Barrel racer, Halyn Lide’s season was hanging by a thread, or so it seemed. Sitting 17th in the world standings before Sioux Falls, her chances at making the 2025 National Finals Rodeo looked slim to some. She needed a big win at the Governors Cup to make a second Vegas trip this year, and she did just that. Halyn deliveed one of the biggest performances of her career and put a picture perfect ending to one of the most anticipated stories of the year. 

Lide did so aboard Jettin Ta Heaven, better known as “Keeper." Together they won the final round with a smokin’ 14.38. The run not only won her the title but came with a necessary $32,000 paycheck. Without that win, there was no NFR. With it though, she’s officially secured her second straight trip to rodeo’s biggest stage.

The "underdog" story couldn’t have been finished any better. Just last year, Lide made her NFR debut and finished 13th in the world after placing in two rounds there in Vegas. This year, she left Sioux Falls nearly speechless. “I am just so excited,” she said in her post run interview with Justin McKee. 

The Governor’s Cup also proved to be career changing for Tricia Aldridge and the amazing Adios Pantalones. Going into this weekend the team was hanging onto the bubble in the 15th spot. Aldridge needed a strong performance and delivered. She stopped the clock at 14.38 in the semifinals to win the round, then turned in a 14.45 in the finals to finish second behind Lide. That single run added $24,000 to her earnings, giving her what looks to be her first ever NFR qualification.

Megan Mcleod-Spague ended her Sioux Falls trip with a 3rd place finish. She had already secured her spot to her very first NFR this year and just added a good chunk to her world standings. Carlee Otero finished fourth after hitting a barrel in the final round. She will also make the trip to Vegas, where she currently sits comfortably in the top ten of the standings.

While the final world standings have yet to be made official, we are certain that Halyn Lide is headed back to the Thomas & Mack in 2025. And if the numbers hold true, Tricia Aldridge will be joining her in Las Vegas for the very first time.