The 2026 NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Classic returned $153,117 to eligible finalists, placing another substantial round of earnings behind horses already competing at one of the sport’s leading events.
The distribution was part of $568,000 paid across the Summer Spectacular using overage from the 2025 incentive cycle. Rather than remaining unused, those funds were carried forward and added to the Derby and Classic payouts in Fort Worth throughout the Open, Non Pro and Amateur classes.
First Place | $35,216.91
LBR Hangem and Kenny Platt led the eligible Open Classic field with a 226, earning $35,216.91 for Shotty Syndicate.
The Dual Reyish stallion out of Hangem High Pep returned to the Open Classic payout after sharing the top incentive honors in the class at the 2025 Summer Spectacular. This year, LBR Hangem stood alone at the top with the largest individual check awarded in the division.
Split Second Place | $22,967.55 Each
PRF Shesa Rebel and Brandon Westfall earned $22,967.55 for KT Ranch LLC after scoring a 221. By Metallic Rebel and out of PRF Reys Gingerpunch, the mare secured one of two equal shares of the second-place payout.
Vitanni matched the 221 under Michael Cooper to earn $22,967.55 for Candy and Greg Abshire. The Rollz Royce mare out of Cool As A Cat added another five-figure return to the Open Classic results.
Split Fourth Place | $14,290.92 Each
Nicole L G and Clay Johnson received $14,290.92 for Buck Creek Quarter Horses after marking a 218.5. The Reyzin The Cash* mare is out of Betz.
Rambln Rose also scored a 218.5 with R L Chartier, earning $14,290.92 for Anderson Cattle Co. The Metallic Rebel gelding is out of Rose Colored Rey.
Reyzin The Limit completed the three-way split after posting a 218.5 under Adan Banuelos. Owned by Kate Gaughan Banuelos, the Reyzin The Cash* stallion out of Metallistic added another $14,290.92 to the Open Classic distribution.
Seventh Place | $10,718.19
Too Hot To Tagg and Kenny Platt earned $10,718.19 for JH Nail Ranch Inc. after scoring a 218.
By Hashtags and out of Too Hot, the gelding returned to the Summer Spectacular payout after also earning an incentive check last year, in the Open Derby. His move from the Derby into the Classic placed another meaningful check behind a horse already proven within the program.
Eighth Place | $7,655.85
Positano and Matt Gaines collected $7,655.85 for J Five Horse Ranch Management LLC. The Dual Smart Rey gelding is out of Prowlin By Starlight.
Split Ninth Place | $3,572.73 Each
Cat and Kenny Platt earned $3,572.73 for owner Linda Holmes. By High Brow Cat and out of Stylish Play Lena, the mare scored a 215.5 and became the third horse shown by Platt to receive an Open Classic payout.
Dont Stop Swingin and Ryan Rapp collected $3,572.73 for Philip and Mary Ann Rapp. The Dont Stopp Believin gelding is out of Swing Thru The Drive.
Creeepin also earned $3,572.73 under Rapp for Reata Cutting Horses LLC. By Dont Stopp Believin and out of Sweet Memoreyz, Creeepin gave Rapp two horses represented within the Open Classic distribution.
The depth of the payout is as important as the amount at the top. Seven horses received five-figure checks, while the distribution continued through the three-way split at ninth. No separate nomination or additional pay-in was required from the owners to compete for those earnings. The eligibility and funding were already connected to the horses through the breeding decisions that produced them.
Each paid breeding to an enrolled stallion contributes $500 to the program, creating a direct line from participation in the breeding barn to added earnings in the show pen. At the Summer Spectacular, overage from the 2025 cycle became $153,117 in Open Classic payouts, returning those funds to the owners who brought eligible horses to Fort Worth and earned their place in the finals.
*Horses sired by Reyzin The Cash remain eligible through the 2026 NCHA Summer Spectacular based on the length of time standing at Valley Equine. Visit the Super Stallion Incentive page for more information.
