The 2026 All American Quarter Horse Congress got underway on Saturday, September 26, with the first NSBA/AQHA Dual-Approved champions named in Ranch events. The classes were the first to compete in the new CINCH Arena.

Alexa Has The Answer For Matt Gouthro In Level 1 Junior Ranch Riding

When Matt Gouthro found A Freeze Warning for owner Erika Collins-Sterling earlier this year, he told her that the mare reminded him of her current mare, Princess Ice. Since that mare’s barn name is Siri, it was only logical that A Freeze Warning became Alexa. Alexa had the right answer for Matt on Saturday when the duo was named Quarter Horse Congress NSBA and AQHA champions in the Level 1 Junior Ranch Riding. 

“I was out horse shopping in March and I loped one circle on her, and I told Erika that she needed to buy this mare,” Matt said. “She’s just three years old, and I would say she was more like a two year old in her training. She’s just been a little behind all year compared to the other three year olds, so I was just happy for her wherever she placed. She has a presence about her, and a willingness, and really just the way she carries herself just makes her stand out. She reminds me so much of Siri, and she’s going to make a great Non-Pro horse later.”

“When Matt told me she was a baby Siri, I told him to put her on the trailer,” Erika said. “Because that’s a pretty high standard.”

The two mares are also half siblings, both by SG Frozen Enterprise. A Freeze Warning is out of Marque Shootin and was bred by SMIG Stables Inc, while Princess Ice is out of Jacs Electric Gun and was bred by Joseph Treib.

Alexa looks to continue the success that Matt and Erika have had together with horses that include not only Princess Ice but also NSBA 2025 Ranch Horse Of The Year Xtra Wimpys Catalyst.

Matt also earned second place in the same class aboard Whiz A Chicolena, showing for Amanda McGinley.

Other Ranch champions from the first day of the show included Senior Ranch Riding NSBA/AQHA champions Sumac Gunnabeflashy, shown by Bud Lyon for Leslie Vagneur Lange and Amateur Select Working Wesetern Rail NSBA/AQHA champions LC Whiskey Man Do, owned and shown by Karen Johnson.

The Definition Of Success

Celebrations come in all sizes, especially at the All American Quarter Horse Congress. For one Amateur Select exhibitor, being announced as a finalist in the Amateur Select Working Western Rail class was a big celebration that brought tears to her eyes, and a cheering group of friends, relatives and her trainer in the warm-up pen in the CINCH Arena on Saturday.

Kathy Stinnett, of Shelbyville, Tennessee, made her first trip to the Quarter Horse Congress an event to remember. “I showed HF The Goat, and my goal was to make it out of my split, and I did it,” she said. “I’m super excited!”

Kathy has owned the 2017 gelding by HF Mobster and out of Chexy Fancy Step (by Wimpys Little Step) for three years. 

“I had taken a 15-year hiatus from horses, and then Frank came along. When I bought him, I though he was a really cool looking Trail horse, we’re going to have some fun - and then I thought we could see about this Ranch stuff. We started showing in the Ranch events two and a half years ago, and I’ve been with my trainer, Kody Russell, for a year now. This is our first time to show at the Quarter Horse Congress.”

Kathy competed at the Dogwood Classic, the Southland Circuit, the TQHA Lucky 7, Spring Celebration and Fall Circuit before coming to the Congress. They show in Working Western Rail, Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail classes. Best wishes to Kathy for the rest of the 2026 Quarter Horse Congress!

The All American Quarter Horse Congress continues through Sunday, October 25 To view complete show results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker App or the All American Quarter Horse Congress website.

About NSBA

Established in 1983, National Snaffle Bit Association has expanded from its roots in the Western Pleasure discipline to recognize various disciplines and ten breed associations in competition. NSBA’s mission is to grow the show horse community through various equine programs and events where every activity benefits horses, breeders, owners and exhibitors alike.

National Snaffle Bit Association has more than 20,000 active members and more than 44,000 registered horses across its ten alliance breed organizations. NSBA members earn more than $13.5 million in monetary awards at NSBA-sanctioned horse shows annually, and the association sanctions nearly 600 horse show events and close to 200,000 horse show entries each year.

To learn more about NSBA, please visit nsba.com.