Fallon Taylor (photo by Mike Copeman)

Taylor's first thought when she heard she won the world was, "I'm going to throw up! And then the next thought was, Are they sure? The numbers were really tight. And then there was a guy on the walkie talkie that said, 'Oh no ma'am, you won the average, not the world.' So then I said, 'I'm going to need to sit down. And I'm going to need you to get this right'."

Once Taylor knew for sure, she talked about how it felt to be named world champion, "Oh my gosh, I am breathless. It was so very close. I give all the credit to BabyFlo. I am thrilled. I have had such great support. The fans are wonderful. I just wanted to put on a good show for them. It's such an honor to have competed with such tough competition and still get the win. It's just so wonderful."

Taylor revisited the past and why this win on BabyFlo means so much, "This is a family affair. Her (BabyFlo) sire and dam, I made it to the National Finals on them four times consecutively. I took 15 years off. My parents started a breeding program and there were four babies on the ground, so I picked her out because she was my favorite. I broke her as a late five year old. Due to my injury I wasn't able to futurity on her. And then we were one out of the money coming into the National Finals by like $700 in 2012. Then we come in last year and had not such a great showing, and now she can add a world champion title to her bio. I'm just proud that she's ours."

It's impressive that after the 2013 Wrangler NFR, Taylor made the necessary adjustments to increase their success. She refers to it as rebuilding their strengths and said, "It's landed us a world title. BabyFlo is an incredible athlete and that's why she was allowed to let me go back and kinda modify some things. She's like an awesome race-car that I just kinda tweaked a few things and said 'ok go back at 'em'."

There's a reason Taylor is a fan-favorite. She is constantly interacting with her fans because, "This is so much fun for me, but it wouldn't be anything if people didn't get to make this journey with me. And I remember being in the 90's and we didn't have this social media interaction. And I just feel like they've encouraged me, they were on the bus, and now I'm going to let them on the limo. I want them to see all of this craziness and everything that they've helped me achieve. And hopefully at some point, I can help push them on and spur them on. When I'm old and grey in a rocking chair, I can be here spurring on the next generation."

Taylor finished the year with $276,441, to Lockhart's $265,514. Kaley Bass was third in the aggregate, and finished third in the world standings with $214,432. Michele McLeod ended the year in fourth, and Britany Diaz rounded out the top five.

Lockhart won the average with 144.93 on 10 runs. Even with how consistent she is, she was surprised by the win, "This is surreal. It's been an amazing endeavor. I never thought in a million years that I would win the average at the NFR." She went on to say, "Kudos to Fallon. It was good, clean barrel racing drama. It was a horse race to the end."

Lisa Lockhart (photo by Mike Copeman)

Mary Walker and Latte won the "horse race" in Round 10. They were 13.90 followed by Taylor with a 13.96 for second. Carlee Pierce ran a 13.97 to earn fourth place money, while Christy Loflin ended up fifth with a 14.00. Lockhart claimed the sixth paycheck with a 14.02.

Taylor also captured the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed award given by the WPRA and the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum. Taylor won it for the second consecutive year amd will receive $5,000.

Fallon Taylor (photo by Eva Scofield)

Congratulations to all the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo WPRA Barrel Racers!

2014 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Barrel Racing - Round 10
Mary Walker - 13.90 seconds

2014 WNFR Barrel Racing Average Winner
Lisa Lockhart - 144.93/10

2014 WNFR World Champion
Fallon Taylor

Trula Churchill (photo by Mike Copeman)

Three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, Trula Churchill, ran a 13.67 on A Streak of Rita "Worm" to win Round 9. It was her first Wrangler NFR go round win.

"I've had a lot of confidence this week," said Churchill. "My horse has been working good and running hard. So the main thing was getting a good go at first, and I did. I just let it roll from there."

Although Churchill has won money in five out of nine rounds, she hit barrels in three rounds, "I've been here two years before and tipped some barrels to win some gos, so this year I set some goals and getting a go-round win was one of them. Of course, I tipped some barrels this week too which has cost me some money, but I got around them tonight for the win so one goal is down.

"I've been doing this for about 40 years now, so there've been lots of ups and downs. You know, you can't play this game and not have the highs and lows."

Among the highs have been qualifying for the Wrangler NFR and the Canadian Finals Rodeo three times each.

