Katie Van Slyke's Denver Scratched Multiple Times at NSBA Show as Trophy Faces Forfeit

Katie Van Slyke's stallion First Thingz First, known as Denver, was scratched from multiple classes at the 2026 National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Championship Show, raising questions over whether his Reserve World Championship award could be forfeited.

Official NSBA results show the five-year-old American Quarter Horse finished second in the Open Performance Halter Stallions class in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Denver finished behind Fahrenheight, earning his owner Katheryn Van Slyke a Reserve World Championship and $597 (£438) in prize money.

The issue centres on NSBA rules for Performance Halter, which require an entry to also be shown in at least one performance class at the same show. If Denver did not meet that requirement, the rule could lead to disqualification and the forfeiture of awards and earnings. However, there has been no public confirmation that NSBA has withdrawn his award.

Denver's Withdrawals Raise Questions

The NSBA World Championship Show ran from 13 to 23 August at the Built Ford Tough Complex in Tulsa, with more than $1.5 million (£1.1 million) in cash and prizes available.

Denver's second-place Performance Halter result is recorded in the official NSBA results, which list Adam Wainscott as his exhibitor and Van Slyke as his owner. Fahrenheight won the class, while Denver finished ahead of six other entries.

Attention later turned to Denver's scheduled riding classes after spectators reported that the stallion had been scratched from multiple events. Discussions on Reddit claimed he was withdrawn from four classes, including Western Riding and Western Pleasure.

Those reports have not been independently confirmed by NSBA in the sources reviewed. The potential consequence depends on whether Denver ultimately competed in a qualifying performance class at the same show.

Reason for Scratches Remains Unclear

The reason for Denver's withdrawals has not been publicly established.

Some Reddit users speculated that the horse could have been experiencing lameness or another physical issue, while others suggested explanations involving training, temperament or the decision not to continue competing. None of those claims has been independently verified.

Other commenters urged caution, noting that spectators could not know why the horse had been withdrawn without an explanation from Van Slyke, the trainer or someone connected with the programme. One Reddit discussion was later locked after attracting negative comments.

There is no evidence in the sources reviewed that Denver was diagnosed with an injury or that lameness caused the scratches. The confirmed information is that he placed second in Performance Halter and that questions subsequently emerged over his participation in other classes.

Denver's Record Adds Context

Denver has previously competed successfully in Western Pleasure and Performance Halter. His record includes a Reserve Championship at the 2024 AQHA World Show, as well as titles at major events including the All American Quarter Horse Congress and previous NSBA competitions.

His profile has also grown through Van Slyke's social media coverage of her horses and breeding programme, making the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal particularly visible to her online audience.

For now, Denver's Reserve World Championship remains listed in the official NSBA results. Whether the award and its associated earnings are ultimately forfeited depends on his participation in a qualifying performance class and any decision made by NSBA officials.