challenge of the champions

2026–2027 Season Standings Tracker

Last update: Oct. 13, 2026
Previous: Sept. 30, 2026
Leaderboards
Biggest movers
Face Off Zone
News

FACE OFF ZONE

The top 5 money earners in each division at season’s end qualify for the year-end tournament at the World Finals in June. The accent line below marks that cut in each division as it stands today.

OPEN TOP 10
1
Waller, Texas
$25,376 —
2
Wellington, Colorado
$21,994 ▲ 5
3
Kevin Reese
Fayetteville, Tennessee
$20,100 —
4
Hesperia, California
$20,056 ▼ 2
5
Stillwater, Oklahoma
$16,835 —
FACE OFF ZONE $3,762 gap
6
Matt Stevens
Dublin, Texas
$13,073 —
7
Wellington, Colorado
$13,022 ▼ 3
8
Wayne McNeel
Murrieta, California
$11,091 New
9
Haily Mangold
 
$10,938 New
10
Waller, Texas
$9,911 ▼ 2
AMATEUR GRADUATED AMATEUR · TOP 10
1
Fayetteville, Tennessee
$36,776 —
2
Allentown, New Jersey
$20,813 —
3
Jennifer Marshall
Modesto, California
$14,502 ▲ 1
4
BJ Hilborn
Terrell, Texas
$12,650 New
5
Appleton, New York
$12,605 ▼ 2
FACE OFF ZONE $1,647 gap
6
Yatesville, Georgia
$10,958 New
7
Florence, South Dakota
$10,396 New
8
Blake Hensley
Hartselle, Alabama
$10,390 ▼ 3
9
Terri Barham
Montague, California
$9,395 New
10
Meghan Dold
Appleton, New York
$9,000 ▼ 4
NOVICE GRADUATED NOVICE · TOP 10
1
Sellersville, Pennsylvania
$19,709 —
2
Hannah Wibbens
Eastvale, California
$16,659 New
3
Aspen Reese
Fayetteville, Tennessee
$12,152 ▼ 1
4
Nikki Hale
Corpus Christi, Texas
$11,070 ▲ 6
5
Ron Vanderziel Jr.
Caliente, California
$10,937 ▼ 2
FACE OFF ZONE $672 gap
6
Adley Reneau
 
$10,265 New
7
Jerry Davis
Odessa, Texas
$7,680 ▼ 2
8
Karl Ziegler
 
$7,615 New
9
Ocala, Florida
$6,766 ▼ 5
10
Macy Max
Hughson, California
$6,736 New
ROOKIE BEGINNER · GRADUATED ROOKIE · TOP 10
1
Christy Hayes
Dawson, Pennsylvania
$9,293 —
2
Jodie Distad
Albert Lea, Minnesota
$7,737 —
3
Tracy Reed
Summerville, Oregon
$5,933 ▲ 3
4
Chelsie Schmidt
Glide, Oregon
$5,752 ▼ 1
5
Jayden Mitchell
Campbell, Texas
$5,602 ▼ 1
FACE OFF ZONE $39 gap
6
Caliente, California
$5,563 ▼ 1
7
Williams, Georgia
$5,264 New
8
Nate Badeaux
Luling, Louisiana
$4,770 ▼ 1
9
Justin Schmidt
Glide, Oregon
$4,473 ▼ 1
10
Debbie Fogle
 
$4,136 New
LATEST HIGHLIGHTS
OPEN

Jessie Wolfe adds $10,218, the biggest gain on the board, and jumps five spots to No. 2. Chris Mangold slides to No. 4, and Joel Lesh holds the final Top 5 spot at $16,835 with a $3,762 cushion over Matt Stevens. Wayne McNeel and Haily Mangold enter the Top 10, while Tommy Roberson and Trever Field drop off.

AMATEUR

BJ Hilborn enters at No. 4, pushing Victor Dold to the cut-off at $12,605, $1,647 ahead of newcomer Randy Moore. Jennifer Marshall’s $3,656 gain moves Marshall up to No. 3. Sage Bach and Terri Barham also join the Top 10, Blake Hensley falls to No. 8, and four riders drop off.

NOVICE

Nikki Hale’s $5,563 gain is the biggest in the division, a six-spot jump from No. 10 to No. 4. Hannah Wibbens enters at No. 2, and Ron Vanderziel Jr. holds the final Top 5 spot at $10,937, $672 ahead of newcomer Adley Reneau. Karl Ziegler joins and Macy Max returns, making four new names in the Top 10.

