Green Drives Glitz at the National Finals Rodeo


By JimiBeth Myers


 short-go on her way to Last Vegas early in the 2018 rodeo season, so she is very familiar with the money on the line outside of the barrel racing competition. Each year The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame


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and the WPRA team up to offer $5,000 and a plaque awarded to a barrel racer for outstanding western attire, which is only offered twice a year in Fort Worth and Las Vegas. The award    who is a 1986 honoree in the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame located in Fort Worth, Texas. The award aligns with the museum’s mission to honor and celebrate women whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West. The best dressed competition was re-introduced after Taylor’s passing in 2012.


“I really enjoy getting to dress up for the 10 nights at the


mberleigh Moore is returning to the Thomas & Mack Center for her third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo         


Amberleigh Moore finished second in the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award competition earlier this year in Fort Worth so keep an eye on what she will be sporting in Las Vegas during the 10 rounds. Photo by James Phifer


Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas,” said Moore. “With every night being a different theme it lets you get creative and the bonus is you might have a chance to win the $5,000 donated by the Cowgirl Hall of Fame for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award.” A veteran of the sport that always brings color to the arena is Tammy


Fischer. She will be making her seventh appearance at the Wrangler  the Jerry Ann Taylor Award as the last time she ran down the alleyway at the Thomas and Mack was in 2011. “I think the Best Dressed Award is an amazing opportunity,” said Fischer. “Las Vegas is the pinnacle of our sport and to look nice and


have an opportunity to get a bonus for it is even better.” The winner of the award is determined by fan and committee votes. Rodeo fans can vote after each performance for the barrel racer they feel was the best dressed during that performance.


The votes are


tallied and the winner will receive a cash award of $5,000. Stevi Hillman will make her third consecutive trip to Las Vegas in 2018. Hillman is known for her signature all-denim look usually sporting denim jeans and a denim shirt.


‘I think the [best dressed award] opportunity is great, to be able to earn extra money anytime on the road is appreciated. Also it gives the girls a chance to have fun with their wardrobe,” noted Hillman. When asked if she will glam things up in Las Vegas  but we’ll see...the $5,000 sure makes it very tempting.” Whether you are lucky enough to be in Las Vegas in December or if you are watching the rodeo from home, plan to vote for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed cowgirl at www.wpra.com after each performance and see who joins the ranks of the past winners that started with World Champion Mary Walker with the inaugural award in 2012.


PREVIOUS YEARS WINNERS 2012 Wrangler NFR: Mary Walker


Tammy Fischer wouldn’t mind adding another $5,000 to her bank account and the title of Best Dressed. A veteran of the sport, she understands the importance of looking nice on ProRodeo’s biggest stage. Photo by Bob Click


44 WPRA NEWS NOVEMBER 2018


2013 FWSSR: Kendra Dickson 2013 Wrangler NFR: Fallon Taylor 2014 FWSSR: Jane Melby 2014 Wrangler NFR: Fallon Taylor 2015 FWSSR: Kendra Dickson 2015 Wrangler NFR: Fallon Taylor 2016 FWSSR: Shelly Anzick 2016 Wrangler NFR: Michele McLeod 2017 FWSSR: Kathy Grimes 2017 Wrangler NFR: Kimmie Wall 2018 FWSSR: Sadye Simpson


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