APHA Western National Championship Show Continues Growth in 2026

By Jessica Hein, PHJ News:

Entries were up at the 2026 APHA Western National Show, which took place October 22–25 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 1,200 entries trotted into the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center to vie for national championship titles, prizes and bragging rights. That represents a 9% growth in APHA class entries over the 2025 show.

The Team Challenge made its debut at the Western National Show, following its successful launch at the 2026 Eastern National Show. The event features 10 randomly selected teams, each composed of an Amateur, Youth and Open exhibitor whose individual placings count toward team composites and overall awards.

• Team Challenge Champions: Judy McNabb, Ryder Armstrong Jochim, Anthony Wilson
• Team Challenge Reserve Champions: Aubrey Videtich, Avery McQuaid, Lauren McNabb

Beyond top-notch competition, the show also featured Ride the Pattern and one-on-one lessons with Markel/APHA Professional Horsemen; boot scramble; trick-or-treating and stall decorating; and the popular costume contest. Special thanks to Kimes Ranch for sponsoring two Novice Youth and Youth Walk-Trot entries for exhibitors, along with free lead line entries; and Triple Crown for sponsoring a happy hour.

“The 2026 Western National Championship was a great success,” APHA Director of Incentive Programs Matt Arias said. “We were excited to see increases in horses, entries and stalls, along with great competition and plenty of fun throughout the week. South Point continues to be an outstanding venue, and with the continued support of our exhibitors and sponsors, we’re looking to build on this year’s success and make 2027 even better.”

View full results online at apha.com/wnc.

2026 Western National Championships All-Around Champions & Reserve Champions

Open Ranch

Champion: Paid In Sixes, a 2021 bay solid gelding by Inferno Sixty Six x Brata Tat Tat (QH), owned by Klairah Bowker, Moriarty, New

Reserve: Leolita 66, a 2021 chestnut solid mare by Inferno Sixty Six x Leolita Cash (QH), owned by Kristin Stites, Peyton, Colorado

Youth Ranch

Champion: Klairah Bowker, Moriarty, New Mexico, & Paid In Sixes, a 2021 bay solid gelding by Inferno Sixty Six x Brata Tat Tat (QH)

Reserve: Julieanne Beth Fisher, Ennis, Montana, & F W Spooks Shotgun, a 2019 bay solid gelding by Spooks Gotta Gun x Wimpys Chicks Intown (QH)

Amateur Ranch

Champion: Scott Cooper, Santa Barbara, California, & Chipalicious Invite, a 2011 black overo gelding by Lopealicious x Pretty Chipped Cookie

Reserve: Missy Benker, Alpine, California, & SHR Shirleys A Cutter, a 2019 black tobiano mare by SHR QTS Diamondcutter x Wearing Lace (QH)

Novice Amateur Ranch

Champion: Scott Cooper, Santa Barbara, California, & Chipalicious Invite, a 2011 black overo gelding by Lopealicious x Pretty Chipped Cookie

Reserve: Kristin Stites, Peyton, Colorado, & Leolita 66, a 2021 chestnut solid mare by Inferno Sixty Six x Leolita Cash (QH)

Open Show Horse

Champion: TWF Only The Roanly, a 2018 bay roan overo gelding by The Wow Factor x Ima Good Squaw, leased by Aubrey Viedtich, Frisco, Texas

Reserve: Ima Smart Asset, a 2024 bay roan tobiano gelding by One And Only Asset x My Merry Shes Good (QH), owned by Julie H. Nelson, North Logan, Utah

English Performance Horse

Champion: TWF Only The Roanly, a 2018 bay roan overo gelding by The Wow Factor x Ima Good Squaw, leased by Aubrey Viedtich, Frisco, Texas

Novice Amateur

Champion: Hannah Wold, Bothell, Washington, & Sirtainly No Doubt, a 2012 chestnut overo mare by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Im Sirtainly Reddy

Reserve: Denys D. Buss, Troutdale, Oregon, & Alotta Good Faith, a 2016 sorrel overo mare by A Good Zippo x Alotta Faith

Amateur

Champion: Maggie Book, The Woodlands, Texas, & Yeehaw Cowboy, a 2013 sorrel overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Huntin A Cowboy (QH)

Reserve: Aurora Wales, Colton, Oregon, & Ima Righteous Ride, a 2021 bay overo mare by Righteous Invitation (QH) x Absolutes Satin Doll

Masters Amateur

Champion: Pamela Switzer, Busby, Alberta, Canada, & Sweet Lazy Sensations, a 2018 bay overo mare by Zippos Sensation x Lotza Lazy (QH)

Reserve: Stefanie Fricke, Bothell, Washington, & Ultimately Zipped Up, a 2019 chestnut overo gelding by Ultimately Tuf x Majorly Zipped

Amateur English

Champion: Aubrey Viedtich, Frisco, Texas, & TWF Only The Roanly, a 2018 bay roan overo gelding by The Wow Factor x Ima Good Squaw

Reserve: Maggie Book, The Woodlands, Texas, & Yeehaw Cowboy, a 2013 sorrel overo gelding by No Doubt Im Lazy (QH) x Huntin A Cowboy (QH)

Amateur Walk-Trot

Champion: Tiffany Merry, Olympia, Washington, & Pour Me Sum Tequila, a 2008 black tobiano mare by One Hot Krymsun (QH) x Sum Tequila

Reserve: Kayla Massie, Meridian, Idaho, & Sawtheminutesgoby, a 2023 black overo mare by Count The Minutes x Saw You Dreamin (QH)

Masters Amateur Walk-Trot

Champion: Ami Boal-Bennett, Rhome, Texas, & Even More Sensation, a 2013 bay overo gelding by Zippos Sensation x Good Enchantment (QH)

Reserve: Kathleen Hugh, Eatonville, Washington, & VS Make Mine A Double, a 2018 red roan overo mare by VS Code Blue (QH) x Sizzle Me Zippo

Youth 13 & Under | Novice Youth

Champion: Emilee Ledoux, Stanwood, Washington, & A Special Work Of Art, a 2015 sorrel tobiano gelding by Invite The Artist x IB A Fancy China Doll

Reserve: Ryder Jochim, Bismarck, North Dakota, & Lucky In Luv, a 2017 red roan overo mare by Lazy Luvah x Sensational Dee

Youth 14-18 | Youth English

Champion: Jocelyn Krieg, Camano Island, Washington, & Only One I Want, a 2013 chestnut overo gelding by CR Good Machine x Miss Shadow Page

Reserve: Emma Matter, Snohomish, Washington, & Smore Assets Please, a 2020 bay tobiano gelding by One And Only Asset x Total Charisma

Youth Walk-Trot 5–10

Champion: Kendall Bennett, Rhome, Texas, & One Lazy Cowboy, a 2013 bay overo gelding by Lazy Loper (QH) x Onesensationalcowgirl

Reserve: Nellie Boyer, Scottsdale, Arizona, & The Next Episode, a 2014 sorrel overo gelding by Special Invitation x Le Gals Zipsation

Youth Walk-Trot 11–18

Champion: Sophia Wiemer, San Jose, California, & Rhythm Of Tats Heart, a 2015 bay tobiano mare by Plenty of Tats Rhythm x Zippity Do What

Reserve: Molly Wunderlich, Morgan Hill, California, & My Lazy Version, a 2020 sorrel overo gelding by My Kind Of Lazy x Dirty Little Version (QH)

Photography courtesy Ruehle Photographix