ROOKIE

Tracy Reed adds $845 and climbs three spots to No. 3. Jayden Mitchell holds the final Top 5 spot at $5,602, just $39 ahead of Lauri Vanderziel — the tightest Face Off Zone in any division. Brandon Pierce and Debbie Fogle enter the Top 10, replacing Makaila Ann and Brenda Macauley.

Top-5 Cut-Off Trend

OPEN TOP 5 CUT-OFF TREND
$7,182
$7,182
$11,808
$12,588
$16,835
Aug 24
Sep 8
Sep 16
Sep 30
Oct 13
DATE CUT-OFF HELD BY AMOUNT
Oct 13, 2026 Joel Lesh $16,835
Sep 30, 2026 Joel Lesh $12,588
Sep 16, 2026 Logan Wolfe $11,808
Sep 8, 2026 Kevin Reese $7,182
Aug 24, 2026 Kevin Reese $7,182
AMATEUR TOP 5 CUT-OFF TREND
$7,033
$7,033
$8,567
$10,187
$12,605
Aug 24
Sep 8
Sep 16
Sep 30
Oct 13
DATE CUT-OFF HELD BY AMOUNT
Oct 13, 2026 Victor Dold $12,605
Sep 30, 2026 Blake Hensley $10,187
Sep 16, 2026 Tanner Chappelear $8,567
Sep 8, 2026 Floyd Foster $7,033
Aug 24, 2026 Floyd Foster $7,033
NOVICE TOP 5 CUT-OFF TREND
$3,568
$3,901
$5,883
$6,395
$10,937
Aug 24
Sep 8
Sep 16
Sep 30
Oct 13
DATE CUT-OFF HELD BY AMOUNT
Oct 13, 2026 Ron Vanderziel Jr. $10,937
Sep 30, 2026 Jerry Davis $6,395
Sep 16, 2026 Dana Ray $5,883
Sep 8, 2026 Macy Max $3,901
Aug 24, 2026 Ron Vanderziel Jr. $3,568
ROOKIE TOP 5 CUT-OFF TREND
$2,636
$2,636
$4,723
$5,563
$5,602
Aug 24
Sep 8
Sep 16
Sep 30
Oct 13
DATE CUT-OFF HELD BY AMOUNT
Oct 13, 2026 Jayden Mitchell $5,602
Sep 30, 2026 Lauri Vanderziel $5,563
Sep 16, 2026 Chelsie Schmidt $4,723
Sep 8, 2026 Brenda Macauley $2,636
Aug 24, 2026 Brenda Macauley $2,636

Challenge of the Champions News

A woman riding a roan horse chases a black cow during a Cinch RSNC ranch sorting run.

Challenge of the Champions Cutoffs Soar Since September
10/15/26
NE Circuit_rsnc_COTC Standings (1)

Challenge of the Champions Race is on after Northeast Circuit Finals Payouts Push Ranch Sorters Up the Charts 
09/02/26
Eric Turner on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Challenge of the Champions Rookie in Fort Worth

Cross-Country Chase: Eric Turner Wins Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions Rookie at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Anna Butler on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Challenge of the Champions Novice in Fort Worth

Redemption Run: Anna Butler Wins Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions Novice at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Brea Vardas on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Challenge of the Champions Amateur in Fort Worth

A Goal Come to Life: Brea Vardas Wins Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions Amateur at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Tanner Keith on horseback holding his championship buckle at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Challenge of the Champions Open

Full Circle: Tanner Keith Wins Holiday Auto Group Challenge of the Champions Open at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Competitors line up on horseback beneath the U.S. and Texas flags at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals in Fort Worth

2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals XIX Breaks the $1 Million Mark
09/01/26
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Victories in Vegas: Wolfe, Stresen-Reuter, Lenihan, and Turner Awarded Challenge of the Champions Top Honors 
12/12/25
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Catch the Action from the Cowboy Town Showdown and Challenge of the Champions Invitational  
12/01/25
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No. 20 Nicki Fuller Takes Top Spot in Rookie Division After Qualifying One Week Out
10/13/25
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No. 9 Kara Doornink Adds Challenge of the Champions Novice Title to Year-End Accolades  
10/13/25
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No. 10 Aubree Coker Catapults into Top 5 After On-Fire Amateur Season to Win Title
10/13/25
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No. 11 Kody Ward Wins Challenge of the Champions Open After Back-and-Forth Battle for 10s
10/10/25

rsnc News

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$15K Added Ranch Sorting at the 2026 Quarter Horse Congress, Live on Ride TV Oct. 16-18
10/07/26
Event FB Covers (Website)

