NFR Barrels a Knife Fight After Incredible Runs from Tonozzi and Mowry

Top barrel racers battle it out in Round 8 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Madi Roelofsen | Dec 14, 2023

Photo by Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

The Thomas & Mack Center witnessed an electrifying competition on Thursday night as the top 15 WPRA barrel racers fiercely competed for the No. 1 position on the leaderboard during Round 8 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Kassie Mowry, a 4-time NFR qualifier, rode her 2018 gelding Force The Goodbye, known as "Jarvis," and delivered an impressive 13.30-second time, setting a new Round 8 NFR record for the win and a substantial check of $30,706.

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, a two-time world champion and 17-time NFR qualifier, was not far behind, clocking a 13.34-second run on her 2015 gelding Jets Top Gun, known as "Benny." Tonozzi and Benny have been a dominant pair, placing in or winning seven out of eight rounds, and they are currently in the No. 1 position in the aggregate and the No. 2 spot in the RAM Top Gun race.

Sissy Winn, a 2-time NFR qualifier, finished in third place with a time of 13.45 seconds, earning $18,325.

Paige Jones, a first-time NFR qualifier, finished with a time of 13.65 seconds, earning the fourth position in the go-round and $12,877.

Jordan Briggs, a 2001 world champion and 4-time NFR qualifier, and Lisa Lockhart, a 17-time NFR qualifier, also put on a great show, both finishing with 13.66-second runs, tying for fifth and earning $6,438 each.

Although two rounds still remain, Tonozzi’s second place win tonight has secured her the 2023 world championship.

NFR Barrel Racing Round 8 Results

1. Kassie Mowry, 13.3 seconds, $30,706
2. Brittany Tonozzi, 13.34 seconds, $24,268
3. Sissy Winn, 13.45 seconds, $18,325
4. Paige Jones, 13.65 seconds, $12,877
5/6. Jordan Briggs and Lisa Lockhart, 13.66 seconds, $6,438

Published Dec 14, 2023

MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone. Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen Facebook- @TVR Working Horses