NFR NEWS

Otero Turns in Fastest Time of 2025 NFR in Round 9

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Carlee Otero was glad she made a last-minute decision to get back on her main mount, AM Regina George “Regina,” for the ninth round at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Otero and Regina blasted through the cloverleaf pattern in a time of 13.20 seconds, the third fastest time ever ran inside the Thomas and Mack behind world champions Hailey Kinsel and Sister (13.11 in 2017) and Kassie Mowry and Jarvis (13.19 in 2024).

“Incredible,” said Otero about her lighting fast time. “I didn’t think that was even in the cards for us, but she just keeps showing up. After yesterday and all of us girls talking in the stall area today, we felt like the ground was going to be a lot better. As you can see most of us were back on our No. 1s and the ground was fantastic. I am so thankful they fixed it.”

Her closest competitor on Friday night was Hayle Gibson-Stillwell with a 13.43. Friday night’s theme was Legacy night, and Otero and Regina are definitely adding to their legacy in 2025, collecting their third round win at this year’s NFR.

“She is just so incredible,” stated Otero about her Scoti Flit Bar Award winning horse. “She is a gift from God. I don’t even know how to explain it. Riding her just feels so easy for me. It is like putting on an old boot. I hope she is remembered as being beautiful and a great all-around horse.”

Mowry stopped the clock once again aboard Cornbread in a time of 13.71 seconds to finish sixth in the round, but more importantly leads the average heading into the 10th and final round, with another gold buckle on the line. There are only three ladies that remain with 10 clean runs, and they include Mowry, Julie Plourde and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. Mowry leads the way with a total time of 123.24, Plourde has a 125.68 and Pozzi Tonozzi sits third with a 126.27.

Mowry continues to lead the world with $359,525. An average win would add $94,036 to that total, so her goal heading into the final round will be to keep them all standing.

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. This is the final night for fans to vote for the best dressed at www.wpra.com. The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 10th round. The winner will b determined by a combination of fan and committee votes. The Best Dressed will receive a $5,000 check.

Tenth and final round action gets underway, Saturday, December 12 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

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Rd 9 results: 1. Carlee Otero, Perrin, Texas, 13.20 seconds, $36,668; 2. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 13.43, $28,980; 3. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 13.54, $21,882; 4. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 13.55, $15,377; 5. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 13.69, $9,463; 6. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 13.71, $5,914

Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 123.24 seconds on nine runs; 2. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 125.68; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 126.27; 4. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 127.97; 5. Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 130.54; 6. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 132.56; 7. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 132.86; 8. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 138.66

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