Ann McGilchrist and Fling Ta California win the Average title at the California Circuit Finals in Red Bluff, California on December 29-31. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell wins the Year-End title.
No stranger to the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association circuit system, seven-time California Circuit Finals qualifier Ann McGilchrist and her home raised and trained 2017 gelding Fling Ta California (A Streak Of Fling x California Fame x Dash Ta Fame) claimed the 2025 average title. Though “Kid” is no rookie either, qualifying for his third circuit finals with McGilchrist, but this was only his second time competing there.
“In August of 2024 I was sitting in the top 20 in the world when my horse fractured his hock at the Gooding, Idaho rodeo,” McGilchrist said of the gelding, who was unable to compete at the 2024 California Circuit Finals. “He came back in the spring of 2025 and we stayed close to home.”
This will be Kid’s first trip to the NFR Open in Colorado Springs in July, but McGilchrist’s third time qualifying. She qualified for the circuit finals and NFR Open previously on Kid’s uncle, Fallin For Fame.
McGilchrist and Kid split third place in round two for a $604 check. In round three the ran the fastest time of the rodeo, A 13.32 to win $2,417 and claim the average title with times of 13.86, 13.73 and 13.32. McGilchrist left Red Bluff $6,646 richer.
“My first two runs were nice, but after two runs I was sitting sixth in the average so the last run I felt like I had nothing to lose,” McGilchrist said. “I rode hard and got as close to the barrels as I could. He had the fastest time of the whole rodeo.
If you haven’t heard McGilchrist’s name in the California circuit, you might know her as Ann Scott, a stuntwoman for movies and television. She balances both those roles while also selling horse insurance for Shadle Insurance.
“I’d like to thank my vet and shoer,” she added. “Kenny and Vicki Cook for tractoring and keeping the ground great and my sponsors Masters Saddles and EquflxPads.”
First round: Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 13.51 seconds, $2,417; 2. Maren Powers, 13.64, $1,813; 3. Sharon Gow, 13.65, $1,208; 4. Madison Camozzi, 13.70, $604.
Second round: 1. Madison Camozzi, 13.66 seconds, $2,417; 2. Maren Powers, 13.69, $1,813; 3. (tie) Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Emily Harryman and Ann McGilchrist, 13.73, $604 each.
Third round: 1. Ann McGilchrist, 13.32 seconds, $2,417; 2. Breann Justice, 13.53, $1,813; 3. Sharon Gow, 13.63, $1,208; 4. Maren Powers, 13.73, $604.
Average: 1. Ann McGilchrist, 40.91 seconds on three head, $3,625; 2. Maren Powers, 41.06, $2,719; 3. Sharon Gow, 41.13, $1,813; 4. Emily Harryman, 41.46, $906.
