Grant Simon has made his presence felt back in the show arena after taking out the John Deere division of the Open Classic Challenge Final in the 2016 NCHA Summer Cutting Spectacular.

Grant rode Elite Cat and scored a 222, some 3 points ahead of the field. He won just over $2,500 for first place, taking his total winnings to more than $365,000.

Grant had been working under trainer Jason Clark for five years before going out on his own. He now works for Jerry and Vickie Durant, who owns Elite Cat and says we’ll be seeing a lot more of him in show ring.

Elite Cat, a 6-year-old mare, was sired by High Brow Cat. Grant spoke with CHTRO’s Simone Cobb about his win.

Second place was won by Walt Erwin on Rosie Boon San with a 219 and third place went to John Sanislow aboard Countess Cat, marking a 216.