Take a look at this year’s field of 15 Nationals Finals Rodeo-qualifying barrel racers set to run inside the Thomas and Mack Center arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

1. Hailey Kinsel

Hailey Kinsel
Three-time WPRA world champion Hailey Kinsel. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Cotulla, Texas
  • Horses: DM Sissy Hayday (“Sister”), 2011 mare, PC Frenchmans Hayday x Royal Sissy Irish x Royal Shake Em; Thunder Stones (“TJ”), 2004 gelding, Sticks An Stones x See F Jets Candy x Pines Easter Jet; DH Jess Stellar (“Jules”), 2013 mare, Mighty Jess x PC Frosted Stellar x Sun Frost; Corona Share Of Fame (“Nala”), 2014 mare, Lions Share Of Fame x Pay Day Corona x SC Chiseled In Stone; Viva La Corona (“Viva”), 2014 mare, Heart Of The Cartel x Flit Bar Ida Bay x Flit Bar Beggar
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $113,528.59
  • Rodeo Count: 60
  • NFR Qualifications: 5 (2017–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $2,334,738
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

2. Jordon Briggs

Jordon Briggs
Jordon Briggs. Photo courtesy WPRA
  • Hometown: Tolar, Texas
  • Horses: Famous Lil Jet (“Rollo”), 2014 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Blazin Black Beauty x Blazin Jetolena; Frenchmans Future (“Stoli”), 2011 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Sixes Future x Stoli
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $102,618.20
  • Rodeo Count: 55
  • NFR Qualifications: 2 (2009, 2021)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,336,349
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

3. Shelley Morgan

Shelley Morgan
Shelley Morgan. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Eustace, Texas
  • Horses: HR Fameskissandtell (“Kiss”), 2014 mare, CEO x Fames Fiery Kiss x Dash Ta Fame; Kinda Heavenly (“Phoebe”), 2013 mare, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Kindabugginme x Bug In My Frosty; Tres Leche, 2016 mare, Tres Seis x Easy On Liberty x Shazoom
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $94,229.33
  • Rodeo Count: 55 NFR Qualifications: 3 (2009, 2020-21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $558,968
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

4. Dona Kay Rule

Dona Kay Rule
Dona Kay Rule. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Minco, Oklahoma Horses: High Valor (“Valor”), 2009 gelding, Valiant Hero x Rare High x Rare Form
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $84,989.96
  • Rodeo Count: 62
  • NFR Qualifications: 3 (2019-21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $467,623
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 Champion Stephenville and Waxahachie, Texas; Pleasant Grove and Delta, Utah; Duncan, Oklahoma, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Bremerton, Washington; Helena, Montana. 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.

5. Jessica Routier

Jessica Routier
Jessica Routier. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Buffalo, South Dakota
  • Horses: Fiery Miss West (“Missy”), 2011 mare, Firewater Frenchman x Frenchmans Bo Dashus x Royal Quick Dash
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $78,847.28
  • Rodeo Count: 49
  • NFR Qualifications: 4 (2018–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $806,910
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 Champion Lawton, Oklahoma; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Aberdeen, South Dakota; Hastings, Nebraska; Wolf Point, Montana. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2021 Year-End Champion Badlands Circuit. 2020 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo average champion, 2017 and 2010 Badlands Circuit Champion, Fiery Miss West named 2017 Badlands Circuit Horse of the Year, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. 2003 College National Finals Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo, open and aged-event wins.

6. Cheyenne Wimberley

Cheyenne Wimberley
Cheyenne Wimberley. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Stephenville, Texas
  • Horses: VQ Sucker Punch (“Rocco”), 2011 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Honor This Nonstop x Mr Honor Bound; Streakin Images (“Lex”), 2010 mare, Pyron Six x Visual Images x Dashing Cleat; Dash Ta Suz (“Smooch”), 2011 mare, Dash Ta Fame x Six Moon Suz x Marthas Six Moons; Royal Blue Fame (“Chewy”), 2014 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Eyes Are Blue x Royal Blue Chew Chew; A Streak Ta The Moon (“Fragile”), 2016 mare, A Streak Of Fling x Dash Ta Suz x Dash Ta Fame
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $77,132.30
  • Rodeo Count: 77
  • NFR Qualifications: 5 (1997-98, 2019–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $527,866
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 Champion San Bernardino and Marysville, California; Levelland, Longview and Lufkin, Texas; Burwell, Nebraska; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2018 Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo Reserve Champion. Multiple pro rodeo, futurity, derby and open wins.

