Hailey Kinsel

{{short description|American barrel racer}}

{{Infobox horse person | name = Hailey Kinsel | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | alt = | caption = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | occupation = Rodeo competitor | discipline = Barrel racing | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|10|3}} | birth_place = Cotulla, Texas, US | death_date = | death_place = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | major_wins = 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 Women's Professional Rodeo Association World Champion barrel racer | lifetime_achievements = | honors = | memorials = | horses = DM Sissy Hayday "Sister"<br />Thunder Stones "TJ" | website = | module = }}

'''Hailey Kinsel''' (born October 3, 1994), is an American professional rodeo cowgirl who specializes in barrel racing and competes in the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). She won the WPRA barrel-racing world championship in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022 at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). She has also won the NFR Average title once in 2020. Kinsel and her horses have qualified for the NFR nine consecutive times in her years in professional rodeo from 2017 through 2025. She has been competing in rodeo since adolescence, winning awards through high school and college in both barrel racing and breakaway roping, as well as professional rodeo. Her horse, Sister, won the Barrel Racing Horse of the Year Award in 2018 and 2025.

==Early life== Hailey Kinsel was born on October 3, 1994. She grew up in Cotulla, Texas, with her parents Dan and Leslie Kinsel (née Walker).<ref name="WPRA">{{cite web |title=Kinsel, Hailey |url=https://www.wpra.com/hailey-kinsel/ |website=Women's Professional Rodeo Association |publisher=wpra.com |access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> Her mother, who has an equestrian background, is a former Miss Rodeo Texas in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Miss Rodeo Texas |url=http://missrodeotexas.com/?page_id=1134 |website=Miss Rodeo Texas |access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> Her parents own a commercial beef cattle ranch,<ref name="WPRA" /> and were instrumental in fostering her interest in rodeo and horses because they both had rodeo backgrounds. They enabled her and her brother to compete in horse and other sports in addition to academic and livestock events. Kinsel initially preferred to compete as a gymnast. When she turned 11, she became more interested in barrel racing and rodeo.<ref name="WPRA" />

==Career== At 13, Kinsel received her first dedicated barrel horse, who "couldn't be used on the ranch". As Kinsel says, "Josey was off the track, and she was one that mom and I kind of brought along together." Kinsel competed with Josey in junior high school and high school, but stopped when the mare became injured. Kinsel then competed on a gelding named Thunder Stones, nicknamed TJ, throughout college rodeo. She also had TJ when she filled her professional permit for the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA).<ref name="FastLane" />

Kinsel and her mother bought her current barrel racing horse DM Sissy Hayday "Sister" as a filly. Sister was one of many horses they bought young and trained, while they used others to fill gaps. Sister was one they trained from the ground up. Sister was sired by Sherry Cervi's PC Frenchman's Hayday, nicknamed Dinero. "We bought her because we had an older half sister to her out of a Royal Shake Em mare that we just loved. We tried to find that lineage and follow that bloodline and thought, 'Well, if she's crossed with Dinero, this could be good", said Kinsel.<ref name="FastLane" />

Kinsel turned professional by joining the WPRA in 2015.<ref name="WPRA" /> Barrel racing and breakaway roping are sanctioned by the WPRA, while the other rodeo events, for male contestants, are sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). All of the championship rodeo events are held together at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the Thomas & Mack Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, in December. The exception is steer roping which has its own finals event at the National Finals Steer Roping (NFSR).<ref>{{cite web|title=National Finals Rodeo|url=https://www.prorodeo.com/prorodeo/national-finals-rodeo/national-finals-steer-roping|website=Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|publisher=www.prorodeo.com|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=National Finals Steer Roping|url=http://prorodeo.com/prorodeo/wrangler-national-finals-rodeo/national-finals-steer-roping|website=Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|publisher=www.prorodeo.com|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> In July 2017 at the Days of '47 Rodeo, she cinched her first qualification to the NFR. She won the American Rodeo in 2017, came in second in 2018, won in 2019, and again in 2021.<ref name="WPRA" />

==2015 and 2016 seasons== In 2015, Kinsel finished ranked 19th in the WPRA Rookie of the Year standings with $4,880.<ref name="WPRA" />

In 2016, she won the Elizabeth Stampede in Colorado, the Longview PRCA Rodeo in Texas, the Crockett Lions Club PRCA Rodeo in Texas, and the Hugo PRCA Rodeo in Oklahoma.<ref name="WPRA" />

==2017 season== The Kinsel family bought Sister at the age of two while Kinsel was in her college freshman year; she and her mother took turns riding her. They experienced issues training Sister, but the mare also had some natural abilities. They waited until Sister was five years old to start her in futurity competition. Her second year running barrels was 2017 and was Kinsel's first year qualifying for the NFR. In the mare's first 14 months of competition, she won $35,000. Kinsel jockeyed Sister to her first professional rodeo win in Elizabeth, Colorado, in 2016 and her win in Denver, Colorado, in the 2017 season.<ref name="FloRodeoSemi" />

