Dragon Slayers: 2024 NFR Barrel Horses

Meet the horses that carried the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s top 15 barrel racers to the 2024 National Finals Rodeo.

By Tanya Randall

EquiStat, the statistical division of Cowboy Publishing Group, has tracked the money winning horses at Women’s Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned rodeos since 2011.

From the start of the 2024 season on October 1, 2023, until the action-packed last weekend of September 2024, EquiStat has tracked almost every horse that won a check at an event that counted toward the WPRA’s world standings. In fact, out of the thousands of checks awarded during the season, less than a handful of riders failed to supply the identity of the horse that earned that money.

Using EquiStat’s robust database, Barrel Horse News has created profiles for the horses that contributed the most to each qualifier’s National Finals Rodeo berth. Discover the iron horses that won enough alone to qualify their rider. Meet the stars of the qualifiers with a talented team of horses. Get the details on their aged event careers and first rodeo experiences and find out where they excelled in 2024.

Note: Money totals may differ as neither EquiStat nor the WPRA had completed their audits when this information was compiled. Horses are given a “qualification” if they contribute to a qualified rider’s regular season earnings.

Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday at 2024 Calgary — Hailey Kinsel finished the 2024 WPRA regular season in the No. 1 position due in large part to her four-time WPRA world champion mount DM Sissy Hayday. Photo by Sean Libin Sports Photography

1. Hailey Kinsel

DM Sissy Hayday (“Sis”) – 2018-2020 & 2022 WPRA World Champion
2011 M, PC Frenchmans Hayday x Royal Sissy Irish x Royal Shake Em
Owner: Hailey Kinsel
Breeder: Dillon Mundorf
Lifetime EquiStat Earnings as of October 1: $3,013,748
Futurity Earnings: $11,273 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2016 Crockett (TX) Lions Club Rodeo, $498 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2016 Elizabeth (CO) Stampede, $1,634 at 5
NFR Qualifications: 8, 2017-2024
NFR Earnings: $1,075,674
Best NFR Finish: NFR Champion 2020 (Running 9 out of 10 rounds on a WPRA Standard); NFR Thomas & Mack Arena Record Holder, 13.11; Won 21 rounds, 16 in Las Vegas
2024 Season Earnings: $199,793 at 24 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Reno (NV) Rodeo, $15,888; National Western (Denver), $11,658; Mountain Valley Stampede (Heber City, UT), $7,747; Strawberry Days Rodeo (Pleasant Grove, UT), $3,478.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Calgary Stampede, $32,075*; Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show (Fort Worth, TX), $14,000; North Dakota Roughrider Cup (Mandan), $8,891; Cody (WY) Stampede, $8,807; Days of 47 (Salt Lake City), $7,550; Rodeo Houston $7,250; Killdeer (SD) Mountain Roundup, $4,001.
Note: Kinsel actually won $37,250 at Calgary but only 70% of her $17,250 in pool earnings counted toward the WPRA World Standings. She also won $4,287 on two other horses: TR Judges Doll (16M, Judge Cash x TR Dashing Badger x Mr Illuminator), who earned $3,521 at six rodeos and BCK Spyder Monkey (14M, The Goodbye Lane x Phoebes Myth x Phoebes Cartel), who placed at two rodeos.

Leslie Smalygo and Justaheartbeattofame finished the 2024 WPRA regular season in the No. 2 position in the world standings. Photo by Sean Libin Sports Photography

2. Leslie Smalygo

Justaheartbeatttofame (“Gus”) — 2010 G, Justaheartofawarrior x Yawl A Fame Maker x Dash Ta Fame
Owner: Leslie Smalygo
Breeder: Bart / Vicki Amsler
Race Record: SI 80, 5 starts, $0. Last race 9/16/2012.
Lifetime EquiStat Earnings as of October 1: $509,412
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2018 Nowata (OK) Pioneer Days IPRA, $466 at 8; 2019 Beef Empire Days PRCA (Garden City, KS), $842 at 9
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2018 Rooster Days IPRA (Broken Arrow, OK), $854 at 8; 2021 Kansas Largest Night Rodeo (Pretty Prairie), $1,500 at 11
NFR Qualifications: 2, 2022 & 2024
NFR Earnings: $63,890
Best NFR Finish: 2022 Round 8 Winner
2024 Season Earnings: $195,907 earned at 33 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Calgary Stampede, $62,600*; Rodeo Houston, $50,000; Dinosaur Roundup (Vernal, UT), $4,845; Will Rogers Stampede (Claremore, OK), $2,760.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $20,513; Puyallup (WA) Rodeo Cinch Playoffs, $7,106; Horse Haven Roundup (Kennewick, WA), $5,050; Rodeo Austin Qualifier (Stephenville, TX), $4,354; Walla Walla (WA) Frontier Days, $3,483; Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show (Fort Worth, TX), $2,500; Old Fort Days Rodeo (Fort Smith, AR), $2,166; Lewiston (ID) Roundup, $1,935.
Notes: *Smalygo and Gus actually won $68,000 but only 70% of the $18,000 she won in pool competition counted toward the WPRA World Standings. They were winning at Open, Amateur rodeo level and in the International Professional Rodeo Association prior to their first WPRA-sanctioned rodeo check. The IPRA rodeos mentioned in this profile were the first ones documented by EquiStat.

