Here’s what you need to know about the horse-and-rider barrel racing teams that will be running down the alley at the Cowtown Coliseum in the The American Rodeo Contender Round on March 4.

One of the most anticipated weeks in barrel racing and rodeo is here—The American Semifinals and American Rodeo. Follow along online with Barrel Horse News magazine and on our Facebook page for updates, results, and exclusive interviews with the winners.

American Contender Round Draw

Draw No., Rider Name, Hometown

  1. Oceane Veilleux, St-Algred, QC – Semifinals qualifier
  2. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, TX – WPRA invitee
  3. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, OK – WPRA invitee
  4. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, TX – WPRA invitee
  5. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, OK – WPRA invitee
  6. Wylee Mitchell, Pioche, NV – Semifinals qualifier
  7. Amanda Welsh, Sundance, WY – WPRA invitee
  8. Marne Loosenort, Hazel, KY – Semifinals qualifier
  9. Rita Cheeney, Pioche, NV – Semifinals qualifier
  10. Molly Otto, Grand Forks, ND – WPRA invitee
  11. Tasha Welsh, Dublin, TX – Semifinals qualifier
  12. Laura Mote, Llano, TX – Semifinals qualifier
  13. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, TX – Semifinals qualifier
  14. Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, LA – Semifinals qualifier
  15. Kellie Collier, Hereford, TX – Semifinals qualifier
  16. Devin Young, Rosanky, TX * – Exemption invitee
  17. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, OK – WPRA invitee
  18. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, TX – WPRA invitee
  19. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, TX – WPRA invitee
  20. Ivy Saebens, Nowata, OK – WPRA invitee
  21. Charlie Johnson, Bastrop, TX – Semifinals qualifer

Oceane Veilleux – Semifinals qualifier

Oceane Veilleux, St-Alfred, QC, Heavens Guy, 13.809
Oceane Veilleux and Heavens Guy turned in a 13.809 in the prelims to advance. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $50,588
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. Junior American earner, BFA World Championships finalist, multiple open winner.

Hailey Kinsel – WPRA invitee

Hailey Kinsel standing with Sister
Hailey Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas, and her great mare DM Sissy Hayday. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $2,524,331
  • Recent Career Highlights: Three-time Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champion, three-time The American Rodeo barrel racing champion, five-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, 2022 WPRA Reserve World Champion, 2022 San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo champion. 2018-2020 WPRA World Champion, 2020 Wrangler NFR Average Champion, Fastest Time and set NFR earnings record, two-time WPRA standard pattern rodeo record setter (Dodge City, Kansas, in summer 2020, broke it at Wrangler NFR in December 2020). 2021 Fourth of July WPRA high-money barrel racer. 2021 Champion Cheyenne Frontier Days, Amarillo, Texas; Fort Madison, Iowa; Kansas’ Biggest RodeoPhillipsburg; Sheridan, Wyoming; Ogden, Utah; Livingston, Montana; Co-Champion Guymon, Oklahoma. 2020, 2019 and 2017 RFD-TV’s The American Champion. NFR Thomas and Mack Center arena record holder (13.11 seconds in 2017), 2017 WPRA Reserve World Champion, 2017 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Barrel Racing Champion, multiple pro rodeo wins.

Emily Miller Beisel – WPRA invitee

Emily Miller-Beisel
Emily Miller-Beisel. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $898,223
  • Recent Career Highlights: Three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, ranked No. 3 in the WPRA 2021 world standings, 2021 Champion Cody, Wyoming; Vernal, Utah; Liberal, Eureka, Strong City, and Haysville, Kansas. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. Biddin On Fame voted 2020 No. 2 WPRA/AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year. 2020 Champion Prairie Circuit Year-End and Finals. 2017 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion, 2016 Prairie Circuit Champion, multiple Prairie Circuit and RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Three-time Kansas High School Rodeo Association all-around champion.

Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, TX – WPRA invitee

Stevi Hillman
Stevi Hillman. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $1,378,712
  • Recent Career Highlights: Six-time NFR qualifier, finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 6, 2021 CoChampion Gordon, Nebraska. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2020 RFD-TV’s The American champion. 2019 NFR fastest time and round winner. 2012 Reserve WPRA Rookie of the Year, multiple pro rodeo and open wins.

Dona Kay Rule, Minco, OK – WPRA invitee

Dona Kay Rule
Dona Kay Rule. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $605,231
  •  Recent Career Highlights: Finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 5, three-time NFR qualifier, multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. High Valor voted 2019 and 2020 WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year, 2020 reserve champion RFD-TV’s The American. Champion 2018 Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, multiple pro rodeo and open wins, team roping and calf roping competitor and money earner.

Wylee Mitchell, Pioche, NV – Semifinals qualifier

Wylee Mitchell, Pioche, NV, Smokey Gold Jack, 13.736
Wylee Mitchell and Smokey Gold Jack turned in a 13.736 in the prelims to advance. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $85,326
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2017 American Rodeo qualifier, multiple open and rodeo earner.

