SUMAC Gunnabeflashy (Gunnatrashya x Chics Graceful Whiz) is no stranger to the winner’s circle. Since the start of his career, the now 7-year-old gelding has gone on to win multiple world championship titles. And is currently the most decorated ranch horse to date.

This November, SUMAC Gunnabeflashy, otherwise known as ‘Romeo,’ took home yet another record-breaking title when he became the first ranch horse to win the prestigious Superhorse award at the 2024 AQHA World Championships.

More on the AQHA Superhorse
For a horse to be crowned an AQHA Superhorse, he must be nationally qualified, and entered and showing in three classes in three different categories. Horses that meet these criteria will automatically be eligible to compete for the Superhorse title. Learn more at aqha.com.

Superhorse Strategy

When owner and AQHA Professional Horsewoman Leslie Lange did Romeo’s entries for the AQHA World Show, the Superhorse title wasn’t on her radar. However, Lange did know that Romeo was nationally qualified to compete in enough events at the world show to automatically make him eligible for the title.

“I figured why not, and entered Romeo in a halter class to ensure he was entered in enough categories,” said Lange. “It was never the plan to go for the Superhorse award, so I hadn’t even spoken to Bud [Lyon] about entering him in the extra class.”

This decision turned out to be a smart one because by the completion of the ranch horse events at the world show, trainer and AQHA Professional Horseman Bud Lyon and Romeo had taken home the L3 Senior Ranch Trail and Working Western Rail World Championship titles. It was after those events that Lange filled Lyon in on the secret she had.

“Once Bud was finished with his ranch horse classes I turned to him and was like, ‘Hey guess what? We are in the lead for the Superhorse title… no pressure.'” she laughed.

However, the title wasn’t theirs just yet. Lyon and Romeo still had one more event to tackle: the senior reining. For the seasoned duo, it proved to be no issue. Despite the added pressure of knowing the Superhorse standings were on the line, they delivered a strong performance and secured 6th place.

“We had a good laugh after the results of the reining and said it was the best sixth place ribbon ever,” Lange shared.

[LEARN FROM RANCH RIDING EXPERT BUD LYON]

One of Many Firsts

This Superhorse win is just one of many remarkable milestones in Romeo’s ranch horse career. In 2023, he made history as NSBA’s Horse of the Year—the first ranch horse to ever earn the honor. That same year, with Bud Lyon in the saddle, Romeo secured the inaugural Ranch Horse Triple Crown Challenge title.

Romeo’s accomplishments don’t stop there. He has earned AQHA, APHA, and NSBA world championship titles, multiple All American Quarter Horse Congress championships, and boasts lifetime earnings exceeding $140,000.

Lyon attributes much of Romeo’s success in the show pen to his exceptional personality and strong will to please.

“He’s a very kind and loving horse and is just fun to be around,” Lyon shared. “His favorite activities involve eating and sleeping, and he just loves being rubbed on. He’s so easy going and makes you enjoy going out to the barn and getting in the arena and riding because it’s always a pleasurable experience.”

[BUD LYON’S RANCH RIDING STRATEGY]

An Unstoppable Team

This November at the AQHA World Show wasn’t the first time Romeo delivered an incredible performance when it mattered most. Last year, after a horse accident sidelined Lyon with a broken leg for a couple of months, he knew he could count on Romeo when it was time to get back in the saddle and head to the All American Quarter Horse Congress for his first ride post-recovery.

“Romeo was entered in six classes at the Congress, and they cut me out of the cast just a few days before we loaded up the truck,” Lyon recalled. “I had only a couple of days to ride and figure out what I could or couldn’t do. Long story short, my leg was atrophied and useless—I even had to drop the stirrup because I couldn’t use my leg properly.

That horse went out there and showed in six classes, winning five of them. In the one class he didn’t win, he was reserve—by just half a point. All the credit goes to that horse.”