Ashley Castleberry and Skyy Blue at Sioux Falls — Ashley Castleberry finished the 2024 WPRA regular season in the No. 3 position in the world standings thanks in large part to her mount Skyy Blue. Photo by Hailey Rae

3. Ashley Castleberry

Skyy Blue (“Skyy”) — 2013 G, Stoli x Sweetin My Dreams x Runaway Rebel
Owner:
Breeder: Alan & Sharon Colley
Race Record: SI 81, 13 starts, 1 win, 3 seconds, 1 third, $8,362. Last race 12/2/2016.
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $243,268
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2020 Melbourne (AR) IPRA Rodeo August, $244 at 7 with trainer Debra Davis; 2022 Trinity Valley Expo (Liberty, TX) PRCA Rodeo, $1,203 at 9 with Castleberry
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2020 Melbourne (AR) IPRA September, $308 at 7 with his trainer Debi Davis; 2022 Trinity Valley Expo (Liberty, TX) PRCA Rodeo, $1,203 at 9 with Castleberry
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $169,369 in 44 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Cinch Playoffs Puyallup (WA) Rodeo, $13,863; 2023 Texas Circuit Finals (Waco, TX), $10,231; Lehi (UT) Round Up, $2,166, Stampede At The Ike (West Monroe, LA), $728
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $30,750; San Antonio Rodeo, $12,500; Calgary Stampede, $11,250*; Spanish Fork (UT) Fiesta Days, $7,263; WPRA World Finals (Waco, TX), $6,277; Mountain Valley Stampede (Heber City, UT), $6,198; Oakley (UT) Independence Stampede, $6,166; Greeley (CO) Stampede, $5,123.
Notes: Castleberry actually won $15,000 but only 70% of the $12,500 she won in pool competition counted toward the WPRA World Standings. She won $966 aboard her stalwart Calfee Stormy Dash (11G, Captain Perk x Double Dog Dash x Some Dasher).

Kassie Mowry and Force The Goodbye had a remarkable year in 2024 including “Jarvis” crossing the $1 million mark in career earnings, and Mowry qualifying for her fifth NFR. Photo by Rodeobum.com

4. Kassie Mowry

Force The Goodbye (“Jarvis”) — 2018 G, The Goodbye Lane x VF Forcit First, Burrs First Down
Owner: Michael Boone
Breeder: Janelle Blubaugh
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $1,127,964
Futurity Earnings: $373,427 ($89,072 at 3 and $284,355 at 4); 2022 No. 3 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 National Finals Rodeo, Round 7, $24,268 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2023 National Finals Rodeo, Round 8, $30,706 at 5; 2024 San Antonio Rodeo, $18,500 at 6.
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
NFR Earnings: $115,991
Best NFR Finish: Fastest time 2023 NFR, 13.30 to win Round 8. Won Round Nine as well. Ran in six of the 10 rounds for a share of third in the aggregate.
2024 Season Earnings: $135,288 at 16 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Days of ’47 (Salt Lake City), $20,800; San Antonio Rodeo, $18,500; Rodeo Austin, $15,545; Ogden (UT) Independence Stampede, $13,134; Horse Haven Roundup (Kennewick, WA), $9,697; Gooding (ID) Pro Rodeo, $6,847; Kitsap Stampede (Bremerton, WA), $5,999; Canby (OR) Rodeo, $3,815; Big Fork (MT) Summer Rodeo, $2,378.
Other top rodeos in 2024: Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $11,000; Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $6,487; Caldwell (ID) Night Rodeo, $6,292; Moses Lake (WA) Round Up, $5,443; WPRA World Finals (Waco, TX), $5,115; Spanish Fork (UT) Fiesta Days Rodeo, $3,158.
Notes: Mowry’s Force The Goodbye made his rodeo debut in Round Six of the 2022 NFR. He won his first rodeo checks at the 2023 NFR. This was the first year he helped Mowry qualify for the NFR. Mowry also won $19,005 at three rodeos aboard Famous Ladies Man (“Emmitt”) (15G, Dash Ta Fame x Lady Perks x Dash For Perks) and $7,000 at two rodeos on CP He Will Be Epic (15G, Epic Leader x Percilla x Dash Ta Fame). Her homebred futurity mare Goodbye Sophie (20M, The Goodbye Lane x Famous Sophie x Dash Ta Fame) won $990 for her share of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, where she ran in the second round to save Jarvis from having to make back-to-back runs on the same day.

