Emily Beisel and the superstar mare, Ivory On Fire, “Liza,” notched the $30,706.41 victory in the Wednesday matinee performance of the 2023 NFR and Round 6.

Since Emily Beisel climbed aboard Liza in Round 2 and jockeyed her through the next five rounds of competition, the 7-year-old mare has earned a total of $75,044.75 inside the Thomas & Mack arena and placed in four out of five rounds.

“I’m so proud of her,” Beisel said. “We’ve known she was capable of performing on this kind of stage, but you don’t really know until you put them in the situation. She’s handled it.”

Beisel had an impressive leg lift on the backside of Liza’s left-handed first barrel to keep it standing, keeping up with the mare’s impressive foot speed thanks to her signature emergency move.

“When she turns a first barrel like that,” Beisel said. “I just try to stay out of her way. Then she snaked around the second.”

Ironically, it was Namgis D 33, “Chongo,” and Beisel who split the Round 6 win with Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Babe On The Chase in 2022. Tonight it was Liza’s turn, while Tonozzi jumped aboard Birdie for the red mare’s first run of the 2023 NFR. Despite Liza’s success in the iconic Las Vegas arena, Beisel has faced criticism in person and on social media during the first half of the NFR after making the decision to step aboard her grey gelding, Namgis D 33, “Chongo,” after he felt less than 100% in the first round of NFR competition.

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“I know he’s got a huge fan base, but I didn’t realize how ruthless his fans are. They’re his fans, not mine or Liza’s, so sometimes I feel bad. But I’ve got to do what’s best for Chongo. He doesn’t owe me anything.”

Beisel has yet to make a horse decision on Round 7, which kicks off at 6:45 p.m. PST Wednesday evening, just hours after the end of the sixth round, which started at 10 a.m. PST.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Beisel said. “I might just flip a coin.”

• 😲Wait, There’s TWO NFR Performances on Wednesday? Here’s How to Watch.

Stay tuned for full story and interview on The Money Barrel podcast.

• Liza’s Time: Beisel and Ivory On Fire Earn $43,250 at 2023 Governor’s Cup
• NFR Barrel Racing Round 6 Cheat Sheet

NFR Round 6 barrel racing Results