Hailey Kinsel on Horses, Hard Work, and the Heart of Rodeo
If you know rodeo, you know Hailey Kinsel. Last week, Hailey joined WSF Executive Director Aubrey O’Quin on WSF’s podcast, Beyond the Rodeo. Read on for a taste of the episode or tune in anywhere you stream podcasts to hear the full story.
Born to Ride
Hailey’s love of horses began long before she earned four World Titles and gained fame in the rodeo community. Born and raised on a working ranch in Cotulla, Texas, Hailey received an early introduction to rodeo from her parents, Dan and Leslie Kinsel, who both participated in the sport.
“I loved horses from the beginning, just like any horse crazy kid,” Hailey reveals. “But I didn't have to sit at home and circle ads, I just walked down to the barn.”
Ranch life required every member of the family to contribute, so Hailey learned to ride at a young age.
“I have been on the back of a horse since I can't remember,” she shares. “It was a necessity for us kids to learn how to ride and be helpful on the ranch. My parents were doing real work, and [my siblings and I] had wonderful babysitter horses taking care of us.”
Although many of her peers also rodeoed at a young age, the passion stayed with Hailey longer than most.
“A lot of kids go through the horse phase or the junior rodeo phase and then move on,” she explains. “I tried every other sport, and I loved a lot of things, but I never loved anything more than the horses. [My career] was born as a passion, a hobby, and something that made me happy.”
The Early Years
As she grew up, Hailey began to prioritize rodeo, dropping other activities and sports that took her away from the barn. After graduating high school, Hailey attended Texas A&M University, where she earned a BA in Agriculture Economics and competed on the university's rodeo team. Throughout her journey as a young athlete, the horses that carried her motivated her to keep improving.
“I had wonderful horses growing up,” she shares. “In junior rodeo, my first-ever barrel horse was an off-the-track racehorse named Josie. She was the first horse I won anything on in barrel racing.”
But Josie wasn’t the only horse who shaped Hailey’s junior rodeo career.
“My other barrel and pole bending horse was my mom's horse, Tripod,” she continues. “Tripod was a fabulous pole horse. The first saddle I ever won was in the pole bending on him.”
Last but certainly not least, a third horse in Hailey’s early career gave her a love for the other end of the arena.
“I had a rope and goat tying horse named Catfish that I rode all through junior high, high school, and college,” Hailey reveals. “Those three horses taught me how to compete, how to love rodeo, and how to be a competitor. They were my mainstays.”
The next horse to join the lineup was TJ, paving the way for the professional rodeo career Hailey enjoys to this day.
“TJ is who I not only college rodeoed on and made the CNFR three times on him, but he's also who I filled my WPRA permit on,” Hailey reveals. “Without him, I never would have considered buying my card.”
Then came the yellow horse that has nearly surpasses her rider’s fame—DM Sissy Hayday, affectionately known as "Sister."
Hailey and Sister at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. Photo by Kaycie Timm
“We always knew [Sister] was a little bit extra special,” Hailey recalls. “But she is a product of all the other horses that have gotten me to the place I was at. When she came around, I was ready for a horse not just of that caliber but of that heart and try.”
With years of rodeo experience already under her belt as a senior in college, Hailey took on the American her with Sister as her mount.
“Winning the American gave me an open door to try this rodeo thing full time,” Hailey admits. “That led to my first NFR in the same year, and I haven't looked back since.”
The Horse Comes First
“My parents taught me that we are to be stewards of the animals and stewards of the land,” Hailey reveals. “They are gifts from God, and our job is to take care of them and do our best by them.”
That firm belief has led Hailey to maintain a horse-first mentality throughout her career—which has resulted in some difficult choices along the way. In 2024, by Round 10 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Hailey knew Sister was no longer able to perform at her best. Rather than risk her beloved horse’s well-being, Hailey chose to run her alternate horse in the crucial last run of the season.
“I'm thankful for the wisdom that I've developed over the years to be able to make that decision,” Hailey revealed. “In the moment it was hardly a decision. I knew what to do, and I felt very good about it.”
Moments like that give Hailey another reason to be grateful, too. In addition to Sister, Hailey maintains a string of talented horses that can step in when needed—and who might one day take Sister’s place.
Hailey piloted KN Fabs Gift Of Fame, also known as “JLo,” at The Hondo Rodeo in 2024 (pictured) and also rode her in Round 10 at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. Photo by Kaycie Timm
“I love riding other horses,” Hailey reveals. “I love riding [Sister], but it's almost as rewarding to win on her as it is to take what she's taught me and apply it to another horse. I know that nothing I do from here on out is because of her, the same way she wouldn't be [the horse she is] without the horses that came before her.”
Although Hailey says she doesn’t like to pick favorites among her string of trainees, one up-and-comer stands out above the rest. Six-year-old “Libby,” a full sister to Sister, holds a special place in her jockey’s heart.
“I'm just thrilled to have her,” Hailey says of Libby. “It's hard to say at this point, but she's really that good. I'm not going to say she's Sister—there's no way to fill Sister's shoes—but she's incredible. They look very different, but they run super similar.”
Golden Moments
As Hailey reflects on her career thus far, it’s more than just the gold buckles that stand out.
“I'm like an elephant,” she jokes. “I remember everything. I can tell you every time I've ever ran. I can tell you what time of day it was, how hot it was, and what my horse was like.”
Hailey takes a victory lap after claiming the Round Two win at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. Photo by Kaycie Timm
In Hailey’s iron-clad memory, one early moment made a lasting impact on her success.
“When I won the state high school finals, I learned how I wanted to approach every rodeo,” she reveals. “I wanted to be grateful; I wanted to be happy to be there; and I wanted to be in the moment with my horse.”
That mindset has helped Hailey find success, even when a run or a rodeo doesn’t go her way.
“I've tried to carry that attitude to every other run,” Hailey continues. “When I have a victory, it's the most enjoyable overall, and if it doesn't work out, I'm still happy to be there.”
Sharing Her Story
With numerous wins to her name and a promising future ahead of her, Hailey set aside time in early 2024 to put some of her thoughts and beliefs in writing. When she launched her blog, her aim was simply to share what she’s learned about horses, rodeo, and faith with the world. Through that process, she found importance in showing that her life and career isn’t perfect, though.
“I've been there, and I've had success, but I've also been there in the struggle,” Hailey explains. “Nothing about having success in any area of life or business means that you are without struggle, and I think that's the one thing that all humans can relate to. They can't all relate to success, but they can all relate to struggle.”
Hailey and Sister at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. Photo by Kaycie Timm
Giving her fans, friends, and readers a relatable voice of encouragement is one of Hailey’s main goals in sharing her life in a blog.
“If people see that you've been there, too, and you survived, then they think, ‘I can do that too,’” Hailey continues.
It’s that caring nature and strong moral compass that sets Hailey apart. She’s more than a World Champion; she’s a role model for young women who want to chase their own dreams in the saddle and in life.
If you enjoyed this blog—or you’re a fan of Hailey Kinsel—be sure to check out Episode 24 of Beyond the Rodeo to hear more from Hailey. To show your support for WSF, please visit wsf.org/give.