Worlds’ Greatest Picks

WORLD’S GREATEST PICKS

They may have earned the title, on their own horses, but that doesn’t mean a World’s Greatest Horseman champion doesn’t have a favorite in this field of elite horses!

How many reined cow horse enthusiasts could rattle off a half-dozen horses that have been crowned World’s Greatest Horseman champions alongside their rider? More than a few of us, we are sure! No matter if it is from the first few years of the event where Katie Starlight and Ted Robinson captured two titles, or when Russell Dilday and Topsail Rien Maker took three titles in the event, the crowd has their favorite runs.

The same is true for those competing—and winning—this elite event that requires a rider and their equine partner to cut, rein, go down the fence and steer stop. It’s the World’s Greatest Horseman but could just as easily be called the “world’s most versatile horse and man.” Since the event began in 1999, 21 horses have carried their rider to the prestigious title, with three horses having earned multiple wins: • Katie Starlight (Grays Starlight x Colonel Gunsmoke x Colonel

Freckles) – 1999, 2001 | Shown by Ted Robinson and owned by Paula

Hunsicker • Topsails Rien Maker (Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby Gay Bar) — 2008, 2009, 2011 | Shown by Russell Dilday and owned by Kevin Cantrelle and Russell Dilday • Olena Oak (Smart Chic Olena x Fritzs Oak E Doakie x Docs Oak) — 2012, 2013 | Shown by Ron Emmons and owned by Mel Smith & Nichole

Scott in 2012; LaDona Emoons & Nichole Scott in 2013

Taking that into consideration, Reined Cow Horse News asked the past 10 years of World’s Greatest Horseman Champion riders: “What past champion horse, living or dead and not your own, would you have wanted to show in this event?”

Here are their answers! Be sure to get your ticket to the 2023 Western Bloodstock, BDB Breeders and Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman Finals held in the Will Rogers Coliseum on Saturday, February 18 . CLAYTON EDSALL, 2016 Champion

A Chic In Time (2004 Champion with Ron Ralls)

“There’s a lot of nice horses to pick from, for sure, but if I had to pick one I’d choose A Chic In Time. One of the first horse shows I competed in was the [National Stock Horse Association] pre-Futurity in Fresno, California, where I got to watch Ron win The World’s Richest on him and it was a very impressive performance. I’ve always admired that horse and it has stuck with me ever since.”

Compiled by Kate Bradley Byars

RON EMMONS, 2012 & 2013 Champion

Hott Rod (2022 Champion with Corey Cushing)

“Hott Rod is a pretty awesome horse. I think he is a freaky, physical individual. The Finals in the herd work, and then his fence run, was standout [in 2022], he uses his body so well and is really physical.”

JOHN SWALES, 2017 & 2020 Champion

Gunna Be A Smartie (2021 Champion with Shane Steffen)

“I chose Gunna Be A Smartie because she looks like she is all heart and very honest. Plus, she’s a black horse and I like that.”

SHANE STEFFEN, 2021 Champion

Topsails Rien Maker (2008, 2009 & 2011 Champion with Russell Dilday)

“When I was first getting to know cow horse, he was really getting showing and one that was fun for me to watch. I never watched him at the World’s Greatest, but one year at Paso Robles during a bridle spectacular, he stood out. They had the cutting in the rodeo arena outside, and the cows were big and hard, and won the herd work. He had a cow that was really trying him [in the fence work] and he went out there and made fence turns out there in the middle of the pen. It is something that stands out to me.” COREY CUSHING, 2015, 2019 & 2022 Champion

Oh Cay N Short (2014 Champion with Boyd Rice)

“It would have to be Oh Cay N Short. I watched that horse when Boyd won the Futurity on him, all through the Derby years and then Boyd goes and wins the World’s Greatest on him. I actually showed ‘Coyote’ for an hour to catch ride him, and beat Boyd on him, but he was so strong and so physical, and had his own look and characteristics about him.”

KELBY PHILLIPS, 2018 Champion

A Chic In Time (2004 Champion with Ron Ralls)

“He has always been one of my favorites. The first big show I got to see was when he won the $100,000 World’s Richest Stockhorse at Fresno [California],” said Phillips. “Ron has always been a hero of mine, and to me looking back, that horse represents what a true big time cow horse is supposed to be.” BOYD RICE, 2014 Champion

Very Smart Remedy (2005 Champion with Jon Roeser)

“I got to thinking about it and a horse in all four events, and a fence horse, I was between Gunna Be A Smartie and Very Smart Remedy. I picked the stallion because he has great conformation and he’s really good in all four events.”