Just months after a traumatic accident forced her to miss the 2025 National Finals Rodeo, Anita Ellis delivered a powerful comeback moment wclinching the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo barrel racing title aboard SGL Rico with a 14.16-second run.
Ellis was the second cowgirl out in the Finals, and her 14.16 held through the remainder of the round to secure the $16,512 victory and the San Antonio championship.
The win marked a major milestone in Ellis’ return to competition following a severe accident in late 2025 that left her with multiple facial fractures and a traumatic brain injury, ultimately forcing her to turn out of the NFR. Ellis’ recovery required months away from competition while she worked through symptoms including dizziness and headaches.
For Ellis, simply being back in the arena this winter felt uncertain until just weeks ago.
“The biggest part of me running horses now is recovering my mind from everything that’s happened,” Ellis said after the win. “I have to sit and remind myself, ‘You’ve done this hundreds of times. You’re okay. You know how to ride.’”
Ellis said the lingering effects of the injury made it difficult to even return to riding early this year.
“The dizziness and all of that just made it feel impossible for me to get back on until about the 20th of January,” she said. “I didn’t know if it would even be possible.”
But slowly, the pieces began coming together again.
After easing back into riding and spending time getting her horses back into shape, Ellis arrived in San Antonio ready to try.
When she crossed the timer in 14.16 seconds on Rico, the moment felt almost surreal.
“I just sat there enjoying the moment,” Ellis said. “It felt so unreal to me that all the struggle that I’ve been through in the last three months — that I was even there at all and able to ride.”
Rico — registered as SGL Rico (The Goodbye Lane x Version Blue x Winners Version) — proved once again why he has become one of Ellis’ most trusted partners.
The gelding had not been ridden during much of Ellis’ recovery as she waited until she was physically ready to get back in the saddle herself.
“I didn’t have anybody else ride him,” Ellis said. “I like to do the work and I like them to know me.”
Instead, Rico maintained conditioning while Ellis recovered, including time at South Valley Equine using a water treadmill program before Ellis resumed riding.
When she finally returned to the arena with him, the partnership immediately clicked again.
“He just felt like his old self,” Ellis said. “He just always does what I ask him.”
Even with a packed indoor environment that included bulls, cattle and a loud crowd — factors that made Rico visibly anxious in the alleyway — the horse still delivered when it counted.
“He was really nervous,” Ellis said. “For him to perform like that, I was really proud of him.”
Ellis advanced through the San Antonio format after finishing among the money earners in Semifinal 2, where Hayle Stillwell and “Piper” claimed the round win. Ellis advanced alongside Katie Jo Halbert, Latricia Duke and Wenda Johnson.
In Semifinal 1, Carlee Otero topped the round with a 14.16 aboard Regina George to earn $5,504. Jordan Driver, Kathy Grimes and Emily Beisel also advanced based on total money won.
Morgan Bagnell claimed the Wild Card round aboard Sir Epic to secure the final spot in the championship round.
In the Finals, Ellis’ 14.16 ultimately held up for the title.
Hayle Stillwell and Piper finished second with a 14.23 worth $11,000, while Emily Beisel and Liza and Latricia Duke and Carlos split third and fourth.
Ellis finished the rodeo as the top money earner with $24,768, followed by Stillwell with $20,365. Duke earned $11,559, Beisel finished with $11,558 and Brittany Tonozzi rounded out the top five with $10,457.
The San Antonio win launched Ellis up the early 2026 world standings to No. 3 in the WPRA World Standings with $29,742.24.
For Ellis, the victory carried meaning far beyond the paycheck or standings boost.
After months of recovery and uncertainty, the moment represented a return to the rodeo life she loves — and to a community that supported her through the entire process.
“It just makes me really happy to be back among everyone,” Ellis said. “Through the last three and a half months I had so many people in the rodeo community tell me they were praying for me. I’m really thankful for that.”
With Rico underneath her and momentum back on her side, Ellis now looks ahead to the rest of the 2026 rodeo season focused primarily on ProRodeo competition.
But Sunday night in San Antonio was a reminder of just how quickly things can change — and how meaningful a single run can be.
“I just felt really proud,” Ellis said. “Of my family, my horses and everything we’ve gotten through.”