75th Annual WPRA World Finals Highlights

The Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas, was buzzing in November 2023 for the 75th Annual WPRA World Finals. The event marked a significant milestone for the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), showcasing some of the most thrilling moments in rodeo history.

The country is divided into 13 circuits, encompassing more than 3,600 women who are actively involved in this association. These members play a huge role in highlighting the exciting sport of rodeo, ranging from barrel racing to roping events.

Barrel Racing: Skyla Peters Dominates All 3 Rounds

As the sun rose on November 12, 2023, the arena was set for the Boot Barn Cardholder race and permit race.

Skyla Peters, a determined cowgirl from Sublette, Kansas, took center stage. She had her eyes set on the Boot Barn cardholder race, a critical event that could catapult her into a promising 2024 season.

Skyla didn't just compete; she dominated, placing in all three rounds and winning the second round with a blazing time of 15.708 seconds, the fastest of the entire weekend. And to top it off, she added nearly $12,000 to her 2024 WPRA ProRodeo standings and has a great start to the coming year. 

But the competition was fierce. Abby Phillips and NFR qualifier Wenda Johnson were hot on her heels, finishing second and third in the average, respectively. Phillips was second with an average time of 47.584 and Johnson was third in a time of 47.618 seconds. 

This trio of talented cowgirls showed what determination and skill could achieve, with Peters ultimately securing a well-deserved victory. Pistol Whistle is a 2015 gelding by PC Frosty Bid and out of Whistle N Skip by No Whistle.

Barrel Racing: Emily Ward's Rise in the WPRA Permit Race

The story of Emily Ward from Miles, Texas, is one of seizing opportunities. Purchasing her WPRA permit in October, Emily entered the WPRA World Finals Permit Only Race. 

With a blend of talent and focus, she emerged victorious in the final round, claiming both the round and the average title. Her time of 15.902 in the final round was not just a win; it was a statement. 

Emily now faces a pivotal decision: extend her permit or dive into her rookie year in 2024. Balancing her school schedule, she's leaning towards extending her permit, showing a maturity in planning her rodeo career.

Emily's journey is made more remarkable by her partnership with FrenchmansNVousAngel, affectionately known as “NV”. Their bond was evident as they not only topped the permit results but also claimed a sixth-place finish in the Open. 

Ward finished eighth in the first round in a time of 16.461, was third in the second round in a time of 16.264 and won the final round in an event best time of 15.902 to land atop the average leaderboard in a time of 48.627.

Barrel Racing: Kara McDonald’s Rise To Stardom in Junior Finals

Kara McDonald's journey to becoming the Junior World Champion is a tale of perseverance and excellence. Hailing from Brunswick, GA, Kara finished the year with $15,061, outpacing her competitors in the Southeastern Circuit. 

Her triumph is not just in her winning but in continuing a family legacy in barrel racing, following in the footsteps of her NFR qualifier cousin, the renowned Sarah Rose Waguespack (McDonald).

Team Roping Round One: Jackie Crawford and Annette Stahl's Victorious Run 

Team roping duo of Jackie Crawford (header)  and Annette Stahl (heeler) secured the world titles in team roping. And their run was something for the history books. 

In the first round of the competition, the dynamic duo of Crawford and Stahl completed the course in just 6.5 seconds. This impressive performance outshone the efforts of the other 33 teams present in Waco, earning them each a prize of $842. Demonstrating her versatile skills, Stahl also competed in the header category, partnering with Kennlee Tate to secure a commendable fourth-place finish with a time of 7.5 seconds.

Jackie Crawford arrived at the finals with a clear objective: to expand her collection of titles with an additional all-around championship. Not only did she fulfill this ambition, but she also impressively added two more titles in team roping and tie-down roping, elevating her career total to an incredible 23 WPRA titles.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Crawford expressed her astonishment post-victory, reflecting on her initial focus on the all-around title and how her perspective shifted as the competition progressed. 

Her remarkable win in the all-around category, bringing home $8,152, narrowly surpassed Annette Stahl, who finished with $6,645. Her total earnings for the year in team roping amounted to $16,845, outperforming Bailey Gubert, the reserve world champion, and marking Crawford's fourth title in this category.