Kinsel won a gold medal at the Days of '47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah, and won the West of the Pecos Rodeo in Texas. She finished in second place at the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas, the Dinosaur Days Rodeo in Vernal, Utah, the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo in Oklahoma, and the San Patricio County PRCA Rodeo in Sinton, Texas, and tied for second place at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. Other than barrel racing, she also competed at the 2017 WPRA World Finals in breakaway roping.<ref name="WPRA" />

Starting with the preliminary rounds in February, Kinsel competed at the "world's richest one-day rodeo," the American Rodeo, for the first time.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2018 RFD-TV's The American Makes History Once Again |url=https://www.therodeoroundup.com/news/2018-rfd-tvs-american-makes-history/ |website=The Rodeo Round Up |access-date=August 25, 2021 |date=February 26, 2018}}</ref><ref name="FloRodeoSemi">{{cite web |title=Sister Takes Hailey Kinsel To The 2nd Round Of The Semis |url=https://www.florodeo.com/articles/5061325-sister-takes-hailey-kinsel-to-the-2nd-round-of-the-semis |first=Whitney | last=Thurmond |website=FloRodeo |publisher=www.florodeo.com |access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref> The rodeo is held in Arlington, Texas, at the AT&T Stadium. In the semi-finals, Kinsel and Sister scored a time of 14.08 seconds to win and move on to the second round of semi-finals on Thursday.<ref name="FloRodeoSemi" />

Kinsel and Sister won the semi-finals and advanced to the finals on Sunday, February 19, where the possible finals prize was $1 million. Kinsel needed a clean run to take second place, but she and Sister went all out and won first, despite taking risks.<ref name="FloRodeoWin" /> Kinsel won her event with a time of 14.4 seconds in the long round, and moved in the top four for the short round. She and Sister scored a time of 14.689 in the short round to win the event and also the top time of the event.<ref name="FloRodeoWin" /> Three competitors from three different events split the million-dollar prize. Kinsel, Cody DeMoss, and Sage Kimzey each received $333,333.33 from what is called the side pot, as well as $100,000 for winning their respective events.<ref name="FloRodeoWin" /> The three participants each won $433,333.33 that day.<ref name="FloRodeoWin">{{cite web |last1=Thurmond |first1=Whitney |title=Hailey Kinsel & DM Sissy Hayday Win RFD TV's The American|url=https://www.florodeo.com/articles/5061582-hailey-kinsel-dm-sissy-hayday-win-rfd-tvs-the-american |website=FloRodeo |publisher=www.florodeo.com |access-date=January 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Three rodeo competitors split $1 million side pot at The American|url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/other-sports/article133779324.html |website=Star-Telegram |access-date=January 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=See the results for the 2017 The American rodeo event on FloRodeo.com |url=https://www.florodeo.com/results/5997930-the-american/4233 |website=Florodeo |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref>

Kinsel had qualified for the American Rodeo at the Better Barrel Races Regional (BBR) Qualifier in Glen Rose in November 2016. Due to that qualification, Kinsel became the first BBR/The American Qualifier to split the $1&nbsp;million payout. Because Kinsel holds a BBR membership, her total winnings for $433,333.33 is a world record for members.<ref name="FloRodeoWin" /> "I didn't wear the right mascara for this", said Kinsel after her win. "God is good, and my horse is awesome." Sister helped Kinsel win almost $500,000 in the last couple of months leading up to and including the American.<ref name="FloRodeoWin" />

===National Finals Rodeo=== Kinsel qualified for her first NFR in the seventh position in the world standings to make the top 15 competitors who qualify for the trip to the finals in December at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. She finished second in the world standings to become the reserve barrel racing world champion after 10 days of 10 go-rounds in the NFR. Kinsel set a new arena record in the third go-round with a time of 13.11 seconds. She set a new NFR earnings record by winning $189,385 in barrel racing over the entire 10 days of competition. She placed sixth in the NFR Average by winning four rounds out of 10 total and placing in 8 out of the 10 rounds. In only two of the 10 rounds, Kinsel finished out of the money due to knocking over a barrel, yet still was the high money earner.<ref name="Wrangler2Time">{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel |url=http://wranglernetwork.com/barrels/hailey-kinsel/ |website=Wrangler Network |access-date=January 14, 2019 |date=October 29, 2018}}</ref><ref name="WPRA" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Schaefer |first=Blanche |title=Hailey Kinsel Shatters Arena Record to Win Round Three of Wrangler National Finals Rodeo |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/events/event-coverage/nfr-coverage/hailey-kinsel-shatters-arena-record-to-win-round-three-of-wrangler-national-finals-rodeo/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=August 25, 2021 |date=December 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel - 1 On 1 Wrangler NFR |url=https://www.nfrexperience.com/blogs/1on1wranglernfr/post/2018/03/15/hailey-kinsel/ |website=NFR Experience |access-date=August 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2017 National Finals Rodeo tenth go-round results |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/rodeo/national-finals-rodeo/2017-national-finals-rodeo-tenth-go-round-results/ |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=August 25, 2021 |date=December 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Amorosano |first1=Ken |title=Life In The Fast Lane With Hailey Kinsel |url=https://cowgirlmagazine.com/hailey-kinsel/ |website=Cowgirl Magazine |access-date=August 25, 2021 |date=December 31, 2018}}</ref>

