Leslie Smalygo was first out in the barrel race on Thursday night at the NFR Open and she stopped the clock at 17.27 seconds to beat the mark Shelley Morgan set Wednesday and win Round 1.
“I never thought I’d be able to do this, I thought it was just a pipe dream, I was always told by my parents to get a job, but being in the 4Ds and stuff, that didn’t settle with me,” Smalygo said. “It’s so intimidating being against the best and I just hold my breath whenever Jordan (Briggs) runs, I know it’s not over.”
Smalygo won about $5,000 for her round win and is in the mix for an NFR qualification after she jumped to No. 20 following her wins at The Cody Stampede (Wyoming) and Home of Champions Rodeo (Montana) over the Fourth of July.
The NFR Open continues through the tournament style Short Round on July 16. You can watch it all on The Cowboy Channel and PRCA on Cowboy Channel+.
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