From million-dollar futurities in Georgia and Wyoming to playoff pressure in Puyallup, barrel racing’s biggest names and rising stars kept the sport buzzing last week.
Listen to The Rundown Sept. 10:
Ruby Buckle East: A $1.1 Million Weekend
The Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia, played host to Ruby Buckle East, and it did not disappoint. More than $1.1 million was paid out, bringing the Ruby program’s 2025 total to $3.4 million so far.
Texas cowgirl Sydney Graham had the breakout of her career aboard Dupont First (“Trump”), winning the Derby average after topping Round 1, finishing second in Round 2, and piling on Open wins for a staggering $52,043 week. Trump, a 2019 stallion by Duponte and out of First Fervor by First Down Dash, proved he’s one to watch both in the pen and in the breeding barn.
- Underdogs Rule in Georgia: Ruby Buckle East Recap
- Breakout Moment: Sydney Graham and Dupont First Bank $50K+ at Ruby Buckle East
The fastest time of the week came in Round 2, when Natalie Stephens and Firewaters Fortune clocked a 14.662 to sweep the Derby, Open and Owner/Rider titles in one swoop. Earlier in the futurity, 15-year-old Rhaylen Maloy shocked the field of veterans with a 14.973 aboard Madam Made Me Epic for the $8,000 first-round futurity win, proving the next generation is here to play.
Consistency also paid off for Ceri Ward and GamblingSlick, who turned in a 14.693 in Round 2 to finish third in the average, while Dacota Monk and Seis Martinis claimed another Ruby Buckle average win — their second of the year — bringing the gritty mare’s total Ruby earnings past $92,000. Blaise Wheeler added over $50,000 across her string, highlighted by reserve derby and open aggregate finishes.
Youth and rookie divisions also shined: Maloy rolled her futurity horse back to sweep the youth, while Cole Smith and Will Harrington made waves in the rookie with fresh-faced horsepower.
Indiana Barrel Futurity: 50 Years Strong
Edinburg, Indiana, celebrated 50 years of the Indiana Barrel Futurity with $37,500 added, a slot race, and a big Derby purse. Marne Loosenort lit up the week, winning the Derby, slot race, Saturday Open, a futurity round, and the reserve futurity aboard Kingor and SGL Rockette. From battling cancer earlier this year to piling up checks this weekend, her story is one of grit and resilience.
Teenager Maci Mattingly and Bo Twisty Cash picked up the overall futurity win, while the Juvenile Showcase in memory of Joe Trentman gave 74 young riders their first taste of a real-run environment.
Fizz Bomb: Arena Records and Big Checks
Since 1982, the Fizz Bomb in Gillette, Wyoming, has been a staple, and 2025 was no exception. Kathy Grimes and KG Just Money reset the arena record with a 14.56, then came back with a 14.73 to sweep the futurity and pile on sidepot wins for a massive $72,000 weekend, pushing “Showie” past $315,000 in earnings this year alone.
Dusky Lynn Hall’s powerhouse string kept pace, topping the Derby average and slot race with Aint Seen Famous Yet, while Chasin A Win briefly held the new arena record at 14.423. Between four horses, Hall’s haul may have surpassed $75,000.
The Cowboy State Stallions slot race and Blue Collar Breeders futurity sidepot added layers of payouts and breeder bonuses, showcasing how incentives are fueling record-setting earnings across the region.
Blake Myers’ Gold Standard
Stephenville, Texas, hosted The Gold Standard at the 377 Arena, with a standard pattern on full display. Molli Montgomery piloted Tres The Fire to the futurity average win and paired it with an Open average victory, while sister Jolene Montgomery captured Round 2 on Move Outta My Lane and reserve honors on TC Phelan Famous. Combined, the Montgomery sisters hauled home more than $50,000.
Jimmie Smith and Roarrrin Ta Fame won the Derby average, with Kagan Davis and Stinsons Theory close behind.
ProRodeo: Puyallup Playoff Pressure
The Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup shuffled the ProRodeo standings with only two weeks left before Sioux Falls. In Set 1, Katie Halbert and “King” got the Round 1 win, while Anita Ellis and Rico answered back in Round 2. Emily Beisel, Ellis, Michelle Alley, and Tayla Moeykens advanced on two clean runs.
Set 2 saw Halyn Lide and Keeper win Round 1, while Lisa Lockhart and Sasha took Round 2. Lide, Lockhart, Leslie Smalygo, and Chloe Gray all advanced.
In Sunday’s eight-man, a fresh-drag format gave riders a clean shot, and Halyn Lide took the $13,400 short round win with a 13.76. Beisel and Lockhart tied for second, while Alley claimed fourth. Importantly, Lide, Lockhart, Beisel, and Alley all punched their tickets to Sioux Falls.
Unofficial standings as of Sept. 8 have Kassie Mowry still leading with $202,348, followed by Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi($192,802) and Emily Beisel ($181,104). With Pendleton already underway and Abilene, Albuquerque, and Mandan still to come, the last month of the regular season will be one to watch.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Rundown here: [Embed Podcast Player]
From breakout futurity stars to playoff drama, there’s no shortage of storylines fueling the fall run. Stay tuned to BarrelRacing.com for full coverage as the season barrels toward Sioux Falls and the NFR.