Dona Kay Rule Test Positive for COVID-19 and is OUT of the 2020 NFR
(December 3, 2020) - Rumors broke early Thursday morning of Round 1 of the National Finals Rodeo. Barrel Racer Dona Kay Rule, who enters the NFR sitting in third place, roughly $19,000 behind leader Britany Pozzi Tonozzi, tested positive for COVID-19 and, per the supposed PRCA restrictions, will not be allowed to compete. The number 16 barrel racer, Jessie Telford, will be stepping up to round out the class.
(December 3, 2020) - Rumors broke early Thursday morning of Round 1 of the National Finals Rodeo. Barrel Racer Dona Kay Rule, who enters the NFR sitting in third place, roughly $19,000 behind leader Britany Pozzi Tonozzi, tested positive for COVID-19 and, per the supposed PRCA restrictions, will not be allowed to compete.
In a post on Instagram, Dona thanks fans for their support and to let us know that she feels healthy with zero symptoms. Called up is Jessie Telford of Idaho who was sitting #16 in the world standings. Here’s a post she made around 8:49 PST on Instagram. Click the link below to see more of the commentary.
Here’s the rumors we know:
All the contestants were required to take a test.
It’s known that if they test positive, they are out for the remainder of the NFR.
Random athletes will be tested each day of the NFR.
This poses a number of questions in regards to what is happening in the WPRA and PRCA for the NFR. An inconsistency across the board and lack of transparency to fans could prove detrimental during an event so many hoped to see happen.

Rizpah Bellard of Nova Farming joins That Western Life for a powerful conversation about agriculture as a tool for education, food access, community development, and generational change.
Raised on a Black Angus cattle ranch in Northern California, Rizpah now works at the intersection of beef production, agriculture education, public health, housing, youth development, and global food systems. Through Nova Farming, she brings hands-on agriculture education into Fresno schools, helping students understand where their food comes from and what opportunities exist inside the agriculture industry.
This episode explores Black ranching, intentional succession planning, food procurement, community leadership, agricultural representation, and why the future of the western industry depends on exposing more people to the possibilities within agriculture.