NFR NEWS

Kinsel and Sister Top the Field on Night 2 of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – A year ago four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel left Las Vegas as the reserve champion but her thoughts were all on her horse Sister, who sustained an injury in the ninth round keeping her from running in the final round. Fast forward a year and not only is Sister back to championship form winning her second AQHA Horse of the Year award but they added yet another round win to their resume on night No. 2 of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

“I feel like she has been hungry since she got here,” stated Kinsel of her champion horse. “Last night before the run she was acting like round 9 of 2024. She was pumped up and was a little more wound up than I was expecting. I just try to stay out of her way and let her be. I am happy that she is happy to be back here.”

The duo stopped the clock in a time of 13.53 seconds, adding $36,668 and moving to the top of the average with a two-run total of 27.23 seconds. She also took over the top spot in the world with $261,985 to Kassie Mowry’s $257,801.

“Last night, I cued her really early to turn the first because she warmed up so strong, so I expected her to run strong,” Kinsel said when asked about the leg lift during round one. “She gave me just enough room last night but tonight I tried to tell myself don’t try to control that so much. Trust her to go to her spots.”

Mowry won the first round and finished fifth in the second round in a time of 13.77 seconds. She sits second in the average with a total time of 27.43 seconds. These two ladies battled it out in 2024, and it is shaping up to be the same in 2025.

“If I have to battle with anybody, I would pick her. She is pretty great, but all these girls make you rise up and try a little harder every time,” noted Kinsel. “Happy to see her on Will doing so well.”

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. Julie Plourde got the call to compete in the NFR after Anita Ellis was forced to turn out due to a head injury resulting from a horse accident. When Anita’s husband, Brandon, called Julie to congratulate her, she asked what Anita’s favorite color was. He stated it was black and so Julie suggested to the other barrel racers to wear black during the second round, so they were all riding for Anita on Friday night.

“It was heartbreaking for all of us that Anita couldn’t be here because we know how hard it is to qualify and especially being her first time,” stated Kinsel. “I have no doubt she will be back, and we wanted her to know we have full faith in her and her recovery. We can’t make any run in here without thinking of the one of us that didn’t get to come. We really are a family out there.”

Fans can vote nightly on who they thought dressed the best. The winner will be announced prior to the 10^th round. All voting can be done at www.wpra.com.

Third round action gets underway, Saturday, December 6 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

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Rd 2 results: 1.Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 13.53 seconds, $36,668; 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 13.58, $28,980; 3. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 13.71, $21,882; 4. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 13.73, $15,377; 5. (tie) Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, and Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 13.77, $7,688 each.

Average leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 27.23 seconds on two runs; 2. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 27.43; 3. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 27.52; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 27.70; 5. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 27.84; 6. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 28.43

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