The 2025 National Cutting Horse Association Horse of the Year awards recognized horses sired by multiple stallions on the Valley Equine Stallion Roster, a reflection of depth, athleticism, and consistent results from top to bottom.
Rollz Eh (Rollz Royce – This Cats Smilen, by WR This Cats Smart) set the pace as Open Horse of the Year for owner Billy Wolf. The Rollz Royce mare earned 778 points starting at the 2024 Futurity and pushed her lifetime earnings beyond $720,000 under Austin Shepard. Her record includes titles like NCHA Open Futurity Reserve Champion, NCHA Super Stakes Open Derby Champion, and PCCHA Open Derby Co-Champion, proving the strength Rollz Royce continues to pass on to his foals.
“This is all still sinking in. Rollz Royce sired the 2025 NCHA Open horse of the Year. We followed Rollz Eh and Austin Shepard all year—every run, every show—and it truly was a race to the finish. We could not be prouder. Austin has such a gift for bringing out the best in a horse, and she gave him her heart every single time. Lisa and I want to congratulate Billy Wolf and Austin Shepard on this incredible accomplishment. This is a dream come true.” – Tom Guinn, Owner of Rollz Royce
The Open Reserve title went to Too Hot To Tagg (Hashtags – Too Hot, by Hottish) for JH Nail Ranch Inc, another standout produced by the Valley Equine Stallion Roster. Sired by Hashtags and shown by Kenny Platt, the gelding stayed in striking range throughout the season and now sits at more than $721,000 in lifetime earnings. His victories include Champion titles at the NCHA Open Futurity, the NCHA Open Derby, and a PCCHA Open Derby Co-Championship. Hashtags also sired the 2024 Open Horse of the Year, Jazlyn, reinforcing his reliability at the highest levels of competition.
In the Non Pro ranks, Red Lights (Dont Stopp Believin – Bet On Red, by Bet Hesa Cat) delivered for Philip and Mary Ann Rapp. The Dont Stopp Believin son, ridden by Ryan Rapp, closed strong and took the final lead with a Southern Cutting Futurity 4 Year Old Non Pro Championship, paired with the NCHA Super Stakes Non Pro Derby title earlier in the year. His momentum secured the 2025 Non Pro Horse of the Year honor.
Smart Look Arising, by Badboonarising, took the third-highest Non Pro Horse of the Year award. Owned and ridden by Sarah Morine, she kicked off her path with an NCHA Non Pro Futurity Championship and continued to stay near the top of every leaderboard she entered.
Also in the Non Pro category is a maternal sibling to resident stallion, Check Yer Metal! Colt Shot Or Checks, ridden by Check Yer Metal’s owner Stuart Bozeman and the Reserve Non Pro Horse of the Year is also out of Checkers Live Oak, an earner herself with high-performing produce. This comes in the same year that “Mike” will enter the NCHA Hall of Fame.
Poccahontas (Metallic Rebel – Daisy Poochanan, by Smooth as a Cat) added even more depth to Valley Equine representation as the awardee for the 2025 Reserve Amateur Horse of the Year. The Metallic Rebel mare is owned and shown by Marcos Chacron-Arocha, and she has already earned titles that include the 2024 NCHA Amateur Futurity Championship and Intermediate Amateur Futurity Championship. Her progression shows the same consistency and trainability that Metallic Rebel offspring continue to demonstrate at every stage.
Valley Equine is proud to stand stallions that produce results that show up in the arena and truly stand the test of time. These titles prove that the roster is producing horses that compete, adapt, and rise to the occasion across the sport’s most demanding stages.
“Our job is to manage stallions that elevate the sport through the offspring they put in the arena. They are proving why they belong here, year after year. Breeders who choose them are investing in performance that stands out in tough company.” – Andrew Waters, Stallion Manager, Valley Equine
For details on the stallions standing at Valley Equine Reproduction or for more information on the 2026 breeding season, visit our stallions page.