“I am at a loss for words,” Crawford stated shortly after picking up all her prize package haul. “I had my sights set on one thing when I first started and so I entered the tie-down for the all-around race as I thought it would be cool to win one more. Then the more I got to looking at the standings I realized I had a shot at more. My sights were on the all-around and trying to accomplish that goal and a few things fell into place this weekend for me to leave with more. I can’t believe it.”

In tie-down roping, Crawford clinched the world title with earnings of $2,388, surpassing Audrey Cunningham. She also triumphed in the average title for tie-down roping at Waco with a total time of 44.0 seconds, adding to her impressive tally of six world titles in tie-down roping.

 Annette Stahl, hailing from Salt Flat, Texas, also celebrated her fourth world title in the heeling category, concluding the year with earnings of $14,425, closely followed by Lorraine Moreno with $14,223.

Tie Down Roping Round Two

The second round Tie Down Roping for the WPRA World Finals saw Kenzie Kelton and Danielle Lowman from Arizona clinch a victory with a time of 6.6 seconds. They outdistanced Texans Annette Stahl and Kennlee Tate by four-tenths of a second; the pair came in at 7.0 seconds. Kelton and Lowman lead the average with a total time of 13.2 seconds on two, while Crawford and Stahl are second in 13.8 seconds.

Abby Phillips: Dominating the Derby

Abby Phillips and her horse “VF Expensive Taste” went on a journey to becoming the 2023 WPRA World Finals derby champions is a testament to their synergy and skill. This duo, fresh from their success in the WPRA Wilderness Circuit, not only clinched another title but also secured their spot in the NFR Open.

Wenda Johnson: Futurity Champion

Wenda Johnson, mounting the HighPoint Barrel Horses owned Inspired Drifter, clinched the WPRA World Finals futurity win on two runs. Her performance was a blend of strategy and skill, showcasing her as a force to be reckoned with in the arena.

2023 WPRA World Finals Results

Barrels Racing Permit Final Average- Emily Ward, 48.627 seconds on 3 runs, $1,082.44

Barrels Racing Card Holder Final Average-Skyla Peters, 47.363 seconds on 3 runs, $4,882.28

Barrels Racing Derby Final Average- Abby Phillips, 31.592 on 2 runs, $1,986.60

Barrels Racing Futurity Final Average- Wenda Johnson, 32.151 on 2 runs, $1,580.25

Tie Down Roping Final Average- Jackie Crawford, 44.0 on 3 head, $1,201.08

World Champion Tie Down Roper- Jackie Crawford, $2,388

Reserve World Champion Tie Down Roper- Aubrey Cunningham, $2,102

Permit Breakaway Roper Finals Average-Kolby Boyett, 6.3 seconds on two, $1,537.50

Breakaway Roper Finals Average-Willow Wilson, 6.5 seconds on three, $3,988.25

Team Roping Finals Average-Annette Stahl and Kennlee Tate, 20.7 seconds on three, $1,263.08 each

World Champion Header- Jackie Crawford, $16,485.00

Reserve World Champion Header-Bailey Gubert, $13,873.78

World Champion Heeler-Annette Stahl, $14,425.00

Reserve World Champion Heeler- Lorraine Moreno, $14,223.09

World Champion All Around-Jackie Crawford, $8152.28 

Reserve World Champion All Around- Annette Stahl, $6644.92 

Finals All Around- Jackie Crawford, $8152.28 

Reserve Finals All Around- Annette Stahl, $6644.92

Barrel Racing

Card race: First round: 1. Ashley Castleberry, 15.745 seconds, $3,255; 2. Abby Phillips, 15.818, $2,790; 3. Kalli McCall, 15.822, $2,325; 4. Skyla Peters, 15.849, $2,015; 5. Jordan Driver, 15.850, $1,550; 6. Paige Dove, 15.870, $1,240; 7. Preslie Reid, 15.950, $930; 8. Liz Pinkston, 15.952, $620; 9. Shelley Morgan, 15.988, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 16.015, $310.

