No one has been hotter this winter than breakaway roper Danielle Lowman who dominated headlines thus far in Texas at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Also read more about Sara Winkelman who won the barrel racing in Ft. Worth and our rookie spotlight on Tessa Arnold.
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March 2024
Texas Swing Queen
Danielle Lowman Making Her Mark on ProRodeo
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CONTENTS
News
431 S. Cascade Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 PH: 719 - 447 - 4627 FX: 719 - 447 - 4631 Please contact the WPRA office for all correspondence regarding the WPRA News.
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Jimmie Munroe WPRA President Ann Bleiker (719) 330-4293 ableiker@yahoo.com Managing Editor Paige Louis Thomas (719) 633-7700 paigeink@gmail.com Graphic Designer Allie Bohus Josie Fladager Tim Gentry Brittany Gunn Ted Harbin Joe Kusek Kristen M. White Contributing Writers WPRA Office (719) 447-4627 (877) 977-2462 Fax: (719) 447-4631 www.wpra.com
In The News...................................................................................................................6
Taking Care of Business..............................................................................................8
2024 WPRA ProRodeo Standings..............................................................................10
2024 WPRA Resistol Rookie Standings....................................................................11
Texas Swing Queen: Danielle Lowman....................................................................14
2024 Barrel Circuit Standings...................................................................................16
Business of..................................................................................................................17
San Antonio: Kassie Mowry......................................................................................18
Denver: Halyn Lide.....................................................................................................20
WPRA News does not endorse and is not responsible for the contents of any ad in this publication. Neither that information nor any opinion which may be expressed here constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities. Opinions expressed in letters to the editor and commentaries are those of the authors and not necessarily those of WPRA NEWS. WPRA News (ISSN 1093-9202) is published monthly by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Subscriptions are $45 a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 WPRA News is designed to provide current news and results to the members of the WPRA and WPRA All-Women Rodeo. Direct all editorial and advertising correspondence to WPRA News , 431 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80903 Trademark 2017 WPRA NEWS Published by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Printed, produced and read in the U.S.A.
2024 Roping World Standings...................................................................................21
2024 Futurity/Derby Standings.................................................................................21
2024 Junior Standings................................................................................................21
Rookie Spotlight: Tessa Arnold.................................................................................22
SponsorSpotlight: RAM Truck Voucher Winner......................................................23
2024 Breakaway Circuit Standings...........................................................................23
On the Cover : Danielle Lowman has been blazing a trail through the Lone Star State not only winning the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo with record setting runs but she also roped the title at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo with wicked fast times. Lowman of Gilbert, Arizona, has dominated the Texas Rodeo swing thus far and is currently ranked No. 1. Photo by Rodeobum.com, James Phifer
4 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 5
IN THE NEWS Reno Rodeo Association 2024 Hall of Fame Honorees
2024 Calgary Stampede Qualifications Parameters Released
The Reno Rodeo Association recently honored legendary cowboys and cowgirls at their 2024 Hall of Fame celebration dinner on Saturday, March 9 at the Reno Livestock Events Center.
The WPRA Board of Directors approved the 2024 Calgary Stampede qualification parameters during their recent Board meeting in Colorado Springs. A total of 30 contestants will earn an opportunity to compete at the Greatest Show on Dirt north of the border in Calgary. The breakdown for those 30 will be as follows: • Top four (4) from the 2023 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association final standings (drop-down until filled) • Top fifteen (15) from the 2023 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Pro Rodeo final standings (no drop down- if someone drops out, it goes to 2024 World Standings) • Top five (5) from the 2024 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Qualifications standings as of April 1, 2024, not already qualified (drop down until filled) • Top two (2) from the 2024 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Western Region Event Qualifier not already qualified (drop down until filled) • Top four (4) from the 2024 Calgary Stampede Ladies Barrel Racing and Breakaway Roping Qualifier not already qualified (drop down until filled). Visit www.wpra.com for more information.
“This event is a great opportunity to delve into the rich history and tradition of the Reno Rodeo while networking with the organization’s community,” said Carrie Ann Sattler, 2024 Reno Rodeo President. The 2024 Reno Rodeo Hall of Fame class included for the first time ever a WPRA member when they honored four-time world champion barrel racer Kristie Peterson. In addition to four world titles, Peterson and her great horse Bozo claimed the Reno Rodeo barrel racing title four times. Joining Peterson in the class of 2024 was Clint Corey (PRCA Bareback Rider), Bob Feist (Contract Personnel), Grant Dalen (Past Reno Rodeo Association President), Bob Beach (Past Reno Rodeo Association President) and Gurrs Roofing, Heating and Sheet Metal (Contributor/Sponsor) The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West” returns to the Biggest Little City for the 105th year June 20–29. With 10 exciting nights of rodeo competition, the Reno Rodeo is one of the premier stops on the Pro Rodeo Tour. For more information visit RenoRodeo.com.
6 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 7
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
2024 Playoff Series Schedule Odessa, TX * Denver, CO
WPRA 2024 Holiday Schedule Holiday Day of Week From the Corner Office
Casper, WY Sheridan, WY* Elko, NV Nampa, ID*
Date
Fort Worth, TX* San Antonio, TX* Jackson, MS Tucson, AZ Houston, TX* Austin, TX* Mercedes, TX* San Angelo, TX* Redmond, OR* Logandale, NV* Red Bluff, CA* Clovis, CA* Guymon, OK* Redding, CA Woodward, OK* Sisters, OR* Reno, NV* Pecos, TX* Prineville, OR* Greeley, CO* Prescott, AZ* St. Paul, OR Oakley City, UT* Cody, WY* Belle Fourche, SD* Livingston, MT Red Lodge, MT* Basin City, WA*
Memorial Day
Monday Thursday Monday Thursday
May 27
Salt Lake City , UT* Spanish Fork, UT*
Independence Day
July 4
Ogden, UT* Salinas, CA*
Labor Day
September 2 November 28 November 29 December 24
Thanksgiving Day
Cheyenne, WY* Deadwood, SD Dodge City, KS* Castle Rock, CO* Hermiston, OR* Lovington, NM* Logan, UT* Caldwell, ID* Canby, OR* Gooding, ID* Moses Lake, WA* Kennewick, WA* Bremerton, WA* Tremonton, UT* Filer, ID* Ellensburg, WA* Walla Walla, WA* Abilene, TX* Pendleton, OR* Albuquerque, NM* CINCH PLAYOFFS: Puyallup, WA* Sioux Falls, SD*
Day After Thanksgiving Friday
Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year’s Eve
Tuesday
Wednesday December 25
Tuesday
December 31
2025 Holiday New Year’s Eve Day
Wednesday January 1
Thought of the Month THE JELLY BEANS RED – is for the blood HE gave, GREEN – is for the grass HE made, ORANGE – is for the edge of night, BLACK – is for the sins we made, WHITE – is for the grace HE gave, PURPLE – is for HIS hours of sorrow, PINK – is for our new tomorrow. May every day be EASTER in your heart. May the Joy you feel on EASTER morning Be the Joy of each day of your life.
