Dashing Company, affectionately known as "Ernie," has officially been named the 2026 Nutrena Head Horse of the Year, presented by AQHA, following an unprecedented tiebreaker vote. Ridden primarily by four-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) header Brenten Hall, Ernie’s victory represents the culmination of a remarkable journey that saw him transition from a promising prospect under Guy Howell to a consistent, top-tier performer on the demanding ProRodeo circuit. The award, a pinnacle of recognition within professional team roping, underscores Ernie’s exceptional talent, versatility, and unwavering reliability throughout the 2026 season.
An Unprecedented Voting Process Culminates in Ernie’s Victory
The selection for the Nutrena Head Horse of the Year is a prestigious affair, with voting conducted by the elite group of the top 25 headers in the PRCA world standings. These athletes, intimately familiar with the demands placed on a top-tier head horse, cast their ballots based on performance, consistency, and overall impact throughout the season. The initial round of voting for the 2026 title resulted in a rare and compelling tie between Dashing Company and Lightning Aguilera’s Jess A Moose. This deadlock prompted a second, decisive vote to determine a singular winner, a testament to the extraordinary caliber of both contenders.
Brenten Hall expressed a mixture of surprise and profound gratitude regarding the unusual process. "I don’t know how I feel," Hall admitted, reflecting on the initial tie and the subsequent re-vote. "I mean, I’m happy that he won it. I feel it’s a little weird that when they originally come out, they were okay with just doing a tie and giving both horses the award. And I thought that was honestly pretty neat because I thought both these horses have been great." Despite the procedural deviation, the final outcome, with Ernie ultimately securing the majority of votes in the tiebreaker, resonated deeply with Hall. "It was very cool that everybody did vote for Ernie, though, when it came time to re-vote," he stated, emphasizing the significance of his peers’ recognition. "It means a lot—It means a lot to have a good horse. It means a lot for him to be honored." This sentiment highlights not only the personal pride in Ernie’s achievement but also the broader respect within the rodeo community for a truly outstanding animal athlete.
A Legacy Forged: The Howell Family Connection
Dashing Company’s path to national acclaim is intrinsically linked to the dedication and expertise of Guy Howell, Brenten Hall’s father-in-law. Long before Ernie became a familiar sight on the ProRodeo trail with Hall, he was meticulously developed and campaigned by Howell in the Badlands Circuit. The story of Ernie begins with Howell’s discerning eye for equine talent, particularly those with a background in racing. The 2015 black gelding, sired by Free Company and out of Dashing Ten (by Dash To Chivato), carries an impressive pedigree boasting racing legends such as Dash For Cash, First Down Dash, and Raise Your Glass on both sides of his lineage. This genetic blueprint, known for producing speed, agility, and a competitive spirit, laid the foundation for Ernie’s future success.
Howell, based in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, had a history of successfully transforming former racehorses into formidable rodeo mounts. His earlier success with Ernie’s full brother, Deuce, whom he also acquired off the racetrack and trained, further solidified his belief in this bloodline. Deuce went on to be ridden by Howell’s daughter, Shayla (now Hall’s wife), before continuing his career with Brye Crites. When the opportunity arose to purchase another horse from the same proven family, Howell returned to the track, acquiring Ernie as a 3-year-old. The subsequent years were spent in methodical training, shaping the raw talent of the young gelding into a refined and capable team roping horse.
In 2025, Howell and his partner Logan Schliinz achieved significant success, securing the Badlands Circuit year-end titles with earnings of $27,758.31 each. Ernie was an integral part of this triumph, earning the coveted title of the Badlands Circuit’s Team Roping Horse of the Year. This regional honor was a clear precursor to his national recognition, showcasing Howell’s profound impact on Ernie’s development.
The transition to Brenten Hall’s program came about during the harsh South Dakota winter. Howell, recognizing Hall’s need for a high-caliber mount and seeking to keep Ernie in active competition, offered Hall the opportunity to take the gelding south. "Guy didn’t have anything to do with Ernie, and he just offered him to me and asked if I’d like to take him down there," Hall recounted. Despite having ridden Ernie only a few times, Hall quickly observed a critical distinction: "He’s one of those horses that feels a heck of a lot better roping on him, like rodeoing or just competing, than he does in the practice pen." This early insight hinted at Ernie’s competitive drive and ability to rise to the occasion.
