LBR Hangem, known as "Shotty," has already made waves at the 2025 Abilene Spectacular, marking an impressive 224 in the 5/6-Year-Old Open division. With 89 of the best horses in the world competing, Shotty secured the top spot in the first go of the aged event under the guidance of trainer Kenny Platt. The duo will return to the arena today to compete in the highly anticipated finals.
Melanie Smith shared her thoughts on the stallion’s preparation and adaptability:
"When we acquired 'Shotty,' we all decided to go ahead and collect him for a few months to get some frozen semen where we could breed a number of elite mares in 2025 to get his stallion career kicked off. You never know how a horse will handle that, especially as a four-year-old. This horse is so smart, and it didn't affect him at all. He came back better than ever. We know what caliber of horse he is, and it makes me excited when everything falls into place to show the world just how great he is. We appreciate Kenny, Becca, Ella, and Mia — plus all of Kenny’s crew for their hard work. Hopefully, the cows cooperate in the finals!""
For Solo Select Horses, this marks the first show with Shotty as part of their elite stallion roster, and the team is thrilled with the results.
With his powerful outcross genetics and proven performance ability, LBR Hangem is poised to become a game-changer in breeding programs. His continued success in the show pen will undoubtedly solidify his reputation as the outcross sire of the future.