California weather was calling top rodeo contestants from all over the world on January 12-14, 2024, at the inaugural San Diego Rodeo inside Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres.
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Who Won the 2024 San Diego Rodeo barrel racing?
Fresh off the National Finals Rodeo just a month ago, Sue Smith and Diamond Center, “Hef,” electrified Petco Park through each round to earn the overall event championship in the Final Four Round on Sunday, Jan. 14 with a 14.96-second run that earned the duo $20,000 for the win. Thanks to Smith’s efforts in the Second Round and Round of Eight, her event earnings came to a totaled $24,875.
Finishing second overall in San Diego was 2020 NFR qualifier Jimmie Smith aboard A Valiant Nicky, “Nicky.” Smith’s wicked 14.96 in the Second Round, worth $3,500 for the round win, helped her make it to the Final Four round, where she finished in the second-place position to earn $15,000.
Here’s the overall results for the event. We’re still waiting on confirmation of the Final Four times, but we can tell you who cashed in and where.
| Overall Finish | Name | Total Earnings | Round 1 | Round 2 | Eight-Man | Four-Man |
| 1 | Sue Smith | $24,875 | 15.35 | 15.17, $875 | 14.96, $4,000 | $20,000 |
| 2 | Jimmie Smith | $18,500 | 15.40 | 14.96, $3,500 | 25.04 | $15,000 |
| 3 | Kathy Petska | $14,062.50 | 15.04, $3,062.50 | 15.24 | 15.18, $1,000 | $10,000 |
| 4 | Stevi Hillman | $12,812.50 | 15.04, $3,062.50 | 15.03, $1,750 | 14.99, $3,000 | $5,000 |
| 5 | Wenda Johnson | $2,875 | 15.28, $875 | 15.32 | 15.09, $2,000 | |
| 6 | Megan McLeod-Sprague | $2,625 | 20.04 | 14.98, $2,625 | 20.23 | |
| 7 | Hayle Gibson | $1,750 | 15.20, $1,750 | 25.53 | NT | |
| 8 | Nellie Miller | 15.33 | 15.20 | 15.34 | ||
| 9 | Tarryn Lee | 15.30 | 20.77 | |||
| 10 | Carlee Otero | 16.02 | 15.45 | |||
| 11 | Graysen O/Connor | 20.84 | 15.61 | |||
| 12 | Rylee Cooper Christman | 15.97 | 15.65 |
Who is entered in the barrel racing in San Diego?
Hayle Gibson
Graysen O’Connor
Tarryn Lee
Megan McLeod-Sprague
What is the San Diego Rodeo format?
There will be three performances at the San Diego Rodeo. Rounds 1 and 2 will take place the first two performances (Jan. 12-13). The final performance, Jan. 14, will be the Finals, comprised of eight of the highest money earners from the first two rounds, followed by the Shoot Out round of four.
What’s the payout in the barrel racing?
Performances on Friday and Saturday
- $3,500
- $2,500
- $1,500
- $500
Round of 8 on Sunday
- $4,000
- $3,000
- $2,000
- $1,000
Shoot Out on Sunday
- $20,000
- $15,000
- $10,000
- $5,000
When is the San Diego Rodeo?
- Friday, January 12, 2024; 7:00 p.m. PST
- Saturday, January 13, 2024; 7:00 p.m. PST
- Sunday, January 14, 2024; 2:00 p.m. PST