Their partnership began auspiciously, with Hall winning their first jackpot together—a New Year’s roping event in Oklahoma. However, true synergy took time to develop on the demanding winter rodeo circuit. "I got to ride him some this winter, and it took a little bit of time for us to really get clicking together," Hall explained. "I felt like by the spring, me and him were clicking really, really well and had figured each other out and knew what to ask from each other." By the summer of 2026, Ernie had firmly established himself as Hall’s primary head horse, his "a-string man." That fall, Hall and Shayla formalized the arrangement, purchasing Ernie from her parents, solidifying his place within their family and their competitive aspirations. For them, the Horse of the Year title is not just an award for Brenten Hall, but a profound validation of years of dedicated horsemanship, a shared family triumph that began long before Ernie entered the ProRodeo arena.
Unrivaled Versatility: A ProRodeo Workhorse
In the contemporary landscape of ProRodeo, where competitors face an array of arena sizes, ground conditions, and cattle types, headers often rely on a string of specialized horses to adapt to varying setups. What sets Dashing Company apart, and a primary factor in his Horse of the Year recognition, is his extraordinary versatility. Brenten Hall estimates that he rode Ernie for approximately 85% of his runs during the 2026 season, a remarkable statistic that underscores the gelding’s consistent performance across diverse environments. "If he was there, he was getting the call," Hall affirmed. "It wasn’t one of those deals where I was trying to save him. I knew we needed to win pretty much all year… I was trying to win on him."
Ernie’s adaptability was evident in his ability to excel in vastly different competitive scenarios. At Rodeo Corpus Christi in Texas, known for its tight confines and fast-running cattle, Hall and his heeler Wyatt Cox delivered a blistering 3.6-second run to win the first round, securing $5,758 apiece. They continued their strong performance, finishing third in the average with a total time of 14.5 seconds on two head, adding another $6,384 per man and bringing their total earnings to $12,142 each from that single event. This swift, precise performance was an early indicator of the burgeoning partnership between Hall, Cox, and Ernie. Hall reflected, "I felt like for a partnership, me and Wyatt starting at Corpus, our first run together, being 3.6 was one of those runs where you’re like, ‘Yeah, this is a good idea for both of us.’"
Conversely, in expansive outdoor arenas like St. Paul, Oregon, Ernie demonstrated equal capability, powerfully running down steers and positioning Hall for competitive runs. Hall attributes this remarkable versatility primarily to Ernie’s exceptional scoring ability. "I would say that the reason he’s very successful at both is one of the reasons, probably the same reason that Lightning rides his horse everywhere at the same time," Hall explained, drawing a parallel to his fellow competitor’s horse. "They both score really, really good. And when they score good, it just seems like everything else falls into place." Ernie, a physically imposing horse, possesses both the inherent speed necessary for longer outdoor setups and the refined ability to shorten his stride and utilize his body effectively in quicker, more confined arenas. "He’s a big horse, but he’ll shorten up and use his body good," Hall noted.
This combination of speed, power, and agility, coupled with a superior scoring ability, is increasingly rare in professional rodeo horses. Hall likens the challenge to human athletes specializing in different running distances, where a single individual rarely excels in both short-distance sprints and long-distance endurance. "It’s kind of like a track athlete or somebody like that that’s really good at short-distance sprints or somebody that’s more of a longer runner, and usually don’t get that combined," Hall elaborated. "I think that’s what makes him so special and so rare is that you get a horse that can work in both setups." This unique attribute has been a game-changer for Hall, who had searched for such a versatile partner since the passing of his long-time bay horse, Time Bomb (affectionately known as Timmy), who also possessed this dual capability. "Ever since my bay horse died, I haven’t had a horse that I thought could do both," Hall shared. "Timmy (or Time Bomb) was good inside, good outside. And it’s taken me until Ernie that I felt like I had one that was good inside and outside." While Hall ultimately fell short of qualifying for the 2026 NFR, he expressed unwavering confidence that had he made it to Las Vegas, Ernie would have been his sole mount. "Lord willing, if I’d have made the finals, there’s nothing else I would’ve rode besides Ernie."
The Mind of a Champion: Durability on the Road
Beyond his exceptional athletic prowess within the arena, Dashing Company’s value to Brenten Hall is profoundly amplified by his remarkable durability and mental fortitude, essential traits for any horse navigating the grueling ProRodeo travel schedule. The relentless pursuit of a National Finals Rodeo qualification demands not only peak physical condition but also a resilient temperament capable of enduring countless hours in a trailer, varying climates, and constantly changing environments.