Emily-Beisel-Teasin-Dat-Guy — Emily Beisel added Teasin Dat Guy to her string of top-shelf horseflesh in 2024, and qualified to her sixth NFR. Photo by Hailey Rae

5. Emily Beisel

Teasin Dat Guy (“Chewy”) — 2016 M, Frenchmans Guy x Teasin Jetolena x Blazin Jetolena
Owner: Felicity Martin of 4M Equine
Breeder: Katie Lindahl
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $499,072
Futurity Earnings: $126,322 at 4; 2020 No. 4 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2020 McCone Co Fair & Rodeo (Circle, MT), $76 at 4
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2021 Ute Mountain Round Up (Cortez, CO), $1,749 and Pony Express Rodeo (Eagle Mountain, UT), $1,319, same weekend at 5
NFR Qualifications: 2, 2021 with trainer Molly Otto & 2024 with Beisel
NFR Earnings: $54,908 with Otto
Best NFR Finish: 2021 NFR Reserve Champion with Otto
2024 Season Earnings: $83,646 ($79,191 at 20 rodeos for Beisel and $4,455 for Otto at 1 rodeo)
2024 Rodeo Wins: St. Paul (OR) Rodeo, $11,086; Iowa’s Championship Rodeo (Sidney), $3,049 (tie).
Other Top Rodeos in 2024:Reno (NV) Rodeo, $14,453; Ellensburg (WA) Rodeo, $7,391; Dodge City (KS) Roundup, $6,664; Lea Co. Fair & Rodeo (Lovington, NM), $5,195; Puyallup (WA) Rodeo Cinch Playoffs, $4,950; Deadwood (SD) Days of ’76, $4,644; Lawton (OK) Rangers Rodeo, $2,016; North Dakota Roughriders Cup (Mandan), $1,905.

Emily Beisel — Ivory On Fire

Ivory On Fire (“Liza”) — 2016 M, Ivory James x Lil Miss Firewater x Fire Water Flit
Owner: Emily Beisel
Breeder: Vickie Adams
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $225,237
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 Rotary Rodeo (Starkville, MS), $82 at 7
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2023 Tri State Fair (Amarillo, TX), $2,124 at 7
NFR Qualifications: 2, 2023-24
NFR Earnings: $47,215
Best NFR Finish: Ran in seven rounds at the 2023 NFR, winning Round Six and placing in five others.
2024 Season Earnings: $47,850 from 11 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Dixie National (Jackson, MS), $6,143; Will Bill Hickok Rodeo (Abilene, KS), $2,209.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: San Antonio Rodeo, $10,500; Ponoka (CN) Stampede, $10,282; Prairie Circuit Finals (Durant, OK), $5,103; Rodeo Houston, $4,500; Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show (Fort Worth, TX), $3,000; Nebraska’s Big Rodeo (Burwell), $1,919; Home Of Champions (Red Lodge, MT), $1,665; Cheyenne Frontier Days, $1,297.
Note: Beisel won money on four other horses. Namgis D 33 (“Chongo”) (10G, Bucks Hancock Dude x Track Goddess x Eyesa Special) won $21,941 at five rodeos including a win at the Clark Co. Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, NV). Namgis D 35 (“Pipewrench”) (10G, Bucks Hancock Dude x Central Station x First Down Dash) won $3,685 at five rodeos. She won her first rodeo on her homebred youngster Vanilla Gorilla (“Trigger”) (17G, Dash Ta Fame x Quijet x Firecracker Fire) for a contribution of $887. For pedigree fans, Quijet is a full sister to Callie duPerier Apffel’s 2015 World Champion Rare Dillion, who also took Carlee Otero to her first three NFRs. Lastly, Beisel borrowed Biddin On Fame (“Beau”) (13G, PC Frosty Bid x Jaxsons Olympic Fame x Poco Lijerito) from his new owner Grace Gardiner for the short round at the Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Arizona, to split the $901 earnings with Chongo.

