Trystan Crow and Tessa Rey, known as “Minky,” topped the Amateur Derby at the 2026 NCHA Summer Spectacular with a 224, earning $11,845 for Crow Performance Horses LLC.
The win also triggered a $12,216 payout through the Valley Equine incentive program, a nod to Tessa Rey’s sire Metallic Rey Mink.
At 13, Crow is quietly building one of the deeper junior résumés in amateur cutting, and he’s doing it aboard the same mare he’s had since she was barely broke.
Three Cows, No Doubt
Crow said he came into the Amateur Derby finals with a plan: stay smooth and let the cattle tell him how hard to push.
“It was just a very easy, clean run,” Crow said. “I knew I had the potential to go down there and throw down, and have a good run, but I just wanted to see how I felt and how my cows were going to be.”
The run built as it went. Crow said his first cow was “good,” but really began adding on points on his second cut.
“My second cow was on the back gate and turned out to be an outstanding cow,” Crow said. “I dug it all the way up the fence and really picked up some points there. I cut that one clean, and then my third cow was a good cow to finish on right in front of the judges.”
“I think I’ve been blessed by God with a little bit of talent, which I’m very grateful for, and I’m just trying to show smooth and cut good.” – Trystan Crow
From Yearling to Champion
Crow has known Minky from nearly the beginning.
“I’ve had Minky since she was a yearling,” Crow said. “When we got her, she wasn’t halter broke or anything. But she’s always been really sweet, and very good to be around all the time.”
That gentleness carried over under saddle, he said, even as the mare matured into an aged-event horse.
“She’s very good,” Crow said. “She’s very broke, very chill. She never wants to mess around or play—very business.”
The Fort Worth title is the latest line on a resume the pair has been building together. Earlier this year, Crow and Minky won the Amateur Derby at the NCHA Super Stakes.
“I just love to be here and get to win, and I’m very grateful for it,” Crow said.
The Team Behind the Run
Crow, who’s from Dimmitt, Texas, competes as an amateur while Minky is owned by his family’s Crow Performance Horses LLC. His dad starts the operation’s 2-year-olds before sending them on to outside trainers. Minky was trained by $12 million man Lloyd Cox.
Cox was helping Crow pilot Minky to the win, pointing out cows alongside Clay Johnson. Sean Flynn and Cullen Chartier were also in the pen for the winning run.
Minky’s next chapter is already underway, with three foals in utero by Storyteler, LBR Hangem and Third Edge.
2026 NCHA Summer Spectacular Amateur Derby Results
| Place | Horse | Rider | Owner | Score | Won (NCHA Only) |
| 1 | Tessa Rey | Trystan Crow | Crow Performance Horses LLC | 224.0 | $11,845.53 |
| 2-3 | The Bad Ich | Sandra Halliday Patton | Sandra Halliday Patton | 218.0 | $10,811.97 |
| 2-3 | Stevies Playboy | Tony Smith | Tony Smith | 218.0 | $10,811.97 |
| 4 | Times All Gone | Christina Huntley | EJ Huntley | 216.0 | $10,278.41 |
| 5 | Lemon Drops | Alvin Fults | Fults Ranch Ltd | 214.0 | $8,922.71 |