RODEO NEWS
By Ann Bleiker
SIOUX FALLS, SD (Sept 25, 2026) – All eyes in the rodeo industry are on the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., with $1.5 million on the line as the WPRA regular season comes to a close. Some athletes are fighting to get in the top 15 while others are looking to extend the lead on a shot at a gold buckle in Las Vegas (barrel racing) and Fort Worth (breakaway roping) in December.
Megan McLeod-Sprague landed atop a very competitive barrel race stopping the clock in 14.10 seconds aboard her horse Swoon that she has ridden since Red Bluff, California back in April. Last year was McLeod-Sprague’s first trip to the NFR and she is eyeing a return trip having entered this weekend ranked 11th. She added $12,533 to her earnings moving her up in the world standings.
“The ground was a little loose tonight, so I think some horses were struggling to keep their feet,” stated McLeod-Sprague in the winner’s circle tonight. “I chose that horse (Swoon) not knowing that because he handles these situations like a champ.
Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Piper were second with a time of 14.17 seconds. Gibson Stillwell and Carlee Otero have been battling for the top spot over the last month and after the first round in Sioux Falls, Gibson-Stillwell now has the edge adding $9,400, while Otero had some rough luck with a downed first barrel finishing with a 19.34.
It was a tie atop the leaderboard in the women’s breakaway roping having two times just one-tenth off the arena record. Josie Conner and Jordi Edens-Mitchell each stopped the clock in 1.7 seconds to get the win on opening night. Both ladies were already in the top 15 prior to this weekend but they are looking to close the gap on standing leader Cheyanne McCartney, who finished the night with a no time. Hali Williams was third with a 1.9 and bubble cowgirl Jill Tanner took fourth in a time of 2.1 seconds. With a fourth place finish Tanner added $3,133 moving her at least for now inside the top 15. If Tanner is able to stay within the top 15 it would be her first trip to the WPRA National Breakaway Finals.
Results:
Breakaway roping: 1. (tie) Jordi Eden-Mitchell, Stephenville, TX and Josie Conner, Iowa, La, 1.7 seconds, $10,966 each; 3. Hali Williams, Comanche, TX, 1.9, $6,266; 4. Jill Tanner, Stephenville, TX, 2.1, $3,133.
Barrel racing: 1. Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 14.10, $12,533; 2. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, CA, 14.17, $9,400, 3. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, TX, 14.37, $6,266; 4. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, OK, 14.45, $3,133.