Vernal, UT* Calgary, AB*
Rodeos with asterisk * have breakaway as well. Please check PRCA’s website frequently for updates. The WPRA will update information accordingly. The Playoff Series rodeos are subject to change, cancel, reschedule or postpone.
DidYou Know Coughing is one of the first clinical signs of respiratory diseases in humans, but it is much less likely to be observed in horses (even in the cases of severe disease).
Rule of the Month While an event is in progress, please remember to give judges and timers space to do their job. Speaking to the flag judge or timekeepers while an event is in progress can result in a majoar rule violation. Please refer to rule 9.3.11. in the 2024 Rule Book
“Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.”
8 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
justincowboycrisisfund.org LEND A HAND TODAY
2024 WPRA PRO RODEO STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of March 4, 2024 *2023 WPRA World Champion BARREL RACING 1. Sara Winkelman Big Lake, MN $34,832 2. Ashley Castleberry Montgomery, TX $34,085 3. Hailey Kinsel Cotulla, TX $31,992 4. Kassie Mowry Dublin, TX $30,615 5. Abby Phillips Marshall, TX $28,868 6. Emily Beisel Weatherford, OK $26,879 7. Taylor Carver Broxton, GA $25,411 8. Wenda Johnson Pawhuska, OK $24,520 9. Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, SD $24,117 10. Katie Jo Halbert Port Lavaca, TX $23,953 11. Sissy Winn Chapman, TX $22,775 *12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Lampasas, TX $21,704 13. Preslie Reid San Angelo, TX $20,972 14. Shelley Morgan Eustace, TX $19,944 15. Rainey Skelton Llano, TX $16,814 16. Tayla Moeykens Three Forks, MT $16,751 17. Chloe Gray Yatesville, GA $16,517 18. Jamie Olsen Brock, TX $15,989 19. Oceane Veilleux (R) St.-Alfred, QC, Canada $15,859 20. Halyn Lide China Spring, TX $15,329 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Danielle Lowman Gilbert, AZ
$49,909 $26,456 $25,276 $21,158 $20,978 $19,326 $17,729 $17,099 $16,215 $16,145 $15,377 $13,949 $12,851 $12,645 $11,836 $11,187 $10,592 $10,418 $9,989 $9,932
Maddy Deerman
Hope, NM
*3. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged
Miles City, MT Stephenville, TX
Jackie Crawford Rickie Fanning
Spearfish, SD Abilene, TX
Bradi Good
Cassidy Boggs Sarah Angelone
Stephenville, TX
Lipan, TX
Jordan Jo Hollabaugh
Springtown, TX
10. Taylor Munsell 11. Bailey Bates 12. Willow Wilson 13. Martha Angelone
Alva, OK
Tohatchi, NM
Baggs, WY
Stephenville, TX
14. Tacy Webb
Midway, TX Fitzhugh, OK Buffalo, SD
15. Braylee Shepherd 16. Sawyer Gilbert
17. JJ Hampton
Stephenville, TX Las Cruces, NM Pendleton, OR Big Timber, MT
18. Nicole Baggarley 19. Bailey Patterson 20. Cadee Williams
Where The Elite Compete SM
2023 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Photo by Kenneth Springer
2023 WPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper Shelby Boisjoli-Meged Photo by Rodeobum.com
10 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
2024 WPRA RESISTOL STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of March 8, 2024 BARREL RACING 1. Oceane Veilleux St. Alfred, Quebec, CN $15,859 2. Millie Marquart Mason, TX $15,094 3. Tessa Arnold Coleman, TX $9,224 4. Tiffany Lujan Stephenville, TX $5,443 5. Julie Plourde Saint-Gedeon, Quebec, CN $4,578 6. Shaeley Jenkins Palatka, FL $3,927 7. Sadie Miller Jonesboro, AR $3,177 8. Madison McCaffity Omaha, TX $2,319 9. Kylie Perra LaBelle, FL $2,241 10. Piper Cordes Wall, SD $1,634 11. Tammy Stedmen Arlee, MT $1,448 12. Shelby Anderson Foley, AL $1,442 13. Krystal Dillman Navasota, TX $1,432 14. Allie Murphy Snyder, TX $1,356 15. Ryleigh Kaye Adams Okeechobee, FL $1,265 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. KC-Gail Churchill Waco, TX
$5,238 $4,892 $3,351 $2,972 $2,369 $2,080 $2,019 $1,498 $1,166 $1,160 $1,085 $1,084 $1,077 $1,031
Nikayla Brill Shiloh Napp Tayler Felton Sierra Spratt
Summerdale, AL Enterprise, MS
Fallon, NV
San Tan Valley, AZ
Jakelyn Primrose Georgia Orahood Addison Elliott Ariana Varischetti
Eaglelake, TX Malta, MT Live Oak, FL
Carbon, TX Laurel, MT
10. Ronni Chaffee 11. Harley Meged 12. Codi Bowen 13. Aldyn Ashton 14. Calli Kaufman 15. Shelby Edwards
Miles City, MT Worden, MT
Lorida, FL
Olympia, WA Broadalbin, NY
$993
Where The Elite Compete SM
2023 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year Kali McCall. Photo by Ric Andersen
2023 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year Braylee Shepherd. Photo by Click Thompson
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 11
TEXAS SWING QUEEN Lowman Lights It Up in the WPRA With Lightning-Fast
Times By Ted Harbin T hough she’s roped all her life, Danielle Lowman is adjusting. The modifications are working well. Through five events, she has earned $49,909 and is the No. 1 breakaway roper in the ProRodeo world standings. Here’s the kicker: $47,250 has come at just two Texas rodeos she won: Fort Worth and San Antonio. “It’s a work in progress,” said Lowman, who competed at her second Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Titos Vodka this past December. “The more I know, the more confident I get in my horse, the more I learn about the setups and the new ways of trying to get better is what’s happening.” It’s all about speed for Lowman, a Navajo cowgirl from Gilbert, Arizona. She proved it rather flawlessly during the second day of the breakaway roping finals at the South Point
There has been no one consistently as fast as Danielle Lowman in the WPRA ranks in 2024 and that has led the Gilbert, Arizona, cowgirl to the top of the world standings. Her most recent title came at the 75th San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo stopping the clock in the final round in a wicked fast 1.6 to win the title. She also added $22,500 to her bank account from the Alamo City. Photo by Kay Miller
