Cowboy Christmas Highlights Remarkable

Performances by Beisel and Boisjoli

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO

– The Fourth of July rodeo extravaganza, known as Cowboy Christmas, witnessed outstanding displays of talent by Emily Beisel and Shelby Boisjoli, who emerged as the top moneyearners in their respective events during the rodeos held between June 26 and July 5.

Emily Beisel secured this remarkable feat for the second time, with her previous achievement in 2019, while Shelby Boisjoli clinched this honor for the first time. Beisel achieved a total of $25,277, while Boisjoli led all breakaway ropers, earning $15,397. The competition was fierce, with Beisel narrowly edging out Paige Jones by just over $500, as Jones finished with $24,776, and Carlee Otero secured the third position with $22,795. Similarly, Boisjoli’s triumph was closely contested, as she barely surpassed Beau Peterson, who accumulated $15,186, and Kelsie Domer, who earned $13,980. Peterson’s win at the Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo almost closed the gap with Boisjoli, but she managed to retain her top spot by collecting one final check.

Beisel’s major earnings came from the Ponoka Stampede, where she rode Chongo to victory and added $16,835 to her 2023 earnings. She also secured significant checks at the Cody (WY) Stampede ($4,019), Home of Champions (Livingston, MT) ($2,410), and the Molalla (OR) Buckaroo Rodeo ($2,013).

The significance of Beisel and Jones finishing first and second becomes even more noteworthy when considering their powerful horses from the Youree Ranch breeding program. Janae Ward Massey, the 2003 WPRA World Champion, praised the duo on social media, highlighting their exceptional achievements aboard Bazinga, Pipewrench, Chongo, and Beau.

Shelby Boisjoli’s most substantial earnings came from the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott (AZ), where she emerged victorious, earning $7,896. She also garnered checks from the Greeley (CO) Independence Stampede ($1,106), the Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, SD) ($1,961), the Mandan (ND) Rodeo Days ($3,917), and the Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo ($517) to round out her successful 2023 Fourth of July run. Boisjoli had already demonstrated her excellent form by winning the Reno (NV) Rodeo the previous weekend before Cowboy Christmas commenced.

Cheering on Shelby Boisjoli throughout her journey is her husband, Haven Meged, the 2019 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion, who now stands beside her as she vies for a similar title in breakaway roping.

Cowboy Christmas - Top 10 Money-Earners

Barrel Racing

Emily Beisel $25,277

Paige Jones $24,776

Carlee Otero $22,795

Stevi Hillman $17,161

Tracy Nowlin $16,484

Dona Kay Rule $16,029

Ashley Castleberry $14,352

Ilyssa Riley $13,703

Hailey Kinsel $12,893

Tarryn Lee $12,234

Breakaway Roping

Shelby Boisjoli $15,397

Beau Peterson $15,186

Kelsie Domer $13,980

Rickie Engesser $13,010

Madalyn Richards $11,144

Martha Angelone $10,663

Taylor Munsell $8,459

Cheyanne Guillory $8,101

Danielle Lowman $7,518

Nicole Baggarley $7,331