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
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