It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year as the National Finals Rodeo takes center-stage in Las Vegas, Nevada for the most exciting 10 days of December. Here you can find all the information about the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association top 15 barrel racers.
—> Read more: Exclusive Q&A with the five first-time qualifiers here.
Hailey Kinsel
Hometown: Cotulla, Texas
Horses: DM Sissy Hayday (“Sister”), 2011 mare, PC Frenchmans Hayday x Royal Sissy Irish x Royal Shake Em; TR Judges Doll (“Reese”), 2016 mare, Judge Cash x TR Dashing Badger x Mr Illuminator; BCK Spyder Monkey (“Spyder”), 2014 mare, The Goodbye Lane x Phoebes Myth x Phoebes Cartel.
WPRA Season Earnings: $204,102.54
Rodeo Count: 66
NFR Qualifications: 8 (2017–24)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $3,265,488.53
Recent Career Highlights: DM Sissy Hayday voted 2024 Runner-Up AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year (tied with DM High Roller). 2024 Champion CINCH Playoffs Governor’s Cup Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Denver, Colorado (tie); Reno, Nevada; Heber City, Utah. 2024 Reserve Champions Calgary Stampede, Calgary, Alberta; Cody, Wyoming; Killdeer, North Dakota; Preston, Idaho. 2018-2020 and 2022 WPRA World Champion, 2020 Wrangler NFR Average Champion, Fastest Time and set NFR earnings record, two-time WPRA standard pattern rodeo record setter (Dodge City, Kansas, in summer 2020, broke it at Wrangler NFR in December 2020). 2020, 2019 and 2017 RFD-TV’s The American Champion. NFR Thomas and Mack Center arena record holder (13.11 seconds in 2017), 2017 WPRA Reserve World Champion, 2017 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Barrel Racing Champion, multiple pro rodeo wins.
Leslie Smalygo
Hometown: Skiatook, OK
Horses: Justaheartbeattofame (“Gus”), 2010 gelding, Justaheartofawarrior x Yawl A Fame Maker x Dash Ta Fame.
WPRA Season Earnings: $195,906.99
Rodeo Count: 65
NFR Qualifications: 2 (2022, 2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $509,075.02
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champions Calgary Stampede; RodeoHouston; Claremore, Oklahoma; Vernal, Utah; 2024 Reserve Champion Rodeo Austin Qualifier, Stephenville; Athens, Texas; 2021 Prairie Circuit year-end Champion, multiple pro rodeo and Open wins.
Ashley Castleberry
Hometown: Montgomery, TX
Horses: Skyy Blue (“Sky”y), 2013 gelding, Stoli x Sweeten My Dreams x Runaway Rebel; Calfee Stormy Dash (“Stormy”), 2011 gelding, Captain Perk x Double Dog Dash x Some Dasher.
WPRA Season Earnings: $170,234.90
Rodeo Count: 74
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $394,269.37
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion Puyallup, Washington; West Monroe, Louisiana; 2024 Reserve Champion CINCH Playoffs Governor’s Cup Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Heber City, Herriman, Lehi, Oakley, Utah; Bremerton, Washington. 2024 Calgary Stampede Round Winner. Third San Antonio, Texas. 2023 Texas Circuit Finals Champion.
Kassie Mowry
Hometown: Dublin, Texas
Horses: Force The Goodbye (“Jarvis”), 2018 gelding, The Goodbye Lane x VF Forcit First x Burrs First Down; Famous Ladies Man (“Emmitt”), 2015 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Lady Perks x Dash For Perks; CP He Will Be Epic (“Will”), 2015 gelding, Epic Leader x Percilla x Dash Ta Fame; Goodbye Sophie (“Sophie”) 2020 mare, The Goodbye Lane x Famous Sophie x Dash Ta Fame.
