Author: Teri Edwards

Almost all parents encourage their children to follow their dreams… but not all parents change their lifestyle or location to help them pursue those dreams. The Boisjoli sisters, (Makayla, 20; Shelby, 19; Marissa, 17) grew up in the small hamlet of Langdon, Alberta.
“I can remember stories of when my dad cut his thumb off,” recalls Makayla. “I decided then I didn’t want to rope. But when I went to nationals in Pole Bending during junior high, I saw these kids roping the dummy and I was hooked. It took a lot of work because we started later than most kids. Our Dad wouldn’t let us rope horseback until we could catch the dummy 50 times in a row, its harder than you think.”
Makayla fell in love with roping and focused all of her time towards her goal of making nationals in breakaway. She attributes much of her success to practice drills and late nights at the barn roping the dummy with her dad and sister. The girls started out roping calves and were not allowed to team rope until, four or five months later when Garth felt they handled their rope well enough.
Frequently on the road with work, Garth didn’t have the time to make a head horse. They refinanced a truck and bought the safest head horse they could find. The girls fell in love with “Handsome,” and couldn’t have asked for a better teacher.
In January of 2012, Double C and Load ‘Em in the Dark Productions had a truck roping scheduled in Phoenix, Arizona. As true beginners, the Boisjoli sisters were all numbered low because they hadn’t really competed anywhere. After seeing the flyer, Sherry convinced Garth she “felt” they needed to haul the kids from Canada to Arizona for the roping. The “feeling” was right on target as Shelby ended up winning the #3 & Under truck.
The Boisjolis sold the truck and used the money to buy property in Arizona. This gave the family a winter home enabling the girls to rope more. The girls home schooled leaving friends and other sports for the next two years working on their roping and making horses. With that came another truck and trailer, buckets of buckles, and a tack room full of saddles. The sacrifice was paying off.
Extremely close, the Boisjoli sisters are tough competitors, both in breakaway and team roping. This summer, while home in Canada, the girls taught over twenty-five eager breakaway students.
Makayla has chosen to attend college in Texas so she could “compete against the best.” She is currently attending Tarleton University in Stephenville where she is working on her Accounting degree. She plans to pursue a Masters degree and become a C.P.A.

COWBOY Q&A

How much do you practice?
I try to rope calves every day, I make a point of roping the dummy every day, even if it’s just a few times. My dad always preached that to us.
Do you make your own horses?
Yes I love when you get a good one that loves what they do.
Who is your favorite horse?
Flop is our main man. He has made nine trips to nationals for us girls. He’s come close to a national title and we are hoping he gets one this year before we retire him after Marissa’s senior year. He’s one of the most honest horses I have ever swung a leg over.
Who were your roping heroes?
Melissa Reinhart, she was so handy and one of the best girl ropers in Canada. She always took the time to help my sisters and I and I thank her for that. I had always heard of Lari Dee and Jackie Crawford, but never realized how talented they are and hard they work until I got to Texas. I will always look up to my dad. He taught us everything.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My mom. She sacrificed everything for us and taught us how important it is to be a good person.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents, they are giving and hard working; and my sisters because on my best and worst days they are always pushing me to be better. Whatever they are doing, I’m doing, and vice versa we are a pack.

If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Anything that involves my family, a game of basketball, go to the lake and ski or just chill on the couch.
Favorite movie?
The Notebook.
What’s the last thing you read?
Mental Toughness.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Driven, focused, kind.
What makes you happy?
Getting to do the things I love: rope and the freedom that goes with it.
What makes you angry?
When I see people belittling other people. Rudeness.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy a place in Texas, for my parents and myself and buy my youngest sister a breakaway horse.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is I like to help people; I hate to see people struggle. My worst is I take better care of others than I do myself.

Happy, Texas, is a very small town in west Texas, south of Amarillo. That’s where Wes and younger brother Wyatt, grew up and caught the calf-roping bug. In the beginning, without cattle, the boys would sit on their horses in the yard and rope the dummy.
Once they got calves, the boys tracked them around the arena and started entering Junior Rodeos and play days. During the summer Wes and Wyatt would spend a week with their brother-in-law, Josh Tim, who was instrumental in their training.
“Everywhere we went in Happy, people would help us and give us pointers,” says Wes. “We were constantly picking people’s brains on technique and things we could do get our horses to work better.”

During his early high school Wes started spending time with Johnny Johnson, a local calf horse trainer, where his horsemanship made vast improvements.
“We would show up and he would put us on his horses. I might ride a horse once and never get on him again,” explains Wes. “He would mount us whenever we needed. He helped us a lot and gave us a chance to practice. “
“Riding so many different horses has helped my confidence. If I show up at a rodeo, it doesn’t bother me to ride someone else’s horse, even if I’ve never been on him. Last fall my horse got crippled the day before a college rodeo. I got on roommate’s horse, that I’d never ridden, and placed.”
Wes, 21, is currently working on his Accounting degree at Tarleton University in Stephenville, Texas, with plans to pursue a Masters degree in the same field.
Wes received an Associates Degree from Weatherford College where he was part of the rodeo team. Wes gives credit to rodeo coach, Johnny Emmons, for helping him with his roping.
“I wanted to go to school in the Stephenville area to experience the challenging competition. There are so many good cowboys in this area, even the amateur rodeos are pretty tough.”
When not in school, Wes works at Fast Back Ropes in Granbury, doing everything from tying knots, sewing burners, to working in the office. Wes enjoys competing at amateur rodeos in Texas and plans to get his PRCA permit in the next year or so.

COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
When I’m home, usually every day.
Do you make your own horses?
I finished the horse I’m riding now.
Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
Tyson Durfey and Scott Kormos.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My brother, Wyatt.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents. They’ve taught me to work hard and appreciate what I have.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Take a day trip. There’s lots to see in Texas.
Favorite movie?
Dallas Buyers Club.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Hardworking, dedicated, student of the game.
What makes you happy?
Going to a rodeo.
What makes you angry?
Bad drivers.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy a place and invest the rest.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is I’m pretty easy going; my worst quality is sometimes I’m too hard on myself.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Working as an accountant and going to pro rodeos.

Roping is in her blood – literally. Bailey (Cooper) Peterson, daughter of 7-time world champ, Clay O’Brien Cooper. Bailey grew up in Higley, Arizona where she lived until the age of eight. After a couple of years living in Idaho, the family made the move to Texas.
A few years later, Barrie and Brad Smith, her aunt and uncle, along with cousins, Shelby and Sterling, left Arizona and also moved to Texas. Bailey would spend summers with them while her dad was gone rodeoing.
“That’s really when I started roping. My Aunt Barrie hauled Shelby and I all over and I owe a big thanks to her,” says Bailey. “Shelby and I both made it to the state high school finals in Team Roping and Breakaway every year of high school.”
Her favorite win is easily when she and Barrie won the Cruel Girl Championships in Oklahoma City. She and cousin, Shelby, were reserve champs and between the three of them, they won every round of the roping.
Bailey remembers coming home from school every day and her dad would have horses saddled, ready for her to spin steers for him.
“Our practice sessions were intense,” says Peterson. “It’s important to get everything you can out of every run. Every time I get on a horse I have a goal. It’s ingrained in me that you go to the practice pen with the intention of what you need to work on and it’s very serious.
I’ve had the advantage of roping with and getting help from some of the best like Allen, Speed, David Key. A few years ago, I was going through a tough time and called Jade Corkill. He invited me over and we roped the dummy for five hours with the temperature in the single digits. I’m very grateful for those opportunities and don’t take it for granted.”
Now, Bailey, 30, is married and has a daughter, Fallon, 9. Bailey and Cal Peterson spend most of their time in South Dakota ranching and training horses. During winter months, the family winters in Texas where they train horses, and go to rodeos and ropings.
Fallon, it seems, will follow in her mom’s footsteps. “You can’t keep her off a horse,” explains Bailey. “She runs barrels, ties goats, and won her first buckle last year running barrels. She ropes with us in the practice pen, but isn’t ready for competition.”

COWBOY Q&A

So what does Bailey Peterson do for fun?
“Every day is fun for me. As long as I’m with my family, have a rope in my hand, and am riding a nice horse… I’m happy. My life is fun.”
How much do you practice?
We try to practice e very day.
Do you make your own horses?
Yes. We raise our own and make our own.
Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
My dad and Jake.
Who do you respect most in the world?
First and foremost God. My dad, my husband, and my Grandma Pat.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My husband and daughter.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Go fishing or go to the beach.
Favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove
How would you describe yourself?
Driven, honest, hardworking, kind.
What makes you happy?
Roping two feet. Family. Horses. Seeing other people win.
What makes you angry?
Missing or roping a leg for a lot of money. Not doing my job.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Invest in land and cattle.
What is your worst quality – your best?
Worst is indecisiveness. Best is striving for perfection.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Ranching and hauling my daughter to rodeos.