==2018 season== In February, Kinsel competed at the AT&T Center, in the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas. Kinsel and Sister swept Bracket 1 to start the semifinals as the high money winners and finish as the same. They won $7,134 in their bracket. The first round of the semifinals she won $2,230. When they competed on Wednesday night, their run was almost perfect, garnering them a time of 13.60 seconds. They broke the arena record of 13.67 seconds set by Sydni Blanchard in 2013. Kinsel said it was special because she grew up attending this rodeo, which is near her childhood home.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kinsel sets arena record at San Antonio; Parker Breding wins bull riding round |url=https://montanasports.com/more-sports/2018/02/22/kinsel-sets-arena-record-at-san-antonio-parker-breding-wins-bull-riding-round/ |website=Montana Sports |access-date=January 14, 2019 |date=February 22, 2018}}</ref>

She won the Sanders County Fair and PRCA Rodeo in Plains, Montana, the Fallon County Fair and Rodeo in Baker, Montana, That Famous Preston Night Rodeo in Idaho, the Home of Champions Rodeo in Red Lodge, Montana, the Black Hills Roundup in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, the West of the Pecos Rodeo in Texas, and the Clovis Rodeo in California. She finished second at RodeoHouston and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.<ref name="WPRA" /><ref name="Wrangler2Time" /> She had a big win at Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, of $121,000, for which only $71,000 counted towards the World Standings. She also won the Days of '47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah, winning $53,200, although none of that counts to ProRodeo standings since that rodeo is not sanctioned by the WPRA. Kinsel won this rodeo two years consecutively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twisting Sister |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/article/twisting-sister/ |website=Texas Monthly |access-date=January 14, 2019 |date=August 22, 2018}}</ref>

This season, Sister earned more than $1 million in her career, including significant money for winning both the Calgary Stampede and the Days of '47 Rodeo. Kinsel said about Sister, "She really is that fast and that athletic, and I can't take credit for that. Some horses just have it, and she has that 'it' factor."<ref name="FastLane" />

===2018 National Finals Rodeo=== At the 60th NFR on Saturday, December 15, in Las Vegas, Kinsel won her first barrel racing world championship. She and NFR Average winner Carman Pozzobon accepted their gold buckles and saddles in front of an audience of 17,150 in the stadium that evening. Kinsel finished the 10-day competition with a WPRA record $350,700 in season earnings. "Oh man, it was amazing," she said. "Everyone up there is so deserving, and they're heroes of mine. It was definitely surreal and was pretty awesome."<ref name="WPRA-NFR">{{cite web |last1=Reid |first1=Neal |title=Kinsel honored with gold buckle, Pozzobon wins average title at 60th Wrangler NFR |url=http://www.wpra.com/index.php/kinsel-honored-with-gold-buckle-pozzobon-wins-average-title-at-60th-wrangler-nfr |website=Women's Professional Rodeo Association |publisher=www.wpra.com |access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>''2021 WPRA NFR Media Guide {{pipe}} Barrel Racing World Champions 1948 - 2020'', ''2018, 2019, 2020 World Champion Barrel Racer'', p. 7.</ref>

Kinsel had the title locked up after new nine rounds. "We had (the world championship) won, and I could have run (Sister) to try for that Top Gun deal, but she owes me nothing", Kinsel said. "We accomplished our main goal, and we are getting ready for 2019. So, she had the night off and I ran my backup horse, TJ. He proved that he deserves to be here, too." Kinsel's seventh-place finish in the NFR Average earned her $11,423. Kinsel's total winnings of $350,699.83 also outdistanced second-place finisher Jessica Routier's total winnings of $251,704.23 for the championship.<ref name="WPRA-NFR" /><ref name="WPRAStandings">{{cite web |title=Season Standings |url=https://www.wpra.com/index.php/standings-group-season?group=Pro%20Rodeo%20-%20World&season=2018&standing=2018%20Pro%20Rodeo%20World%20Standings |website=Women's Professional Rodeo Association |publisher=www.wpra.com |access-date=January 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Aggie Hailey Kinsel cruises to PRCA barrel racing title |url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Aggie-Hailey-Kinsel-cruises-to-PRCA-barrel-racing-title-502885031.html |website=KBTX |access-date=January 14, 2019}}</ref>

