ProRodeo Sports News | 2020 Year-End Edition | Dec.18, 2020

TOP GUN AWARD

Tops at the Bank

BY AMBER BAILLIE A long with earning her third Hailey Kinsel also captured the RAMTop Gun Award after earning $270,615 over 10 rounds during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12. The top honor was created in 2010 and is given to the contestant who wins the most money at the Wrangler NFR in one event. Of the 11 recipients, Kinsel set the record for most money to win the award. “I definitely didn’t expect to win,” said Kinsel wins RAM Top Gun Award consecutive world title and first average championship, barrel racer

Hailey Kinsel’s Wrangler NFR efforts resulted in a voucher for a RAM vehicle. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

Kinsel, 26. “I didn’t know for sure, but knew I had a good shot with the average paying as well as it did and being first or second in eight rounds. The Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl finished first in the Women’s Professional Rodeo AssociationWorld Standings with $349,076 and broke her own NFR earnings record from 2017, when she collected $189,385. She also set a record on a WPRA standard pattern after her 16.56-second run in Round 8. “I was really proud of that, and then when I heard I’d earned Top Gun too I was very excited,” she said. “After not being able to keep up with the other events throughout the week, not really knowing how everyone else did, I’m looking forward to watching back now and seeing who else had a good week.” As the winner, Kinsel received a $20,000 voucher toward a RAM vehicle, a one-of-a-kind RAMTop Gun-branded revolver fromCommemorative Firearms and a custom Top Gun buckle fromMontana Silversmiths. “If I could buy a small run-around truck that would be great,” she said. Kinsel’s Round 8 victory, which earned her $26,231, pushed her to $130,154 inWrangler NFR earnings and put her atop the RAMTop Gun standings, where she remained the rest of the rodeo. The last barrel racer to win the award was Sherry Cervi in 2013, when she also added a world title. “She won it on a half-sibling to both of the horses I rode at the Finals, so having those horses involved is really cool,” Kinsel said. Kinsel rode Cassidy Kruse Dean’s gelding Outta Clear Blue “Leroy” for Round 6 but was aboard her all-star mare DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” for the other nine rounds. “Sister is great. Not just what she’s done for me but the kind of horse she is,” Kinsel said. “She’s consistent and tries really hard. For her to be so on it for that many runs and winning that many runs is pretty awesome.” Kinsel said extra preparation was required this year with the Finals moving to Globe Life Field. “I think that preparation had a whole lot to do with the success there and was one reason Sister stood out among the others that ran,” Kinsel said. “She was super fit and ready to go, as good as I could possibly have her for making that many runs on such a large pattern

over and over again.” Kinsel said keeping herself grounded and a sound mindset throughout the week were also factors. “Staying focused on my job and not letting any distractions or fears of any kind get in the way were key,” she said. “Riding with a lot of faith in the outcome and being positive was important, especially since things didn’t look so great earlier in the year with COVID.” At Kinsel’s fourth consecutive Wrangler NFR, she won five rounds and placed second in three. “It’s been a great week,” she said. “It’s been pretty special for me, it still hasn’t quite set in yet, I think.” It was an interesting race for the 11th RAMTop Gun Award with Kinsel finishing in the top spot with $270,615, followed by two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Ryder Wright with $247,135, StetsonWright with $199,115 in bull riding (not including ground money) and five-time World Champion Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild with $182,756.

PAST RECIPIENTS 2010: Trevor Brazile, tie-down roping/team roping, $211,509*

2011: Kaycee Feild, bareback riding, $179,327 2012: Mary Walker, barrel racing, $146,941, 2013: Sherry Cervi, barrel racing, $155,899 2014: Sage Kimzey, bull riding, $175,466 2015: Steven Peebles, bareback riding, $234,054 2016: Tyler Waguespack, steer wrestling, $213,218 2017: Marcos Costa, tie-down roping, $195,519

2018: Chase Dougherty, bull riding, $209,058 2019: Clayton Biglow, bareback riding, $243,891 * 2010 was the only year that money earned in multiple events counted toward the RAM Top Gun.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/18/2020

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