Kassie Mowery

By Patrick Everson

Forty years ago, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was still a year away from its first run in Las Vegas. It was 1984, the final year in Oklahoma City.

And barrel racer Jimmie Munroe went on a heater, winning a record five consecutive go-rounds. How difficult is that? Well, so difficult that it hasn’t been matched in 40 years.

Until Thursday night.

After winning Rounds 4-7, Kassie Mowry rode Jarvis to a tie for first in the eighth go-round, clocking 13.45 seconds to match Shelley Morgan. And with that go-round win, she joined Munroe – now the WPRA president – in barrel racing’s history book.

“That record hasn’t been broken for a long time, because it’s an incredibly tough thing to do. Some incredible horses have come through the gate since then. It’s just an honor,” an ecstatic Mowry said after tying Munroe’s mark.

No surprise, Mowry – who was 2 years old when Munroe set the record – deferred all credit to Jarvis.

“I know the caliber of horse he is, and I know he’s capable of some incredible things,” she said. “But this is just unbelievable, what he’s doing. He’s just been picture perfect for me.

“There’s some incredible horsepower here, Hailey Kinsel and Sister, Lisa Lockhart and Levee. This horse is hanging with them and acting like he’s got it all figured out.”

On Friday night at the Thomas & Mack Center, Mowry has a chance to break Munroe’s 40-year-old record. But more important to the Dublin, Texas, cowgirl is staying on track for her first barrel racing world championship.

Mowry is now No. 1 in the world standings, with $390,435 in season earnings, including a massive $228,152 in just the past eight nights. Kinsel, going for her fifth world title, is No. 2 in the world at $367,325, but Mowry is third in the average, while Kinsel is sixth.

That average money could well be the difference. Regardless, Mowry is not letting herself look any further ahead than Friday’s ninth go.

“A lot is going through my head. I’m just trying to keep the pressure off and stay consistent.”

She’s done that so far, and you certainly can’t argue with the results.

“I’m not changing anything,” Mowry said.