Hailey Kinsel Triple Win

Dec 9, 2024

By Patrick Everson

We’re only four go-rounds into the 10 go-round Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Yet Hailey Kinsel has already put an indelible stamp on the 2024 event.

During the regular season, Kinsel pocketed more than $200,000, putting her atop the world standings as she pursues a fifth gold buckle. It took many months to earn that much money.

It took her three nights to add another $100,000-plus.

Kinsel lit up the Thomas & Mack Center with a winning 13.38-second run on her horse Sister to win Thursday’s first go-round. Then she put up matching 13.48 times in the second and third go-rounds, winning both of those, as well.

At $33,687 per win, that’s $101,061. That had Kinsel at $315,164 for the year, about $90,000 ahead of second-place Kassie Mowry. Kinsel was not expecting such a scorching start.

Hailey Kinsel, ever the perfectionist, reviews her winning 13.48-second run in Saturday’s third go-round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Hailey won the the first three go-rounds and was third in Sunday’s fourth go. | Photo by Patrick Everson

“It’s really a surprise, because this is an incredibly tough field of girls this year. And they’re right on my heels every night,” Kinsel said. “It’s fun for me, but I definitely wouldn’t have expected this right off the bat.

“The most round wins I’ve had in a row is two, so this is pretty awesome. These runs give me a lot of confidence. I wish I could go out there and make 10 more runs right now at this second.”

In Sunday’s fourth go, Kinsel’s peers finally made up ground. But not much. Mowry won the go-round in 13.43 seconds, getting her first first-place check of the 2024 NFR, for $33,687. Carlee Otero took second in 13.59.

But Kinsel was right there in third at 13.61 to collect another $20,104. So with six go-rounds remaining, Kinsel has a whopping $335,268 on the year, including $121,165 in just the past four nights. Mowry remains No. 2 in the world at $259,217.

Per usual, the cowgirl from Cotulla, Texas, deflected credit to her super horse.

“She’s just firing. She’s done everything I asked her to. I’m thankful she can push through,” Kinsel said.

If Sister pushes through just a little more, Kinsel will don her fifth world championship gold buckle Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack.