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Horse Highlights

Hailey Kinsel and DH Jess Stellar 13.623 for 2nd in the American Rodeo Contender Round and Advancing to the Texas Stadium to compete for 1.2 Million

I rode DH Jess Stellar aka â€œJulesâ€ last night in The American Rodeo Contender Round to a 2nd place finish and a chance at Sunday and AT&T Stadium!

Jules is owned by Hodges Farms. She is very special to them as Damon and Donna Hodges bred and raised her, and she is named after their daughter, Julie.

Sheâ€™s been with me for a couple of years now, and last year during The American when i planned to ride Sister resulting in our third win there, i had called Donna before and said Jules deserves a chance to run at this kind of event too, so we called up her trainer and former rider, Janna Brown, who took her through the semi finals and qualified her for The American last year!

It was exciting and fun to have both yellow mares run there.

Early last summer, we became aware of an old injury she had that was presenting issues with increased hauling and rodeo runs. The Hodges and I decided to give her significant time off and some treatment, although she could have continued on, to give her a chance to be her best self as long as possible. Those are the kind of people I want to work with â€” they have faith in Godâ€™s complete plan, they put the horse first, far above winning.

We are so thankful for Dr. Charlie Buchanan Signature Equine Hospital / Former BVEH Stephenville for finding the issue, Dr. David Dutton for his consultations, and Dr. Cameron Stoudt for treating and taking wonderful care of Jules.

She has returned to the competition arena in the last few months with so much tenacity, and we are having fun.

Thank you so much to Sister for earning our spot in the Contender Round as an invite, and to Jules for getting us back to AT&T Stadium. Our team canâ€™t wait for Championship Sunday!!!
~ Hailey Kinsel 3/4/22