Lisa Lockhart Continues Making History Heading Into Her 19th Straight NFR

For nearly two decades, Lisa Lockhart has been the gold standard of consistency and greatness in the world of professional barrel racing. This year, she adds yet another remarkable milestone to her already legendary career. 2025 makes her 19th consecutive qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. This is an acomplishment matched only by Charmayne James and Sherry Cervi in all of WPRA history.

Since 2007, Lockhart has been a fan favorite on the sport of rodeos biggest stages. She has earned this admiration not only for her horsemanship but also for her humility, grace, and kindness. She is, without any exaggeration, one of the most universally respected athletes in rodeo.

Of all athletes at the 2025 NFR, no one across all events has made more trips to Vegas than Lockhart, and few have ever.

A Record-Breaking Career Still in Motion

Despite her incredible longevity and consistent competitiveness, one milestone still sits just outside her grasp, that is a world championship. She has come heartbreakingly close, most recently finishing as the reserve world champion in 2023 after entering her 17th NFR ranked fifth.

Yet Lockhart remains firmly in the world-title conversation again this year. Entering the 2025 NFR sixth in the WPRA standings with $169,467 earned, she is still well within striking distance. There is another big milestone that is just around the corner too. Lisa needs just $125,175 to become the first $4 million barrel racer in WPRA history. It’s a big number that is absolutely within reach given the NFR’s huge payout. They will pay nearly $40,000 per round and more than $90,000 for the average win.

Her ability to perform under the highest pressure is already proven. In 2022 she squeaked into the finals ranked 14th and then left Las Vegas ranked fourth after winning $168,326 at the NFR alone.

She also leads all barrel racers in career NFR earnings, surpassing Sherry Cervi in 2020.

The Horses Behind the Greatness

Lockhart’s success is deeply intertwined with her talented equine partners, each who have greatly contributed to her living legacy. Chism was the horse that  first helped launch her NFR career. An Oakie With Cash, well known as Louie became one of the most iconic barrel horses in history. Louie and Lisa broke records and made history.

Rosa has since drawn comparisons to Louie and is part of the next generation carrying Lisa forward. Blazin Ta Betty, Sasha, is the newest addition to the winning team. She is a 7-year-old Dash Ta Fame mare who earned major checks this season and played a crucial role in securing Lisa’s 2025 qualification.

This kind of horsemanship is a big part of what makes Lockhart so exceptional. She rides so correct, with unmatched timing and feel.

Her 2025 season was also filled with big wins, proving that she has remained as sharp and competitive as ever. Among her most notable victories this year was the 2025 Cheyenne Frontier Days Barrel Racing Championship. This prestigious title was won exactly 10 years after her first CFD title in 2015. Her other wins this year include Estes Park, CO., Range Days Rodeo in Rapid City, SD, Buffalo, MN, and Granite Falls, MN.

That big CFD win alone aboard Rosa added nearly $22,000 to her season earnings and helped her cause of another trip to Vegas.

Just recently, Lisa won the Hondo Rodeo for the second time in a row. She is the only cowgirl to ever be name the Hondo Champion. Sasha and Lisa came out on top in Chase Field, and now has some big momentum going into that little yellow arena in Vegas.

One of the Best

Nineteen consecutive NFRs. Almost two decades without ever missing a year.Nearly $4 million in career earnings. Three NFR average championships in 2014, 2016, and 2023. She has a fan base unlike any rodeo athlete and a legacy built on consistency, kindness, and world class talent and horsemanship.

Incredibly, she has done all of this without yet winning a world championship title.

But anyone who knows Lisa Lockhart knows that gold buckles do not define greatness. Her consistency does. Her horses do. Her sportsmanship does. Her character does.

Still, the story is far from finished for Mrs. Lockhart. She is entering her 19th NFR with a real chance, once again, to win her first world title and to become the first $4 million cowgirl in WPRA history.

Regardless of what happens over 10 nights in Las Vegas, Lisa Lockhart has already well earned her place among the greatest barrel racers of all time. And the best part is, she’s far from finished.