Lisa Lockhart and Promise Me Fame Guys calgary — Lisa Lockhart comes into her 18th NFR with help from two stellar mounts: Rosas Cantina CC and Promise Me Fame Guys (pictured here). Photo by Sean Libin Sports Photography

6. Lisa Lockhart

Rosas Cantina CC (“Rosa”) — 2010 M, Corona Cartel x Dash Ta Vanila x Dash Ta Fame
Owner/Breeder: Alan Woodbury
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $615,345
Futurity Earnings: $6,336 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2016 Northeast Montana Fair (Glasgow), $637 at 6
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2016 Kimball Banner Rodeo (NE), $632 and Wyoming State Fair (Douglas), $1,338, same weekend at 6
NFR Qualifications: 9, 2016-2024
NFR Earnings: $106,277
Best NFR Finish: 2018 Round 2 winner in Las Vegas, 2020 Round 3 Winner (Standard Pattern) in Arlington
2024 Season Earnings: $64,366 in 14 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Othello (WA) Rodeo, $1,893; Sheridan Co Fair Rodeo (Gordon, NE), $1,394.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Rodeo Houston, $27,500; La Fiesta de Los Vaqueros (Tucson, AZ), $7,029; Cody (WY) Stampede, $5,505; Walla Walla (WA) Frontier Days, $4,845; Greeley (CO) Stampede, $4,650; North Dakota Roughrider Cup (Mandan), $2,858; Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, SD), $2,356.

Lisa Lockhart — Promise Me Fame Guys – 2023 NFR Champion

Promise Me Fame Guys (“Levee”) — 2016 G, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Bar Blue Lass x FC Aboo
Owner: Teton Ridge
Breeder: Demrece and Harvey Keller
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $757,822
Futurity Earnings: $101,644 ($209 at 4 and $101,435 at 5); 2021 No. 9 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2021 Omaha River Rodeo (NE), $959 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2022 NW Montana Fair (Kalispell), $2,361 at 6
NFR Qualifications: 4, 2021-2024
NFR Earnings: $360,453
Best NFR Finish: 2023 NFR Champion; 2022 3^rd NFR Aggregate; Won three rounds—1 in 2022, 2 in 2023.
2024 Season Earnings: $53,605 in 17 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo (Minot, ND), $7,518; West Fest Stampede (Granite Falls, MN), $2,818.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: NFR Open (Colorado Springs), $11,500; Calgary Stampede, $8,400*; Puyallup (WA) Rodeo Cinch Playoffs, $5,381; San Antonio Rodeo, $4,000; Killdeer (SD) Mountain Roundup, $3,251; Rodeo Rapid City (SD), $1,961.
Note: Lockhart actually won $12,000 in pool competition aboard Levee, but only 70% counted toward the WPRA World Standings. She also scored a $12,717 victory at the Pendleton Round Up in Oregon aboard Prime Diamond (“Cutter”) (11G, Prime Talent x Hugos Diamond x Hugo Streakin), who will likely be Levee’s backup in Las Vegas. Lockhart also won $10,200 aboard McColee Land & Livestock’s Blazin Ta Betty (“Sasha”) (18M, Dash Ta Fame x Blazin Black Betty x Blazin Jetolena) at four rodeos. Sasha is a full sister to Jordon Briggs’ World Champion Famous Lil Jet.

Tiany Schuster turns the first barrel — Tiany Schuster rode several horses during the 2024 season to help her qualify for her third NFR. Schuster ran Famous Mic Guy Ver (Frenchmans Guy x Disarray x Dash Ta Fame) at the 2020 NFR and this year he helped her earn $56,727 out of her 2024 regular season earnings. Photo by Kenneth Springer

7. Tiany Schuster

Famous Mic Guy Ver — 2015 G, Frenchmans Guy x Disarray x Dash Ta Fame
Owner: Edwin Cameron
Breeder: Bill & Deb Myers
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $189,173
Futurity Earnings: $58,231 at 4; 2019 No. 19 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2019 Fort Bend Co Fair & Rodeo (Rosenberg, TX), $681 at 4
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2020 Mid-Winter Fair Rodeo (Lafayette, LA), $1,610 at 5
NFR Qualifications: 2, 2020 & 2024
NFR Earnings: $4,231
Best NFR Finish: Ran in three rounds at the 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas, placing sixth in one.
2024 Season Earnings: $56,727 at 22 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Airdrie (AB) Pro Rodeo, $2,327; Nacogdoches (TX) Pro Rodeo, $2,051; 2023 Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Fort Worth, TX), $947; Southern Mississippi Coca-Cola Rodeo (Hattiesburg, MS), $681.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: San Angelo (TX) Rodeo, $17,330; Calgary Stampede, $9,050*; Daines Ranch Rodeo (Innisfail, AB), $3,164; Teepee Creek (AB) Stampede, $3,116; Raymond (AB) Stampede, $2,333; Pioneer Days Rodeo (Clovis, NM), $1,991; Bowen Daze, $1,722; Benalto (AB) Stampede, $1,686.

