18 Year Old London Gorham Leads The Barrel Racers Through Rodeo Austin Qualifier

The barrel racing qualifier for Rodeo Austin is now complete. With nearly 200 girls entered in the qualifier, only the top 20 ladies advanced to compete at the 2026 Rodeo Austin. 

This was the last opportunity for non pre-seeded athletes to earn a spot in one of Texas’ biggest winter rodeos. 68 total contestants will compete at Rodeo Austin. 48 of those are pre seeded based on prior year standings and current world standings. The remaining 20 spots had to be earned.

The barrel racing came down to one run with the top 20 advancing. 

It was 18-year-old London Gorham who set the pace.

Gorham, from Cotulla, Texas, stopped the clock in 15.39 seconds aboard TBop to take the top spot. Inside the 377 Arena in Stephenville, that is a smoking run. 

This marks Gorham’s first year competing professionally. She turned 18 and officially became eligible to enter pro rodeos on her birthday. But to call her a "rookie" in the barrel racing world would be misleading.

She has been one of the most talked about young talents in the sport for years.

In 2018, at just 10 years old, Gorham national headlines when she won The American Rodeo semifinals and advanced to AT&T Stadium. Since then, she has consistently proven she belongs on the biggest stages with all of the best ladies. 

In 2023, at just 15 years old, she won the progressive round at Rodeo Corpus Christi. 

Cotulla, Texas, is known for producing champions, including world champion Hailey Kinsel, and Gorham is continuing that tradition. Now, she is doing it at the professional level.

The Rodeo Austin qualifier showed that her transition from youth standout to professional is not slowing down any. She and 19 other barrel racers have now secured their spots in Rodeo Austin performances.

There were many other big names in the mix of things. Stevi Hillman qualified for 8 consecutive NFRs from 2016 to 2023. She recently had her first baby boy, and is now back in the saddle and back in winning shape. She moves on to Rodeo Austin. 

Sherry Cervi also ended up in the top 20. Sherry is undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time in the sport. She is a 4 time World Champion and a 19 time NFR qualifier. 

Rodeo Austin runs March 13–28, and now the barrel racing field is officially set.

Rodeo Austin Barrel Racing Qualifiers

London Gorham led the way today, but now the slate resets for Austin. The draw will be set, and the brackets built. 20 qualifiers will line up next to 48 of the best in the world with a chance to make something big happen in Austin come March.