NFR NEWS

Otero Owns The Third Round at the 2025 Wrangler NFR

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The 2024 Wrangler NFR was a painful one for barrel racer Carlee Otero as she competed with a cracked pelvis. Fast forward a year and she is all healed up jockeying a new horse and she landed atop the leaderboard during the third round in a time of 13.54 seconds.

“I am so relieved,” stated Otero after winning the round on Saturday night honoring the Golden Circle of Champions program. “I feel like I am just ready now. I got all the nerves out and I showed up for Regina tonight. She has been wanting to win, and I am just relieved and ready for tomorrow.”

Otero and the fans had to wait a bit to know her time as the main timing clock didn’t stop but there are back-up timers and they recorded a quick 13.54 for Otero of Perrin, Texas.

“When I came out Michael (her husband) said the timer didn’t work,” she said. “I was like ‘oh no.’ They said they have back-up timers, so I was glad to hear that. I am thankful there is more than one timer and not just a flag and timer. I knew she clocked and thought it was good and it was.”

She jockeyed AM Regina George she simply calls Regina. On Thursday during the WPRA Star Celebration presented by Boot Barn, she learned that Regina had been voted on by her fellow top 15 cowgirls to win the Scoti Flit Bar Award.

“I cried,” Otero said about winning the Scoti Flit Bar award. “She is special, but when other people recognize how special they are it is just heartwarming.”

The award is given in memory of Scoti Flit Bar, ridden by Lana Merrick, as a way of recognizing the year-long achievements of a horse that is making its first appearance at the NFR. We are very grateful for the generosity of Lana Merrick so that Scoti Flit Bar’s legacy will live on.

Celebrating 40 years in Las Vegas this year, we thought it would be fun to look back and recognize the 1985 Rd. 3 winner Janet Stover who took the victory lap after stopping the clock in 14.55 seconds.

Kassie Mowry finished third in the round with a 13.63, and now leads the average with a total time of 41.06 seconds after last night’s winner Hailey Kinsel knocked over the first barrel during the third round. Katelyn Scott, who is making her first NFR appearance, is right on the reigning world champion’s heels sitting second in the average in a time of 41.06 seconds. With Mowry finishing in the money on Saturday night and Kinsel being shut out, she retakes the lead in the world standings with $279,684 to Kinsel’s $261,964.

All the top 15 are not only competing for cash in the arena but a chance to be named the 2025 Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award winner presented by The Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Another first timer to the NFR, Tricia Aldridge has been making a statement each night with her wardrobe as she runs down the alleyway at the Thomas and Mack. Not only is she dressed to impress but so is her horse handler that is known simply as Tank. Fans can vote nightly for the best dressed at www.wpra.com. The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 10^th round. The winner is determined by a combination of fan and committee votes.

Fourth round action gets underway, Sunday, December 7 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

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Rd 3 results: 1. Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 13.54 seconds, $36,668; 2. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 13.56, $28,980; 3. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 13.63, $21,882; 4. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 13.71, $15,377; 5. (tie) Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, and Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 13.72, $7,688

Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 41.06 seconds on three runs; 2. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 41.23; 3. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 41.66; 4. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 42.34; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 42.71; 6. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 45.92; 7. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 46.18; 8. Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 46.40

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