in Las Vegas, winning three straight rounds, including 1.7-second runs in both the eighth and ninth. In all, she earned $17,692 in Sin City. That served as the perfect starting blocks to kick off the new calendar year for Lowman, who has been downright fast through the opening two months of 2024. Her run through the first two events of the “Texas Swing” are evidence of her rush to greatness. In Fort Worth, she posted runs of 1.8 and 1.6 seconds to lead the way in Bracket 7 and earn a spot in the semifinals, where she snagged a fourth-place finish to make the finale. There she added another 1.8-second run to win the grand prize; all told, she left Dickies Arena with $24,750. “At this point, drawing the right calves and just having faith in your horse, having the belief in yourself … it’s all lining out the way it needs to be,” said Lowman, who started team roping and learned to compete in breakaway roping from fellow Navajo cowgirls Bailey Bates and Kassidy Dennison, the latter of whom qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing a decade ago. “Everyone has different styles, and that’s one thing I love about it. We’re all in different aspects of our roping. I try not to ask a lot out of my horse; just get me close enough, and I’m going to make the loop go on. That’s the way I rope, so it’s a work in progress every day. I’m learning about the horsepower and learning ways to make everything
Danielle Lowman is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the women’s breakaway and for good reason with her fast accurate throws resulting in record setting times it is fun watching. After winning her first title in San Antonio she receives some high fives from the fans. Photo gy Hailey Rae
12 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
It’s a lifetime of work and following in the footsteps of the Navajo greats that have gone before her. Before she ever qualified to compete inside it, she watched the first year of breakaway roping inside Dickies Arena from the “nosebleed” seats. Now, she claimed the Fort Worth title. “I remember thinking that it would be cool to rope there one day, then boom, here we are,” Lowman said. “I was able to just soak in those vibes and go and compete at this level. The industry is growing so fast. Just staying in it and watching my fellow competitors that I’ve always grown up around like Derek (Begay), Erich (Rogers) and A.T. (Aaron Tsinigine), the Native Americans that were doing good in the arena, that was our purpose, doing the best we could.” There is a grand history of Native Americans that have succeeded in rodeo, and
The quick times Danielle Lowman posted on the second day of the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping in Las Vegas was just a precursor to what we would witness during the start of her 2024 season. In Fort Worth she came out on fire with times of 1.8 and 1.6 to lead the way in Bracket 7 and advance to the semifinals. In the semifinals she would snag a fourth-place finish to land in the final round where she stopped the clock in 1.8 seconds to win the grand prize. Photo by Rodeobum.com, James Phifer
better. I’ve really focused on my roping ability and my horses a whole lot more.” Her style is working. When she acquired her horse, Shibiz, from Shelby Boisjoli-Meged two years ago, the two had to learn how to work together. There was some training Lowman had to do with the horse and with herself. “It would set myself up on that platform to show Native American kids that it’s possible to see your dreams come true if you believe in yourself and go after it.” “She had to learn the style of our roping, and now it’s like we’re in sync with what style we like,” she said of the 9-year-old sorrel mare. “My family and I purchased her three years ago, and since then, it’s been a work in progress.” That seems to be a common theme, but the production is paying off. At San Antonio, Lowman had a 1.6-second run to win the second round of Bracket 4, which helped her to the semifinals. She didn’t have much luck there, so she was forced to the Wildcard round, where she tagged another 1.6-secod run to advance to the championship round. A third 1.6 secured the title, and she had $22,500 in her account when she left the Alamo City. “Those brackets are tough,” she said. “All I did was play it by ear and let the pieces fall where they needed to, and luckily it worked out. Being 1.6 was a lucky number there for me.” Fortuitous as it may seem, Lowman took advantage of her situation.
she is adding her name to that list. Being on the breakaway roping mountaintop in the spring is great, but being there at the end of the season is what matters most. “It would mean the world to me just to accomplish that goal alone,” Lowman said. “It would set myself up on that platform to show Native American kids that it’s possible to see your dreams come true if you believe in yourself and go after it.” Danielle Lowman was all smiles when talking to Katy Lucas of the Cowboy Channel after her first big Texas win at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. She left Dickies Arean with a grand total of $24,750 in earnings. Photo by Rodeobum.com, James Phifer
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 13
ON TOP OF THE WORLD Winkelman Winning Big at Winter Rodeos By Joe Kuek S ara Winkelman doesn’t have to be reminded she has a great horse. Her children tell her daily. Multiple times a day. Fairway Ta Fame, a nine-year-old sorrel better known as Rory, carried Winkelman to the barrel racing title at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. After working her way through two rounds in Bracket 2 and turning the fastest time of the rodeo in the semifinals, Winkelman and Rory won the Wrangler NFR-like Finals with a time of 16.40 seconds.
