Ever walk into the Kentucky Horse Park in May and just feel the money? I’m not talking about the kind of cash you spend on a decent steak dinner. I’m talking about the millions of dollars standing on four legs, wrapped in pristine bandages, and neighing at a bucket of electrolytes.
The Premier Horse Show 2025 wasn’t just another date on the AQHA calendar. Honestly, it’s become this weird, high-stakes collision of raw talent and pure social theater. People show up for the points, sure. But they stay for the drama that happens behind the barn aisles.
If you weren't in Lexington from May 23 to May 31, 2025, you missed a vibe that was equal parts "prestige" and "complete chaos."
Why the Premier Horse Show 2025 Hit Different
Most folks think these shows are just people in cowboy hats spinning in circles. Total misconception.
This year, the energy was shifted. Maybe it was the prize money—which, let’s be real, has gotten a bit ridiculous—or maybe it was the sheer depth of the Futurity classes. The Premier has always been the "pre-game" for the World Show, but 2025 felt like the main event.
Take the Western Pleasure classes. You’ve got horses like KM Once Upon A Time (by The Lopin Machine) literally gliding across the dirt. Sara Simons showed that horse for Firefly Ridge, and when they took the Champion title in the Premier Sires 3-Year-Old Limited Open Western Pleasure, the arena went silent. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. The horse took home $3,275, which sounds like a lot until you realize what the insurance premiums on a creature that talented probably cost.
🔗 Read more: Hulk Hogan Lifting Andre the Giant: What Really Happened at WrestleMania III
The Breakdown of the Big Winners
- KM Once Upon A Time: Champion ($3,275). Bred by Masterson Farms, owned by Firefly Ridge, shown by Sara Simons.
- That Look ILike Alot: Reserve Champion ($2,100). Shown by Jason Gilliam for owner Eric Felt.
- Cool Sultry Lady: Third place ($1,440). Shown by Blake Weis.
It’s easy to look at a list of names and numbers and think it’s boring. But if you were there, you saw the sweat. You saw the way That Look ILike Alot (by Machine Made) almost stole the show with a jog that looked like it was powered by magnets. Jason Gilliam has this way of making a horse look like it's just out for a Sunday stroll, even when the pressure is maxed out.
The Hunt Seat Drama Nobody Talked About
Hunter Under Saddle is usually where I go to grab a coffee, but 2025 changed my mind. The height! The reach!
Once And For Al (by Allocate Your Assets) was the standout here. Bred by Tali Terlizzi and shown by Anthony Leier, this horse didn't just trot; it conquered the arena. It took the Champion spot in the 3-Year-Old Limited Open Hunter Under Saddle, pocketing $1,475.
Tiffany Riehm also had a massive week. She was showing Livin On White Claws, and honestly, the name alone deserves a trophy. But the horse backed it up. They took Reserve Champion in that same HUS class and then pivoted to win the Breeders Futurity Color Open Hunter Longe Line. Winning a Longe Line class is basically a test of who has the most patient horse and the steadiest hand. Tiffany’s $850 win in that category showed that "White Claws" is more than just a funny name—it's a powerhouse.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Results
You see these results and you think it’s all about the big trainers. It’s not.
💡 You might also like: Formula One Points Table Explained: Why the Math Matters More Than the Racing
Look at the Non-Pro divisions. Isabella Marie D’Onofrio took If It Aint Southern to the top of the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure. She’s a youth rider, but she rides like she’s been doing this for forty years. When she won that $780 check, it wasn’t just luck. It was the result of those 4 AM practice sessions in the freezing cold when nobody else was watching.
The "Sires" Factor
The reason it's called "The Premier" is because of the Premier Sires program. It’s a breeding incentive. Basically, if you own a foal by a specific stallion, you get to play for the big pots.
- You buy the right bloodlines (think Machine Made, Its A Southern Thing, or VS Goodride).
- You pay your nominations.
- You hope the horse doesn't decide to act like a wild animal the day of the show.
It’s a gamble. A very, very expensive gamble.
The Longe Line: Where Careers are Made (or Broken)
If you want to see the future of the industry, you look at the Longe Line. These are yearlings. They haven't even been sat on yet.
James Lamoreau brought Bluest Eyez In Texas (by Easy On The Eyez) and took the Reserve Champion spot in the Breeders Futurity Color Open Longe Line. Watching a yearling stay that focused with 500 people staring at them is wild. It tells you everything you need to know about their brain. If a horse can handle the lights and the noise of the Alltech Arena at one year old, they’re going to be a superstar at five.
📖 Related: El Paso Locomotive FC Standings: Why the 2025 Surge Changes Everything for 2026
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you’re planning on hitting the Premier next year, or if you’re just trying to figure out how to get into this world, here’s the reality check you need:
Watch the bloodlines. Notice how many winners were by Machine Made or Its A Southern Thing? That’s not a coincidence. If you’re looking for a prospect, start there. These stallions are producing "showable" brains, which is half the battle.
The venue matters. The Kentucky Horse Park is iconic, but it’s huge. If your horse hasn't been exposed to big environments, the Premier Horse Show 2025 showed us that even the best-bred horses can melt down. Get your schooling in at smaller shows before you try to tackle Lexington.
Don't ignore the "Limited" classes. A lot of people think you have to be a Top 10 trainer to win. But the Limited divisions at the Premier are designed to give up-and-coming trainers and non-pros a real shot at the money.
Follow the money, but keep your horse. It’s easy to get caught up in the $3,000 checks. But remember, the Premier is a marathon, not a sprint. The people who won in 2025 were the ones who didn't over-prep. They brought fresh, happy horses to the pen.
The 2025 season proved that the Western performance industry isn't slowing down. It's getting more competitive, more expensive, and—thankfully—more professional. Whether you’re there for the Longe Line or the Western Pleasure, the Premier remains the gold standard for what a breed show should look like.