Barrel racer Leslie Smalygo wins first career NFR round on Round 8

Leslie Smalygo made her first trip to the Wrangler NFR even more memorable on Thursday.

The Oklahoma cowgirl won Round 8 with a 13.41-second time, the fastest run in barrel racing so far at this NFR.

“It’s a complete dream come true. I thought it was just a pipedream to make it out here. Gus is the only horse I rode all year and he’s the only one I took with me,” Smalygo said. “He’s just been so honest all year and exceeded any expectations I had. I was just hoping to be in the thirteens (seconds) this week so to win a round, I never thought we had this in us.”

Smalygo is seventh in the world standings with $158,343.

courtesy of the PRCA