==2019 season== She won the Sioux Falls Premier Rodeo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the Pioneer Days Rodeo in Utah, and the Old Fort Days Rodeo in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She won the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas, for a second time.<ref name="WPRA" /> She won the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel Wins 2019 FWSSR Barrel Racing Title |url=https://wranglernetwork.com/portfolio-view/hailey-kinsel-wins-2019-fwssr-barrel-racing-title/ |website=Wrangler Network |access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> She came in second at the Hugo PRCA Rodeo in Oklahoma. She also took second place at the Annual Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas.<ref name="WPRA" /> Kinsel also won her second the American Rodeo championship.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sullins |first1=Kailey |title=Hailey Kinsel Wins Second RFD-TV's The American Championship |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/events/event-coverage/hailey-kinsel-wins-second-rfd-tvs-the-american-championship/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=7 August 2021 |date=March 7, 2019}}</ref>

In July, Kinsel competed at the historic Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Kinsel took first place in the Ladies Barrel Racing event on Tuesday, July 9. When she finished her winning run, the clock confirmed that she had matched the arena record, which is 16.99 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gilbertson|first=Wes|date=July 9, 2019|title=Barrel-racer Hailey Kinsel ties arena-record at Calgary Stampede|url=https://calgarysun.com/sports/other-sports/barrel-racer-hailey-kinsel-ties-arena-record-at-calgary-stampede|access-date=August 23, 2021|website=Calgary Sun}}</ref>

===2019 National Finals Rodeo=== When Kinsel finished her 2019 season, she was ranked second in the world standings. At the NFR in Las Vegas, she won NFR rounds 7 and 8 and placed in five other rounds.<ref name="WPRA" /> Kinsel and her horse Sister won the World Barrel Racing Championship for the second time. Kinsel finished 8th in the Average.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Finals Rodeo: Helena's Ty Erickson, Miles City's Haven Meged win world titles |url=https://billingsgazette.com/sports/rodeo/national-finals-rodeo-helena-s-ty-erickson-miles-city-s/article_704aaf0b-31ca-5e00-9b63-e453a07eeb5e.html |website=The Billings Gazette |access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> With her championship win this season, she became the first barrel racer to win back-to-back titles after Kelly Kaminski did it during the 2004 to 2005 seasons. Kinsel earned a total of $290,020 for her entire season.<ref name="WPRA" />

==2020 season== Kinsel and her horse, Sister, ran the fastest time of the Dodge City, Kansas, rodeo.<ref name="Dodge">{{Cite web|title=Hailey Kinsel and Sister Set New WPRA Record on a Standard Pattern in Dodge City|url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/story/42451275/hailey-kinsel-and-sister-set-new-wpra-record-on-a-standard-pattern-in-dodge-city|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=Cowboy Channel}}</ref> That day, they also set a new WPRA rodeo record for a standard barrel racing pattern with a time of 16.63 seconds. They also came in second in the average.<ref name="Dodge" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel Sets New WPRA Rodeo Standard Pattern Record |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/barrel-racing-articles/in-the-arena/hailey-kinsel-sets-new-wpra-rodeo-standard-pattern-record/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=August 7, 2021 |date=August 6, 2020}}</ref><ref name="WPRA" /> Kinsel earned $7,831 in Dodge City.<ref name="2020wins">{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel |url=https://wranglernetwork.com/barrels/hailey-kinsel/ |website=Wrangler Network |access-date=August 26, 2021 |date=October 29, 2020}}</ref>

Kinsel finished in second place at the Mineral Wells PRCA Rodeo in Texas. She won Nebraska's Big Rodeo in Burwell, and the Iowa Championship Rodeo in Sidney.<ref name="WPRA" /> Kinsel set a new arena record time of 16.90 seconds on Sister at the Lawton Rangers Rodeo in Lawton, Oklahoma.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel Talks New WPRA Record from Lawton |url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/story/42462492/hailey-kinsel-talks-new-wpra-record-from-lawton |website=The Cowboy Channel |access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WPRA" /> Lastly, she earned $4,926 at Lawton. She also earned $23,200 at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, came in fifth at the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo earning $7,750, earned $5,417 at the ProRodeo Tour Finale, and won $4,875 at the Super Series Finish in Fort Worth.<ref name="2020wins" />

