The 2023 breakaway Resistol Rookie of the Year race has been a dogfight from the jump: MaryBeth Beam kicked off the year strong and is staying in the mix, but Braylee Shepherd and Shaya Biever found their footing and racked up chart-topping earnings.
Shepherd has a sizeable lead on the field, but Biever and Rylee George’s winning momentum cannot be discounted as the race enters the final stretch.
Labor Day update
No. 1 Resistol Rookie of the Year contender Braylee Shepherd had a strong showing over Labor Day weekend, extending her lead to $6,423. Shepherd finished Walla Walla Frontier Days in Washington with a 2.5-second run, earning second place and $4,587, and cut an aggregate check at the Ellensburg Rodeo for $683.
The current No. 2 Rookie, Shaya Biever, won the first round in Ellensburg with a 2.4-second time, worth $1,934. The No. 6 Rookie, MaryBeth Beam, was right behind her, roping in 2.5 seconds and earning $1,707.
Resistol Rookie of the Year breakaway standings as of 9/6/23
| Rank | Athlete | Earnings |
| 1 | Braylee Shepherd | $34,670 |
| 2 | Shaya Biever | $28,247 |
| 3 | Rylee George | $24,004 |
| 4 | Jacelyn Frost | $21,934 |
| 5 | Bethany Stallons | $21,099 |
| 6 | MaryBeth Beam | $18,826 |
| 7 | Jade Kenney | $17,800 |
| 8 | Kenzie Kelton | $12,918 |
| 9 | Quincy Sullivan | $12,414 |
| 10 | Erika Frost | $11,665 |
