Jordan Martin and 11-year-old gelding Magnums Gun turned heads at the 2026 APHA World Show in ranch riding, winning the senior ranch riding, IRHA ranch riding, Triple Crown Ranch Riding Challenge, and green ranch riding with Martin at the romals, winning $8,284.
For the 23-year-old from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the wins added lines to the budding open rider’s resume, boosting confidence in the highly competitive ranch event world.
“There’s a lot of very accomplished trainers and horses in [the ranch events],” Martin said. “It’s always a nice boost to know that you have enough horse to be up in the mix, and to win, it just has to be your day where everything comes together.”
Riding for Sam Schaffhauser Performance Horses, Martin also finished inside the top five in the senior ranch pleasure with Magnums Gun, who is owned by Wendy May.
Meet Jordan Martin
Martin graduated from Middle Tennessee State University two years ago after majoring in horse science and competing on the school’s equestrian and ranch horse teams. Right after graduation she went to work for Schaffhauser in Princeton, Kentucky, and began showing in the open division not long after.
Schaffhauser’s barn primarily focuses on competing at breed shows in reining and ranch riding events. Martin said the job has put her on a wide range of horses, requiring her to adjust to each horse.
“You have to ride them all as individuals,” Martin said. “You can’t be stuck riding one way.”
One Gun to Beat Them All
Magnums Gun is an 11-year-old gelding by Gunners Tinseltown and out of Magnums Pretty Patti. He was bred by Sammy Graham and is owned by May. He spent his early years as a reining horse before May moved him into ranch events. According to Martin, the reining foundation made the swap simple.
“He’s really broke, really handy and he’s super fun. He handles around so well you can just zip through the ranch riding,” Martin said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to get to show him.”
The Run That Made it Happen
Three of the championships came out of the same run—senior ranch riding, IRHA ranch riding and Triple Crown Ranch Riding Challenge—since the classes were run concurrently.
The patterns for this event were provided to competitors well ahead of the class, so Martin was able to school it at home and figure out where she could push Magnums Gun and where to ride more conservatively.
The pattern opened with an extended trot over a log, a spot she wanted sharp early because it sets the tone with the judges.
“When he extends a trot he just holds his neck super cute, sticks his nose out and steers around really well,” Martin said. “I liked the beginning of that pattern.”
He also handled the sidepass, the back and the turn cleanly at the end. Martin said she felt the run coming together once the log work was behind her, since she trusted Magnums Gun to finish out the last few maneuvers.
Owner May took the reins on Magnums Gun later in the week, showing him in the amateur ranch events to top five finishes in the ranch riding, trail and rail.