How The WCRA And WRWC Changed Martha Angelone’s Career

As the winningest female athlete of the 2023 WCRA season, Martha Anglone knows a thing or two about how the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) and Women’s Rodeo World Championship (WRWC) can change lives. 

When the WCRA first got its start nearly six years ago, Martha was a college student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University working as a bartender to cover entry fees. At the time, the native Virginian never would have dreamt she’d be able to make a living roping calves or become the winningest female WCRA athlete of 2023 with $133,400 pocketed throughout the year.

Growing up in a family with a minimal background in rodeo put the passion directly into hers and her sister, Sarah’s hearts to pursue the dream professionally. Martha explained that it was her father who picked up the sport later in life, and her and her sister were simultaneously hooked. 

It was that love for the sport that has propelled Angelone to be one of the best breakaway ropers in the WCRA. The WCRA was the first association to provide life-changing payouts to breakaway ropers, which proved to be a game-changer for Angleone. 

“I’d never thought I could say that I rodeo and get to breakaway rope for a living. The opportunities provided by the WCRA and WRWC are so amazing” said Angelone. 

The current Texas resident further expanded on the opportunities allotted by the association, explaining it has allowed her to rodeo professionally and continue to invest in her craft. As the 2023 Reliance Ranches VRQ Bonus winner, the world champion breakaway roper added to her career WCRA earnings by an impactful $25,000. 

“This bonus was huge. The VRQ bonus is a game changer for me and I do my best to stay atop of the leaderboards.  It’s with bonuses like this one that I can continue to pursue my dreams”. 

Angelone’s sharp roping skills were also made apparent during the 2022 WRWC, where she flexed her all-around roping muscles. Winning the Professional Breakaway Roping title, provided her with unprecedented opportunities in women’s rodeo and the opportunity to purchase two new horses that would propel her career to the next level. 

“It’s so cool to have that much money added in an all-girl event. It’s so rewarding to get to team rope with ropers like Jackie [Crawford]. This event has truly changed my life and provided me with many opportunities.” 

The Reliance Ranches VRQ bonus in collation with her success in the WRWC has raised Angelone to an astounding $270,698 in career earnings, making her the winningest female WCRA athlete of 2023. 

“It’s pretty cool to have this title. I’ve always tried to winter these events because they’ve provided me with so many opportunities. I’m so grateful for the WCRA and how they’ve elevated womens rodeo.” said Angelone.

In 2024, Angleone already has her sights set on several major goals, including being seeded in all three women’s events at the WRWC and winning the all around title. Her goals also include focusing on her nomination strategy to clinch the 2024 Reliance Ranches VRQ Bonus by Rodeo Carolina in October.