Tiany Schuster — Show Mance

Show Mance — 2010 G, First Smart Money x Blue Baby Cash x Hold On To The Cash
Owner: Edwin Cameron
Breeder: James W. Baldwin
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $492,791
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check & Win: 2017 Grand Island (NE) Championship Rodeo, $3,944 at 7
NFR Qualifications: 3, 2017, 2020, 2024
NFR Earnings: $65,154
Best NFR Finish: Ran in six rounds at the 2017 NFR in Las Vegas, placing in two. Their fastest time in the Thomas & Mack was 13.52. Ran in seven rounds 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas (WPRA Standard Pattern), placing in four.
2024 Season Earnings: $43,590 at 15 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: North Dakota Roughrider’s Cup (Mandan, ND), $12,701; Golden Spike Rodeo (Tremonton, UT), $6,819; Lewiston (ID) Roundup, $3,870; Fallon Co Fair & Rodeo (Baker, MT), $3,822; Bell Co Pro Rodeo (Belton, Texas), $2,087.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Moses Lake (WA) Round Up, $4,422; Bonnyville (AB) Pro Rodeo, $1,798; Grande Prairie (AB) Stampede, $1,628; 2023 Waller Co Fair & Rodeo (Hempstead, TX), $1,604.
Note: Schuster won $12,500 at the Calgary Stampede on Mic Guy Ver, but only 70% of pool money counted toward the WPRA World Standings. She won money on eight different during the 2024 rodeo season. Many were young horses in the process of rodeo seasoning. Shines By Design (19G, Slye By Design x SSheShinzLikADiamond x Zans Diamond Shine) won $20,998 at five rodeos, including at $17,352 victory at the California Rodeo in Salinas. Her futurity horse from last year, Admire My Fame (19G, Carrizzo x Admire My Fire x Turn N Fire) earned $4,017 at four rodeos and his older full brother JJ Carrizzo Fire Bug (16G) won $2,668 at three rodeos. Schuster also won $2,433 at three rodeos on Pete Carr and Morgan Bagnell’s Sir Epic (18G, JL Sirocco x So Very Epic x Epic Leader), $1,900 for winning the Pro’s Out West Rodeo in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, on Chalk Cliffs (17G, Separate Interest x Hat D Strawfly x Strawfly Special) and $132 at one rodeo on Amish Rain (18G, Moonland Jess x Frans Easter Sunday x Brisco County Jr).

LaTricia-Duke-DM-High-Roller — LaTricia Duke and DM High Roller had a great 2024 regular season finishing in the No. 8 position in the WPRA world standings for Duke’s first NFR qualification. Photo by Hailey Rae

8. LaTricia Duke

DM High Roller (“Vanilla Wafer”) — 2017S, French StreakToVegas x Happy To Run Em x FirewaterOnTheRocks
Owner: LaTricia Duke
Breeder: JO & LaTricia Duke
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $282,991
Futurity Earnings: $193,415 ($18,244 at 3 and $175,141 at 4); 2021 No. 3 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2021 Rio Grande Valley LS&R (Mercedes, TX), $559 at 4
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2022 Bandera (TX) Rodeo, $982 at 5
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $122,920 in 47 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Moses Lake (WA) Roundup, $6,804; Nebraska’s Big Rodeo (Burwell), $2,741; 2023 Austin County Fair & Rodeo (Bellville, TX), $2,547; Omaha (NE) River City Rodeo, $1,875; Crockett (TX) Lion’s Club Rodeo, $1,013.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $23,250; Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $14,890; Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Tucson, AZ), $5,854; Pendleton (OR) Roundup, $5,704; New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo (Albuquerque), $4,656; Cache Co. Fair & Rodeo (Logan, UT), $4,322; Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo, $3,585; Kitsap Stampede (Bremerton, WA), $3,000.
Note: Duke also won $4,729 at four rodeos on Driver Land & Cattle Company’s Rey Of Fame (12G, Stylish Rey x Fame Baby x Dash Ta Fame) and $1,481 at the Lago Mar Reunion in Texas City on Tibba Smith’s DM I Got This (“Crawford”) (17G, Blue Tracker x Hand Off Win x Hand Off Boy).

9. Halyn Lide

Jettin Ta Heaven (“Keeper”) — 2012 G, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Zeros Gypsy Jet x Three O Jones
Owner: Aaron & Halyn Lide
Breeder: Richard Bauer
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $282,991
Futurity Earnings: $4,241; $2,349 at 4 and $1,892 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2018 Mesquite (TX) Championship Rodeo June, $405 at 6
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2019 Stockyards Championship Rodeo (Fort Worth, TX), $734 at 7
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $119,509 at 26 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Greeley (CO) Stampede, $10,099; National Western (Denver), $7,397.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Ponoka (CN) Stampede, $14,577; Cinch Playoffs Puyallup (WA), $13,200; California Rodeo (Salinas), $9,364; Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $9,111; Rodeo Houston, $5,875; Ogden (UT) Independence Stampede, $5,522; Days of ’47 (Salt Lake City), $5,040; San Antonio Rodeo, $4,000.
Notes: Lide also won $2,457 at three rodeos on Hez Runnin Ta Heaven (13G, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Sheza Cashin Nonstop x Cash Not Credit).