“It was really exciting, a dream come true,” said the barrel racer from Big Lake, Minnesota. “A win at Fort Worth is a big money boost.” After going 16.28 to win their semifinal, Winkelman felt good about her horse for the final run. “I ran the I night before with the fastest time,” she said. “The horse showed he was honest and worked well. I was confident he would do his job again in the final round and earn some money.” The former speech language speech pathologist earned checks on all four runs for $27,000. The Finals win was worth $20,000. “Each round was really exciting,” she said. Winkelman was followed by Sissy Winn (16.46), Hailey Kinsel (16.51) and Ilyssa Riley (16.86). All three competed at the Wrangler NFR in December. At the trailer, it was hard to tell who was more thrilled.
trailer is too small. We’ve outgrown it. When we left Minnesota, it was cold and snowy. I wish we would have packed their bikes.” Winkelman was content to balance work and barrel racing. She was the Great Lakes Circuit rookie of the year in 2021 and won the circuit average title in 2022 to qualify for the NFR Open. A phone call changed her life. “In September of 2022, Jane Melby called,” Winkelman said. “She said, ‘You have the horse, come to Texas for the October rodeos. You have the horse for the Wrangler NFR. You have to do this thing.’ I had never thought about it. Jane planted the thought in my mind.” “I didn’t do it,” she finished with a laugh. “I talked it over with my family. I had their support,” she said. “The pieces had to be there to make sense. I have no desire to enter a rodeo unless I get a check.” Winkelman competed in 98 rodeos and placed 16th in the final WPRA world standings. “The goal for 2024 is to improve on last year’s finish and not go to as many rodeos,” she said. In January of 2023, Winkleman quit her job and became a full- time barrel racer. The winter run has certainly helped. She followed her biggest professional win success in Texas, with a win at the Rotary Rodeo in Starkville, Mississippi and a second at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson. Winkelman was leading the world standings at the end of February. “I have lots of people telling me that,” Winkelman said with another laugh. “It’s exciting, I would like to hold on to that for a while. “I know we have a lot of work ahead and we will continue to put in the work.” And if she ever forgets, Winkelman has some gentle reminders. “The kids remind me Rory is awesome.” Sara Winkelman and Fairway Ta Fame put all the WPRA barrel racers on notice winning the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and collecting $27,000. With that the duo shot to the top of the WPRA World Standings. Photo by Rodeobum.com, James Phifer
“The kids were so excited. They were hugging me and hugging Rory,” Winkleman said of her son Kasen (6) and daughter Kree (4) who are accompanying their mother during the winter run. “They are good travelers. The long trips can get to them. They are great helpers. Rory is so gentle with them, they climb on, around and under him. They fight about who gets to ride him. They will help with the warmup or the cool down.” Winkelman raised the horse out of Fair Lady Perks by Streaking Ta Fame, from birth. “Absolutely, we have a connection,” she said. “He is easy to handle, very pleasurable. Rory has a big stride … people comment that he looks smooth. He is pretty quiet around home
Sara Winkelman finished 16th in the 2023 WPRA ProRodeo World Standings just missing out on the Wrangler NFR but she is hoping her quick start to 2024 will earn her that trip to the Thomas and Mack in December. Photo by Rodeobum.com, James Phifer
but when you get to a rodeo, it’s game on.” Competing in Bracket 2, Winkelman placed third in her first-ever run at Dickies Arena. “I was pleased,” she said. “That first run, Rory had a significant stumble on the second barrel. I thought, “Hopefully, we clean this up and be a little faster.’ ” They won the second run in 16.48. With the FWSSR running Jan. 19- Feb. 3, it allowed the family to make a quick trip home before returning to Fort Worth. “Being from Minnesota, you’re never home,” Winkelman said. “Our
14 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 15
2024 PRCA/WPRA CIRCUIT STANDINGS BARREL RACING Unofficial as of March 8, 2024
BADLANDS 1.
7. 8. 9.
Libby Gibson Sammi Lane
$223 $168 $112
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Cheryl Kennedy
$6,714 $4,232 $1,747 $1,660 $1,092
10. Erin Wetzel
$3,567 $3,106 $2,986 $2,820 $2,523 $2,495 $18,381 $9,523 $9,312 $8,855 $7,341 $7,232 $7,005 $6,712 $5,590 $5,385 $5,115 $4,738 $4,547 $4,240 $4,156 $7,910 $3,341 $2,884 $1,278 $1,152
Jessica Routier Nikki Hansen Alyssa Gabrielson
$2,615 $2,609 $2,072 $2,030 $1,969 $1,883 $1,843 $1,379 $1,218 $1,171 $1,108 $1,062 $1,017 $1,003
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
11. Margo Crowther 12. Wendy Culberson 13. Heather Clemons 14. Emily Grace Turner 15. Kendall Kennedy
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Dominique Hart
Shali Lord
Andrea Busby Amanda Welsh
FIRST FRONTIER 1.
Deb Cox
Hannah Goerlach Bobbie Jo Griswold
$678 $589 $413 $324 $147
Lisa Lockhart Taylor Hanson Jenna Humble Amber West Whitney Entzel
Jan Iberlin
$746 $634 $546 $522 $273 $106
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Laura Lambert
TEXAS 1.
Montanna Lambrecht (R)
10. Alex Odle 11. Sage Kohr
Brooke Klinger
Katie Jo Halbert
Erica Chase
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Preslie Reid
12. Brittany Fellows 13. Katie Ferguson 14. Karson Bradley
Wendy Chesnut Renee Gardner
$29 $29
Tiany Schuster Shelley Morgan
10. McKenzie Jendersee
11. Cami Bussmus 12. Katie Rossow 13. Raelin Jurgens 14. Jodi Nelson 15. Emilee Pauley
$37 $37
Oceane Veilleux (R)
GREAT LAKES 1.
Margaret Jones
Rainey Skelton
Katie Chism
$1,885
PRAIRIE 1.
Ashley Castleberry
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Emma Charleston
$763 $753 $664 $564 $508 $381 $365 $256 $174 $116
Emily Beisel
$2,124 $1,840
Kalli McCall Tillar King
Jillian Zaun Jesse Alsup Anessa Ash
$967
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Wenda Johnson Leslie Smalygo Lindsey Muggli Alexa Bagnell
CALIFORNIA 1.