Ranch Sorting Events: October 2026
09/28/26
Southpoint-super-sort-2024-F33A0330

Ranch Sorting Stars Head to Las Vegas for the 2026 Cinch RSNC All-Star Super Sort
09/18/26
9GS_CaitlinCochran_IsabellaSilveira_Ohio26_ESperle

Caitlin Cochran, Isabella Silveira Turn a Draw Partnership Into a $6,322 Professional’s Choice #9 Gold Shootout Win 
09/09/26
5GS_EricTurner_BrandonPierce_Ohio26_ESperle

Eric Turner & Brandon Pierce Claim $2,512 US Rider #5 Gold Shootout at Northeast Circuit Finals 
09/09/26
13GS_JoelLesh_JuliaSfera_Ohio26_ESperle (1)

Cinch #13 Gold Shootout Pays $5,574 at Northeast Circuit Finals to Joel Lesh & Julia Sfera 
09/04/26
Chris Mangold and Sidney Rasmussen on horseback holding championship buckles at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #14 Ranch Hand

Chris Mangold and Sidney Rasmussen Win the #14 Ranch Hand World Champion Title at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Easton Burns and Brandon Kruger on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #10 Youth Beginner Adult Gate in Fort Worth

Easton Burns & Brandon Kruger Highlight the Future of Ranch Sorting with Youth-Beginner/Adult-Gate World Championship Win at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Jae Murphy and Emery Crouse on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #8 Youth in Fort Worth

Blind Draw, Big Payoff: Jae Murphy & Emery Crouse Win the 2026 #8 Youth World Championship Title at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Italo Pinheiro and Gabriel Graciani on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Graduated Rookie #6 Handicap in Fort Worth

Italo Pinheiro and Gabriel Graciani Turn Brazilian Ranch Sorting Experience into 2026 Cinch RSNC World Championship Title with Graduated Rookie #6 Win
09/01/26
Mandie O’Neil and Clara Mas on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #18 HC Rated Youth in Fort Worth

Quick Partnership Between Reigning Champ Mandie O'Neil & Clara Mas Wins the 2026 EQN Sports #18 Rated Youth World Championship Title at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Les Henderson and Tucker Weatherford on horseback holding championship buckles at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals in Fort Worth

Les Henderson & Tucker Weatherford Win the Ride TV Western Heritage #6 at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Florida's C Team celebrates with the state flag after winning the State Extravaganza at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals in Fort Worth

Florida Wins State Extravaganza at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Payton Brzymialkiewicz and Rodi Torres on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #18 Bareback/Bridleless in Fort Worth

Veteran World Champs Payton Brzymialkiewicz and Rodi Torres Win the #18 Bareback/Bridleless at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Joel Lesh and Tanner Keith on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals All Levels in Fort Worth

Proven Winners: Joel Lesh & Tanner Keith Win the All Levels at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Randy Moore and Ken Norman on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #12 in Fort Worth

Despite Different Paths, Randy Moore and Ken Norman Are the 2026 World Champions of the #12 at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Rodi Torres and Kevin Reese on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals Open Gold Shootout in Fort Worth

Rodi Torres & Kevin Reese Win Priefert Open Gold Shootout at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Rey Echeto and Colette Lesh on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #13 Gold Shootout in Fort Worth

Rey Echeto, Colette Lesh Win the Cinch #13 Gold Shootout at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Johnnie Lusk and Jim Odom on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #9 Gold Shootout in Fort Worth

Johnnie Lusk, Jim Odom Win the Professional’s Choice #9 Gold Shootout at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
Jesse Stanfill and Trevor Hatchett on horseback at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals #5 Gold Shootout in Fort Worth

Prayers Answered: Jesse Stanfill & Trevor Hatchett Win the US Rider #5 Gold Shootout at the 2026 Cinch RSNC World Finals
09/01/26
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