Barrel racers love to know what bits are winning on the top barrel horses in the world.
It’s no secret. There’s a certain fascination at that little piece of expertly twisted metal—and all its add-ons—that control the animals that headline the ProRodeo trail with expert jockeys on board. So what are those iconic headgear types? BRM contributor Tanya Randall expertly crafted the rundown on the coveted bits and headgear worn by the world champion barrel horses that have topped the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association for the past few decades.
2018-2020, 2022: Hailey Kinsel
NFR Horse: DM Sissy Hayday (“Sister”)
Bit: Reinsman Johnson Hackamore
Headgear: Flat Leather Tiedown
Find it here: Johnson Hackamore
From Hack to Hollis – A bit change for Hailey Kinsel and “Sister”
2021: Jordon Briggs
NFR Horse: Famous Lil Jet (“Rollo”)
Bit: Kerry Kelley Chain Port Hemi, No Hit Bit Rope Nose Hackamore
Find them here: Hemi Chain Port ; NHB Rope Nose Hackamore; and NHB Rollo Hack used in 2023.
Learn from Hailey Kinsel and Jordon Briggs at BarrelRacing.com
2017: Nellie Miller
NFR Horse: Rafter W Minnie Reba (“Sister”)
Bit: Classic Equine Sherry Cervi Lifter
Find it here: Cervi Diamond Lifter
2016: Mary Burger
NFR Horse: Sadiefamouslastwords (“Mo”)
Bit: Shanked rope nose combination with three-piece mouth, brand unknown
Headgear: Rope Headsetter
Similar: Josey Million Dollar Bit
2015: Callie duPerier
NFR Horse: Rare Dillion
Bit: Short straight shank lifter with no gag, brand unknown
Fun Fact: Dillion ran in a short shank Jim Warner in his NFR appearances with trainer Annesa Self and later with Carlee (Pierce) Otero.
Similar: Camarillo Lite Lifter
2014: Fallon Taylor
NFR Horse: Flos Heiress (“Baby Flo”)
Bit: Long shank sharp-angled lifter gag, unknown maker
Headgear: Padded rope nose tiedown
Fun Fact: Taylor bought Baby Flo’s bit at a garage sale for less than $20
2013, 2010: Sherry Cervi
NFR Horse: MP Meter My Hay “Stingray”
Bit: Carolina Bits Short Shank Lifter
Headgear: Leather tiedown
Find it here: Short Shank Lifter
2012: Mary Walker
NFR Horse: Perculatin (“Latte”)
Bit: Loomis Gag
Similar: Classic Equine Loomis
2008, 2011: Lindsay Sears
NFR Horse: Sugar Moon Express (“Martha”)
Bit: Carol Goostree Simplicity
Find it here: Simplicity
2009: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
2009 NFR Horse: Yeah Hes Firen (“Duke”)
Bit: Jim Warner Hackamore later Professional’s Choice Pozzi Hackamore, Mike Quick Bit three-piece mouth with a copper roller
Find them here: Pozzi Hackamore or Jim Warner Hackamore; Quick Bit
2007: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
2007 NFR Horse: Sixth Vision (“Stitch”)
Bit: Jim Warner Hackamore later Professional’s Choice Pozzi Hackamore, Ed Wright Long Shank Lifter
Find them here: Pozzi Hackamore or Jim Warner Hackamore; Wright Long Shank Lifter
2006: Mary Burger
NFR Horse: Rare Fred
Bit: Medium shank gag, similar to an H-gag or Hollis gag
Similar: H Gag
2004-2005: Kelly Kaminski
NFR Horse: Rockem Sockem Go (“Rocky”)
Bit: Custom Neil Merrill rope nose combination
Order here: https://www.merrillbits.com/
2003: Janae Ward Massey
NFR Horse: Dynas Plain Special “Dee Dee”
Bit: O-ring with a smaller dogbone mouth
Fun Fact: Massey won her early season money on Cole And Cole with the same bit.
2002: Charmayne James
NFR Horse: Cruisin On Six (“Crusier”)
Bit: Mike Quick with a solid medium port with a copper roller
Find it here: Quick Bit
2001: Janet Stover
NFR Horse: Nate Shalibar (“Hotshot”)
Bit: Ed Wright Hackamore
Fun Fact: Won her early season money on Gotewin Bo with Carolina mullen-mouth bit or a three-piece with a small port.
Find it here: https://www.slashwranch.com/
2000: Kappy Allen
NFR Horse: Risky Chris
Bit: Rope nose O-ring combination
Headgear: Tiedown
Similar: O-Ring Combination
1999: Sherry Cervi
NFR Horse: Jet Royal Speed (“Hawk”)
Bit: Shanked broken-mouth port, maker unknown
Headgear: Rope nose tiedown
1996-1998, 1994: Kristie Peterson
NFR Horse: French Flash Hawk (“Bozo”)
Bit: Ugly Hackamore (available today as Classic Equine’s Bozo Sidepull)
Find it here: Bozo Sidepull
1995: Sherry Cervi
NFR Horse: Sir Double Delight (“Troubles”)
Bit: Long Shank Ed Wright Lifter with a three-piece mouth
Find it here: https://www.slashwranch.com/
1984-1993: Charmayne James
NFR Horse: Gils Bay Boy (“Scamper”)
Bit: Mike Quick with a solid high port with a copper roller
Find it here: Quick Bit
