Sports

Here’s Meet the Field: 2025 NFR Barrel Racing Qualifiers

Kassie Mowry waves to NFR crowd during victory lap
Kassie Mowry Takes a victory lap at NFR 2024 | Jamie Arviso Photo

Get to know the 15 barrel racers who will compete in the 2025 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Dec. 4-14, who qualified by way of the 2025 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Standings in the regular season.

Information courtesy WPRA.com.

Table of contents

  • 1. Kassie Mowry — Dublin, TX
  • 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi — Lampasas, TX
  • 3. Emily Beisel — Weatherford, OK
  • 4. Hailey Kinsel — Cotulla, TX
  • 5. Megan McLeod-Sprague — Marsing, ID
  • 6. Lisa Lockhart — Oelrichs, SD
  • 7. Carlee Otero — Perrin, TX
  • 8. Anita Ellis — Blackfoot, ID *out on injury*
  • 9. Halyn Lide — China Spring, TX
  • 10. Tayla Moeykens — Three Forks, MT
  • 11. Tricia Aldridge — Sanger, TX
  • 12. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell — Redcrest, CA
  • 13. Wenda Johnson — Pawhuska, OK
  • 14. Andrea Busby — Millsap, TX
  • 15. Katelyn Scott — Odessa, TX
  • 16. Julie Plourde — Krum, TX

1. Kassie Mowry — Dublin, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 1st
2025 Earnings: $203,445
NFR Qualifications: 6 (2005, 2017, 2022–25)
Primary Horses:
• Force The Goodbye “Jarvis” – 7-yr-old gelding
• Famous Ladies Man “Emmett” – 10-yr-old gelding
• CP He Will Be Epic “Will” – 10-yr-old gelding

 

2025 Season Highlights

• Won RodeoHouston
• Won San AngeloGreeley, and Gooding
• Finished second at San Antonio & Calgary Stampede
• Finished second at Eugene, OR

Career Notes

• 2024 WPRA World Champion
• Tied the historic record with five consecutive NFR round wins in 2024
• Surpassed $1 million in WPRA rodeo earnings in 2024

Personal

Top futurity horse trainer; originally from California. Lost fiancé Michael Boone in 2024 and now campaigns Jarvis, a horse they purchased together. Known for running very few rodeos while still qualifying through efficiency.

  • $110K in 15 Rodeos: The Unbreakable Kassie Mowry
Kassie Mowry and Force The Goodbye Calgary barrel racing
Kassie Mowry and Force The Goodbye break the Calgary Stampede Arena Record | Covy Moore/Calgary Photo

2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi — Lampasas, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 2nd
2025 Earnings: $194,716
NFR Qualifications: 18
World Titles: 3 (2007, 2009, 2023)
Primary Horses:
• Sir Epic “Sir” – 7-yr-old gelding
• Cashen In The Fame “Bobby” – 12-yr-old gelding

2025 Season Highlights

• Won the NFR OpenRodeo AustinDodge CityWestcliffeCortez
• Second at GreeleyCastle RockMonticelloKalispell

Career Notes

• One of the winningest barrel racers in history
• Set all-time single-year earnings record in 2023
• Over $3.6 million in career earnings

Personal

Married to PRCA header Garrett Tonozzi; daughter Tinlee. Began rodeoing after insisting on buying a horse from classified ads at age 8.

  • Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Sweeps Mountain States Circuit Barrel Racing Honors 2024
Brittany Pozzi races home on Sir Epic
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi wins NFR Open 2025 on Sir Epic | Impulse Photography/Mallory Beinborn

3. Emily Beisel — Weatherford, OK

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 3rd
2025 Earnings: $189,005
NFR Qualifications: 7 (2019–25)
Primary Horses:
• ChongoLizaChewyPipewrenchTriggerOlieBeau

2025 Season Highlights

• Won LawtonDeadwoodGordonAbbyville
• Second at NFR OpenSt. PaulRenoPretty Prairie
• Second at TucsonLovingtonAtokaBremerton

Career Notes

• Prairie Circuit standby, multiple event wins every season
• 2024 NFR Round 10 winner
• Crossed $1 million career earnings in 2022

Personal

Married to Austin Beisel. Works as a dental hygienist. Known for her deep roster of talented horses and strong Fourth of July runs.

  • Walk It Out—Emily Beisel’s Secret to Perfecting The Pattern

4. Hailey Kinsel — Cotulla, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 4th
2025 Earnings: $186,317
NFR Qualifications: 9 (2017–25)
World Titles: 4 (2018–2020, 2022)
Primary Horses:
• DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” – 14-yr-old mare
• TJ – 21-yr-old gelding
• Reese – 9-yr-old mare

2025 Season Highlights

• Won RenoCodySpanish Fork (new arena record), Woodward
• Co-champion at Elko
• Second at RodeoHoustonHermiston

Career Notes

• Holds the fastest time in Thomas & Mack history (13.11)
• Has earned over $1.38M at the NFR alone
• One of the most decorated barrel racers ever

Personal

Grew up on a South Texas cattle ranch. Former Texas A&M rodeo athlete. Known for her iconic partnership with “Sister.”

Hailey Kinsel Reno Rodeo
Hailey Kinsel Reno Rodeo 2025 | Click Thompson Photo

5. Megan McLeod-Sprague — Marsing, ID

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 5th
2025 Earnings: $174,974
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Jaggar – 14-yr-old gelding
• Ticket – 6-yr-old mare

2025 Season Highlights

• Won San AntonioPleasant GroveCastro ValleyLivingstonCanbyHomedale
• Second at Fort WorthReddingCodyBasin CityRedmond

Career Notes

• 2025 WPRA Lifetime Family Heritage Award
• Longtime circuit competitor with multiple regional finals qualifications

Personal

Married to Buck Sprague; mother of two. Deep family roots in rodeo; previously served as Wilderness & Columbia River Circuit Director.

  • Megan McLeod-Sprague on The Money Barrel
Megan Mcleod-Sprague barrel racing
Megan Mcleod-Sprague tops Round 1 at Governor’s Cup 2025 | Click Thompson photo

6. Lisa Lockhart — Oelrichs, SD

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 6th
2025 Earnings: $169,467
NFR Qualifications: 18 (2007–24)
Primary Horses:
• Rosa – 15-yr-old mare
• Sasha – 7-yr-old mare

2025 Season Highlights

• Won CheyenneEstes ParkRapid CityBuffaloGranite Falls
• Second at PendletonPuyallupMandanNew TownTremonton

Career Notes

• WPRA all-time career earnings leader with over $3.4 million
• Three-time NFR Average Champion
• Over $1.75M NFR earnings alone

Personal

Married to Grady; three children. Renowned horsewoman with decades of consistency at rodeo’s highest level.

  • PROFile: The Lisa Lockhart Story

7. Carlee Otero — Perrin, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 7th
2025 Earnings: $168,493
NFR Qualifications: 5 (2011–12, 2014, 2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• Sly – 7-yr-old gelding
• Regina – 7-yr-old mare
• Twix – 7-yr-old mare

2025 Season Highlights

• Won DenverDeltaPrestonMoses Lake
• Co-champion at Lehi, UT
• Second at Salinas & Kingman

Career Notes

• Crossed $1 million in 2025
• Utah Pioneer Week Top Hand winner
• Known for gritty, aggressive style and multiple standout mounts

Personal

Married to Michael Otero; mom of five. Also a leading Texas realtor.

  • PROFile: The Carlee Otero Story
Carlee Otero barrel racing Fort Worth
Carlee Otero wins Round 1 Bracket 3 at FWSSR 2025 | RodeoBum photo courtesy FWSSR

8. Anita Ellis — Blackfoot, ID *out on injury*

2025 World Standings: 8th
2025 Earnings: $146,991
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Axe – 9-yr-old gelding
• Rico – 5-yr-old gelding

2025 Season Highlights

• Won Calgary StampedeYumaWindow RockFiler
• Tied for second at Tucson & Gooding
• Set arena record at Puyallup (13.52)

Career Notes

• Nearly $1M EquiStat earnings including futurities
• Rapid rise through the WPRA ranks after years away

Personal

Survived major spinal injuries before returning to the sport. Mother is vaunted trainer Vauna Walker. Married to Brandon; mom of four.

  • No. 16 Julie Plourde Will Replace Injured Anita Ellis at 2025 NFR
Anita Ellis Calgary Stampede barrel racing
Anita Ellis and SGL Rico win Calgary Stampede 2025 | Covy Moore/Calgary Photo

9. Halyn Lide — China Spring, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 9th
2025 Earnings: $144,614
NFR Qualifications: 2 (2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• Keeper – 13-yr-old gelding
• Heaven – 12-yr-old gelding

2025 Season Highlights

• Won Cinch Playoffs Governor’s CupPuyallupBremerton
• Bronze medal at Utah Days of ’47
• Multiple seconds including Ellensburg & Gooding

Career Notes

• Big break came during Cowboy Christmas 2024
• 2024 NFR average top-eight finisher

Personal

Married to Aaron; two sons. Keeper is out of her own college mare. Comes from a non-rodeo family and built her career from scratch.

  • PROFile: The Halyn Lide Story
Halyn Lide and Keeper barrel racing
Halyn Lide winning Window Rock, Arizona. Image by Jake Hodnett.

10. Tayla Moeykens — Three Forks, MT

(Headshot here, right-aligned))

2025 World Standings: 10th
2025 Earnings: $142,560
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• LizardBlueYeti

2025 Season Highlights

• Won PendletonHermistonBozemanJacksonHeber CityBig ForkLas Vegas Plaza Rodeo
• Second at CheyenneRoundup, MTWhite Sulphur Springs

Career Notes

• CNFR National Champion (2021)
• Multi-event high school & college standout

Personal

Raised in a rodeo family; mother is a WPRA member. Owns 4M Performance Horses and Cool Nerd Marketing.

