The spirit of Road to the Horse lies in transformation—a journey shaped by grit, growth, and the unbreakable bond between horse and rider. As we celebrate the 2026 theme, Legends in the Making, we are honored to welcome back a true reflection of that legacy: horseman, rancher, and National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Nick Dowers. Dowers will return to the round pen as a Championship Competitor at Road to the Horse 2026, taking place March 19–22 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
A two-time Road to the Horse World Champion (2016 & 2018) and two-time Jack Brainard Horsemanship Award Recipient, Dowers has long been a fan favorite. Audiences have eagerly awaited his return to the World Championship of Colt Starting since he last competed in 2019.
“I’m super excited to be stepping back in the round pen at Road to the Horse 2026 in Lexington, Kentucky” states Nick Dowers. “There’s no other event like it to test my colt starting skills. I’m truly excited to get the opportunity to perform in front of the enthusiastic dedicated fans of Road to the Horse.”
“Nick has an extraordinary ability to bring out the best in every horse he works with,” stated Tina Battock, President of Morris Media Network. “His approach is rooted in purpose, patience, and partnership—the very heart of Road to the Horse. We’re thrilled to welcome him back in 2026.”
Born and raised on his family’s Triple D Ranches in Nevada, Dowers learned early on that patience, perseverance, and a deep respect for the horse were the keys to success. What began on rugged ranchland evolved into a training philosophy that balances natural horsemanship with world-class performance—crafted through years of learning under horsemen like Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Andrea Fappani, and Annie Reynolds.
Dowers gained national acclaim after winning the 2013 NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity aboard TIME FOR THE DIAMOND, a homebred stallion that proved a horse can be both versatile on the ranch and dominant in the show pen. The stallion has gone on to earn over $180,000 in the show pen and produce a generation of competitive offspring—testament to the power of a foundation built on trust.
As Road to the Horse 2026 draws near, Nick Dowers joins a stellar lineup that includes Elisa Wallace and Ryan Rose. The Road to the Horse 2026 Wild Card Challenge competitors will be announced soon and are expected to include top international talent from Australia and Canada.
Road to the Horse 2026 takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 19-22, 2026. Tickets are available at www.RoadtotheHorse.com or by calling 800-514-3849. Follow Road to the Horse on Facebook or Instagram for the latest information.
About Road to the Horse
Founded in 2003, Road to the Horse strives to inspire people to reach a higher level of horsemanship and develop unity with a horse based on trust and not fear. We believe that through education and entertainment, we can change people’s ideas and create a better world for the horse. Road to the Horse competitions identify the superior colt starter who accumulates the highest score. Judging focuses on the competitor and the effectiveness of their horsemanship methodology to communicate, educate and build a partnership with their colt based on trust. Fans witness the entire journey, from colt selection to the final obstacle challenge. Event schedule and tickets available at www.RoadtotheHorse.com.
About Morris Equine Group
Morris Equine Group consists of some of the industry’s most recognized brands, including Western Horseman, Quarter Horse News and Barrel Horse News. The group also includes EquiStat, a statistical service offering detailed information and earnings for the performance horse industry. Morris Equine Group is home to the National Barrel Horse Association, the West Coast Barrel Racing Association, the first-ever PBR Team Series Champions Nashville Stampede, the World Championship of Colt Starting Road to the Horse and the Decatur, Texas, event center The Ranch at NRS.
