Excitement hits the arena on Saturday, March 23rd as two WPRA superstars battle it out in THE MATCH, a $2,500 winner take all match breakaway roping competition. The six head contest is a feature of The Western Lifestyle Experience during the 7th annual Ozark Spring Roundup at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri.
Committed to the duel are four-time NFR qualifier and 2023 world champion breakaway roper Shelby (Boisjoli) Meged and three-time NFR qualifier and 2023 NFR world breakaway average winner Cheyanne (Guillory) McCartney. “Breakaway roping is one of the hottest events in rodeo right now and these ladies are setting records” said Lance Markley, special agricultural events manager at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. “This is your opportunity to see them in action.”
Shelby set a record for regular season earnings in 2023 and in fact won $100,000 more than she did in the 2022 regular season. She is one of the elite women that has qualified for every Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping since it started in 2020. Last May, she married world champion tie down roper Haven Meged. Their love of horses, cattle and each other can be seen in everything they do. A highlight in 2023 was when they both won the championships at the Caldwell Night Rodeo in August in Idaho. Shelby is originally from Alberta and won enough money at 2023 rodeos in Canada to qualify for her country’s finals and finish 3rd in the Canadian Rodeo Association standings. She was also on hand to watch her husband win the title in tie-down roping. Shelby was also honored when her eight-year-old mare No Wimpy Turns, “Onna” received the Nutrena Horse of the Year in the breakaway roping.
Along with roping and training horses, Cheyanne has a full-time job as a realtor with licenses in Oklahoma and Texas. Cheyanne grew up in Louisiana and learned to rope from her father. His dream for her was to get a college degree and be successful in the arena. She accomplished both those goals in 2021. She graduated from Texas A & M University in May before heading out on the rodeo trail. She qualified for her first WNFBR that year and again in 2022 and 2023. Last December in Las Vegas she roped nine of 10 calves in 32.2 seconds and took home a total of $24,581 to win the 2023 NFRBR average title. Cheyanne said “I do” to Cody McCartney on a Dominican Republic beach on October 7, 2023.
THE MATCH will take place at 12:30 pm in the brand new Wilson Logistics Arena.
The Ozark Spring Roundup runs March 22-24. Show hours are from 10 am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday and 10 am to 3 pm on Sunday. Parking on the grounds and admission are free courtesy of sponsors MFA Incorporated, Cavender’s PFI, Race Brothers Farm & Home, Priefert Ranch & Rodeo Equipment and Hawk Fertilizer & Feed.
The Ozark Spring Roundup is followed by the Ozark Empire PRCA Rodeo on Friday and Saturday nights in the Wilson Arena. Doors for those holding VIP tickets open at 6:30 pm with general admission at 6:45. Tickets are available online at OzarkEmpireFair.com.
For more information call the Fairgrounds at 417-833-2660 or visit OzarkEmpireFair.com.