My heart is broken for her.  I can't imagine working as hard as she has this year, going in 3rd in the world, riding the AQHA horse of the year and not being able to run!  

Missed it what happened?

She had a positive Covid test but has/has had no symptoms, etc. Apparently they are testing all contestants. 

Jesse Telford #16 will most likely run instead. 

Well that just sucks

I wondered how they would handle this.  Got to think that at some point during the finals someone would come up positive.  How will they handle it if on the 5th day someone tests positive?  Send them home?  

I wondered if this testing would affect the NFR contestants.  The PBR Finals was three weeks ago and five of the finalists had to bow out because they were positive.  One of them was sitting second for the world.  Made for some really happy stand-ins though.  I guess there's a rainbow somewhere.

I especially hate this for Donna Kay because she's older.  You don't get that many chances at the NFR.   It looks like if you weren't ill you could isolate yourself from others and still run.  It wouldn't be that hard to do.

That is terrible news. I am assuming this information was in the ground rules though since I have heard other contestants have been quarantined for at least 2 weeks to ensure they did not come up positive. I do hope they aren't requiring the meet & greets and autograph signings for the contestants. That is just setting someone up to get COVID if they are mixing with the general public at Cowtown Christmas and such.

Aww, so sad for her but glad she is not showing any symptoms. I love watching High Valor run. 

I was surprised last night when there wasn't a thread on this. 

From what I seen on FB DK's daughter said they are waiting on another test result to come in this afternoon, but they are home. I'm not sure if she gets a negative if she'll be allowed to go back??

The worst part is she has no symptoms and feels fine. It would be an easier pill to swallow if she had symptoms and then tested positive. 

From what I've seen on social media none of the contestants are doing any public appearances or meet & greets.

Even quarantining for 2 weeks prior they could pick it up traveling to Arlington. I'm not sure there was a good solution for all of this.

I wonder how they'll do the random, everyone in a hat and draw X amount a day??? 

I'm wondering if they have given notice to the #16 & #17's to be there and ready or what?  There is a good chance some of them have had their horses turned out and given time off.  I hope Jesse's Cool Whip is ready for the big standard patern.  I couldn't even get my clothes ready on that short of notice, let alone get my trailer packed!!  

I dont do Facebook, so this is news to me. I hate hearing this about Donna Kay I was looking so forward on watching her run again this year. Shes someone so special and I just hate hearing this, Donna Kay will always Rule for me..

I think this flat stinks!!  She's asymptomatic and don't understand why she can't just "distance" herself from others & run - she earned it!  Are they going to test each one of the spectators too???  Complete BS in my opinion.  I heard a calf roper has been "eliminated" too. 

I think I'd be talking to an attorney also to find out for sure what my rights are.

The rules seem pretty clear. If you don't pass the pre-screening (so having symptoms, exposure to someone with COVID, or a positive COVID result yourself) you will be drawn out. 
https://www.wpra.com/autopublish/documents/11577_MISC_COVID%20HIPAA%20Waiver.pdf

Yeah, I doubt an attorney would want to touch this project at this moment in time. 

They all the know the rules. (they have been quaranting themselves for the past 2 weeks) random testing every day:

1. no autographs this year. no sponsorship events. stay in your pod of people. 

2. social distancing required

3.  2 tests (if positive a 3rd test will be given) up to 3 tests - if you test postive on the 3rd test - you are done... no if's and/or buts... leading the average, whatever, you are done, and will have to leave.  (day 1, day 6 etc. )

4.  you can be tested every day if that is what happends. 

5.  Donna Kay - I am so very sad for you.  

I saw on FB Jesse Telford made a post about how awful and unfari this is for Donna Kay and that she and Cool Whip are not prepared to compete but will do their best under the circumstance. 

I don't know if they had some sort of "heads up" just in case - seems like maybe so because she already had a back number in the picture. But to be totally unprepared at home and make the trip a moment's notice - I don't see how she or anyone could even make in time unless she was already in town and on "stand-by".

So my question is, if halfway through another test positive, will they move up the 17th, 18th, 19th girl. Or will they just run with 14,13,12 girls.

I can't remember her name but her horse was named Billy, years ago broke her leg before the NFR and tried to run in a cast.  She ran in two or three performances before she realized this was not going to work so bowed out.  They did not call up another contestant, just went with 14.

Or maybe her name was Billy ????

I just seen on a fantasty rodeo page that Cory Solomon is replacing Caleb Smidt. . . 

.This finals will be like no othe!!!  So heartbreaking .... I can see how they can keep  a barrel racer by herself, but not bull rider.  So I'm sure the rules has to be for everyone, tho they could have made the rulse different for what the event was for!

It is my understanding that if someone test positive before the start, #16 moves up.  If someone tests postive after the start, they will continue without a replacement.

All the contestants knew weeks ago about the testing. They knew the consequences if they tested positive. They were told two weeks ago to quarantine and social distance. 

Every contestant was given the $10,000. Donna Kay and Caleb were both given another $10,000 ($1,000 per round they weren't able to compete in due to being COVID positive). So they went home with a total of $20,000.

Jessie and Cory replaced DK and Caleb since the NFR hadn't started. Now if someone tests positive and gets sent home, they still get $1,000 per round they are unable to compete in due to COVID.

Sounds like the NFR is trying to be more then fair to all the contestants this year.. Glad to hear that Donna Kay and Caleb didnt have to go home with empty hands.

That's a huge payday for not even having to saddle your horse.  

Does anyone know why they are saying "points" instead of dollars?  Last night, they mentioned each round is worth 26,000 points or somthing to that effect instead of dollars.  It may be a PR thing but I'm just curious...

