Jettin Ta Heaven aka Keeper earned one of the WPRA’s highest honors while recovering at home.
Some NFR stories start inside the Thomas & Mack, but this one is in a veterinary hospital in Texas with a gelding who gave every ounce of himself to put his jockey on rodeo’s biggest stage.
Jettin Ta Heaven, known as Keeper, was voted the 2025 WPRA Horse With the Most Heart, an award reserved for a horse whose try, grit, and determination go beyond all other stats. His heart is what got Halyn Lide back to her second Wrangler National Finals Rodeo this year.
Keeper, though, had been hospitalized at Texas A&M Veterinary Hospital after testing positive for EHV and was sidelined from traveling to Las Vegas. The horse who defined Halyn’s season could not make the trip with her when she walked into the Thomas and Mack.
When Lide accepted the honor, tears filled her eyes as she shared the update everyone had been praying for. “Keeper is everything. He got to go home yesterday. Yeah, he is dong good.”
EHV has been a nightmare for horse owners the last month. Keeper is one of many horses who was hospitalized for the awful virus. Though he is doing well, and they are praying for a full recovery, he could not finish what he started this year.
“He’s every bit the reason that I’m here, so the award means the world to me.” Halyn shared on social media. “I’m so grateful for the love and support from my fellow top 15 contestants. Thank you to each of you for voting for Keeper. He loves rodeo and tries with all his heart. He’s back at home, and I cannot wait to hug him.”
For any barrel racer, arriving in Las Vegas without the horse that carried them there is a gut punch. Yet, here she is, showing up with the same positive attitude she always carries.
Through two rounds, Halyn has had to ride two different horses. She rode Halo in Round 1 and Pancakes in Round 2. Adjusting mounts in the Thomas & Mack—one of the most unique setups in the sport is a challenge even for the best in the world. It hasn’t unfolded in her favor yet, but there’s no question she belongs in that arena. Keeper and Halyn proved that all season long.
What Keeper and Halyn accomplished in 2025 is the very definition of heart. They won two of the most prestigious rodeos of the year, the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls and the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Washington. Those wins clinched her second consecutive NFR qualification.
This is an award voted on by the top 15 ladies. They saw what the fans saw too, a gelding who tries every time, hunts every turn, and gives Halyn a chance to win anywhere, every time.
This NFR Halyn is showing true heart, passion, and try herself. Behind the scenes, this cowgirl has to tighten her cinch, take a deep breath, and step into the biggest spotlight without her best friend who deserves to run down that alley every night.
But Halyn is doing exactly that with poise. She rides with determination, the kind built through adversity, and the kind that Keeper would be proud of. Though he can’t make the trip this week, his heart is still inside every run she makes.
For now, Halyn Lide continues her NFR on backup horsepower, doing everything she can to finish strong. Keeper continues his recovery at home, surrounded by love and is improving every day.
On the biggest stage in rodeo, the award that bears Keepers name this year is reminding everyone what this sport is really about; the heart and try, and showing up, even when it’s hard. Without a doubt, Halyn and Keeper will be back in the winners circle again.
Keeper earned the honor, Halyn is carrying it forward.