the aggregate
• 60 from Oklahoma’s Richest — 15 from each round and 15 from the aggregate
• 40 from the Scottsdale Last Chance Qualifier — 10 from each round and 10 from the aggregate
• 5 from the Buy Back Round
• 20 from the Kimes VRQ Leaderboard
• 26 through the Premier Women’s Rodeo Challenger

Kimes VRQ Leaderboard

The top 20 eligible athletes on the Kimes VRQ Leaderboard will earn positions in the Semi-Finals without an additional qualifier entry fee.

Contestants must nominate eligible events through the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier platform at vrqapp.com and comply with all published VRQ nomination deadlines and requirements.

Premier Women’s Rodeo Challenger

The Premier Women’s Rodeo positions will consist of five Challenger or Limited athletes advancing from each main qualifier and one athlete advancing through the Buy Back Round, subject to the final qualification procedures published by event management. PWR ID Cards and VRQ nominations are required to be eligible for this advancement pathway. Contestants may not compete in both the PWR Challenger Showcase and the Million Dollar Breakaway during the same event.

Challenger Advancement includes:

• 5 from the Scottsdale First Chance Qualifier — 1 from each long round, 3 from the aggregate
• 5 from the Coastal Qualifier — 1 from each long round, 3 from the aggregate
• 5 from the Canadian Qualifier — 1 from each long round, 3 from the aggregate
• 5 from the Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier — 1 from each round, 2 from the aggregate
• 5 from the Scottsdale Last Chance Qualifier — 1 from each round, 2 from the aggregate
• 1 from the Buy Back Round

Twenty athletes will advance to the Million Dollar Breakaway Finals:

• 17 athletes advancing from the Semi-Finals: the top 3 finishers from each of the three Semi-Finals rounds (9 total) and the top 8 contestants based on the three-head aggregate
• 3 automatic Finals berths awarded to the winners of the Coastal Qualifier Series Finals Performance, the Canadian Qualifier Series Finals Performance, and the Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier Series Finals Performance

All 20 finalists will advance from an approved Semi-Finals or Qualifier Series Finals Performance pathway.

• Coastal Qualifier — September 23 - 24, 2026 — San Luis Obispo, CA
• Canadian Qualifier — October 8 - 9, 2026 — Edmonton, AB, Canada
• Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier — October 15 - 17, 2026 — Guthrie, OK
• Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Last Chance Qualifier, Buy Back Round, Semi-Finals and Finals — November 23 - 29, 2026 — Scottsdale, AZ

Contestants will advance to the Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier Series CBS Broadcast Performances through the following qualifier series events:

• Coastal Qualifier Series — Top 5 from each long round, plus the Top 10 in the aggregate (20 total)
• Canadian Qualifier Series — Top 5 from each long round, plus the Top 10 in the aggregate (20 total)
• Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier Series — Top 5 from each round, plus the Top 5 in the aggregate (20 total)

Each Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier Series Champion will receive a direct advancement into the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway 10-round Finals.

Unless otherwise announced, the following fees apply:

• First Chance Qualifier Entry: $500 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: one per contestant.
• Coastal Qualifier Entry: $500 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: two per contestant.
• Canadian Qualifier Entry: $500 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: two per contestant.
• Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier Entry: $500 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: two per contestant.
• Kimes VRQ Nomination: VRQ nomination fees. Learn more at thevrq.com.
• Scottsdale Last Chance Qualifier Entry: $500 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: one per contestant.
• Buy Back Round: $500 USD per entry with 50% payback. Maximum Buy Back entries: two per contestant.
• Semi-Finals Entry: $750 USD with 70% payback. Maximum entries: one per contestant.
• PWR Challenger Nomination: $150 USD ID Card and VRQ nomination fees.
• Finals Entry: No additional entry fee after advancing from the Semi-Finals or an approved automatic qualification pathway.

The VRQ Leaderboard is the only path to the Semi-Finals with a complimentary entry fee. After October 18, 2026, if an athlete that takes a VRQ Leaderboard qualification already qualified at a previous event, we will go back to that event and drop down to fill that position.

All fees must be paid by the applicable deadline.

