RAY SHELL RANCH JOINS WESTERN BLOODSTOCK AS TITLE SPONSORS OF THE 2024 WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN™
The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) welcomes Ray Shell Ranch of Strawn, Texas, as one of the title sponsors of the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition. Michelle and Reagan Horton’s Ray Shell Ranch will join Western Bloodstock as co-sponsors for this year’s event.
In 2024, the NRCHA will crown the 25th champion of the World’s Greatest Horseman Competition. The event features the best cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in the traditional three reined cow horse events; herd, rein, and cow work, along with the added challenge of the steer stopping.
“Ray Shell Ranch looks forward to celebrating the skill, dedication, and spirit of the world’s greatest horsemen and horsewomen,” Michelle Horton said. “We are extremely excited to support this event and the NRCHA as it speaks to the essence of our mission statement. We strive to provide the Western performance horse industry with a mixture of the best bloodlines and horseflesh through concentrated breeding, management and promotional practices that honors our legacy.”
The Horton family’s Strawn Valley Ranch, founded in 1998, with an emphasis on the cutting horse, and through their ownership and promotion of the remarkable champion sire, Dual Smart Rey. The family’s legacy is continued as they embark on success with the next generation under the new title, Ray Shell Ranch. This renaissance and interest in the reined cow horse is largely due to the Horton’s daughter, Madeline’s passion her for the reined cow horse industry.
“The NRCHA is thrilled to welcome Ray Shell Ranch as one of the title sponsors of the World’s Greatest Horseman™! The Horton family’s dedication to the performance horse industry through their ownership and breeding program is evident,” Emily Konkel, NRCHA executive director, said. “We are excited to partner with a ranch who’s passion for the industry and reined cow horse has become generational. Join us in welcoming Ray Shell Ranch to our cow horse family.”
The World’s Greatest Horseman™ will be held in conjunction with the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, February 11-24, at the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information regarding the World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition including schedule and tickets visit nrcha.com.
