Top competitors in the Open Derby will go head-to-head in the finals, each aiming to leave the 2026 NRCHA Stallion Stakes as champion. The Open Finals kick off at South Point Casino & Hotel’s Priefert Pavilion on Friday, April 10, with herd work. Following the herd work, on Saturday, April 11, competitors will head to South Point’s main arena for the rein work and fence work portions of the finals.
After the preliminary rounds, Jeremy Knoles and Dualin Metallic Cat (Dual Reyish x Metallicat) lead the field. The pair posted a cumulative score of 661, highlighted by a 219 in the herd work, a 216.5 in the rein work and a 225.5 in the fence work. While the competition proved challenging in the preliminaries, scores reset heading into the finals—leaving the championship title up for grabs.
Proven Contendors
John Swales | Bowie Nights
The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity champions return to the finals for another run at a prestigious title. The young mare topped the QData 2025 Top Money-Earning Reined Cow Horses list with $275,662 in earnings in 2025. In the Stallion Stakes prelims, the team earned a composite 657.
Top 50 Reined Cow Horses of 2025: Earnings, Bloodlines, and Standout Performers
Abbie Phillips | Gibberissh
Gibberissh and Abbie Phillips had a standout NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, finishing 4th overall and contributing to the 2022 stallion finishing 2025 as the 5th highest money-earning reined cow horse, according to QData.
2026 Stallion Stakes Finals Field
| Horse | Rider | Owner | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| Razor Scooter | Russell Dilday | Russell & Tanna Dilday | IOD |
| Tooo Suen | Chuy Chavez | Heather G Foster-Byrd | LOD |
| Trendsetterr | Gusti Buerger | Jillian Smith | IOD |
| Bet Hesa Nics Boon | Andrew Steiger | Scott & Darnell Trueblood | LOD |
| Rebel And Shine | Tucker Smith | Brandi Smith | IOD |
| Bois D Arc Tuff | Bryce Briggs | Shane Turner | LOD |
| Diamonds R Cheesy | Amber Johnson | Lance or Tammy Johnston | LOD |
| Tik Talker | Hunter Hays | Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays | IOD, LOD |
| Tuff Beans | Paige Smoroden | Michael Robin | IOD, LOD |
| CR Reys Catty | Cara M Hencratt | Rocking BS Ranch | IOD |
| Reyv | Titus Covington | Titus Covington | IOD |
| Lainee Wilson | EJ Laubscher | Darvin J. & Tammi Strutt | LOD |
| Cant Ride My Scooter | Chase Trahern | Chase Trahern | IOD |
| Penniless | Isaac Johnson | Warren & Michell Flath | LOD |
| Magical Katt | Tucker J Robinson | Julie Weinhardt & F. Velazquez | IOD |
| Pixxy | Hunter Hays | Tammy Jo Hays | LOD |
| Im A Travelin Fool | Brad Lund | Bender Cattle Co | IOD |
| Divas Stevie | EJ Laubscher | T-Heart Ranch LLC | LOD |
| Painted Shadows | Myles Brown | Hall Brown LLC | IOD, LOD |
| Ive Got It On Vinyl | Lee Deacon | Amy McGarry | IOD |
| State Route 225 | Casey Bieroth | Bieroth Ranch | LOD |
| Shining Kitty | Clay J. Roeser | Rocking Blue Ridge Farms | IOD |
| The Sannjo Catt | Isaac Johnson | Traci Moseley | LOD |
| Louis Bottom Dollar | Luke Hammerness | Nate Ballerino Horse Co LLC | IOD |
| Happened In Denver | Todd A. Bergen | Kathleen Moore | IOD |
| Stylish Talker | Andrew Steiger | Scott & Darnell Trueblood / Andrew Steiger | LOD |
| RBS Sugar Rush | Russell Dilday | William McElligott Sr. | IOD |
| Teen Rebel | Gusti Buerger | Home Ranch Performance Horses LLC | OD, IOD |
| Dualin Metallic Cat | Jeremy S Knoles | Jeff Fortin | OD, IOD |
| Von Jovii | Corey D Cushing | Bar One Land & Cattle LLP | OD |
| Peptos Talkin | Luke Hammerness | Tiffany Manion | OD, IOD |
| Stevies Blondie | Justin Wright | Felizardo Elizondo | OD |
| SDP Offtoneverland | Sarah Dawson | Wendy K. Buehler | OD |
| Smart Dressed Dude | Corey D Cushing | Bar One Land & Cattle LLP | OD |
| Scoot On By | Jared Jones | Becky Stockett | OD |
| Skooby Do | Justin Wright | Lesley Kearney | OD |
| DT Lil Big Time | Chris Dawson | DT Horses LLC | OD |
| SJR More Cowbell | Lee Deacon | Bent E Quarter Horses | OD, IOD |
| Scooter Rabbit | Justin Wright | Janet Handtmann | OD |
| Ohcaywannatalkboutme | Todd Crawford | Monica Duflock | OD |
| Life By The Drop | Tyler G. Merrill | Holy Cow Performance Horses Texas LLC | OD, IOD |
| Stuck In Overdrive | Russell A Probert | Wayne Miranda | OD |
| SJR Mists Natasha | Matt Koch | San Juan Ranch | OD |
| Gibberissh | Abbie Phillips | Jeff & Jennifer Foland | OD |
| Grayzin | Clay J. Roeser | Kalpowar Quarter Horses | OD, IOD |
| Tha Rizzler | Nicholas Dowers | Triple D Ranches LLC | OD |
| RSR Closing Time | Justin Wright | Ray Shell Ranch LLC | OD |
| Bowie Nights | John Swales | Bar One Land & Cattle LLP | OD |
| Stevies Lead Guitar | Chris Dawson | Stephen Roseberry | OD |
| Just A Good Ol Cat | Corey D Cushing | Justin Ritthaler | OD |
| Rock O Rama | Shane L Steffen | Kandu Ranch | OD |
| Talk To The Prince | Clayton Edsall | Neal or Jody Wanless | OD |
| Lil Mini Scooter | Chris Dawson | Russ Mothershead | OD |
| Shine Yer Sugar | Matt Koch | Shes The One Ranch | OD |
| Tazzy Es Savvy | Jordan Williams | Bonds Ranch | OD |
| Tuff Reys | Cayley R Wilson | Kathy Gentry | OD |
| Memreyble | Corey D Cushing | Don & Teresa Martin | OD |
OD — Open Division
IOD — Intermediate Open Division
LOD — Limited Open Division