LBR Hangem Marks 231 to Win Brazos Bash to End Hall-of-Fame Career with $688K in LTE
If there was one LBR Hangem run to watch in person, this was the one.
The arena—packed.
Drinks—flowing.
And everyone knew they were watching history.
The atmosphere started to tense in the second set when Von Katness and Boyd Rice marked a strong 228. Finally, draw 24—second to last—LBR Hangem entered the arena, for a run everyone knew would be the conclusion of his career. After his first cow almost went to the wall, the crowd nearly stopped breathing. From that point on, the cattle never left the middle of the arena. He was hooked and low as ever.
An absolute beast.
“We have never seen one dominate like him.” — Kenny Platt
Going Out on Top
The Shotty Syndicate-owned LBR Hangem, “Shotty,” closed out an unforgettable career with the ultimate exclamation point—a career-high 231 in his final competitive run to win the Open Classic at the Brazos Bash at Bosque Ranch in Weatherford, Texas. He was champion from start to finish at the Bash. Shotty marked a 224 in the first go-round and a 225 in the second, leading both go-rounds, before saving the best for last in the finals.
In front of an electric crowd, Shotty and Platt delivered a masterclass to bring home $59,782, pushing his lifetime earnings to an astonishing $688,692. It capped a 2026 season of eight wins in 10 shows.
Hearing the roar of the crowd as he walked off the line for the last time is something we’ll never forget.What a champion.
What a career. What a finale.
One in a Million
Shotty’s story starts with a “no.” Bred by Don Ham and Charles Buerger, the 2020 sorrel stallion by NCHA Open Futurity Champion Dual Reyish and out of million-dollar producer Hangem High Pep went through the Western Bloodstock sale at the NCHA Futurity Sales as a 2-year-old. The hammer fell at $1,175,000, and Don still passed him out. That famous “million-dollar no” says everything about what his team saw in him from day one.
“It was an ambitious play, but we knew the payoff would be huge. Seeing where we are now, it’s completely exceeded my wildest dreams,” Ham said.
Platt has trained and shown him from the very start of his career. Together they became one of the most recognizable duos in the cutting pen. In 2026 alone, Shotty accounted for $469,272 of Platt’s $973,328 in earnings. The early years were not easy. Shotty showed the talent, but the luck didn’t always follow. Then, as a 5-year-old, everything started to click: Co-Champion of the NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Classic and Reserve Champion at the Super Stakes earlier that year. As a 6-year-old, he won just about everything: 8 titles in 10 shows. At the other two, he was Co-Reserve Champion at one and a finalist at the other.
His 2026 titles and scores in the Finals:
Abilene Spectacular, 227
The Cattlemen’s, 225.5
NCHA Super Stakes, 228
Breeders Invitational, 228
NCHA Summer Spectacular, 226
West Texas Futurity, 227
Idaho, 228
Brazos Bash, 231
The climb was just as steep in the bank. Shotty went from $189,517 in lifetime earnings in May 2025 to $688,692 at the Brazos Bash, adding $499,175 in 17 months. Along the way, Shotty got to show on the sport’s most iconic stages, including The American Performance Horseman and The Run For A Million in Las Vegas.
“Of all the horses I have trained, Shotty has the most cow by far. I don’t know if I will ever get to sit on a better horse.” — Kenny Platt
NCHA Hall of Fame & Horse of the Year
Shotty’s run in the finals of the 2026 NCHA Super Stakes earned him a place in the NCHA Hall of Fame. As the last draw of the Open 5/6 finals at the Will Rogers Coliseum, he marked a 228 to win it, pushing his lifetime earnings to $460,912. He then led the NCHA Open Horse of the Year race through 2026 and will receive the Horse of the Year title at the NCHA Futurity. It is very rare for a Classic horse to reach this kind of milestone.
"It's rare to see a Classic horse sitting at the top of the Open Horse of the Year standings but LBR Hangem 'Shotty' continues to prove he's one of a kind! After an impressive Classic Open Finals win at the NCHA Summer Spectacular, ‘Shotty’ has unofficially held onto the top spot in the Open Horse of the Year standings and widened his lead. Owned by The Shotty Syndicate and shown by Kenny Platt Cutting Horses, this standout stallion has been putting together an incredible 2026 season."PHC
Retiring to the Breeding Barn
There are so many reasons to breed to LBR Hangem, one of the most coveted young stallions in the cutting industry. Two stand above the rest.
His bloodline.
While the industry relies heavily on High Brow Cat, Metallic Cat, and Smart Little Lena, Shotty carries none of these iconic genetics.Able to cross on virtually anything, he is the outcross of the future. His genetic panel is clean: 7 panel N/N, EJSCA N/N.
“I can breed every single one of my mares to LBR Hangem.” — Todd Carpenter, Carpenter Farms
His conformation.
Shotty is as conformationally correct as one can be: a compact 14.1-hand sorrel, light in the shoulder, with a strong hip, a good neck and a beautiful head. You have to see him in person. His first crop of foals is proof positive.“Honestly, when you see him, you want to breed your mare to him.” — Rachel Showalter, breeder
The Shotty Syndicate
In June 2026, at the hottest moment of his career, owners Solo Select, Carpenter Farms and Don Ham announced the syndication of LBR Hangem. The stallion was split into several shares, opening the door for breeders to come in and play on a once-in-a-lifetime horse. The market answered right away: all shares sold out in a single day.
What it means for breeders: you have to move even faster. Reserve your contract now.
The best mares in his book
His book reads like a Hall of Fame. He booked full in his 2025 debut year, filled again in 10 days for 2026.
2025
Show Biz Kitty, No. 1 all-time producing dam ($2.9M)
That Cattomine, dam of Duramax Dually ($1.3M)
Special Nu Baby, dam of $1.2M+ in earners
Second Spot, NCHA Open Futurity Champion
2026
Bella Louella, 2025 Run For A Million Champion
My Lizzy Babe, dam of nearly $1M in earners
Sho Boat, $250,000+ earner
Metallic Missy, $217,000+ earner
“When you look at the mares in Shotty’s book, it gives you chills. These are the mares that shape the industry.” — Melanie Smith, Solo Select
In 2027, LBR Hangem stands his first full season at Solo Select Horses in Gainesville, Texas: $6,500 stud fee, $4,500 ICSI, with fresh/cooled and frozen available.
More than 250 mares are already on the waitlist, and the waitlist does not hold your spot: contracts are first come, first served.
Reserve your 2027 contract online for $1,000, or call the Stallion Office at (903) 436-6615 or email stallions@soloselect.com.
