Get to know the 15 barrel racers who will compete in the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Dec. 4-14, who qualified by way of the 2025 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Standings in the regular season.
Information courtesy WPRA.com.
Table of contents
- 1. Kassie Mowry — Dublin, TX
- 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi — Lampasas, TX
- 3. Emily Beisel — Weatherford, OK
- 4. Hailey Kinsel — Cotulla, TX
- 5. Megan McLeod-Sprague — Marsing, ID
- 6. Lisa Lockhart — Oelrichs, SD
- 7. Carlee Otero — Perrin, TX
- 8. Anita Ellis — Blackfoot, ID *out on injury*
- 9. Halyn Lide — China Spring, TX
- 10. Tayla Moeykens — Three Forks, MT
- 11. Tricia Aldridge — Sanger, TX
- 12. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell — Redcrest, CA
- 13. Wenda Johnson — Pawhuska, OK
- 14. Andrea Busby — Millsap, TX
- 15. Katelyn Scott — Odessa, TX
- 16. Julie Plourde — Krum, TX
1. Kassie Mowry — Dublin, TX
2025 World Standings: 1st
2025 Earnings: $203,445
NFR Qualifications: 6 (2005, 2017, 2022–25)
Primary Horses:
• Force The Goodbye “Jarvis” – 7-yr-old gelding
• Famous Ladies Man “Emmett” – 10-yr-old gelding
• CP He Will Be Epic “Will” – 10-yr-old gelding
2025 Season Highlights
• Won RodeoHouston
• Won San Angelo, Greeley, and Gooding
• Finished second at San Antonio & Calgary Stampede
• Finished second at Eugene, OR
Career Notes
• 2024 WPRA World Champion
• Tied the historic record with five consecutive NFR round wins in 2024
• Surpassed $1 million in WPRA rodeo earnings in 2024
Personal
Top futurity horse trainer; originally from California. Lost fiancé Michael Boone in 2024 and now campaigns Jarvis, a horse they purchased together. Known for running very few rodeos while still qualifying through efficiency.
2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi — Lampasas, TX
2025 World Standings: 2nd
2025 Earnings: $194,716
NFR Qualifications: 18
World Titles: 3 (2007, 2009, 2023)
Primary Horses:
• Sir Epic “Sir” – 7-yr-old gelding
• Cashen In The Fame “Bobby” – 12-yr-old gelding
2025 Season Highlights
• Won the NFR Open, Rodeo Austin, Dodge City, Westcliffe, Cortez
• Second at Greeley, Castle Rock, Monticello, Kalispell
Career Notes
• One of the winningest barrel racers in history
• Set all-time single-year earnings record in 2023
• Over $3.6 million in career earnings
Personal
Married to PRCA header Garrett Tonozzi; daughter Tinlee. Began rodeoing after insisting on buying a horse from classified ads at age 8.
3. Emily Beisel — Weatherford, OK
2025 World Standings: 3rd
2025 Earnings: $189,005
NFR Qualifications: 7 (2019–25)
Primary Horses:
• Chongo, Liza, Chewy, Pipewrench, Trigger, Olie, Beau
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Lawton, Deadwood, Gordon, Abbyville
• Second at NFR Open, St. Paul, Reno, Pretty Prairie
• Second at Tucson, Lovington, Atoka, Bremerton
Career Notes
• Prairie Circuit standby, multiple event wins every season
• 2024 NFR Round 10 winner
• Crossed $1 million career earnings in 2022
Personal
Married to Austin Beisel. Works as a dental hygienist. Known for her deep roster of talented horses and strong Fourth of July runs.
4. Hailey Kinsel — Cotulla, TX
2025 World Standings: 4th
2025 Earnings: $186,317
NFR Qualifications: 9 (2017–25)
World Titles: 4 (2018–2020, 2022)
Primary Horses:
• DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” – 14-yr-old mare
• TJ – 21-yr-old gelding
• Reese – 9-yr-old mare
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Reno, Cody, Spanish Fork (new arena record), Woodward
• Co-champion at Elko
• Second at RodeoHouston, Hermiston
Career Notes
• Holds the fastest time in Thomas & Mack history (13.11)
• Has earned over $1.38M at the NFR alone
• One of the most decorated barrel racers ever
Personal
Grew up on a South Texas cattle ranch. Former Texas A&M rodeo athlete. Known for her iconic partnership with “Sister.”