If I understand correctly the points equal what the normal Vegas payout would be. .  Because the payout is less, they went with a points system.

I think the round paid $15K for 1st last night. 

Did I make any sense LOL 

Donna Kay Rule is a class act!  Our hearts break for her but she is already a champion in my opinon! 

I had not heard that the rounds were paying less.  That makes perfect sense.  Thank you

What does the average pay this year? ?

I agree! 

Jessie had a pretty respectable run last night given her and Cool Whip's short notice and not much prep.  I hope she wins a big fat check or two for her ability to cowgirl up!!  

I really like Jesse and Cory - so nothing again them but I do kind of think they should have just let 14 compete then. I wonder what happens if one of the replacements come positive? Will they get 1k for each round even though they werent "technically" supposed to be there. 

I am not sure how long this rule has been in effect, but I do remember a few years back, Jake Barnes broke an arm or leg or something heading into the finals, and since he couldn't go, the #16 guy (Jo Jo Lemond) was put in his place, so this rule has been around for awhile... Let me go see if I can find out how long ago that was

I think a #16 went last year in the saddle bronc riding.  May have been barebacks but one did go last year also. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5zhQoma2RU

2015 

If my memory is right, I want to say JoJo and Jr almost won the world that year they had such a great finals... Anyone that finishes in the top 20  is salty in any event.

I guess the way I look at it though, Donna for example could test negative tomorrow and still make 8 rounds... since people are be pulled at anytime, you would think they could be added back in too. Especially with the inaccuracy to these tests... broken arm is more of a closed story type situation. 

ETA: or someone gets a false positive. Gets pulled for night 7 and is good for 8 or 9. 

I may have missed it somewhere, but who won the first go round in barrels last night? 

Hailey & Sister

Lisa Lockhart had a faster time but darn barrel fell over.  It was a beautiful run otherwise. 

Well how cool is that , Thank you much  .. 

well that just bites for Lisa, who was she riding?

Rosa

That was a heartbreaker barrel! I think Rosa will get dialed in and be wicked this week! I'm excited to see her on Vida. 

I am sure that whatever they signed knowing this could happen was trying to be fair for all... I didn't write the rules, I haven't offically "seen" them anywhere.  Either way, each and everyone of them worked hard all year to get there. I am going to enjoy the 9 nights remaining  I would hate the job of making the rules and having to hold everyone to them... let alone producing a NFR in 90 days especially this year

I am just so sad for her, I think I just keep holding out hope her test would come back negative and she could go ... fairytale ending ya know. 

Do you think they'll "carry over" her qualification for next year since she can't participate this year? So if she doesn't qualify in 2021, she'll be allowed to run anyway, even if there are 16 contestants? Sure, it would be unprecedented, but nothing this year is exactly normal.

Watching tonight, so I got high hopes for Lisa, well she be riding Rosa again tonight? Would LOVE LOVE to see Lisa win a bunch of rounds.. Sure am going to miss seeing Miss Donna Kay..

Very Nice, I like that arena a whole better the Vegas, at least the horses and their riders can see that first barrel a heck of a lot better. 

Boy Stevi Hillmans steed sure was not going to wait for her, lol..Its was like hang on chick you are going for a ride.. 

I didn't realize how much more pizazz there was to Vegas. So happy they are getting to rodeo and everything but I am really surprised just how everything is just different. 

You have to remember the shadow of Covid and what it's doing to our country and the sports world is hanging over everything.  I love professional baseball but the short season was a bummer plus having a game cancelled right before it was ready to start because the managers wanted to honor Black Lives Matter and another cancelled because a player was tested positive when he really wasn't......sucked.

I hope baseball learns a lesson from the NBA and NFL and doesn't get sucked in any further on the "social justice" scam.  Football is ruined for me.  It's just not the same.

Every thing is different now adays, the way we are living is different, our world has been turned upside down because of the covid. Even if it was still in Vegas, there would not have been any vendors no shopping no walking around, it would have still been very different.. Just really happy that Arlington Texas steped up and held the NFR there, And to tell you the truth I like it alot lot better, the arena is way bigger you can see more and love how they had so much more room for the Drones to move around and show alot more. I'm just really impressed how well the Rodeo is running,. I bet next year there will be so much more at the NFR when this covid mess is over, I'm guessing it will still be held in Arlington? I hope so.. I think the NFR needs to stay here in Texas..

Donna Kay and Caleb were given one cheek swab. It was positive. They were given another cheek swab. It was positive. They were given a nasal swab. It was positive. They went home. DK did another test. Positive. Her "helper" also tested positive.

Exactly how many tests should they be given? After four all positive tests, I'm pretty sure they are positive.

That will never happen. It would open them up to too many lawsuits. She will have to qualify in 2021, just like everyone else.

Not even fair to compare.. If we didn't have rona and ronarestrictions, if this was in Texas, it would have sold out... not to the 1/2 that was allowed, but every seat I bet, and then compare... The electricity in Texas with that many more fans would be epic... I hope when they renew the contract in 5 years that TX takes it's best shot at getting it... since they stepped up and said, bring it here! They put this together in months, imagine what they would come up with in a year...

They won't even carry over a permit holder that didn't get to even enter 1 rodeo this year.. (almost all rodeos this year were card only) and permit holders have to buy their card for 2021 

Frodo I'm pretty sure you're referring to Jimmie Gibbs Monroe and her great horse Billy. 

Thank you so much for that response.  Google wasn't helping me one bit and I'm usually pretty good at finally coming up with a name but not this time.