Dona-Kay-Rule-High-Valor — Dona Kay Rule and High Valor battled through a tough 2024 season to ultimately qualify for their fifth NFR in the No. 10 position in the WPRA world standings. Photo by Dale Hirschman

10. Dona Kay Rule

High Valor (“Valor”) — 2009 G, Valiant Hero x Rare High x Rare Form
Owner: Dona Kay Rule
Breeder: Lana G. Merrick Bailey
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $929,550
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2017 Guymon (OK) Pioneer Days Rodeo, $1050 at 8
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2017 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo (Abilene, KS), $1680 at 8
NFR Qualifications: 5, 2019-2022, 2024
NFR Earnings: $220,047
Best NFR Finish: Winner of four NFR rounds — two in 2021 and two in 2019. Was sixth in the aggregate in 2021. Fastest time in the Thomas & Mack is 13.56.
2024 Season Earnings: $121,481 at 34 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Central Wyoming Fair (Casper), $12,465; Snake River Stampede (Nampa, ID), $12,209; Guymon (OK) Pioneer Days, $6,923; Mt Pleasant (TX) Rodeo, $2,275; Toppenish (WA) Rodeo, $2,393.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: San Angelo (TX) Rodeo, $10,711; Rodeo Houston, $7,750; Farm-City Pro Rodeo (Hermiston, OR), $7,045; Days Of ’47 (Salt Lake City), $7,000; Sheridan WYO Rodeo, $6,782; Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $6,361; Cinch Playoffs Puyallup (WA), $4,950; San Antonio Rodeo, $4,500.

Wenda Johnson turns a barrel on bay horse — Wenda Johnson rode Steal Money to her fifth NFR qualification in 2024. Photo by Kenneth Springer

11. Wenda Johnson

Steal Money (“Mo”) — 2016 G, First Moonflash x Im Chica Stoli x Stoli
Owner: Highpoint Performance Horses
Breeder: J. Santos Espinoza
Race Record: SI 89, 9 starts, 1 win, $4,255. Last race 6/9/2019.
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $609,813
Futurity Earnings: $40,338 ($9,414 at 4 and $30,924 at 5); 2021 HHA Elite Futurity Champion
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2021 Oakley (UT) Independence Stampede, $1,441 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2022 Cowboy Capital of the World (Stephenville, TX), $2,850 at 6
NFR Qualifications: 4, 2021-2024
NFR Earnings: $133,984
Best NFR Finish: Won three rounds — one in 2021 (13.46) and two in 2022 (13.57 and 13.6), placed in four other rounds from 2021 to 2022. Finished fifth in the 2022 aggregate running seven of the 10 rounds with Macgyver Moonflash running the other two.
2024 Season Earnings: $114,496 in 19 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: San Angelo (TX) Rodeo, $20,248; Clovis (CA) Rodeo, $8,313; Lea Co Fair & Rodeo (Lovington, NM), $7,977; Deadwood (SD) Days of 76, $5,805; Lawton (OK) Rangers Rodeo, $4,033.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: San Antonio Rodeo, $17,000; Rodeo Austin (TX), $9,478; Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $9,330; WPRA World Finals (Waco, TX), $6,828; Clark Co Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, NV), $6,762; Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days, $6,567; Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo, $2,401; Guymon (OK) Pioneer Days, $2,308.
Notes: Johnson also won $3,474 on High Point Performance Horses’ derby horse Inspired Drifter (18G, Alone Drifter x A Secret Inspiration x Almars Secret) at six rodeos.

Andrea Busby Jets Top Gun — Andrea Busby counted on 2023 WPRA World Champion mount Jets Top Gun to help her qualify for her first NFR in 2024. “Benny” claimed the world title in 2023 with Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Photo by Hailey Rae

12. Andrea Busby

Jets Top Gun (“Benny”) – 2023 WPRA World Champion
2015 G, Blazin Jetolena x GL Famous First Lady x Dash Ta Fame
Owner/Breeder: Busby Quarter Horses
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $862,505
Futurity Earnings: $140,003 at 5; 2020 No. 3 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2021 Black Gold Stampede (Henderson, TX), $170 at 6
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2023 Ute Mountain Roundup (Cortez, CO), $2,030 at 8
NFR Qualifications: 2, 2023-24*
NFR Earnings: $209,546
Best NFR Finish: 2023 Reserve NFR Champion with World Champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Placed in eight of the nine rounds competed. Won Round 7 in 13.47. Fastest time was 13.34 for second in Round 8.
2024 Season Earnings: $63,390 from 17 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Farm City Pro Rodeo (Hermiston, OR), $8,806; Cache Co Fair & Rodeo (Logan, UT), $6,650; Famous Preston (ID) Night Rodeo, $4,911.
Other top rodeos in 2024: Caldwell (ID) Night Rodeo, $9,145; Cody (WY) Stampede, $7,156; Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $5,066; Livingston (MT) Roundup, $4,532; Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $3,611; Spanish Fork (UT) Fiesta Days, $2,684; Killdeer (ND), Mountain Roundup, $2,501; North Dakota Roughriders’ Cup (Mandan), $2,222