5. Megan McLeod-Sprague — Marsing, ID
2025 World Standings: 5th
2025 Earnings: $174,974
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Jaggar – 14-yr-old gelding
• Ticket – 6-yr-old mare
2025 Season Highlights
• Won San Antonio, Pleasant Grove, Castro Valley, Livingston, Canby, Homedale
• Second at Fort Worth, Redding, Cody, Basin City, Redmond
Career Notes
• 2025 WPRA Lifetime Family Heritage Award
• Longtime circuit competitor with multiple regional finals qualifications
Personal
Married to Buck Sprague; mother of two. Deep family roots in rodeo; previously served as Wilderness & Columbia River Circuit Director.
6. Lisa Lockhart — Oelrichs, SD
2025 World Standings: 6th
2025 Earnings: $169,467
NFR Qualifications: 18 (2007–24)
Primary Horses:
• Rosa – 15-yr-old mare
• Sasha – 7-yr-old mare
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Cheyenne, Estes Park, Rapid City, Buffalo, Granite Falls
• Second at Pendleton, Puyallup, Mandan, New Town, Tremonton
Career Notes
• WPRA all-time career earnings leader with over $3.4 million
• Three-time NFR Average Champion
• Over $1.75M NFR earnings alone
Personal
Married to Grady; three children. Renowned horsewoman with decades of consistency at rodeo’s highest level.
7. Carlee Otero — Perrin, TX
2025 World Standings: 7th
2025 Earnings: $168,493
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2011–12, 2014, 2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• Sly – 7-yr-old gelding
• Regina – 7-yr-old mare
• Twix – 7-yr-old mare
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Denver, Delta, Preston, Moses Lake
• Co-champion at Lehi, UT
• Second at Salinas & Kingman
Career Notes
• Crossed $1 million in 2025
• Utah Pioneer Week Top Hand winner
• Known for gritty, aggressive style and multiple standout mounts
Personal
Married to Michael Otero; mom of five. Also a leading Texas realtor.
8. Anita Ellis — Blackfoot, ID *out on injury*
2025 World Standings: 8th
2025 Earnings: $146,991
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Axe – 9-yr-old gelding
• Rico – 5-yr-old gelding
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Calgary Stampede, Yuma, Window Rock, Filer
• Tied for second at Tucson & Gooding
• Set arena record at Puyallup (13.52)
Career Notes
• Nearly $1M EquiStat earnings including futurities
• Rapid rise through the WPRA ranks after years away
Personal
Survived major spinal injuries before returning to the sport. Mother is vaunted trainer Vauna Walker. Married to Brandon; mom of four.
9. Halyn Lide — China Spring, TX
2025 World Standings: 9th
2025 Earnings: $144,614
NFR Qualifications: 2 (2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• Keeper – 13-yr-old gelding
• Heaven – 12-yr-old gelding
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, Puyallup, Bremerton
• Bronze medal at Utah Days of ’47
• Multiple seconds including Ellensburg & Gooding
Career Notes
• Big break came during Cowboy Christmas 2024
• 2024 NFR average top-eight finisher
Personal
Married to Aaron; two sons. Keeper is out of her own college mare. Comes from a non-rodeo family and built her career from scratch.
10. Tayla Moeykens — Three Forks, MT
2025 World Standings: 10th
2025 Earnings: $142,560
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Lizard, Blue, Yeti
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Pendleton, Hermiston, Bozeman, Jackson, Heber City, Big Fork, Las Vegas Plaza Rodeo
• Second at Cheyenne, Roundup, MT, White Sulphur Springs
Career Notes
• CNFR National Champion (2021)
• Multi-event high school & college standout
Personal
Raised in a rodeo family; mother is a WPRA member. Owns 4M Performance Horses and Cool Nerd Marketing.
