Rodeo Houston held its inaugural event in 1938, and first held barrel racing in 1968. EquiStat began tracking Women’s Professional Rodeo Association earnings in 2011. Here we’ve gathered the leading horses of the historic rodeo according to EquiStat.
Since 2011, Rodeo Houston has paid out more than $2.9 million in barrel racing specific earnings according to EquiStat. It should be noted, that in 2013 the rodeo was not sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association/WPRA. Those earnings are included in this report. It should also be noted due to COVID-19 the event in 2020 and 2021 was cancelled.
The highest-earning horse of all time from Rodeo Houston was Nancy Hunter’s Flit N Fizz, having earned $172,400. Of the top 10 horses, half have competed at Houston in the last five years. DM Sissy Hayday and Force The Goodbye competed in the 2026 event and both picked up checks adding to their reported earnings.
While EquiStat only began tracking pro rodeo earnings in 2011, Rodeo Houston dates back to 1938. The first barrel racing winner was Loretta Manuel in 1968. Charmayne James holds the record for the most Rodeo Houston championships at 10; 1984-1988, 1990-1994, making her the winningest athlete of all-time at Rodeo Houston. Sherry Cervi has four titles 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2010. Nancy Hunter has three in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rodeo Houston All-Time Leading Horses
Rank / Name / Earnings
- Flit N Fizz / $172,400
- Rafter W Minnie Reba / $142,875
- Famous Lil Jet / $125,000
- An Oakie With Cash / $118,275
- DM Sissy Hayday / $99,000
- MP Meter My Hay / $92,600
- Force The Goodbye / $73,000
- Justaheartbeattofame / $72,500
- Skip The Finances / $65,700
- Firewatermakemehappy / $60,000
- Doda Flit / $58,525
- Sugar Moon Express / $57,450
- Sadiefamouslastwords / $54,750
- Rare Dillion / $52,700
- Famous Ladies Man / $51,000
- Judge My Fame / $46,650
- Cuatro Fame / $46,000
- Teasin Dat Guy / $42,250
- Rosas Cantina CC / $41,250
- Fiery Miss West / $38,250
