Texas cowgirl Kayelen Helton joins The Breakaway Breakdown to talk about balancing a full-time career as a licensed professional counselor with life in the arena while still competing at a high level in both the breakaway and team roping.

Helton talks growing up in Texas junior rodeo, competing through the amateur and college ranks and Tarleton State, and navigating the rapid evolution of modern breakaway roping.

The conversation fives deep into the mental side of competition, how Helton’s counseling career has shaped her mindset in the arena, and why routine, horsemnaship, and confidence still matter more than ever. She also shares her thoughts on building a rope horse program and finding a horse that fits your style, and what she’s learned since stepping into the breeding world with her stallion Cat Man San.

From winning the all-girls on the team roping side to building a herd she believes in, Helton offers an honest look into what it takes to keep at the wheels on the bus that is her life, both in and out of the arena.

About the PRO on Roping.com

Watch the Priefert Ranch Open Roping live on Roping.com. From May 26–31, you can catch six full days of roping, including breakaway, steer roping, tie-down roping, and team roping. Every run is available live, with on-demand access if you miss anything, so you can watch when and where it works for you.