7. Amanda Welsh

Amanda Welsh
First-time NFR qualifier Amanda Welsh. Photo courtesy WPRA
  • Hometown: Gillette, Wyoming
  • Horses: Frenchman Fire Fly (“Firefly”), 2010 gelding, Frosty Frenchman x Princess Bar Dash x Hot Dasher; Frostys Tri Star (“Tri Star”), 2013 stallion, Frosty Frenchman x Bright Penny Star x Carlas Watch
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $76,919.48
  • Rodeo Count: 59
  • NFR Qualifi cations: 1 (2021)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $205,049
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

—> Read more: Road to the NFR with First-Timer Amanda Welsh

8. Nellie Miller

Nellie Miller
Nellie Miller. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Cottonwood, California
  • Horses: Rafter W Minnie Reba (“Sister”), 2008 mare, KS Cash N Fame x Espuela Roan x Blue Light Ike; Rebas Cash (“Cowboy”), 2011 gelding, KS Cash N Fame x Espuela Roan x Blue Light Ike
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $75,519.15
  • Rodeo Count: 47
  • NFR Qualifi cations: 5 (2010, 2017-19, 2021)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $969,715
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 Champion ProRodeo Tour Finale Salinas, California; Pecos, Texas. Reserve Champion Clovis, California. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo placings. 2020 Champion RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. 2017 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, 2017 NFR Average Champion. 2016 California Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion, multiple California Circuit Finals YearEnd titles, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Multiple pro rodeo wins.

9. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
15-time NFR qualifier Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Lampasas, Texas Horses: Babe On The Chase (“Birdie”), 2011 mare, Chasin Firewater x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six; Rock On Guys (“Lefty”), 2017 gelding, A Guy With Proof x Vital Rock x Firewaterontherocks; Ima Famous Babe (“Katniss”), 2013 mare, Dash Ta Fame x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six; A French Babe (“Elsa”), 2015 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $73,785.70
  • Rodeo Count: 92
  • NFR Qualifications: 15 (2003, 2005–13, 2017–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $3,153,257
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2020 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2021 Champion Santa Fe, New Mexico; Colfax, Washington; West Jordan, Utah; Burlington, Colorado; Prescott, Arizona. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2007 and 2009 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, 2006 and 2007 Wrangler NFR Average Champion. 2016 Mountain States Circuit Average Champion, two-time Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo champion. Set the U.S. record on a standard pattern on Kisskiss Bangbang. Multiple pro rodeo, futurity, derby and open wins.

—> Read more: Tonozzis at Top as EquiStat’s Lifetime Leading Owners

10. Emily Miller-Beisel

Emily Miller-Beisel
Emily Miller-Beisel. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Weatherford, Oklahoma
  • Horses: Namgis D 33 (“Chongo”), 2010 gelding, Bucks Hancock Dude x Track Goddess x Eyesa Special; Biddin On Fame (“Beau”), 2013 gelding, PC Frosty Bid x Jaxsons Olympic Fame x Poco Lijerito; Namgis D 35 (“Pipewrench”), 2010 gelding, Bucks Hancock Dude x Central Station x First Down Dash
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $73,473.14
  • Rodeo Count: 82
  • NFR Qualifications: 3 (2019–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $750,540 Recent Career Highlights: 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.

