Makayla Boisjoli had never been on the California run before, but with more rodeos than ever adding breakaway to their lineups, she hopped in a rig with her sister Shelby and headed west.
Turns out, that was the right call for the Canadian breakaway roper—Boisjoli stopped the clock in 2.6-second at the Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo, worth $2,773 for the win.
“What I won should cover my whole California trip,” said Boisjoli, who’s entered at Red Bluff and Clovis, too, as well as the jackpots local producers are adding for breakaway ropers along the way. “It helps traveling with Shelby and Haven (Meged), too.”
Oakdale’s committee added $5,000 in the breakaway and limited the entries to 60, with the breakaway ropers only roping one head (as opposed to two in the other timed events). The average price of diesel in Oakdale is $6.31 right now, meaning the impact of fuel on the breakaway ropers competing for less money will be heavily felt.
The Run
Boisjoli didn’t know the calf she drew, but luckily Kelsie Domer had taken notes on every calf in the slack.
“Kelsie’s notes said he broke good and ran good,” Boisjoli said. “For me he was even better than good—I’d say he was pretty great.”
Boisjoli got bull dogger Riley Wakefield to push her calf, and she made up her mind to make a strong practice-pen run.
“After watching the first perf, I bought it was one of those places to really make sure my calf was out in front of me and not overthink it,” Boisjoli said.
The Horse
Boisjoli rode her 17-year-old palomino gelding Shooter, who came with her from Canada from her cousin bronc rider Jake Watson.
“He gave him to me in high school and said to keep him and use him until he’s done,” Boisjoli said. “He’s my only horse, so that’s what I’m doing.”
Rodeo Goals
Before Oakdale, Boisjoli was in the top 30 in the WPRA ProRodeo World Breakaway standings last updated April 8.
“I haven’t really set an exact plan for the year yet,” Boisjoli said. “The goal, of course, is to make the NFR when you can. I’m going to Canada for a couple weeks in May, and then I’ll come back and start at Reno.”
