02/19/2026
𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗔 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗞𝗼𝗰𝗵’𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻® 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 Ray Shell Ranch LLC 𝗮𝗻𝗱 Western Bloodstock LTD.
The NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman® showcases the best of the best in reined cow horse competition with four events—herd work, reined work, cow work, and steer stopping. To compete at this level, a horse must be sound in body, steady in mind, and willing in spirit through it all.
For one program to have multiple horses represented under different riders speaks to a commitment to making horses that are truly broke and adaptable. Matt Koch’s program is defined by fundamentals and versatility, proven by having five horses he’s trained or started in this year’s NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman®.
“The NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman® requires you to keep these horses mentally and physically together for a long time,” Koch said. “It takes a pretty special horse. I think you have to have one that will be there for you in all four events, even if they lack just a little in talent somewhere but they’re willing to let you show them through their weak spots and be part of your team.”
The Kochs operate as a family, so their horses also become family. The small team—comprised of Koch, his wife, his son, and their one employee—stays hands-on from start to finish, and their horses are exposed to a variety of jobs to make them solid and level-headed.
“For our program, I start everything myself, so I know them from Day One,” Koch said. “I just try to get them as broke as possible, to handle pressure well, and to think through situations instead of reacting. I like to keep it as simple as possible for them, but also give them other jobs. And, all the guys that are showing are extremely talented, so I just hope that those horses are able to adapt to whatever those guys are asking.”
At this year’s NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman®, Koch is riding MPH Voodoo Badger (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Jrs Jessie Badger x Watch Darin Skip), a buckskin gelding owned and bred by David Mize. Originally sent to Koch for 60 to 90 days, the two clicked and have found great success so far. The truly dynamic duo finished fifth in both The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge and The American Performance Horseman in 2025, and they came in second in the 2025 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Bridle class.
“He’s just my style,” Koch explained. “He’s a great, big ranch-looking horse, but he’s got a lot of try. He’s fairly cowy, and he’s pretty decent in the reined work most of the time. He goes down the fence good, and he’s a big, strong horse. He’s always there when you call on him.”
Ridden by Brady Weaver in the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman®, Sargent Stryker (Metallic Cat x Cajuns Little Uno x Smart Little Uno) has not only consistently earned checks in the Open divisions, but he’s a reliable horse that Koch’s 8-year-old son has been riding. Originally purchased as a 5-year-old for Koch’s wife to show, the bay stallion is quite a bit smaller than MPH Voodoo Badger but one of the fastest horses Koch has shown. Weaver describes this horse as a rocket.
“Brady said he didn’t have one for this year, and Stryker was turned out with our little boy riding him,” Koch said. “Brady and I are good friends; so I offered him up, and he was all in. He flew out a couple of times this winter to work that horse, and we got him worked on the flag one day before we showed down here. But, they get along really good.”
Owned by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC and piloted by Justin Wright, Smart Lookin Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel x One Time Pepto) has already shown out at this year’s NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman® with a high score in the herd work prelims. Koch started the red roan mare as a 2-year-old and showed her until Wagonhound turned her out on the ranch. Now in Wright’s program, he describes her as confident.
“We actually owned her and then sold her when she was 4 or 5,” Koch said. “I think Wagonhound took her after her two rein year, and they were going to turn her out. Then, Justin called and asked if I thought it was a good idea to maybe show her again, and I told him she’s a lot of fun. He shows all kinds of styles, but that mare is powerful and quick, and it seems to be a good fit.”
A full brother to Smart Lookin Secrets, Cats Tell Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel x One Time Pepto) was started and shown through his 4-year-old year by Koch. Now owned by Katalyst Performance Horses, Koch remembers the blue roan gelding as easygoing, trainable, and good-minded, which aligns with rider Shawn Hays’ one-word description of nonchalant.
“That blue horse of Shawn’s was easy from the beginning,” Koch recalled. “What I remember of him the most is that he was so good-hearted. We went and did everything on him as a young horse, and Shawn had a client buy him after riding him some and getting along with him.”
Koch also started Annies Smart Cat as a 2-year-old. And while Lance Johnston has trained and shown him throughout his career, he’s another prime example in the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman® of the long-term impact of Koch’s training and foundation.
Regardless of whose name is on the back number or whose hands are holding the reins, Koch takes pride in seeing horses he’s had in his program find success. When they rise to the occasion on one of the biggest stages in reined cow horse competition, it validates the time spent making them the horses they are today.
“Those horses have all been part of our family, so seeing them continue on and do well with other people in any capacity is a neat feeling,” Koch said proudly. “It would be pretty cool to see any of them win. All of these guys have their own strengths and timing and feel, so it’s fun to see how they pull everything together and bring out the best in these horses.”
Photos courtesy of Primo Morales Photography
