Ranch Classes to Watch at the 2026 AQHA World Show
Performance ReportOct 29, 2026
The 2026 Markel AQHA World Championship Show and Adequan Select World Championship Show runs Oct. 29-Nov. 18 at OKC Fair Park in Oklahoma City. More than 8,600 entries are competing for 106 Markel AQHA world championships, 45 Select world championships, 104 Level 2 championships and 26 Level 1 Champion of Champions titles, with more than $5 million in purses and prizes.
The AQHA World Show ranch classes are pulling some of the show’s biggest numbers. Level 3 Senior Ranch Riding and the Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes each drew 75 entries, tying for the fourth-largest classes at the show.
Ranch classes to watch
Event
Date
Time
Entries
Select Ranch Riding Level 1 Champion of Champions
Wednesday, Nov. 4
8 a.m. session
21
Amateur Ranch Riding Level 1 Champion of Champions
Friday, Nov. 6
8 a.m. session
16
Ranch Horse Classic
Friday, Nov. 6
4 p.m.
20
Level 1 Ranch Trail Stakes
Sunday, Nov. 15
8 a.m. session
70
Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes
Monday, Nov. 16
8 a.m. session
75
Level 1 Working Western Rail Stakes
Tuesday, Nov. 17
8 a.m. session
41
Here are the ranch events we’re keeping an eye on:
The Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes drew 75 entries, tying for the fourth-largest class at the show. The class runs Monday, Nov. 16, with the champion taking home a custom gold trophy, neck wreath and leather jacket. Reserve through 10th place will receive top 10 vests.
The Level 1 Ranch Trail Stakes drew 70 entries, with the finals scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15. The class tests a horse’s disposition and ability to navigate obstacles that reflect everyday ranch tasks.
Ranch Trail Stakes entries (70)
Back No.
Horse
Exhibitor
1016
Starey Top Gun
Chris Rice
1023
Daytona Five Hundred
Shannon Quinlan Hill
1026
Stevie Blue
Bradley S. Hill
1057
All Ice No Crome
Laurel Walker-Denton
1134
Ourhollywoodhomerun
Kelsey Ward
1165
Metallic Boon Gatti
Kelsey Ward
1200
Time For A Reckoning
Steve Meadows
1203
Let It Rockk
Steve Meadows
1204
Dun Mousin Around
Justin Dean Wheeler
1236
Gunners Special Nic
Kelsey Ward
1237
Guntime Nite
Kelsey Ward
1249
Gotta Magic Gun
Logan Pluhar
1257
Ciphered Code
Kendall Woellmer
1273
The Soldier
Steve Meadows
1281
Supreystitious
Katie N. Fox
1368
JVF Mr Mister
Luke E. Thomas
1379
Electalena
Kendall Woellmer
1475
Heza Voodoo Doll
Heather D. Young
1483
Greyt Sparks Of Fire
Laurel Walker-Denton
1505
Smart Bella Boon
John Briggs
1517
Certified Copy
Kendall Woellmer
1555
Honor To Touch
Meaghan Downs
1559
A Black Voodoo
Laurel Walker-Denton
1580
Spot My Spook
Alison Kelley
1659
Caughtup In A Moment
Michael S. Edwards
1679
Its Sho Tiime
Bud Lyon
1680
Ohh What A Nite
Clayton Jerrell
1716
Rugged In Wranglers
Jenna Seal
1755
Sheisrightonthemoney
John A. Irish
1766
Shesa Lil Dreamy
Bradley S. Hill
1825
CR Curly Girl
Michael Keller
1855
CBK Lyle Loves It
Logan Pluhar
1942
Unquestionably Smokn
Jimmy Daurio
2076
Hesa Gone Boon
John Roberts
2100
I Could Be Dangerous
Heather R. Thompson
2111
Amigosmetalliclegacy
Cody Crow
2124
Telem To Watch
Bradley S. Hill
2148
Vintage Snapshot
Chris Rice
2150
Chex Gunna Be Tops
Shannon Quinlan Hill
2194
Americas Ladyliberty
John A. Irish
2211
Gunna Be First
Leslie Vagneur Lange
2218
Makin Headlinez
Ryan Kail
2243
Inferno Sparks
Marty Oak Simper
2252
Chics Big Gun
Bradley S. Hill
2261
Icewater Inhis Veins
Clayton Jerrell
2263
LC All Electric Glo
Robert D. Johnson
2299
LC Whiskey Man Do
Karen M. Johnson
2304
CR Kitty
Thad Woodlief
2332
Shiners Lil Boon
John Briggs
2334
Chec Mate
John Briggs
2338
Sugar Got Guns
Jeffrey D. Burley
2377
Loansum Dove
Rose Santos
2481
Woodford On Ice
Bradley S. Hill
2535
Wimpys All In Again
John Briggs
2550
Shogunn
Matt Gouthro
2551
Whiz A Chicolena
Matt Gouthro
2553
Lil Chics Cash
Lindsay Hayes-Cofell
2573
Thee Gunn Show
Alexandria Bryner
2606
Gunners Chex Dun It
Jessie Cofell
2637
Loong Live Cowgirlz
Ryan Kail
2657
Nosmokeshowrequired
Jessie Cofell
2669
Dunit With A Scholar
Jennifer Dawson
2671
Sheez Got Tha Look
Ryan Kail
2694
Lil Gunners Joe
Logan Pluhar
2723
Riskitforthebrisket
Nolan Johnsrud
2730
SS Got My P H D
Bud Lyon
2756
Whiskey Glassus
Bud Lyon
2798
Gunnabetya
Bradley S. Hill
2891
Loook At Me Now
Justin Nemmers
2896
Pa Pa Midnight
Taylen Marler
Dana Avila and Always Do delivered a dominant—and historic—performance on their way to earning the Select All-Around Amateur title at the 2025 AQHA World Championship Show. Photo by Shane Rux.
Level 1 Working Western Rail Stakes
The Level 1 Working Western Rail Stakes drew 41 entries for Tuesday, Nov. 17. Two additional working western rail stakes take place earlier in the show in the OG&E Coliseum. The Headley Non-Pro Working Western Rail Stakes runs Wednesday, Nov. 4, with 33 entries, followed by the Headley Open Working Western Rail Stakes during the 6 p.m. evening performance Tuesday, Nov. 10, with 30 entries.
Working Western Rail debuted at the AQHA World Show in 2020 for horses ages 3 and older. Horses walk, trot and lope in both directions, demonstrate extended gaits in at least one direction and back. A rule approved this year will allow riders to touch or hold the horn at extended gaits beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Working Western Rail Stakes entries (41)
Back No.
Horse
Exhibitor
1200
Time For A Reckoning
Katie Mae Green
1203
Let It Rockk
Steve Meadows
1204
Dun Mousin Around
Justin Dean Wheeler
1273
The Soldier
Noel Meadows
1281
Supreystitious
Katie N. Fox
1302
Ebonys Electric
Kelsey Ward
1401
Crush On You
Michael Moser
1475
Heza Voodoo Doll
Heather D. Young
1517
Certified Copy
Kendall Woellmer
1555
Honor To Touch
Meaghan Downs
1583
Dad Gotta Bugatti
Stacey A. Roberson
1587
RWS Sweet Wimpy Lena
Brendan W. Brown
1680
Ohh What A Nite
Clayton Jerrell
1855
CBK Lyle Loves It
Logan Pluhar
1942
Unquestionably Smokn
Jimmy Daurio
2102
Rock It Pop
Cody Crow
2124
Telem To Watch
Bradley S. Hill
2148
Vintage Snapshot
Chris Rice
2165
The Toyy Story
Shannon Quinlan Hill
2211
Gunna Be First
Leslie Vagneur Lange
2218
Makin Headlinez
Ryan Kail
2243
Inferno Sparks
Marty Oak Simper
2261
Icewater Inhis Veins
Carli Jerrell
2271
Im Not Done Yet
Robert D. Johnson
2274
Lovely
Michael Moser
2299
LC Whiskey Man Do
Karen M. Johnson
2304
CR Kitty
Thad Woodlief
2338
Sugar Got Guns
Jeffrey D. Burley
2481
Woodford On Ice
Sydney Sargent
2535
Wimpys All In Again
John Briggs
2550
Shogunn
Beth N. Gouthro
2551
Whiz A Chicolena
Matt Gouthro
2637
Loong Live Cowgirlz
Ryan Kail
2643
Lokotas Little Step
Karen Kraus
2671
Sheez Got Tha Look
Ryan Kail
2756
Whiskey Glassus
Bud Lyon
2802
SS Walk The Line
Jordan Taylor Martin
2878
Dunnit In Spangles
Brooke Dixon
2897
Designerr
Taylen Marler
2898
Shiny Kinda Chic
Taylen Marler
2939
The Rifelman
Brook Hokana
Ranch Horse Classic
20 horses will compete for an estimated $75,000 purse in the third annual AQHA Ranch Horse Classic. The event is open to 3- to 5-year-old horses and riders of any age or experience level, including youth and amateurs.
Each horse completes Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail back to back before returning for Ranch Cow Work. In the cow work phase, riders box the cow, turn it at least once in each direction along the fence, then circle or rope it. Three judges score each phase, with overall placings determined by the World Show point scale for first through 15th place in each phase. Placings and scores are announced after the event concludes.
Of each $1,665 entry fee, $1,250 goes toward the purse. Minimum payouts are $33,000 for first, $23,000 for second, $13,000 for third and $1,500 each for fourth through seventh. The top Ranching Heritage-bred horse earns at least $7,500, while the top amateur exhibitor earns at least $2,500, in addition to any other winnings. The top three overall finishers also receive jackets, and each phase winner earns a vest. Fans can vote for the AQHA Fan Favorite Award in person or through the live feed.
Corey Cushing and Tuff Tobe Woody won all three phases of the 2025 AQHA Ranch Horse Classic. Photo by Shane Rux
Ranch Riding Level 1 Champion of Champions
Two Ranch Riding titles are up for grabs in the Level 1 Champion of Champions: Select Ranch Riding on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with 21 entries, and Amateur Ranch Riding on Friday, Nov. 6, with 16 entries. Both classes take place in the Adequan Performance Arena.
The Champion of Champions brings together Level 1 amateur and Select exhibitors in seven core classes, including Ranch Riding. Exhibitors qualify by competing in those classes at the AQHA East, West or Cattle Level 1 Championships. Each champion receives a custom gold trophy, AQHA buckle, neck wreath, patch and leather jacket. Champions are not eligible to return to the Level 1 Championships in future years.
