Canadian Shaya Biever has come from the back of the pack to climb to No. 4 in the Resistol Rookie of the Year breakaway race, boasting $13,800 in earnings.
Hailing from Claresholm, Alberta, 23-year-old Biever has taken large-share winnings in ProRodeos across Alberta and North Dakota.
Biever says the event that put her winning streak into motion was the Wainwright Stampede, a rodeo she competed at on her permit in 2022. She won the long go, short go and aggregate for a total of $3,060.
Top paydays for Shaya Biever
Bonnyville Pro Rodeo
Bonnyville, AB
June 10–11
- Shaya Biever, 2.3 seconds, $1,405
Killdeer Mountain Roundup PRCA Rodeo
Killdeer, ND
July 3–4
- (tie) Shaya Biever 1.9 seconds, $4,171
Calgary Stampede Rocky Mountain Cup
Calgary, AB
July 12
Second round 2. (tie) Shaya Biever, 2.40, $1,573
Bowden Daze
Bowden, AB
July 14–15
- Shaya Biever, 1.8, $1,292
Teepee Creek Stampede
Teepee Creek, AB
July 14–16
- Shaya Biever, 1.9, $2,876
BRJ: What have the past few years looked like for you?
“ went to college in Vernon, Texas, got an associates in farm and ranch management, and then I came back home to do the ProRodeos up here. I stayed on my permit for a year to try to get some experience under my belt before I went south for my rookie year. And it’s working out.
BRJ: You’ve earned more than $14,000 in the last six weeks. How have you done it?
SB: This year was a slower start, but I kept at it; I started drawing great and have been using the calves I’ve been getting.”
Last year I went through a lot of mental ups and downs just trying to get a grasp on the whole new world of rodeo and breakaway. This year I went in with more of a game plan that included just doing my job and letting everything else lay where it may. The only thing I can control is my job, which is roping my calves.”
BRJ: Tell me about your style as a breakaway roper.
SB: My style is I don’t try to force anything. I just try to see my start that I’ve chosen and take my first 110% catch shot. If I draw some good calves then it’s perfect, but if they’re not as good I’ll see them out a little bit longer.
BRJ: What horses are on your trailer?
SB: I’ve got Bullet that I haul everywhere right now. He’s a 16-year-old black gelding I’ve had since he was 3. We’ve been everywhere together. He’s got a big personality. He knows he does his job well and that I pamper him, so he gets away with most things.
I also have a 9-year-old gray gelding named Playboy that’s my main practice horse and I can take him if I need to.
BRJ: What are some of your goals this year?
SB: I hope to qualify for the Canadian Finals and do as good as I can in the Resistol Rookie race. I want to stay inside the top 50 so I can get into some winter ProRodeos next year.
The Breakaway Roping Journal is the source for ProRodeo coverage all season long, from the world race to circuit standings, event coverage and profiles on athletes like Biever.
