Rodeo Daily

Waco Native Tops Round 1 of Texas Circuit Finals Barrel Racing

The barrel racers are turning fast in Waco at the Texas Circuit Finals, with a hometown athlete winning round one.

Madi Roelofsen

Waco Native Tops Round 1 of Texas Circuit Finals Barrel Racing
Waco Native Tops Round 1 of Texas Circuit Finals Barrel Racing /

The Ram Texas Circuit Finals started Tuesday night off with round one. Twelve barrel racers qualified to compete in Waco, Texas at their Circuit finals. 

Fresh off her win at Rodeo Carolina in the World Champion Rodeo Alliance, Stephanie Fryar was all business. The Waco, Texas, barrel racer crossed the timer with a fast time of 15.78 seconds bringing home $2,212.

Coming in second of round one was Kelly Allen aboard the gelding JJ, clocking a 16.01-second run, winning $1,659. Allen may have ended up only three spots out of making the National Finals Rodeo, but with her horse power, skill, and tenacity, she is a barrel racer to watch in the future. 

Third position in round one for $1,106 went to Ashley Castleberry with a 16.06-second run. Winning just under $17,000 in September, Castleberry missed qualifying for her first NFR by two spots. 

Sydney Graham came in fourth with a 16.14-second run, taking home $553.

These barrel racers have gotten a lead on the aggregate standings, though three additional performances are left. Times from each round will be combined for an average, where a champion will be crowned, sending the top two to the NFR Open held in Colorado Springs, Colo. in July. 

The Texas Circuit Finals continue through Oct. 13 at the Extraco Event Center in Waco, Texas. 

Published
Madi Roelofsen
MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone.  Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen  Facebook- @TVR Working Horses

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