RODEO NEWS

Special Wins in Reno for Beisel and Outhier

By Ann Bleiker

If the short round of the 2026 Reno Rodeo was any indication of the level of competition expected within the WPRA over the next month of rodeos, then fans are in for a real treat. Both barrel racing and breakaway roping events had a good mix of newcomers and veterans all bringing the heat in Nevada.

When the dust settled on both events it was two veterans of the game winning the Reno Rodeo for the first time in their careers. After narrowly missing the winner’s circle the last two years, seven-time NFR qualifier Emily Beisel secured her first set of Reno Rodeo spurs after landing atop the barrel racing leaderboard.

Beisel, of Weatherford, Oklahoma, had been the bridesmaid the last two years behind four-time world champion Hailey Kinsel and Sister but this was Beisel and Chewy’s year. Riding Teasin Dat Guy, the 10-year-old palomino owned by 4M Ranch, the duo finished with a total time of 50.74 on three runs, improving on their time for 2025 which was 51.12 on three runs.

“I was on a mission to get this win for Chewy as she is such a special mare and we have been so close the last two years,” said Beisel, in front of the sold-out crowd. “I’m just so grateful, what an incredible animal. Thank you, Reno, she obviously loves it here. She loves running for this crowd.”

The finish was razor thin with Carlee Otero and Sly hot on their heels finishing with a three-run time of 50.81 seconds. Otero edged Beisel in the final round laying down a 16.81-second run, with Beisel finishing with a 16.83. Both ladies are in the top five of the WPRA ProRodeo World Standings heading into the busy July run of rodeos and both are looking for their first gold buckle come December. They will be two cowgirls that fans will want to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Although Madison Outhier has yet to qualify for the National Breakaway Finals at season’s end, she has made a name for herself in the sport winning the Resistol Rookie of the Year in 2021. In 2024, she sustained a broken collarbone, fractured ribs, a collapsed lung and a lacerated liver after her mare fell with her on the asphalt parking lot at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. Fast forward two years, and the duo landed in the winner’s circle in Reno for the first time in their career.

“I am so blessed as this is the horse I had my accident on a couple of years ago,” stated Outhier in the winner’s circle. “We raised her and she has been such a blessing. I am super excited to get this win as it means the world to me.”

Outhier won the average title with a time of 7.8 seconds on three head. She held off three WPRA World Champion Breakaway Ropers for the title. Three-time world champion breakaway roper Erin Johnson entered championship night with the lead, but finished second with 9.0 seconds, while Martha Angelone and Sawyer Gilbert tied for third with 9.2.

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