Double Down: LBR Hangem Splits PCCHA Title With Future Match Bella Louella
- Melanie Smith
- Sep 23
- 2 min read
They say winning is sweet — but sharing the spotlight with one of your future dance partners makes it unforgettable. LBR Hangem marked a 227 to tie for the Co-Championship at the PCCHA Holy Cow Performance Horses Futurity, Cutting Stakes & Classic/Challenge 5/6-Year-Old Open Finals, right alongside Bella Louella, a mare already booked to him for 2026 with Michael Cooper in the saddle.
With Kenny Platt aboard, “Shotty” delivered a powerful run to secure the title. The win added $12,000 to his record, plus another $1,078 earned through Chrome Cash incentives, pushing his lifetime earnings to $292,868. The tie carried extra meaning, as Bella Louella is one of the mares booked to LBR Hangem this breeding season.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Melanie Smith of Solo Select Horses. “We love winning championships on our own, but it’s something special to share one with a mare Shotty is already booked to. That’s what this is all about, building the next generation of open horses. Kenny did a fantastic job showing him, and this pair just keeps proving what we already know: they can go head-to-head with the best in the country, anywhere, anytime. We couldn’t be prouder.”
This victory adds to LBR Hangem’s already impressive résumé of major championships, including:
• NCHA Summer Spectacular Co-Champion
• NCHA Super Stakes Co-Reserve Champion
• PCCHA Open Derby Champion
• PCCHA Open Stakes Reserve Champion
• West Texas Derby Open Reserve Champion
• Idaho Derby Reserve Champion
• Idaho Open Classic Reserve Champion
LBR Hangem has limited availability for contracts in 2026 - you can find them clicking on the button below.
