Kathryn “Kappy Allen” was raised on a horse by her Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame father, Grady Allen. She is a four-time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier, three-time Texas Circuit Finals Qualifier, two -time National Circuit Finals Qualifier and the Salt Lake City Cultural Olympics Gold Medalist. In 2000 Kappy won the National Finals Barrel racing average and was crowned the WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer aboard her main mount, “Risky Chris”. “Chris” was a sorrel gelding known for his smooth style and consistent runs. The dynamic duo returned in 2001 to win the National Finals Barrel Racing Average – again being the fastest on ten runs. In all four times to the National Finals Rodeo, Kappy and Chris never hit a barrel.
Allen has been featured in many articles as the superwoman of barrel racing as most of her pro rodeo accomplishments were won while she was raising her two young boys and working as a full-time attorney in Austin, Texas. It was Allen’s love of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association and her expertise in the legal field that restored the members of the WPRA their right to vote for their President.
Kappy has won such prestigious rodeos as Austin, Denver, Reno, San Angelo, Fort Madison, Sikeston, Calgary, and many others. One of her most memorable wins was before her first World Championship while competing at Salinas, California. Kappy was feeling overwhelmed and underqualified to be there amongst the greatest barrel racers in the world. She called her daddy, Grady, for some fatherly advice. He reminded her of what she and her horse were capable of and why she was there. She consequently won that rodeo – and the rest, as they say, is history.
Kappy Allen is a Hall of Fame Cowgirl – in and out of the arena.