Amanda Welsh, Sundance, WY – WPRA invitee

Amanda Welsh with her horse
Amanda Welsh’s 2021 NFR horse Frenchman Fire Fly is a homegrown product of her parents Bob and Peggy Welsh’s breeding program. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $319,916
  • Recent Career Highlights: Finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 7., 2021 Champion Bismarck and Valley City, North Dakota (arena record); Lewiston, Idaho; Spokane, Washington; Logan, Utah; Burwell, Nebraska. 2021 Reserve Champion San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo. 2019-21 Badlands Circuit Rodeo average champion. Multiple RFD-TV’s The American Semifinals qualifier. Multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Multiple Open 1D wins.

Marne Loosenort, Hazel, KY – Semifinals qualifier

Marne Loosenort, Hazel, KY, Lovin Fame, 13.743
Marne Loosenort and Lovin Fame turned in a 13.743 in the American Semifinals Prelims to advance to the performance rounds. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $1,826,034
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2022 BRN4D 2D futurity champion, multiple BFA World Championships winner, 2010 BFA Slot Race champion, 2005 BFA Derby champion, multiple futurity champion, open and pro rodeo earner.

Rita Cheeney, Pioche, NV – Semifinals qualifier

Rita Cheeney American Semifinals
Rita Cheeney and Smokin Gold Too turned in a 13.700 to top the second performance of the American Semifinals and move into the No. 4 position overall. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $31,156
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2020 Xtreme Million Finals winner, multiple open and pro rodeo winner.

Molly Otto, Grand Forks, ND – WPRA invitee

Molly Otto
First-time NFR qualifier Molly Otto. Photo courtesy WPRA
  • EquiStat earnings: $532,911
  • Recent Career Highlights: Finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked 10th, 2021 Champion Walla Walla and Moses Lake, Washington; Sikeston, Missouri; Gunnison, Colorado; Dickinson and Killdeer, North Dakota; Deadwood, Mobridge and Clear Lake, South Dakota; Eagle Mountain, Utah; Cortez, Colorado; Spooner, Wisconsin. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2021 Better Barrel Races World Finals Champion (aboard Sixappeal), 2020 OKC Futurity and WPRA World Finals Futurity Champion (aboard NFR mount Teasin Dat Guy). 2020 Badlands Circuit Rising Star of the Year. Multiple futurity, derby, aged-event and open wins.

Tasha Welsh, Dublin, TX – Semifinals qualifier

Tash Welsh Seis Smashin Fame
Tasha Welsh and Seis Smashin Fame turned in a 13.569 in the semifinals prelims to advance to the performance rounds. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $173,877
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2022 Brandon’s Barrel Bash Futurity 1D winner, 2019 BFA World Championships finals qualifier, multiple futurity, open and pro rodeo winner.

Laura Mote, Llano, TX – Semifinals qualifier

girl running on barrel horse
Laura Mote and Reb Hot Redbull gun it to the third barrel en route to winning the first performance of the 2022 American Semifinals in 13.577. Photo by Kailey Sullins
  • EquiStat earnings: $49,703
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2021 OKC Futurity Youth 1D champion, 2021 Austin County Fair champion, multiple open and rodeo winner.

Kassie Mowry, Dublin, TX – Semifinals qualifier

Kassie Mowry and Epic Guy
Kassie Mowry and Epic Guy turned in a 13.669 in the Semifinals Prelims to finish seventh and advance to the performance rounds. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $4,300,023
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. Two-time NFR qualifier, 2017 Rodeo Houston champion, 2017 San Angelo champion, No. 2 EquiStat All-Time Leading Barrel Racer, No. 2 EquiStat All-Time Leading Futurity Rider, BFA World Championships multiple titleholder, multiple futurity champion, open and pro rodeo winner.

Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, LA – Semifinals qualifier

Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, LA, Roses Roan Ranger, 13.693
Sarah Rose Waguespack and Roses Roan Ranger turned in a 13.693 in the prelims to advance. Photo by Kenneth Springer.
  • EquiStat earnings: $1,097,832
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. Two-time NFR qualifier, 2021 BFA finalist, 2014 WPRA Rookie of the Year, 2016 RFD-TV’s The American champion, multiple open and pro rodeo winner.

Kellie Collier, Hereford, TX – Semifinals qualifier

Kellie Collier, Hereford, TX, Positively Streakin, 13.788
Kellie Collier and Positively Streakin turned in a 13.788 in the prelims to advance. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $340,028
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round. 2017 NFR qualifier, 2017 Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier, 2017 Cowboy Capital of the World Rodeo winner, multiple open and pro rodeo winner.

Devin Young, Rosanky, TX * – Exemption Invite

  • EquiStat earnings: $27,800
  • Recent Career Highlights: Second-round winner at 2021 Better Barrel Races World Finals, finished fourth in the 2021 BBR World Finals, multiple open barrel racing winner.

Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, OK – WPRA invitee

Wenda Johnson and Macgyver Moonflash
Wenda Johnson took home the 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo barrel racing championship with the fastest time of the entire event and record-setting run of 16.08. Photo by Kenneth Springer.
  • EquiStat earnings: $655,572
  • Recent Career Highlights: Two-time NFR qualifier, finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 9, 2021 Champion Reno, Nevada; San Angelo and Coleman, Texas. 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo champion, multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. Multiple RFD-TV’s The American qualifier. Multiple pro rodeo, open, futurity and derby wins.

Jordon Briggs, Tolar, TX -WPRA invitee

Jordon Briggs and Famous Lil Jet
Jordon Briggs and Famous Lil Jet at the 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $1,601,561
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, Famous Lil Jet voted 2021 WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year, 2021 Champion Ellensburg Washington; Dodge City and Abilene, Kansas; Red Lodge, Montana; Laramie, Wyoming; Crockett, Texas; Fort Smith, Arkansas. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2009 Wrangler NFR qualifier and round winner. 2006 Barrel Futurities of America World Futurity Champion (aboard 2009 NFR mount Frenchmans Jester), 2014 BFA Juvenile Futurity Champion (aboard 2021 back-up rodeo horse Frenchmans Future). Multiple futurity, derby, aged-event and open wins.

Shelley Morgan, Eustace, TX -WPRA invitee

Shelley Morgan
Shelley Morgan. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $686,630
  • Recent Career Highlights: Three-time NFR qualifier, finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 4, 2021 Champion RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, Estes Park and Greeley, Colorado; Casper, Wyoming; Elk City, Durant and Claremore, Oklahoma; Wichita Falls, Gladewater, Bay City, Mineral Wells and Huntsville, Texas. 2012 and 2015 Champion Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, 2014 Year-End Champion Texas Circuit, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier, multiple Texas Circuit Finals qualifier, multiple pro rodeo and open wins, futurity money earner.

Ivy Saebens, Nowata, OK -WPRA invitee

Ivy Saebens
Ivy Saebens. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • EquiStat earnings: $1,262,947
  • Recent Career Highlights: Five-time NFR qualifier, finished the 2021 WPRA season ranked No. 8, 2021 Champion Caldwell and Gooding (arena record), Idaho; Odessa, Texas; Lehi, Utah. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2019 Champion Wrangler NFR Average. 2019 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2018 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. 2017 NFR Average Reserve Champion, 2016 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo wins.

Charlie Johnson, Bastrop, TX – Semifinals qualifier

Charlie Johnson, Bastrop, TX, Phoenixonthecimarron, 13.728
Charlie Johnson and Phoenixonthecimarron turned in a 13.728 in the prelims to advance. Photo by Kenneth Springer.
  • EquiStat earnings: $30,516
  • Recent Career Highlights: Qualified for the 2022 American Rodeo Semifinals and advanced through the preliminary rounds to qualify for the American Rodeo Contender Round, 2021 Lee County Sheriff’s Posse champion, multiple open barrel racing and rodeo winner.

American Semifinals Format

—> Where: Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyards

Everyone who qualified at an American Qualifier race throughout the year runs in the long slack round Friday, February 25, plus any exemptions that may be chosen by Teton Ridge or The American management. The top 30 times from slack will move on to the Shootout Round performances March 1-3, with contestants split evenly throughout performances. Contestants who did not advance from slack have the opportunity to compete in the Buy Back Round on Saturday morning February 26 for an additional entry fee. The amount of contestants who advance from the Buy Back will be announced during sign-up.

According to American barrel racing sanctioning body Better Barrel Races, after those individuals run in the performances, along with the possible American Exemption Match or Exemption contestant, the top 5 or 10 times (depending on the total number of participating contestants who entered a qualification race) and the possible Exemption Match winner or Exemption contestant, will advance to The American.

$3 Million The American Format

—> Where: Contender Round in Cowtown Coliseum; Top 8 and championship Final Four at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

The Semifinals conclude March 3, and the Contender Round of The American kicks off Friday March 4 in Cowtown Coliseum, where the top contestants who advanced from the Semifinals will compete against the top 10 barrel racers in the world (chosen based on American management selection criteria) as well as the Exemption Match winner.

The top 8 move on to AT&T Stadium on Sunday March 6 for an elimination round. The Final Four, based on an average of their first two runs, will move on to the ShootOut round, where the Champion and Reserve Champion will be determined in a clean-slate finals.

The champion will win $100,000 and the reserve champion will win $25,000. In the case that the champion came from the Semifinals, they will join the group of other event champions qualifying through the Semifinals to split the $1 million bonus prize.

Click here for complete rules and guidelines on the 2022 American Rodeo and Semifinals.

Click here for the American schedule including other rodeo events.

More Information

Teton Ridge Acquires Better Barrel Races

Teton Ridge Buys The American

Author

Kailey Sullins is editor of Barrel Horse News, and an avid barrel racer and breakaway roper. Email comments or questions to [email protected]

1 Comment

  1. hailey kinsel has been blowing my mind ive got to say her nd sissy are an amzing team and they did amazing

Write A Comment