2025 Year-End Edition

KASSIE MOWRY REPEATS AS BARREL RACING WORLD CHAM PION The chase for the WPRA Barrel Racing World Champion ship went back and forth over the course of the 10-day NFR. But by Round 10, Kassie Mowry had set herself up to repeat as the world champion. Her 10th ride wasn’t her best by any means, hitting a barrel en route to an 18.59-second run. But her fourth-place finish in the average gave her enough earnings to claim her second world championship by less than $20,000 over run ner-up, Tricia Aldridge. “I’m so happy to be able to defend that title coming in here,” Mowry said. “Just not having the horse that got me in that position was hard to navigate, but I couldn’t be more proud of how these other two horses work for me. “It gives me a lot of momentum going into the next year.” Mowry entered the NFR without her prized horse, Jarvis, instead riding Will, a backup in her stables but the No. 1 option in others.

LADIES LUNCHEON SETS NEW DONATION RECORD FOR JCCF For 37 years, the ProRodeo League of Women has been successful in raising funds for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund through its fashion show and luncheon. The event, held inside the Grand Ballroom at the South Point Hotel Casino, raised $130,000 in 2024. But this year, the 38th annual fashion show and luncheon topped that mark, setting a new record of $135,000. Stacy Custer, one of the event organizers alongside Tracy Hedeman and Julie Jutten, said the support this year was unmatched. A Polaris was raffled off for $20,000, then donated back by the buyer to be sold again. In total, it brought in $38,000. “It’s a very solid She and Will, along with a backup horse named Corn bread, shined during the NFR, placing in seven of her 10 runs. “I brought in a backup horse that I really did not know at all, and I brought Will, who I didn’t feel was 100 percent ready to take this on,” Mowry said. “But I know everything I ask of Willie and he always delivers for me.” Mowry finished with $403,882 in total earnings for the season. Julie Plourde, who wore back number 119 and was No. 16 in the world but selected to replace the injured Anita Ellis, won the average with $119,412 in NFR earnings. Kassie Mowry in Round 10 of the Wrangler NFR. (PRCA photo by Lar a St Jacques)

cause and I think the more people realize how beneficial it is for these guys, the more they understand that in rodeo, if you’re not working, you’re not earning,” Custer said. “To have an organiza tion step in and help with monthly bills and things like that, the more people are willing to help. Rodeo is such a loved sport and it’s growing in popularity.”

The 38th annual ProRodeo League of Women’s fashion show and luncheon raised $138,000 for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. (PRCA photo by Lara St Jacques)

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JANUARY 2026