11. Stevi Hillman

Stevi Hillman
Stevi Hillman. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Weatherford, Texas
  • Horses: Cuatro Fame (“Truck”), 2007 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Princess Streaks x Streak Laico Bird; Famous Lemon Drop (“Barbie”), 2016 mare, First Down French x A Famous Lady x Dash Ta Fame; Imafrenchmanprincess (“Baby Flash”), 2011 mare, A Sharp Frenchman x Royalled Out x Lowell D Royal; French Zone (“Hollywood”), 2013 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Star Zone (TB) x Wild Zone (TB); Makana, 2015 mare, Slick By Design x Rods Last Ladybug x Sharp Rodney; Good Grief Girl (“Glitz”), 2014 mare, The Goodbye Lane x Dash N Down Town x Dash
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $71,178.49
  • Rodeo Count: 73
  • NFR Qualifications: 6 (2016–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,233,174
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

12. Ivy Saebens

Ivy Saebens
Ivy Saebens. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Nowata, Oklahoma
  • Horses: KN Fabs Gift Of Fame (“J-Lo”), 2009 mare, Frenchmans Fabulous x Mistys Dash Of Fame x Dash Ta Fame
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $70,806.08
  • Rodeo Count: 65
  • NFR Qualifications: 5 (2016–19, 2021)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,166,415
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

13. Wenda Johnson

Wenda Johnson
Wenda Johnson. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Pawhuska, Oklahoma
  • Horses: Macgyver Moonflash (“Mac”), 2013 gelding, First Moonflash x Touched By The Moon x Black Moons Arising; Steal Money (“Mo”), 2016 gelding, First Moonflash x Im Chica Stoli x Stoli; Dreams First Flash (“Flash”), 2012 gelding, First Moonflash x First Down Dream x First Down Dash
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $67,384.56
  • Rodeo Count: 25
  • NFR Qualifications: 2 (2020-21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $543,458
  • Recent Career Highlights: 2021 Champion Reno, Nevada; San Angelo and Coleman, Texas. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. Multiple RFD-TV’s The American qualifier. Multiple pro rodeo, open, futurity and derby wins.

14. Lisa Lockhart

Lisa Lockhart
15-time NFR qualifier Lisa Lockhart. Photo by Kenneth Springer
  • Hometown: Oelrichs, South Dakota
  • Horses: Rosas Cantina CC (“Rosa”), 2010 mare, Corona Cartel x Dash Ta Vanila x Dash Ta Fame; Prime Diamond (“Cutter”), 2011 gelding, Prime Talent x Hugos Diamond x Hugo Streakin; Promise Me Fame Guys (“Levee”), 2016 gelding, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Bar Blue Lass x FC Aboo
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $65,043.71
  • Rodeo Count: 68
  • NFR Qualifications: 15 (2007–21)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $2,752,133
  • Recent Career Highlights: Lifetime total NFR earnings leader with $1,283,093. 2021 Champion Abilene, Texas; Filer, Idaho; White Sulphur Springs, Montana; Othello, Washington. Multiple 2021 pro rodeo reserve championships and placings. 2016 and 2014 NFR Average Champion, 2015 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2019 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. 2018 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Average and Year-End Champion, 2016 Montana Circuit Champion, multiple Badlands Circuit Champion, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. 2014 and 2015 RFDTV’s The American Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo wins.

15. Molly Otto

Molly Otto
First-time NFR qualifier Molly Otto. Photo courtesy WPRA
  • Hometown: Grand Forks, North Dakota
  • Horses: Teasin Dat Guy (“Chewy”), 2016 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Teasin Jetolena x Blazin Jetolena; Sixappeal (“Jimmy”), 2013 gelding, More Nachos x Six It Up x Tres Seis
  • WPRA Season Earnings: $64,172.51
  • Rodeo Count: 77
  • NFR Qualifi cations: 1 (2021)
  • *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $433,890
  • Recent Career Highlights: 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.

—> Read more: Road to the NFR with First-Timer Molly Otto

Editor’s Note: *EquiStat Lifetime Earnings are as of reports pulled October 28, 2021, and include earnings
from events through August 2021. EquiStat only began recording WPRA rodeo earnings in 2010, therefore
some individual’s earnings may be signifi cantly more than reported through EquiStat.

Author

Blanche Schaefer is an avid barrel racer and managing editor of Barrel Horse News. Email comments or questions to [email protected]

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