Major payouts, record-setting runs, and decisive circuit finals shakeups headlined a packed week in barrel racing, as events from The Mega to the Southwest Desert Classic delivered standout performances across the futurity, rodeo, and divisional scenes.
At The Mega, competitors made two runs to qualify back to the finals, and the event introduced a $5,000-added Slot Race with a $500 entry fee. Josie Thompson set the tone from the start aboard Its Eazy Bein Famous, winning both rounds and clocking a standout 14.756 that also secured the Slot Race win. Her total earnings from the weekend reached $7,018. The 5-year-old gelding is by Eddie Stinson and out of Frenchmans Eazy.
Mega Division Champions:
• 1D: Summer Muhlenkamp – TS French Traffic, $8,000
• 2D: Cassie Morton – Scootin In The Dark, $6,000
• 3D: Ashley Leatherman – Why So Famous, $5,000
• 4D: Dillion White – DKO Paydays Phame, $3,500
• 5D: Megan Treadwell – Shinin Ta Fame, $2,500
Two additional Circuit Finals concluded over the weekend. At the Great Lakes Circuit Finals in Louisville, Austyn Tobey earned the year-end title aboard Design In Red, placing in all three rounds and collecting more than $10,000. Nikki Reynolds won Round 1, while Lucy Ferch finished reserve in the average aboard Sixth Streak.
In the Southeastern Circuit Finals, Margo Crowther delivered a standout performance on Saylors Packin Fame, placing in multiple rounds, winning Round 3, securing the average, and earning $9,672 — enough to claim the year-end championship. Kristin Hanchey, who entered the finals No. 1, won the first round and ultimately finished second in the standings, followed by her daughter Ryleigh Kaye Adams in third.
The Southwest Desert Classic’s Bust Em Out in South Jordan, Utah, featured a $20,000-added weekend with futurities, derbies, high-stakes classes, and an open. Katie Yard won Futurity Round 1 on Designed Tobefamous, while Kelli Thouvenell took Round 2 on KT Edward. Yard secured the average title. In the Open, Amanda Butler posted a decisive Saturday win on TS Kisesm Goodbye, and on Sunday, Hailey Krahenbuhl and Saul Good clocked a 15.536 to set a new arena record and sweep the Open, Derby, and High Stakes.
At the 377 Arena Opening Day race in Stephenville, early 2026 futurity prospects made their first appearances. Jordon Briggs won the $2,000-added Juvenile on Born Ta Move Ya, while Helen Nowosad earned Juvenile High Stakes money on Willy Wanna Fireball. The Open win went to Carlee Otero and BlingOlena, marking the gelding’s first run back since his early-season injury.
The week also highlighted international action. At the Australian Barrel Horse Association Finals, Katina Matthewswon Round 1 and later broke the arena record aboard Kiss This with a 17.006, while Paul Ralston and Valentino Zfollowed with an Australian record of 16.994.