langtrees-cd
Distinguished versatility ranch horse competitors Langtrees CD and Megan Newlon. • Photo by Edye Wright, Wright Focus Photograhy.

Langtrees CD & Megan Newlon Win World’s Greatest Versatility Ranch Horse

Highly decorated ranch versatility champion Langtrees CD finished his career on a high note, winning the World’s Greatest Versatility Ranch Horse honor at the National Versatility Ranch Horse Association (NVRHA) World finals.

The win, earned at the finals held Sept. 24-26 in Lincoln, Nebraska, was a third World’s Greatest Versatility Ranch Horse title won by his talented rider, Megan Newlon.

Newlon has blazed trails in ranch versatility competitions in both NVRHA and American Quarter Horse Association since she partnered with Langtrees CD back in 2016.  From Hugoton, Kan., Newlon currently studies at Oklahoma State University where she guides the newly founded ranch horse team. 

“World’s Greatest VRH title is no small feat,” NVRHA Executive President Jay Henson said in a statement. “Megan is a fierce competitor, and it takes a special horse to work efficiently in each of the five classes. Willy truly exemplifies that ultimate VRH horse.” 

Dominating Performance

Not only did Langtrees CD and Newlon win the World’s Greatest VRH competition, they dominated by also winning the National Finals Amateur division, and claiming the Amateur Year End High-Point title. Additionally, “Willy “is the only horse in NVRHA history to win the Diamond Medal lifetime achievement award. The Diamond is the ultimate lifetime award which is intended to recognize extraordinary horses that exhibit the talent and soundness to perform at a championship level, year after year, typically with several different riders. 

Just before the show, it was announced that this National Finals would be 19-year-old Langtrees CD’s final show and he would enter retirement. Deservedly so, as with not only with Megan but also previous rider, Shane Bangerter, the Danzey Treanor-bred son of CD Olena and out of RM Lily Langtree (by Bob Acre Doc) has won every major title in NVRHA’s offering not just once, but several times. 

World’s Greatest Class

The prestigious World’s Greatest VRH open competition, annually held at NVRHA’s National Finals, is open to any rider and there are no qualification requirements. 

“This competition is always a crowd favorite, and this marks year 10 of the best professional as well as amateur VRH riders competing head-to-head in the five events,” says Channing Hawks, 2021 NVRHA National Finals event co-chair. “The prizes are prestigious and include an original World’s Greatest VRH Champion buckle.” 

Past winners have included noted riders Megan as well as Lavert Avent (twice), Sara Gugelmeyer, Katie Kirsch, and Donna Stewart. Each of these riders have gone on to claim top honors in AQHA, National Reined Cow Horse Association, National Cutting Horse Assocation and other noted ranch horse and cow horse events.