Kernek, Joyce

Barrel Racing • Inducted 2025

She grew up on the legendary 916 Ranch in New Mexico and was named Miss Rodeo America in 1963 (Joyce Shelley) after winning the coveted horsemanship award. Then in 1970 she won the WPRA World Barrel Racing World Title, becoming the first woman to accomplish both those career feats.

Kernek made headlines throughout the 1970 season, becoming the first barrel racer to begin the season ranked No. 1 and 12 months and countless miles and runs later, ending in that same spot. She rode five horses during that season, but her main mount was 5-year-old War Leo Dude. Kernek and Dude were the first to surpass $10,000 in earnings in a single WPRA season.

Kernek chose a different approach to the grueling 10 days at the NFR. She borrowed Donna Patterson’s horse Engle for the finals, and ran each of them five times, alternating horses each night. What may have appeared a risky proposition ended with her winning both an NFR average title and the World title.

Prior to 1970, Kernek had already made a name for herself, winning WPRA world titles in 1968 and 1969 in the flag race and ribbon roping. She served on the WPRA Board of Directors from 1969-1972, was a founding member of the Barrel Futurities of America, served on the Silver City (NM) PRCA Rodeo committee (her hometown rodeo), and was an early member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She married National Reining Horse Association World Champion Bob Loomis, where she expanded her clinician footprint into Brazil and was known by people around the world. In 2011 she was inducted into the Brazil Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Together they developed the Loomis Gag Bit that became a staple training aid in many equine disciplines worldwide. During this time, she also added two AQHA world titles to her resume.

In 1997, she married George Kernek, a professional baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals, who preceded her in death. During her career she appeared on To Tell The Truth Game Show twice, The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, the Animal Planet TV Network and was featured in the National Geographic Magazine. She also wrote a book titled Barrel Racing Just The Basics.

World Championships: 1

Barrel Racing: 1970

Born: September 12, 1942 in Silver City, New Mexico