WPRA Season Earnings: $162,282.84
Rodeo Count: 27
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2005, 2017, 2022-24)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $7,347,145.73
Recent Career Highlights: All-time winningest barrel racer with over $7 million in career earnings. Force The Goodbye voted 2024 AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year. 2024 Champion San Antonio, Texas; BigFork, Montana; Ogden, Utah; Canby, Oregon; Gooding, Idaho; Bremerton, Washington; Kennewick, Washington; 2024 Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo Gold Medalist. 2024 Reserve Champion Moses Lake, Washington; Austin, Texas. 2023 Texas Circuit Year-End Champion. 2022 Champion Calgary Stampede and arena-record holder (16.860). Multiple futurity, slot race, derby, open, and pro rodeo wins, multiple arena records.
Emily Beisel
Hometown: Weatherford, Oklahoma
Horses: Teasin Dat Guy (“Chewy”), 2016 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Teasin Jetolena x Blazin Jetolena; Namgis D 33 (“Chongo”), 2010 gelding, Bucks Hancock Dude x Track Goddess x Eyesa Special; Ivory On Fire (“Liza”), 2016 mare, Ivory James x Lil Miss Firewater x Fire Water Flit; Biddin On Fame (“Beau”), 2013 gelding, PC Frosty Bid x Jaxsons Olympic Fame x Poco Lijerito.
WPRA Season Earnings: $154,004.96
Rodeo Count: 70
NFR Qualifications: 6 (2019–24)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,604,306.60
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champions Jackson, Mississippi; Average at Ponoka, Alberta, Canada; Abilene, Kansas; Logandale, Nevada; St. Paul, Oregon; Sidney, Iowa. 2024 Reserve Champions Reno Nevada; Crossett, Arkansas; Deadwood, South Dakota; Dodge City, Kansas; Ellensburg, Washington; 2024 Calgary Stampede Round Winner. 2023 Prairie Circuit Finals Champion. 2022 Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Reserve Champion. Multiple NFR go-round winner. Biddin On Fame voted 2020 No. 2 WPRA/AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year. 2017 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion, multiple Prairie Circuit Champion, multiple Prairie Circuit Finals and RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Multiple pro rodeo and open wins, three-time Kansas High School Rodeo Association all-around champion.
Lisa Lockhart
Hometown: Oelrichs, South Dakota
Horses: Promise Me Fame Guys (“Levee”), 2016 gelding, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Bar Blue Lass x FC Aboo; Rosas Cantina CC (“Rosa”), 2010 mare, Corona Cartel x Dash Ta Vanila x Dash Ta Fame; Prime Diamond (“Cutter”), 2011 gelding, Prime Talent x Hugos Diamond x Hugo Streakin; Blazin Ta Betty (“Sasha”), 2018 mare, Dash Ta Fame x Blazin Black Betty x Blazin Jetolena.
WPRA Season Earnings: $140,887.64
Rodeo Count: 57
NFR Qualifications: 18 (2007–24)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $3,707,285.05
Recent Career Highlights: Lifetime total NFR earnings leader. 2024 Champion Pendleton, Oregon; Gordon, Nebraska; Sidney, Montana; Granite Falls, Minnesota. 2024 Reserve Champion RodeoHouston; Greeley, Colorado; Newtown, North Dakota; Walla Walla, Washington; Dillon, Montana. 2023 Champion the American Rodeo. 2023 and 2022 Champion Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo. 2023, 2016 and 2014 NFR Average Champion, 2015 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2019 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. 2018 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Average and Year-End Champion, 2016 Montana Circuit Champion, multiple Badlands Circuit Champion, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. 2014 and 2015 RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo wins.
Tiany Schuster
Hometown: Krum, TX
Horses: Show Mance, 2010 gelding, First Smart Money x Blue Baby Cash x Hold On To The Cash; Famous Mic Guy Ver, 2015 gelding, Frenchmans Guy x Disarray x Dash Ta Fame; JJ Carrizzo Fire Bug, 2016 gelding, Carrizo x Admire My Fire x Turn N Fire; Shines By Design (“HR”) 2019 gelding, Slye By Design x Ssheshinzlikadiamond x Zans Diamond Shine; Sir Epic, 2018 gelding, JL Sirocco x So Very Epic x Epic Leader; Admire My Fame, 2019 gelding, Carrizo x Admire My Fire x Turn N Fire; Chalk Cliffs, 2017 gelding, Separate Interest x Hat D Strawfly x Strawfly Special.