$914 $872 $747 $623 $425 $420 $415 $381 $353 $307 $305 $265 $166
10. LaTricia Duke 11. Kassie Mowry 12. Jordan Driver 13. Keyla Costa
Kathy Petska
$5,067 $3,486 $2,758 $2,170 $1,791 $1,638 $1,422 $1,408 $1,331 $1,141 $1,118
Lakota Elkins (R) Lacinda Rose Lauren Strough Micala Dummit (R)
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Ann McGilchrist
Katie Pascoe
Kallie Gates
Madison Camozzi Debbie Langdon
Tamara Reinhardt Taylor Johnson Libby Berger (R)
14. Kaycee Killingsworth
15. Jodee Miller
10. Tasia Behnke 11. Emma Jordan
Maren Powers
TURQUOISE 1.
Carly Rudd
10. Mary Dugan 11. Ari-Anna Flynn 12. Jordan Swan 13. Ivy Hurst 14. Paige Jones
Shannon Griffin Mariah Morgan Stacey Padilla Madison Bean Amy Sanborn Kailee Murdock
MAPLE LEAF 1.
Tonia Forsberg Miley Bravos
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Taylor Manning Jayden Wilson
$6,306 $4,091 $2,216
2. 3. 4.
10. Mendy Beardsley 11. Skylar Alves (R) 12. Nina Moore 13. Kaillee Hamre
Karli Cowie Lisa Zachoda
$682 $682
$824 $730 $699 $659
15. Kati Jett
$866 $415 $229 $204
Bradi Whiteside
SOUTHEASTERN 1. Taylor Carver
Kaylin Doak
MONTANA 1.
14. Vicky Cook
$10,179 $7,740 $5,876 $5,456 $5,346 $4,578 $4,105 $3,967 $3,927
Sabrina Ketcham
Ashely Day Tia Murphy
$2,040 $1,448 $1,448
15. Elizabeth Bixby
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Ericka Nelson Kristin Hanchey
Leia Pluemer
2.
COLUMBIA RIVER 1. Teri Bangart
WILDERNESS 1.
Tammy Stedmen (R)
$1,173 $1,005
Cindy Patrick
Kailey Mitton
$1,822 $1,562
4. 5.
Celie Salmond
$395 $329
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Lacy Diefenbach
Alex Jones
2. 3. 4.
Sue Smith
Karen Boyd
Julia Johnson Leigh Parker Val James (R)
$838 $726 $447 $335
Julie Plourde (R)
Gracie Beckstrom
$521 $260
MOUNTAIN STATES 1. Maggie Poloncic
Ashley Parks Chloe Gray
Mimi Argyle
$9,901 $8,281
2.
Tessa Arnold (R)
Kylee Echevarria
Shaeley Jenkins (R)
16 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
BUS INESS
DIRECTORS & SPOKESWOMEN
PRESIDENT Jimmie Munroe 254-722-5128 jmunroe@wpra.com VICE PRESIDENT Heidi Schmidt Belfield, ND (701) 928-0260 Heidi.schmidt@wpra.com BADLANDS Circuit Director
COLUMBIA RIVER Circuit Director Rainy Robinson Caldwell, ID 208-870-5256 rainy.robinson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Lexi Burgess Megan Sprague Abby Sutfin FIRST FRONTIER
MONTANA Circuit Director Dillon McPherson
Phoenix, AZ 602-615-7663 Jenna@wpra.com Spokeswomen Barb Johnson Toni Karr Sarah Kieckhefer Stacey Padilla Tibba Smith Carly Todd
Team Roping TBD Tie-down roping Kari Nixon Spokeswomen Badlands Brandi White California Allie Hoskins Liz Hirdes Columbia River Lynn Rodriguez Shayla Currin First Frontier Emily Fabian Great Lakes Danni Clover Montana Jacey Fortier Mountain States Erin Johnson Prairie Christi Braudrick Southeastern Lindsey Pender Texas Jordan Hollabaugh Turquoise Lynn Smith Wilderness Jessica Brinkerhoff
Spokeswomen
Jeanne Anderson Emily Beisel Jamie Chaffin Emma Charleston Michelle Darling Ari Anna Flynn Korrina Hughes Tracy Nowlin Beau Peterson Tana Poppino SOUTHEASTERN Circuit Director Bricklee Miller Starkville, MS 662-418-3963 bricklee@wpra.com Spokeswomen Brandi Geiger TEXAS
Wolf Point, MT 406-650-8458 Dillon.McPherson@wpra. com Spokeswomen Cierra Erickson Jill Ferdina Lindsay Kruse Darae Larson Laura McPherson Valee Miller Katie Rasmussen Maria Taylor MOUNTAIN STATES Circuit Director Shelly Vossler Cheyenne, WY 307-286-1449 Shelly@wpra.com Spokeswomen Shali Lord Melanie Luark Wendy McKee Kelcey McNamee Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Kim Schulze Mackenzie Scott Shelly Risner Vossler PRAIRIE
WILDERNESS Circuit Director
Circuit Director Kathy Clement Pedricktown, NJ 856-430-7961 Kathy@wpra.com Spokeswomen
Nicole Bice Killdeer, ND 605-553-4546 Nicole@wpra.com Spokeswomen
Julie Herman Bluffdale, UT 801-548-4797 Julie.Herman@wpra.com Spokeswomen Meka Farr Kali Jo Parker Amberley Snyder Melissa Taylor Terri Wood Gates ROPING DIVISION Director - R1 Christi Braudrick Caddo, OK 918-207-9757 Christi@wpra.com Director - R2 Lynn Smith Elfrida, AZ 520-678-6702
Lakken Bice Hallie Fulton Nikki Hansen Cally Kindred Lisa Lockhart Jessica Routier
Jody Stockton Dawn Powell Beth Borowy Kris Roy Kristin Weber
Circuit Director Lois Ferguson West, TX (254) 744-2878 Lois.Ferguson@wpra.com Spokeswomen Stephanie Fryar
GREAT LAKES Circuit Director Melora Potter Marion, KY 270-704-0865 Melora@wpra.com Spokeswomen
CALIFORNIA Circuit Director Sheena Robbins Fresno, CA 559-940-2638 Sheena@wpra.com Spokeswomen Vicki Cook
Stevi Hillman Kelly Kaminski Shelley Morgan Kylee Scribner Jimmie Smith Tew Kelly Tovar Martha Wright TURQUOISE Circuit Director Jenna Duhon
Sandi Brandli Ronda Casey Cassy Hooks Lindsay Leverington Sissy Warren Conny Winkers
Kris Gadbois Katie Pascoe Kathy Petska Christina Porter
Circuit Director Cindy Gillespie Ransom, KS 785-731-5306 Cindy@wpra.com
Lynn@wpra.com Assistant Directors Jennifer Casey Lari Dee Guy Event Directors
PROCOM TURNOUT/RELEASE DEADLINES Procedure: A contestant wishing to make a notified turn out or release must notify PROCOM no later than three hours prior to the performance/ slack of which she is turning out, unless an earlier deadline applies (see following). Morning Slack: A contestant desiring to make a notified turn out or release for a morning section of slack must so notify PROCOM no later than the turn out deadline of the previous evening’s performance or 5 p.m. (Colorado Mountain Time) of the day prior to such section of slack if there is no performance the previous evening. It is important to remember that all times are based on Mountain Standard Time. The only official turnout or release is through PROCOM. Notifying the rodeo secretary is not official. PROCOM HOURS Entries and Call Back
DEADLINE FOR PAYING ENTRY FEES: 10.5.4 Contestants competing at the rodeo must pay entry fees to the rodeo secretary at the rodeo or entry fees must be received in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo. 10.5.4.1. Contestants turning out of a rodeo must have entry fees paid in the WPRA office by 3:00 PM Mountain time, Tuesday following the end of the rodeo.
