What Are the Implications for Barrel Racers Looking Towards Governor's Cup?

With over $100,000 to be paid out in Sioux Falls, SD at the Cinch Finals, the barrel world standings are going to be shaken up.

Madi Roelofsen | Sep 20, 2023

What Are the Implications for Barrel Racers Looking Towards Governor's Cup? /

The 2023 rodeo season may be winding down but the competition is only speeding up. The Governor's cup in Sioux Falls, SD being held Sept. 28-30 and will pay out over $100,000 in each event.

Here is a look at the barrel racers that are entered in Sioux Falls as well as their current positions and earnings in the overall world standings just weeks ahead of the NFR:

Brittany Tonozi, 1st in World, $246,882
Taycie Matthews, 5th in World, $122,661
Jessica Routier, 6th in World, $116,437
Emily Beisel, 7th in World, $112,880
Wenda Johnson, 9th in World, $107,983
Hailey Kinsel, 11th World, $105,775
Stevi Hillman, 12th in World, $105,687
Paige Jones, 13th in World, $100,147
Summer Kosel, 14th in World, $97,996
Sue Smith, 15th in World, $97,392
Ashley Castleberry, 16th in World, $84,789
Kelly Allen, 17th in World, $84,775

With the giant payout at the Governor's Cup these athletes on the National Finals Rodeo top-15 bubble could make huge strides in the standings during the event.

In a massive shock, Lisa Lockhart will not be entering the Governor's Cup. That has opened the door for Kelly Allen to take the last spot.

Allen believed that her run in Abilene would be her last chance to qualify for the NFR, going as far to post on Facebook that "a clean run would've kept our dream alive."

Now, she gets another chance on an even bigger stage.

Allen and Castleberry, who are both sitting outside the top-15, are two to keep close eyes on in Sioux Falls.

Both sit over $10,000 behind Smith at 15th have plenty of ground to make up at the Governor's Cup. But they have a chance with the money involved at the event.

Below is a look at how the Cinch Playoffs are structured and you'll see their goal may just be in reach:

Thursday and Friday- Rounds 1 & 2

$10,000
$7,500
$5,000
$2,500

Times from round one and two will be averaged and then the top eight will move on to a clean-slate round. The top four from that round will then move on to the final round on Saturday.

Saturday-Final Round

$25,000
$19,000
$12,000
$6,000

It's easy to see why a significant late season event such as the Governor's Cup can cause quite a stir in the world standings.

Published Sep 20, 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