"In 2011, I won the Canadian Year-end Championship, and that was the first major accomplishment I had with Worm," noted Churchill. "He had a very successful futurity year and then winning the Canadian deal on him, that was pretty special. First NFR qualification was great. This (Round 9 win) has got to be right up there at the top. There is only 10 people that get one of these buckles every year, so it's pretty special."

In true barrel racer fashion, Churchill credits Worm for her success. She also told his story, "We raised him. His mom was a bulldogging horse and she came here in 2000. They won a round on her, and I think third or fourth in the average on her. They won a lot of money on her for several years in the bulldogging, and then when we retired her and started raising babies out of her and he (Worm) was the first colt she had. So he's pretty special to the whole family just because of us raising him and being around him. That's why his name is Worm, because I was there when he was about 10 minutes old. He was still wet and wrinkled and all shriveled up and he looked like a worm."

Churchill's connection to bulldogging is her husband Linn, who is a PRCA Steer Wrestler and qualified for the Wrangler NFR in 2006. They live in Valentine, Neb., but Churchill is not a native.

"I'm actually an Okie transplanted to Nebraska," noted Churchill. "It's tough living in Nebraska. We always joke that we're pretty centrally located to rodeo out of -as it is 1500 miles to Houston, 1500 miles to California, and 1500 miles to Calgary.

"I'm gone most all the year to rodeo because there's not really anything close. If you have the desire and the horse and the want to, wherever you live, you can make it work if you want."

Trula Churchill (photo by Mike Copeman)

The top three on the ground tonight won the top three checks. Carlee Pierce placed second with a 13.90 and Samantha Lyne placed third with a 13.94. Running 11th and 12th on the ground, Lisa Lockhart and Nancy Hunter split fourth/fifth with a 13.96. Fallon Taylor ran right behind them and clocked a 14.04 to finish sixth.

As the 10th Round nears, the World Champion race and the Aggregate race look to be tight. Lockhart is winning the aggregate with 130.91, just edging Taylor's 131.14. Kaley Bass sits in third with 133.00, and Britany Diaz is fourth with 133.09. Those four are still the ones who have hit only one barrel.

With one round and the aggregate still to pay, Taylor and Lockhart have each won over $90,000 at the Wrangler NFR. Taylor currently leads the WPRA World Standings with $221,886. She's followed closely by Lockhart at $213,717, and Bass is third with $183,170.18 won.

Mary Walker (photo by Mike Copeman)

"After he got around the first, I thought, 'Don't mess this one up,'" said Walker when talking about her winning run.

Up to this point, downed barrels had hindered Walker from topping the leader board.

"It's been a bit frustrating this week because I have hit so many barrels," said Walker, who had a change in plans for the eighth round. "I think I got frustrated enough that I thought, you know, we're going to do things different, and I talked to my friend Sue Smith about five times today and I said, 'what do I do?'". We did a bit change tonight and so I think that seemed to help. And I know this is no place to do a bit change-and anybody please doesn't do what I did tonight-but I think it really worked."

Walker explained that the bit she was using was a gag bit. She changed Latte to a Dave Elliot bit with a mouthpiece that is twisted on the sides and a three link chain in the center. Because Latte is so light-mouthed, Walker said that she has to be careful what bit she chooses, and this particular one helped her "hold him better and up straighter."

And yes, she will be running in that bit tomorrow too!

Walker has faced some tremendous hardships in her life, which is why she chooses to have the outlook, "Don't ever look behind you, just keep going forward." She credits her friends and fans for helping her stay positive, "I think the fans keep you upbeat, and all your friends texting and calling you, that means so much to me."

She also had nothing but praise for Latte.

"He's my hero," Walker said. "He's such an amazing animal and I was kissing all over him today and I said, 'you know what, if we never went down that alleyway again, you're still my hero'. And then for him to go out there and work as good as he could work after the trouble we've had all week, I was just proud of him."

Speaking of the alleyway, Wrangler NFR Steer Wrestler, Clayton Hass helps Walker, "He was Reagon's (Walker's son who was killed in a car wreck in 2011) best friend. He's with me in the alleyway every night." She then joked as she said, "I've thought about trying to stand in the box with him." Walker's husband, Bryon, is a 16-time NFR Steer Wrestling qualifier and the 1981 World Champion, so I think it's safe to say that she wouldn't be out of her element there either.

With only two rounds left Walker has a new game plan.

"I just need to stay clean and try and get consistent for the last two rounds," she said. "I am just so glad that things turned around and I was able to get this win."

Lisa Lockhart regained the lead in the aggregate by running a 13.81 which placed second in the round. Trula Churchill was 13.85 to claim third, Kaley Bass ran a 13.91 on top of the ground to place fourth, Sherry Cervi was 13.93 for fifth, and Jana Bean slipped into the sixth spot with a 13.94.

Following Lockhart in the aggregate race is Fallon Taylor, who is leading the WPRA World Standings. Kaley Bass is third and Britany Diaz is fourth. They each have only tipped one barrel.

Lisa Lockhart (photo by Mike Copeman)

The crowd at the Thomas and Mack Center, as well as, fans across the world, love to watch Lisa Lockhart and An Okie With Cash "Louie" run barrels. They are a great pair, and it's evident that Louie is an outstanding barrel horse. According to Lockhart, Louie is just as awesome outside of the arena.

"Louie has the coolest personality," said Lockhart following her winning run in Rd. 7. "He's just like a little kid, and he's always been that way. He's just happy, happy, fun loving, playful...he's got a personality like none other I've ever had so that makes it really special."

"Just being here is one of the cool things that always cracks me up-and I try not to crack up when I'm sitting in the alley-but his ears go forward and he looks down that tunnel and he's so focused with his little ears forward and his eyes big, like he's just counting down until he goes. He's so attentive."

For Round 7, he didn't have to wait long. Lockhart was first out on the ground and ran a 13.73, the second fastest run so far of the 2014 Wrangler NFR, to win the round.

"I do think running at the top helped some tonight," said the Oelrichs, S.D., cowgirl. "I didn't get to see much of the other runs because I was taking care of Louie, but it did seem that some of the horses were struggling a bit so being first proved to be the time to ride smart and take advantage of that position. In the end, all that any of us want is a good, clean, safe horse race for everybody."

At this point, only six hundredths of a second separates the number one and two spots of the aggregate race. Fallon Taylor is first with 103.08 and Lockhart is second with 103.14. However, the pressure doesn't get to Lockhart

"You know, I am such a focused, stay-grounded person and I try not to let those things come into play," stated Lockhart. "Ultimately in the end they are going to pay the person who went and did their job the best. So I am just going to try and focus on that, ride my horse the best I can, and stay consistent."

In addition to staying focused and grounded, Lockhart has her priorities set.

"It's family first, definitely family first," said Lockhart. "I try to keep my travels to a minimal. Years ago it used to be harder, wanting to come here (Wrangler NFR), but it's actually gotten easier in time because family is so important to me and my kids are growing up."

"I try not to miss much. It's a no-brainer for me. Barrel racing is something you do, not who you are."

Lisa Lockhart (photo by Mike Copeman)

Lockhart's rodeo count was only 51, but she made the most of where she chose to go, "I'm very strategic. It's win where you go." She seems to be using that same strategy at the Wrangler NFR as she's already won over $70,000 dollars which puts her fourth in the Ram Top Gun Award standings and second in the WPRA World Standings.

Fallon Taylor won second in Round 7 which puts her second in the Ram Top Gun Award standings and first in the WPRA World Standings having already won $87,349.75 at the Wrangler NFR.

Carlee Pierce finished the round in third, Nancy Hunter was fourth, Michele McLeod fifth, and Jana Bean rounded out the top six.

Following Taylor and Lockhart in the aggregate race is Britany Diaz, who currently sits third. Kaley Bass is fourth. And they are the only four barrel racers that have just one 5 second penalty.

Britany Diaz (photo by Mike Copeman)

"I don't think it's really set in just yet. I am so excited."

Diaz then talked about her 14 year old mare, "Rootie has been really consistent. We hit a barrel in the second go but I really don't think it was her fault. The ground got us a little. But, the NFR committee got the ground right and now she's got her confidence and we've been consistent since then. It's been a great ride thus far."

Diaz took advantage of being first out on the ground, running a 13.89. She's also approached this year's Wrangler NFR with a new outlook, "Last time, I hit so many barrels. People were telling me how I should ride my horse. This year, regardless of what happened, I was going to have fun and stay positive."

The story of Diaz and Dasher Dude "Rootie" is a special one.

