After what she calls a “slow start” in the winter, Williams caught fire over the summer. She hovered around the top-15 through August - until winning big at the Ellensburg Rodeo in September. Though she didn’t begin the season the way she wanted, Williams never gave up hope to return to the NFBR.

Athlete. Mother. Wife. Rancher. Joey Williams is many things. And now, thanks to her electric performance  at the 2021 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she is one of breakaway’s breakout stars.

Williams continued her success on Monday at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, where she finished second in her bracket in round one with a time of 2.1 seconds to qualify for the FWSSR breakaway semifinals later this week. 

Competing professionally in breakaway is a dream come true, Williams says. Up until a few years ago, the event had been only for women in high school, college, and amateur rodeos. Women in professional rodeo only competed in barrel racing at PRCA rodeos. But then, at the 2020 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Arlington, Texas, women ropers competed for the first-ever world championship.