Breakaway Roper JJ Hampton Wins CEAT Rodeo Fan Vote Contest; Hope Thompson Comes in Second

The first-ever WCRA Rodeo Fan Vote Contest by CEAT Specialty Tires is in the books. Breakway roper JJ Hampton collected the most votes in the online Facebook/Instagram contest, and breakaway roper Hope Thompson came in 2nd place. CEAT is sponsoring rodeo to promote its farm tractor tires and implement tires to North American farmers and ranchers.

Hampton will receive $1,000 and Thompson $500 from CEAT, a 90-year-old company that entered the North American Ag tire market four years ago.

JJ Hampton

Hampton, a two-time National Finals Breakaway Roping qualifier and 17-time WPRA champion, grew up competing in junior rodeos in barrel racing, goat tying and breakaway roping. She dropped barrel racing by the time she was in 5th or 6th grade to concentrate on roping. She finished 7^th in the world in breakaway roping in 2020. Her awards include: Tarleton’s Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, 2014; member of Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Cowboy Capital of Texas Walk of Fame; and had the WPRA Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year Sara Rey Lynx, 1996 & 1998.

Thompson, a four-time world champion in breakaway roping, had an outstanding 2021 season. She tied for second at Dickinson (ND) ProRodeo Breakaway Roping and finished second at Rapid City (SD) ProRodeo Breakaway Roping. Also:
• Tied for third at Burley (ID) ProRodeo Breakaway Roping
• Tied for third at Mobridge (SD) ProRodeo Breakaway Roping
• Won the Charlie 1 Horse All-Girl Challenge Team Roping during the Bob Feist Roping in Guthrie, OK, with partner Whitney DeSalvo.

Hope Thompson

In July, CEAT announced a three-year partnership with the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA), wherein CEAT was designated the “Official Ag Tire Sponsor and Exclusive Category Event and Broadcast Partner.”

With this sponsorship, CEAT hopes to connect with the farmers and ranchers that comprise the backbone of the rodeo community and help them make better decisions when it comes to their farm tractor tire needs.

“I come from a farming family, so I know that equipment buying decisions including tractor tires, are not taken lightly,” said Ryan Loethen, president of CEAT Specialty Tires. “The wrong decision on farm tractor tires can really set you back, and on the flip side, having the right tires for the equipment and operating conditions can significantly contribute to profitability.”

Loethen continued, “We definitely want to contribute to the profitability of ranchers by offering them high quality farm tires at affordable prices.”

(Photo of JJ Hampton in action by Sam Sim)