⬅ World's Greatest Horseman
NRCHA Championship

World's Greatest Horseman

The most demanding test in reined cow horse — four events, one champion, a legacy since 1999.

27
Championships
1999
First Held
4
Events
One horse. One rider. One bridle.

What Is the World’s Greatest Horseman?

The NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman tests one horse and rider across four events: herd work, rein work, steer stopping and cow work. It is held during the NRCHA Celebration of Champions at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Four Events

Herd work
Separate a cow from the herd and demonstrate the horse’s ability to control it.
Rein work
Perform a prescribed pattern with circles, spins, lead changes and stops.
Steer stopping
Rope and stop a steer, demonstrating timing and control.
Cow work
Box a single cow, turn it along the fence and circle it under control. Fence work is part of this event, not a separate fifth phase.

Reigning Champion & Next Event

Jordan Williams and Jaymes Bond won the 2026 title with an 885.5 composite. The next World’s Greatest Horseman is scheduled for February 27, 2027, during the February 13–27 Celebration of Champions.

Multi-Time Champions

RiderTitlesYears
Russell Dilday32008, 2009, 2011
Corey Cushing32015, 2019, 2022
Ted Robinson21999, 2001
Bob Avila22000, 2007
Ron Ralls22003, 2004
Ron Emmons22012, 2013
John Swales22017, 2020

Complete Champion Roll

The official record lists 27 championships from 1999 through 2026, won by 18 riders on 23 different horses. There is no 2002 champion listed in NRCHA’s official roll.

Scores reflect the published championship totals. Judging formats and score scales have varied, so raw totals should not be used as a direct ranking across every era.

YearRiderHorseFinal composite
2026Jordan WilliamsJaymes Bond885.5
2025Erin TaorminoHazardouz Material884.5
2024Shawn HaysMoonShineAndTwoAdvil885.5
2023Phillip RallsCall Me Mitch902
2022Corey CushingHott Rod893
2021Shane SteffenGunna Be A Smartie894
2020John SwalesMetallic Cat Rose878.5
2019Corey CushingSonita Lena Rey877
2018Kelby PhillipsHickory Holly Time890.5
2017John SwalesHeza Diamond Spark874
2016Clayton EdsallSkeets Oak Peppy883
2015Corey CushingPRF Spoonful Of Gold889
2014Boyd RiceOh Cay N Short877.5
2013Ron EmmonsOlena Oak874
2012Ron EmmonsOlena Oak885.5
2011Russell DildayTopsails Rien Maker874.5
2010Randy PaulSmokeelan875.5
2009Russell DildayTopsails Rien Maker884
2008Russell DildayTopsails Rien Maker867
2007Bob AvilaLight N Fine870.5
2006Andy AdamsJust Plain Cat871.5
2005Jon RoeserVery Smart Remedy584
2004Ron RallsA Chic In Time582.5
2003Ron RallsCowgirls Are Smart594
2001Ted RobinsonKatie Starlight594.5
2000Bob AvilaPaid By Chic871
1999Ted RobinsonKatie Starlight865