Andrea Busby — Born On Derby Day

Born On Derby Day — 2017 M, Freckles Ta Fame x KR Last Fling x A Streak Of Fling
Owner: Busby Quarter Horses
Breeder: Joe & Carla Spitz
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $354,998
Futurity Earnings: $237,769; $1,294 at 4 and $236,475 at 5; 2022 No. 4 Futurity Horse
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 Southwestern Exposition & Livestock Show (Fort Worth, TX), $440 at 6
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2024 Springville (CA) Sierra Roundup, $1,357 at 7
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $24,840 at 10 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Springville (CA) Sierra Roundup, $1,357
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Rodeo Houston, $6,000; Strathmore (CN) Stampede, $5,857; Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days, $2,955; War Bonnet Round Up, $2,464; Greeley (CO) Stampede, $2,328; Westcliff (CO) Stampede, $1,496.
Notes: Busby’ s biggest winner, her homebred Jets Top Gun, carried Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi to the 2023 WPRA World Championship. Her second highest money earner Born On Derby Day is by NFR qualifier Freckles Ta Fame, who took Shali Lord to the NFR. Busby also won $15,405 at eight rodeos on Blazing With My Dude (“Tito”) (16M, Blazin Jetolena x Dasher Dude x Texas High Dasher). Both Tito’s sire and dam are NFR qualifiers with Dasher Dude, who took Britany Diaz to the NFR. She won $7,599 at nine rodeos on RC Black In Famous (“Pickles). Pickles is out of Jane Melby’s NFR qualifier RC Back In Black. On the last weekend of the season, Busby borrowed NFR qualifier Diamond Center from Sue Smith, who just happened to train Tito, and picked up $2,357 at three rodeos. Busby also won $2,234 at three rodeos on Famous Heartbreaker. Heartbreaker took Sydni Blachard to the NFR.

Abby Phillips and VF Expensive Taste in Namp — Abby Phillips qualified for her first NFR thanks in part to VF Expensive Taste, who helped her earn $115,510 of her 2024 regular season earnings. Photo by Hailey Rae

13. Abby Phillips

VF Expensive Taste (“Andi Anderson”) — 2017 M, Eddie Stinson x Expensive Crystal x Southern Cartel
Owner: Abby Phillips
Breeder: Victory Farms
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $131,903
Futurity Earnings: $0
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 Ute Stampede (Nephi, UT), $496 at 6
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2023 Wilderness Circuit Finals (Heber City, UT) at 6
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $94,956 at 30 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Sisters (OR) Rodeo, $6,768; Wainwright (CN) Stampede, $6,284; Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo, $5,515; Rio Grande Valley LS&R (Mercedes, TX), $5,114; Sundre (CN) Pro Rodeo, $4,841; 2023 Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, $4,707; Ellis Co LS&R (Waxahachie, TX), $2,875; Ft Herriman (UT), $2,053; Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo (Moab, UT), $1,520.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: WPRA World Finals (Waco, TX), $8990; Red Bluff (CA) Roundup, $8,073; San Antonio Rodeo, $6,250; Cinch Playoffs Puyallup (WA) Rodeo, $3,450; Eugene (OR) Pro Rodeo, $2,766; Clark Co Fair & Rodeo (Logandale, NV), $2,007; Rodeo Houston, $2,000; San Juan Stampede (Monticello, UT), $1,921.

Abby Phillips — VQ Im Buzzed

VQ Im Buzzed (“Big P”) — 2014 G, Dash Ta Fame x Honor This Nonstop x Mr Honor Bound
Owner: Abby Phillips
Breeder: Brandy M Varner
Lifetime Earnings as of October 1: $94,624
Futurity Earnings: $14,470 plus $6,445 in derby earnings at 5
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (Arlington, TX), Round 6, $1,650
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2021 Ft Bend Co. Fair & Rodeo (Rosenberg, TX), $2,948
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $20,544 at 15 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Red Desert Roundup (Rock Springs, WY), $1,603
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Cheyenne (WY) Frontier Days, $4,140; Cassia Co Fair & Rodeo (Logan, UT), $3,592; Canby (OR) Rodeo, $2,479; Santa Rosa Roundup (Vernon, TX), $2,352.

