The newest class of ProRodeo breakaway rookies have been tearing up the trail in 2022. We checked in with the top five to see what they’ve learned on the road, the struggles they’ve had and the cool sights they have seen along the way.
(Standings from WPRA.com as updated July 25, 2022)
5. Lauren Hopkins, Lipan, Texas
2022 Earnings: $9,890.35
Rodeos Count: 41
LH: I would say the most important lesson I’ve learned so far is how to have gratitude and find small things to be grateful for, no matter what else is going on.
LH: One of the many, many mistakes I’ve made is booking a flight that lands two hours before slack starts with an hour drive to the airport. I ended up running down the Salinas rodeo arena while they were about to turn me out because it got delayed.
LH: This is in West Glacier National Park when I went to Bigfork (Montana). I’m a total nature geek and getting to see all these cool places is one of my favorite parts of rodeoing. I didn’t have a very good run in Big Fork and I remember driving to the lake directly after and just sitting there looking at how pretty it was. I was thinking about how lucky I am to be doing this, even when it doesn’t go my way.
4. Gianna Cianfichi, Santa Rosa, California
2022 Earnings: $13,365.02
Rodeo Count: 28
GC: The biggest learning curve I’ve had is knowing what each rodeo set-up is like—whether it’s a long score or short score, or whether the calves are fast or slow. The set-up makes a big difference in what horse I ride. I learned if I’m unsure of the set-up to saddle both horses and watch the first couple then get on the horse that I feel the most confident on in that set-up.
GC: One mistake my traveling partner and I learned quickly was that tire ramps are a must-have in the trailer to change tires on the side of a highway!
Catching Planes, Roping Necks, and Making History—with Gianna Cianfichi
3. Addie Weil, Edna, Kansas
2022 Earnings: $16,649.74
Rodeo Count: 33
AW: The rule I live by, and my advice for anyone on the rodeo road is to always be thankful and give all the glory to God! I feel so blessed to be out here—through all the ups and downs!
Also, always allow for plenty of time to get places. Things usually go wrong.
AW: It’s such a dream come true to be out here and be with some of my closest friends, I don’t take it for granted!
2. Bryana Lehrmann, Lexington, Texas
2022 Earnings: $21,238.71
Rodeo Count: 49
BL: One thing I learned is to go to the rodeos that add decent money, at the beginning of the year I had no idea what rodeos should be on my radar, going to everything in reach. I have now learned where I don’t care to waste time, to save my horse and myself.
BL: The most important thing for a rookie to do is to be forgiving to themselves. You can’t be too hard on yourself out here. Your truck, trailer, horses, saddles and head could be broken all in the same day but you have to just brush it off and tell yourself it is all ok. My first “Uh-oh,” of the year was running out of order in Laurel, MS in the barrels. I cried and said I wasn’t cut out for the rodeo road; that I just wanted to stay home. Since then, I’ve tackled a lot worse with grace. A seasoned pro in rodeo just handles things better. Rookies are fresh and don’t have the ability to brush things off as easily.
- Listen: College Rodeo Survival Guide, Fighting Back From Horse Injuries and Managing Your Time with Bryana Lehrmann
- “Lizzie” Rallies to Win Breakaway and All-Around Titles for Bryana Lehrmann at CNFR
- Listen to Bryana Lehrmann after her Royal Crown Win on The Breakdown
1. Josie Conner, Iowa, Louisiana
2022 Earnings: $30,832.89
Rodeo Count: 41
JC: This process is like anything else, it’s a marathon not a sprint. My advice would be to just keep your head down, find a way to work hard on the road and always eat good food.
- Learning the Business of Rodeo with Resistol Rookie Leader Josie Conner
- Josie Conner Clinches 2022 BFI All-Girl Breakaway Championship Title
Resistol Rookie coverage is brought to you all season long thanks to our friends at Resistol.