Returned payments, unpaid balances, or incomplete entries may result in removal from the draw or loss of eligibility.

MDB Finals Format

The Million Dollar Breakaway Finals will consist of 10 go-rounds.

• All 20 finalists will compete in Rounds 1 through 6.
• Following Round 6, the field will be reduced from 20 athletes to 15 athletes.
• The cut will be determined using the top 12 money earners and the top 3 from the aggregate standings on 6 head.
• If the top 3 from the aggregate standings are in the Top 12 money earners, we will continue with top money earners through the 15th position.
• The remaining 15 athletes will compete in Rounds 7 through 10.

Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway World Champion Award

The Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway World Champion title will be determined by cumulative eligible earnings from all eligible qualification events and the Million Dollar Breakaway Finals.

Only earnings specifically identified as eligible by event management will count toward the Million Dollar Breakaway earning standings.

Qualifier Series & MDB Semi-Finals

The order of competition for all Qualifier Series and MDB Semi-Finals rounds will be determined by a random draw. Contestants will compete in the order established by the official draw, and calves will be assigned according to the chute run. The draw and chute run will be conducted under the supervision of event management and are final.

Finals Round 1 (Thursday – First Performance)

Twenty (20) contestants will compete in the following order, determined from the MDB Semi-Finals results and Qualifier Series winners:

• 1 — 3rd Place, Round 3
• 2 — 2nd Place, Round 3
• 3 — 1st Place, Round 3
• 4 — 3rd Place, Round 2
• 5 — 2nd Place, Round 2
• 6 — 1st Place, Round 2
• 7 — 3rd Place, Round 1
• 8 — 2nd Place, Round 1
• 9 — 1st Place, Round 1
• 10 — 8th Place Aggregate
• 11 — 7th Place Aggregate
• 12 — 6th Place Aggregate
• 13 — 5th Place Aggregate
• 14 — 4th Place Aggregate
• 15 — 3rd Place Aggregate
• 16 — 2nd Place Aggregate
• 17 — 1st Place Aggregate
• 18 — Oklahoma’s Richest Qualifier Series Champion
• 19 — Canadian Qualifier Series Champion
• 20 — Coastal Qualifier Series Champion

Any designated drop-down contestants will compete first in the order determined by event management.

Finals Round 2 (Thursday – First Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #7 from the original draw.

Finals Round 3 (Thursday – First Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #14 from the original draw.

Finals Round 4 (Friday – Second Performance)

Competition will begin with the athlete that has earned the least amount of money from the eligible Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier events, and will end with the athlete that earned the most.

Finals Round 5 (Friday – Second Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #7 from Round 4’s draw.

Finals Round 6 (Friday – Second Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #14 from Round 4’s draw.

Finals Round 7 (Saturday – Third Performance)

• Following Round 6, the field will be reduced from 20 athletes to 15 athletes.
• The cut will be determined using the top 12 money earners and the top 3 from the aggregate standings on 6 head.
• If the top 3 from the aggregate standings is within the Top 12 money earners, we will continue with top money earners through the 15th position.
• Competition will begin with the athlete that has earned the least amount of money from the eligible Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier events, and will end with the athlete that earned the most.

Finals Round 8 (Saturday – Third Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #6 from Round 7’s draw.

Finals Round 9 (Saturday – Third Performance)

Competition will begin with Contestant #11 from Round 7’s draw.

Finals Round 10 (Saturday – Third Performance)

The final round will be run based on the nine-head aggregate.

• Slowest aggregate time competes first.
• Fastest aggregate time competes last.

The contestant with the fastest ten-head aggregate at the conclusion of Round 10 will be crowned the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Finals Champion.

The contestant with the overall most money won at the conclusion of the Million Dollar Breakaway season and Finals will be crowned the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway World Champion.

