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On November 15, 2025, first-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Anita Ellis suffered a fall, striking her head on concrete. She was rushed to the hospital where scans revealed a small brain bleed, a few additional small bleeds and fractures to the right side of her face. She was placed in the ICU where she remained until November 25, 2025.
Though on the road to recovery, due to the severity of her injuries, Ellis is not able to attend and compete at the 2025 NFR. Ellis sat at No. 8 in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings, having earned $146,992 on the year including the prestigious Calgary Stampede championship among others. Ellis was replaced at the 2025 NFR with No. 16 Julie Plourde, who will also be making her first trip to the NFR as the first French Canadian to qualify.
Initially from Quebec, Canada, Plourde made her professional rodeo debut in 2024, ending the regular season as WPRA Resistol Reserve Rookie of the Year. This year, she just fell short of finishing inside the top 15, coming in a little more than $12,000 behind, and concluded the 2025 regular season in the No. 16 position with $118,276.34 in earnings across 92 rodeos.
Awarded back number 119, Plourde plans to make the most of her NFR debut while honoring Ellis’s standout season and the high standard she set.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Plourde wrote:
“This is not the way I was expecting to make my first appearance at the NFR. Running down the alley of the Thomas & Mack is every little girl’s dream. My thoughts and prayers go to my fellow competitor Anita Ellis and Brandon Ellis. I will think about her every time I run next week.”
Julie Plourde will make her first NFR appearance, stepping in for injured qualifier Anita Ellis after ending the season 16th in the world.
Hometown: Krum, Texas
Horses: Wateverock RC, (“Rocky”), 2018 gelding, Firewaterontherock x Wateva x Dash Ta Fame; KF Epic Ta Fame, (“Epic”), 2017 gelding, Epic Leader x Gotta Go Tafame x Dash Ta Fame; Famous Mic Guy Ver,(“Micguyver”), 2015 gelding, Frenchman Guy x Disarray x Dash Ta Fame.
WPRA Season Earnings: $118,276
Rodeo Count: 92
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025) * replacement for No. 8 Anita Ellis after out on injury.
WPRA Career Earnings: $150,168
Recent Career Highlights: 2025 champion Idaho Falls, Idaho; Eugene, Oregon; Monticello, Utah; Claremore, Oklahoma; Vernon, Texas; Carthage, Texas; reserve champion Rock Springs, Wyoming. 2024 WPRA Resistol Reserve Rookie of the Year.
The post Julie Plourde Set for First NFR Appearance as Anita Ellis Recovers From Injury appeared first on Barrel Horse News.
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On November 15, 2025, first-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Anita Ellis suffered a fall, striking her head on concrete. She was rushed to the hospital where scans revealed a small brain bleed, a few additional small bleeds and fractures to the right side of her face. She was placed in the ICU where she remained until November 25, 2025.
Though on the road to recovery, due to the severity of her injuries, Ellis is not able to attend and compete at the 2025 NFR. Ellis sat at No. 8 in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings, having earned $146,992 on the year including the prestigious Calgary Stampede championship among others. Ellis was replaced at the 2025 NFR with No. 16 Julie Plourde, who will also be making her first trip to the NFR as the first French Canadian to qualify.
Initially from Quebec, Canada, Plourde made her professional rodeo debut in 2024, ending the regular season as WPRA Resistol Reserve Rookie of the Year. This year, she just fell short of finishing inside the top 15, coming in a little more than $12,000 behind, and concluded the 2025 regular season in the No. 16 position with $118,276.34 in earnings across 92 rodeos.
Awarded back number 119, Plourde plans to make the most of her NFR debut while honoring Ellis’s standout season and the high standard she set.
In a statement shared on Facebook, Plourde wrote:
“This is not the way I was expecting to make my first appearance at the NFR. Running down the alley of the Thomas & Mack is every little girl’s dream. My thoughts and prayers go to my fellow competitor Anita Ellis and Brandon Ellis. I will think about her every time I run next week.”
Julie Plourde will make her first NFR appearance, stepping in for injured qualifier Anita Ellis after ending the season 16th in the world.
- Julie Plourde
Hometown: Krum, Texas
Horses: Wateverock RC, (“Rocky”), 2018 gelding, Firewaterontherock x Wateva x Dash Ta Fame; KF Epic Ta Fame, (“Epic”), 2017 gelding, Epic Leader x Gotta Go Tafame x Dash Ta Fame; Famous Mic Guy Ver,(“Micguyver”), 2015 gelding, Frenchman Guy x Disarray x Dash Ta Fame.
WPRA Season Earnings: $118,276
Rodeo Count: 92
NFR Qualifications: 1 (2025) * replacement for No. 8 Anita Ellis after out on injury.
WPRA Career Earnings: $150,168
Recent Career Highlights: 2025 champion Idaho Falls, Idaho; Eugene, Oregon; Monticello, Utah; Claremore, Oklahoma; Vernon, Texas; Carthage, Texas; reserve champion Rock Springs, Wyoming. 2024 WPRA Resistol Reserve Rookie of the Year.
The post Julie Plourde Set for First NFR Appearance as Anita Ellis Recovers From Injury appeared first on Barrel Horse News.
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