Second round: 1. Skyla Peters, 15.708 seconds, $3,254; 2. Kassie Mowry, 15.710, $2,790; 3. Jymmy Kay Cox, 15.772, $2,325; 4. Abby Phillips, 15.774, $2,015; 5. Millie Marquart, 15.809, $1,550; 6. Kaiden Ayres, 15.847, $1,240; 7. Wenda Johnson, 15.851, $930; 8. Ari-Anna Flynn, 15.886, $620; 9. Sadie Miller, 15.905, $465; 10. Cheyenne Wimberley, 15.931, $310/

Permit race: First round: 1. Avery Ledesma, 15.962 seconds, $758; 2. Ashton Padon, 16.242, $659; 3. Nisse Flaten, 16.318, $560; 4. Shelby Vick, 16.382, $461; 5. Catherine Rhodus, 16.396, $362; 6. Alissa Flores, 16.437, $264; 7. Sarina Landers, 16.450, $165; 8. Emily Ward, 16.461, $66.

Second round: 1. Emma Ricke, 16.223, $758; 2. Catherine Rhodus, 16.230, $659; 3. Emily Ward, 16.264, $560; 4. Jancie Shelburne, 16.302, $461; 5. Sarina Landers, 16.321, $362; 6. Ashton Padon, 16.457, $264; 7. Casi Guess, 16.519, $165; 8. Sara Redden, 16.540, $66.

Breakaway Roping

First round: 1. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 1.9 seconds, $2,659; 2. (tie) Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY and MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, 2.0, $1,941 each; 5. (tie) TiAda Gray, Portales, NM, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, KS and Shelby Boisjoli, 2.1, $1,013 each; 8. (tie) Amber Hutto, North Zulch, TX, Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, Cloey Lee Ketchum, Gladewater, TX, Kinlie Brennise, Craig, CO, Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, NM, Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, TX and Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 2.3, $127 each.

Second round: 1. (tie) Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX and Cadee Williams, Weatherford, TX, 2.0 seconds, $2,469 each; 3. (tie) Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, Britta Strain, Davie, FL, and Tayler Felton, Fallon, NV, 2.1, $1,604 each; 6. (tie) Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK, Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, MaryBeth Beam, Poetry, TX, Brooke Eddy, Rockwall, TX and Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 2.2, $582.

Third round: 1. Brighton Bauman, Burleson, TX, 1.6 seconds, $2,659; 2. Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, $1.8, $2,279; 3. (tie) Martha Angelone, Stephenville, TX, and Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 2.0, $1,773; 5. (tie) Lindsei Harvey, Sequin, TX and Jessie Armstrong, Big Valley, AB, 2.1, $1,140; 7. (tie) Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, NM, Murphy Gaasch, Dillon, MT, Amy Wilson, Stephenville, TX, Angie Green, Huntsville, TX and Willow Wilson, Baggs, WY, 2.2, $317 each.

Average: 1. Willow Wilson, 6.5 seconds, $3,988; 2. Bradi Good, Abilene, TX, 7.1, $3,419; 3. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 7.3, $2,849; 4. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 7.6, $2,469; 5. Addee Carder, Miami, OK, 8.0, $1,899; 6. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX, 8.3, $1,519; 7. Alex Loiselle, Decatur, TX, 8.4, $1,140; 8. Abbie Williams, Blossom, TX, 8.6, $760; 9. Donelle Jones, Bryan, TX, 9.1, $570; 10. Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK, 9.2, $380.

Team Roping

First round: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 6.5 seconds, $842 each; 2. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6, $732; 3. Beverly Robbins, Muscle Shoals, AL/Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL, 7.2, $622; 4. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/ Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.5; 5. (tie) Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville, TX/ Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, and Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 7.8, $348 each; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 8.2, $183; 8. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.5, $73.

Second round: 1. Kenzie Kelton, Mayer, AZ/Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, AZ, 6.6 seconds, $842 each; 2. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 7.0, $732; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX; 4. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 7.6, $513; 5. (tie) Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX/Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, TX and Rylea Fabrizo, Stephenville, TX/Debbie Fabrizio, Pueblo, CO, 7.8, $348; 7. Jessy Remsburg, Muscle Shoals, AL/Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX, 8.1, $183; 8. Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 8.2, $73.