11. Tricia Aldridge — Sanger, TX
2025 World Standings: 11th
2025 Earnings: $141,182
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horse:
• Adios Pantalones – 5-yr-old stallion
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Albuquerque, Abilene, Los Fresnos, Waxahachie, multiple CA/UT/ID stops
• Second at Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, Caldwell, Pleasant Grove, Jackson
Career Notes
• New to ProRodeo after futurity focus
• Adios is the highest-earning barrel stallion on record
Personal
Degree in Construction Engineering. Grew up outside rodeo; began barrel racing on an Arabian she trained herself.
12. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell — Redcrest, CA
2025 World Standings: 12th
2025 Earnings: $140,032
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Piper, Fancy, Sharky
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Walla Walla, Lewiston, Scottsdale, Thermal, Redmond, Sonora, Fallon, many more
• Co-champion at Vernal & Eagle
• Set Gem State Stampede arena record
Career Notes
• Fast rise with home-bred mare Piper
• Strong West Coast season with numerous wins
Personal
Married to John Stillwell. Started riding at age 4 on an Arabian. Co-owner of Cowgirl Canna CBD.
13. Wenda Johnson — Pawhuska, OK
2025 World Standings: 13th
2025 Earnings: $138,428
NFR Qualifications: 6 (2020–25)
Primary Horses:
• Mo, Diego
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Odessa, Guymon, Ogden, Kansas City, Tremonton, Omaha, New Plymouth, Amarillo
• Second at Logandale, Nampa, Deadwood
Career Notes
• Notable for big wins at major rodeos including FWSSR, San Angelo
• Consistent six-year NFR qualifier
Personal
Doctor of Nursing Practice; originally from Arizona. Married with two daughters. Known for analytical, horsemanship-first style.
14. Andrea Busby — Millsap, TX
2025 World Standings: 14th
2025 Earnings: $133,098
NFR Qualifications: 2 (2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• Tito, Derby, Goodbye
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Fort Worth, Elizabeth, Filer
• Second at North Platte
Career Notes
• 2024 NFR Average Champion (new record 144.12)
• Co-owner of Busby Quarter Horses, one of the most influential breeding programs in the sport
Personal
Married to Jeff Busby. Former Division I volleyball player; long history of raising elite barrel horses.
15. Katelyn Scott — Odessa, TX
2025 World Standings: 15th
2025 Earnings: $130,763
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Peanut Seed, Twiz
2025 Season Highlights
• Won Caldwell, San Bernardino, Plains, Gunnison, Artesia
• Second at Albuquerque, Abilene, Burley, Tyler, Mandan, Yuma
Career Notes
• 2024 Turquoise Circuit Average Champion
• Several years of steady progress before breakthrough 2025 season
Personal
Married to PRCA tie-down roper Cody Scott. Deep family rodeo heritage; niece of first GRA president Margaret Owens.
16. Julie Plourde — Krum, TX
2025 World Standings: 16th
2025 Earnings: $118,276
Career Earnings: $150,168
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Joined WPRA: 2024
Primary Horses:
• Wateverock RC “Rocky” – 7-yr-old gelding (Firewaterontherock × Wateva)
• KF Epic Ta Fame “Epic” – 8-yr-old gelding (Epic Leader × Gotta Go Tafame)
• Famous Mic Guy Ver “Micguyver” – 10-yr-old gelding (Frenchmans Guy × Disarray), owned by Tiany Schuster & Edwin Cameron
2025 Season Highlights
• Replacing injured Anita Ellis (ranked 8th) at the 2025 Wrangler NFR
• Won Idaho Falls, ID
• Won Eugene, OR
• Won Monticello, UT
• Won Claremore, OK
• Won Vernon, TX
• Won Carthage, TX
• Second at Rock Springs, WY
• Second at Clovis (CA) — fastest time of the entire rodeo
Career Highlights
• 2024 Reserve Rookie of the Year
• Finished 2024 ranked 58th with $31,892
Personal
Married to Yves Morissette. Originally from Quebec, Canada, where she learned to ride as a trail guide for tourists. Grew up riding ponies and competes in a Brazilian saddle. First French Canadian to qualify for the NFR.
