Karson Berger and Smooth Money Raider win the Average title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals in Loveland, Colorado, October 24-25. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won the Year-End title.
Wyoming barrel racer Karson Berger had an impressive 2025 season, mainly competing on her 2017 mare Judge Junomore (Judge Cash x Junomore x Juno Dat Cash). Berger sold “Gucci” to the Driver family in August.
“That’s when I stopped rodeoing for the year,” she said. “Gucci made this season so special. I stepped out of my circuit more than I had before and she proved she deserved to do that. She won money at most places I took her to this year.”
A six-time circuit finals qualifier, Berger needed to borrow a horse for the Mountain States Circuit Finals. Margaret Jones offered her 2017 mare Smooth Money Raider (A Smooth Guy x Rare Red Raider x On The Money Red). Berger and “Pancake” would stay consistent to win Berger’s first circuit finals average title after claiming the reserve title in 2024.
“Obviously I wanted to go win and do well there,” Berger said. “We didn’t have a ton of experience together, so when I won the average I was extremely proud of Pancake for exceeding my expectations.”
Berger and Pancake ran a 15.92 in the first performance to be just out of the money. In the second performance they ran a 15.73 to split second place with Shali Lord, both earning a $1,408 check. In the final performance they ran a 15.62 to place second again and win $1,690.
“All three of my runs were nice and consistent,” Berger said. “She improved her time each round. She was bottom of the ground in the second round and got a little stuck a couple times. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for much more. She tried so hard and was in tune with me each run.”
Berger is thankful to be doing what she loves, riding and training barrel horses fulltime.
“I have been barrel racing since I was 5 or 6 years old,” she added. “I grew up going to jackpots and junior high rodeos then moved through high school and college rodeo. Once I turned 18 I bought my permit so I could pro rodeo. My parents have played a huge role in my rodeo career and have helped me out so much. They always helped and made sure I had a couple good horses under me so I could be successful at every level I was at. I have been very fortunatewith all the great horses I have been mounted with.”
Heading into 2026, since she sold Gucci, Berger plans to focus on her futurity horses, seasoning them at a few rodeos next summer. Eventually, she hopes to have a few ready to rodeo again because she loves the rodeo atmosphere.
“I want to thank Margaret Jones for trusting me and letting me run Pancake at Circuit Finals,” she said. “I also want to thank my parents for all their help as well as my husband for helping me.”
First round: 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 15.62 seconds, $2,253; 2. (tie) Andrea Busby and Laura Lambert, 15.74, $1,408 each; 4. Mackenzie McCuistion, 15.81, $563.
Second round: 1. Loralee Ward, 15.60 seconds, $2,253; 2. (tie) Karson Berger and Shali Lord, 15.73, $1,408 each; 4. Alex Odle, 15.89, $563.
Third round: 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 15.36 seconds, $2,253; 2. Karson Berger, 15.62, $1,690; 3. (tie) Shali Lord and Kelly Yates, 15.81, $845 each.
Average: 1. Karson Berger, 47.27 seconds on three head, $3,380; 2. Shali Lord, 47.42, $2,535; 3. Kelly Yates, 47.68, $1,690; 4. Alex Odle, 47.93, $845.