Tayla Moeykens runs across the Pendleton Round-Up Grass on her horse,Lizard.
Tayla Moeykens and JM PocketsDoubleDash win Pendleton Round-Up | Click Thompson Photo

11. Tricia Aldridge — Sanger, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 11th
2025 Earnings: $141,182
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horse:
• Adios Pantalones – 5-yr-old stallion

2025 Season Highlights

• Won AlbuquerqueAbileneLos FresnosWaxahachie, multiple CA/UT/ID stops
• Second at Cinch Playoffs Governor’s CupCaldwellPleasant GroveJackson

Career Notes

• New to ProRodeo after futurity focus
• Adios is the highest-earning barrel stallion on record

Personal

Degree in Construction Engineering. Grew up outside rodeo; began barrel racing on an Arabian she trained herself.

  • PROFile: The Tricia Aldridge Story
Tricia Aldridge running barrels
Tricia Aldridge and Adios in Oakdale | Click Thompson photo

12. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell — Redcrest, CA

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 12th
2025 Earnings: $140,032
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• PiperFancySharky

2025 Season Highlights

• Won Walla WallaLewistonScottsdaleThermalRedmondSonoraFallon, many more
• Co-champion at Vernal & Eagle
• Set Gem State Stampede arena record

Career Notes

• Fast rise with home-bred mare Piper
• Strong West Coast season with numerous wins

Personal

Married to John Stillwell. Started riding at age 4 on an Arabian. Co-owner of Cowgirl Canna CBD.

  • California Girl: Hayle Gibson-Stillwell on the Money Barrel
Hayle Gibson-Stillwell turns a barrel
Hayle Gibson-Stillwell at Vernal, Utah | Click Thompson photo

13. Wenda Johnson — Pawhuska, OK

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 13th
2025 Earnings: $138,428
NFR Qualifications: 6 (2020–25)
Primary Horses:
• MoDiego

2025 Season Highlights

• Won OdessaGuymonOgdenKansas CityTremontonOmahaNew PlymouthAmarillo
• Second at LogandaleNampaDeadwood

Career Notes

• Notable for big wins at major rodeos including FWSSR, San Angelo
• Consistent six-year NFR qualifier

Personal

Doctor of Nursing Practice; originally from Arizona. Married with two daughters. Known for analytical, horsemanship-first style.

  • PROFile: The Wenda Johnson Story
Wenda Johnson barrel racing
Wenda Johnson | Phil Kitts/Avid Visual Imagery

14. Andrea Busby — Millsap, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 14th
2025 Earnings: $133,098
NFR Qualifications: 2 (2024–25)
Primary Horses:
• TitoDerbyGoodbye

2025 Season Highlights

• Won Fort WorthElizabethFiler
• Second at North Platte

Career Notes

• 2024 NFR Average Champion (new record 144.12)
• Co-owner of Busby Quarter Horses, one of the most influential breeding programs in the sport

Personal

Married to Jeff Busby. Former Division I volleyball player; long history of raising elite barrel horses.

  • PROFiles: The Andrea Busby Story
Andrea Busby Born on Derby Day barrel racing
Andrea Busby and Born On Derby Day at San Antonio | Click Thompson Photography

15. Katelyn Scott — Odessa, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 15th
2025 Earnings: $130,763
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Primary Horses:
• Peanut SeedTwiz

2025 Season Highlights

• Won CaldwellSan BernardinoPlainsGunnisonArtesia
• Second at AlbuquerqueAbileneBurleyTylerMandanYuma

Career Notes

• 2024 Turquoise Circuit Average Champion
• Several years of steady progress before breakthrough 2025 season

Personal

Married to PRCA tie-down roper Cody Scott. Deep family rodeo heritage; niece of first GRA president Margaret Owens.

  • Faith of a ‘Peanut Seed’: Katelyn Scott Wins Caldwell, Reaches No. 16 in World Standings

16. Julie Plourde — Krum, TX

(Headshot here, right-aligned)

2025 World Standings: 16th
2025 Earnings: $118,276
Career Earnings: $150,168
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025)
Joined WPRA: 2024
Primary Horses:
• Wateverock RC “Rocky” – 7-yr-old gelding (Firewaterontherock × Wateva)
• KF Epic Ta Fame “Epic” – 8-yr-old gelding (Epic Leader × Gotta Go Tafame)
• Famous Mic Guy Ver “Micguyver” – 10-yr-old gelding (Frenchmans Guy × Disarray), owned by Tiany Schuster & Edwin Cameron

2025 Season Highlights

• Replacing injured Anita Ellis (ranked 8th) at the 2025 Wrangler NFR
• Won Idaho Falls, ID
• Won Eugene, OR
• Won Monticello, UT
• Won Claremore, OK
• Won Vernon, TX
• Won Carthage, TX
• Second at Rock Springs, WY
• Second at Clovis (CA) — fastest time of the entire rodeo

Career Highlights

• 2024 Reserve Rookie of the Year
• Finished 2024 ranked 58th with $31,892

Personal

Married to Yves Morissette. Originally from Quebec, Canada, where she learned to ride as a trail guide for tourists. Grew up riding ponies and competes in a Brazilian saddle. First French Canadian to qualify for the NFR.

  • 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Canadian Sensation Julie Plourde
Julie Plourde barrel racing
Julie Plourde | Phil Kitts/ Avid Visual Imagery

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