CANADIAN INFORMATION C.P.R.A. Office (403)250-7440 Canadian Rodeo Entry System (800)661-8523 (403)250-7666 CRES Administration (403)250-7299 To enter CPRA rodeos, a current October 2014CPRA membership is required.
WPRA CREDIT CARD POLICY The WPRA will accept Visa/Mastercard/Discover/ Amex for the following: Dues • Fines • Entry Fees There will be a $10 charge on each transaction.
Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. MT Weekends 8:30 a.m. until last deadline ProCom numbers: (800)234-PRCA (7722) ProCom Local & Trades Line: (719)548-4800 Online ProCom Entry – through WPRA Portal portal.wpra.com
HEADQUARTERS 431 S. CASCADE
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. 80903 (719) 447-4627 • FAX: (719) 447-4631 WWW.WPRA.COM BUSINESS HOURS: MON. - FRI. 8:30 A.M. - 5 P.M.
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 17
BACK-TO-BACK Mowry Defends Her Title in San Antonio By Kristen M. White A victory in San Antonio is on the bucket list for a lot of barrel racers and can go a long way to securing a spot in the
Wrangler NFR at the end of the year. So, to win it back- to-back, and in a very unexpected fashion, was all the sweeter this year for Kassie Mowry. Mowry, of Dublin, Texas, switched horses midway through the rodeo and didn’t have huge expectations. So, when she walked away from a lightning-fast final round with a time of 13.68 seconds - and the victory - she was shocked and thrilled. “The first girl out of the gate in the finals was a 13.8 and that was insanely fast for that arena, and it was just 13 after 13,” Mowry said. “There weren’t many hit barrels either that I heard, and I was just sort of laughing to myself. I was last out and it honestly just kind of took the pressure off of me. I had no expectations and just let it happen.” She recalled exiting the arena after her run and being raced off her horse onto the truck for the victory lap - she didn’t even know her time until the rodeo was over because the crowd was so loud and electric, and everything happened so quickly.
To win the barrel racing title at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo once is an accomplishment but to win it in back-to-back years on different horses is astonishing. That is exactly what Kassie Mowry did in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, she captured the title aboard CP He Will Be Epic “Will” and while the grey gelding got her to the finals in 2024, Mowry had to make a horse change for the semifinals due to an injury Will sustained at home. So, Force the Goodbye “Jarvis” got the call and handled it like a champ carrying Mowry to her second title in the Alamo City. Photo by Kay Miller
Part of why Mowry was astonished with the accomplishment is because she was riding her horse Force the Goodbye “Jarvis” for the semi- and final rounds, after having run CP He Will Be Epic “Will” in the early rounds. She said the day before going back to San Antonio for the semi- finals, she was riding Will at home, and he spooked, and his muscles cramped. She knew she couldn’t continue to ride him at San Antonio, so she turned to 6-year-old Jarvis. “He hadn’t done a run in a month. I’d been trying to get my colts caught up and there’s construction at my place and so I had barely even ridden Jarvis in a month, but he’s always a good choice. I thought, ‘I know this horse can clock, but is he ready?’” She recalled. “So, I went out and figured I’d make the best of it. I had realistic expectations - I knew he could do great things, but he’s also still sort of green, and we weren’t prepared.” In their first run together at San Antonio, Jarvis showed he was ready, whether or not Mowry had been expecting it. He clocked a 14.18 to finish second in the semi-finals 1 round, moving her to the finals where he laid down the blistering run and won the whole thing. “San Antonio is a really prestigious rodeo and it’s one of my all- time favorites through the years, whether I’ve done good there or not,” Mowry said. “I don’t think it’s sunk in, really, that I won it back-to- back. Just switching horses like that, I was pretty blown away with what Jarvis did. It was pretty dang cool that he pulled that off!”
“I’ve watched the video of that last run so many times, and it was really fun, kind of an ideal run,” Mowry said. “The whole round was so much fun.”
