Go beyond the numbers with first-time NFR qualifiers in the barrel racing at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
11. Tricia Aldridge
Hometown: Sanger, Texas
Horses: Adios Pantalones (“Adios”), 2020 stallion, Tres Seis x French Bar Belle x Frenchmans Guy; Kissin Goodbye (“Ember”), 2020 mare, The Goodbye Lane x Letta Cat Do It x Letta Hank Do It.
WPRA Season Earnings: $141,182
Rodeo Count: 87
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Recent Career Highlights: 2025 champion Albuquerque, New Mexico; Abilene, Los Fresnos, Waxahachie, Texas; Springville, Lakeside, Oakdale, California; Logandale, Nevada; Oakley, Utah. 2025 reserve champion Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Caldwell, Idaho; Pleasant Grove, Utah; Mercedes, Texas; Starkville, Jackson, Mississippi. Adios Pantalones is the all-time leading futurity horse and highest money earning barrel stallion. Multiple futurity, slot race, derby, open wins.
Spotlight on First-Time Qualifiers
Barrel Horse News: Can you talk about the horses you rode this year?
Tricia Aldridge: Adios Pantalones won all but $400, and I did use the rodeos to season some of my others. Truly Epic and Kissin Goodby. I only have young horses so they all had to make the jump into the deep end this year.
BHN: What does it mean to you to make the finals?
Aldridge: My goal was just to season Adios and make a run in 2026, but Adios was a unicorn and kept me in the top 15 all season. I finished my Futurity year completely before attempting any, and I just thought we would be seasoning horses this year. He has just adapted to every challenge thrown at him.
BHN: What has been your biggest challenge to overcome when rodeoing?
Aldridge: Rodeo in my opinion is a lot of strategy, and since I have never rodeoed it was literally the blind leading the blind. I am just so thankful to my horse that’s such a team player, always tries, and even when I maybe didn’t set him up the best, he always came through for me.
BHN: Is there anything you would have told your younger self about this journey?
Aldridge: I never planned on rodeoing. I still don’t. I had a horse that deserved a shot, and I wasn’t willing to pass him off to someone, so here we are. I can’t wait to get back to the Derby and Futurity life.
BHN: What was your biggest win this year?
Aldridge: My biggest win this year was just having a great season and getting a 5 year old qualified right out the gate with none of the big winter rodeos. We finished the season happy, healthy and sound. I certainly can’t ask for anything else.
