A lot has changed since 1995. Gas prices were $1.15 per gallon, and Bill Clinton was the president of the United States, the release of Toy Story introduced the world’s first entirely computer-generated film, and the National Finals Rodeo was broadcast on ESPN.
Fallon Taylor at the 2015 WNFR Kick Off Party in Las Vegas
It was also the year that barrel racing icon Fallon Taylor qualified for her first NFR at the age of thirteen, finishing 6th in the world standings. She would go on to qualify for a total of four consecutive NFR’s from 1995 to 1998 before making a comeback in 2013.
Although today she is known for her eccentric wardrobe, signature Jockey style of riding and advocacy for eliminating bullying, her persona has encountered many changes throughout the years of her career.
It began when she was a child watching rodeo for the first time, which ignited a passion in her and resulted in the creation of a sports legend.
In support of Fallon’s dreams, her family packed up their home in Florida and headed to Texas to train with one of the industry’s legendary influences, Martha Josey, kicking off her career as the youngest WPRA barrel racer at seven years old.
It was only five years later that the famous sire Dr. Nick Bar along with Flowers and Money earned her a trip to Vegas.
After spending several years on the rodeo trail, she soon found herself overcome with a yearning for a new experience, inspiring another big move this time from Texas, north to New York.
During her time spent in the Big Apple, she found work as a model and actress, making appearances in movies and television series such as Two and a Half Men, High Hopes, Killing Time, The Loop, and as the Axe Body Spray girl.
Realizing that her true calling was for barrel racing, she traded in her blue contacts and modeling contract for riding jeans and the aspiration to take over the Thomas and Mack Arena once again. This time around she used social media websites to promote herself and her business Dynasty Equine, becoming well known for her YouTube videos, Facebook clothing auctions, virtual barrel racing lessons, and her online store Ranch Dress’n.
Her fleur de lis brand became a common site at barrel races, and her following drastically grew. In 2012 she finished the season one spot shy of qualifying for the NFR on the daughter of Dr. Nick Bar and Flowers and Money, Babyflo, fueling her to take the extra steps necessary to guarantee a 2013 qualification, and finally, the world title in 2014.
Today, her pastel hair extensions and flamboyant style have created a new and controversial era in rodeo fashion making her an NFR main attraction.
Expect to be surprised by her outfits each exciting night of this year’s finals as the world’s number seven barrel racer celebrates another appearance 20 years after her first qualification.
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