Rylee George is on an upward trajectory in the Resistol Rookie of the Year breakaway standings, moving from No. 14 in June to No. 3 in late August with $23,141 in winnings including a round win at Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Hailing from Oakdale, California, 22-year-old George grew up heading and heeling before choosing breakaway as her event. Now, the masters student at Texas A&M Commerce is less than $6,500 away from Rookie leader Braylee Shepherd.

The Breakaway Roping Journal sat down with George to glean insights from her rookie year including how she’s been able to build momentum throughout the summer.

BRJ: What was growing up like in Northern California and how did you become the roper you are today?

RG: Oakdale’s known as the cowboy capital of the world, so there’s a bunch of ropers around there and I’ve always had my dad Steve George help me. I was riding my horse around the rodeo when I was an 18-months-old.

My first horse was Oscar, and he taught me pretty much everything. We were both 5 when I got him, and we progressed together. I roped on him, ran barrels on him…he did it all.

I started out heeling first, then went to heading. We started heeling first because our parents could control the situation. In sixth grade I started breakaway.

BRJ: How did you decide 2023 was your year to go for the Rookie title?

RG: I had a good set of horses this year, and I really like we finally had it figured out together. Plus, I was able to get away from school a little bit since I am online. I also have a great support system with my dad Steve, mom Jill, and stepdad Wayne.

BRJ: How’s your year been so far? What was winning the first round at Cheyenne like?

RG: I had a really slow start to the year, and not being able to get into the winter rodeos was tough. I’ve struggled this year, but I’ve had some luck over the summer and I’m really gunning for the Rookie race win.

Cheyenne was a big check for me. It was my first time being there, so my plan going in there was just to make a solid run with what the calf let me do. I drew a good one and my horse Skittles worked good.

Rylee George’s top summer checks

$5,631 – No. 1 at the Lea County Rodeo in Lovingston, NM

$4,291 – No. 1 in Round 1 at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, WY

$3,252 – No. 1 at the Bozeman Stampede in Bozeman, MT

$1,741 – No. 2 at the West of the Pecos Rodeo in Pecos, TX

$1,308 – No. 1 at the Stanislaus County Fair Pro Rodeo in Turlock, CA

BRJ: What horses are in your trailer?

RG: I’ve got Deputy, who is my old faithful. I pretty much know what he’s going to do every time and just lets me go rope. Gives me the same throw and just lets me worry about roping. I use him on any score. I pick and choose where I use him and give him a couple of days between runs.

The other horse I got out here is named Skittles. He’s 7, and I bought him in May. We’ve just been learning each other, but we really come together this last couple months. Once we get together, he’s one of those that he cuts the rope off so fast. So fast that you could take another swing and still be fast on him.

BRJ: Are you hauling with anyone this year?

RG: I go with Cheyanne Guillory, and she’s been fun to travel with. I met her through my college rodeo coach Damien White. She knows a lot about rodeo, having been in the finals and everything. She knows when to go where and when to duck off. We’re going to stick together this year and go together next year as well.

BRJ: Any notable lessons from this year?

RG: A really the big part of this year is kind of how to enter.  Cheyanne has helped me with that. Learning when to get a first run or when you need a second run somewhere depending on the cattle.

For example, we entered Pendleton for the slack hoping to get a first run just cause they’re fresher calves and it’s a better run on that long score. Another thing I’ve been learning how to make your circle smaller rather than having to go way across the country every time.

Next up for Rylee George is the Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington followed by the Magic Valley Stampede in Filer, Idaho.

Special thanks to Resistol for their unwavering support of the Rookie of the Year title.