Dona Kay Rule
Name and Hometown: Dona Kay Rule – Minco, Oklahoma
4-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Qualifier
Starting 2022 NFR in 2nd place
Regular Season Earnings: $127,442
Joined WPRA: 2016
Major 2022 regular season wins –
• WPRA Finals, $5,746
• San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, $18,000
• Houston Livestock Show Rodeo, $6,000
• San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, $20,558
• Calgary (Alberta) Stampede, $26,000
• Snake River Stampede (Nampa, Idaho), $13,859
• Farm City Pro Rodeo (Hermiston, Oregon), $6,103
Fun Facts about Dona: This year has been Dona Kay’s best rodeo season so far, but it hasn’t been the easiest. At the 2021 NFR she was struggling with hip pain that had been an issue for some time. She started this season with the same issue and after winning the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo, setting a new arena record at 13.96 and earning $20,558, she made the decision to have surgery. After a total hip replacement, she loaded up her great horse, High Valor, and headed to Canada. Her first rodeo back was in Sundre, Alberta the end of June. Valor is a two-time AQHA horse of the year and finished as the reserve champion barrel racing horse this year. The 13-year-old gelding has been her only mount this year so she has chosen the places she competed very carefully. It’s hard to say who is more famous, Valor, Dona Kay, or their constant traveling companion, Rodeo Rosie the miniature Australian Shepherd. This trio has put smiles on the faces of rodeo fans across North American since she qualified for her first WNFR in 2019. She and her husband, Don Rule owned a saddle shop in Oklahoma City. They built the WNFR saddles from 1988 – 1998. Her cheering section in the Thomas and Mack Center will include a lot of family, friends and fans.