Chad Masters can’t remember a time when he didn’t rope. He does recall that he was about five years old when started roping horseback. Chad grew up in Clarksville, Tennessee where his dad, Bobby, a Pepsi executive, trained calf horses and his mom, Debbie, worked at the post office. Chad was a breakaway roper until he was about nine, when Harold Travis moved to the area and introduced them to team roping.
Chad spent much of his youth horseback, roping and helping his dad train colts. Consequently, he excelled in high school rodeo claiming the Tennessee team roping championship from ’96-’99; and tie down championship from ’98-’99. After high school Chad started going to IPRA rodeos. It was at an IPRA rodeo that he met Frankie McCleer and was offered an opportunity to head at pro rodeos.
This partnership was the start of Chad’s professional rodeo career. For the next couple of years Chad roped with several different partners before qualifying for the NFR with Michael Jones when he was 22.
Now, with two gold buckles and over $1.7 million in career earnings, Chad is able to put his success into perspective.
“It’s a privilege to be a world champion, but there are also so many guys going who deserve to win the world,” explains Chad. “At this level, where everyone ropes so well, everything has to line up just right to be successful.”
Chad won his titles in 2006 and 2012. Both championships were won with heelers that were not his partners, which can be a bittersweet victory.
In 2013, at the Timed Event Championships, Masters severely injured his leg during the Bulldogging.
“Basically my left ankle touched my left hip. One ligament and skin were holding my leg on,” says Chad. “That happened in March and I cracked back out at Reno Rodeo in June. Subconsciously I was worried about the barrier catching my leg that year and I just didn’t rope well. It was a tough year.”
Chad has qualified for the NFR ten times, and at 36, hasn’t yet decided how long he plans to rodeo professionally. He owns a 120-acre ranch in Lipan, Texas, and is preparing to build a covered arena.
“I enjoy training horses, sometimes to the detriment of my rodeo career,” says Chad. “When your first priority is your horse, sometimes it’s hard to quit “training” and just go for it. It takes a conscious effort.”
Chad is one of the most well liked team ropers in the PRCA due to his friendly and positive attitude.
COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
When I’m at home and training horses, I usually ride six to eight horses a day and run about 50 steers between them.
Do you make your own horses?
Sometimes. I was lucky at the beginning, the first three or four we had trained. Since then I’ve bought a few and also made some.
Who were your roping heroes growing up?
Speed Williams and Kevin Stewart.
Who do you respect most in the world?
Clay Cooper. I’ve learned a lot from him.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My dad. He’s hard working and always believes in me.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Take a vacation, maybe go to the beach.
Favorite movie?
Silverado
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Hard working, easygoing, friendly.
What makes you happy?
Friends, family, and horses.
What makes you angry?
Bad drivers
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy a place in Tennessee.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My worst quality is indecisiveness. My best quality is my work ethic.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I would like to be in Tennessee training horses with a family.

