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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Marsing Barrel Racer Earns Spot at Prestigious Rodeo Event
Megan McLeod-Sprague, a dedicated barrel racer from Marsing, Idaho, has secured her place at the 2026 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The event, set to take place in Las Vegas from December 3 to December 12, will feature the top 15 qualifiers in each event, competing across ten rounds of rodeo competition.
Nearly Three Decades in Professional Rodeo
McLeod-Sprague's commitment to barrel racing began in 1997, when she joined the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) at just 14 years old. Over the years, she has become a familiar face at local events like the Caldwell Night Rodeo, establishing a reputation as a skilled wpra barrel racer and a pillar in her local rodeo community.
Balancing Family and a Passion for Barrel Racing
Although McLeod-Sprague’s rodeo competition journey began early, her path to the national finals rodeo was marked by pauses. Family responsibilities and the demands of raising young children meant she limited her competition to local events for a decade or more. She credits her return to professional rodeo to encouragement from her husband and acquiring her horse Jagger, whose impact proved pivotal. "I took a pretty big break from like 10 or 12 years, probably just rodeoing closer to home, until I got Jagger and my husband really encouraged me to try to make the NFR, and here we are," McLeod-Sprague explained.
Rigorous Training and Care for Championship Horses
Central to McLeod-Sprague’s success are her horses, who are treated as professional athletes. She spends much of her day—sometimes four to six hours—riding and working with her horses. Among them is Jagger, a 15-year-old gelding and key partner in the arena. His value, estimated at $300,000, reflects the extensive training and care invested in his well-being. The horses receive regular exercise and specialized therapy to meet the unique demands of barrel racing training and rodeo horses' competition schedules.
Family Legacy and Love for Speed
For McLeod-Sprague, barrel racing is more than a sport; it's a family tradition. Her mother was a barrel racer and her father a team roper. While she participated in various rodeo events growing up, she always returned to barrel racing. "I think the speed. I like the speed. I did rope and do some other events when I was younger, but this was always my passion," she stated.
Ready for the Wrangler NFR
The upcoming Wrangler NFR represents a culmination of nearly three decades of dedication to professional rodeo. From long hours of horse training to balancing a busy family life, McLeod-Sprague brings experience, perseverance, and a passion for barrel racing to the national stage. As Las Vegas prepares to host the nation's top rodeo athletes, McLeod-Sprague and her horse Jagger are ready to represent both Marsing and the broader rodeo community at one of the sport’s most prestigious events.
Source: kivitv.com.
