The Josey Ranch welcomed barrel racers back to Marshall, Texas, October 23 - 25 for the 2026 Josey Run For The Gold, bringing an exciting new format to one of the ranch's annual barrel racing events.
This year's competition introduced a three-day format designed to give contestants more opportunities to compete and win. Rather than the traditional two long go-rounds and a short go, the 2026 event featured a warm-up race on Friday, followed by two separate $2,500 added barrel races on Saturday and Sunday.
The result was a weekend of competitive runs, familiar faces, and a remarkable story connecting the Josey Ranch's history to a new generation of champions.
Competition kicked off Friday with the Run For The Gold warm-up race, where Amber Morris and her mare “Jetavieve” claimed the top spot with a 16.586 and set the tone for an exciting weekend.
Saturday brought the first of two $2,500-added races, with Savannah Sanders and “The BolderDash” racing their way to the top of the leaderboard with a 16.037.
But the pair wasn't finished.
Returning to the arena on Sunday, Sanders and The BolderDash delivered another winning performance of 16.005, sweeping both of the weekend's $2,500-added races and establishing themselves as the standout team of the 2026 Josey Run For The Gold.
The pair walked away not only as both go champions, but also the average champions taking home a certificate for a brand new Martha Josey Circle Y Gold Buckle Saddle.
While back-to-back victories are impressive on their own, the story behind Sanders' equine partner makes these wins especially meaningful to the Josey Ranch family.
Competitors at the Josey Ranch may recgonize “The BoulderDash” as a former Josey Reunion Champion. The BolderDash earned the title of Josey Reunion Champion with Sheryl Gamboa, adding his name to the ranch's long history of outstanding barrel racing horses.
Recently purchased by Sanders from Gamboa, The BolderDash is already showing up for his new partner. However, his connection to the Josey Ranch goes back even further than his Reunion championship.
The BolderDash is a son of Bolders Runner, a mare originally purchased by Martha and R.E. Josey with the assistance of their longtime friend, Dr. Larry Findley.
Following the purchase, the Joseys sold Bolders Runner to longtime Josey instructor Lisa Mitchell, who went on to compete with the mare during her futurity career. Mitchell later sold Bolders Runner to the Gamboa family, who then bred the mare continuing a bloodline that would eventually produce a Josey Reunion Champion.
From Martha and R.E. Josey's original investment in Bolders Runner to Lisa Mitchell's futurity career, the Gamboa family's success, and now Savannah Sanders' back-to-back victories, The BolderDash's story has come full circle.
For the Josey Ranch, seeing these horses continue to succeed with new riders is just as rewarding as watching them cross the timer.
Josey Ranch gave away another Josey Circle Y Gold Buckle Saddle in a drawing between Division winners from Saturday and Sunday. The contestants who participated in this drawing were Paula Touchstone, Natalie Shaw, Anna Brister, Magnolia Thompson, Madilyn Spoonemore, Lila Rafferty, Abby Davis, and Julie Bridwell.
Lila Rafferty was the lucky winner of the second Josey Circle Y Gold Buckle Saddle!
In addition to the weekend's cash payouts and saddle awards, the Josey Ranch partnered with longtime sponsor Purina to recognize a very special competitor.
As part of the weekend's festivities, Purina provided one ton of Purina horse feed to the oldest horse competing at the 2026 Josey Run For The Gold. The award went to "LittleRed", owned and ridden by Silvia Davis, who at 28 years old was the oldest horse entered in the competition.
The special recognition celebrates the longevity of these incredible equine athletes and the dedication that owners put into their partners. The Josey Ranch has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Purina, and opportunities like this allow both organizations to recognize the special horses in the sport.
The Josey Ranch would like to extend a special thank you to the sponsors, vendors, contestants, and spectators who helped make this year's event possible. Their continued support allows the ranch to carry on the traditions established by Martha and R.E. Josey while creating new opportunities for the next generation of barrel racers.
As we approach the end of the year the Josey Ranch moves into preparation for the final three events of the year. The Fall Barrel Racing Clinic and Thanksgiving Clinic, both of which are full, and the Year End Clinic December 27-29.