Hall describes Ernie as a horse with "good bone and structure," indicating a robust physical foundation. However, he emphasizes that Ernie’s mind might be his most critical attribute. When Ernie first moved south with Hall, Guy Howell cautioned that the horse was not accustomed to eating much while traveling in a trailer, a habit formed during the shorter hauls characteristic of circuit rodeoing. Yet, Ernie quickly adapted to the demanding pace of the ProRodeo circuit. "When the time came, it did not take him long to figure out that whenever something gets put in front of you, you might be in the trailer for 10 or 12 hours, and there is no sense in waiting," Hall observed. "You better eat while you get a chance." This quick adaptation speaks volumes about Ernie’s intelligence and survival instincts, crucial for maintaining condition on the road.
Furthermore, Ernie demonstrated an independent spirit, proving he didn’t require a companion to remain calm and comfortable during long hauls. Early in the summer, Hall and Shayla traveled with only Ernie in the trailer, a situation that often stresses horses accustomed to company. The gelding handled it without any trouble, further cementing Hall’s trust in his mental composure. "He’s just quiet. He’s pretty reserved, pretty confident," Hall noted. This inherent self-assurance allows Ernie to remain unfazed by the unpredictable nature of rodeo life.
Hall recalls an early experience at the first Oklahoma jackpot where he entered Ernie twice in a five-head open event. After multiple runs, a point at which many horses become agitated or anticipate the next steer, Ernie remained content and focused on the task at hand. "He’s just got a special mind," Hall reiterated. "He doesn’t ever get too worked up." It is this profound composure, seamlessly paired with his exceptional athleticism, that renders Ernie such a dependable and invaluable partner, regardless of the pressure or circumstances.
Key Victories and Defining Moments
While Brenten Hall and Wyatt Cox may not have achieved their ultimate goal of NFR qualification in the 2026 season, Ernie provided a wealth of memorable moments and significant victories. Hall often reflects on runs where Ernie’s performance made his job seem effortless, a hallmark of a truly great head horse. "My favorite runs probably aren’t as cool as the younger kids’ favorite runs where they reach and throw their whole rope," Hall admitted. "My favorite runs are when I get a great start and I don’t have to do anything crazy."
One such standout memory was their first-round win at Canby, Oregon. "We won the first round at Canby, and I just got a good start and went to the steer and turned him and just let Ernie do all the work for me, just kind of stayed out of his way," Hall recounted. This ability to allow the horse to execute his job flawlessly, without interference, is a testament to Ernie’s training and Hall’s trust in him.
Another significant achievement was their victory at the St. Paul Rodeo, a prestigious outdoor event. Hall and Cox clinched the average title, propelled by a second-round run that surpassed their own expectations. "St. Paul, winning St. Paul this year, the second round over there was a really cool run because we didn’t plan on trying to win it," Hall explained. "We were just making the best run we could and ended up winning better in the round than we thought we would and winning the average." These moments, where strategic execution combined with Ernie’s raw talent to exceed expectations, are etched into Hall’s memory. The Driggs, Idaho, stop also stands out as another memorable performance, but the Canby run, for its sheer simplicity and Ernie’s seamless execution, remains one of Hall’s favorites.
The Significance of the Title and Broader Implications
The 2026 Nutrena AQHA Head Horse of the Year title for Dashing Company is far more than just an individual award; it represents a significant validation for multiple parties and carries broader implications for the sport of team roping. For Guy Howell, it is a powerful testament to his lifelong dedication to horsemanship and his exceptional ability to identify, train, and develop top-tier equine athletes. The fact that Ernie, a horse Howell bought off the racetrack and meticulously shaped, has now achieved national recognition, speaks volumes about his expertise and vision. "It’s really special that he came from Shayla’s dad and that he bought him off the track and trained him, raised him, had him several years," Hall proudly stated, acknowledging the foundational role Howell played.
For Brenten Hall and his wife Shayla, the award solidifies Ernie’s place not just as a champion horse, but as an integral part of their family legacy. It honors their decision to invest in Ernie and their commitment to his success on the demanding ProRodeo circuit. In an era where equine partners are crucial for success, having a Horse of the Year in their barn elevates their standing within the rodeo community.
The unusual tiebreaker scenario also subtly underscores the exceptionally high quality of horses currently competing at the professional level, with both Ernie and Jess A Moose demonstrating championship-caliber performances. This intense competition drives innovation in breeding and training, ultimately benefiting the sport as a whole. Sponsors like Nutrena and AQHA benefit from the enhanced visibility and prestige associated with such a hard-fought and compelling award.
Ultimately, Ernie’s recognition as the best head horse in the business, as voted by his peers, is an accomplishment that transcends individual season results. It highlights the enduring value of versatility, mental resilience, and consistent performance in professional rodeo. Dashing Company’s journey from the racetrack to the pinnacle of team roping honors serves as an inspiring narrative, celebrating the intricate partnership between human and horse that defines this cherished Western sport.