WPRA Season Earnings: $132,495.16
Rodeo Count: 88
NFR Qualifications: 3 (2017, 2020, 2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,448,376.66
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion Baker, Montana; Mandan, North Dakota; Salinas, California; Tremonton, Utah; Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Belton, Nacogdoches, Texas; Atoka, Oklahoma; Lewiston, Idaho; Airdrie, Rocky Mountain, Alberta, Canada; 2024 Reserve Champion San Angelo, Andrews, Texas; Clovis, New Mexico; Raymond, Innisfail, Bonnyville, Bowden, Teepee Creek, Alberta, Canada. 2024 Calgary Stampede Round Winner. Four-Time Texas Circuit Year-End Champion. National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Open World Champion aboard Show Mance. Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifier.
LaTricia Duke
Hometown: Zephyr, TX
Horses: DM High Roller (“Vanilla Wafer”), 2017 Stallion, French Streaktovegas x Happy To Run Em x Firewaterontherocks; Rey Of Fame (“Rey Rey”), 2012 gelding, Stylish Rey x Fame Baby x Dash Ta Fame; DM I Got This (“Clifford”), 2017 stallion, Blue Tracker x Hand Off Win x Hand Off Boy.
WPRA Season Earnings: $129,148.01
Rodeo Count: 87
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $2,013,216.87
Recent Career Highlights: DM High Roller voted 2024 Runner-Up AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year (tied with DM Sissy Hayday). 2024 Champion Omaha, Nebraska; Crockett, Texas; Burwell, Nebraska; Moses Lake, Washington; 2024 Reserve Champion Cheyenne Frontier Days; Molalla, Oregon; Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Halyn Lide
Hometown: China Spring, TX
Horses: Jettin Ta Heaven (“Keeper”), 2012 gelding, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Zeros Gypsy Jet x Three O Jones; Hez Runnin Ta Heaven (“Heaven”), 2013 gelding, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Sheza Cashin Nonstop x Cash Not Credit.
WPRA Season Earnings: $121,965.70
Rodeo Count: 84
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $273,996.79
Recent Career Highlights: High money earner over Cowboy Christmas. 2024 Co-Champions Denver, Colorado; Greeley, Colorado; Oakley, Utah; Window Rock, Arizona. 2024 Reserve Champions CINCH Playoffs in Puyallup, Washington; Ponoka, Alberta, Canada; Salinas, California.
Dona Kay Rule
Hometown: Minco, OK
Horses: High Valor (“Valor”), 2009 gelding, Valiant Hero x Rare High x Rare Form.
WPRA Season Earnings: $121,480.98
Rodeo Count: 59
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2019-22, 2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $964,062.25
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion Casper, Wyoming; Mt Pleasant, Texas; Guymon, Oklahoma; Toppenish, Washington; Nampa, Idaho; Hermiston, Oregon. 2024 San Antonio round winner, RodeoHouston round winner. 2024 Reserve Champion Ponca City, Oklahoma (tie); Sheridan, Wyoming; Jerome, Idaho; 2024 Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo Bronze Medalist. High Valor voted 2022 Runner-Up AQHA/WPRA Horse of the Year. High Valor voted 2019 and 2020 WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year, 2020 reserve champion RFD-TV’s The American. Champion 2018 Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, multiple NFR go-round wins, pro rodeo and open wins, team roping and calf roping competitor and money earner.
Wenda Johnson
Hometown: Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Horses: Steal Money (“Mo”), 2016 gelding, First Moonflash x Im Chica Stoli x Stoli; Inspired Drifter, 2018 gelding, Alone Drifter x A Secret Inspiration x Almars Secret.
WPRA Season Earnings: $117,969.63
Rodeo Count: 60
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2020-24)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,240,139.52
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion San Angelo, Texas; Lawton, Oklahoma; Clovis, California; Deadwood, South Dakota; Lovington, New Mexico. 2024 Reserve Champion San Antonio, Texas; Logandale, Nevada. Multiple RFD-TV’s The American qualifier. Multiple arena records, pro rodeo, open, futurity and derby wins.
