Ranch Classes to Watch at the 2026 AQHA World Show

The 2026 Markel AQHA World Championship Show and Adequan Select World Championship Show runs Oct. 29-Nov. 18 at OKC Fair Park in Oklahoma City. More than 8,600 entries are competing for 106 Markel AQHA world championships, 45 Select world championships, 104 Level 2 championships and 26 Level 1 Champion of Champions titles, with more than $5 million in purses and prizes.

The AQHA World Show ranch classes are pulling some of the show’s biggest numbers. Level 3 Senior Ranch Riding and the Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes each drew 75 entries, tying for the fourth-largest classes at the show.

Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes

The Level 1 Ranch Riding Stakes drew 75 entries, tying for the fourth-largest class at the show. The class runs Monday, Nov. 16, with the champion taking home a custom gold trophy, neck wreath and leather jacket. Reserve through 10th place will receive top 10 vests.

Several familiar names are among the entries. Bud Lyon, who won the class in 2022 aboard Double Tapn, has three entries, while Kelsey Ward and Bradley S. Hill each have four. Lyon also won the 2025 Level 3 Senior Ranch Riding championship aboard Sumac Gunnabeflashy with a score of 257.

Level 1 Ranch Trail Stakes

The Level 1 Ranch Trail Stakes drew 70 entries, with the finals scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15. The class tests a horse’s disposition and ability to navigate obstacles that reflect everyday ranch tasks.

Level 1 Working Western Rail Stakes

The Level 1 Working Western Rail Stakes drew 41 entries for Tuesday, Nov. 17. Two additional working western rail stakes take place earlier in the show in the OG&E Coliseum. The Headley Non-Pro Working Western Rail Stakes runs Wednesday, Nov. 4, with 33 entries, followed by the Headley Open Working Western Rail Stakes during the 6 p.m. evening performance Tuesday, Nov. 10, with 30 entries.

Working Western Rail debuted at the AQHA World Show in 2020 for horses ages 3 and older. Horses walk, trot and lope in both directions, demonstrate extended gaits in at least one direction and back. A rule approved this year will allow riders to touch or hold the horn at extended gaits beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Ranch Horse Classic

20 horses will compete for an estimated $75,000 purse in the third annual AQHA Ranch Horse Classic. The event is open to 3- to 5-year-old horses and riders of any age or experience level, including youth and amateurs.

Each horse completes Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail back to back before returning for Ranch Cow Work. In the cow work phase, riders box the cow, turn it at least once in each direction along the fence, then circle or rope it. Three judges score each phase, with overall placings determined by the World Show point scale for first through 15th place in each phase. Placings and scores are announced after the event concludes.

>>> AQHA Rules

Of each $1,665 entry fee, $1,250 goes toward the purse. Minimum payouts are $33,000 for first, $23,000 for second, $13,000 for third and $1,500 each for fourth through seventh. The top Ranching Heritage-bred horse earns at least $7,500, while the top amateur exhibitor earns at least $2,500, in addition to any other winnings. The top three overall finishers also receive jackets, and each phase winner earns a vest. Fans can vote for the AQHA Fan Favorite Award in person or through the live feed.

Defending champion: AQHA Professional Horseman Corey Cushing of Weatherford, Texas, and Tuff Tobe Woody, owned by Katie Fox of Weatherford, swept all three phases in 2025 to win $33,000.

Ranch Riding Level 1 Champion of Champions

Two Ranch Riding titles are up for grabs in the Level 1 Champion of Champions: Select Ranch Riding on Wednesday, Nov. 4, with 21 entries, and Amateur Ranch Riding on Friday, Nov. 6, with 16 entries. Both classes take place in the Adequan Performance Arena.

The Champion of Champions brings together Level 1 amateur and Select exhibitors in seven core classes, including Ranch Riding. Exhibitors qualify by competing in those classes at the AQHA East, West or Cattle Level 1 Championships. Each champion receives a custom gold trophy, AQHA buckle, neck wreath, patch and leather jacket. Champions are not eligible to return to the Level 1 Championships in future years.

>> AQHA World Show handbook

The lists below include every horse-and-rider team AQHA qualified for each class as of Aug. 20, not just those entered at the World Show.