With over $100,000 to be paid out in Sioux Falls, SD at the Cinch Finals, the barrel world standings are going to be shaken up.
The 2023 rodeo season may be winding down but the competition is only speeding up. The Governor's cup in Sioux Falls, SD being held Sept. 28-30 and will pay out over $100,000 in each event.
Here is a look at the barrel racers that are entered in Sioux Falls as well as their current positions and earnings in the overall world standings just weeks ahead of the NFR:
- Brittany Tonozi, 1st in World, $246,882
- Taycie Matthews, 5th in World, $122,661
- Jessica Routier, 6th in World, $116,437
- Emily Beisel, 7th in World, $112,880
- Wenda Johnson, 9th in World, $107,983
- Hailey Kinsel, 11th World, $105,775
- Stevi Hillman, 12th in World, $105,687
- Paige Jones, 13th in World, $100,147
- Summer Kosel, 14th in World, $97,996
- Sue Smith, 15th in World, $97,392
- Ashley Castleberry, 16th in World, $84,789
- Kelly Allen, 17th in World, $84,775
With the giant payout at the Governor's Cup these athletes on the National Finals Rodeo top-15 bubble could make huge strides in the standings during the event.
In a massive shock, Lisa Lockhart will not be entering the Governor's Cup. That has opened the door for Kelly Allen to take the last spot.
Allen believed that her run in Abilene would be her last chance to qualify for the NFR, going as far to post on Facebook that "a clean run would've kept our dream alive."
Now, she gets another chance on an even bigger stage.
Allen and Castleberry, who are both sitting outside the top-15, are two to keep close eyes on in Sioux Falls.
Both sit over $10,000 behind Smith at 15th have plenty of ground to make up at the Governor's Cup. But they have a chance with the money involved at the event.
Below is a look at how the Cinch Playoffs are structured and you'll see their goal may just be in reach:
Thursday and Friday- Rounds 1 & 2
- $10,000
- $7,500
- $5,000
- $2,500
Times from round one and two will be averaged and then the top eight will move on to a clean-slate round. The top four from that round will then move on to the final round on Saturday.
Saturday-Final Round
- $25,000
- $19,000
- $12,000
- $6,000
It's easy to see why a significant late season event such as the Governor's Cup can cause quite a stir in the world standings.