Laramie rodeo rider Makenzi Scott qualifies for College National Finals

Makenzi Scott turned one last ride at UW’s home arena into a ticket to Casper. The Rock Springs graduate student won the barrel race at the Laramie River Rendezvous Rodeo and finished second in the Central Rocky Mountain Region, earning her first berth in the College National Finals Rodeo.

Scott’s breakthrough carried extra weight in Albany County because the Laramie River Rendezvous Rodeo at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Arena was supposed to be one of her final appearances in Wyoming and in a familiar university setting. Instead, her run in late April became the springboard for a career milestone announced June 10, when University of Wyoming rodeo officials said she had qualified for the national finals.

The path was built on precision as much as speed. UW said Scott split first place in the average at the Laramie rodeo short go on the strength of her run, then posted the top time in the long go. That finish helped her climb to second in the final regional barrel racing standings and lock up a spot at the CNFR, which runs June 14-20 at Casper’s Ford Wyoming Center.

Scott’s qualification also reflected how tightly rodeo success depends on the horse-and-rider partnership. She will take Tess to Casper, and her comments after qualifying underscored the trust between them after years of near misses. Scott had come close to the CNFR several times before, only to fall short, making this year’s result all the more emotional.

Head coach Seth Glause had watched that growth unfold and was not surprised Scott rose when the pressure was highest. UW said Scott came on strong late in the spring to finish second in barrel racing, helping the Cowgirls close the regular season with 3,631.33 points and outpace Gillette College in the region.

Scott’s berth was part of a big year for University of Wyoming rodeo. UW said the Cowboys and Cowgirls each won seven of 10 rodeos in the Central Rocky Mountain Region, and the men captured their eighth consecutive regional title by nearly 2,000 points after scoring 800 points at the home rodeo in Laramie. The program qualified 16 athletes for the 2026 CNFR, described by UW as perhaps a school record, and will have a competitor in every event.

The national finals schedule begins with barrel racers in arena time Friday, June 12, followed by the Welcome Armband Ceremony Saturday, June 13. The championship round is set for Saturday, June 20, with Scott carrying both Albany County pride and a late-season surge into Casper.