SUMMARY IMAGE: STEVE WRUBEL PHOTOGRAPHY
Our barrel racing analyst, and host of Western Sports Round-Up, Janie Johnson breaks down the barrel racing at the 2020 NFR — hosted at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, a much larger venue than the Thomas & Mack with a standard pattern setup.
Janie points out that one of the big questions going into the Texas NFR was, how will the different setup affect the barrel racers and their horses?
It did require some adjustment, with several horses faltering on the third barrel in early rounds. But it didn’t seem to phase World Champion Hailey Kinsel and Sister.
The duo was an unstoppable force throughout all 10 days. Not only did they place in 8 out of the rounds, winning 5, they broke the WPRA record on a standard pattern (which Kinsel previously set in Dodge City this year).
“That run as emotional for a lot of people to watch,” says Janie. “It was one of the best barrel runs I have ever seen.”
“They were just an incredible team to watch this year and the barrel racing was arguably one of the best we’ve seen in years because it was so different.”
Janie looks back at Hailey’s best runs, including her record-setting run of 16.56 seconds, and breaks down the performances of standouts Emily Miller and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi.
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NFR 2020 World Champions Buckle Presentation
Hailey Kinsel and Sister Dominate at the NFR
