Three For Three For Kinsel and Sister at the 2024 Wrangler NFR

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Three in a row for the dynamic duo Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tonight, they stopped the clock in the exact same time they did in the second round – 13.48 seconds – adding yet another $33,687 to their yearly total.

“I could have never dreamed of this,” stated Kinsel when asked about going three-for-three with this caliber of horsepower and jockeys in the field. “The girls are so tough, and they are putting runs together that are just right there. Kassie (Mowry) is obviously right there and Emily (Beisel) I am just waiting on her to turn it on. Even the first timers like Andrea, Ashley and Abby are just slamming runs and winning checks in every round that is incredible. I wouldn’t say the wins have been easy but my horse is throwing down and it is awesome.”

Sister is in fact throwing down the runs and this duo is now just a round win away from tying the legends in the sport – Charmayne James and Sherry Cervi with most round wins at the NFR. James and Cervi have 25 and Kinsel now has 24.

“I could have never imagined that many rounds wins at the NFR,” stated Kinsel when asked about that record. “To have done it all on Sister is the most special thing for me. She deserves all the notoriety, and I hope everyone can give her that credit she so deserves.”

The record for most round wins in a row is held by current WPRA President Jimmie Munroe when she won the first five rounds at the 1984 NFR aboard Smooth Cadett. Kinsel will be looking to join Lindsay Sears (2008), Lynn McKenzie (1979) and Gail Petska (1972) tomorrow for those that have won 4 rounds in a row. Petska also owns the record for most round wins with 7 in 1972.

Kinsel is chasing her fifth world title and if she is able to accomplish that feat, she would move into second just behind James with the most barrel racing world titles won in the WPRA. James has 11 and did so with two horses but the ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse Scamper carried her to 10 straight. Kinsel has won all hers on a future Hall of Famer DM Sissy Hayday “Sister.”

With the win on Saturday night, Kinsel moves into the lead in the Ram Top Gun award with $111,062. Tie-down roper Riley Webb is second with $103,998.

First-time NFR competitor Andrea Busby tied for third on the night with Tiany Schuster in a time of 13.65 seconds and in so doing moved to second in the average with a total time of 41.0 seconds on three runs.

Kassie Mowry moved to second in the world standings with $225,530, while Kinsel is safely in the driver’s seat with $315,164.

With six barrels going down during the third round the quote of the night came from Carlee Otero, who was one of the six, with a barrel penalty. Otero kept it real by stating in a group text to the Top 15 where she said “Good work Hailey and the girls who understood the assignment on leaving the barrels up!”

In addition to the NFR money the ladies are also competing for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award presented by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Fans can vote nightly at www.wpra.com. Schuster was dressed to impress on night No. 3 and is looking for her second Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed title having previously won the title in 2020.

Fourth round action gets underway, Sunday, December 8 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

Rd 3 results: 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, TX, 13.48, $33,687; 2. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, TX, 13.58, $26,624; 3. (tie) Tiany Schuster, Krum, TX and Andrea Busby, Millsap, TX, 13.65 $17,115 each; 5. LaTricia Duke, Zephyr, TX, 13.67, $8,693; 6. Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook OK, 13.84, $5,433.

Rd. 2 results: 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, TX, 13.48 seconds, $33,687; 2. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, TX, 13.51, $26,624; 3. Tiany Schuster, Krum, TX, 13.53, $20,104; 4. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, TX, 13.62, $14,127; 5. Andrea Busby, Millsap, TX, 13.65, $8,693; 6. Abby Phillips, Marshall, TX, 13.66, $5,433.

Rd 1 results: 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, TX, 13.38 seconds, $33,687; 2. Carlee Otero, Perrin, TX, 13.55, $26,624; 3. Abby Phillips, Marshall, TX, 13.63, $20, 104; 4. Andrea Busby, Millsap, TX, $14,127; 5. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, TX, 13.75 $8,693; 6. (tie) Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, OK and Shelley Morgan, Eustace, TX, 13.84, $2,7167 each.