This week in barrel racing featured heavy action across rodeos, futurities and open races, including high-stakes events like the The American Contender East, the WPRA Calgary qualifier, The Hondo and more.
From Dusky Lynn Hall advancing in Lexington to Kathy Grimes locking in a Calgary Stampede spot and Makenzie Mayes cashing in at The Hondo, this week’s episode of The Rundown, presented by Chewy, breaks down the biggest results and what they mean moving forward.
The American Contender East (Lexington, Kentucky)
87 entries competed in the Eastern Contender with a two-run format, advancing 10 on the average plus qualifiers from the redemption round.
Round winners:
- Round 1: Randee Prindle, Red Man Jones
- Round 2: Kappie Bryant, Smooth As Rico Suave (“Pancakes”)
Average winner:
- Anita Ellis, SGL Rico
Top 10 advancing on the average:
- Anita Ellis, SGL Rico
- Crystal Mason, Cha Cha Fling 37
- Randee Prindle, Red Man Jones
- Kappie Bryant, Pancakes
- Tabitha Dyal, Levee
- Missy Jean Etheridge, Seis Martinis
- Bayleigh Choate, TJR Stinson Blue
- Braia Vogel, Chicks Brave Warrior
- Christian Shipley, SV Happy To Rock You
- Emily Wilkins, Stickin Ta Fame
Redemption round (advancing):
- Rhaylen Maloy, Madam Made Me Epic (winner)
- Kelly Bowser, Quarento Tres
- Dusky Lynn Hall, Chasin A Win
Final qualifiers added:
- Yasmin Rissi De Oliveira
- Oceane Veuilliex, French Money to Vegas
Finals:
- Dusky Lynn Hall, Chasin A Win — 15.177, $10,000 bonus
WPRA Calgary Qualifier / Days of ’47 Qualifier
119 entries competed in the Calgary qualifier (no average payout, two rounds).
Round winners:
- Round 1: Jimmie Smith, A Valiant Nicky
- Round 2: Kathy Grimes, KG Just Money — 14.970
Overall qualifier winner:
- Kathy Grimes, KG Just Money (won by nearly 0.4 seconds)
Also qualifying for Calgary:
$12,500 WPRA Cardholder Race (counts toward standings):
Round winners:
- Round 1: Gracen Harman
- Round 2: Kathy Grimes, KG Just Money
Average (Days of ’47 qualifiers):
- Kathy Grimes, KG Just Money
- Michelle Alley, Lipstik N Stilettos
- Sydney Graham, Dupont First
- McKenna Coronado
Notes:
- Grimes earned ~$5,000 toward WPRA standings (now ~ $35K)
- Multiple horses allowed per rider
The Hondo Rodeo (New Orleans, Louisiana)
$1 million total payout inside Caesars Superdome. Invite-only field.
Round 1:
- Makenzie Mayes, Chicado Moon — $12,000
- Lisa Lockhart — $7,500
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, JL Roc Lost A Sock — $3,500
- Hailey Kinsel — $1,500
Round 2 qualifiers included:
- Makenzie Mayes
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
- Tricia Aldridge, Designerleaptaheaven
- Wenda Johnson, Tempting Moon Dash
Average (3 rounds):
- Makenzie Mayes — $100,000
Notes:
- Event to return to New Orleans in 2027
- Additional Hondo event announced for Tampa (2027)
Spring Extreme Barrel Race (Raleigh, North Carolina)
$25,000-added event.
Open (Friday):
- Taylor Thompson, SDK Just Charge It — $1,849 total (Open + side pot)
Futurity (34 entries):
- Round 1: Jamey Hunt, GBA Buckin Epic — 14.622
Round 2:
- Designakelly (RR Mistakelly x JJ Oh Red)
Big Sunday earnings:
- Tanner Shelton, Makin Junior — $9,374 total
(Shootout, Big Spender, Open combined)
VGBRA Barrel Daze
600+ horses on site, 700+ runs per day.
Open:
- Ashley Fixion, Miss Fast Version — 15.1 (won by ~0.2)
- Also won Saturday Open (643 entries)
Futurity ($30K added):
- Round 1: Lynn Kohr, Shivvers
- Incentive Round 1: Jordan Bailey, Judges Sly Oakley
- Round 2: Kelli Thouvenell, KT Edward
- Average: Kelli Thouvenell, KT Edward (~$17K total)
Top average finishers:
- Taylor Miniat, SmokinNTheGirlsRoom
- Vauna Walker, RFW Reddy Ta Run
- Vauna Walker, RV Tres Goodbyes
2D Futurity:
- Cody Kessler, Bee A Famous Leo
Maturity ($10K added):
- Round 1: Jordan Bailey, Ima Girl Dash
- Round 2: Ariel McClure, Catalina Wine Mixxer
- Average: Manchi Nace, A French High
Top finishers:
- Toria Madsen, PCR Pink Cadillac Cruzn
- Krystal Grad, A Famous French Kiss
- Courtney McCracken, Aint Seen Burnin Yet
Wildcard Futurity (Abilene, Texas)
New event with $25K added futurity and slot race format.
Futurity:
- Round 1: Molli Montgomery, Heavens Gone Wild — $2,909
- Round 2: Kelly Allen, Epic Lady May
- Average: Molli Montgomery, Heavens Gone Wild — $6,019
Top finishers:
- Kim Schulze, Aint Seen Sassy Yet
- Kelly Allen, Epic Lady May
- Kay Blandford, This Cats A Royal Winner
- Dena Kirkpatrick, Winneray
Derby:
- Dena Kirkpatrick, First Down Goodbye — $3,824 average
Slot Race:
- Tiany Schuster, Chalk Cliffs — $11,160 (slot win)
- Total weekend earnings: $24,610
2D Slot winner:
- Kinsley Petty, Chester C Star — $7,440
What It Means
- Dusky Lynn Hall advances in The American race
- Kathy Grimes positions herself as a Calgary contender
- Makenzie Mayes capitalizes on a major-stage opportunity
- Incentives, slot races, and futurities continue driving earnings across all levels