PRO BREAKAWAY Swinging Into The Big Time

SWINGING INTO THE BIG TIME

By ALICIA ERICKSON

Shelby Boisjoli roping her calf in 2.1 seconds, earning her second place in Round 3.

Photo by Joe Duty

2020 — a gruelling year for most professional rodeo athletes, but it was a year of remarkable growth for the ladies Breakaway.

Canadian Professional Women’s Breakaway roper, Shelby Boisjoli, has been nodding her head in this event since Grade 7 Junior High Rodeo. Now, nine years later, her dream came true when at age 22, she backed behind the yellow chute to swing her rope for a $200,000 purse.

For years, breakaway roping has been an event at 4H, Junior/High school rodeo, amateur rodeo, and at an intercollegiate level, but only recently has it been taken to a professional level. Last spring, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Assoc., (CPRA) announced that Ladies Breakaway was added as an optional event at their sanctioned rodeos, giving women cardholders another event to compete in, alongside the fan favourite of barrel racing.

Shelby has always been a competitive cowgirl by nature, travelling to wherever she has the best chance at a successful rodeo career. Currently, she is residing in Stephenville, Texas, but calls Langdon, Alta., home. With Canada calling their rodeo season, Boisjoli focused on buying her Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc., (PRCA) card and entering stateside.

Many rodeos were affected because of COVID-19, but the PRCA season held strong, making the Finals a sure thing.

Shelby Boisjoli and Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson (wearing her clear mask) in the massive Globe Life Field stadium.

Photo courtesy Alicia Erickson

“We knew that we were going to be roping for something, but we were completely shocked when they announced in early July that the Breakaway was going to be a part of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo,” explained Boisojli. “I remember vividly driving to Killdeer, N.D., when the news broke, our phones were blowing up, and we were all so pumped.”

Well-placed in the standings, Shelby quickly realized that she would be making history as one of the top 15 women in the world to compete at the inaugural WNFR Breakaway Dec 8–11. Walking on the same arena dirt as some of the most sought-after athletes was that original dream come true.

Fast-forward to Dec 8 in Arlington, Texas, and Shelby was walking through the tunnel that surrounds the enormous arena floor. The first perf was taking place under the bright lights of Globe Life Field Stadium.

Due to COVID, the attendance was less than spectacular. “It was a special moment that didn’t matter if there was a huge crowd or not,” said Boisjoli. “We realized how far we had come, and that we were making history.”

The grand entry was planned to have the highest money earner from each state carry their flag, which meant that Shelby would follow behind the Texas flag. But this patriotic cowgirl had other plans and made sure that she flew the maple leaf flag across that arena.

“I almost forgot how tight-knit Canada is and how all of the rodeo families are literally like family,” Boisjoli said, adding, “I felt like I had a whole country behind me.”

A strategy is a big part of being successful in competition, but so is the horse that you ride in on. We saw many talented equine athletes over the Finals, and they carry a lot of responsibility. A breakaway horse is so much more than run and stop.

From left: Miss Rodeo Texas Jordan Maldonado, 2020 Miss Rodeo Canada Alicia Erickson, Miss Rodeo America Jordan Tierney, WPRA President Doreen Wintermute and 2020 Champion Jackie Crawford. The Stephenville, Texas, resident was six months pregnant during the competition, so she sawed the horn off her saddle and just kept swinging.

Photo by Kay Miller

“You could have a horse that could run a hole through the wind, but if they don’t run straight to the calf, then they’re slow, “ said Boisjoli.

A breakaway horse’s job is pretty repetitive, and it becomes easy for them to get tight and want to take your throw away from you. Shelby’s Canadian-raised horse, Root Beer, has proved that she is special. “She never gets tired and takes away my throw,” said Boisjoli. “She gives me a chance to win every single time.”

The bar was set high for Breakaway in 2020. Not only does it give women another pro event to compete in, but it brings more fans, competitors and sponsors to our sport of rodeo.

I witnessed first-hand the camaraderie displayed amongst all 15 women, and it was inspiring. It didn’t seem to matter how they placed — win, lose, or draw — they were happy to be there.

It is the groundbreaking women like Shelby and the rodeo committees that add the event that will ensure the growth of this super-fast sport — and that Breakaway will add another exciting element to professional rodeo.

As for pro rodeo in Canada, the 2021 season is tentative, but Shelby has made one thing very clear.

“If we don’t go and support it, who will? If they have Breakaway at 2021 Canadian rodeos, I’m going to go and support it. I’m going to be there,” she said. “We do it for the love of our sport, and trust to see greatness come in the future.”