The Stephenville, Texas, cowgirl, Cheyenne Wimberley has made multiple trips to the National Finals Rodeo–first in 1997 and most recently in 2021—but she recently swapped her strategy up to focus on revenue avenues outside of ProRodeo like WCRA and various incentive events.
Wimberley’s had a front row seat to all the rodeo and barrel racing changes throughout the years, which includes the economic factors.
“When I won (The Calgary Stampede in 1998, I won $50,000, plus another $10,000 in the rounds,” Wimberley said. “If you look back at what it paid to win it this year, it’s the same and we’re in 2024. We used to say, you make about 90 cents on the dollar, but with inflation, I can’t say that anymore. It’s all so expensive.”
In the year 2024, Wimberley isn’t the only barrel racer who’s feeling the economic hurt from factors far outside the control of the Western industry. Many ProRodeo athletes have begun prioritizing events like the World Champions Rodeo Alliance’s majors, Womens Rodeo Championships or opted to set goals on the futurity and derby trail to bank dollars, as opposed to pounding the pavement full-time to chase circuit finals or NFR qualifications.
While Wimberley was on her most NFR qualifying spree, her elder NFR mount, Dash Ta Suz was helping raise a pair of rockstar siblings at home by $11 million sire, A Streak Of Fling: the 2016 model A Streak Ta The Moon and 2017’s Fast Flingin Dash.
But rather than hitting the road with the young duo when they came of running age and proved to be winners, Wimberley’s been busy making bank from week-long races on a small number of runs. It’s paid off to the tune of $135,714 for A Streak Ta The Moon and $278,622 for Fast Flingin Dash, or “Blue Duck.”
That’s $414,336 in recorded QData earnings on two horses, both with less than four years of competition runs under their belt.
While the siblings have won big at events like the Ruby and Pink Buckle, they’ve also leveraged incentives like The Diamond Classic, Royal Crown and Breeder’s Challenge and placed at major futurities and derbies.
But for Blue Duck, a big chunk of the QData recorded money during his 6-year-old season came from the 2023 Women’s Rodeo World Championship in Fort Worth, awarding the Stephenville cowgirl $63,400 on only four runs.
“That win was great because I was only 75 miles from the house,” Wimberley said. “I didn’t have a huge amount of money out of pocket to get there either. I don’t go for the bonus during the year like Ryann Pedone and other girls, so I don’t spend near as much money. The finals on its own paid $60,000.”
When the cutoff for the NFR was over $100,000 this year, the thought of banking big bucks in one location with great contestant treatment can be strong for contestants.
“The last couple of years I haven’t rodeoed full time, but if I want to go to a rodeo that has great competition, I can go to a WCRA event,” Wimberley said. “Anyone can enter and it’s progressive…I love that part of it. It allows people like me to stay in the game.”
Wimberley, staying true to her no-frills advice that’s made her one of the top coaches on Ride TV, was sure to remind fans that however lucrative the prize at the end might be, that it’s still a gamble when you bet on the high-stakes runs.
“I went back this year and didn’t win a dime,” Wimberley said. “It’s still rodeo and it’s a rollercoaster. You win and you lose, and you give it right back.”
Learn from Cheyenne Wimberley on Ride TV
- Cheyenne Wimberley’s Barrel Racing Masterclass
- Cheyenne Wimberley Equinety Barn Check
- Correct vs. Incorrect First Barrel Position
About the Women’s Rodeo Championships
The Women’s Rodeo Championships events, including the formerly branded Women’s Rodeo World Championships are exclusive to women and offer barrel racing, team roping, breakaway roping and most recently added goat tying.
In 2025, the goat tying will feature a collegiate showcase at the May event. Pro, Challenger and Limited divisions in the team roping, breakaway roping and barrel racing will categorize athletes based on skill level and lifetime earnings into classes.
“Even if I didn’t win anything last year, I think the WRWC is the best event in Women’s Rodeo.”
“They allow anyone to enter, and they give a great presentation,” Wimberley said. “They try to spoil you while you’re there, and they pay big at the end. There aren’t a lot of places you can go in a four or five-day period do something like that. I mean, it’s an event that you know that you’re appreciated and that they’re trying to make it better. I don’t see that in every event. It even makes me want a team rope. You can go and enter at your level and they’re going to pay you.”
To qualify for the WRWC event held in Fort Worth, Texas, May 12-14, 2025, it’s as simple as nominating events through the Virtual Rodeo Qualifier system. Once you have nominated your event, you can earn points, cash bonuses and qualify for the Women’s Rodeo World Championship.
