“Honestly, I just wanted to have a clean run and showcase this horse,” Price said. “When I was circling, I knew I was sitting on a plus one because he circles like nothing else we’ve seen. I told myself, ‘You don’t need to go anymore. Save your horse.’”
From there, Price focused on maintaining control through the rest of the pattern.
“I just wanted to get run, stopped and rolled back good,” Price said. “To be honest with you, he hit every maneuver perfect.”
The preparation leading into the finals reflected that same philosophy. Rather than drilling maneuvers, Price emphasized keeping Golden Coins mentally and physically soft.
“Last night I didn’t really concentrate on maneuvers,” Price said. “I just made sure he was mentally soft, physically soft, and that I had his brain.”
“When you’re out there on a horse like this, your run feels so slow. Both of his runs felt like some of the easiest, slowest runs out there like you had all day.” – Kole Price
Kole Price’s preparation for the pressure
Price said he had confidence in Golden Coins well before riding into the pen, noting the stallion maintained peak form throughout the demanding show schedule.
“About two nights before my preliminary run, I knew he was going to be good and he maintained that,” Price said. “It was a long week and a half, and honestly I was twiddling my thumbs, staying off of him, because he felt so good.”
For Price, what separates Golden Coins isn’t just the difficulty of the maneuvers he performs—but how easily he executes them.
2026 National Reining Breeders Classic Results: Golden Coins Repeats NRBC Win
“He’s just such a special animal,” Price said. “The way he can do stuff so extremely hard and make it look so easy, and then come out of the pen and he’s not even breathing hard.”
The 6-year-old stallion’s athleticism has impressed Price since early in his career, even when they were still learning how to channel his intensity.
“I had bobbles with him as a 3-and-4-year-old,” Price said. “Then once I learned where and when to challenge him, everything changed. This horse likes being challenged. The great athletes like being challenged.”
That competitive edge is exactly what Price felt during the championship run.
A Champion—and a Future Sire
Now a two-time NRBC Level 4 Open Classic champion, Golden Coins continues to add to both his performance résumé and his appeal as a breeding stallion. Price said his hopes for the stallion’s future are simple.
“I hope his babies are exactly like him,” Price said. “Then it’ll be just fine.”
The milestone victory also prompted gratitude from Price, who credited the support system around him for helping bring the performance together.
“I’ve got to thank my wife, my son, everyone in the barn, Capital Ranch and my family,” Price said. “And a special thanks to Don Bell. He gets out there every night and watches me ride. When he’s there, he gives me so much confidence. I couldn’t imagine doing it without him.”
NRBC Open Classic Finals Results
NRBC Open Classic Finals – Level 4
NRBC Open Classic Finals – Level 3
NRBC Open Classic Finals – Level 2
NRBC Open Classic Finals – Level 1
NRBC Open Classic Finals – Prime Time
