The winter run has come to an end. With Red Bluff and Clovis completed as well, here are the biggest standout moments in barrel racing from the Cowboy Channel’s Texas Tour.
1. Jordon Briggs & Rollo stay at the top
The reigning World Champion and the 2021 Barrel Horse of the Year are staying unbeatable. After only hitting nine rodeos the entire year and capturing a win at Rodeo Houston, Briggs and Rollo have a huge lead going into the summer run.
2. Wenda Johnson doubles down to break Fort Worth Arena record twice
Johnson came into the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Bracket Seven and shut the clock off at 16.17 to not only become the fastest run of the rodeo but to break the arena record. After finishing No. 4 in the first set of Semifinals and cinching her spot in the Final Round, Johnson and Mac went on to break their own record that had been standing for just five days. The duo dominated the Dickies Arena to set a new record of 16.08 seconds.
WENDA JOHNSON FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO 16.08 FINAL ROUND
3. Sissy Winn making big push for first NFR
Winn’s winter was one of the best she’s ever had. She qualified for the Final Round at both the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo along with the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Her horse, Chewy seemed to thrive in the indoor pens earning her enough to hold steady in the top ten in the WPRA World Standings.
4. Stevi Hillman stays steady and consistent
Hillman’s Texas Tour came with success in Fort Worth and Houston but the six-time National Finals Rodeo cowgirl latest win came from Red Bluff Roundup in California. She also took home the win in Oakdale, California moving her into a steady position before they take off on the summer run
5. Dona Kay Rule and Valor demolished the competition in San Angelo
Rule and Valor are a fan favorite and they showed up in every way at the San Angelo Rodeo. Not only did she beat her Round One time by almost two full seconds but the pair took home a big win after being the only ones to make a sub 14 second run.
DONA KAY RULE SAN ANGELO RODEO
6. Emma Charleston making it count
Charleston has won checks in all the right places this winter. It started in Denver and carried on in San Antonio and Houston. At Rodeo Houston she took home over $9,000 in just the barrel racing. Charleston is one to watch in both women’s events.
7. Shannon McReynolds leaves it all in arena every time
McReynolds caught everyone’s eye at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo right after she cashed in a second-place finish in Odessa, Texas. When it came time for the Texas Tour, the New Mexico cowgirl would have success in San Antonio, Houston and San Angelo making it so that she is sitting No. 7 in the world and gunning for the NFR.
8. Hailey Kinsel bringing more horsepower to the table
Kinsel and Sister have stayed doing what they are good at… winning. However, Kinsel has recently brought out multiple horses at the pro rodeos that are not as high profile as her palomino mare. Kinsel and Jules had success while Kinsel and Addy worked on figuring each other out. It is safe to say that the three-time World Champion’s trailer is loaded down with speed.
9. Bayleigh Choate is putting the pedal to the metal during her rookie year
Choate is a rookie stacked with horsepower. She hit her stride for 2022 in Florida but came back to Rodeo Austin and pulled a check before she did the same thing in San Angelo. Choate is also a part of the Cowboy Channel Rookie Roundup where a win could mean big moves in the Rookie Standings.
BAYLEIGH CHOATE 15.33 RODEO AUSTIN
10. Take a look at the current 2022 Barrel Racing Standings.
