Show-offs

It's been less than a month since the conclusion of this year's NaMoPaiMo, and already, some of the members of the Class of 2026 are making their mark in the showring.

model by Stacey Kianese

Amanda Bowe writes: My 2026 horse made his debut at River City Classic this weekend! Go, little buddy, go!

Sarah Pavolko says: Finest Fascinator took third out of ten in CM Quarter Horse breed, which is HUGE considering that this model how fast I painted her - maybe five days? - and I finished her eyeballs IN the show hall that morning, like three hours before she had to be on the table. Oh, and 5th in workmanship?! That was the real surprise lol!

Celeste Bergman Rosado reports: Mine won his class at Great Lakes Congress last month! We have another show this weekend so hoping he does well again!

Corina Roberts asks (and answers!): Do photo shows count? Second place, part breed sport, last Collective qualifier. We'll see how she does in the OMHPS birthday bash. I'm in a better emotional place now and look forward to going back into her mane and tail with darks and lights.

Jamie Heiberger also participated in the most recent Collective show on OMHPS. She says: I can only photo show due to no live shows within a driveable distance of me. Rex Marksley placed second out of eighteen horses! I was thrilled to death!

Not all victories are created equally. Adair Graves shares this thought after his horse's showring debut: Mudslide won first in his first Photo Show, though the class was only him versus an Old Timer that I almost feel guilty for "beating"! I hope that person knows their Old Timer is very handsome, too.

Of course, it goes without saying that Mudslide is also very handsome and a worthy winner. The same can be said for all the horses - and their painters! - featured in this post. Thank you for sharing, my friends. You're all amazing.