The 2026 Marshall+Sterling Celebration Awards Record Payouts in Las Vegas

July 10, 2026 News Release:

Western States Affiliates/AzQHA Office

All horse shows have a signature vibe — that unique combination of place and atmosphere, flavored by our memories of the people and horses that surrounded us there. Like everything in Las Vegas, The Marshall+Sterling Celebration vibe is oversized, bedazzled, and thrumming. Though the show rolled into South Point June 25 through July 5 with a new title sponsor, the vibe, all the fun, excitement and competitive spirit of this Top 10 AQHA show remained the same. Exhibitors, friends, family and staff knew from the start there was nothing to do but jump in and enjoy the ride. In all, 584 horses were shown, notching 9,312 AQHA entries plus another 1,112 NSBA entries.

By grouping Ranch, Reining and Cattle classes during the first half of the show, then having a traditional day with halter before starting Rail, Trail, and Pattern classes, the South Point facilities are maximized to meet exhibitor needs, and reduce conflicts. Some schedule tweaks for 2026 also reduced the number of late nights despite still having strong class entries. This year, Ranch, Cutting and Reining classes showed twice to 3 judges, rather than 3 times, a move widely applauded by exhibitors.

Produced by the AQHA Western States Affiliates, “The Show That Pays” lived up to that reputation once again with a record amount of money distributed. Between circuit awards with $1,000 spread over 3 places, classes with bonus cash, futurities, maturities, NSBA and Super Sires classes, nearly $155,000 was paid to exhibitors in addition to awards and prizes. Show manager Heidi Lane said, “We really appreciated how sponsors stepped up this year. We had increases in money added to some of our futurities, and several generous individuals came forward with added money for selected classes. We also had very valuable donations of products and gift certificates for lucky exhibitor awards from our sponsors and vendors. It really shows the enthusiasm our exhibitors have for this show.”

One of the highlight added money events was the crowd pleasing $5,000 Added 3 Year Old Ranch Riding Futurity sponsored by Rancho D’ Siete, featuring 17 talented young horses chasing cash and prizes. With the back drop of a party atmosphere, it was Amanda Kimes’ horse Whiskey N Pepto with Marilyn Brandt at the reins receiving the champion title and a check for $1,960. Kendall Woellmer rode Leslie Ivanchan’s horse, SJR Mists Lucky Star, to second and $1,347.50. Brook Hokana showed her horse Smooth Criminall to win $1,163.75 for third.

Senior Ranch horses had a shot for the money in the $4,000 added Ranch Riding Maturity, sponsored by Marler Performance Horses and K Bar W Performance Horses. After seeing 14 nice goes on the pattern, Kim Friedman’s horse Electalena, with Kendall Woellmer at the reins, had the points for first place, winning $1,582.50. Chex Out My Dough and Garrett Ashby won second and $1,266.20 for owner Kerry Papendick. Electric N Hollywood, shown by Laurel Walker-Denton for owner Nancy Gillett won third for $949.50.

Junior Ranch horses competed in the $3,000 Added 4/5 Year Old Ranch Riding Futurity, sponsored by Marler Performance Horses. Caughtup In A Moment, shown by Mike Edwards for owner Ann Rosato, was first place, winning $1,305. Laurel Walker-Denton showed her horse All Ice No Crome to the second place, winning $1,087.50. Laurel also rode the third place horse, A Black Voodoo, owned by Nancy Gillett, to win $870.

 

Electalena was back in the winner’s circle, this time with Kim Friedman, to claim the champion’s check for $1,262.50 in the $2,500 Added Non Pro Ranch Riding supported by Bar U Bar. Chex Out My Dough and Kerry Papendick landed in second for $1,010. SS Walk the Line and Lane Kail were third, earning $757.50.

Super Sires was back at The Celebration, adding $5,000 to Green Horse classes along with trophy platters and NSBA awards.  In all, $14,375 was awarded to Super Sires exhibitors. Susan Johns’ horse Blue Blazer won $1,040 in the Green Western Riding with Brad Ost. Go Swish, shown by Taylor Searles, earned $780 for Jim Searles. Go Swish was back in the money in Green Trail with Deanna Searles in the saddle, winning $1,156. Red It In My Sleep and Michael Hoyt won the second place money of $918.

 

A three-peat for Go Swish demonstrated all-around dominance, winning the Super Sires Green Western Pleasure and another $1,080. Nancy Renfro rode Southpointe to second for $720. In the Green Hunter Under Saddle, It was Party Sleep Repeat on top of both judges’ cards, winning $840 for Kaitlin Dierks. Feeling Snoozy and Trisha Wright won the second place money of $560.

