Breakaway Belles
Labelle LaFrance Lassos Million-Dollar Moment
Writer Shannon Severson // Photography by Ahsaki LaFrance Chachere
The crowd falls silent as a horse shifts in the box — little puffs of dust rise from eager hooves as the rider grips a rope with strong hands, her determined eyes scanning the arena, awaiting the moment when the calf is released from the chute and moments later, the pursuit begins.
Breakaway roping has captured rodeo audiences with its display of fast-paced athleticism from both horse and rider. Riders are judged on speed and technique as they chase and lasso a calf around the neck while on horseback. The rope, attached to the saddle horn, breaks cleanly the moment it meets its mark and the timer stops. This electrifying sport will be on full display at the second annual Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway, Nov. 24–30 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.
The event showcases an elite field of 168 top-qualifying female breakaway ropers from across the country, each competing for victory and generous cash prizes. The final days of this celebration of rodeo competition and Western culture will feature live performances by country music stars Josh Meloy and Grammy Award winner Ashley McBryde on Nov. 28 and 29, respectively.
Among the competitors vying for a spot in the finals is Labelle LaFrance, 22, a third-generation Arizona rancher with a rich personal and cultural history woven from her Navajo and Creole heritage. Rodeo has been a lifelong passion for LaFrance, who says rodeo runs in her blood. During her upbringing on the Navajo Reservation near Window Rock, her grandfather encouraged her family to get involved in the sport — a natural outgrowth of the work they do on the family ranch.
“My grandfather is my inspiration,” she says. “To have a connection with animals and to have family support through the ups and downs, a family legacy — that’s what keeps me motivated in the sport.”
LaFrance, whose father was a professional football player for the Green Bay Packers and several arena football league teams, has embraced her natural athleticism in the arena. She began barrel racing in fifth grade and has competed steadily over the past six years as part of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While she says she’s always had a rope in her hand, her brother-in-law, Dennis Chachere, encouraged her to pursue breakaway roping, a discipline at which she quickly excelled.
LaFrance has lassoed calves at the Indian National Finals Rodeo and the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo — a national showcase celebrating Black cowboy and cowgirl culture — and now looks forward to competing for the first time at the Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway in her home state.
“I love breakaway because of the freedom of having another event aside from barrels,” LaFrance says. “We can throw a rope! I love the mental and physical challenge of it. Breakaway roping is fast and persistent; it requires focus and connection with the horse. I’m going up against girls who have been doing this all their lives. I look up to so many of them. They opened a doorway for us, and it helps push me to do my best.
“Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway is one of the biggest breakaway roping competitions in the country. It elevates women’s breakaway roping at its finest, and it’s an incredible platform for competitors at all levels to showcase their skills. I hope to perform my best and compete alongside some of the best in the sport.”
This marquee event celebrates the growing popularity and professionalism of women’s breakaway roping, shining a spotlight on the supremely talented field of top competitors and rewarding them with a generous prize purse.
Kimes Ranch Million Dollar Breakaway
Nov. 24–30 // See website for schedule of events // WestWorld of Scottsdale // 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale // See website for prices // 480-312-6802 // milliondollarbreakaway.com
