By: Julia Dondero
If you look up "chrome" in the dictionary, you'll find it's a hard, shiny, silver-gray metal known for its reflective surface and resistance to rust. If you check the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) record books, you'll find Kindyl Scruggs and her resilient gelding, "Chrome."
Scruggs, a Southaven, Mississippi, native, recently captured her second IPRA Barrel Racing World Championship after a standout 2024 season with her heart horse, Chrome. The duo maintained an impressive, season-long lead with a goal of making it back to the coveted International Finals Rodeo (IFR) at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Fittingly named, the gelding—now 11 years old—entered Scruggs’ life as a tough, unruly futurity horse with undeniable athletic potential. Through countless hours and tears in the practice pen, Scruggs proved the duo’s resilience, making headlines in the barrel racing world with several major titles—including earning 2024 IPRA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year honors.
“Chrome has always been an athlete, but when I got him, he wasn’t a great horse,” Scruggs said. “After a lot of sweat and tears, he has changed my life and means everything to me. Winning Horse of the Year is so special because it’s voted on by my peers. This is my second Horse of the Year title, and it means so much to me.”
Scruggs reflected on her successful IPRA career, which includes 10 trips to the IFR, two IPRA World Champion titles (2016, 2024), and two IPRA Horse of the Year honors (2016, 2024).
“It’s so special to have opportunities like this,” she said. “My second championship feels even more meaningful because I earned it with a great team of horses. Entering the finals without Chrome made me feel like an underdog, so coming out on top was a breath of fresh air.”
Despite leading the regular season aboard Melrose Chrome—aka Chrome—it wasn’t her special gelding that carried her to her second IPRA World Championship at the Lazy E Arena. After battling a string of late-season injuries, Chrome was still recovering by the time IFR 55 rolled around. Scruggs leaned on a team of borrowed horses, veterinarians, and friends to secure her second title, reflecting her lifetime of dedication to perfecting her craft.
The Mississippi cowgirl’s road to the IFR looked different than most. Picking up wins across both the rodeo and barrel racing worlds, Scruggs’ 2024 goals weren’t initially set on a second IPRA title.
“At the beginning of last year, I told my mom my goal was just to win as much as possible—wherever I could.”
And she did. Scruggs earned several key IPRA wins, major barrel race titles, the World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) Stampede At The E, and the Women’s Rodeo World Championship (WRWC) Event Championship—making 2024 a truly historic year.
Utilizing the WCRA and IPRA co-sanction, her early season win at the Stampede At The E gave her the momentum to maintain her event lead, ultimately contributing to her cumulative IPRA world title win.
Beyond her success in the WCRA and IPRA, Scruggs’ victories at the WRWC opened a door that many can only dream of—training horses full time. Previously an office manager, her significant earnings allowed her to pay off debts and pursue her passion as a full-time horse trainer.
“The opportunities within these associations are so special and truly life-changing," she said. "It’s incredible to now be able to pursue my passion full time.”
Through triumphs and tribulations, Scruggs’ resilience has prevailed, and she now stands as the reigning IPRA World Champion Barrel Racer.
“I knew I had to stay faithful through the highs and lows of the season. I had to remind myself, ‘If it’s meant to be your turn, it will; if it’s not, it won’t.’ I’m so grateful it was my turn this year.”