===2020 National Finals Rodeo=== Due to COVID-19, the NFR was held at the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, this season. Kinsel was already in possession of the all-time record on a standard-sized pattern at 13.63 seconds back in Dodge City earlier this year. However, in their round Thursday night, Sister moved through the turns faster and sped through the pattern quicker than most horses can achieve, and they clocked the run at 16.56; a new record.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mori|first=Anthony|title=Kinsel, 'Sister' make resounding statement|url=https://elkodaily.com/sports/local/kinsel-sister-make-resounding-statement/article_e0ef08d6-012f-5189-871b-3faf16655cf4.html|access-date=August 24, 2021|website=Elko Daily Free Press}}</ref><ref name="2020NFR">{{cite web |last1=Bleiker |first1=Ann |title=Kinsel Wins Third Consecutive World Title, First Average Title and Ram Top Gun Award, Breaks NFR Earnings Record |url=https://www.wpra.com/index.php/kinsel-wins-third-consecutive-world-title-first-average-title-and-ram-top-gun-award-breaks-nfr-earnings-record |website=Women's Professional Rodeo Association |access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

Kinsel had total NFR earnings of $270,615 this season, which was more than any other contestant. The amount broke her own 2017 record of $189,385 and gave her first RAM Top Gun Award. Kinsel finished the 2020 season with $349.076 total earnings, coming close to her own 2018 record of $350,700. Kinsel won her first NFR Average title this season with a time of 170.95 on 10 rounds. She won her third barrel racing world championship. Kinsel is the first WPRA member to win all these titles in a single season: world championship, NFR average championship, RAM Top Gun, and fast-time award.<ref name="2020NFR" />

The NFR allowed her to ride Sister on her victory lap this time, which is not usually done at rodeos. So of course, the reporters wanted to know about Sister.<ref name="2020NFR" />

{{blockquote|They ask if she knows how special she is, and absolutely she knows she’s special to me, but I don’t think she knows she’s done a great thing, Kinsel said. I think she just has a great time. That, for me, is the most important thing. She loves it, she continues to love it, she has a blast out there. She doesn’t do it for anything I do it for. She does it because she thinks I asked her to and she likes me.}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel and Sister Dominate at the 2020 NFR |url=https://www.thecowboychannel.com/story/43053835/hailey-kinsel-grabs-third-world-title-in-record-setting-time |website=The Cowboy Channel |access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

==2021 season== In March, Kinsel competed at the American Rodeo another year. She won for the third time and took home $100,000 in prize money. Since no qualifier won their event, there were no competitors to win the $1 million bonus this year; thus, it carried over to the next year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breen |first1=Scott |title=Kinsel among winners crowned at The American Rodeo |url=https://www.montanasports.com/sports/rodeo/kinsel-among-winners-crowned-at-the-american-rodeo |website=Montana Sports |date=March 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The American Shootout Results, Highlights, and Payouts |url=https://www.americanrodeo.com/story/43458105/the-american-shootout-results-highlights-and-payouts |website=The Cowboy Channel |access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2021 RFD-TV's The American Rodeo Results |url=https://cowgirlmagazine.com/2021-rfd-tvs-the-american-rodeo-results/ |website=Cowgirl Magazine |access-date=August 26, 2021 |date=March 10, 2021}}</ref> In June, Kinsel competed at the Reno Rodeo, winning the reserve barrel racing championship and running the fastest time of the 2021 rodeo.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reno Rodeo 2021 wraps up with $665,069 in winnings |url=https://www.kolotv.com/2021/06/28/reno-rodeo-2021-wraps-up-with-665069-winnings/ |website=KOLO TV.com |access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref>

In July, Kinsel competed in the Fourth of July rodeos, a time of year known as "Cowboy Christmas" because of the large amount of prize money available to contestants. Kinsel's largest check was $8,099 from the Cody Stampede in Wyoming where she and Sister placed second with a 17.05 second time. They won the Livingston Roundup Rodeo in Montana with a time of 17.09 seconds for $7,200. She also came in second in St. Paul, Oregon, with a time of 17.51 seconds, for $6,705. After that, she gave Sister a break while she rode TJ in West Jordan, Utah, earning a check of $234. She also competed in Oakley, Utah, the only rodeo where she didn't place. Her total earnings during Cowboy Christmas were $22,238, making her the highest money earner for the event and, placing her back at the No. 2 spot in the World Standings as of July, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bleiker |first1=Ann |title=Kinsel Tops Barrel Racing Field for Cowboy Christmas with Guillory Leading the Way in Breakaway Roping {{!}} |url=https://wranglernetwork.com/news/kinsel-tops-barrel-racing-field-for-cowboy-christmas-with-guillory-leading-the-way-in-breakaway-roping/ |website=Wrangler Network |access-date=August 8, 2021 |date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>