"I bought Rootie as a baby for $800 is all, and she has been amazing," said Diaz. "I broke her to ride at college in a colt class. She's always been a handful. She's a really high strung horse. She had a baby when she was four, we started her on the barrels when she was six, and then didn't start running her real hard until she was eight. She's just getting better and better. It has been awesome. She's a fun horse."

Diaz also said, "Rootie has come on really strong this year. I'm glad to have made the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo) and the NFR." She credits keeping Rootie sound for the difference in how she's been running and their success this year.

Diaz is married to PRCA Saddle Bronc Rider, Isaac Diaz, who has also been to the Wrangler NFR. "Isaac and I have both been here. He's been here four times and this is twice now for me. This is the first go-round buckle from the NFR that we'll have in our house so it is pretty exciting. Having him with me is the greatest thing. I wish he could have been here competing too."

Diaz also shared some exciting news that will be happening in the near future, "We're going to have a baby out of Rootie and by Blazin Jetolena."

It was a tight race for the top three in Round 6. Kaley Bass was second with a 13.90, and Christy Loflin was third with a 13.91. Other money winners in Round 6 were Fallon Taylor 14.08 for fourth, Trula Churchill 14.13 in fifth, and Jana Bean 14.18 placing sixth.

The aggregate race saw Lisa Lockhart, the only barrel racer coming into Round 6 with clean runs, tip a barrel. She now sits second in the aggregate with 89.41 on six runs. Fallon Taylor leads the way with 89.19. Diaz is in the number three spot with 90.02.

Michele McLeod (photo by Mike Copeman)

The "Skye is the limit" has a special meaning for Michele McLeod. She rode Kellies Chick whom she calls "Skye," to the Round 5 win at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. They clocked the fastest time so far, 13.66.

"I couldn't believe I was that fast," said a surprised McLeod. "I knew she (Skye) was running hard and she turned great. It's amazing. It hasn't sunk in."

McLeod is making her second appearance at the Wrangler NFR, but this is her first time to win a round buckle.

"This is unbelievable," said McLeod of her first NFR round win. "I would have thought it would have been on Slick (Slick by Design), but it ends up on Skye. She's a phenomenal mare. My daughters have shown that, and I'm glad she got this win. She deserves it."

The decision was made to leave her main mount, "Slick," at home to not risk returning to competition too soon after his injury.

"I've won several things on her, like at Nampa this year, she set the arena record," said McLeod of Skye's capabilities. "I mean, she can do it. I knew these kinds of pens fit her.

"I'm so blessed and fortunate. It's unbelievable what Jason Martin and Charlie Cole (owners of Slick and Skye) have done for me with the horsepower that we have."

Michele recalled the freak accident she had on December 28, 2013 involving Skye. She doesn't remember exactly what happened, but the result was a fractured left side of her face.

"Most people don't realize how serious it was," she said. For quite some time, McLeod had double vision. With new glasses, that has now improved along with her balance and confidence. "My balance is better. I'm finally feeling a little confidence. It was a little bittersweet to get on her (Skye). I just had to get mentally right. I'm so comfortable with Slick. I know Skye can win and she proved it."

McLeod has watched both her daughters win on the 7 year old mare.

"Lindsey won the National High School Finals Rodeo, and Katelyn filled her WPRA permit on Skye and also qualified for The American on her."

Both Katelyn and Lindsey have been helping their mom with Skye and they anticipate that she'll get even better.

"She's known to get faster each run," stated McLeod about Skye. "That's her style. They've really improved the ground for us, so I look for faster times for all the girls. They've done a great job to fix the ground for us."

Michele McLeod (photo by Mike Copeman)

The better ground conditions were evident in the top six times. Fallon Taylor was 13.85 to claim second place and put her in the lead for the Ram Top Gun Award. Through Round 5, she has won $64,363.

Britany Diaz and Lisa Lockhart split third and fourth with a 13.88. Mary Walker was fifth with 13.90, and Carlee Pierce placed sixth with 13.93.

There is now only one barrel racer who has been clean on all five runs. Lisa Lockhart leads the average with a time of 70.69. Taylor is in second place but currently leads the world standings, and McLeod is third with five more rounds to go.

