DT HORSES Western Derby Rolls into WestWorld

The National Reined Cow Horse Association returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale for the second year for the June 2-13, 2021, DT Horses Western Derby. With a full slate of horse show classes, the DT Horses Western Derby is set to be another huge event for the NRCHA, especially with the $80,000 added to the Open 4- and 5-year-old Derby. It is already a banner year for the reined cow horse industry having held a successful Celebration of Champions World Championship Show in Fort Worth, Texas, and an entry record-breaking Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This year, the Derby has a title sponsor in Scottsdale, Arizona, based DT Horses, LLC, owned by Dean and Leslie Tuftin.

“We couldn’t be more grateful for Dean’s support of the NRCHA through his sponsorship of the DT Horses Western Derby,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “Dean’s impact on our association has been felt not only through his generous support of events like the Derby and World’s Greatest Horseman, but also through the outstanding horses he sends to our arenas and the innovative ideas he brings to the table. Partners like Dean are vital to the continued success and growth of cow horse sport.”

DT Horses made a three-year commitment to the event. Based in north Scottsdale, DT Horses is home to elite rope horse facilities while also having close ties to the reined cow horse industry. Tuftin owns 2010 stallion Hickory Holly Time (One Time Pepto x Hickorys Holly Cee x Doc’s Hickory), NRCHA 2018 World’s Greatest Horseman champion, 2015 NRCHA Open Hackamore World Champion, 2014 NRCHA Open Derby Champion and 2014 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Intermediate Open Champion. Nineteen Ten (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark), a 2016 stallion with lifetime earnings of $117,877, is also one of DT Horses reined cow horse stars.

The 13-day show includes a new event, the CD Survivor Super Spectacular, which will be held following the ever-popular Open

Bridle Spectacular on Thursday, June 10. Annually, the CD Survivor Memorial Spectacular, sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses, includes $25,000 in added-money to the top bridle horse at the event and the Super Spectacular adds an additional $5,000. This year, the CD Survivor Super Spectacular offers Open and Non Pro Spectacular exhibitors the chance to rope in a steer-stopping like event that resembles the four-event format of the NRCHA’s World’s Greatest Horseman competition. Non Pro Limited competitors at the DT Horses Western Derby will ride for more money than ever at the event. The NRCHA Board of Directors voted to add money to the Non Pro Limited Derby and the Non Pro Limited horse show class at the premier event. This year, $10,000 is added to the ever-growing and popular Non Pro Limited class. Riders compete in rein work and box a cow in this introductory class to the reined cow horse.

“The Non Pro Limited class offers riders of all experience and comfort levels the opportunity to find a home in reined cow horse sport,” said Morrison. “It is often the first stop for riders new to NRCHA competition, as it allows a rider and their horse the chance to work a cow but not go down the fence. This class has proven to be a major area of growth for NRCHA and has become very competitive. The Board feels strongly about adding significant money to reflect that growth and reward the exhibitors and horses in this division.”

While Non Pro Limited riders do not have restrictions in earnings for the boxing, they cannot have earned more than $750 in a down the fence class. In the Derby, the Non Pro Limited will see an increase of $1,000 more than last year’s purse to a total of $3,000-added. In the Non Pro Limited Derby, riders can show 4-, 5- or 6-year-old horses in the snaffle bit. The Derby includes a herd work, rein work and cow work portion to award a composite score winner in the Non Pro Limited division.

Follow @thenrcha on Instagram and The National Reined Cow Horse Association on Facebook for daily updates from the event, as well as follow along with draws, scores and results at www. nrcha.com/scoring/. The Western Derby will be an exciting event! Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit www.nrcha.com.