The 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days took place from July 23 to August 1 this year. The event is back after a hiatus last year due to COVID-19. It always takes place at Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It bills itself as the world's largest, best, and most authentic rodeo. It boasts attendance of more than 250,000, and the rodeo includes all of the major events plus more.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Daddy of All Rodeos|url=https://www.travelchannel.com/destinations/us/wy/cheyenne/articles/cheyenne-frontier-days-rodeo|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=Travel Channel}}</ref>

In her opening round at Frontier Days, Kinsel's time was 17.56 which earned her fourth place and $3,404. She then competed in the second round with a time of 17.22 seconds and earned $5,499. In the third round, she took eighth place and earned $916, earning her a place in the finals on Sunday, August 1. In the finals, she and Sister clocked a run of 17.30 seconds in the short go, which won her first place in barrel racing in the rodeo. She earned $5,819 for winning. She also won the average, where she won an additional $10,997. This is her first time winning the "Daddy of 'Em All".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gambino|first1=Frank|title=Hailey Kinsel Wins CFD Barrel Racing Championship|url=https://k2radio.com/hailey-kinsel-wins-cfd-barrel-racing-championship/|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=K2 Radio}}</ref> There were 205 barrel racers entered in the rodeo this year. Kinsel gave all the credit to her horse Sister. "My horse is amazing... and tries so hard no matter what the job", praised Kinsel after her win. "By the grace of God she has carried me to some amazing places. She is truly the best thing in my life."<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo makes history and legends|url=https://www.thefencepost.com/news/2021-cheyenne-frontier-days-rodeo-makes-history-and-legends/|access-date=August 22, 2021|website=The Fence Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About Us|url=https://www.cfdrodeo.com/about-us/|access-date=August 25, 2021|website=Cheyenne Frontier Days}}</ref>

She also won the Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas. She won the Tri-State Rodeo in Fort Madison, Iowa. She won the Kansas' Biggest Rodeo in Phllisburg, Kansas. She set the arena record on a standard pattern of 16.61 seconds. She won the Sheridan Wyoming Rodeo. She won the Ogden Utah Pioneer Days. She won the Livingston, Montana Round-Up. She was the co-champion at the Guymon, Oklahoma, Pioneer Days Rodeo. She finished second at the St. Paul Rodeo in Oregon. She finished second at the Cody, Wyoming, Stampede. She finished second at the Dinosaur Days Rodeo in Vernal, Montana.

==Career summary== * 4 WPRA barrel racing world championship titles (2018-2020, 2022)<ref>''2018, 2019, & 2020 Media Guide'' – ''Barrel Racing Records'', ''2020 World Champion Barrel Racer'', p. 7.</ref><ref name="BackCenter"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Casey |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Hailey Kinsel Takes Back Center Stage, Wins Fourth World Championship |url=https://barrelracingmagazine.com/barrel-racing-news/final-nfr-results-world-champion-hailey-kinsel/ |access-date=December 11, 2022 |website=Barrel Racing Magazine}}</ref> * 1 NFR Average barrel racing title (2020)<ref name="2020Win" /> * 9 NFR qualifications (2017-2025)<ref name="WPRA" /> * 1 RAM Top Gun title (2020)<ref name="2020Win" />

==Horses== DM Sissy Hayday "Sister" is a Palomino American Quarter Horse mare born in 2011. She is by PC Frenchmans Hayday and out of Royal Sissy Irish,<ref name="WPRA" /> who is a daughter of Royal Shakem.<ref name="FloRodeoSemi" /><ref name="WPRA" /><ref name="Pedigree">{{cite web |title=Dm Sissy Hayday Quarter Horse |url=https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/dm+sissy+hayday |website=All Breed Pedigree |access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref> * 2017 Scoti Flit Bar Rising Star Award<ref>{{cite web |title=Scoti Flit Bar Award |url=https://www.canadianriverquarterhorses.com/scoti-flit-bar-award |website=Canadian River Quarter Horses |access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref> * 2018 Horse with the Most Heart<ref name="WPRA" /> * 2018 AQHA/PRCA/WPRA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year<ref name=":0">''2021 Media Guide'' – ''PRCA Awards'', ''AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year'', pp. 11-13.</ref> * 2019 Horse with the Most Heart - Three Way Tie for the Award with Freckles ridden by Shali Lord and Valor ridden by Donna Kay Rule<ref name="WPRA" /> * 2021 Second place AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year<ref name=":0" /> * 2025 AQHA/PRCA/WPRA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year<ref>{{cite web|title=Still Great: 7 Years Between DM Sissy Hayday's Horse of the Year titles|url=https://barrelracing.com/news/dm-sissy-hayday-2025-horse-year-barrel-racing/|website=www.barrelracing.com|access-date=October 30, 2025}}</ref>

Thunder Stones "TJ" was born in 2004. He is by Sticks and Stones and out of See F Jets Candy who is a daughter of Pines Easter Jet. He is a Quarter horse gelding.<ref name="WPRA" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Thunder Stones Quarter Horse |url=https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/thunder+stones |website=All Breed Pedigree |access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref>

DH Jess Stellar "Jules" was born in 2013. She is by Mighty Jess out of PC Frosted Stellar who is a daughter of Sun Frost. She is a Palomino mare Quarter horse, owned by Hodges Farm.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dh Jess Stellar Quarter Horse |url=https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/dh+jess+stellar |website=All Breed Pedigree |access-date=June 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name="WPRA" />

==Awards== * 2022 WPRA World Champion barrel racer<ref name="BackCenter">{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=Casey |title=Hailey Kinsel Takes Back Center Stage, Wins Fourth World Championship |url=https://barrelracingmagazine.com/barrel-racing-news/final-nfr-results-world-champion-hailey-kinsel/ |website=Barrel Racing Magazine |access-date=December 11, 2022 |date=11 December 2022}}</ref> * 2020 WPRA World Champion barrel racer<ref name="2020Win" /> * 2020 NFR Average Champion barrel racer<ref name="2020Win">{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel Clinches Third WPRA World Championship, Wins NFR Aggregate, RAM Top Gun Award; Stevi Hillman Wins Round Ten |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/events/event-coverage/nfr-coverage/hailey-kinsel-clinches-third-wpra-world-championship-wins-nfr-aggregate-ram-top-gun-award/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=December 15, 2020 |date=13 December 2020}}</ref> * 2019 WPRA World Champion barrel racer<ref>{{cite web |title=Kinsel-Lockwood Claims World Championship, Conrado-Saebens Wins Aggregate, Lockhart Tops Round 10 |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/events/event-coverage/kinsel-lockwood-claims-world-championship-conrado-saebens-wins-aggregate-lockhart-tops-round-10/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=December 24, 2019 |date=15 December 2019}}</ref> * 2018 WPRA World Champion barrel racer<ref>''2021 WPRA NFR Media Guide {{pipe}} Barrel Racing World Champions 1948 - 2020'',''2018, 2019, & 2020 World Champion Barrel Racer'', p. 7.</ref> * 2016–2018 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) barrel racing national qualifier<ref name="Wrangler2Time" /><ref name="FastLane">{{cite web |last1=Amorosano |first1=Ken |title=Life In The Fast Lane With Hailey Kinsel |url=https://cowgirlmagazine.com/hailey-kinsel/ |website=Cowgirl Magazine |access-date=January 18, 2019 |date=December 31, 2018}}</ref> * 2018 NIRA College Champion barrel racer<ref name="Wrangler2Time" /><ref name="FastLane"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Hailey Kinsel Claims College National Finals Rodeo Championship |url=https://barrelhorsenews.com/events/event-coverage/hailey-kinsel-claims-college-national-finals-rodeo-championship/ |website=Barrel Horse News |access-date=August 25, 2021 |date=June 18, 2017}}</ref> * 2014 Texas High School Finals Rodeo Champion barrel racer Champion<ref name="WPRA" /> * 2014, 2016 National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) Finals qualifier in barrel racing and breakaway roping<ref name="WPRA" />

==Personal== Until recently, Hailey lived in the town where she grew up, Cotulla, Texas<ref name="WPRA" /> However, her current residence is her ranch in Stephenville, Texas.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kirstie Marie's Equestrian Shoot With Hailey Lockwood |url=https://cowgirlmagazine.com/kirstie-maries-equestrian-shoot-with-hailey-lockwood/ |website=COWGIRL Magazine |access-date=February 14, 2021 |date=May 7, 2020}}</ref> Kinsel graduated in 2017 from Texas A&M University (College Station) with a BA in Agriculture Economics.<ref name="WPRA" /> Kinsel competed on the Fightin' Aggie Rodeo team in barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. While attending university, she maintained a packed schedule that included classwork, taking care of three horses, leading a Bible study, and competing in PRCA rodeos.<ref name="FloRodeoSemi" />