Million Dollar Breakaway Qualifier Series Performances

The Top 20 contestants will compete for a total purse of $30,000, distributed as follows:

Round 1 Payout:

• 1st Place — $2,500
• 2nd Place — $1,500
• 3rd Place — $1,000

Total Round 1 Payout: $5,000

Round 2 Payout:

• 1st Place — $2,500
• 2nd Place — $1,500
• 3rd Place — $1,000

Total Round 2 Payout: $5,000

Finals Payout (Top 8):

• 1st Place — $10,000
• 2nd Place — $6,000
• 3rd Place — $4,000

Total Finals Payout: $20,000

Total Event Payout: $30,000

Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway Finals — Go-Round Payout

Each of the 10 Finals go-rounds will pay:

• First — $25,000
• Second — $20,000
• Third — $15,000
• Fourth — $10,000
• Fifth — $7,500
• Sixth — $5,000

Total payout per go-round: $82,500

Total payout across 10 go-rounds: $825,000

Aggregate Payout

• First — $60,000
• Second — $40,000
• Third — $30,000
• Fourth — $20,000
• Fifth — $15,000
• Sixth — $10,000

Total aggregate payout: $175,000

Total Finals Purse

The total advertised Million Dollar Breakaway Finals purse is $1,000,000. Event management reserves the right to verify results, eligibility, and payment information before distributing prize money.

• Contestants must remain eligible and in good standing to receive prize money, awards, qualification positions, or titles.

Prize money may be withheld until any or all of the following conditions are met:

• Results are verified
• Eligibility is confirmed
• Required tax documents are received
• Outstanding balances are paid
• Any protest or disciplinary matter is resolved

• Contestants are responsible for all applicable taxes.
• In the event of a tie, prize money will be divided and prizes will be distributed based on the tie-breaker rules.
• Qualification positions may not be transferred unless specifically authorized by event management.

Semi-Finals Advancement Ties at Qualifier Series Events

At qualifier series events, if there is a tie for advancement to the Semi-Finals, all ties will advance to the Semi-Finals.

Go-Round Advancement Ties for Qualifier Series Performances and Finals

In the event two (2) or more contestants are tied for an advancement position in any qualifying go-round, the tie shall be broken in the following order:

• The contestant with the fastest single time recorded during any qualifying go-round shall receive the higher placing.
• If a tie still exists, the contestant with the fastest aggregate time from all applicable qualifying go-rounds shall receive the higher placing.
• If a tie still exists, the contestant with the greatest total earnings from all eligible Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway qualifying events during the current qualifying period shall receive the higher placing.
• If a tie still exists, the tied contestant(s) shall compete in a rope-off to determine the contestant(s) advancing. The rope-off format, order of competition, and cattle selection shall be determined by event management.

Semi-Finals Advancement Ties

If two or more contestants are tied for a position advancing from the Semi-Finals to the Finals, ties will be broken in the following order:

• Greatest total earnings won in all eligible Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway qualifying events.
• If still tied, a rope-off will determine the advancing contestant(s).

Finals Cut Ties (Advancing from Round 6 to Rounds 7–10)

If two or more contestants are tied for the final advancing position after Round 6, ties will be broken in the following order:

• Greatest total earnings won in all eligible Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway qualifying events.
• If a tie still exists, the contestant with the fastest aggregate time from the previous six rounds will advance.
• If still tied, a rope-off will determine the advancing contestant(s).

Finals Aggregate Ties

If two or more contestants finish the Finals with identical aggregate times, ties will be resolved with a rope-off.

Rope-Off Procedures

When required, each contestant will compete in one rope-off run. The contestant recording the fastest qualified time will receive the higher placing. If all contestants receive a no-time, additional rope-off rounds will be conducted until the tie is broken.

Prize money, awards and qualification positions are subject to the applicable tie-breaker procedures.

When a rope-off is required:

• Contestants will compete in an order determined by random draw.
• Livestock will be drawn or assigned by event management.
• The standard barrier, catch, timing, penalty, equipment and animal-welfare rules will apply.
• Contestants must be mounted and ready when called.
• Failure to report for the rope-off will result in forfeiture of the higher placing or advancement position.
• All decisions made by judges and event management are final.

Event management reserves the right to divide prize money rather than conduct a rope-off when livestock availability, arena conditions, scheduling, safety or broadcast requirements make a rope-off impractical.

Million Dollar Breakaway World Champion Title Ties

If two or more contestants finish with the same amount of eligible cumulative earnings for the World Champion title, the tie will be broken with a rope-off.

Approved by Million Dollar Breakaway Roping Management, August 31, 2026.