Looking at the WPRA Barrel Racing World Standings The Race is On

As we approach the end of May, the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) barrel racers are gearing up for the chaotic summer run starting in June. NFR qualifiers like Leslie Smalygo, Kassie Mowry, and Wenda Johnson lit up the winter rodeos, landing themselves in the top 3 positions for the 2024 WPRA World Standings as of May 24, 2024.

Kassie Mowry’s win in San Antonio allowed her to pocket $22,500 as well as the San Antonio title back-to-back. This gives her a good opportunity for a return appearance at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Mowry has $55,659.96 won, landing her No. 3 in the standings.

Wenda Johnson sits at the No. 2 position with a staggering $74,938.77 won at the start of the summer run. She had impressive wins at San Angelo and Clovis to boost her in the standings. The success Johnson has had in the spring rodeos has boosted her advantage going into the summer and may even lessen the number of rodeos she has to go to, ensuring a spot at the WNFR. As always, Johnson and Steal Money (Mo) will be a fun team to watch during the remainder of the 2024 season.

Leslie Smalygo ran the fastest time of Rodeo Houston, 14.32, which secured her over $50,000 in prize money and rocketed her to the No. 2 in the WPRA World Standings. With her recent win at Claremore, Okla., and a check at Fredonia, Kan., Smalygo took over the No. 1 spot on the board with a total of $75,576.05.

As the summer rodeos heat up, you cannot count anyone out. Just over $20,000 separate Megan McLeod-Sprague, who is No. 15 with $31,956.36, and Abby Phillips, who is No. 4 with $54,006.76.

It will be an exciting race to follow, as some surefire competitors are coming up the ranks in the top 30. No one is safe with Paige Jones sitting in the No. 16 position, as well as many other NFR Qualifiers such as Stevi Hillman, Jessica Routier, and Brittany Tonozzi climbing the ranks.

With many rodeos left in the season, we can expect to see several leaderboard shifts throughout the remainder of the 2024 season. It will be an interesting year considering all the amazing horsepower and talented women competing for their chance to run under the bright lights of Vegas this December.

World Standings as of May 30, 2024

1. Leslie Smalygo Skiatook, OK. $75,576.05
2. Wenda Johnson Pawhuska, OK $74,938.77
3. Kassie Mowry Dublin, TX $55,659.96
4. Abby Phillips Marshall, TX $54,006.76
5. Ashley Castleberry Montgomery, TX $54,001.51
6. Lisa Lockhart (G) Oelrichs, SD. $51,616.87
7. Sara Winkelman Big Lake, MN $48,735.43
8. Shelley Morgan Eustace, TX $47,578.74
9. Jymmy Kay Cox (G) Ruidoso Downs, NM. $45,650.51
10. Sissy Winn Chapman Ranch, TX $45,605.96
11. Emily Beisel Weatherford, OK $44,016.40
12. Hailey Kinsel Cotulla, TX $40,621.60
13. Tiany Schuster. Krum, TX. $39,927.76
14. Dona Kay Rule Minco, OK $33,899.91
15. Megan McLeod-Sprague (G) Marsing, ID $31,956.36

See the complete list of WPRA Barrel Racing World Standings here.