From Georgia slot races to Petco Park showdowns, Montana and First Frontier Circuit Finals, and a first-time IPRA world champion crowned inside the Lazy E, barrel racing covered serious ground this week.
January is proving there is no true offseason anymore.
Listen to the full episode below.
Fabulous 50K – Unadilla, Georgia
Georgia kicked off a money-heavy month at the Southeastern Arena.
Open Slot Race
- 1D: Abbey Napier – I Dont Kare (Triple Vodka x Sugar Shine Magic) | $4,869
- 2D: Amie Tyre – Master Heidi Flys | $2,087
Napier also rolled her winning time to capture the Youth 1D.
Futurity
- 1D: Taylor Carver – A Bit of French Fame | $2,457
- 2D: Courtney Reinbott – Mastermind | $1,053
Carver finished as high-money earner of the weekend, banking over $18,000 across multiple horses.
Brandon’s Barrel Bash – Ocala, Florida
Ocala delivered across futurity, derby and open divisions.
Futurity
- Round 1: Taylor Carver – A Bit of French Fame
- Round 2: Austin Hodges – Money Makerr
Carver secured the 1D average, while Meghann Daniel claimed the 2D.
Derby
- Round 1: Taylor Carver – Proud Easy N Famous
- Average: Angel Miller – Whiskey Lit The Fire
Open Fast Time
Shaeley Jenkins posted a 14.0 aboard Hez Dashin for Money for $2,151 and captured the 1D average.
San Diego Rodeo – Petco Park
Twelve invited competitors competed inside Petco Park.
Round Highlights
- Round 1: Hailey Kinsel – TR Judges Doll (“Reese”)
- Round 2: Hayle Gibson-Stillwell – RDC Dancingtothelead (“Fancy”)
Megan McLeod-Sprague secured her finals position by winning the 8-man round aboard Ticket Ta Heaven.
Four-Man Final
- Hayle Gibson-Stillwell – $20,000
- Megan McLeod-Sprague – $15,000
- Hailey Kinsel – $10,000
Gibson-Stillwell capitalized on consistency to lock down the overall win.
Montana Circuit Finals – Great Falls
Tayla Moeykens delivered standout 12.6 and 12.7-second runs in the small arena to win Rounds 1 and 3.
Tana Gardner claimed Round 2 and the aggregate aboard A Frenchmans Ledeux to leave Great Falls with $8,076.
Ashley Day maintained her No. 1 position to win the Montana Circuit year-end aboard Flash N Dynamite (“Pearl”).
First Frontier Circuit Finals – Harrisburg
The richest of the 13 circuit finals paid $2,500 per round win.
Round winners:
- Karissa Landis
- Stephanie Dyer
- Willie Horzepa
- Nicole Davidson
Willie Horzepa claimed the average and secured her NFR Open qualification, earning over $10,677 on the weekend and jumping from No. 4 to No. 1 in the year-end standings.
International Finals Rodeo – Guthrie, Oklahoma
The Lazy E hosted the IPRA Finals, requiring $21,600 to qualify.
Round wins went to:
- Payton Askins (Rounds 1 & 2)
- Josie Thompson (Round 3)
- Brandie Inman (Round 4)
Brandie Inman capitalized on her Round 4 win to move from No. 5 in the standings to capture her first IPRA World Title. Askins secured the aggregate championship.
Incentive Updates: Ruby Buckle 9 & Older Nomination
The Ruby Buckle introduced a 9 & Older nomination option for 2026.
Eligibility includes horses 9 years and older sired by any stallion that has ever been enrolled in the Ruby Buckle program.
These horses now gain access to major payouts, including:
- $600,000 Open 5D
- $100,000 Owner/Rider 5D
- $1,375,000 Hay Chix Open 5D
- $300,000 Owner/Rider
- Youth, Non-Pro, Senior and additional sidepots
Officials clarified this is an annual accommodation and does not replace standard nomination requirements.
Details are available at therubybuckle.com.
Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo – Odessa
Julie Plourde continued her momentum, winning Odessa with a 14.38 aboard Wateverock RC for $6,012.
Winter stock show season is underway.
What It Means
- Slot races and early futurities are producing five-figure weekends nationwide.
- Circuit Finals are already shaping NFR Open qualifiers.
- San Diego continues to elevate winter rodeo payouts.
- Ruby Buckle’s aged horse option expands competitive eligibility.
- January shows there is no geographic “center” to barrel racing — it’s active everywhere.
Key Takeaways
- Hayle Gibson-Stillwell earned $20K in San Diego.
- Brandie Inman claimed her first IPRA World Title.
- Taylor Carver topped $18K in Georgia.
- Willie Horzepa punched her NFR Open ticket.
- Ruby Buckle expanded eligibility with 9 & Older nominations.
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