Barrel Racers Prepare for 2016 WNFR Gold Buckle Race
Barrel Racers Prepare for 2016 WNFR Gold Buckle Race
Barrel Racers Prepare to Turn, Burn to Grab WNFR Gold Buckle
By Cassie Emerson
Every little girl with dreams of competing in barrel racing imagines what it would be like to run down the tunnel and ride for 10 rounds under the bright lights of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In less than two weeks, the top 15 cowgirls in the world will attempt to chase down their gold buckle dreams at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 1-10. With each round paying over $26,000 for first place and the average champion payout slated at more than $67,000, the title is not out of anyone's reach in the standings.
Watch the 2016 WNFR International Stream LIVE Dec. 1-10 (not available in the U.S.)
Mary Burger of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, set a new regular season earnings record in the WPRA in 2016 en route to the top spot with $190,977. Burger's regular season winnings have given her the right to wear the prestigious No. 1 back number in Las Vegas.
Burger is just the third cowgirl to earn the No. 1 back number since barrel racing was added as an event at the WNFR, following in the footsteps of then-17-year-old Charmayne James in 1987 and Sherry Cervi in 1995 when she was 20. It has taken 21 years for the honor to return to a barrel racer, and the age spectrum has changed. Burger will be competing in her fourth NFR and, at age 68, is the oldest WNFR qualifier male or female.
Burger, who has a $74,590 lead atop the leaderboard, is the 2006 world champion and is looking for another gold buckle to top off her history making year.
Jackie Ganter is coming into the WNFR sitting second in the standings with $116,386. Ganter is the 2015 Resistol Rookie of the Year and never dipped below fifth in the world standings this year in pursuit of her second WNFR qualification. Mary Walker is heading to her fifth straight WNFR and is in third place with $112,815. Ivy Conardo, who will be riding the 2016 AQHA/ WPRA Horse of the Year Tibbie, is coming into her first WNFR sitting fourth with $111,160. Rounding out the top five in the barrel racing is Kimmie Wall with $107,795. Wall is making her first trip to the WNFR riding her 7-year-old mare, Foxy.
Stevi Hillman enters her first WNFR in sixth place with $104,642. She has wins at places like Pendleton and Reno. Lisa Lockhart and Louie are always fan favorites and are coming in the No. 7 position with $100,244. Michelle McLeod is coming in the ninth place with $87.744, riding Slick By Design -- the EquiStats' leading barrel stallion of all time with $500,000 in race earnings. Sherry Cervi heads into her 19th WNFR sitting in 12th overall with $83,678.
Altogether, the 2016 WNFR is set to showcase six barrel racing rookies against some of the most seasoned veterans in the industry. With the record money totals set to be paid out this year at the WNFR, each cowgirl in the top 15 has 10 nights to prove herself worthy of the gold buckle.
Top 15 Standings
1. Mary Burger, $190,976.59
2. Jackie Ganter, $116,386.69
3. Mary Walker, $112,815.95
4. Ivy Conrado, $111,160.11
5. Kimmie Wall, $107,795.17
6. Stevi Hillman, $104,642.98
7. Lisa Lockhart, $100,244.19
8. Sarah Rose McDonald, $89,364.39
9. Michele McLeod, $87,744.98
10. Cayla Melby, $87,736.63
11. Pamela Capper, $87,504.75
12. Sherri Cervi, $83,678.73
13. Carley Richardson, $80,875.33
14. Jana Bean, $80,335.63
15. Amberleigh Moore, $79,067.98
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By Cassie Emerson
Every little girl with dreams of competing in barrel racing imagines what it would be like to run down the tunnel and ride for 10 rounds under the bright lights of the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In less than two weeks, the top 15 cowgirls in the world will attempt to chase down their gold buckle dreams at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo from December 1-10. With each round paying over $26,000 for first place and the average champion payout slated at more than $67,000, the title is not out of anyone's reach in the standings.
Watch the 2016 WNFR International Stream LIVE Dec. 1-10 (not available in the U.S.)
Mary Burger of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, set a new regular season earnings record in the WPRA in 2016 en route to the top spot with $190,977. Burger's regular season winnings have given her the right to wear the prestigious No. 1 back number in Las Vegas.
Burger is just the third cowgirl to earn the No. 1 back number since barrel racing was added as an event at the WNFR, following in the footsteps of then-17-year-old Charmayne James in 1987 and Sherry Cervi in 1995 when she was 20. It has taken 21 years for the honor to return to a barrel racer, and the age spectrum has changed. Burger will be competing in her fourth NFR and, at age 68, is the oldest WNFR qualifier male or female.
Burger, who has a $74,590 lead atop the leaderboard, is the 2006 world champion and is looking for another gold buckle to top off her history making year.
Jackie Ganter is coming into the WNFR sitting second in the standings with $116,386. Ganter is the 2015 Resistol Rookie of the Year and never dipped below fifth in the world standings this year in pursuit of her second WNFR qualification. Mary Walker is heading to her fifth straight WNFR and is in third place with $112,815. Ivy Conardo, who will be riding the 2016 AQHA/ WPRA Horse of the Year Tibbie, is coming into her first WNFR sitting fourth with $111,160. Rounding out the top five in the barrel racing is Kimmie Wall with $107,795. Wall is making her first trip to the WNFR riding her 7-year-old mare, Foxy.
Stevi Hillman enters her first WNFR in sixth place with $104,642. She has wins at places like Pendleton and Reno. Lisa Lockhart and Louie are always fan favorites and are coming in the No. 7 position with $100,244. Michelle McLeod is coming in the ninth place with $87.744, riding Slick By Design -- the EquiStats' leading barrel stallion of all time with $500,000 in race earnings. Sherry Cervi heads into her 19th WNFR sitting in 12th overall with $83,678.
Altogether, the 2016 WNFR is set to showcase six barrel racing rookies against some of the most seasoned veterans in the industry. With the record money totals set to be paid out this year at the WNFR, each cowgirl in the top 15 has 10 nights to prove herself worthy of the gold buckle.
Top 15 Standings
1. Mary Burger, $190,976.59
2. Jackie Ganter, $116,386.69
3. Mary Walker, $112,815.95
4. Ivy Conrado, $111,160.11
5. Kimmie Wall, $107,795.17
6. Stevi Hillman, $104,642.98
7. Lisa Lockhart, $100,244.19
8. Sarah Rose McDonald, $89,364.39
9. Michele McLeod, $87,744.98
10. Cayla Melby, $87,736.63
11. Pamela Capper, $87,504.75
12. Sherri Cervi, $83,678.73
13. Carley Richardson, $80,875.33
14. Jana Bean, $80,335.63
15. Amberleigh Moore, $79,067.98
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