Third round: 1. Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX/Kennlee Tate, Shallowater, TX, 6.2 seconds, $842 each; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX/Annette Stahl, Salt Flat, TX, 7.0, $732; 3. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, TX/Martha Angelone, Stephenville, TX, 7.7, $622; 4. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX/Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 8.2 $513; 5. Cheyenne Britain, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 8.4, $403; 6. Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, TX/Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX, 11.4, $293; 7. Rylie Smith, Whitsett, TX/Hope Thompson, Abilene, TX, 11.9, $183; 8. Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, TX/Lorraine Moreno, Mathis, TX, 12.4, $73.

Average: 1. Annette Stahl/Kennlee Tate, 20.7 seconds on three head, $1,263 each; 2. Jackie Crawford/Annette Stahl, 20.8, $1,098; 3. Kenzie Kelton/Danielle Lowman, 25.9, $934; 4. Kayelen Helton/Lorraine Moreno, 28.4, $769; 5. Cassidy Boggs/Rylie Smith, 31.1, $604; 6. Rylie Smith/Hope Thompson, 33.7, $439; 7. Sarah Angelone/Martha Angelone, 34.6, $275; 8. Jennifer Reichert/Patti McCutchen, 64.0, $110.

Tie-Down Roping

First round: 1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD, 12.6 seconds, $801; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 13.8, $663; 3. Kodi Hansen, Cimarron, KS, 14.2, $525; 4. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, TX, 16.2, $387; 5. Amanda Coleman, Stephenville, TX, 16.5, $249; 6. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $138.

Second round: 1. KC-Gail Churchill, Waco, TX, 11.1 seconds, $801; 2. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 12.0, $663; 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 14.8, $525; 4. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 15.4, $387; 5. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 17.3, $249; 6. Audrey Cunningham, Luling, TX, 17.5, $138.

Third round: 1. Audrey Cunningham, Luling, TX, 11.8 seconds, $801; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, TX, 12.7, $663; 3. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 13.1, $525; 4. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 13.9, $387; 5. (tie) Gracie Gambino, Lindale, TX and Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, 15.1, $193 each.

Average: 1. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 44.0 seconds on three head, $1,201; 2. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, 44.0 seconds on three, $994; 3. Harley Pryor, Moore Haven, FL, 56.3, $787; 4. Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK, 59.2, $580; 5. Bailey Gubert, Hungerford, TX, 60.8, $373; 6. Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, NM, 65.7, $207.

Breakaway Permit Race

irst round: 1. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.1 seconds, $1,025; 2. Kassidy Albright, Martin, TX, 3.3, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 3.7, $513; 4. Jennifer Reichert, Van Buren, AR, 3.8, $256.

Second round: 1. Jancie Shelburne, Durant, OK, 2.3, $1,025; 2. Shiloh Napp, Enterprise, MS, 2.6, $769; 3. Faith John, Punta Gorda, FL, 2.9, $513; 4. Kolby Boyett, Grove, OK, 3.2, $256.

What is the WPRA?

The WPRA, or the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, is a vibrant hub for female rodeo athletes. This organization shines a spotlight on the incredible talents of women in rodeo sports. It's all about celebrating and boosting women's events like barrel racing, breakaway roping, and team roping. The WPRA is a platform where these athletes can compete at various levels, from local to national, and get the recognition they truly deserve.

One of the crown jewels of the WPRA is the World Finals. This big event brings together the best female rodeo athletes to compete for top honors and impressive prize money. The 2023 WPRA World Finals, hosted in the Extraco Events Center in Waco, Texas, was a true display of high-stakes competition and skill. 

But it's not just about competitions. The WPRA also celebrates achievements with various awards, like the much-coveted Rookie of the Year. These awards are a nod to the hard work and dedication of its members. 

Beyond the arena, the WPRA offers commercial memberships and organizes events such as the WPRA Star Celebration, where it honors top performers, dedicated committees, and supportive sponsors. All in all, the WPRA is a dynamic force in the world of women's rodeo, uplifting athletes and creating unforgettable experiences in Western sports.

Richard Sutherland

RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.org

Richard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.