Eric Turner & Brandon Pierce Claim $2,512 US Rider #5 Gold Shootout at Northeast Circuit Finals 

Sellersville, Pennsylvania’s Eric Turner and Williams, Georgia’s Brandon Pierce found the right combination of horses, timing and teamwork to win the US Rider #5 Gold Shootout at the 2026 Cinch RSNC Northeast Circuit Finals. The duo sorted 15 head in 165.36 seconds across three rounds on Aug. 23 at Garwood Arena in Columbiana, Ohio, earning $2,512.

A Partnership Built at K/R Cow Horses

Turner and Pierce already knew each other before they paired up in Columbiana. Both train with Kevin Reese, and Turner had previously purchased horses from Pierce’s family. He currently has three of those horses in his show string.

“I’m a three right now, and Brandon’s a two,” Turner explained, noting that the US Rider #5 Gold Shootout pairs riders whose numerical ratings add up to five. “We called each other a couple days before the show and said, ‘Do you want to ride it?’”

Pierce brought along Hangman (High Brow Cat x Mates Little Cokette), a 2020 gelding known around the barn as “Rip.” The horse is one of his wife’s favorites, and Pierce borrowed him for the shootout—a decision that paid off and granted him his first Gold Shootout victory.

Turner partnered with Glorilla (Im Countin Checks x High Style Royal), a 2022 mare he calls “Gloria” and keeps specifically for Gold Shootout classes.

“Her name fits her attitude, and she at least has a song written about her, which is also her hype song before we go into any finals,” Turner said.

Turner purchased Glorilla this spring at the Cinch RSNC South Central Regional Super Sort in Waco, Texas, where Logan Wolfe rode the mare to an Open Futurity win. Still early in her ranch sorting career, she has already earned more than $23,000.

Results from the 2026 Cinch RSNC Northeast Circuit Finals

One Cow Nearly Changes Everything

The team’s 15-head run averaged five cattle per round, leaving little room for a mistake. When the cattle got tougher, Turner and Pierce knew they had to stay patient and work together.

Rather than forcing their way through the cattle, the pair focused on keeping their runs clean and taking advantage of the cattle that came their way. In the finals, that patience made the difference.

“It was a very exciting win, and also my first shootout win,” Pierce said. “We only needed five cows to win, so we were very careful with the tough cattle.”

Turner also credited Pierce’s preparation heading into the weekend. Pierce had spent a week riding with Reese before making the trip to Ohio, continuing to build his skills in the saddle.

“Brandon’s really been investing a lot in his riding with Kevin,” Turner said. “He went down there by himself and rode with Kevin for a week before this show. He’s really come a long way in his riding in the last year.”

Chasing Another Title

The Northeast Circuit Finals victory puts Turner in a strong position as he chases another Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions title. After winning the Rookie division at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals, Turner moved up to the Novice division for the 2026-2027 season.

His US Rider #5 Gold Shootout win moved him into the lead in the Novice standings, giving him a chance to make history by winning two divisions in consecutive seasons.

“My goal is to be the first person to win two divisions back-to-back,” Turner said. “Right now, I’m leading the Novice, so I’m going to keep the pressure on.”

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