The summer show season hits full stride in mid-July, with the NCHA Summer Spectacular starting in Fort Worth, while the NRCHA Hackamore Classic takes over Tulsa for a week of cow horse-packed action.
But before we get to the results rolling in every day from the shows dominating the headlines, let’s take a look at the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Associations’ Summer Slide, where onlookers got the first public peek at 2026’s reining futurity crop, and Luca Fappani dominated the field riding the Nieberger’s stallion “On Tour.”
Table of Contents
What Happened July 6–12
Reining: RMRHA Summer Slide
Loveland, Colorado | July 6–11 | The Ranch
The Wickham Tractor RMRHA Summer Slide wrapped its six-day run at The Ranch in Loveland last Saturday, capping the Rocky Mountain Reining Horse Association’s marquee summer event with the Open Futurity Finals. Find full results at rmrhasummerslide.com.
Open Futurity Finals — Saturday, July 11
- L4 Open Futurity Champion: Luca Fappani and On Tour (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Trashy Dreams), a 3-year-old stallion owned by Neiberger Performance LLC of Weatherford, Texas, earned a 226 for $4,289.61. Fappani also placed 5th aboard RM Cowboy Gunnachi (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic, Villa Di Roma, Gainesville, Texas, 221, $1,398.79).
- No. 2: Craig C. Schmersal and Shinin Lil Spark (Spooks Gotta Spark x Shining Lil Dunnit), owned by Sheridan/Schmersal Performance, Scottsdale, Arizona, earned a 223.5 for $2,611.07.
- No. 3: Max Morin and Glamourworthy (Spooks Gotta Whiz x Gold Worthie, Terry P Leffew, Clarks Hill, Indiana, 221.5, $1,818.42) and
Ryan Rushing and Therighttobeararms (Modern Gun x Nifty Shiney Chic, RMJ Ranch, Larkspur, Colorado, 221.5, $1,818.42).
This Week July 13–19
Cutting: NCHA Summer Spectacular
Fort Worth, Texas | July 10–August 2 | Will Rogers Memorial Center
The summer’s biggest cutting show is live at Will Rogers Memorial Center, and it’s going to be a long, hot July in Fort Worth.
The Triple Crown’s final jewel runs 24 days with the Derby (4-year-olds) and Classic/Challenge (5 and 6-year-olds) running concurrently through August 2. Follow every go-round, every final and every check at Horse&Rider.
5/6-Year-Old Open — First Go
- 1. Justin White and Honey Beez, owned by Melissa Hoelscher, earned a 223.
- 2. Michael Cooper and Vitanni (Candy and Greg Abshire, 222).
- 3. (tie) Ryan Rapp and Dont Stop Swingin (Philip and Mary Ann Rapp, 221.5),
William Moore and Hott Abra (WR Diversified Holdings LP, 221.5) and
Kenneth Platt and LBR Hangem (Shotty Syndicate, 221.5).
4-Year-Old Open — First Go
- 1. Paul Hansma and Allakhazam, owned by Gary and Michelle Reichart, earned a 224. Hansma also placed in the tie for 3rd–5th aboard Secret Rebel (also Gary and Michelle Reichart, 222) — two horses in the top five for the Reichart operation.
- 2. Cass Tatum and EE Raspberry Red (EE Ranches Inc, 222.5).
- 3. (tie) Ali Good and Kolt 45 (00 Ranch, 222),
Paul Hansma and Secret Rebel (Gary and Michelle Reichart, 222) and
Brandon Westfall and Spies in Disguise (KT Ranch LLC, 222).
5/6-Year-Old Limited Open Finals — Monday, July 13
- 1. Thomas Smith and Sugar Shaker, owned by Yvonne Bonda, earned a 221 for $5,753.
- 2. (tie) Alex Billingsley and Metallics Nyke (333 Silver Spur Ranch LLC, 216, $5,331) and
Andrew Nave and Pinkalicious (William Riddle, 216, $5,331).
4-Year-Old Limited Open Finals — Tuesday, July 14
- 1. (tie) Casey Schwertfeger and Reyzin Alil Kane (Cowan Ranch Inc) and Alex Billingsley and The Misstress (Toni Carter Spencer) both earned a 219 for $8,130 each.
Schwertfeger also placed 3rd aboard Side Kic (Cowan Ranch Inc, 214, $6,881) — two checks out of the same pen.
Working Cow Horse: NRCHA Hackamore Classic
Tulsa, Oklahoma | July 12–18 | Expo Square
The Hackamore Classic is underway in Tulsa, running through Saturday with the full three-event format — rein work, herd work and cow work. The Open Finals are Saturday July 18.
The event also hosts the third and final qualifier for the 2027 Run for a Million Cow Horse Challenge on Friday July 17.
Follow results as they post at here.
Open Rein Work (Sunday, July 12)
- 1. Garrett Cooper and Surprise Bullet, owned by Emily Catherine Boldt, earned a 225 for $2,012.76.
- 2. Boyd J. Rice and Halreycious Rebel (Robert B. Grieve, 224, $1,677.30).
- 3. (tie) Paige L. Smoroden and Tuff Beans (Michael Robin, 222.5) and
Abigayle Mixon and Holly Jonez (Paige Brummund, 222.5).
Open Herd Work (Monday, July 13)
- 1. Clayton M. Edsall and Talk to the Prince, owned by Neal or Jody Wanless, earned a 227.5 for $2,012.76.
- 2. Boyd J. Rice and Halreycious Rebel (Robert B. Grieve, 224, $1,677.30) — Rice is the most consistent horse in the pen so far, placing 2nd in both phases.
- 3. Boyd J. Rice and Reality Bytes (Abrian Bass, 223, $1,341.84) — Rice holds two of the top three spots heading into cow work.
- 4. Myles Brown and Painted Shadows (Hall Brown LLC, 222.5, $1,006.38).
Looking Ahead
Reining: 100X Brazos Slide
Waco, Texas | July 17–26 | Extraco Events Center
Starts Friday. The 100X Shows circuit moves to Waco for a 10-day run at the Extraco Events Center. Show and entry info at 100xshows.com.
Cutting, Reining Cow Horse: Run For A Million
Las Vegas, Nevada | August 11–15 | South Point Arena
Four weeks out. The Cutting Horse Challenge ($200,000 purse, August 13), the Cow Horse Challenge, a new $125,000 Non Pro Cutting Challenge and a $50,000 Breakaway Roping Showcase debut are all on the card. The Summer Spectacular will shape who arrives in Las Vegas hot. Info and tickets at therunforamillion.com.
The weekly Performance Report publishes at the beginning of each week on HorseandRider.com.