Bruce Vickery and Hand Made Machine Win $100K Trail at 2026 Championship Show
Bruce Vickery & Hand Made Machine won the $100,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail. Photos by Shane Rux Photography, courtesy of WEC-Ocala.
AQHA Superhorse Hot Lopin Lily won the $100K NSBA All Age Open Trail two years in a row at The Championship Show at World Equestrian Center – Ocala; first in 2024, followed by another win in 2025.
It undoubtedly takes a special horse to obtain such a prestigious title, but Hand Made Machine, by Machine Made and out of Hot Angelina fits the bill, is a renowned trail horse himself. The 2012 gelding from Machine Made’s first foal crop is known for titles such as his 2023 accomplishment with Grant Mastin when they surpassed 1,000 youth trail points to make “Carl” the all-time leading youth trail horse by points, just to name one of many.
Saturday night’s win with Bruce Vickery at the helm was icing on the cake for Grant Mastin, his mom, Melissa Armstrong, and of course, Vickery. Keep scrolling for placings through eighth, the pattern, and Bruce’s interview with WEC-Ocala:
Bruce Vickery & Hand Made Machine at the winner’s presentation alongside Greg Wheat.
Ocala, FL – Featured competition during The Championship Show came to an exhilarating close on Saturday night in the WEC Grand Arena as 28 top trail combinations set their sights on the NSBA trophy and a share of the prize money in the $100,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail. After a thrilling tie at the top with a score of 249.5, Bruce Vickery and Melissa Armstrong’s Hand Made Machine (Machine Made x Hot Angelina) earned the tie-breaking judge’s top placing to clinch the win.
Pattern designer Tim Kimura, builder Garry McAllister and the WEC crew once again set a technical pattern complete with intricate obstacles, beautiful décor and elaborate topiaries. From his first look, Vickery felt the pattern could play to Hand Made Machine’s strengths.
“I thought this pattern was going to be so good,” he said. “Everything about it just had this horse’s name written all over it if he was going to be the best that he could be.”
Vickery pointed to the technical elements toward the end of the course as the biggest test, but Hand Made Machine answered every question. “Honestly, from start to finish, I think he was just fantastic,” he said. “Every part kept getting better and better as I went. Everything was dead on.”
Bruce Vickery & Hand Made Machine.
The 2012 gelding only joined Vickery’s program in January, but the decorated gelding brought with him an impressive résumé.
“He’s been a world-class animal for many, many years. He’s won the World Show several times, he’s a Congress Champion and all kinds of things,” Vickery shared. “I got to partner up with him this year, and it’s been pretty awesome.”
Vickery has also quickly learned that Hand Made Machine knows when it matters most. “My favorite thing about this horse is he knows when to step it out,” he laughed. “When it counts, he rises to the occasion.”
Bruce Vickery & Hand Made Machine.
As the final placings were announced, Vickery knew the caliber of competition surrounding him made the victory even more meaningful. “All these horses are fantastic horses, every single one of them,” he said. “They’re amazing horses and amazing trainers, and I just feel blessed and honored to be in their company.”
For Vickery, the $100,000 purse represented more than Saturday night’s victory. “This is a dream come true for us as riders in this division because we’ve waited a long time for money like this,” he said. “There are some of the greatest horses in the world, and they deserve to get this kind of prize money.”
Vickery also credited the team behind the scenes, including his partner, Anthony Montes. “I have an absolutely incredible team,” he expressed. “[Anthony] is my biggest critic, but it makes me better.”
Blake Weis & Hes N Like Flynn earned second place.
Last year’s winner of the $100,000 NSBA Senior Trail at The Championship Show, Blake Weis, returned to the podium in 2026. Weis piloted Megan Gieringer’s Hes N Like Flynn to a matching score of 249.5, ultimately finishing second following the tiebreaker. Anthony Montes rounded out the top three aboard Angela Wade’s 2013 mare A Soxy Dream (A Dream Remembered x Roxie Soxy), earning a score of 246.
Anthony Montes & A Soxy Dream.
Top eight results, The Championship Show 2026, $100,000 NSBA All-Age Open Trail
First: Hand Made Machine with Bruce Vickery for Melissa Armstrong, 249.50, $26,000
Second: Hes N Like Flinn with Blake Weis for Megan Gieringer, 249.50, $22,000
Third: A Soxy Dream with Anthony Montes for Angela Wade, 246.00, $14,000
Fourth: Made You Miss Me with Nick Mayabb for Lacey Armstrong, 246.00, $10,000
Fifth: Jimmie Buffet with Cecelia Vatterott for Nathalie Mathers, 241.00, $9,000
Sixth: Nothin But Nett with Bradley Ost for Susie Johns, 239.50, $8,000
Seventh: Dive Bars with Nick Mayabb for Kelly Summers, 239.00, $6,000
Eighth: I Am The Party with Jonathan Meilleur for Ted Filandrianos, 238.50, $5,000
Watch Bruce’s interview with The Equine Chronicle:
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