Barrel Racing's Finest: A Thrilling Season Finale

The 2024 barrel racing season was a nail-biting affair, with cowgirls battling it out until the very end to secure their spots at the prestigious National Finals Rodeo (NFR). From last-minute rodeos across the country to impressive wins at major events, the competition was fierce as these talented athletes vied for the coveted world championship title.

Barrel Racing's Finest Compete for the Crown

Hailey Kinsel: A Dominant Force

Hailey Kinsel, the reigning WPRA World Champion, solidified her position at the top of the standings with a massive win at The Governor's Cup. With career earnings exceeding $2.2 million, Kinsel and her trusted mount, DM Sissy Hayday "Sister," have proven to be an unstoppable duo, earning the WPRA World Championship four times and an NFR Average title in 2020. Their success continued in 2024, with Kinsel's wins in Reno, Pleasant Grove, and Heber City further cementing her status as one of the sport's elite competitors.

Leslie Smalygo: Accomplishing the Unthinkable

In second place, Leslie Smalygo has had a remarkable season, earning $195,906. Winning both the Calgary and Houston rodeos in the same year is a feat that few have achieved, but Smalygo and her horse, JustAHeartBeatToFame "Gus," have now joined that exclusive club. After narrowly missing the NFR in 2023, the duo came back with a vengeance in 2024, showcasing their talent and determination. With career earnings of $468,681, Smalygo has now qualified for the NFR twice.

Ashley Castleberry: Overcoming Adversity

Sitting in third place is Ashley Castleberry, who has earned $170,234 this season. Castleberry and her horse, Skyy Blue, were consistent competitors throughout the year, earning checks at many of the top rodeos. Following a devastating accident in September 2022 that resulted in the loss of one of her mounts and a serious injury to her main horse, Castleberry rallied to finish 17th in the World in 2023. Now, she and Skyy Blue will make their first NFR appearance, a testament to their resilience and skill.

Kassie Mowry: A Seasoned Veteran

Earning $162,282 this season, Kassie Mowry is fourth in the World. With career earnings of $976,890, Mowry is a multi-million dollar cowgirl, particularly in aged event earnings. She will make her fifth NFR appearance with the 2024 Horse of the Year, Force The Goodbye. Despite a relatively low rodeo count of 27, Mowry averaged just over $6,000 per rodeo in 2024, with wins at Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and Austin.

Emily Beisel: A Consistent Performer

Sitting in fifth place, Emily Beisel has earned $154,004 this season. With over $1.4 million in career earnings, Beisel has qualified for six consecutive National Finals Rodeos. This year, she frequently teamed up with 4M Equine's Teasin Dat Guy "Chewy," and was the second-highest money earner over the Fourth of July in 2024. Beisel's wins include St. Paul, Logandale, and Jackson.

Lisa Lockhart: A Legendary Career

In sixth place, Lisa Lockhart has earned $140,887, marking her eighteenth straight NFR qualification. Lockhart has over $3.6 million in career earnings, including $1.7 million at the NFR alone, and three NFR Average titles (2014, 2016, 2023). Her wins in 2024 include Pendleton, Sidney, and Othello, and she became the WPRA's all-time career earnings leader.

Tiany Schuster: A Rising Star

Sitting in seventh place with $132,495, Tiany Schuster had an exceptional year, thanks to her mounts Shines By Design, Famous MicGuyver, and Showmance. Her wins in 2024 included Nacogdoches, Salinas, and Lewiston. In 2017, Schuster broke the regular season WPRA earnings record and qualified for the NFR with the help of Showmance.

Latricia Duke: A Futurity Trainer's Success

Earning $129,148 and sitting eighth in the World, Latricia Duke capitalized on her win at The Governor's Cup to secure her first NFR qualification. A futurity trainer by trade, Duke has been the source of many top NFR mounts over the years, including Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi's World Champion, Yeah Hes Firen. In 2024, Duke paired with the incredible Reserve Horse of the Year, DM High Roller "Vanilla Wafer," the only stallion in this year's NFR lineup, to win at Omaha, Burwell, and Crockett.

Halyn Lide: A Newcomer to the NFR

Halyn Lide has earned $121,965 to sit ninth in the World. With her horse, Jettin Ta Heaven "Keeper," Lide dominated at some of the biggest rodeos in the country in 2024, including wins at Greeley and Denver. The duo also earned top honors as the highest earners over Cowboy Christmas. While this will be Lide's first NFR appearance, she has found success in WCRA events and aged events in the past.

Dona Kay Rule: Defying Age Expectations

Sitting in tenth place with $121,480, Dona Kay Rule is a seasoned veteran, qualifying for her fifth NFR. At 66 years young, Rule reminds everyone that age is just a number as she blasts around the barrels on one of the fastest horses in the industry, High Valor "Valor." After a serious injury in 2023 cut their season short, Valor has made an extraordinary comeback in 2024, with the duo winning Nampa, Casper, Guymon, and several other rodeos.