Jake Long knows what a Horse of the Year feels like, but after three-time winner Colonel, he wasn’t sure he would ever find another one of that caliber.

Then came 7-year-old Hezaluckysonofagun “Copper,” the horse that carried Long to his first world championship and is now the 2026 Nutrena Heel Horse of the Year.

On this episode of The Short Score, Long talks about Copper’s traits that make him a Horse-of-the-Year-type of horse, several of those reminding him of Colonel. But for Long, what makes Copper special goes beyond his ability in the arena. He’s a horse that wants attention, wants to be his buddy and, as Long puts it, “tries his hardest every single time.”

Long also reflects on the horse that helped build his career. After winning his first gold buckle aboard Copper, Long went home to Oklahoma to see Colonel, hugged the retired Horse of the Year and told him, “We got one.” Now, with Copper adding that same title to his résumé, Long has found another one he plans to keep for life.

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