Brian Doty grew up in the small town of Joshua, a few miles south of Ft. Worth. Brian attributes his love of all things cowboy to the time he spent with his calf roping uncle, Richard Doty, and cousins, Ricky and Rocky Doty. As a youngster Brian spent as much time as possible watching and learning from his cousins. As a young man Brian roped a little and rode bulls for a while. Once he was grown and got his own place and horses, Brian started team roping.
Now, at 39, with a flourishing career in television and radio, Brian is able to put it in perspective.
“Even though I live in the country and have access to the family ranch of 400 acres, I don’t really get to live the cowboy lifestyle I love,” says Doty. “My uncle once told me ‘I’m a cowboy at heart even though I don’t live the lifestyle daily,’ and that’s always stuck with me. I haven’t always had the opportunity even though it’s been a passion.”
“The show I host, This Is Country TV, has given me the opportunity to experience that lifestyle. Along with other segments, I show a day in the life of a cowboy and work cattle on big ranches. We film brandings where we rope, drag, and brand cattle. It gives people an idea what actual cowboys do in a day’s work.”
Brian’s interests and passions have always been outdoor hobbies like hunting or cowboy activities. His journey into television, radio and hosting began after he created a hunting DVD for Cabelas. Friends encouraged him to pursue a television show so Brian called the Sportsman channel where he was told to send in a pilot. The pilot showed Brian bear hunting in Canada. Two weeks after sending it in, Sportsman Channel contacted Brian and offered him a spot. Later that year, Brian was recognized at their awards show in Las Vegas for Best New Series.
“This is Country” is Brian’s television show where he is able to cover all the things he loves: western lifestyle, country music and hunting. “This is Country” has aired on the Wrangler Network.
“I started doing my radio show, ‘On Air with Brian Doty for something extra to do. The very first show, I got my friend, Casey Donahew, to be my guest and play songs so I didn’t have to talk alone the full hour. I play all Texas Red Dirt country music and in between talk about rodeos & festivals. Now, my show airs on 40 country stations across 15 states, and can be listened to via cell phone or computer on Cowboy Lifestyle Network.”
After being known as the “hunting guy,” Brian saw the need to expand his resume. Now, in addition to television and radio, Brian has become a sought after event host. Doty has hosted all the Major Texas Music Festivals, Miss Texas pageant interviews, Stockyards Rodeo Insider, Friday Night Fight Series, PBR Arena interviews, acted in several music videos & national commercials such as AT&T, models for several companies, and he has a major role in a new Billy the Kid movie that will be filmed this year.
“Since 2014, I’ve done my live show in Vegas during the NFR and do the Wrangler Network interviews as well”
Brian is a single dad and proud of his two children, a son, Hunter, 16; and daughter, Presley, 7. Brian and Hunter enjoy roping the mechanical dummy and Presley runs barrels on her bombproof horse.
Brian closes his radio shows with, “I want you guys to take just a minute to think how blessed we are and be thankful for what we have. Attitudes are contagious so pass on a smile. God Bless!”
COWBOY Q&A
Who were your roping or rodeo heroes?
My uncle, Richard Doty, trained horses; and my two cousins, Ricky and Rocky were both calf ropers.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My parents.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My dad.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
I would love to spend the day on a ranch, working cattle.
Favorite movie?
All the Pretty Horses
What’s the last thing you read?
Cinderella, to my daughter.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Blessed, Driven, Happy.
What makes you happy?
When my kids are happy.
What makes you angry?
When a compact car blocks the diesel pump.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
I would invest it & start my own charity for kids with western lifestyle interest.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is being a good dad. My worst is replying to text messages & phone calls.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, hopefully remarried with more land and be further along in my career.

A big part of a sales rep job is traveling and being away from home. Ryan Pratt travels fifteen to twenty days each month as a rep for Nocona, American Hats, and Fast Back Ropes. Ryan, 42, lives in Shelbyville, Tennessee, with fiancé, Kristen, and his “territory” includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. While it may not appeal to most who are accustomed to working regular hours each week, it does have benefits.
“I am able to take my horse and rope and stay with friends,” explains Pratt. “I love the western industry and enjoy what I do. I sell boots, hats, and ropes. It’s really just visiting my customers and having conversations about the products.”
Ryan, and younger brother, Ross, were born into a rodeo family. Their father, Rod Pratt, qualified 14 times in the Steer Roping at the NFR. Their mom, Nanci Pratt, ran barrels in the PRCA. The family operated a feed yard in Burlington, Colorado until Ryan’s grandfather became ill. The family then moved to Colby, Kansas to help run the family ranch.
As a child, Ryan competed in Little Britches rodeo and the Rocky Mountain Junior Rodeo Association until the move to Kansas when he was twelve. He went on to High School rodeo in all three timed events, earning a scholarship at Colby Community College. Ryan finished his education at Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in Ag Education.
“After college I hit the rodeo trail until my daughter was born in 2001, then I moved back to Kansas.” explains Ryan.
Working at trade shows for Roper Stetson eventually led Ryan to his current job. When not on the road, Ryan, a #7E heeler, can be found competing at PRCA rodeos in the Great Lake Circuit, IPRA rodeos, or USTRC or World Series team ropings. He also teaches several roping schools each year.
“It’s very difficult to compete without the help of sponsors,” says Pratt. “Lubrisyn, Fast Back Ropes, and Heel-O-Matic support me and I am grateful to have access to premium products that give me an edge during competition.

COWBOY Q&A

How much do you practice?
Not as much as I would like due to work and travel.
Do you make your own horses?
Yes.
Who were your roping heroes growing up?
Mike Beers, Clay O’Brien Cooper, Rod Pratt.
Who do you respect most in the world?
God.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
God.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Rope.
Favorite movie?
Lonesome Dove.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Loyal. Hardworking. Happy go lucky.
What makes you happy?
Getting to rope.
What makes you angry?
Not getting to rope.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Pay off bills and invest the rest.
What is your best quality – your worst?
My best quality is loyalty. Worst quality is impatience.