The four go-round Texas Circuit Finals kicked off the year of 2024 WPRA Circuit Finals in Waco, Texas, and saw repeat champions Tiany Schuster lock in her year-end Texas Circuit championship, and Ilyssa Riley rise to the top to earn the aggregate championship.
Tiany Schuster wins Texas Circuit year-end
Schuster entered the circuit finals in a commanding position with around a $10K lead on the pack in the celebrity-studded circuit qualifiers. She exited Waco with her fourth Texas Circuit barrel racing title.
“Nothing makes me more proud,” Schuster wrote on social media.
The Canadian cowgirl turned Texan was quick to thank Show Mance, Famous Micguyver and JJ Carrizzo Firebug for their circuit efforts all year long. She’ll also be among the top 15 in the world once again and in attendance at the National Finals Rodeo in December.
Money and Riley claim Texas Circuit Finals win
Another reigning champion returned to Waco to deliver a stellar performance and earn a position to Colorado Springs’ NFR Open in July. Ilyssa Riley was back aboard Mistys Money Blurr, the massive bay gelding known as “Money,” who helped Riley qualify for the 2023 NFR. Money helped Riley capture her second aggregate title and take home $9,904 on the weekend, placing in all four rounds along the way.
- Tiany Schuster and Showmance Take Inaugural North Dakota Roughrider Cup Title
- Ilyssa Riley on The Money Barrel
- Katie Jo Halbert Talks Miz Milania and More
Notably, Katie Jo Halbert also had a redeeming weekend in Waco. After her great horse, Miz Milania sustained an injury partway through the ProRodeo season, Halbert missed out on the opportunity to travel as much as she’d hoped. The duo rocketed their way to a No. 2 finish in the circuit and earned placings in three rounds and second in the aggregate, taking home $6,992 on the week.
Texas Circuit Finals 2024 barrel racing results
First round: 1. Kaycee Killingsworth, 15.92 seconds, $2,331; 2. Ilyssa Riley, 16.11, $1,748; 3. Oceane Veilleux, 16.14, $1,165; 4. Katie Halbert, 16.16, $583
Second round: 1. Kalli McCall, 15.73 seconds, $2,331; 2. Katie Halbert, 15.78, $1,748; 3. Ilyssa Riley, 15.89, $1,165; 4. (tie) Tillar King and Kylee Scribner, 15.93, $291 each
Third round: 1. Jordan Driver, 15.70 seconds, $2,331; 2. Oceane Veilleux, 15.93, $1,748; 3. Ilyssa Riley, 16.00, $1,165; 4. Tillar King, 16.01, $583
Fourth round: 1. Kylee Scribner, 15.67 seconds, $2,331; 2. Katie Halbert, 15.89, $1,748; 3. Ilyssa Riley, 15.99, $1,165; 4. Oceane Veilleux, 16.12, $583
Average: 1. Ilyssa Riley, 63.99 seconds on four head, $4,661 each; 2. Katie Jo Halbert, 64.12, $3,496; 3. Oceane Veilleux, 64.28, $2,331; 4. Kaycee Killingsworth, 64.69, $1,165 each.
WPRA Texas Circuit year-end barrel racing standings
*official totals from WPRA.com as of 10/01, plus unofficial addition of circuit finals earnings*
| Regular Season | Circuit Finals | Total | Rodeo Count | |||
| 1 | Tiany Schuster | Krum, TX | $36,856.55 | $36,856.55 | 28 | |
| 2 | Katie Jo Halbert | Port Lavaca, TX | $19,763.69 | $7,525 | $27,288.69 | 16 |
| 3 | Shelley Morgan | Eustace, TX | $26,562.53 | $26,562.53 | 26 | |
| 4 | Ilyssa Riley | Hico, TX | $16,543.71 | $9,904 | $26,447.71 | 23 |
| 5 | Kalli McCall | Lufkin, TX | $21,388.56 | $2,331 | $23,719.56 | 32 |
| 6 | Kaycee Killingsworth | Thrall, TX | $19,620.99 | $3,496 | $23,116.99 | 45 |
| 7 | Oceane Veilleux (R) | St-Alfred, QC | $15,018.03 | $4,662 | $19,680.03 | 35 |
| 8 | Jordan Driver | Garden City, TX | $16,444.32 | $2,331 | $18,775.32 | 29 |
| 9 | Tillar King | Fort Worth, TX | $15,583.78 | $874 | $16,457.78 | 30 |
| 10 | Sydney Graham | Abilene, TX | $15,980.66 | $15,980.66 | 35 | |
| 11 | Kylee Scribner | Bellevue, TX | $13,123.57 | $2,622 | $15,745.57 | 26 |
| 12 | Preslie Reid | San Angelo, TX | $12,629.13 | $12,629.13 | 36 | |
| 13 | LaTricia Duke | Zephyr, TX | $11,892.03 | $11,892.03 | 27 | |
| 14 | Rainey Skelton | Llano, TX | $11,337.22 | $11,337.22 | 26 | |
| 15 | Keyla Costa | Tolar, TX | $11,229.98 | $11,229.98 | 24 | |
| 16 | Dena Kirkpatrick (G) | Post, TX | $10,669.52 | $10,669.52 | 10 |
