Keyla Costa and The Dragon Roll sweep West Of The Pecos Rodeo in Pecos, Texas.
West Of The Pecos Rodeo from June 26–29 in Pecos, Texas, saw Keyla Costa of Tolar, Texas, take the lead with a 17.62 aboard The Dragon Roll, worth $3,655.
The 2015 sorrel gelding known as “Pipe” is by Frenchmans Guy and out of Tellhericalled by Dash Ta Fame. Owned by Reagan Dillard, Pipe has EquiStat reported lifetime earnings of over $67,000, all with Keyla in the driver’s seat.
“I have been training and racing him for three years, and I always felt in my heart that he was a special horse, even though we didn’t win anything and was far from 1D early on. I felt in my heart that he would one day become a great animal,” Keyla said. “We are still in the process of learning together, running in different arenas, on different ground, but I can say that Pipe runs with his heart. His personality is strong — he’s very strong, and he likes to run hard. He became very special from the first day I started training him. He is just a special horse.”
Keyla travels with her husband and four-time NFR qualifier Marcos Costa as he focuses on a fifth NFR qualification in the tie-down roping.
“I travel with my husband to all the rodeos. We are partners and Marcos is priority; he always runs at more rodeos so he can try to make the NFR. I’m not ready for that yet,” Keyla said. “I only run when the dates are the same and I have a horse ready to run. My plan for this year is to season my horses and maybe one day fight for something bigger.”
Pecos is a large, open outdoor arena and can be tough for a lot of horses.
“This victory meant a lot to me. It is very hard to win any rodeos these days. I always remember where we started and when we need to believe in our dreams and never give up on them, because God will always be with you, so never give up,” Keyla said.
2024 West Of The Pecos Rodeo Barrel Racing Results
1. Keyla Costa, 17.62 seconds, $3,655; 2. Sabrina Ketcham, 17.74, $2,924; 3. Londyn Ross, 17.83, $2,376; 4. Jamie Olsen, 17.97, $1,827; 5. (tie) Madison Bean and Andrea Busby, 17.98, $1,279 each; 7. Shy-Anne Jarrett, 18.07, $914; 8. Shelley Morgan, 18.12, $822; 9. Kylee Scribner, 18.15, $731; 10. Alyssa Urbanek, 18.19, $640; 11. Margo Smith, 18.28, $548; 12. Hailey Kinsel, 18.30, $457; 13. (tie) Corley Cox, Katelyn Scott and Caley Walkoviak, 18.32, $274 each.
—> Find complete results and standings from the 2024 WPRA barrel racing pro rodeo season here.
