After stellar 2025, WCRH kicks off year of expanded events

Special to the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — West Coast Ranch Horse wrapped up another unforgettable season with the 6th Annual Ranch Horse Rendezvous, held Oct. 16 19 at the California Ranch Company. The WCRH flagship event once again delivered a perfect blend of championship-caliber competition, education, community, music, and western tradition drawing exhibitors from across the Southwest and showcasing the best in both WCRH all-breed and AQHA-approved ranch horse competition.

Rendezvous ‘Had It All’

The show opened with Clinic Day on Thursday, giving riders at every level the chance to polish skills, gain confidence, and prepare for a competitive weekend ahead. That evening, exhibitors gathered for one of the most beloved Rendezvous traditions — the Exhibitor Dinner and Chili Cook-off, complete with laughter, camaraderie, and music around the campfire beneath the Temecula stars.

Friday brought the Lindsay Jerome Futurity & Maturity Day, where exhibitors and horses at milestone points in their careers stepped forward to shine. The energy carried right into a lively evening with great company, shopping, food vendors and live music from Mike Scully.

Saturday night drew one of the biggest crowds of the week with a truly entertaining double feature: the annual Costume Contest and the fan favorite Ranch Riding Freestyle Competition, showcasing creativity, horsemanship, and showmanship in equal measure. The 2025 Freestyle Champions included Danica Feiler and Kendall Dawson in Youth, Tracy Ganja in Amateur, and Kayla Dawson in Open. The celebration continued into the Rendezvous Dinner in the CRC western town, featuring BBQ, awards recognition, and live music by Brian Gaylord & The Country Star Band creating the perfect setting to honor year-end accomplishments and celebrate the 2025 season.

Rosie Cowley and DCR Bet Shes A Ten captured the Open 7-over Maturity Championship. (Brooke Louise Creative photo)

Throughout the weekend, outstanding horse-and-rider teams rose to the top in divisions ranging from short stirrup and walk-trot to open competition. The arenas stayed full and the audience engaged all weekend long, while high-point champions, circuit winners, futurity and maturity champions, and rail stakes winners were crowned in a celebration of dedication, sportsmanship, and excellence. Memorial classes were held in honor of dearly missed friends and WCRH trainers Mikey Harchol, Cherie Vonada and Chris Slauson. Their memories live on in part through these classes, celebrating their exceptional contributions. Lindsay Petty and RNTR Epic Mudslide took home the coveted Overall Top Hand award which include a $1,000 payout from Winchester Western, buckle and neck sash. The Youth Top Hand Champion was Jackie Sipe and Dun Ridin Shotgun, taking home a trophy buckle and neck sash. Haylee Brock and Sweattin Bullets were named Champions in the Chris Slauson Memorial Open Ranch Rail class, taking home the huge Silver trophy offered annually, a belt buckle and a plethora of other prizes. The Rendezvous once again proved why it has become a premier year-end ranch horse event in the Western U.S.

Beyond the show pen, the Rendezvous delivered an exceptional western marketplace. Exhibitors and spectators enjoyed shopping with standout vendors including Kathy s Show Equipment, The Cow Lot (cowboy hats from Colorado), Kittie K Ranch & Co., Chaps by Woods, and more along with a diverse lineup of food vendors that kept everyone well-fed and happy all weekend long.

Looking Ahead: 2026 WCRH Season

West Coast Ranch Horse now looks ahead to an expanded 2026 show season, packed with opportunities to learn, compete, grow, and celebrate the ranch horse.

The year kicks off Jan. 17 18 at California Ranch Company with the Ranch Horse Challenge Weekend, featuring a unique schooling show clinic format where riders work under two highly respected clinicians — Beth Clemons and Jando Guerra — and receive live and written feedback plus skill development time before stepping into Sunday’s “ranchy” Challenge Show. Exhibitors can look forward to ranch riding and trail patterns, incorporating swinging ropes, dragging elements, and cattle exposure as well as an opportunity to compete in ranch pleasure an individually worked rail class with signs to signal transitions and maneuvers.

WCRH also announced its Ranch Horse Celebration on March 21 22, a double-judged WCRH show and four-judge AQHA event. This show is PCQHA-approved, so it will count toward PCQHA year-end awards and will offer Buckle Bonanza awards for L1 Youth and Amateur riders. This will followed by the popular four-show Ranch Horse Classic Spring Buckle Series, the three-show Summer Buckle Series, and for the first time an AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse two-show series that will highlight VRH ranch riding, ranch trail, cow work, boxing, cutting, and conformation.

It doesn’t end there , Debbie Cooper and Laurel Walker Denton are also already booked to bring unmatched educational opportunities to So Cal ranch riders.

Lindsay Petty achieved the honor of 2025 Overall Top Hand Champion aboard RNTR Epic Mudslide. (Brooke Louise Creative photo)

All roads lead to Temecula this October for the 7th Annual Ranch Horse Rendezvous, returning Oct. 8 11. The 2026 Rendezvous promises everything riders have come to love and more clinic day will feature renowned clinicians Kristin Brock (Ariz.) and Jestin Simper (Utah), live music, freestyle anch riding, Rendezvous dinner, and West Coast Ranch Horse Championships on Sunday, where qualified riders from across the Western U.S. will compete for top honors. Riders qualify by showing in four WCRH and/or participating WCRH approved shows in the Western U.S.

The full 2026 schedule are available on the official West Coast Ranch Horse schedule. Riders of all levels can compete in all breed and/or AQHA competition as well as try cattle classes in a welcoming environment. For the first time in recent years, riders can qualify for the AQHA World Shows in all three ranch events without leaving Southern California.