RodeoHouston barrel racing is currently center stage in the ProRodeo barrel community, running from Feb. 27 – Mar. 17 at NRG Stadium.

RodeoHouston promises the largest payout in one ProRodeo for barrel racers—a tempting $50,000 grand prize. And in 2024, that prize belonged to Leslie Smalygo and JustAHeartBeatTaFame, the 2022 NFR-qualifying team that posted two of the fastest times in the entire tournament in Sunday’s two rounds of competition.

RodeoHouston Barrel Racing results

Finals

1. Leslie Smalygo, 14.35 seconds, $50,000; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 14.54, $20,000; 3. Paige Jones, 14.71, $10,000; 4. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 19.94, $5,500.

Wildcard Round 2

1. Kassie Mowry, 14.43 seconds, $3,000; 2. Preslie Reid, 14.50, $2,000; 3. Emily Beisel, 14.61, $1,000; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 14.68, $750; 5. Sara Winkleman, 15.17, $500; 6. Jessica Routier, NT, $500. 

Advancing: Kassie Mowry

Wildcard Round 1

The Wildcard round belonged to Sissy Winn and A R Dash Ta Flame, “Scoop,” after their 14.64-second run. They earned $3,000 and will return during Sunday’s finals. Dona Kay Rule and High Valor turned in an impressive 14.67 at the top of the ground, but will return home with $2,000 in their pocket from the Wildcard.

1. Sissy Winn, 14.64 seconds, $3,000; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 14.67, $2,000; 3. Halyn Lide, 14.97, $1,000; 4. Shelley Morgan, 14.98, $750; 5. Grace Gardiner, 20.27, $500; 6. Ilyssa Riley, 26.39, $500.

Advancing: Sissy Winn

Semifinals II

Stevi Hillman and Cuatro Fame notched another Round win inside NRG Stadium during Semifinals II in 14.62 seconds. Behind her was Leslie Smalygo and JustAHeartBeatTaFame, “Gus,” in 14.76. Also punching their tickets to Sunday was Megan McLeod-Sprague and Lisa Lockhart.

 1. Stevi Hillman, 14.62 seconds, $3,000; 2. Leslie Smalygo, 14.76, $2,000; 3. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 14.78, $1,000; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 14.81, $750; 5. Sissy Winn, 14.87; 6. Preslie Reid, 14.89; 7. Jessica Routier, 14.93; 8. Halyn Lide, 15.13; 9. Kassie Mowry, 21.53; 10. Ilyssa Riley, 23.53.

Semifinals I

Hayle Gibson shocked the crowd from last on the ground in Semifinals I on her long-strided bay, cashing in for $3,000.

 1. Hayle Gibson, 14.76 seconds, $3,000; 2. Paige Jones, 14.80, $2,000; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 14.86, $1,000; 4. Andrea Busby, 14.92, $750.

Super Series V

Megan McLeod-Sprague and Seis Corona, “Jag,” got comfortable in a hurry at RodeoHouston, winning the first round in 14.71 seconds and second in the second round. Their $5,000 in earnings were unofficially enough to put them No. 1 coming out of the Super Series. Behind McLeod-Sprague, Stevi Hillman and Hayle Gibson were both ultra-consistent, with Gibson also notching the third round victory, to advance with $4,000 each. In the No. 4 position unofficially in the round, Emily Beisel and “Liza,” the second round champions also punched their Semifinals ticket.

First round: 1. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 14.71 seconds, $3,000; 2. Stevi Hillman, 14.85, $2,000; 3. Summer Kosel, 14.94, $1,000; 4. Wenda Johnson, 15.18, $750; 5. Margo Crowther, 15.26, $500; 6. Hayle Gibson, 15.66, $250. Second round: 1. Emily Beisel, 14.65 seconds, $3,000; 2. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 14.89, $2,000; 3. Summer Kosel, 14.96, $1,000; 4. Hayle Gibson, 14.97, $750; 5. Margo Crowther, 15.00, $500; 6. Molly Otto, 15.08, $250. Third round: 1. Hayle Gibson, 14.73 seconds, $3,000; 2. Stevi Hillman, 14.79, $2,000; 3. Wenda Johnson, 14.93, $1,000; 4. Margo Crowther, 15.12, $750; 5. Emily Beisel, 15.14, $500; 6. Summer Kosel, 15.24, $250.

