The weekly Performance Report for June 1, 2026 is packed full of events currently running and on the calendar ranging from cow horse to ranch events and beyond.
The NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby is underway in Scottsdale, the Red Bud Spectacular opened in Oklahoma City and the NCHA Australian Futurity is down to its final classes in Tamworth. Get the big-picture on the Western industry below.
The week’s major events, including the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby and Red Bud Spectacular haven’t wrapped up yet, so scroll a little farther to read the “This Week” overview. ⤵️
This Week May 26–June 1
Cowhorse: NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby
Scottsdale, Arizona | May 26–June 6
The 2026 NRCHA Kimes Ranch Derby returned to WestWorld of Scottsdale from May 26 through June 6, 2026, with $125,000 in added money for cow horse competitors.
The event includes Open and Non Pro Derbies, the World’s Greatest Non Pro competition, the final qualifier for the 2026 Run for a Million Cow Horse Challenge and the Holy Cow Performance Horses CD Survivor Open Bridle Spectacular, where the Doug Williamson Memorial Award goes to the rider with the high cow‑work score.
A storied horse show taking place at the OG&E complex in Oklahoma City boasts a full slate of horse show classes. The ranch events begin Wednesday, June 3, with ranch trail. Ranch Riding is June 4, and reining is June 6.
The NCHA Australian Futurity is in its final week. Find some of the class leaders and champions below.
The Open Classic Challenge Champion was Tyler Hodgman and Sweet Von Abra (Stevie Rey Von x Sweet Abra) with a score of 226. The horse is owned by M&J Bloom.
The Non Pro slate of the futurity began on Sunday, May 31. The top horses in Round 1 were:
The PCCHA Reyzin The Cash Derby promises $237,000 in added money alongside a Reyzin The Cash incentive paying a total of $165,000 across the derby and classic challenge.
The event is part of the Way Out West cutting series, which includes the Calgary Stampede July 2–3, the Idaho Cutting Horse Association Futurity and Aged Event Aug. 19–30 and the Cascades Futurity and Aged Event Sept. 2–14.
With more than $100K in added money for the limited age events, plus nearly $30K in NCHA Championship classes, The Non Pro Plus the Open is a familiar, Della Hillerman-produced show within driving distance of many North Texas cutters.
The nineteenth edition of the CINCH RSNC World Finals boasts more than $300,000 in added cash and prizes. In 2025, the event paid out $1.1 million to ranch sorters and looks to increase that number in 2026.
In 2025, Casey Deary and Customize My Dream won the Level 4 Open Derby with a score of 233.5, christening the OG&E Colesium with a new chapter of reining champions.
Taking place at the Will Rogers complex in Fort Worth, the American Paint Horse Association World Show is set to pay out more than $1.5 Million in cash and prizes to competitors in 2026. Aside from crowning a slate of ranch riding, trail and reining World Champions, the event is partnered with the International Ranch Horse Association, which hosts their World Championship Show and Triple Crown Challenge the latter half of APHA World.
Ranch Events: AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships
Taking place at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo, the VRH World Championships is set to pay out $100,000 in added money throughout the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships; AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals; AQHA Cattle Level 1 Championships. The event is sponsored by the 6666 Ranch.
Western Performance Industry News
Horses Stabbed at NBHA Vegas Super Show
Late Saturday, May 30, a 17-year-old girl allegedly stabbed several barrel horses in the South Point Hotel & Casino complex during the National Barrel Horse Association Vegas Super Show. Full story below from sister brand Barrelracing.com.
Taking place at the Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, the clinic—which ran May 29–31—focused on reining skills and featured clinicians including Casey Deary, Wyatt Deary, Jason Vanlandingham, Jordan Larson amongst others.
Most-improved participants were awarded handmade bits donated by Jared Buhrmester.
Thursday, May 28, 45 youth had the opportunity to learn from a large group of NRCHA professionals including Brad Barkemeyer, Brandon Buttars, Russell Probert, Corey Cushing and more. From working the flag to taking a spin on the Real Cow mechanical cow.
