NFR NEWS

Mowry Wins Back-to-Back World Titles, Plourde Takes the Average

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Winning one world title is no easy feat. To return a year later and defend that title is an accomplishment not too many have achieved. Kassie Mowry has now etched her name on that list which only includes nine ladies now dating back to 1952. The last to achieve that was Hailey Kinsel from 2018-2020.

“I am still surprised and shocked,” stated Mowry when asked about back-to-back title. “Coming in her I really just didn’t have any expectations. Leaving Jarvis at home, I came here and tried to make the best of it and have a good time. In the past I have not really had a good time at the finals but this year I had a lot of fun. I had lots of friends and family here to support me, and I truly had a great time.”

A downed third barrel in the 10th round by Mowry and CP He Will Be Epic “Will” had everyone gasping and waiting to see if she still had done enough for that second world title. She did and finished the year with $403,882.

“This means a lot as this was tough to come in here on another horse,” noted Mowry, who had to borrow a horse named Cornbread owned by Mindy Holloway. “He carried me through half the rounds. Jump riding is really not my strong suit, so I was really proud of myself to bring out the best in that horse. I am just so thankful she let me bring this horse. He was crucial for me to get this second gold buckle.”

Mowry ended fourth in the average in a total time of 141.83 seconds on 10 runs. And no one knows how important a good string of horses can be to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

“My whole team of horses this year has been amazing,” said Mowry. “Will won San Angelo, Emmett won Greeley, Jarvis won Houston and for Cornbread to come out here and win a round, I am just so proud of my horsepower to get this done for me.”

Julie Plourde, a last-minute replacement of injured Anita Ellis, not only took home the 2025 Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award and a cool $5,000 from the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas, but she also took home the average title. Plourde of Krum, Texas, was only one of two ladies to leave them all standing and she did so in a time of 139.67 seconds. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, who has qualified for the big show 18 times, was second in a time of 140.36 seconds.

“I can’t put this into words,” noted Plourde about what the last couple of weeks has meant to her. “My dad passed away January 2019, which is 1-19, and that was my back number (119). My family is sitting in Row R for Richard (her dad) so it has been an emotional roller coaster. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I hope I made Anita proud.”

Plourde moved from 16th in the world to finish the year ranked ninth with $237,689. Ellis was bumped down from 8th but still finished 15th in the world when the dust settled in Las Vegas. Prior to getting the call to come to Las Vegas, Plourde had planned to be in Austria with her family but instead she is now leaving town having won $119,412 at her first NFR.

“I don’t know what this will mean to me as I was supposed to be in Austria, but I just won the NFR,” stated Plourde. “Maybe tomorrow this will all sink in.”

Winning the 10th round was Carlee Otero in a time of 13.28 seconds. This was her fourth round win and she finished the year ranked fifth with $325,166. She turned in the fastest time of the 2025 NFR edition in the ninth round when she stopped the clock in 13.20 seconds aboard Regina.

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