Reining took center stage as the NRHA 6666 Derby wrapped up in Oklahoma City, where $10 million rider Andrea Fappani claimed his first Derby Championship in a decade riding Alpha Viking.
In Las Vegas, the NCHA Convention and Hall Of Fame Gala honored horses and riders’ earning milestones while in Fort Worth, the APHA World show kicked off with ranch events taking place next week.
Dig into the highlights from the Western performance horse industry, as well as what’s on the calendar as one of the busiest seasons of the year continues.
Table of contents
What Happened June 15–21
Reining: 6666 NRHA Derby
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | June 10–21 | $2,000,000+ total payout
The 6666 NRHA Derby closed out 12 days at the OG&E Coliseum with a record-breaking Open Finals night and the most money ever paid out in Derby history. Follow all the results on the Horse&Rider watch list.
Open Finals — Saturday, June 20
- Level 4 Open Derby Champion: Andrea Fappani and Alpha Viking (Gunnatrashya x Rock It With Sass), owned by Alpha Quarter Horses LLC and Vargo Quarter Horses LLC, earned a 236 — a new all-time NRHA Derby Finals scoring record, earning $100,000.
- Level 3, 2 Open Derby Champion: Sam Flarida and TR Gunna Dream (Magnum Chic Dream x Xtra Gunna Get Itdun), owned by Royal Wire Products Inc., earned a 226 and $55,000.
- Level 1 Open Derby Champion: Wyatt Deary and Danger Zone (Americasnexttopgun x Dainty Little Step), owned by Puno Performance Horses. The pair marked a 222 for $10,000. Deary also tied for No. 2 in the Level 1 riding Pale Face Vintage for Puno, marking a 220.5 and earning $3,926.
- Tamarack Ranch Open 4-Year-Old Stakes Champion: Kaci J. O’Rourke and Gunnabegreatagain earned a 225.5 for $32,554.
Non Pro Finals — Friday, June 19
- Level 4 Non Pro Derby Champion: Gina-Maria Schumacher and Take Out The Trash (Gunnatrashya x This Chicsdundreamin), owned by CS Ranch LLC, earned a 224.5 for $50,000.
- Level 3 Non Pro Derby Champion: Tristan Bagby and Spark N Inferno (Inferno Sixty Six x Shiner Light) earned a 223.5, winning $20,000.
- Level 2 Non Pro Derby Champion: Lilly Walters and Gunna Prosper (Gunnatrashya x Whizen Starlight) posted a 215, winning $15,000.
- Level 1 Non Pro Derby Champion: Jennifer Vannietvelt and Krypttonite (Gunners Special Nite x Genuinely Jo) scored a 217.5, earning $5,000.
- Non Pro 4-Year-Old Stakes Level 4 Co-Champions: Francesca Sternberg and Holy Smokz and Gina-Maria Schumacher and CS Buzz Lightyear tied at 219, each earning $10,740.
Cutting: NCHA Convention Hall of Fame Induction
Las Vegas, Nevada | June 20, 2026
The 2026 NCHA Convention Hall of Fame Gala inducted horses, open riders, non-pro riders and association members on Friday evening in Las Vegas.
2025 Horse Hall of Fame
| Horse | Owner |
|---|---|
| Preachersdrinknagain ($150K) | Rock’ N Diamond Equine LLC, Horseshoe Bay, Texas |
| Hott Nu Cowboy | Ten/27 Ranch, Denham Springs, Louisiana |
| Nice Work Babe | Kathleen Moore, Madill, Oklahoma |
| Nineteen 42 | Bosque Ranch Performance Horses LLC, Weatherford, Texas |
| CR Miss Mayzie | Ray & Brenda Lipsey, Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Baylenciaga | Beechfork Ranch, Weatherford, Texas |
| Moms Lil Rebel | Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, Texas |
| Reyzin The Limit | Kate Gaughan Banuelos, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Rollz Eh | Billy Wolf, Whitesboro, Texas |
| Too Hot To Tagg | JH Nail Ranch Inc., Albany, Texas |
| Special Nu Boon | Bitterroot Ranch LLC, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Check Yer Metal | Stuart Bozeman, Idalou, Texas |
| Summer Time Fun | Ty Moore, Madill, Oklahoma |
2025 Open Riders Hall of Fame: Casey Moore, William Colt Moore, Bradey Davis, Benjamin Roberson, Rodrigo Taboga
2025 Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame: Nancy Martin, Mia Webster, Julie Clarke, James Figiel (all at $150K); Mike Rutherford Jr., Danny Jones, Jennifer Christmann Foland, Jessica Pounds, Julie Clarke (at $500K)
2026 NCHA Members Hall of Fame: Randy Chartier, Grady Duncan, Ted Sokol Jr.
This Week June 22–28
Ranch Horse: AQHA VRH World Championships
Amarillo, Texas | June 21–27 | $100,000 added
The AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships are live at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo, presented by the 6666 Ranch.
Three competitions run under one roof: the AQHA VRH World Championships, the Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals and the Cattle Level 1 Championships — with the $100,000 added Cattle Level 1 serving as the marquee closer later in the week. Ranch riding and trail classes dominate early in the week, building toward the cattle work and cow horse classes as the championships progress through Saturday.
Find your complete guide, schedule and results at Horse&Rider. Watch free on the AQHA livestream at aqha.com.
Looking Ahead
APHA World Show + IRHA Ranch Classes
Fort Worth, Texas | June 29–July 4 | $118,500 added for ranch
The APHA World Show is underway at Will Rogers Memorial Center, but the ranch horses don’t take center stage until next Monday.
The APHA Paint Horse Ranch Championships ($27,000 added), the IRHA Ranch Horse Triple Crown Challenge ($40,000 added) and the IRHA Ranch Horse Futurity ($30,000 added) all open June 29. Find the full slate of ranch classes Performance Report is watching.
Reining: Wickham Tractor RMRHA Summer Slide
Loveland, Colorado | July 6–11 | The Ranch
The Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association heads to The Ranch in Loveland for the annual Summer Slide, anchored by the RMRHA Stallion Stakes Futurity for 3-year-olds. New format for 2026: the Non Pro Futurity goes to a one-go structure — one run, one score, no preliminary rounds. More info at rmrhasummerslide.com.
NCHA Summer Spectacular
Fort Worth, Texas | July 10–August 2
Less than three weeks out. The NCHA triple crown event heads to the Will Rogers complex with the Derby (4-year-olds) and Classic/Challenge (5 and 6-year-olds) taking over the complex for nearly a month.
More preview to come as the event draws closer.
Working Cow Horse: NRCHA Hackamore Classic
Tulsa, Oklahoma | July 12–18
More preview to come as the Hackamore Classic comes closer. Find the show bill at nrcha.com.
Reining: 100X Brazos Slide
Waco, Texas | July 17–26 | Extraco Events Center
The 100X Shows circuit moves to Waco for a 10-day run at the Extraco Events Center. Find entry and show info at 100xshows.com.
The weekly Performance Report publishes at the beginning of each week on HorseandRider.com.