Get to know the top 15 barrel racers from the International Professional Rodeo Association’s regular season who will compete in International Finals Rodeo 55 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, at the Lazy E Arena on Jan. 16-18, 2025.
For the 55th year, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) will host the thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR), set for Jan. 16-19, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the IPRA’s best athletes.
During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off throughout four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports-the IPRA World Championship, and a piece of the impressive $500,000 total payout.
Meet the lineup (biography information courtesy IPRA)
1. Kindyl Scruggs
Kindyl Scruggs, of Southaven, Mississippi, earned $41,229 this season to secure her spot in the top 15 barrel racers heading to the International Finals Rodeo 2025. Born Oct. 31, 1991, Scruggs has been competing professionally since 2014 and claimed the 2016 IPRA World Championship. She holds degrees in business management and agricultural business from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Scruggs has competed at premier events such as the Women’s Rodeo World Championship and the St-Tite Rodeo in Canada. Her equine partner, “Melrose Chrome,” a 10-year-old sorrel Quarter Horse gelding, has been a key factor in her success.
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2. Taylor Finley
Taylor Finley, of Scipio, Indiana, earned $36,165 this season to qualify for the IFR. Born June 16, 1994, Finley balances her career in the aerospace supply chain at Rolls-Royce with her passion for barrel racing. A business management graduate from Indiana University, she competes on two standout horses: Stella, a 5-year-old mare who overcame pneumonia and lung surgery, and River, a cow-bred pony known for determination. Finley’s ability to develop underdog horses has been a hallmark of her career.
3. Julie Goodrich
Julie Goodrich, of Humboldt, Tennessee, enters IFR 2025 with $33,430 in season earnings. Born Aug. 3, 1964, Goodrich is a teacher, horse trainer, and veteran barrel racer with five IFR qualifications to her name. A graduate of Mississippi State University with a master’s degree in education, she shares her passion for rodeo with her husband, Cliff Goodrich, a 19-time IFR qualifier, and their son, Chism. Goodrich will compete aboard “Credit Ta Heaven,” an 11-year-old bay Quarter Horse mare noted for her responsiveness and drive.
4. Mariel Sanders (Rookie)
Mariel Sanders, of Saltville, Virginia, earned $29,514 in her rookie season to secure a place at IFR 2025. Sanders overcame significant challenges this year, including vision loss in one eye and health setbacks for her horse, “A Tipsy Gypsy” (Tipsy). Despite these obstacles, the duo persevered, with Sanders crediting the support of her rodeo community for helping her achieve her goals. As she heads to the Lazy E Arena, Sanders reflects on her journey, emphasizing faith and resilience in her return to competition.
5. Josie Thompson
Josie Thompson, of Decatur, Tennessee, earned $27,282 this season to qualify for the International Finals Rodeo. Born Sept. 18, 2009, Thompson is a young standout in barrel racing and breakaway roping. She began competing in the IPRA in 2021 and has already earned three IFR qualifications. Her trusted mounts, “Famousjeff” and “TF Famous Sparky,” are both sorrel geldings by Famous Bugs, known for their consistency and grit. Thompson’s favorite event is the IPRA rodeo held near her home, where she draws inspiration from her mother, Lacey Thompson.
6. Julie Thomas
Julie Thomas, of Ranger, Georgia, secured $27,044 in earnings this season to qualify for her sixth IFR. A member of the IPRA since 2019, Thomas is a three-time IPRA World Champion. She credits her success this year to her equine partner, “The Cool Zippy Zari” (Amos). Thomas, a graduate of West Texas A&M, works as an assistant principal and is the mother of two children, Tate and Logan.
7. Brandie Inman (Rookie)
Brandie Inman, of Nowata, Oklahoma, earned $20,481 this season, qualifying for her first IFR as an IPRA rookie. Inman, an accountant and graduate of Rogers State University, enjoys problem-solving with challenging barrel horses. Married to her husband, Cody, she balances her professional career with her passion for rodeo, fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
8. Emily Williams
Emily Williams, of Boyd, Texas, earned $20,093 this season to secure her spot at IFR 2025. Born June 3, 2003, Williams graduated with an accounting degree from Weatherford College. A first-generation rodeo athlete, she joined the IPRA in 2023 and is quickly making her mark in the sport.
9. Mary Brooks
Mary Brooks, of Proctor, Arkansas, earned $18,655.62 this season, qualifying for her fourth IFR. An equine insurance agent and animal lover, Brooks is commonly seen on the rodeo trail with her beloved two corgis, “Shortgo” and “Pete.” She competes on two sibling mounts, “Bandit” and “Donald,” who have been key to her success this season.
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10. Cari Titsworth
Cari Titsworth, of McAlester, Oklahoma, earned $18,655.00 this season to qualify for IFR 2025. A member of the IPRA since 2010, Titsworth holds a degree in agricultural economics from Oklahoma State University and works for the USDA. She is married to fellow IPRA competitor John Allen and is the mother of two children, Layne and Cianna. Titsworth credits her success to the support of her traveling partners, friends, and family.
11. Kelly Turgeon (Rookie)
Kelly Turgeon, of L’Épiphanie, Quebec, earned $17,908 this season to qualify for IFR 2025. A first-generation cowgirl, Turgeon balances her career in aesthetics and horse training with her passion for barrel racing. She remains dedicated to the sport and the Western lifestyle that fuels her success in the arena
12. Nicole Helm
Nicole Helm, of La Vergne, Tennessee, earned $17,829 this season to secure her spot at the International Finals Rodeo 2025. Born Dec. 16, 1984, Helm began competing in 2021 and is now a three-time IFR qualifier. She has competed at prominent events such as the Garden City Rodeo in Kansas and the Utica Rodeo in New York. Despite breaking her ankle last year, Helm remains committed to her rodeo career. She competes aboard “KT Sippin On Fire” (Llama), a 10-year-old palomino mare known for her speed and distinct personality. Outside the arena, Helm balances her nursing career, family life, and hobbies, which include cooking and reading.
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13. Ashley Ketron
Ashley Ketron, of Columbus, Indiana, earned $17,633 this season to qualify for her fourth consecutive IFR. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Ketron works as a project coordinator. She was named IPRA Rookie of the Year in 2021. Ketron, married to her husband, David, is the mother of three children, Addalyn, Collin, and Ethan.
14. Mairika Morin (Rookie)
Mairika Morin, of St-Victoire-de-Sorel, Quebec, earned $17,366 this season to qualify for IFR 2025. A member of the IPRA since 2022, Morin was crowned the 2024 Canadian IPRA Champion. She will compete alongside her partner, IFR55 bareback rider Andy Chalifour, as they represent Canada at the Lazy E Arena.
15. Bayleigh Choate (Rookie)
Bayleigh Choate, of Cleveland, Tennessee, earned $16,742 this season to lock in her first IFR qualification. At 21 years old, Choate is a former WPRA Rookie of the Year and a 2022 NFR qualifier. She achieved major wins at Rodeo Corpus Christi and contributed to her team’s victory at the Kid Rock N Rodeo event in Arlington, Texas. Choate returned to Tennessee to compete in IPRA rodeos aboard her standout horse, Boozer, as well as promising up-and-comers.
