A Legacy Lives On
Phillip Ralls and Call Me A Cool Cat (Call Me Mitch x Cool Smart Banjo) showcased their talent at the prestigious 2026 National Stock Horse Association show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Under the bright lights of South Point Arena, the duo impressed the audience by earning over $31,000 and clinching four major titles on Saturday, Aug. 22. They triumphed in the Ronnie Richards World’s Richest Stock Horse Open and Intermediate Open championships, as well as securing the Reserve Open Bridle Championship and the reserve championship in The Run For A Million Qualifier.
Owned by Cathy Bardos, Call Me A Cool Cat follows in the footsteps of his father, Call Me Mitch, who was a key partner for Ralls in many memorable show moments. Ralls, an NRCHA $1 Million Rider, achieved numerous significant victories with Call Me Mitch, including the 2014 NSHA RCH Open Futurity, the 2016 NSHA RCH Open Derby, the 2019 NSHA World’s Richest Stock Horse, and the 2019 NSHA Open Bridle.
Now, Ralls is embarking on a new journey with Call Me A Cool Cat. The 2018 stallion showcased his skills at NSHA, adding another impressive performance to the family legacy deeply connected to the event. This achievement marked a significant milestone in Call Me A Cool Cat’s career, pushing his lifetime earnings over $96,000 after the Las Vegas show, as reported by QData.
Back to Vegas in 2027
Ralls’ success at NSHA has earned him a spot in The Run For A Million in 2027, continuing his longstanding association with the prestigious event. His past performances at The Run For A Million include finishing third in the Cow Horse Challenge in 2022 with Call Me Mitch and securing reserve champion honors in 2023.
2027 The Run For A Million Qualifiers
The five riders who qualified through the 2026 NSHA event are:
- Shane Steffen
- Phillip Ralls
- Ron Emmons
- Shadd Parkinson
- Corey Cushing
These riders will join five others who secured their qualification earlier in the year at the 2026 NRCHA Hackamore Classic.