McCall Charges Into 2024 After Dominating Rookie Year

Following a dominating 2023 season, Kalli McCall of Lufkin, Texas, is showing no signs of slowing down. As the reigning Resistol Rookie of the Year Barrel Racer, she's charging full throttle into the 2024 season, keeping that winning momentum alive.

A member of the college rodeo team at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, McCall recently lit up the arena in Athens, Texas, at the Trinity Valley Community College Rodeo on April 6-7. Securing spots in the short round for both the barrel racing and breakaway roping, she clinched wins in barrel racing and the women’s all-around category.

McCall ran her bay mare MoonsDyna, better known as “Dyna,” in Athens for the win. Dyna was McCall’s sole mount to finish her rookie year after her gelding, who she started the year on, a bay gelding “Mohawk,” registered as Dr Nicks Cash, went out in July with a front suspensory injury. The two have proven to be a formidable pair.

While snagging the Rookie of the Year title was last year's triumph, McCall has her sights set higher this time around. She's aiming to take on two iconic rodeo arenas: the National Finals Rodeo and the College National Finals Rodeo.

“Coming off my rookie year was such an amazing experience and accomplishment. But, my goal for this year is to qualify for the NFR and CNFR,” McCall said.

Adding to her list of victories, McCall also clinched an impressive second place out of 240 competitors at the recent San Angelo ProRodeo slack in Texas, riding a different bay mare, Heaven Doosey Daisy, known as “Daisy.”

McCall attributes much of her success to horses, viewing both Dyna and Daisy as indispensable partners in her journey. Though, “Dyna,” being a smaller horse, aligns perfectly with McCall's “style.”

“She is the most honest, consistent, and gritty horse I’ve ever had,” McCall said. “She will run on any ground you put her on- in the rodeo world, you need something like that!”

As McCall enters her final year at Hill College, she's set to graduate this spring while simultaneously pursuing her real estate license. But make no mistake—her passion for rodeo remains as fiery as ever, and her eyes are firmly fixed on securing her spot at the 2024 NFR.