In April 2018, Kinsel and two-time PBR world-champion bull rider Jess Lockwood started a relationship. A source confirmed they were still together on December 31, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cowgirl Social Team |title=Jess Lockwood and Hailey Kinsel Are Everyone's Favorite New Rodeo Couple |url=https://cowgirlmagazine.com/jess-lockwood-hailey-kinsel/ |website=Cowgirl Magazine |access-date=January 18, 2019 |date=April 12, 2018}}</ref> According to Lockwood, they had been dating for a year at that time.<ref name="FastLane" /> On March 28, 2019, Lockwood announced their engagement to be married on his Instagram account.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lockwood announces engagement to Hailey Kinsel |url=https://pbr.com/news/2019/03/lockwood-announces-engagement-to-hailey-kinsel/ |website=Professional Bull Riders |access-date=April 26, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Lockwood Announces Engagement to Hailey Kinsel |url=http://wranglernetwork.com/news/lockwood-announces-engagement-to-hailey-kinsel/ |website=Wrangler Network |access-date=March 28, 2019 |date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> On October 25, 2019, Lockwood and Kinsel were married at Kinsel's parent's ranch in Cotulla, Texas. She took his name, and used it professionally as Hailey Kinsel Lockwood. They used to split their time between winter at her ranch in Stephenville and spring at his in Montana.<ref name="Fort-Worth">{{cite web |title=Jess Lockwood wins second Professional Bull Riders title in 3 years at World Finals |url=https://www.star-telegram.com/sports/article237187043.html |website=Fort-Worth Star Telegram |access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> According to her profile on the WPRA website and her self-published sources, she is no longer using his surname.

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

===Bibliography=== * {{cite book|title=PRCA Awards|date=2021|publisher=Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|url=https://prorodeo.com/documents/2021/5/27/2021_Media_Guide_Awards.pdf|access-date=March 12, 2022}} *{{cite book|title=2021 WPRA NFR Media Guide {{!}} Barrel Racing World Champions 1948 - 2020 | publisher=Women's Professional Rodeo Association|format=PDF|url=https://online.flippingbook.com/view/651761012/6/|access-date=March 14, 2022}}

==External links== * [https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/dm+sissy+hayday Sister's pedigree] * [https://www.wpra.com Women's Professional Rodeo Association] * [https://www.prorodeo.com Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] * [https://www.nfrexperience.com/ National Finals Rodeo] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20190426154221/https://www.thecowboyjournal.com/short Cowboy Journal - Straight-Up Partners] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20190426160008/https://www.thecowboyjournal.com/stories/underdogs-hailey-kinsel Cowboy Journal – Underdogs] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20190419161123/https://www.thecowboyjournal.com/stories/hailey-kinsel-learning-to-let-go Cowboy Journal – Learning to Let Go]

Videos

General: * [https://www.rfdtv.com/clip/13541952/tcc-wsr-cheyenne-day-4-hailey-kinsel TCC – WSR – Cheyenne – Day 4 – Hailey Kinsel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124537/https://www.rfdtv.com/clip/13541952/tcc-wsr-cheyenne-day-4-hailey-kinsel |date=February 9, 2019 }} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_szOkaP40w Cowgirl Magazine's Exclusive Interview with Hailey Kinsel] 2021: * [https://wranglernetwork.com/portfolio-view/kinsel-2021-cheyenne-frontier-days/ Hailey Kinsel is 2021's Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Champion] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_M8KqnTjNQ Hailey Kinsel | 2021 Cheyenne Frontier Days] 2019: * [https://wranglernetwork.com/portfolio-view/best-of-rodeo-lockwood-2019-fwssr/ Best of Rodeo: Hailey Kinsel Lockwood Reflects on Her Win at the 2019 FWSSR] 2020: * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQJvz4LvQW8 Hailey's Only Sister] * [https://anchor.fm/cowhorsefullcontact/episodes/Hailey-Kinsel-Interview---Presented-by-RPX-Enterprises-eq6h92 Hailey Kinsel Interview] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTznGd_89ZA Hailey Kinsel Brings Out The Wild Shirt and Wins Another Round: Cavender's NFR Now | Cowgirl] 2018: * [https://www.florodeo.com/events/6250252-2018-wrangler-national-finals-rodeo/videos?playing=6289852&limit=60 Meet Your 2018 Barrel Racing World Champion: Hailey Kinsel] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT2NZ9TNz2U Hailey Kinsel Round 9 Record 2018 Wrangler NFR] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbz_QZI4R-A Hailey Kinsel World Champion Barrel Racer NFR 2018] * [http://wranglernetwork.com/portfolio-view/hailey-kinsel-is-2018-world-champion/ Wrangler – Hailey Kinsel is 2018 World Champion] 2017: * [https://cowgirlmagazine.com/hailey-kinsel-arena-record-wnfr/ Relive The Moment Hailey Kinsel Broke The Arena Record For Barrel Racing At The 2017 WNFR] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbb1Nu8qNfc Hailey Kinsel SHATTERS Arena Record for Barrel Racing in Round 3 | NFR 2017 Interviews]

{{Use American English|date=August 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kinsel, Hailey}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:People from Cotulla, Texas Category:Sportspeople from Stephenville, Texas Category:Sportspeople from Texas Category:American barrel racers Category:American female equestrians Category:21st-century American sportswomen