On Friday, April 10, the National Reined Cow Horse Association will welcome new members into its Hall of Fame at the NRCHA Hall of Fame Banquet, held at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas during the 2026 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. These inductees join the ranks of riders, trainers, owners and horses who have shaped the history of the sport.
“NRCHA is proud to honor each of these individuals during our Hall of Fame ceremony,” said NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “We’re grateful for their contributions to the storied history of our sport and the ways they’ve helped elevate it thanks to their skills, horsemanship and dedication.”
Meet the Inductees
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
Jo Anne Carollo
From Atascadero, California, Jo Anne Carollo is a celebrated non-pro competitor and breeder. She won her first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro championship in 1997 aboard Nicilena (Just Plain Colonel x Quickinici Lena) and went on to win the event again in 1999 on Roosters Chicharoo (Gallo Del Cielo x Meerly Chic Olena) and in 2001 on Plan To Win (A Master Plan x Lenas Solana). Carollo also won NRCHA Derby Non Pro championships with Nicilena in 1999 and with ARC Hollys Chicadee (Chic Please x Hickory Hollys Cee) in 2006. Additional accolades include NRCHA Hackamore Classic Non Pro championships in 1998 and 2006.
Robert Chown
Based in Gainesville, Texas, Robert Chown is a lifelong competitor and trainer who earned his first NRCHA check in 1991. An accomplished Open rider, he has also coached non-pro riders to top titles, including guiding Cheryl Chown to the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular championship with a 439 at the 2026 NRCHA Stallion Stakes.
Very Smart Remedy
The 1999 stallion Very Smart Remedy (Smart Little Lena x Remedys Response) joins the Hall of Fame as one of the most influential sires in the sport. According to QData, he ranks among the top 10 all-time reined cow horse sires, with offspring earning more than $3 million. During his show career, he earned more than $83,000 in the NRCHA pen and captured the 2003 and 2004 NRCHA Derby championships, as well as the 2025 World’s Greatest Horseman title with Hall of Fame rider Jon Roeser. Owner Anne Reynolds, also a Hall of Fame member, will accept the honor.
2026 Hall of Merit Inductee
Linda Mars
Ranked by QData as the No. 3 all-time owner of reined cow horses, Linda Mars’ horses have earned more than $1.1 million. She has bred top competitors including 2025 World’s Greatest Horseman champion Hazardouz Material, standout mares Shine Smarter and Juliette Jonez, and promising young mare Recklesss. Mars is a dedicated supporter of the NRCHA and sponsors programs including the NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman competition.
2026 Vaquero Award Recipient
Tom Buckingham
From Bruneau, Idaho, Buckingham will receive the Vaquero Award for his service to the NRCHA as an AAAA NRCHA judge, recognizing his contributions to maintaining high standards in the sport.