UNOFFICIALLY ADVANCING: 1. Megan McLeod-Sprague, $5,000 2/3. Stevi Hillman $4,000 2/3. Hayle Gibson, $4,000 4. Emily Beisel, $3,500

Super Series IV

Super Series IV saw a cutthroat mix of barrel racers. The first round went to 2024 NWSSR co-champions, Halyn Lide and “Keeper.”

Next up, Shelley Morgan and the fan-favorite mare, “Kiss,” were back on top after Kiss took time off in 2023 due to injury, and they placed no worse than second in all three rounds to lead the SS to the Semifinals with $7,000 earned. Sissy Winn and “Scoop,” won the third and final round of the section to lock in their spot, and htey also placed in all three rounds to advance with $6,000. Lide took the third-place advancing position, and Rachelle Riggers picked up $1,500 on “Magic,” to lock in the final position.

First round: 1. Halyn Lide, 14.71 seconds, $3,000; 2. Shelley Morgan, 14.92, $2,000; 3. Sissy Winn, 15.01, $1,000; 4. Rachelle Riggers, 15.03, $750; 5. Keyla Polizello Costa, 15.16, $500; 6. Jackie Ganter, 15.33, $250. Second round: 1. Shelley Morgan, 14.78 seconds, $3,000; 2. Sissy Winn, 14.84, $2,000; 3. Halyn Lide, 15.00, $1,000; 4. Rachelle Riggers, 15.06, $750; 5. Keyla Polizello Costa, 15.59, $500; 6. Grace Gardiner, 15.60, $250. Third round: 1. Sissy Winn, 14.56 seconds, $3,000; 2. Shelley Morgan, 14.74, $2,000; 3. (tie) Halyn Lide and Grace Gardiner, 14.77, $875 each; 5. Sue Smith, 14.82, $500; 6. Jackie Ganter, 15.07, $250.
Semifinal qualifiers: 1. Shelley Morgan, $7,000; 2. Sissy Winn, $6,000; 3. Halyn Lide, $4,875; 4. Rachelle Riggers, $1,500.

Super Series III

Ilyssa Riley and Mistys Money Blurr had a stellar showing in RodeoHouston Super Series III, winning two out of three rounds in 14.63 and 14.56 seconds, respectively, and placing in another round to lead the section to the Semifinals with $6,500 on the books. Kassie Mowry also kept her momentum rolling from her 14.64-second win in the first performance to bank a total of $4,000 and advance in the second-place position. Splitting third and fourth was Hailey Kinsel and RodeoHouston rookie, Sara Winkelman.

First round: 1. Kassie Mowry, 14.64 seconds, $3,000; 2. Hailey Kinsel, 14.82, $2,000; 3. Sara Winkelman, 15.15, $1,000; 4. Lakken Bice, 15.27, $750; 5. Ilyssa Riley, 15.35, $500; 6. Kelly Allen, 15.41, $250. Second round: 1. Ilyssa Riley, 14.63 seconds, $3,000; 2. Abby Phillips, 14.74, $2,000; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 14.84, $1,000; 4. Sara Winkelman, 15.04, $750; 5. Lakken Bice, 15.14, $500; 6. Kelly Allen, 15.36, $250. Third round: 1. Ilyssa Riley, 14.56 seconds, $3,000; 2. Sara Winkelman, 14.81, $2,000; 3. Kassie Mowry, 14.83, $1,000; 4. Hailey Kinsel, 14.88, $750; 5. Carlee Otero, 14.91, $500; 6. Kelly Allen, 14.97, $250.

Semifinal qualifiers: 1. Ilyssa Riley, $6,500; 2. Kassie Mowry, $4,000; 3. (tie) Sara Winkelman and Hailey Kinsel, $3,750 each.

Super Series II

The second Super Series at RodeoHouston started off with Preslie Reid and Streakin French Star, “Carlos,” a 2014 Streakin Boon Dox x French Stars by Frenchmans Guy winning in 14.69 seconds. Dona Kay Rule placed in Round 1, but came back .4 of a second faster to win Round 2 on High Valor in 14.71. The third round went to Leslie Smalygo on JustAHeartBeatTaFame, “Gus,” for the win. Smalygo ended up winning $6,000 total and the coveted Super Series champion guitar. Dona Kay Rule, Preslie Reid and Andrea Busby will also advance from Super Series II to the Semifinals.