Kassi Mowry knows the importance to her rodeo and futurity schedules to have a strong showing at the winter ProRodeos. She capitalized on a big opportunity for the second consecutive year winning the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo picking up $22,500 in the process. Photo by Hailey Rae
18 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
Mowry credited Will for a great start to the rodeo, noting that he is a bit scared of the arena where the horses run so close to the fences and people. They were third in the first round of their bracket and won the third round with a 13.93-second run, so both horses had performances to be proud of. Winning $22,500 at San Antonio gives Mowry a boost to possibly make her way back for a fifth NFR appearance (she qualified last year after going to just 28 well-chosen rodeos). But it also gives her the freedom to do her favorite thing - spend more time with her futurity horses. “It’s kind of a bonus for me to make the Finals and it’s a lot of fun, but my futurity horses are my passion. It’s what I love to do the most,” she said. “I love the babies and don’t have a ton of pressure running them, because you can’t have expectations with them. They help me stay sharp. “Keeping a couple of horses back (9-year- old Will and Jarvis) gives me something to be competitive on and I like being able to rodeo occasionally and get out of trainer mode. This is what we train for the whole time!” Because of her extensive futurity program,
While Kassie Mowry might not have had any expectations in San Antonio riding her 6-year-old gelding Jarvis, he had other plans. After a strong showing at the Wrangler NFR, Jarvis wanted more action at PRCA Rodeos, and he showed his stuff stopping the clock in the final round in a time of 13.68 seconds to give Mowry her second consecutive title at the 75th San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Photo by Hailey Rae
Mowry picks and chooses rodeos carefully, working to get into the big winter rodeos that are both near home and pay well so that she can stay home a lot of the year. She goes out for a few weeks during the Fourth
of July run and tries to make the most out of her limited rodeo time. It’s crazy busy - but she loves getting the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds.
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 19
KEEPER’S A SLEEPER Denver Co-Champ Halyn Lide Starts 2024 In Style By Tim Gentry S ome horses absolutely scream speed on the pattern. Turns are a tangle of skidding hooves and flying dirt, straightaways a blur, and it seems perfectly natural for them to clock fast times. But other horses have that rare gift of effortless speed,
seeming to lope around the pattern with such ease that a fast time seems impossible, even after breaking the eye and presenting the evidence. “He’s very deceiving, but he turns really fast.,” said China Spring, TX, cowgirl Halyn Lide of her home-grown horse, Jettin’ Ta Heaven, better known as “Keeper.” “I have had announcers say he didn’t look like he was running and that I was going slow and easy, and I was going to need to catch up some speed. He just kind of floats through the whole thing.” Being almost taunted by announcers during their run might be enough to throw a lesser contestant off, but recounting the stories just elicits a laugh. No one seems to be more surprised at their level of success than Lide herself, especially after her dramatic co-championship at the Denver National Western Stock Show Rodeo (NWSS) in January. After fighting their way through the bracket, Lide and Keeper ran a 14.73 in the finals to tie with four-time WPRA World Champion Hailey Kinsel and “Sister.” That’s not to say Lide hasn’t always known Keeper was special. She’s just more surprised that life and circumstances have blessed her with this opportunity. She had never been to Denver and wasn’t even going to enter this year if it meant driving alone. It was only after her sister-in-law agreed to make the trip with her that she entered up and proceeded to go one-for-one at the NWSS. Out of her high school and college rodeo horse, Zeros Gypsy Jet,
until fall, with her two children along for the ride. “They like it. They have a good time,” said Lide when asked what her kids thought of rodeo life. “There’s enough other kids that they meet up at the rodeos and they get to play in hospitality. They’re kind of feral, so it works for them.” Growing up in Waco, Lide’s father was in the cattle business, but her family didn’t rodeo. She just wanted to be a cowgirl to help out her dad, and cowgirls rode horses. She started lessons young and dabbled in western pleasure until one day she saw girls running barrels and knew that’s what she wanted to do. Now is her chance to give her own children a taste of the rodeo life she never knew as she chases down Keeper’s full potential. The life they live on the road is very much in the moment, going wherever the rodeo trail takes them, and it is by no means an easy one. She’s had to learn on the fly how to manage the travel, the rodeo scheduling, the children and a superstar horse with his own special set of “quirks.” “He’s kind of gotten weirder as he’s gotten older,” said Lide of Keeper. “I can haul him by himself if I’m just going for a day, but if I’m going to put him in a stall, he’s going to be looking for his friend. So, I typically take another horse. “I’ve never hauled a pony or anything for him, because I don’t want to have to do that,” said Lide with a laugh, “In my head I’m like, ‘I’m not doing that.’ So I just take a full-grown horse instead. It’s basically the same thing.” It’s all part of Lide’s evolution as rodeo contestant, all centered on Keeper’s development and well-being. He’s a connection to her past being shared with her future, clocking times faster than he seems to have any right to. So for Lide, the plan in 2024 is simple: go harder and longer. As long as Keeper stays sound and loves what he’s doing, she’s happy to be along for the ride. It was definitely a horse race this year at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo and when the dust had settled there were two tied atop the leaderboard – Halyn Lide (shown above) and four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel. Lide riding Keeper and Kinsel aboard Sister both finished with a time of 14.73 to share the title. Photo by Greg Westfall (Ric Andersen photography)
and sired by JL Dash Ta Heaven, Keeper is a 12-year-old gelding who “loves the barrels more than anything,” according to Lide. Her husband Aaron, a practicing veterinarian and “semi-retired” saddle bronc rider, started Keeper when the gelding was two. “After the second ride, he told me, ‘This one’s a keeper,’ and that’s the name that stuck,” recalled Lide. “He wanted to be broke from day one. He did whatever we wanted him to do and was super confident. Just knew everything.” As the years went by, Lide and Keeper ventured further from home. After her rookie year in 2018, she started going out for a few weeks at a time during the summer before returning home to regroup. She quickly realized the trips home were holding her back, so last summer she hit the road in late June and stayed gone
