INCENTIVES: Riata Championship

The distinctive HR brand on a colt stands for Harrison Ranch, but even babies from outside mares have been phenomenal by HR Smart Rey. In fact, since Elsworth and Kathy Harrison began breeding their bay stallion known as “Gus,” they’ve gone ahead and given old-school names to his colts, too. Watch for Oscar, Barney, Amos and Walter—the stallion’s latest winners.  

Gus himself, now 15, went to the AQHA World Show six times including heading and heeling, with several top-10 finishes. In 2018, the stallion won the Amateur Heading world championship and placed third in Senior Heading. In 2016, he was a reserve world champion in Senior Tie-Down Roping, as well.

HR Smart Rey is also putting his winning traits into his offspring, excelling at both ends. In fact, 4-year-olds Smart Josie Rey and Smart Scottish Guy competed at the 2023 Riata Buckle at only 3 years old. They’re still at the top of their game, handling the pressure with the distinctive calm they inherited from their sire. After seeing how Josie turned out, Harrisons bought her dam.

Kathy won the Amateur Heading world championship in 2022 aboard HR Oscar Rey And HR Barney Rey has nearly $90,000 in lifetime earnings. He and his owner, Jeff VanPetten, clocked the Overall Fast Time at the latest Riata #9.5. Also in Guthrie in October, HR Walter Rey won the second round of Cowgirl Steer Stopping under Bri Votaw, while HR Amos Rey also made that short round.

“We’ve crossed Gus on several different bloodlines, and every foal is good-minded with plenty of size and bone to do their job,” said Kathy. “The offspring all have that chill factor and are always quiet, calm and ready to take on what’s next.”