If the 2026 NCHA Super Stakes proved anything, it is that the Valley Equine stallion roster continues to shape the biggest moments in the cutting pen.
Across every division, horses sired by Valley Equine Reproduction stallions earned $1,851,146.96, accounting for 62% of all money paid out during the event. They also made up 58% of all finalists and collected 24 Champion or Reserve Champion titles across Open, Non-Pro, and Amateur competition.
The message was clear all month in Fort Worth: when the pressure rises and the competition gets tougher, horses by Valley Equine stallions keep showing up.
Open Derby
Red N Milds, by Metallic Rey Mink, and Michael Cooper won the Open Derby for Wheeler Dealer Cutting Horses LP with a 223.5 worth $77,514.70. It was a fitting finish to a week in which Red N Milds had already shown plenty of form, leading both go-rounds and the semifinals before sealing the title in the finals, another big statement for Metallic Rey Mink’s first foal crop.
Reserve Champion Gottii, by CR Gotcha Covered, and Tarin Rice put together a 222 for owner Todd Carpenter to earn $67,121.97. In the toughest aged event final of the week, two of the top placings belonged to Valley Equine stallions, and both horses looked every bit the part.
Open Classic Challenge
LBR Hangem, by Dual Reyish, and Kenny Platt turned in one of the sharpest runs of the week, a 228 for Solo Select Horses to win $32,696.12. The victory also secured the horse’s place in the NCHA Hall of Fame, giving the moment lasting weight beyond the title itself.
Reserve Champion Too Hot To Tagg, by Hashtags, marked a 223 with Kenny Platt aboard for JH Nail Ranch Inc to earn $28,670.96. Already an established performer against top aged event company, Too Hot To Tagg once again showed the consistency that keeps elite horses in contention year after year.
Intermediate Open Classic Challenge
Champion Swish, by Hottish, and Clayton Carter marked a 221.5 for owner Carol Anderson Ward to earn $12,132.83. Swish has been a dependable aged event horse, and that consistency showed again in Fort Worth. When the class called for a clean, complete run, the pair delivered one that held through the final set of scores.
Limited Open Derby
Champion SCR Ima Hottish Pep, by Countin Hot Checks, and Jasper Patrick topped the field with a 222 for Lloyd Ested to earn $8,106.30. In a division built around emerging 4-year-olds, the pair separated themselves with the highest score of the final and gave Countin Hot Checks a Super Stakes Derby champion.
Reserve Champion RT Playin My Jam, by Bama Jelly, and Broc Schwartzkopf followed closely with a 221 for Tim and Pam May, earning $7,311.16. One point was the margin between first and second, and the finish placed RT Playin My Jam among the best young horses in the class that week.
Limited Open Classic Challenge
Champion Gotcha To Sin, by CR Gotcha Covered, and Jack Bell scored a 218 for Darrell Parsons to earn $7,396.28. Against seasoned company, the pair delivered the top run of the final and added another major title to CR Gotcha Covered’s progeny record.
Reserve Champion Rollz, by Rollz Royce, and Paul Wasyln marked a 216 for Harold Bailey, earning $6,680.03. Competing in a class filled with experienced aged event horses, Rollz added an important Fort Worth placing to the early record of Rollz Royce offspring.
Non-Pro Derby
Champion Dragon It, by Dont Stopp Believin, and Emma Grace Rapp won with a 219 for Philip and Mary Ann Rapp, collecting $48,883.84. The pair closed the final championship of the event with the winning run, a fitting finish for a horse that handled the biggest moment of the week.
Co-Reserve Champion Audeycious, by Metallic Cat, and Kristen Galyean marked a 218 for Wesley and Kristen Galyean to earn $38,937.13. Audeycious once again showed the presence and style that has made Metallic Cat offspring a constant factor in major finals.
Matching that score was Co-Reserve Champion Xxplosive, by Dual Reyish, also ridden by Kristen Galyean for Glover/Galyean Partnership LLC. Another top finish in elite Non-Pro company added to a résumé already built against strong competition.
