Sharee Schwartzenberger clinched her third career National Western Stock Show Freestyle Reining championship aboard Live Love Laugh, showcasing a patriotic performance at the Events Center at National Western Complex on January 11, 2026.
The 2026 NWSS Invitational Freestyle Reining was a night filled with elite performances, heartfelt tributes, and multi-generational storytelling, led by the iconic Schwartzenberger family.
A Championship Night for the Schwartzenberger Family
Sharee Schwartzenberger from Longmont, Colorado, secured her third NWSS Freestyle Reining title aboard Live Love Laugh, owned by Patrice Lee. With a winning score of 227, Sharee solidified her status as one of the top freestyle reiners globally, adding to her previous victories in 2020 and 2022.
Her winning ride paid tribute to the Armed Forces and their families, with retired Sgt. Phillip Boyce presenting the flag in the arena. This tribute held special significance for Sharee, hailing from a military background with both grandfathers serving in the U.S. Air Force and Navy, and her uncle as a Purple Heart medic during the Vietnam War.
The evening also marked a poignant moment for the Schwartzenberger family as reining pioneer Steve Schwartzenberger returned for a final performance aboard the legendary Game Day Surprise. Steve’s participation harkened back to the inaugural NWSS Freestyle Reining event of 1996, which he won.
Sharee’s father and daughter duo highlighted the deep-rooted tradition of freestyle reining at the National Western Stock Show, an event Steve helped shape from its inception.
Coming in close behind Schwartzenberger was seasoned NWSS freestyle reiner Shane Brown, earning the reserve championship with Who Whiz Brandon, owned by Katherine Timmerman.
The Warrens: A Father–Son Freestyle Moment
The Warren family added another layer of legacy to the night with a rare father-and-son duo in the Invitational field. Devin Warren secured a third-place finish aboard Gotit Going on Tonite, while his son Gavin Warren made his mark with HF Call Me Ronda, owned by Garth Hystad.
The Warrens’ joint performance echoed the Schwartzenberger narrative, emphasizing the generational tradition inherent in freestyle reining and the NWSS.
A Premier Freestyle Stage
The $30,000 National Western Invitational Freestyle Reining is widely acclaimed as the top event for freestyle reining in North America, bringing together top reiners for a unique showcase blending horsemanship, choreography, and production.
Since its inception in 1996, the event has evolved into a highly anticipated performance on the Western calendar. Unlike traditional reining classes, freestyle reining allows riders to craft their routines with music, costumes, lighting, props, and special effects while executing intricate maneuvers like spins, sliding stops, rollbacks, and speed transitions.
2026 NWSS Invitational Freestyle Reining Results
| Place | Rider | Horse | Owner | Score | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sharee Schwartzenberger | Live Love Laugh | Patrice Lee | 227.00 | $8,100 |
Youth Freestyle Reining Showcase
The 2026 NWSS Youth Freestyle Reining Showcase featured the next generation of freestyle reiners, with young riders Hayden Walker on Barbies Voodoo Doll and Donna Fern on BT Muy Bueno showcasing their creativity, horsemanship, and showmanship.