Two for Otero: Carlee Otero and AM Regina George Win Round Five of the Wrangler NFR

LAS VEGAS — DECEMBER 8, 2025 — Carlee Otero wins Round Five of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo aboard AM Regina George, for their second 2025 NFR round win. Otero and “Regina” have been putting it all on the line in Las Vegas. They’ve had three downed barrels in the five rounds, but have been gunning for the round wins. Regardless of the intermittent paychecks the Perrin, Texas, duo have put an exclamation point on their performance by winning two of the five rounds and cashing in $36,667.95 per round win.

“I’ve only taken her to two practices. I came to the very first one because it’s mandatory, and then I brought her this morning, and the reason I brought her this morning was more for me than her,” Otero said. “I feel like she’s working and she’s showing up, but I just haven’t 100% fully committed to her to do my job. So today I went through [the pattern] really slow a couple of times, and literally just took a deep breath and imagined my run tonight.”

The game plan paid off with a 13.43-second run to win the round at the bottom of the ground at draw No. 14.

“I always try to picture my run in my head, down to what my time is. Tonight I said ‘We’re going to run a 13.33,’ so I was close,” Otero said with a laugh. “She just always shows up. She’s a little bit, like, arrogant. She knows she’s pretty, she knows she’s good. She wants people to know her name and I want to showcase her.”

Awarded the Scoti Flit Bar Rising Star Award earlier in the week, which recognizes a first-time NFR qualifying horse voted on by the top 15 barrel racers, 2018 mare AM Regina George, is by A Smooth Guy and out of ORO Rose, by the Dash For Cash son Man In The Money. Regina and Otero are a new team together, but they’ve been cashing in all summer long. After Otero purchased Regina from friend and bull riding legend Gary Leffew after her main mount Blingolena was sidelined with injury they’ve picked up big checks in the regular season.

Carlee Otero and AM Regina George win Round Five of the 2025 Wrangler NFR with a 13.43, for $36,668. Photo by Kenneth Springer

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2025 Wrangler NFR Halftime Report

LAS VEGAS — DECEMBER 8, 2025 — The 2025 Wrangler NFR reached its halftime after Round Five. The aggregate is firming up and the world standings race is neck-and-neck.

First-time NFR qualifier Katelyn Scott, took over the lead in the aggregate with 68.63 on five runs. Scott and Justa DTF Frenchman have looked like veterans inside the tough set up of the Thomas and Mack Center Arena. They’ve not only stayed clean on all five runs, but they’ve picked up a paycheck in all five as well. At the halfway point of the NFR they’ve banked $78,013.13. Scott has moved from No. 15 in the world standings to No. 8.

Katelyn Scott and Justa DTF Frenchman moved into the No. 1 spot in the aggregate at the 2025 Wrangler NFR after Round Five. Photo by Kenneth Springer

The hunt for a world title is as tough as its ever been as the top five in the standings get closer and closer. Reigning world champion Kassie Mowry, holds onto the lead she came into the NFR with in the No. 1 position. She’s earned $76,238.87 at this NFR and holds No. 1 with $279,683.93. Close behind her is four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel in the No. 2 position with $277,341.83. Kinsel came into the NFR in the No. 4 position, but has picked up $91,024.24. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi has been keeping it steady winning $66,776.18 and sits No. 3 in the standings with $261,492.27. Still very much in the game Tonozzi sits No. 5 in the aggregate.

The only barrel racer to have won multiple go-rounds at this year’s NFR, none other than Round Five winner, Otero, has put herself in the hunt for a world championship. Coming into the NFR in the No. 7 position, she’s won two rounds for $83,335.90 for world standings earnings of $251,829.85. No. 5 in the world, Emily Beisel sits seventh in the average and has earned $62,044.83. She’s slipped from her previous No. 3 in the world, but still holds strong at No. 5.

Lisa Lockhart Crosses $4 Million in EquiStat Earnings

Lisa Lockhart has had a record year. From a storybook come back story to qualifying for her 19th trip to the Wrangler NFR, sharing the record with Charmayne James and Sherry Cervi, Lockhart continues to set fire to the barrel racing world. Aboard Blazin Ta Betty She’s banked $57,313.47 at this year’s NFR. She had her best outing in Round Five turning in a 13.55 to split second and third places with Halyn Lide and Smooth As Rico Suave.

The paycheck pushed Lockhart over the $4 million mark in EquiStat reported lifetime earnings.