Dona Kay Rule and Valor have been a fan favorite at the National Finals Rodeo since their first qualification in 2019. They have qualified every year since bringing her total NFR qualifications to four.
Her rodeo season was different this year as Rule had hip surgery that required her to take some time off in the beginning of the summer. However, in true barrel racer fashion, she had a phenomenal winter that set her up perfectly to take that time to heal before she dominated her return.
Rule and Valor came back hot in Calgary and proceeded to lock in the No. 2 position in the WPRA World Standings for this year’s trip to Las Vegas. A Gold Buckle is within reach come December 1.
Look back at 2022 highlights for Rule.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, $31,000
In Bracket 3, Rule picked up a win in Round 3 but her total time in the Average earned her a spot in the Semifinals where a third-place finish moved her on to the Finals. It was a second place finish when it was all said and done but Rule’s total earnings were more than enough to keep her comfortably in the Top 15.
San Angelo Rodeo, $20,358
In San Angelo, Rule and Valor got faster with every run. A 15.48 got them second in the first round before the competition picked up in Round 2. A 14.28 would tie them for fifth in the round before Rule came back in the Final Round to smoke the competition with a 13.96-second run. Her time on three runs got her the event win and over $20,000.
FASTEST TIMES
Calgary Stampede, 16.95 Seconds
In the Semifinals of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, Rule would tie to run the fastest time of the entire rodeo with Kassie Mowry. Stopping the clock at 16.95, Rule and Valor proved that they did not lose a step when they made their return to the rodeo road.
NOTABLE WINS
Snake River Stampede, 31.84 Seconds on Two
Smooth and consistent was the key at the Snake River Stampede. Rule won the first round with a 15.85 before she tied to win the second round with a 15.99. Capitalizing in Idaho continued to keep Rule in the Top 5.
Caldwell Night Rodeo, 17.03 Seconds
In Caldwell, the Final Round was where Rule and Valor thrived. A 17.03-second run tied them to be the fastest run of the rodeo while also cinching them the round win. They would end up third overall in the Average.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES IS PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound