It’s December, which means the most wonderful time of the year — the National Finals Rodeo, of course. Here’s everything you need to know about the WPRA top 15 barrel racers headed to the 2023 Wrangler NFR in December.
—> Read more: 2023 NFR Barrel Racing Horses
2023 WPRA Top 15 Barrel Racers
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi / $264,563.42
- Jordon Briggs / $160,824.2
- Emily Beisel / $158,752.41
- Taycie Matthews / $145,439.17
- Lisa Lockhart / $134,591.65
- Kassie Mowry / $133,802.17
- Wenda Johnson / $120,505.57
- Jessica Routier / $117,695.43
- Summer Kosel / $115,681.61
- Ilyssa Riley / $111,473.37
- Sissy Winn / $109,022.49
- Stevi Hillman / $109,015.44
- Hailey Kinsel / $105,775.77
- Sue Smith / $105,643.94
- Paige Jones / $102,968.22
1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi / $270,563.42 *WPRA single-season earnings record
Hometown:Lampasas, Texas
Horses:Jets Top Gun (“Benny”), 2015 gelding, Blazin Jetolena x GL Famous First Lady x Dash Ta Fame; SR Industry Titan (“Titan”), 2013 stallion, Firewaterontherocks x Mulberry Canyon Moon x Marthas Six Moons; Babe On The Chase (“Birdie”), 2011 mare, Chasin Firewater x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six; Blazin Babe Olena (“Anna”), 2017 mare, Blazin Jetolena x Streakin Six Babe x Streakin Six; Rock On Guys (“Lefty”), 2017 gelding, A Guy With Proof x Vital Rock x Firewaterontherocks; Chitichiti Bangbang (“Maybelline”), 2019 mare, Tres Seis x Kisskiss Bangbang x Dash Ta Fame; RC Black In Famous (“Pickles”), 2015 mare, Famous Gold Coin x RC Back In Black x Ninety Nine Goldmine
NFR Qualifications:17 (2003, 2005–13, 2017–2023)
World Titles: 2 (2007, 2009)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings:$4,424,544
Regular-Season Earnings Record: $270,563.42 (2023)
Recent Career Highlights: Set the WPRA regular-season earnings record this year. 2023 Champion Calgary Stampede; Dodge City, Kansas; Odessa and Stephenville, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Reno, Nevada; Salt Lake City, Logan and Vernal, Utah; Preston and Caldwell, Idaho; Puyallup and Ellensburg, Washington; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Castle Rock, Cortez and Burlington, Colorado. 2023 Reserve Champion Austin, Texas; Salinas, California; Moses Lake and Kennewick, Washington; West Jordan, Utah; Monticello, Utah; Prescott, Arizona; Kalispell, Montana. Reserve Champion 2022 Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo. 2020 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2007 and 2009 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer, 2006 and 2007 Wrangler NFR Average Champion. 2016 Mountain States Circuit Average Champion, two-time Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo champion. Set the U.S. record on a standard pattern on Kisskiss Bangbang. 2023 Pink Buckle Futurity Champion and Reserve Champion. Multiple pro rodeo, futurity, derby and open wins.
2. Jordon Briggs / $160,824.2
Hometown:Tolar, Texas
Horses:Famous Lil Jet (“Rollo”), 2014 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Blazin Black Beauty x Blazin Jetolena
NFR Qualifications:4 (2009, 2021-2023)
World Titles: 1 (2021)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $2,214,874.22
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Rodeo Houston; Greeley, Colorado; Kennewick, Washington; Abilene, Kansas. 2023 Reserve Champion Salt Lake City and Spanish Fork, Utah. 2022 WPRA Reserve World Champion. Famous Lil Jet voted 2022 and 2021 WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year, 2021 WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer and NFR average champion. 2009 Wrangler NFR qualifier and round winner. 2006 Barrel Futurities of America World Futurity Champion (aboard 2009 NFR mount Frenchmans Jester), 2014 BFA Juvenile Futurity Champion (aboard 2021 back-up rodeo horse Frenchmans Future). Multiple pro rodeo, futurity, derby, aged-event and open wins.
3. Emily Beisel / $158,752.41
Hometown:Weatherford, Oklahoma
Horses:Namgis D 33 (“Chongo”), 2010 gelding, Bucks Hancock Dude x Track Goddess x Eyesa Special; Biddin On Fame (“Beau”), 2013 gelding, PC Frosty Bid x Jaxsons Olympic Fame x Poco Lijerito; Namgis D 35 (“Pipewrench”), 2010 gelding, Bucks Hancock Dude x Central Station x First Down Dash
NFR Qualifications:5 (2019–2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,222,669.05
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion CINCH Playoffs Governor’s Cup Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Amarillo, Texas; Duncan, Oklahoma. 2023 Reserve Champion Hastings, Nebraska; Clovis, New Mexico; Mount Pleasant, Texas; North Platte, Nebraska. Third place Calgary Stampede. 2022 Calgary Stampede finalist, round winner. 2022 Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Reserve Champion. Multiple NFR go-round winner. Biddin On Fame voted 2020 No. 2 WPRA/AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year. 2017 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion, multiple Prairie Circuit Champion, multiple Prairie Circuit Finals and RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. Multiple pro rodeo and open wins, three-time Kansas High School Rodeo Association all-around champion.
4. Taycie Matthews / $145,439.17
Hometown:Wynne, Arkansas
Horses: Fame Fire Rocks (“Pop Rocks”), 2017 mare, Firewaterontherocks x W R Aces Fame x Dash Ta Fame; Heavenly Firewater (“Bud”), 2012 stallion, JL Dash Ta Heaven x Fire Water Fanny x Fire Water Flit; Stoli My Firewater, 2018 mare, Heavenly Firewater x Stoli My Guy x Frenchmans Guy
NFR Qualifications:1 (2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $353,270.3
Recent Career Highlights: Fame Fire Rocks voted 2023 WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year. 2023 Champion Salinas, California; Killdeer, North Dakota; Big Fork, Montana; Herriman, Utah; Searcy and El Paso, Arkansas. 2023 Reserve Champion CINCH Governor’s Cup Playoffs Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Kalispell, Montana; Crossett, Arkansas; Los Fresnos, Texas. Fourth place 2023 Calgary Stampede. 2023 College National Finals Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion. Finished No. 19 in the 2022 WPRA world standings. Multiple college, pro rodeo, open and youth wins.
5. Lisa Lockhart / $134,591.65
Hometown:Oelrichs, South Dakota
Promise Me Fame Guys (“Levee”), 2016 gelding, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Bar Blue Lass x FC Aboo; Rosas Cantina CC (“Rosa”), 2010 mare, Corona Cartel x Dash Ta Vanila x Dash Ta Fame; Prime Diamond (“Cutter”), 2011 gelding, Prime Talent x Hugos Diamond x Hugo Streakin
NFR Qualifications: 17 (2007–23)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $3,322,241.57
Recent Career Highlights: Lifetime total NFR earnings leader. 2023 Champion Sheridan, Wyoming; Red Lodge, Montana; Levelland, Texas; Woodward and Ponca City, Oklahoma. 2023 Reserve Champion Calgary Stampede; Pendleton, Oregon; Douglas, Wyoming; Billings and Sidney, Montana; Gordon, Nebraska. 2023 Champion The American Rodeo (non-WPRA money). 2023 and 2022 Champion Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo. 2016 and 2014 NFR Average Champion, 2015 WPRA Reserve World Champion. 2019 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. 2018 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Average and Year-End Champion, 2016 Montana Circuit Champion, multiple Badlands Circuit Champion, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. 2014 and 2015 RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo wins.
6. Kassie Mowry / $133,802.17
Hometown:Dublin, Texas
Horses:Famous Ladies Man (“Emmitt”), 2015 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Lady Perks x Dash For Perks; CP He Will Be Epic (“Will”), 2015 gelding, Epic Leader x Percilla x Dash Ta Fame; KL Touch Of Heaven (“Dove”), 2018 gelding, KL Touch Of Heaven x Junior Country Girl x Deep Note Jr; Force The Goodbye (“Jarvis”), 2018 gelding, The Goodbye Lane x VF Forcit First x Burrs First Down
NFR Qualifications:4 (2005, 2017, 2022-2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $6,066,355.45
Recent Career Highlights: All-time winningest barrel racer with over $6 million in career earnings. 2023 Champion San Antonio, San Angelo and Abilene, Texas; Spanish Fork, Utah. 2023 Reserve Champion Sheridan, Wyoming; Belle Fourche, South Dakota. Third place Cheyenne, Wyoming. 2022 Champion Calgary Stampede and arena-record holder (16.860). Multiple multiple futurity, slot race, derby, open, and pro rodeo wins, multiple arena records.
7. Wenda Johnson / $120,505.57
Hometown:Pawhuska, Oklahoma
Horses:Steal Money (“Mo”), 2016 gelding, First Moonflash x Im Chica Stoli x Stoli; Macgyver Moonflash (“Mac”), now deceased 2013 gelding, First Moonflash x Touched By The Moon x Black Moons Arising
NFR Qualifications:4 (2020-2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,022,120.21
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Clovis, California; Logandale, Nevada; Pleasant Grove, Utah; Lovington, New Mexico; Filer, Idaho; Lawton and Hugo, Oklahoma. 2023 Reserve Champion Castle Rock, Colorado; North Platte, Nebraska. 2022 Champion and arena-record setter Fort Worth, Texas. Multiple RFD-TV’s The American qualifier. Multiple arena records, pro rodeo, open, futurity and derby wins.
8. Jessica Routier / $117,695.43
Hometown:Buffalo, South Dakota
Horses:Fiery Miss West (“Missy”), 2011 mare, Firewater Frenchman x Frenchmans Bo Dashus x Royal Quick Dash
NFR Qualifications:6 (2018–2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,089,188.70
Recent Career Highlights: Fiery Miss West voted third-place WPRA/AQHA Horse of the Year. 2023 Champion NFR Open/National Circuit Finals, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Sidney, Iowa; Baker and Billings, Montana; Kadoka, South Dakota. 2023 Reserve Champion Dodge City, Kansas; Deadwood, South Dakota; Burwell, Nebraska. Third place 2023 RodeoHouston. 2018 WRPA Reserve World Champion and Reserve NFR Average Champion. 2021, 2022 and 2023 Champion Badlands Circuit (year-end). 2020 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo average champion, 2017 and 2010 Badlands Circuit Champion, Fiery Miss West named six-time Badlands Circuit Horse of the Year, multiple RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. 2003 College National Finals Rodeo Champion. Multiple pro rodeo, open and aged-event wins.
9. Summer Kosel / $115,681.61
Hometown:Glenham, South Dakota
Horses:: Firewaterfrenchfame (“Apollo”), 2014 gelding, Aint Seen Nothin Yet x Fire Water Flyer x Fire Water Flit
NFR Qualifications:1 (2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $235,605.29
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Guymon, Oklahoma; Sikeston, Missouri; North Platte, Nebraska; Othello, Washington. 2023 Reserve Champion Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Walla Walla, Washington; Omaha, Nebraska; Sidney, Iowa; Phillipsburg, Kansas. Third place CINCH Playoffs Governor’s Cup Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Two-time Cheyenne Frontier Days arena-record setter (2022 and 2023). Finished No. 36 in the 2022 WPRA world standings. Multiple open and pro rodeo wins.
10. Ilyssa Riley / $111,473.37
Hometown:Hico, Texas
Horses:Mistys Money Blurr (“Money”), 2016 gelding, The Money Depot x Mistys Dash Of Fame x Dash Ta Fame; Championofthehouse (“Champ”), 2011 gelding, Furyofthewind x Teenish x Pritzi Dash; Themajorthriller (“Thriller”), 2010 gelding, Ninety Nine Goldmine x Cutters Brass Tack x Cutters Bonanza; Six Moons Flaming (“Rowdy”), 2017 gelding, Flaming Fire Water x Sheza Six Moons Doll x Marthas Six Moons
NFR Qualifications:1 (2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $214,274.39
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Toppenish, Washington; Kalispell and Plains, Montana; Westcliffe, Colorado; Los Fresnos, Texas. 2023 Reserve Champion Baker, Montana; Helotes and New Braunfels, Texas; NFR Open/National Circuit Finals Average, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 2022 Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion. Finished No. 30 in the 2022 WPRA world standings. College National Finals Rodeo qualifier. Multiple open, college and pro rodeo wins.
11. Sissy Winn / $109,022.49
Hometown:Chapman Ranch, Texas
Horses:: A R Dash Ta Flame (“Scoop”), 2013 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Discreat Retreat x Mr Jess Perry; JL I Am Reddy (“Ted”), 2017 gelding, JL Reddy To Charm x JL Seraphina x Dash Ta Fame; Chewingthehotwire (“Chewy”), 2014 gelding, Flaming Fire Water x Native Quick Dash x Royal Quick Dash;
NFR Qualifications:2 (2022-2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $399,605.52
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Langley and Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada. Huntsville, Texas. Fastest time of 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo. 2023 Reserve Champion Helena, Montana; Preston, Idaho; Eugene, Oregon; Olds, Alberta, Canada; Stephenville and Seguin, Texas. Fourth place 2023 Rodeo Houston. Champion 2021 Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, Reserve Champion 2022. Multiple open and pro rodeo wins. 2011 Miss Rodeo Texas Princess, 2015 Miss Rodeo Texas Teen.
12. Stevi Hillman / $109,015.44
Hometown:Granbury, Texas
Horses:Cuatro Fame (“Truck”), 2007 gelding, Dash Ta Fame x Princess Streaks x Streak Laico Bird; Famous Lemon Drop (“Lemon Drop,” now deceased), 2016 mare, First Down French x A Famous Lady x Dash Ta Fame; French Zone (“Hollywood”), 2013 mare, Frenchmans Guy x Star Zone (TB) x Wild Zone (TB); RV Brijett (“Brijett”), 2017 mare, Blazin Jetolena x DTF Mellowdoc x Dash Ta Fame; Sand In My Socks (“Sandi”), 2017 mare, BHR Frenchies Socks x JC Pick Six x Tres Seis
NFR Qualifications:8 (2016–2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,650,889.66
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Pendleton, Oregon; Strathmore, Alberta, Canada; Livingston, Montana; Homedale, Idaho; Durant, Oklahoma; Andrews, Texas. 2023 Reserve Champion Elko, Nevada; Logan, Utah; Burley, Idaho; Rock Springs, Wyoming; Great Falls, Montana; Coleman, Texas. 2020 RFD-TV’s The American champion. 2019 NFR fastest time. Multiple NFR go-round winner. 2012 Reserve WPRA Rookie of the Year. Multiple pro rodeo and open wins.
13. Hailey Kinsel / $105,775.77
Hometown:Cotulla, Texas
Horses:DM Sissy Hayday (“Sister”), 2011 mare, PC Frenchmans Hayday x Royal Sissy Irish x Royal Shake Em; DH Jess Stellar (“Jules”), 2013 mare, Mighty Jess x PC Frosted Stellar x Sun Frost; TR Judges Doll (“Reese”), 2016 mare, Judge Cash x TR Dashing Badger x Mr Illuminator; VQ Nonstop Stinson (“Valentina”), 2017 mare, Eddie Stinson x Honor This Nonstop x Mr Honor Bound; Thunder Stones (“TJ”), 2004 gelding, Sticks An Stones x See F Jets Candy x Pines Easter Jet
NFR Qualifications:7 (2017–2023)
World Titles: 4 (2018-2020, 2022)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $3,035,519.04
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Phillipsburg, Kansas. 2023 Reserve Champion Fort Worth and San Angelo, Texas; Reno, Nevada; Cody, Wyoming; Woodward, Oklahoma. 2018-2020 and 2022 WPRA World Champion, 2020 Wrangler NFR Average Champion, Fastest Time and set NFR earnings record, two-time WPRA standard pattern rodeo record setter (Dodge City, Kansas, in summer 2020, broke it at Wrangler NFR in December 2020). 2020, 2019 and 2017 RFD-TV’s The American Champion. NFR Thomas and Mack Center arena record holder (13.11 seconds in 2017), 2017 WPRA Reserve World Champion, 2017 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Barrel Racing Champion, multiple pro rodeo wins.
14. Sue Smith / $105,643.94
Hometown:Blackfoot, Idaho
Horses:Dashs Centerfold (“Centerfold”), 2011 mare, Dash Ta Fame x Diamonds Tiny Effort x Proudest Effort; Diamond Center (“Heff”), 2016 gelding, A Smooth Guy x Dashs Centerfold x Dash Ta Fame
NFR Qualifications:3 (2009, 2011, 2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $1,316,613.79
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Cheyenne Frontier Days, Cheyenne, Wyoming; Ogden, Utah; Poway, Brawley and Lakeside, California; Nampa and Eagle, Idaho; Cave Creek, Arizona. 2023 Reserve Champion Logandale, Nevada; Redding, California. Arena record-holder at Cheyenne and Ogden, both set this year. Multiple futurity, derby, open and pro rodeo wins.
15. Paige Jones / $102,968.22
Hometown:Wayne, Oklahoma
Horses:Famous Hayday (“Bazinga”), 2012 gelding, PC Frenchmans Hayday x Jaxsons Olympic Fame x Poco Lijerito; High Cotton Lane (“Cotton”), 2014 gelding, The Goodbye Lane x HMB Soon Tobe Famous x Dash Ta Fame
NFR Qualifications:1 (2023)
*EquiStat Lifetime Earnings: $646,274.82
Recent Career Highlights: 2023 Champion Casper and Cody, Wyoming; Lewiston, Idaho. 2023 Reserve Champion Casper, Wyoming. Finished No. 17 in the 2022 WPRA world standings. 2020 WPRA Resistol Rookie of the Year. 2018 BFA World Futurity Champion on High Cotton Lane, youngest person to ever earn BFA Futurity Championship at age 16. Multiple open and pro rodeo wins.