Halyn Lide of China Spring, TX, and her home-grown horse Jettin’ Ta Heaven were firing on all cylinders in January at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. After making their way through the bracket format, they found themselves not only making the final round but finishing in a tie for the title with Hailey Kinsel and Sister. Photo by C Bar Photography
20 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
2024 ROPING DIVISION STANDINGS WORLD STANDINGS Unofficial as of March 8, 2024 *2023 World Champion ALL-AROUND No standings at this time Jackie Crawford Stephenville, TX not ranked TEAM ROPING – HEADING 1. MaryBeth Beam Poetry, TX $1,535 2. Lari Dee Guy Abilene, TX $1,151 3. Bailey Gubert Hungerford, TX $767 4. Kelsey King Honey Brook, PA $522 5. Jennifer Reichert Van Buren, AR $400 6. Cassidy Boggs Stephenville, TX $384 7. DeNiess Kilgus Watsontown, PA $270 * Jackie Crawford Stephenville, TX not ranked TEAM ROPING – HEELER 1. Suzanne Williams Standish, CA 2. Liz Kidd Kirkham (R) Cleveland, TX 3. Patti McCutchen Alma, AR Lorraine Moreno Mathis, TX 5. Fallon Feaser Newville, PA 6. Kate Feaser (R) Newville, PA 7. Jessie Letzelter Pottersville, NY 8. Kelley Moss Hume, VA * Annette Stahl Salt Flat, TX TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Cheyenne Chamberlain Fort Ann, NY
$1,340
$574 $400 $400 $374 $220 $218
$75
not ranked
$110
*
Jackie Crawford
Stephenville, TX
not ranked
2023 World Champion All-Around, Team Roper (Header) and Tie-Down Roper, WPRA photos by Rodeobum.com (James Phifer)
2024 WPRA FUTURITY/DERBY POINTS Unofficial standings as of March 8, 2024 FUTURITY NAME HORSE POINTS 1. Margaret Jones The Money Raider 65 2. Hilary Hilzendeger RS Brumble Bee Sting 35 3. Terri Welch MaryJaneStopsTraffic 30 Lindsey Beech Chicks Like Coronas 30 5. Kay Blandford Canyon C Im Special 25 Casi Guess Leos Flashy Fortune 25 7. Lindsey Beech French Firewoman 20 Lindsey Beech SFR Power 20 2D FUTURITY NAME HORSE POINTS 1. Jesscia Miller LJ Frosted Drift 10 2. Lindsey Beech Chicks Like Coronas 5 Kay Blandford Canyon C Im Special 5 Lindsey Beech SFR Power 5 DERBY NAME HORSE POINTS 1. Margaret Jones Smooth Money Raider 35 2. Jolene Hambley Unn Break Able 10
2024 JUNIOR DIVISION STANDINGS Unofficial Standings as of March 8, 2024 *2023 World Champion 1. Makayla Maddie Auburndale, FL
$10,627 $7,771 $4,540 $3,611 $2,399 $2,037 $1,899 $1,431 $1,396 $1,193 $1,083 $1,072 $1,023 $1,013 $1,007
2.
Jada Sanchez
LaBelle, FL
*3. Kara McDonald
Brunswick, GA
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Alyssa Sloan
Citra, FL
Leianne Webert Kanely Cooper
Ormond, FL Jonesville, LA Fitzgerald, GA
Abigail Poe
Jaelynn Buster Autumn Bock
Deland, FL
Cape Coral, FL Litchfield, AZ
10. Brylee Banning 11. Brooklyn Stallone 12. Grace Meyers 13. Alianna Carnley 14. Emma Hite 15. Jaime Schwab
Peoria, AZ
Jacksonville, FL
Polk City, FL
Vero Beach, FL
New Smyrna Beach, FL
MARCH 2024 WPRA NEWS 21
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Tessa Arnold Making Headlines in Rookie Season By Brittany Gunn W omen’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) Rookie Tessa Arnold started off the 2024 season with a bang.
Riding an eight-year-old bay gelding named “Ditto” Latte, the pair turned in the fastest time of 14.50 seconds on the 2024 pattern at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo (NWSS). The 2024 pattern resulted in some fast times including Chelsea Moore with a 14.68 second run. It got even faster with four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) World Champion Hailey Kinsel with 14.63 seconds before Arnold shocked everyone with her 14.50 second run. “Being young and competing with influential barrel racers can be hard, but it’s what pushed me to ride and go the extra mile that day,” she said. “Being able to clock up there with Chelsea and Hailey was an amazing feeling.” For the 20-year-old Coleman, Texas native and Weatherford College student, it was only a matter of time for the stars to align to bring the friendship of Mary and Byron Walker. In 2012, at the age of 53, Mary qualified for her first Wrangler NFR and brought home the world championship title to While the Walkers grew their equine family after losing their only son in 2011, a young upcoming barrel racer would soon enter their lives. “My dad was a steer wrestler for quite a while, but if it wasn’t for my mom, I probably wouldn’t be riding,” said Arnold. “I’m super grateful my parents exposed me to the atmosphere of horses and rodeo because I truly enjoy it and it brought me some amazing friendships.” After conversations with her dad and 10- time Wrangler NFR steer wrestler Todd Fox at Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Arnold soon found herself moving in with the Walkers to ride their horses. In 2023, Arnold started filling her WPRA permit aboard Watch My Swagger, nicknamed Bobby Lee; a horse also owned by the Walkers.
WPRA Rookie Tessa Arnold made headlines at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver when she stopped the clock in 14.50 seconds during the semifinal round. She laid down the fastest run of 2024 and did so aboard a clone of the great bay gelding Perculatin “Latte” that carried Mary Walker to her first world title in 2012. Ditto is now looking to carry Arnold to not only a Rookie of the World title but a trip to the Thomas and Mack. Photo by Greg Westfall (Ric Andersen Photography)
Ennis, Texas atop her bay gelding Perculatin, otherwise known as “Latte.” As a son of Curiocity Corners and Silver Lucky Buck, the Walkers decided to clone their horse with the help from Via-Gen in Cedar Park, Texas. This union came not one but several clones over the years, with Ditto being the first.
In late July/early August of 2023, Mary passed the reins of her prized horse Ditto on to Arnold where the duo went on to win the Permit Finals in Waco in October, just in time to start her rookie season. In years to come, the barrel racing industry may see several clones
of the Latte bloodline, but for Arnold, her friendship with the Walkers and their horses will always be a large part of her story. “It’s exciting to be able to get on some amazing horses and be where I’m at,” she said. “For me to follow in Mary’s footsteps is a lot to think about most days, but I’m so thankful to have my faith and an amazing support system. Mary and Byron have helped me so much and have played a big part in my success.” For other young girls looking to follow in her footsteps she said, “Don’t look back. What’s in the past is in the past for a reason. You can’t control what has been done, always look ahead.” As a Mountain States Circuit member, Arnold hopes to run for gold at both the Mountain States Circuit Finals and Wrangler NFR and become a rookie world champion.
2012 World Champion Mary Walker proudly shows off her world champion horse Perculatin “Latte” (right) and the clone that is now carrying Tessa Arnold to new heights known as “Ditto” Latte (left). Photo courtesy Mary Walker
22 WPRA NEWS MARCH 2024
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