First round: 1. Preslie Reid, 14.69 seconds, $3,000; 2. Leslie Smalygo, 14.70, $2,000; 3. Latricia Duke, 15.03, $1,000; 4. Dona Kay Rule, 15.15, $750; 5. Andrea Busby, 15.24, $500; 6. Tarryn Lee, 15.26, $250. Second round: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 14.71 seconds, $3,000; 2. Andrea Busby, 14.82, $2,000; 3. Leslie Smalygo, 14.85, $1,000; 4. (tie) Latricia Duke and Tarryn Lee, 14.87, $625 each; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.89, $250. Third round: 1. Leslie Smalygo, 14.61 seconds, $3,000; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 14.68, $2,000; 3. Preslie Reid, 14.69, $1,000; 4. Latricia Duke, 14.82, $750; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.84, $500; 6. Andrea Busby, 14.90, $250.

Semifinal qualifiers: 1. Leslie Smalygo, $6,000; 2. Dona Kay Rule, $5,750; 3. Preslie Reid, $4,000; 4. Andrea Busby, $2,750. 

Super Series I

Super Series I is in the books for 2024. Paige Jones and Bazinga kicked things off with a 14.85-second round win, worth $3,000. But after that, it was the Lisa Lockhart and Rosas Cantina CC, “Rosa,” that took the reins, winning the remaining rounds in 14.50 and 14.57 seconds and banking $6,000.

Jessica Routier and Ashley Castleberry will join Lockhart and Jones in the Semifinals.

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Paige Jones, 14.85 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jimmie Smith, 14.97, $2,000; 3. Jessica Routier, 15.01, $1,000; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 15.12, $750; 5. Ashley Castleberry, 15.18, $500; 6. Taycie Matthews, 15.34, $250. Second round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 14.50 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jessica Routier, 14.57, $2,000; 3. Paige Jones, 14.63, $1,000; 4. Skyla Peters, 15.03, $750; 5. Stephanie Fryar, 15.21, $500; 6. Jimmie Smith, 19.51, $250. Third round: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 14.57 seconds, $3,000; 2. Ashley Castleberry, 14.65, $2,000; 3. Jessica Routier, 14.87, $1,000; 4. Stephanie Fryar, 14.96, $750; 5. Skyla Peters, 15.24, $500; 6. Paige Jones, 19.85, $250.

Semifinal qualifiers: 1. Lisa Lockhart, $6,750; 2. Paige Jones, $4,250; 3. Jessica Routier, $4,000; 4. Ashley Castleberry, $2,500.

RodeoHouston Barrel Racing Format

As RodeoHouston progresses, the competition will get tougher and tougher. The rodeo uses a tournament-style format they call the Super Series.

There are 40 top competitors going head-to-head in each events. Now, here’s the breakdown: the series is split into five parts, each with three rounds, and there are nine contestants in each round.

Now, the real action starts when the nine contestants are whittled down to the top four and move on to the two Semifinals. From there, it’s a race to the championship for the top four from each Semifinal.

The six remaining competitors from each Semifinal get another shot in the two Wildcard rounds. Only the top dog from each Wildcard moves forward to the Championship.

In the Championship, it’s a showdown with 10 athletes giving it their all. And here’s the kicker: the top four in each event get one more ride in the Shootout Round for $50,000.

Where to watch RodeoHouston Barrel Racing:

RodeoHouston is available to watch every night on Cowboy Channel +.

Super Series III

3/4–3/6

• Kelly Allen
• Sara Winkelman
• Ilyssa Riley
• Abby Phillips
• Carlee Otero
• Lakken Bice
• Kassie Mowry
• Hailey Kinsel

Super Series IV

3/7–3/9

• Sue Smith
• Shelley Morgan
• Jackie Ganter
• Halyn Lide
• Keyla Costa
• Rachelle Riggers
• Grace Gardiner
• Sissy Winn

Super Series V

3/10–3/12

• Stevi Hillman
• Wenda Johnson
• Emily Beisel
• Summer Kosel
• Hayle Gibson
• Molly Otto
• Megan McLeod-Sprague
• Margo Crowther