Stars Align For Competitors in Sin City

By Susan Kanode, Special to the WPRA

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (November 29, 2022) – After crisscrossing the United States figuring out how to get from rodeo to rodeo, the best breakaway ropers in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association showcased their talents at the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR).

This is the third year for the championship event and the third location. It was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in 2020. Last year it moved to Las Vegas and was at The Orleans Arena. The South Point Arena is playing host to this year’s competition and the first day did not disappoint.

The stars aligned in rounds two and three for Samantha Fulton, a first time qualifier from Miller, South Dakota. The first calf that she ran in her first Wrangler NFBR didn’t go as planned and she got a no-time. She came back and won the next two with 2.0 and 2.1 second runs. Those two checks added $11,660 to her earnings.

“That was amazing,” she said. “It was a lot of fun. I was super excited to come out here.”

This is the first time that Fulton has roped 10 head in a single competition. She also got a no-time in the fifth round on Tuesday and is hoping for more round wins on Wednesday.

Shelby Boisjoli from Stephenville, Texas has command of the overall standings after having roped five calves in 12.4 seconds. She has won $16,565 her so far. She placed second in the first and third round and tied for second in the second and fifth.

The native of Canada is one of a select group of women who is making her third appearance at breakaway roping’s championships. A year ago, she came into the competition in the top spot and finished as the reserve world champion. She started this year’s event in sixth place and is working her way up as the most consistent cowgirl here.

Martha Angelone still has a commanding lead in the world standings. The Stephenville, Texas, resident has added $4,828 to her earnings of $113,925 for the season.

Competition gets underway at 2 p.m. PT tomorrow with rounds 6 – 10. Along with crowning the world champion, the Wrangler NFBR average champion will be crowned. Additionally, the Betty Gayle Cooper Fast Time Award will be presented to the contestant who makes the fastest run at the 2022 event in the South Point Arena. So far, Cheyanne Guillory of Kingston, Oklahoma is tied with Fulton for that award with times of 2.0 seconds.

Watch all the action LIVE and FREE on the Wrangler Network.

The following are results from the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, Tuesday, November 29, 2022. For complete results and standings go to https://wpra.com/index.php/results-roping-auto?type=roping&year=current&month=current

First round: 1, Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.3 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.6, $4,204. 3, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.8, $3,328. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.9, $2,452. 5, Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, 3.0, $1,577. 6, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 3.1, $876.

Second round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.0 seconds, $5,080. 2, (tie) Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas; Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla.; Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Connor, Iowa, La.; 2.2 and $2,890. 6, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 2.3, $876.

Third round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $4,204. 3, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.3, $2,890 each. 5, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.4, $1,577. 6, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.5, $876.

Fourth round: 1, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.0 seconds, $5,080. 2, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.1, $4,204. 3, (tie) Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan.; J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 2.3, $2,452 each. 6, (tie) Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. And Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.4, $438.

Fifth round: 1, Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, (tie) Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $3,766 each. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.4, $2,452. 5, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Josie Connor, Iowa, La., 2.6, $1,226.

Overall leaders: (total on five) 1, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 12.4. 2, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 14.7. 3, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 23.4. 4, Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, 24.3. 5, Joey Williams, Volborg, Montana, 30.6.

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