Nebraska Ranch Horse Association Top Hand Challenge | Kiplinger Arena | McCook, NE
- EMDukat Photography
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 5
On August 2–3, 2025, I was back at Kiplinger Arena in McCook, Nebraska for the Nebraska Ranch Horse Association (NeRHA) Top Hand Challenge, judged by Chris Euhus. With 47 horses, 131 cattle entries, and 359 class entries, the arena hummed from first drag to last gate—busy alleys, quick boot dusting by, and that steady rhythm of good horses doing honest work.
From behind the lens, Saturday leaned into the cattle classes—cutting, boxing, and working cow horse—where timing and cow sense made each run its own little story. Sunday shifted gears to the pattern and rail slate—ranch riding, reining, and conformation—the place where accuracy, cadence, and connection shine. That back-and-forth is why I love this show: the same ranch horse can read a cow one minute and float through a precise pattern the next. It’s purpose and polish in a single weekend—and exactly the kind of equine event photography I’m proud to create for riders and families who want to remember the feel of it, not just the finish.
Weekend Champions — Versatility Across Divisions
ARHA Open Versatility Champion: The Big Bad Boss — Kelsey Kathryn Helgoth
ARHA Amateur Versatility Champion: A Shining Cee — LA Parr Roberts
ARHA Novice Amateur Versatility Champion: Spooks Smart Whiz — Pam Beckmann
ARHA Youth Versatility Champion: Crewsin — Shyann Zmek
ARHA Novice Youth Versatility Champion: Crewsin — Shyann Zmek
All-Breed All-Age Open Champion: Twisted Little Miss — Riley Lopez
All-Breed Youth 18 & Under Champion: Crewsin — Shyann Zmek
From Behind the Lens
It was a long, toasty weekend full of great ranch horses doing their thing. Saturday brought the cattle classes and a crowd-pleasing working cow horse—pattern work into cow work kept eyes glued to the arena and made for dynamic photographs freezing their hard working moments in time. We wrapped that long day with the classic ground-tie moment in ranch trail (cue the collective stare-down of whichever steed tried to…creep....away....). Sunday shifted to patterns, rail, and conformation—fun to watch riders put the polish on while still honoring what these horses do in real ranch work.
Side note: Hanna Rainforth (Raining H Media) was onsite filming for riders who booked video in advance, and she’ll be back in September—love teaming stills + motion for a full story.
Find Your Photos
Head to the gallery to browse, create a favorites list, and purchase images from your runs:
Tip: Viewing on a laptop or tablet makes comparing similar frames easier.
Where to Next for NeRHA (and Photos!)
The NeRHA Futurity & Maturity returns to McCook on September 6–7, 2025.
I’ll be set up the day before—Friday, September 5—for quick black-background Barn Shorty sessions (perfect for conformation + expression).
Reserve a Barn Shorty Session → https://project.emdukatphotography.com/public/barn-shorty-sessions
Where to next for EMDP? Read the latest on where I’m headed and how to pre-register for photos → http://emdukatphotography.com/where-to-next
Thank You to NeRHA and Sponsors!
Huge thanks to the NeRHA team, volunteers, show help, and sponsors who keep this weekend thriving— including Sandhill Oil Company, Cool Morning Media, Tractor Supply Co. (McCook), Albion Locker, MC Horses & Tack, Bar None Hat Company, and Schneiders.
Comments