NSBA futurities included a 3/4 Year Old Non Pro Pleasure that saw Its A Holiday, shown by Emme Grace Graves, won $340. Showtime Machine, shown by Karen Zarda, took second for $270. After Midnight, shown by Susan Johns, won $200 for third. In the NSBA 4/5 Year Old Open Trail, It was Go Swish back in the top money earning the trophy and $448. Susan Johns’ Networking won second for $308. Sweet Riding Machine, owned by Sherri Pastorino, won third and $203.

The Celebration’s Circuit Awards generated the biggest distribution of smiles and money across every level. Most classes, with the exception of some Halter and the Youth Walk/Trot classes, paid $500 to the circuit champion, $300 to reserve and $200 to third. Exhibitors loved posing with their big checks at the awards booth, often roping in friends and family to join them in fun photo ops that were shared to social media.

In keeping with The Celebration’s theme of winning cash in Vegas, another $2,500 was awarded in the Judges’ Placings raffle. Exhibitors who placed first through sixth in any class earned a raffle ticket for each judge’s placing in a drawing for the bonus cash. By the end of the show Sunday night, the colorful jars practically overflowed the 6 winning tickets were drawn. Delaney Lee’s luck held, winning the first place raffle for $1,000, on top of her Circuit check for L1 Western Riding. Ten Daily Prizes, donated by vendors and often worth north of $100, were drawn from raffle tickets that anyone could enter every day.

Beyond the money, All Around and Best of Show awards also awaited exhibitors. Champions received a trophy buckle and buckle shadowbox, while Reserve won a trophy halter and halter bag.

Consistency in Ranch events and Performance halter won Lane Kail’s SS Walk The Line, shown by Ryan Kail, the Best of Show in Open Ranch, Reining & Cattle. Close behind in the Reserve spot was All Ice No Crome, owned by Bar U Bar after picking up circuit champion checks in Junior Ranch Trail, Ranch Riding and Jr Working Western Rail.

Amateur Ranch, Reining & Cattle Best of Show also went to SS Walk The Line, shown by Lane Kail, after the pair also won the champion circuit money in Amateur Ranch Riding and Amateur Working Western Rail. Cowpuncher Cadillac shown by David Renier won the Reserve Amateur award.

Accumulating the points in both cattle and ranch, Caleb Cushing and Talking Scat won the youth division, while Reserve went to Last Piece Of Pi owned and shown by Bella Black.

On the Rail, Trail and Pattern side, Hez Blazin Trouble owned by Susan Wilson and shown by Jesse Jones won Open All Around, and Call Her Daddy owned by Katie Shepard won the reserve.

Don’t Think Twice owned and shown by Meaghan Pye took home the Amateur buckle and buckle box, while Mechanic Parkin Only, owned and show by Charlotte Green, received the Reserve halter.

The Best Is Yet To Be, shown by Renee Howes, had a successful and steady week in Vegas, and it earned this team the Best of show in Select Amateur All Around. Susan Wilson returned to the awards booth for a reserve halter and halter bag for her great run of classes with Hez Blazin Trouble.

In the L1 Amateur All Around, Couldnt B Any Lazyer and Michelle Husted won the champion award while reserve went to Kickin Dust Up, shown by Carla Townsley.

Sienna Barbour and Scooter Brown won the Best of show buckle in Youth All Around, along with two circuit award checks. Emerson Knabenshue and Party Favours won reserve Youth.

After multiple circuit award wins, it was no surprise that Only One At The Bar and Ayana McKnight would receive the Best of Show in L1 Youth All Around. Only One More Drink, shown by Leah Nim, won Reserve.

Strong entires in Level 1 Am Walk/Trot classes made that division competitive as well. When the last class concluded, it was Darcy Schroeder and Titos And Tonic taking top honors. Reserve went to Lope A Certain Way, shown by Teresa Smith.

The Celebration offers more than great facilities, competition and cash. Exhibitors and their families love the fun environment of the show. Sponsored happy hour parties offered a chance to relax with friends, and this year’s Pro/Am Horsemanship fundraiser for the PCQHA Youth Association provided great entertainment for a great cause.

Looking forward to next year, Heidi Lane says, “We are very happy with the overall success of the show and our hard working staff that keep it running smoothly. We will look at making some further adjustments to the schedule to best fit our exhibitor’s needs, but overall, people love this show and we will work hard to give them more of what they love.”

 

Full awards and Scoresheets can be found at thecelebrationlasvegas.com

Scoresheets:  https://www.thecelebrationlasvegas.com/score-sheets/

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Contact: Kristen Spinning

The Marshall+Sterling Celebration Media Coordinator

klspinning@gmail.com