Fallon Taylor (photo by Larry Smith)

Kassidy Dennison (photo by Kenneth Springer)

The "Eagle" soared on Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack when Kassidy Dennison, a first-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, raced her way to the Round 3 win in a time of 13.94 seconds on her 9 year old bay gelding, Sierra Hall of Fame, who she calls "Eagle."

Dennison of Tohatchi, N.M., was all smiles as she talked about the victory and being the first to break the 14-second mark at this year's Wrangler NFR.

"I am so excited I can hardly speak," said Dennison. "I can't hardly believe it. It is so exciting having so many of my family here with me to share this victory."

Speaking of family, we anticipate that Dennison will have a big group with her on stage at the South Point to accept her Montana Silversmith go-round buckle. "Oh, yes I sure will. There will be a very big group of us. I can't wait to get there.

"Tonight as I was making my victory lap, you could see the Navajo nation flag up there flying. It's something I've dreamed of and it's awesome to represent my people."

As far as her Wrangler NFR first trip expectations, Dennison commented, "It has been outstanding. My horse has been working great so far, and I'm looking forward to the next seven rounds." She also expects Eagle to get stronger and faster, "I feel very confident in him. I feel like I better be on my game because he is going to be." But she doesn't necessarily have a game plan before each round other than, "I just wanted to be as consistent as possible on each run and see how that would work for us." It's working well considering she's number one in the average, she's won over $34,000, and she has a third round buckle.

Even though the two previous rounds proved to be very challenging for all the barrel racers and their great equine partners, Dennison handled it in stride.

Kassidy Dennison (photo by Kenneth Springer)

"The ground was a bit shifty those first runs, but that's our job as riders to make those adjustments with the conditions we have," stated Dennison. "I could tell he (Eagle) was feeling very confident during the warm up. I knew I just needed to ride him confidently and push him a bit through those turns where he might think of safety-ing up some."

Nancy Hunter, also a first time Wrangler NFR qualifier, had a 13.99 to win second place money. Fallon Taylor was third, Lisa Lockhart fourth, Christy Loflin fifth, and Mary Walker sixth.

Lisa Lockhart (photo by Kenneth Springer)

Lisa Lockhart (photo by Kenneth Springer)

Fallon Taylor (photo by Kenneth Springer)

The highly anticipated first round of Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saw the top 15 WPRA barrel racers get to make that magical run into the Thomas and Mack. For five of the 15, it was the realization of a dream come true as they made their NFR debut. For Fallon Taylor-who is a veteran of the sport, having qualified for the NFR when she was only 13- it was a sweet victory.

"I've made 51 runs in this arena and this is the first time I've won a round," said Taylor. I am completely stoked. I'm shooting for 5th every night and I'll keep doing so and if the runs land me in first place that will be just fine with me. I couldn't be happier."

She showed her dynamite personality when she lifted her hands to heaven and said, "Thank you!"

Taylor was also appreciative of her 8 year old mare, Flos Heiress "Babyflo," that she jockeyed through the cloverleaf pattern in a time of 14.09 seconds. Her closet competitor was Trula Churchill with a 14.20.

"I'm so proud of my little mare. She's a superstar," said Taylor. "Everything felt good but my horse felt like she got a bit short at the first barrel. I'm pretty good at judging the time during my run and it didn't feel like it was that fast. I was pushing hard coming home and looked up and saw my dad give me the thumbs up so I thought I must have done something right."

That something right gives her an invitation to the buckle presentations, and with true Fallon Taylor style, she promises to entertain with another creative outfit.

"I'm trying to dress as cool as my little mare," Taylor said as she showed off her colorful tie-die and fringe outfit, complete with a decorated purple hat. She won the 2013 Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award, and is passionate about empowering women by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents by designing her outfits.

Fallon Taylor (photo by Kenneth Springer)

Taylor and Babyflo showcased their talent in Round 1 thanks to a complete re-training and new outlook which focused on consistency for 2014. The victory was worth $19,002 but, Taylor knows the $48,731 for winning the average is even bigger. After five tipped barrels in Round 1, making clean, consistent runs looks to be a smart game-plan.

Trula Churchill, riding "Worm", cashed a nice check for second place in the round after running a 14.20. Michele McLeod introduced Kellies Chick "Skye" to the bright lights, and won third place money. Carlee Pierce was fourth, followed by Sherry Cervi in fifth, and Nancy Hunter rounded out the top six.