By Susan Kanode for the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo with contributions from Blanche Schaefer of Barrel Horse News
FORT WORTH, TEXAS — January 30, 2020 — Hailey Kinsel may have a new last name after marrying Professional Bull Rider Jess Lockwood, but little else has changed for the two-time world champion barrel racer. Lockwood won the FWSSR barrel racing title in the Will Rogers Coliseum last year and is looking to capitalize again in the new Dickies Arena.
Riding her great mare DM Sissy Hayday (PC Frenchmans Hayday x Royal Sissy Irish x Royal Shake Em), the Cotulla, Texas, native stopped the clock in 16.37 seconds Thursday night, the fastest run of the rodeo so far. Lockwood finished second on Wednesday to Carly Taylor of Andersonville, Tennessee, who is also riding a daughter of “Dinero” in Diva Deniro (PC Frenchmans Hayday x KC Bully x Bully Bullion). The two flipped positions to go one-two in both rounds of the bracket. They each are headed to the semifinals with $3,080 in earnings.
Breakaway roper Jordan Jo Fabrizio of Canyon, Texas, made history in July 2019 as the first champion breakaway roper at Cheyenne Frontier Days in Wyoming. Wearing the buckle she won there, Fabrizio is tied for the lead in breakaway roping in Bracket Four. She and Amber Crawford from Springtown, Texas, each enter the semifinals with $2,640.
If Fabrizio continues, she will add her name to the record books in Fort Worth. Breakaway roping is a new event for the rodeo in 2020.
“When we roped in Cheyenne for the first time, it was surreal,” Fabrizio said. “Then coming here, it’s that same feeling again. When I rode into the arena for the first time and saw the lights, it was incredible. I am so very thankful to have these kinds of opportunities.”
J.T. Moore is likely the happiest rodeo contestant at the 2020 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The 23-year-old from Alvin, Texas, rode both bulls in Bracket 4 and holds the distinction of being the high-money winner at the rodeo so far this year with $5,720. The lion’s share of that came in the first round, when he was the lone rider to last 8 seconds. He earned $4,400 for that ride. Moore came back Thursday night to ride his second bull. This time, he was one of four to get a score and finished in second place with an 84-point effort on Dakota Rodeo’s Dixie Highway. He added $1,320 and now is making plans to ride during the semifinals at the 2020 FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament.
This is the second time he has ridden bulls in Fort Worth. In 2019 he was one of the last to compete in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum, where he finished second at the rodeo. This year, he is hoping for that first-place finish in the new Dickies Arena.
“It’s really awesome to have been able to ride in both buildings,” Moore said. “Last year was special because of the history of that building. This year, being the first in this arena is cool too. I’m feeling really blessed.”
Moore’s family is involved in agriculture, raising cattle and hay. When he expressed interest in rodeo, he started riding sheep. When that went well, his father bought him several sheep to practice on. He graduated to calves, then steers, and would come home from school and practice. Each stage of his career has followed that game plan, and now he is ranked third in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. A win here could see Moore moving to the top.
Bracket Five of Seven starts January 31 at 7:30 p.m. CST with a new set of contestants in all eight events.
