Go beyond the numbers with first-time NFR qualifiers in the barrel racing at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
15. Katelyn Scott
Hometown: Odessa, Texas
Horses: Justa DTF Frenchman, (“Peanut Seed”), 2015 gelding, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Madeline Spade 410 x Justa Hickory Spade; Watch The Freak Fly(“Baby Cakes”), 2014 mare, View Me Flying x Freak Nasty x Brimmerton; Streak N Liza (“Twiz”), 2011 gelding, Ten Streaks x Lizy My Desi x Designated Driver; Heaven Sent Fame (“Kian”), 2019 gelding, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Frenchmansfancypants x Frenchmans Six Dash.
WPRA Season Earnings: $130,794
Rodeo Count: 95
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Recent Career Highlights: 2025 champion Caldwell, Idaho; San Bernardino, California; Plains, Montana; Gunnison, Colorado; Artesia, New Mexico. 2024 reserve champion Albuquerque, New Mexico; Abilene, Tyler, Texas; Burley, Idaho; Mandan, North Dakota; Yuma, Arizona; Ellensburg, Washington. 2024 Turquoise Circuit Finals Average champion.
Spotlight on First-Time Qualifiers
Barrel Horse News: Can you talk about the horses you rode this year?
Katelyn Scott: I rode Baby Cakes at quite a few of the winter rodeos. I rode Twiz at Houston and a few others early in the year but then he was sidelined due to an injury all summer. He made his appearance back in the arena over Labor Day Weekend and placed at quite a few of the last rodeos. Peanut Seed came to me at just the right time since Twiz was out. I got on him starting at Prescott and rode him at Calgary and most of the summer run. I gave him a couple weeks off after Ellensburg and got back on him starting at Mandan, and between him and Twiz finished out the last couple weeks. Last but not least is Kian. I got him in early March and worked on getting with and seasoning him. I did ride him at some smaller rodeos but flew back to him at Lovington and finished out the last rodeo Stephenville on him. The final week of September I actually rode and placed on all 4 of them.
BHN: What does it mean to you to make the finals?
Scott: It’s a lifelong goal that at times has seemed possible and at other times seemed out of reach.
BHN: At what point did you think an NFR qualification would be possible?
Scott: I guess I had it in the back of my mind all year, but my main goal was to get back into the winter rodeos. I thought my chances were slim after I didn’t get into Puyallup. Coming home from Pendleton I realized that there was a lot of money left to be won, and I had to keep going. After Mandan, Omaha and Tyler, I knew that I needed to finish it out with the final week in California, Las Cruces and Stephenville.
BHN: What has been your biggest challenge to overcome when rodeoing?
Scott: Not questioning the “whys.” It either goes your way or it doesn’t.
BHN: Is there anything you would have told your younger self about this journey?
Scott: To just enjoy the ride no matter where it takes you. The timing may not be what you expected, but it might be better than you anticipated.
