Hillman Finds Her Place On The Leaderboard: Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo

With only one performance remaining at the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo, barrel racer Stevi Hillman aims for a spot on the leaderboard.

Lauren Fritzler | Sep 23, 2023

Hillman Finds Her Place On The Leaderboard: Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo /

The Friday night performance in Amarillo led to success for seven-time NFR qualifying barrel racer, Stevi Hillman. Fresh off her win at the 2023 Pendleton Round-Up, Hillman currently sits twelfth in the world standings and must keep winning to secure her spot to the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

In Amarillo, Hillman had a smooth 16.68-second run. With one performance remaining, she is currently second overall behind Preslie Reid's 16.55-second run.

During the Friday night performance, Tamara Reinhardt, a cowgirl local to the Texas Panhandle area, ran a 16.77. At this time, she sits seventh in the barrel racing at the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo.

Other barrel racers in the Friday night performance included Leslie Smalygo, who had her first NFR qualification in 2022, and Sissy Winn, the cowgirl sitting in the no. 10 seat of the 2023 WPRA World Standings. Unfortunately, neither of these ladies had any luck.

The Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo barrel racing competition will wrap up Saturday night. Still left to run is Emily Beisel and Heidi Tillard, two tough cowgirls gunning for a trip to the pay window.

The cutest part of the night in Amarillo: after the professional barrel racing competition, the rodeo committee held a junior barrel race. A handful of young ladies, ranging from 9-years-old to 12-years-old, competed against each other in a stadium full of fans. The audience cheered the cowgirls on as they ran the clover leaf pattern.

This is just one example of how rodeo is being promoted in youth. The girls look up to professional barrel racers and in a few short years, these cowgirls may be traveling up and down the road in hopes of an NFR qualification.

Below is the overall barrel racing standings from the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo, as of Sept. 22.

Preslie Reid, 16.55
Stevi Hillman, 16.68
Cindy Smith, 16.71
Emma Charleston, 16.72
Jana Bean, 16.74
Laura Mote, 16.76

Published Sep 23, 2023

LAUREN FRITZLER

Originally from Northeastern Colorado, Lauren grew up on a farm and ranch where she was heavily involved in production ag. The small Colorado town allowed Lauren to flourish. Lauren’s family has a generational love for rodeo and she was naturally attracted to the western lifestyle. From an early age, she would compete in rodeos and travel with her mom to rodeos around the state while juggling school involvement. She prides herself in not only competing in rodeos, but winning rodeos on horses raised on the ranch. Lauren got to Texas as fast as she could. She currently attends West Texas A&M University where she studies Agricultural Media and Communication with a double minor in Ag Business and Economics and Broadcast Journalism. She is an Agricultural Ambassador for the Department and serves as the President for Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. When Lauren is not in the classroom, she is striving for excellence in her professional life. She has completed an internship at the College National Finals Rodeo and the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo, where she gained skills to make her mark on the western industry. She uses her graphic design skills to create logos for small businesses, travels to spend time with family, and immerses herself into the rodeo world. No matter where life takes her, Lauren is strong-willed and dedicated to her God-given purpose. Day by day, she aspires to be an advocate for agriculture and the western lifestyle. Lauren Fritzler believes we are all lifelong students, that the western lifestyle allots extensive learning opportunities throughout a lifetime. In efforts to teach others about rodeo, she is thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate with Sports Illustrated Rodeo Daily.