Michael Boone didn’t even own a cowboy hat until his fiance, Kassie Mowry, had qualified for the National Finals Rodeo.
After possibly the best track back-and-forth battle the viewers have ever seen in the barrel racing at the NFR, Kassie emerged victorious thanks to her 13.59-second run in Round 10.
Highlights
- Kassie Mowry topped the earnings chart with $457,809, edging out Kinsel’s $430,352.
- Mowry was engaged to her fiance, Michale Boone, one of barrel racing’s all-time leading owners.
- Sadly, Michael Boone passed away on June 1, 2024, following a tragic accident.
She entered the final round with a slim lead over Hailey Kinsel in the WRPA World Standings, and the Gold Buckle scenario was simple: the fastest time between Mowry and Kinsel on Saturday night takes it all.
Kinsel, aboard JLo instead of Sister, clocked at 13.97 as the final barrel racer of the night. So when the dust settled, Mowry topped the earnings chart with $457,809, edging out Kinsel’s $430,352. Mowry said,
Both Mowry and Kinsel were electric in Las Vegas. Kinsel, who entered the NFR No. 1, won the first three rounds before Mowry roared back with 5 consecutive round wins.
It was an emotional year for Mowry because she lost her fiance in June. She said many days in the summer, it was difficult to leave her home.
Mowry was also the RAM Top Gun Award winner with $295,526. It’s the most money a barrel racer ever won at the NFR. She said,
Kassie Mowry’s Fiance Michael Boone, Lost His Life During An Accident
Ram Top Gun Winner Kassie Mowry was engaged to her fiance, Michael Boone, one of barrel racing’s all-time leading owners.
Sadly, Michael passed away on June 1, 2024, at 59, following a tragic accident in Tyrone, Pennsylvania.
According to the sources, the incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. near Kephart Farm Lane in Tyrone. He was under a zero-turn lawn tractor.
He suffered from a lack of oxygen and was declared dead on the scene. His fans and followers poured a heartfelt condolence to Kassie for staying strong in that challenging time.
The president of family-owned Lytles and Transfer & Storage was a businessman by day and one of the keenest trainers to pattern a barrel horse by evening.
Boone hated wearing boots and tried to wear them only on rides. He didn’t even own a cowboy hat until Kassie had qualified for the National Finals Rodeo.
Michael grew up with horses but wasn’t interested in horse shows. His interests included playing recreational league hockey at the Mots, mentally challenging goalie position, and amateur boxing.
His training and management skills for boxers were good enough that he was asked to appear on the boxing reality show The Contender.
Boone’s most incredible talent was in choosing, training, and campaigning futurity horses.
By 2013, he was looking to get out of horses, and he thought they’d be easier to sell winning with a female jockey. He said,
Boone said their program changed after Mowey won the 2017 Diamonds & Dirt Slot Race on Girls Dig Fame.
He added that Mowry commented early on in their partnership that his horses were cookie-cutter.
On December 9, 2024, Mowry and her horse recently secured a win at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Follwing the spectacular performance, Kassie said the horse was the show’s star. She also explained that showing Jarvis’ talent was more important than winning.
As the horse belonged to her late fiance, Michael, she wanted it to play 10 rounds fully. As part of the tribute, she dedicated the win to Michael.
Additional Information
- Kassie Mowry has an estimated net worth of around $5.5 million as of 2024.
- Michale’s son Evan Boone is a behind-the-scenes guy who learned early on that following his dad in patterning colts was best left to the master of the game.
- Mowry was born to her father, Bill, who works as a manager, and her mother, Kim, a massage therapist.