ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2024

RAM TOP GUN AWARD

Best of the Best

BY TANNER BARTH K assie Mowry put together a performance for the ages at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The Dublin, Texas, barrel racer battled back and forth with four-time WPRA World Champion Hailey Kinsel for 10 nights inside the Thomas & Mack Center. At the end of the marathon, it was Mowry standing atop of the podium with the first gold buckle of her career. “I knew it was going to come down to (Round 10) and who was faster between Hailey (Kinsel) and I,” said Mowry. “Being first out, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I just had to make the same type of run I’d been making all week. Don’t try to play it safe. Finish this week strong and that’s what we did.” When describing Mowry’s success dominance may be an understatement. She captured round wins in five out of the 10 nights and placed in three others to capture the first RAM Top Gun Award of her career. “This is a great opportunity to come here and win just about what I won all year,” Mowry said. Mowry nabs RAM Top Gun Award as NFR top earner

Barrel racer Kassie Mowry poses with a new RAM truck after winning the RAM Top Gun Award at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

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

“I went out there and just tried to make the best of every single night. My dad did put a little tidbit in my ear about winning a truck if this were to happen and it did. So, I just might have to get that truck.” In total, Mowry wrapped up the 2024 season with $457,809 earned, $259,526 of that was earned over 10 nights in Las Vegas. Fellow world champion Riley Webb finished second in the race for the Top Gun Award with $258,307. It was a difficult year for Mowry who lost her fiancé Michael Boone to an accident in early June. She pushed through, qualifying for the NFR with just 27 rodeos under her belt. Despite the challenges she faced, she said there’s no place Michael would’ve rather her been than competing on Jarvis on the sport’s biggest stage. “When I went to leave for the summer rodeos, it took every ounce of me to leave my driveway. I didn’t want to go,” Mowry said. “But I knew that he (fiancé Michael Boone) wanted me to show off this horse and I had more rodeos to get to. I’m glad I did.”

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

2020: Hailey Kinsel, barrel racer, $270,615 2021: Kaycee Feild, bareback rider, $231,564 2022: Zeke Thurston, saddle bronc rider, $256,078 2023: Ky Hamilton, bull riding, $239,060 * 2010 was the only year that money earned in multiple events counted toward the RAM Top Gun.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2024

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