Road to the Horse will return to the Kentucky Horse Park, March 19–22, 2026, bringing the excitement, tradition, and passion that have defined the event for more than two decades. At the heart of the World Championship of Colt Starting lies the Wild Card Competition—an inspiring showcase of exceptional horsemanship talent from around the globe.
Road to the Horse is proud to announce Rob Leach as the newest Road to the Horse 2026 Wild Card Competitor. Hailing from Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, Leach is one of the Australia’s most respected performance horse trainers, known for his calm, thoughtful approach and his ability to bring out the best in every horse he starts.
“Rob Leach brings a wealth of experience, talent, and quiet confidence to the Road to the Horse round pen,” stated Tina Battock, President of the Morris Equine Group. “His foundation-based training philosophy and proven success across multiple disciplines make him an incredible addition to the Wild Card lineup in 2026.”
A three-time Australia’s Greatest Horseman Champion, Rob Leach has earned accolades across reined cow horse, cutting, and campdrafting arenas. His training program, Rob Leach Equine, is built on developing confident, thinking horses capable of excelling in any discipline.
Having started thousands of horses over the past three decades, Leach’s horsemanship has been shaped by his years working on Australia’s vast cattle stations as well as his international experience training and competing in the United States. During his time abroad, he started two-year-olds for high-profile cutting and reined cow horse programs, working with industry leaders such as National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Famer Roger Wagner and four-time Road to the Horse World Champion Chris Cox.
Leach will join Tiffany McLaury, who was previously announced as the first Road to the Horse 2026 Wild Card Competitor. Two additional Wild Card competitors will be announced in the coming weeks, with a new Wild Card revealed every Wednesday until the full lineup of four is complete.
The Wild Card Challenge kicks off the event on Thursday, March 19, and wraps up on Friday, March 20. As in years past, the Wild Card Champion will immediately advance to a Championship Competitor position on Friday afternoon, joining Championship Competitors Elisa Wallace, Ryan Rose and Nick Dowers and competing for a share of the $134,000 purse.
Road to the Horse 2026 takes place at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 19-22. Tickets are available at here or by calling 800-514-3849. Follow Road to the Horse on Facebook or Instagram for the latest information.
