The field of 15 contenders is officially set for The American Rodeo’s first round at AT&T Stadium at the April 11-12 event, so get to know the field and how each qualified for the coveted $1 million potential purse.

The American Contender Barrel Racing advancement path has led these 15 to the April 11 The American Rodeo Contender Finals. From the final 15, five will have the chance to go head-to-head with the top 5 from the 2024 WPRA World Standings on April 12 inside AT&T Stadium.

Barrel racers from across the country battled through three regional events—Western, Eastern, and Central—to qualify for the 2024 American Rodeo Contender Finals. With a shot at running for a $1 million bonus at The American Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, the competition at each qualifier was fierce. Each regional followed the same format: two rounds, a redemption round, and a high-stakes short round that determined the five barrel racers advancing to AT&T Stadium.

From Las Vegas to Lexington to Tulsa, top names and rising talents laid down their best runs in hopes of punching a ticket to one of the most prestigious opportunities in Western sports. Here’s a full recap of who made it through the Contender Series in the barrel racing event at The American Rodeo.

Stay tuned for more information and storylines from The American Rodeo on BarrelRacing.com.

The American Contender Regionals

Western Regional Qualifier Recap – Las Vegas, Nevada

The first stop of the American Contender Tournament Regionals was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event followed the established three-run format, with two qualifying rounds followed by a shootout-style short round that determined the five barrel racers advancing to The American Contender Finals.

Dusky Lynn Hall and Aint Seen Famous Yet delivered a dominant performance throughout the weekend. Hall ran two of the fastest times of the entire event—both in the 14.9 range—and won the aggregate heading into the finals. In the short round, she once again proved unbeatable, securing the fastest time and the $10,000 first-place payout, bringing her total weekend earnings to over $15,000.

Finals

1. Dusky Lynn Hall

• Horse: Aint Seen Famous Yet
• Time: 14.941
• Hometown: Huntsville, TX
• Winnings: $10,000
• $1M 10-Year-Old: Dusky Lynn and Dusky Hall on The Money Barrel
• Dusky Lynn Hall Becomes Barrel Racing’s First 10-Year-Old With $1 Million in Lifetime Earnings

2. Sherry Cervi

• Horse: MP Meter My Fame
• Time: 15.147
• Hometown: Marana, AZ
• Winnings: $5,500
• Watch Riding the Legacy with Sherry Cervi
• 7 Steps to Barrel Horse Conditioning After a Long Layoff

3. Anita Ellis

• Horse: SGL Rico
• Time: 15.172
• Hometown: Blackfoot, ID
• Winnings: $2,500

4. Paige Jones

• Horse: Famous Hayday
• Time: 15.326
• Hometown: Wayne, OK
• Winnings: $1,500
• Bazinga! Paige Jones Pulls Ahead in Bubble Battle With Dodge City Win

5. Kristin Weaver-Brown

Winnings: $500

Horse: Sockie Shot Ta Fame

Time: 15.380

Hometown: Temecula, CA

Looking for full round-by-round results? Click here.

Eastern Regional Qualifier Recap – Lexington, Kentucky

The second leg of the American Contender Tournament Regionals took place in Lexington, Kentucky, with top barrel racers competing for five spots at The American Contender Finals. Just like the Western Regional in Las Vegas, the event featured two preliminary rounds, a redemption round, and a top-10 shootout to determine the finalists.

Each athlete had the opportunity to run in two qualifying rounds. A redemption round allowed one last chance to make the finals, and the top 10 from across the weekend competed in Saturday’s shootout. The top five finishers in the finals earned a spot in The American Contender Finals and a share of the event’s payout.

Finals

Looking for full round-by-round results? Click here.

1. Taycie Matthews

• Horse: Fame Fire Rocks
• Time: 14.946
• Hometown: Wynne, AR
• Winnings: $10,000
• #HappyIsHerDaddy: Taycie Matthews’ Fame Fire Rocks Crowned Nutrena/WPRA Horse of the Year

2. Jodee Miller

• Horse: M R Im On Fire Guys
• Time: 15.191
• Hometown: Santo, TX
• Winnings: $5,500
• Jodee Miller Ends ProRodeo Season on High With Ellensburg Win

3. Rylee Jo Maryman

• Horse: One Cupa Tees Sis
• Time: 15.230
• Hometown: St. Francisville, LA
• Winnings: $2,500
• Note: Maryman, a Southeastern team member, is just 17 years old and continues to build momentum in 2024.

4. Randee Prindle

• Horse: Red Man Jones
• Time: 15.258
• Hometown: Gilman City, MO
• Winnings: $1,500

5. Dale Long

• Horse: Saaul Good
• Time: 15.474
• Hometown: Valley Mills, TX
• Winnings: $500
• Started From the Bottom, Now He’s Here: Dale Long on The Money Barrel

Other Round Winners

• Round 1 Winner: Jodee Miller on M R Im On Fire Guys
• Round 2 Winner: Randee Prindle on Red Man Jones (15.0)
• Redemption Round Winner: Brandon Cullins on Seger (15.2) — advanced to the finals, but did not finish in the top five

The final leg of the American Contender Tournament Regionals took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where barrel racers made their last bid for a spot at The American Contender Finals. As with the previous two qualifiers, competitors ran in two preliminary rounds, followed by a redemption round and finals. Five athletes ultimately advanced to Arlington after a high-caliber weekend of performances.

Round 1 belonged to Pete Oen and UX Google It, who clocked a 15.154 to win $2,730. Round 2 went to 2023 Contender finalist Emma Kate Parr and DG Excuse My French with a 15.20, worth another $2,730. Pete Oen maintained the aggregate lead heading into the finals with earnings of $5,460, followed closely by Jordan Driver on TR Heavensilluminated (“Cyrus”) and Parr rounding out the top three.

In the Redemption Round, Dacota Monk and TNRWannaseemycancan earned their way back into the finals with a round win and $2,400 in earnings. Also qualifying through the Redemption were Alyssa Urbanek Wade and Raelin Jurgens.

In Saturday’s finals, it was Emma Kate Parr who delivered the winning run, clocking a 15.148 and punching her second ticket to Arlington. She was followed closely by Driver, while a tight race determined the remaining top-five qualifiers.

Central Regional Qualifier Recap – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Finals

1. Emma Kate Parr

• Horse: DG Excuse My French
• Time: 15.148
• Hometown: Greensboro, AL
• Winnings: $10,000

2. Jordan Driver

• Horse: TR Heavensilluminated
• Time: 15.425
• Hometown: Garden City, TX
• Winnings: $5,500
• Meet Jordan Driver on The Money Barrel

3. Tasha Welsh

• Horse: Seis Smashin Fame
• Time: 15.449
• Hometown: Dublin, TX
• Winnings: $2,500
• Three Stallions Qualify for Rodeo Austin Semifinals, Two Close in on All-Time Earnings Record

4. Raelin Jurgens

• Horse: Ima Epic Burr Bug
• Time: 15.488
• Hometown: Parker, SD
• Winnings: $1,500

5. Katelyn Scott

• Horse: SC
• Time: 15.535
• Hometown: Odessa, TX
• Winnings: $500

Additional Notes

Redemption Round Winner: Dacota Monk on TNRWannaseemycancan