Ranch Pays Out at March to Virginia 2026
All images courtesy of NSBA.
From NSBA:
With futurity classes that featured a total of $20,000 in added money and a maiden class that included awards for Open, Intermediate and Limited divisions, Ranch exhibitors had many reasons to compete at the March To Virginia circuit. Ranch events have traditionally had strong numbers at the show, and 2026 was no exception.
Brad Hill Wins Maiden Three Year Old & Over Working Western Rail
Brad Hill had an up and down week heading into the March To Virginia show, but he’s leaving the show on a high note after winning the Three Year Old and Older Working Western Rail class with Whiz A Chiolena for owner Amanda McGinley. Brad won both the Open division with a payout of $5,850 as well as the Intermediate division, for an additional $1,200.
“The horse we planned to show here in the Maiden Working Ranch Rail class got hurt, and then Matt Gouthro offered me this horse, so here we are. I just started riding him two days ago,” Brad explained.
The five year old gelding is by Smart Chic Olena and out of a Topsail Whiz mare, and ironically, his full brother, Shogunn, shown by Beth Gouthro, was second in the Intermediate division and third in the Open division, earning $800 and $3,042 respectively.
“We didn’t realize it, but these two horses were born and raised on the same farm and spent a lot of time in the pasture together,” Matt Gouthro said. “And now they debuted in the Maiden Working Ranch Rail together.”
Tyler Stevens Becomes Inaugural Maiden Rail Limited Champion
Tyler Stevens showed Three Ten Tuh Yuma for owner Ashley Nicholas to win the Limited division, earning $1,200 and placed fifth in the Open division for an additional $1,989.
“We’re very appreciative to Cameron and the sponsors for having this Maiden class, and we are really happy to see the Limited and Intermediate divisions this year. We’ve brought horses for the Maiden class ever since they started having them here,” Tyler explained.
“Today I showed Flurry. He’s a three year old by Electric Snow. We’ve had him about six months and bought him from a really good friend, Denny Pelletier. Denny did all the training on him as a two year old. There’s not a horse that tries harder than this horse. I loved how consistent he was, and he showed really well for me.”
The Maiden Three Year Old and Older Working Western Rail was the first show of 2026 to use NSBA’s new Intermediate and Limited Rider lists, with awards presented for each division. The class featured $15,000 in added money.
Cole Gouthro Earns Second Non-Pro Saddle
Cole Gouthro showed his own horse, Smokin Opps, to win his second Non-Pro saddle at the March To Virginia, by being the highest placing Non-Pro in the Three Year Old and Over Maiden Working Western Rail class.
“I love his extended trot,” Cole said. “I think that’s my favorite gait with him.”
“I think it’s great to have this class for all the horses that haven’t been shown, and just to get them in there and have a good show. It’s really cool to have a whole set of horses that haven’t been shown before, rather than just showing one in a group of seasoned horses. It puts everyone on the same level.”
Zorro Notches Another Win Non-Pro Working Western Ranch $5,000 Added
NSBA’s 2025 Ranch Performance Horse of the Year, Xtra Wimpys Catalyst, took his owner Erika Collins Sterling to the win in the March To Virginia Non-Pro Working Western Ranch Futurity. The duo won $2,615 for the win in a class that featured $5,000 in added money.
The 11 year old black stallion, by Wimpys Little Step and out of Im Not Blonde (Catalyst Too), came into Erika Collins Sterling’s life in late 2024. “I bought him from Kent Ray Taylor. I liked the way he moved and thought he would make a nice Ranch horse, and he has,” Erika said. “His barn name is Zorro.”
“His ears are forward, and he’s always so expressive and so consistent. I think he and I both love the forward movement, and the change in the patterns in all the classes. I think it keeps him engaged and happy at his job. We have a great group of exhibitors and it’s a lot of fun.”
To view complete show results from March To Virginia, please visit the Horse Show Tracker app.
