Article provided courtesy Women’s Professional Rodeo Association
WACO, TEXAS – The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals in Waco, Texas, is now underway. Next to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the WPRA World Finals is one of the biggest events of the year for the WPRA that attracts the highest caliber of barrel racers and female ropers from across the country.
While the WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer won’t be crowned until next month up the road in Arlington, Texas, at the Wrangler NFR many of the qualifiers are in Waco looking to get a head start on the 2021 rodeo season competing in the WPRA Card Holder Race. The first round took place on the morning of Friday, November 13 and it was a lucky day for Stephanie Fryar who took the round win.
It was a hometown win for Fryar, who hails from Waco, stopping the clock in 15.634 seconds. She made the flawless run aboard Some Streakin French and outdistanced 2020 WPRA Rookie of the Year Paige Jones. Jones of Wayne, Oklahoma, jockeyed High Cotton Lane to a second place finish in a time of 15.723.
Fryar picked up $2,282, while Jones pocketed $1,956. Prior to this weekend Fryar was ranked 28th in the 2021 WPRA World Standings, while Jones had yet to collect any money in the new season that started on October 1.
Two-time WPRA world champion Hailey Kinsel finished fourth in the round aboard DH Jess Stellar in a time of 15.788 seconds for $1,412. Kinsel will be looking for her third world title next month at the Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field. Emily Miller-Beisel, will be making her second Wrangler NFR appearance next month, but is already working on her 2021 NFR qualification finishing fifth in the first round of the card holder race in a time of 15.827 aboard Namgis D 33. Miller-Beisel pocketed $1,086 and will be looking to improve upon that in round two on Saturday, November 14 at 9:30 a.m. CT.
Other Wrangler NFR qualifiers in Waco this weekend but placing out of the money in the first round include: Jimmie Smith, Tiany Schuster, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Jill Wilson, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stevi Hillman, Shelley Morgan, Ryann Pedone, and Dona Kay Rule,
Money from the card holder race will count toward 2021 WPRA World Standings and top two in the average will earn a spot in RodeoHouston in March, as long as the event happens. All barrel racing action can be seen LIVE at www.goldbucklemedia.net and all draws and result links can be found at www.wpra.com.
While the barrel racers were bringing the heat in the Coliseum at Extraco Event Center, the ropers will be throwing down in the Show Pavilion with the first round starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.
WPRA Card Holder Race Results:
1. Stephanie Fryar, Some Streakin French, 15.634, $2,282
2. Paige Jones, High Cotton Lane, 15.723, $1,956
3. Kassie Mowry, Famous Ladies Man, 15.783, $1,630
4. Hailey Kinsel, DH Jess Stellar, 15.788, $1,412
5. Emily Miller-Beisel, Namgis D 33, 15.827, $1,086
6. Judi Reed, Southwestern Sixpack, 15.843, $869
7. Kelsey Treharne, VF Chasin Cans, 15.869, $652
8. Susan Smith, Dash Centerfold, 15.873, $435
9. Jordon Briggs, Famous Lil Jet, 15.895, $326
10. Victoria Williams, Three Jets Olena, 15.918, $217
