Gunfightin Annie Makes Winning Debut with Justin Bisel in 2026 Yearling Maiden Open Mare Halter Stakes–Limited
By Sarah Welk Baynum
Gunfightin Annie made her very first trip to the show pen a winning one at the 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress.
Justin Bisel, for owner Marilee Montgomery, and yearling filly won the Yearling Maiden Open Mare Halter Stakes – Limited, presented by English Quarter Horses, Headley Quarter Horses, J.L. Robinson Quarter Horses, Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses and The Equine Chronicle.
“I’ve had her ever since she was about three months old,” Bisel said. “She’s a really late-born filly—she was born in May—and this is the first time she’s ever been shown or even been to a horse show. I’m really pleased with how she handled herself.”
But Bisel was already familiar with Gunfightin Annie long before she entered his program to prepare for the show ring. He had seen her as a young foal and also has a connection to her pedigree through her dam.
“She’s by Secret Gunfighter and out of an old show mare that I had probably 15 years ago, MS Annie Tea,” Bisel said. “I went and looked at this filly when she was a baby, and I knew she was a nice filly then.”
When Montgomery later sent Gunfightin Annie to Bisel to prepare for the yearling classes, he already saw her potential.
“The owner sent her to me to get ready to show as a yearling,” Bisel said. “I knew she was a nice baby from when I had gone to look at her, and she proved that today.”
Gunfightin Annie with Justin Bisel for Marilee Montgomery earned $9095.00 and a Congress Championship in the Yearling Maiden Stakes. Photo: Shane Rux Photography.
Despite being thrown into the significant atmosphere of Congress for her first show experience, Gunfightin Annie took the occasion in stride and rewarded that early confidence with a championship in her debut.
“She’s done really well,” Bisel said. “I’m really pleased with how she handled herself.”
Gunfightin Annie’s Congress is not finished yet. Bisel said the filly is slated to return for another class (she finished sixth in Yearling Mares, and Bronze in Limited Yearling Mares), while an amateur exhibitor will also show her later in the week.
Rumerz By Morning with John Shepard earned $7222.50 and a Reserve title for Steve and Kathy Headley. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.
“We’re going to show her in the next class, and the amateur will show her later this week,” Bisel said. “Then we’ll show her again next year.”
The Yearling Maiden Open Limited Halter Stakes debuted at the 2025 All-American Quarter Horse Congress with $30,000 in guaranteed money and separate divisions for mares, geldings and stallions making their show-pen debuts.
The inaugural classes drew 14 yearlings and ultimately paid out $32,625. According to OQHA Executive Vice President of Operations Justin Billings, the idea originated in a conversation between Steve Headley and Ed Lawrence about creating more excitement around the halter classes.
Original sponsors J.L. and Penny Robinson, Headley Quarter Horses and The Equine Chronicle each committed to supporting the event for three years.
For 2026, Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses and Warren English joined the effort, increasing the total from $30,000 to $50,000.
“We wanted to see this event have an opportunity to become established and thrive,” said Equine Chronicle publisher Tom Grabe.
Sassy Gunfighter with owner Rose Santos earned the Bronze title with earnings of $5350.00. Photo by Shane Rux Photography.
View results below:
2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress
Yearling Maiden Open Mares Halter Stakes – Limited Presented by English Quarter Horses, Headley Quarter Horses, JL Robinson Quarter Horses, Terry Bradshaw Quarter Horses, & The Equine Chronicle
Champion: Gunfightin Annie with Justin Bisel for Marilee Montgomery-$9095.00
Reserve: Rumerz By Morning with John Shepard for Steve and Kathy Headley-$7222.50
Bronze: Sassy Gunfighter with Rose Santos-$5350.00
Fourth: SP My Crown Jewel with Skyler Horn for Steven Phillips-$2675.00
Fifth: Momma Sayz Best with Ryan McKillips for Robert Smith-$2407.50
Sixth: C You Next Tootsie with Elizabeth Beauchamp for Elizabeth Thompson
Seventh: Bewitching with Travis Thompson for Tim Finkenbinder
Eighth: Spooks Got Freedom with Haley Hahn
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