Kinsel Breaks the 16 Second Mark to Win the Fifth Round at Wrangler NFR
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – It is a little rinse and repeat type mentality at the 2020 Wrangler NFR for two-time and reigning WPRA World Champion Hailey Kinsel.
Kinsel captured her third round win during the fifth round at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Tonight DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” broke the 16-second mark finishing in a time of 16.92 seconds.
Hailey Kinsel Photo by Kenneth Springer
“I am having fun and my horse worked perfect tonight,” said Kinsel following her victory lap. “My family is in the stands tonight. My dad, my hero, was able to be here tonight and that takes all the pressure off me.”
This is the first year the grounds crew has dragged after eight, so tonight Kinsel and her 9-year old palomino mare was first out after the drag and they made it count.
Hailey Kinsel Photo by Kenneth Springer
“Absolutely incredible and we are so thankful for that historic thing happening here at the NFR this year,” noted Kinsel about the drag. “It helps to make the best barrel race for us and we are really grateful.”
The 2018 WPRA Rookie of the Year Jimmie Smith and Lena On the Rocks finished second in a time of 17.30 seconds and ran right after Kinsel on Monday night. Smith was decked out in all her pink for Pink Night. Smith along with the other Top 15 are not only competing for a gold buckle but also for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award presented by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Smith previously won this award in February of 2020 at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. The award winner will receive $5,000 and Smith is riding for a special family in need for Christmas from Williamson County Cowboy Church. Fans can help decide the winner by voting after each round at www.wpra.com.
Two-time Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Katniss was the eighth barrel racer out tonight and she finished third in a time of 17.35 seconds.
Kinsel continued to extend her lead in the average with her victory tonight and holds the top spot with a five-run time of 85.91 seconds. Pozzi Tonozzi is second in the average with an 86.56. The two continue to battle it out as they are both looking for their third world titles. Kinsel leads the standings with $187,884, while Pozzi Tonozzi has $169,494.
Sixth round action gets underway, Tuesday, December 8 at 6:45 p.m. CT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.
The first National Finals Breakaway Roping gets underway on Tuesday, December 8 at 10 a.m. CT and can be seen LIVE and free on the Wrangler Network. Be sure to tune in for this historic event. The first four rounds will be contested on opening day of the NFBR.
Rd 5 results: http://wpra.com/index.php/nfr-2020-results
Courtesy of WPRA