Andrea Busby
Hometown: Millsap, TX
Horses: Jets Top Gun (“Benny”), 2015 gelding, Blazin Jetolena x GL Famous First Lady x Dash Ta Fame; Blazing With My Dude (“Tito”), 2015 mare, Blazin Jetolena x Dasher Dude x Texas High Dasher; Born On Derby Day (“Derby”), 2017 mare, Freckles Ta Fame x KR Last Fling x A Streak Of Fling; Famous Heartbreaker (“Heart”), 2010 mare, Dash Ta Fame x Lady Oh Raylene x Shawne Bug; RC Black In Famous (“Pickles”), 2015 mare, Famous Gold Coin x RC Back In Black x Ninety Nine Goldmine.
WPRA Season Earnings: $115,838.17
Rodeo Count: 94
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $415,838.65
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champions Preston, Idaho; Springville, California; Logan, Utah; Hermiston, Oregon; Hugo, Oklahoma. 2024 Reserve Champion Caldwell, Idaho; Strathmore, Alberta, Canada.
Abby Phillips
Hometown: Marshall, TX
Horses: VF Expensive Taste (“Andi Anderson”), 2017 mare, Eddie Stinson x Expensive Crystal x Southern Cartel; VQ Im Buzzed (“Big P”), 2014 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Honor This Nonstop x MR Honor Bound.
WPRA Season Earnings: $115,510.22
Rodeo Count: 85
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $286,461.48
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion Mercedes, Waxahachie, Texas; Herriman, Moab, Utah; Sisters, Oregon; Wainwright, Sundre, Alberta, Canada; Basin City, Washington; Rock Springs, Wyoming. 2024 Reserve Champion Red Bluff, California; Burley, Idaho; Belton, Vernon, Texas; Monticello, Utah; Eugene, Oregon. 2024 San Antonio round winner. 2023 Reserve Champion WPRA World Finals.
Carlee Otero
Hometown: Perrin, TX
Horses: Blingolena (“Sly”), 2018 gelding, Blazin Jetolena x Dash Of Bling x Dash Ta Fame
WPRA Season Earnings: $112,909.82
Rodeo Count: 78
NFR Qualifications: 4 (2011, 2012, 2014, 2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $914,921.62
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 Champion Castle Rock, Colorado; Burley, Idaho. 2024 Reserve Champion Mt Pleasant, Texas; Kennewick, Washington; Tucson, Arizona; Ponoka, Alberta, Canada; Idaho Falls, Idaho. 2024 Calgary Stampede Round Winner. 2012 Reserve World Champion Barrel Racer. Two-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier.
Shelley Morgan
Hometown: Eustace, TX
Horses: HR Fameskissandtell (“Kiss”), 2014 mare, CEO x Fames Fiery Kiss x Dash Ta Fame; Bucky Wonder Horse (“Bee”) 2017 mare, First Down Dash x Rosas Cantina CC x Corona Cartel.
WPRA Season Earnings: $111,189.30
Rodeo Count: 77
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2009, 2020-22, 2024)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,219,305.89
Recent Career Highlights: 2024 San Antonio round winner and finals qualifier. RodeoHouston Super Series Champion and round winner. 2024 Champions Sheridan, Wyoming; Jacksonville, Texas; 2024 Reserve Champions Woodward, Oklahoma; Odessa, Texas. Fourth San Angelo, Texas. Fourth Puyallup, Washington. Fouth Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 2022 Champion The American Rodeo. HR Fameskissandtell honored with 2020 Scoti Flit Bar Rising Star award. 2021 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (now NFR Open) Champion and multiple national circuit finals qualifier, multiple Texas Circuit Finals qualifier, multiple pro rodeo and open wins, futurity money earner.
Editor’s Note: *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings are as of reports pulled October 10, 2024, and include WPRA rodeo earnings through August 2024 and other barrel racing event earnings through August 2024. EquiStat only began recording WPRA rodeo earnings in 2010, therefore some individual’s earnings may be significantly more than reported through EquiStat.
This article was originally published in the December 2024 issue of Barrel Horse News.
