NFR NEWS

Aldridge and Adios Return to Winner’s Circle in Eighth Round at the NFR

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The eighth round at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge saw another repeat round winner. Tricia Aldridge and Adios Pantalones topped the field on Canadian night in a time of 13.64 seconds. Aldridge joins Kassie Mowry and Carlee Otero on collecting two round wins thus far.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all because of Adios,” stated Aldridge of her second round win. “I was really proud of him for taking care of us tonight. He feels amazing and he has stayed so rock solid for me. He is a real-life unicorn.”

Adios, a 5-year-old palomino stallion, handled the ground like a veteran and that was so important to his jockey tonight and a key to the victory.

“I was really excited to get him in here because when you do see young horses run at the Thomas and Mack, they weren’t the ones that did the heavy lifting,” noted Aldridge. “Since Adios is the one that got me here, I had a lot of faith that he would be able to handle rodeo ground. He handled it and took care of himself tonight. He is smart and I trust him.”

Aldridge is now ranked third in the world with $287,800 and is fourth in the average with a total time of 114.28. She has definitely put herself in world title contention at just her first Wrangler NFR and first year really being on the road.

Mowry stopped the clock in 13.80 seconds and was atop the leaderboard until Aldridge and Adios knocked them off. She ended the round, aboard Cornbread, ranked fourth, which was good for another $15,377. Mowry remains in the lead in the average with a total time of 109.53 on eight runs. Mowry, Julie Plourde and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi are the only ones to have eight clean runs.

Wenda Johnson made a horse change, and it worked to her advantage tonight finishing the round second in a time of 13.68 seconds. She jockeyed Tempting Moon Dash (Quince) to the pay window worth $28,980. Round 7 winner Hayle Gibson-Stillwell was third in a time of 13.76 seconds.

Plourde is holding the second spot in the average with a total time of 111.52. She was sporting her Canadian red being the only Canadian in the barrel racing field and the first ever French-Canadian to qualify in the barrel racing for the NFR. 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. Fans can vote nightly for the best dressed at www.wpra.com. The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 10th round. The winner is determined by a combination of fan and committee votes. The Best Dressed will receive a $5,000 check.

Ninth round action gets underway, Friday, December 12 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

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Rd 8 results: 1. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 13.64 seconds, $36,668; 2. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., 13.68, $28,980; 3. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 13.76, $21,882; 4. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 13.80, $15,377; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 13.81, $9,463’ 6. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 13.89, $5,914

Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 109.53 seconds on eight runs; 2. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 111.52; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 112.19; 4. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 114.28; 5. Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 116.38; 6. (tie) Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, and Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 119.13; 8. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 125.11

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