The first gunner out at the 2024 installment of the National Finals Rodeo inside the Thomas & Mack was Hailey Kinsel, and she capitalized to earn the first big check of the increased payout event.
On the first night of the richest NFR barrel racing in history and in the midst of a tight World Standings title race, Hailey Kinsel blasted into the alley on the $3-million earning mare, DM Sissy Hayday. The Cotulla, Texas, native shocked the crowd by posting a 13.38—an unofficial new Round 1 record inside the Thomas & Mack— and it held to win the $33,687 finish nearly .2 ahead of No. 2 finisher, Carlee Otero.
The win marks Kinsel, a four-time World Champion’s twenty-second round win at the NFR, with 17 of those being in Las Vegas and five from the 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas.
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“That was a really tight first barrel,” Kinsel said. “It was a little close for comfort. I almost picked my foot up, and then I was like ‘No, I better just hug it and suck itin a little bit. She was explosive, but she was tight.”
Kinsel noted that she’ll have to readjust her game plan due to Sister’s snappy work on her first run, but ultimately, she knows who’s in charge on the pattern.
“It was definitely Sister’s plan out there,” Kinsel said. She’s been acting more like Round 8, she’s been pulling and strong, so I had to tell myself that for some reason, she’s settling in early this year. Now, my job is going to be to dial her back so she can last throughout the rest of it.”
Kinsel was quick to share her appreciation of the class of ProRodeo barrel racing athletes that traveled the trail the last few years, including the cowgirls in this year’s top 15.
“They’re just great people,” Kinsel said. “We’ve worked harder the last couple of years to get to know eachother better, worked on supporting eachother…I think every one of them would give me the shirt off their back. I mean, Ivy Saebens gave me the horse out from under her.”
We’ll be back with Round 2 results below on Dec. 6, but you can hear from Kinsel tomorrow on The Money Barrel Podcast and stay turned stories rolling out all week long at BarrelRacing.com thanks to Equinety.
