Payton Johnson claims the Royal Crown Buckeye Futurity title, big checksare awarded at the Showdown Productions race in Texarkana, and San Antonio kicks off with major WPRA World Standings implications.
At the beginning of every week, The Money Barrel brings you The Rundown, covering the biggest headlines in barrel racing from across the country. The February 16 episode, “The One With Royal Crown & A Showdown,” packed futurity fireworks, high-stakes payouts and early-season rodeo movement into less than 30 minutes.
Here’s the show notes to follow along anywhere you get your podcasts, including the player above.
Royal Crown Buckeye
The 2026 Royal Crown Buckeye stop in Arizona set the tone for the year with deep fields and strong payouts across futurity, derby and youth divisions.
Futurity
Payton Johnson and JS Night Moves (Winners Version x Judging Julie by Judge Cash) claimed the Royal Crown Futurity championship after pairing a 16.811 in Round 2 with a 17.387 from Round 1. The title was worth $13,743 to Johnson, $2,098 to stallion Winners Version and $899 to breeder Jeffrey Steadman. Her 16.8 also carried to win the 1D of the Open on Day 2.
Ceri Ward and Flinging Goodbyes (The Goodbye Lane x Blue Moon Fling by A Streak of Fling) won the first round and finished as reserve champions. The mare also captured the SVE round.
Derby
Terri Wood Gates rode TFour Epic Love (Epic Leader x Gateway Ta Love by Dash Ta Fame) to the Royal Crown Derby average title with a 34.142 on two clean 17-second runs. Combined average checks from the RC and SVE Derby topped $19,000.
Sherry Cervi set the tone early aboard HP Hotrod, and Amber Moore fired a 16.865 in Round 2 on Tres Dark Tigress. The Derby also saw major momentum from stallions like The Goodbye Lane, Dash Ta Fame and Roarr.
Texarkana Showdown Productions
Showdown Productions’ Texarkana event once again proved that high entry fees paired with 90% payouts attract serious horsepower.
Derby Shootout
With 46 entries and over $33,000 paid out, Michelle Alley topped the one-run Derby aboard Lipstick N Stilettos for $7,684. Bella Skinner and Lacy Donegan rounded out the top three. The 2D win went to Bradee Anderson on Foolin Firewater.
High Stakes
Nearly $65,000 was paid in the High Stakes race. Carlee Otero and AM Regina George claimed the top check at $8,748. Devon Brown and Michelle Alley followed close behind.
Dakota Monk and Ladys Roarr captured the 2D, while Lacey Profitt won the 3D.
Futurity
The two-round futurity (no average) saw strong performances from John Ressler, Kelly Allen and Elaina McKinney. Notably, VF Chasin Cans produced back-to-back high placers in the first round.
The youth high stakes race featured Tatum White winning aboard Back Forty Fame, while also placing on Red As Hale, signaling a new chapter for the standout mare.
San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Kickoff
San Antonio’s bracket-style format is underway, and money won determines advancement.
Emily Beisel and Liza dominated Bracket 1, winning Rounds 1 and 3 and placing third in Round 2 for $7,155 so far. Advancing with her are Hailey Garrison Graham, Katie Jo Halbert and Jordan Driver.
Bracket 2 saw Latricia Duke win Round 1 aboard He Will Run Em, the palomino full brother to DM High Roller. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won Round 2 on JL Roc Lost A Soc, switching him back to the right after experimenting with direction changes earlier this season.
Lisa Lockhart also picked up a Round 1 check aboard Y Try Firewater, marking the first ProRodeo paycheck for the 7-year-old by Firewater Canyon.
WPRa ProRodeo Standings Early Shift
Kassie Mowry moves to No. 1 in the WPRA World Standings with just over $30,000 won after her Fort Worth victory.
Current Top 5:
- Kassie Mowry – $30K
- Acey Pinkston – $24K
- Gracen Harman – $23K
- Tricia Aldridge – $19K
- Makenzie Mayes – $18K
Emily Beisel sits 15th with $13,740 but is positioned to climb quickly with San Antonio momentum.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Format Shakeup
Cheyenne Frontier Days has announced a major format update. Timed events will no longer have qualifying slack rounds the week prior to the official rodeo start.
While official numbers have not been confirmed, projections suggest 72 barrel racers could be taken to performances if the rodeo sticks to 12 per performance.
Contestants will qualify through a combination of selected rodeos, world standings and circuit qualifications. Advancement to semifinals will be based on performance during the first six preliminary rounds, with three semifinal rounds determining finalists for Championship Sunday on July 26.
Barrel racing qualifying rodeos include:
Union, Oregon; Watford City, North Dakota; North Platte, Nebraska; Window Rock, Arizona; Grand Junction, Colorado; Killeen, Texas; Lakeside, California; Kansas City, Missouri; and Clarksville, Tennessee.
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