What began as Nate Osentowski’s childhood fascination with horses has grown into Rockin’ Oz Ranch, a top-tier breeding program in Rose, Nebraska. Though he didn’t grow up in agriculture, Osentowski’s passion turned serious in his 20s when he bought his first horse. Realizing he wouldn’t compete at the highest level, he shifted focus to breeding quality performance horses with his wife, Missy.
That vision paid off in 2015 with the birth of Oz Ona Hot Streak, a Nebraska-bred stallion by A Streak of Fling and out of a home-raised mare. Sold as a weanling, Oz returned to the Osentowskis five years later and quickly made his mark.
Trained by Brad Lund, Oz won the 2019 American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) World Champion Junior Heading Horse title and placed top 10 in heeling. When COVID slowed competitions, Osentowski pivoted Oz’s career to the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) circuit with pro roper Anthony Williams. The gamble paid off—Oz has now earned over $400,000 and helped Lane Mitchell qualify for the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
In 2025, Oz was named Runner-Up AQHA/PRCA Heel Horse of the Year, becoming just the second Nebraska-raised horse to achieve that honor. He’s also set to become the first AQHA World Champion Stallion ever to compete at the NFR in the team roping, bridging two distinct arenas of the horse world.
“Oz is just a great horse,” Osentowski said. “We’re forever grateful for the people and opportunities he’s brought into our lives.”
Catch Oz and Lane Mitchell at the 2025 NFR in Las Vegas, airing December 4–14 on the Cowboy Channel.