Intermediate Non-Pro Derby
Champion Midnight In Harlem, by Metallic Rebel, and Ashley Galyean won with a 219 for Beau and Ashley Galyean, earning $8,453.41. The mare had already shown her hand earlier in the week, and the finals only confirmed it with a title-clinching performance.
Intermediate Non-Pro Classic Challenge
Reserve Champion Price Tagg, by Hashtags, and owner-rider Reagan Glenn marked a 219 to earn $5,414.98. Reagan and Price Tagg were competitive throughout the show, and the reserve finish added another notable Fort Worth result to the horse’s record.
Limited Non-Pro Derby
Co-Champion Mazeratis Mink, by Metallic Rey Mink, and Ashtyn Haselip scored a 212 for Dwayne and Amber Haselip, earning $5,384.87. Another title from Metallic Rey Mink’s first crop made it clear that Red N Milds was not a one-off story.
Limited Non-Pro Classic Challenge
Champion Tippicanoe, by Dont Stopp Believin, and Joe Thomas Pounds marked a 219 for Kory and Jessica Pounds, earning $4,954.83. With another championship added to the board, Dont Stopp Believin’s offspring continued to show range across divisions.
Amateur Derby
Champion Tessa Rey, by Metallic Rey Mink, and Trystan Crow won with a 222 for Crow Performance Horses LLC, earning $14,674.55. Winning an Amateur Derby takes talent paired with rideability, and Tessa Rey showed both while giving Metallic Rey Mink yet another winner’s circle moment.
Amateur Classic Challenge
Champion Shiftin Gears, by High Brow Cat, and Blake Heid scored a 223.5 for Mike Heid to earn $15,605.59. Against proven horses, Shiftin Gears turned in one of the stronger Amateur finals runs of the week and added another major title to High Brow Cat’s lasting influence.
Reserve Champion Nu Rollz Royce, by Rollz Royce, and Elle Elizabeth Martin marked a 221.5 for Nancy and Steve Martin, earning $14,065.80. The placing gave Rollz Royce offspring another high-level result in a class that rewards seasoned horses.
Intermediate Amateur Derby
Reserve Champion Phantomm, by Metallic Rebel, and owner-rider German Lugo scored a 218.5, worth $8,695.96. Owner-rider finals placings carry their own weight, and Phantomm delivered one against a competitive Fort Worth field.
Intermediate Amateur Classic Challenge
Champion FS Fine Lil Hashtag, by Hashtags, and Sawyer McWilliams won with a 225 for Brittinee McWilliams, earning $8,416.47. The 225 stood as one of the sharper Amateur finals scores of the week and secured another significant title for Hashtags.
Limited Amateur Derby
Co-Reserve Champion Aristotallic, by Metallic Cat, and Addison Allen scored a 214 for Clint Allen Cutting Horses LLC, earning $1,866.47. Even in the Limited Amateur ranks, Metallic Cat blood remained close to the top of the standings.
Matching that finish was Co-Reserve Champion Matchbox, by Metallic Rey Mink, and owner-rider Marcie Campbell. Another finals placing from that first crop rounded out a standout week for the young sire.
Limited Amateur Classic Challenge
Reserve Champion Quarantag, by Metallic Cat, and Courteney Byars marked a 217.5 for James Hooper, earning $2,107.26. Late in the schedule and deep into the divisions, Valley Equine stallions were still represented where checks and titles were decided.
By the time the last set of scores was posted in Fort Worth, the pattern had repeated itself too many times to ignore.
Valley Equine stallions were represented across the entire Super Stakes, with proven names continuing to deliver and younger sires announcing what may be next.
Established forces remained exactly where they have long been, near the top of major finals. At the same time, emerging stallions showed the depth and direction of the next wave. That combination is what separates a roster built for one season from a roster built to last.
At the 2026 NCHA Super Stakes, Valley Equine stallions once again proved they are not simply part of the conversation. They continue to drive it.
