Shelby Boisjoli Cashes in on Day 1 at National Finals Breakaway Roping Presented by Teton Ridge
LAS VEGAS – Shelby Boisjoli arrived at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Teton Ridge Tuesday with nothing to lose and that is exactly how she roped.
Coming into the event sixth in the world standings, the Stephenville, Texas, cowgirl trailed world standings leader Martha Angelone by $44,745.
Boisjoli rocketed up to second in the world standings with $80,917 thanks to a stellar opening day at the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. She earned $16,565 by being the only competitor to place in four of the five rounds.
Boisjoli leads the average with 12.4 seconds on five head. The average winner gets $13,866. The NFBR concludes at 2 p.m. (PT) Wednesday with the final five rounds.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Boisjoli, 24. “This year I didn’t really have a target on my back. Last year I was coming in No. 1 and my first year in (2020) I didn’t really know what to expect. This year I felt like I had a little bit more experience under my belt, so I wasn’t so nervous, and I got settled in a little bit right off the get go.”
Boisjoli placed second in Round 1 (2.6 seconds) and Round 3 (2.2) and split second in Round 2 and Round 5 with a pair of 2.2-second runs.
“I love this arena and this setup, and the crowd is really good and there a lot of breakaway fans,” Boisjoli said. “It feels pretty electric. The pressure was off, and I just settled in and let it all hang out. I had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and the sponsors and everybody who has made this (National Finals Breakaway Roping) happen. It is unbelievable. I can’t believe we get to rope where we are roping.”
Boisjoli was riding her star horse, Onna, 7. Onna was the 2021 WPRA | AQHA Breakaway Roping Horse of the Year.
“She wants to do good,” Boisjoli said. “I think that is the main thing that makes her good. She likes winning.”
Angelone, who came into the NFBR with a $37,009 lead in the world standings, has a $33,008 advantage over Boisjoli. Angelone earned $4,828 on the opening day.
“I want to keep my head down and keep going at them,” Boisjoli said about her plan for the final day. “I don’t want to back off.”
Here are the unofficial world standings after Tuesday from the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. The event concludes Friday with the final five rounds.
Unofficial World Standings: 1, Martha Angelone $113,925; 2. Shelby Boisjoli $80,917; 3. Taylor Munsell $77,800; 4. Erin Johnson $76,916; 5. Lari Dee Guy $73,656; 6. Joey Williams $71,835; 7. Jordi Edens $71,087; 8. Rickie Engesser $68,332; 9. Taylor Hanchey $67,021; 10. Cheyanne Guillory $64,205; 11. Samantha Fulton $60,963; 12. Beau Peterson $60,914; 13. Cadee Williams $60,577; 14. JJ Hampton $58,950; 15. Josie Conner $57,302
Courtesy of PRCA