carlee Otero and Blingolena — Carlee Otero rode Blingolena to her fourth NFR qualification finishing the 2024 season in the No. 14 position. Photo by Hailey Rae

14. Carlee Otero

Blingolena (“Sly”) — 2018 G, Blazin Jetolena x Dash Of Bling x Dash Ta Fame
Owner: Carlee Otero
Breeder: Busby Quarter Horses
Lifetime EquiStat Earnings as of October 1: $286,134
Futurity Earnings: $7,277 at 4
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 Ellis Co. Livestock Show & Rodeo (Waxahachie, TX), $55 at 5.
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2023 Silver State Stampede (Elko, NV), $5,899 at 5
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $111,846 in 34 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Douglas Co. Fair Rodeo (Castle Rock, CO), $7,618; Cassie Co Fair & Rodeo (Burley, ID), $4,489; Old Fort Days Rodeo (Fort Smith, AR), $3,768; Sheriff’s Rodeo (San Bernardino, CA), $3,423; Poway (CA) Rodeo, $2,194; Young Living Last Chance Rodeo (Mona, UT), $2,164.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: Calgary (CN) Stampede, $9,050*; La Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Tucson, AZ), $8,705; Horse Haven Round Up (Kennewick, WA), $8,131; Ponoka (CN) Stampede, $5,779; Mountain Valley Stampede (Heber City, UT), $5,036; Gooding (ID) Pro Rodeo, $4,964; Golden Spike Rodeo (Tremonton, UT), $4,432; Oakley (UT) Independence Stampede, $3,854.
Note: Otero actually won $12,500 at the Calgary Stampede but only 70% of pool money counted toward the WPRA World Standings. She also picked up $1,589 at two rodeos on KL Touch Of Heaven (“Dove”) (18G, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Junior Country Girl x Deep Note Jr), who now belongs to former NFR qualifier Cassidy (Kruse) Deen.

Shelley Morgan and HR Fameskissandtell running home at The American — Shelley Morgan qualified for her fifth NFR aboard her American Rodeo champion mare HR Fameskissandtell (CEO x Fames Fiery Kiss x Dash Ta Fame). Barrel Horse News photo by Kailey Sullins.

15. Shelley Morgan

HR Fameskissandtell (“Kiss”) – 2022 NFR Champion
2014 M, CEO x Fames Fiery Kiss x Dash Ta Fame
Owner: Shelley Morgan
Breeder: Elizabeth Hayes
Lifetime EquiStat Earnings as of October 1: $855,077
Futurity Earnings: $41,969 at 4
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2018 Mesquite (TX) Championship Rodeo July, $130 at4
First Pro Rodeo Win: 2019 Longview (TX) PRCA Rodeo, $1,008 at 5
NFR Qualifications: 4, 2020-2022, 2024*
NFR Earnings: $275,748
Best NFR Finish: 2022 NFR Champion, placing in seven of the 10 rounds.
2024 Season Earnings: $83,259 in 23 rodeos
2024 Rodeo Wins: Sheridan WYO Rodeo, $8,477; Lake County Round Up (Lakeview, OR), $2,768.
Other Top Rodeos in 2024: San Angelo (TX) Rodeo, $11,379; St. Paul (OR) Rodeo, $7,206; Rodeo Houston, $7,000; San Antonio Rodeo, $7,000; Days Of 47 (Salt Lake City), $4,990; Guymon (OK) Pioneer Days Rodeo, $4,979; Cinch Playoffs Puyallup (WA) Rodeo, $4,975; Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $2,750.

Shelley Morgan — Bucky Wonder Horse

Bucky Wonder Horse (“Bee”) — 2017 M, First Down Dash x Rosas Cantina CC x Corona Cartel
Owner: John Jacobi
Breeder: Alan Woodbury
Lifetime EquiStat Earnings as of October 1: $47,229
Futurity Earnings: $2,661 at 5
First Pro Rodeo Check: 2023 Rodeo Rapid City (SD), $640 at 6
NFR Qualifications: 1, 2024
2024 Season Earnings: $25,236 at 19 rodeos
Top Rodeos in 2024: Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls, SD), $7,500; Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo (Odessa, TX), $4,765; National Western (Denver), $2,970; Gladewater (TX) Roundup, $1,359.
Note: Morgan picked up her first check of the 2024 season, $2,566, on Kinda Heavenly (“Phoebe”) (13M, JL Dash Ta Heaven x KindaBugginMe x Bug In My Frosty). She also picked up $128 on the Jacobi’s Shake Yor Sass (18M, Mr Sassy Frenchman x Shake Your MoneyMaker x Royal Shake Em).