Eight-time NFR qualifying barrel racer Stevi Hillman is embracing horse and career changes in 2025, while preparing to take on AT&T Stadium and Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo with her standout barrel racing mare, RV Brijett.

Change is never easy, but Stevi Hillman sure makes it look that way.

Over the past decade, Hillman has jockeyed a slew of different horses, managing to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) eight straight years—despite rarely having the same equine partners from one year to the next.

After eight consecutive NFR qualifications, Hillman missed the cut in 2024, finishing 37th in the WPRA World Standings. As the 2025 season rolls into spring, Hillman is taking a different approach, focusing more on the futurity side of the business.

“Usually, I have a bunch of horses ready to go rodeo, but this year is a little different,” she said. “I’ve got RV Brijett and JH Single Lady, who I’m seasoning still, but I also have a futurity horse. It’s the first four-year-old I’ve had in a while, so we’re going to rodeo around the futurity schedule.”

“It’ll be a different season for us, but still fun,” she added. “An interruption in the pattern is good sometimes.”

One thing that isn’t changing for the Granbury, Texas, cowgirl is her participation in Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo (KRRR), the revolutionary team rodeo to be held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on May 16, 2025. As a member of Team Convoy, Hillman competed at the inaugural event last year.

“The most fun part of this—Ty [my husband] and I usually just watch the rodeo—but there we were, caught on the edge of our seats the whole time,” Hillman said. “You’re paying attention to who’s doing good, and it makes it more fun. You’re more involved and it’s exciting.”

The excitement is understandable—the winning team earns the lion’s share of the $1 million purse.

In addition to the team aspect, KRRR pits two teams head-to-head at the same time, with a drag race-style start. Timing that start is critical, and particularly tricky for the barrel racers.

“If you miss the start, it’s definitely hard to make that up,” Hillman said. “But that’s the whole challenge of the concept.”

While Hillman’s mindset remains focused on having fun, a year of experience brings confidence.

“Just having been there obviously makes you more comfortable. You know the routine and the schedule,” she said. “And knowing my mare will run in there and find the barrels helps too.”

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Hillman rode Brijett last year and likely will again this time around.

“She got hurt in July, and I just recently got back on her,” Hillman said. “I have a couple others, but she’ll probably get the call. She’s feeling really good and she’s healthy, so I’m thankful for that.”

Without Brijett for part of the year, Hillman got a chance to work on her timing during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo’s KRRR Qualifier in January, where she and teammate Keyla Costa captured the gold medal in the barrels.

“I think we’ll start a little farther back down the alley like we did there in Fort Worth,” she said. “You can’t go early, but if you wait for the green to take off, you’re late.”

Brijett’s experience should serve Hillman well.

“She’s a good alley horse,” Hillman said. “She’s excited about her job, so I have to be careful with my energy. If I stay quiet and patient, she’ll wait for me to say go.”

Win or lose, Hillman plans to enjoy the ride.

“From my viewpoint, it was really cool, new, and exciting,” she said. “It was fun for the crowd and for the contestants. With the team concept, it was exciting even for us to watch.”

Switching gears to a different season and style of competition is just another step in Hillman’s adaptable career.

“I’ve been incredibly blessed to get to swing a leg over multiple unicorns—so many incredible horses that God has put into our lives,” Hillman said.

“I bond with them and love them all. It’s hard to see them come and go after building those relationships, but I stay focused on the next one,” she added.

Her 2025 futurity adventure comes aboard a special home-raised horse: TSH Redbluff Runaway, aka Red Bluff.

“He’s by our stud that we sold, TSH Pendleton, from his first full foal crop,” Hillman said. “He has come on real strong and has tons of potential. I have high hopes that he’s my next great one.”

Change might be uncomfortable, but for Hillman, it’s just another chapter.

“Changes and new things are uncomfortable, but we’re enjoying it,” she said