Sylais York Wins Pro-Am Non-Pro Heeling Championship

York and his horse Dainty Rey Cat secured the title at the Old West World Championships in Amarillo.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Rodeo

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a rider and horse in dynamic heeling action within a dusty western arena. — Sylais York and his horse, Dainty Rey Cat, captured the Pro-Am Non-Pro Heeling title at the Tri-State Fairgrounds in Amarillo, Texas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sylais York and his 4-year-old horse Dainty Rey Cat captured the Pro-Am Non-Pro Heeling championship title at the Tri-State Fairgrounds. The pair finished the competition with a total score of 676.43.

Why it matters

The victory highlights the high-level performance of young horses and riders in the Pro-Am circuit. York’s success underscores the effectiveness of his training partnership with the RJR Ranch-owned horse.

The championship winning score of 676.43 included a 225.17 in the first round, 223.33 in the second, and 227.93 in the final round. York and Dainty Rey Cat secured the title with a 4.58-point lead over the competition.

The players

Sylais York

Sylais York is a rodeo competitor from Weiser, Idaho, who currently spends time in Arizona while pursuing his equestrian career.

Dainty Rey Cat

Dainty Rey Cat is a 4-year-old horse bred by Shane A. Law and currently owned by RJR Ranch.

RJR Ranch

RJR Ranch is the organization that owns Dainty Rey Cat and received the $12,760 in prize money from the victory.

The details

Entering the finals with a score of 448.50 on two head, York and Dainty Rey Cat delivered a final round score of 227.93 to clinch the win. The duo earned $12,760 for RJR Ranch, the owners of the horse bred by Shane A. Law.

The championship victory occurred on October 17, 2026.

The Big Picture

The Old West World Championships continues to serve as a premier stage for evaluating the development of young equine talent in western sports. York's win follows the pattern established by past champions at the event who leveraged strong finishes here to advance their careers.

The victory adds $12,760 to the season earnings for the team representing RJR Ranch. This win significantly boosts the competitive standing of York and his 4-year-old horse heading into the remainder of the circuit.

The takeaway

York plans to eventually transition into an independent career as a professional horse trainer. This win serves as a crucial milestone for building his reputation within the professional rodeo community.