AQHA Ranching Heritage Champions

ACK TO RANCHING ROOTSB

The Ranching Heritage Challenge is an exciting reminder of the origin of cow horse, and the 2021 rendition saw more than $17,000 in added money.

By Lillian Kent Photos by Primo Morales

Building a loop and making a catch in the storied Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, is intimidating, but more than 50 riders were up to the task in the American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Heritage Challenge on October 16.

Sponsored by Nutrena and John Deere, the event boasted $17,500 in added money, as well as prizes from sponsors Classic Equine and Box O Quarter Horses. Competing under a two-judge system in a variety of classes, including reining, cow work, boxing and ranch riding, competitors cinched up their ranching heritage-bred horses to carve themselves a piece of the pie.

Held concurrently with the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, the event was a change of pace from the intense limited-age action happening nearby in the John Justin Arena. But despite the easy-going atmosphere, the parameters tested even seasoned reined cow horse competitors with reining, fence run and steer stopping. Cowboys from ranches such as the famed 6666 Sixes Ranch, R.A. Brown Ranch and Durrett Cattle Co. were among the entrants, and The Challenge has proved its staying power with competitors coming back from previous years.

OPEN WORKING RANCH HORSE—7-YEAR-OLD & UP

Chris Dawson of Perrin, Texas, rode Reyzinette (Dual Rey x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark) to the win with a composite 290.5 (R:145.5/C:145). The 2014 stallion was bred and is owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses of both Weatherford, Texas, and Santa Ynez, California, who earned $1,700 for the win.

OPEN WORKING RANCH HORSE—5- & 6-YEAR-OLD

Bringing home the title for the third year, 2015 sorrel mare Smart Ladies Sparkle and Matt Koch earned the Overall Open Working Ranch Horse title with a composite 291.5 (R:144/C:147.5). Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC and owned by Myra Koch of Seneca, Kansas, Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady x Shining Spark) added $1,425 to her lifetime earnings.

OPEN WORKING RANCH HORSE—4-YEAR-OLD

Riding Steel Core Cat (Metallic Cat x Playin Nurse x Playgun), a 2017 gelding bred by Hal Bogle Estate and owned by Bogle Brothers LLC of Clovis, New Mexico, Trevor Carter piloted to a 275 composite (R:140.5/C:134.5), earning $2,800.

COWBOY WORKING RANCH HORSE

Cats Packing Heat (Cats Quixote Jack x Shes Packin Heat x Playgun) and Ryan McCoy won the Cowboy Working Ranch Horse Class with a composite 282 (R:138/C:144), winning $1,425 for owner Ryan McCoy of Miami, Texas. The 2012 sorrel gelding was bred by Colby Cunningham.

AMATEUR WORKING RANCH HORSE

Brianna Koch and 2012 sorrel mare This Cats Sinful (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Playgirl x Freckles Playboy) won the Amateur Working Ranch Horse Class with a composite 285 (R:142/C:143). The duo earned $1,250 for the effort. This Cats Sinful was bred by Cowan Select Horses LLC and is owned by Matt Koch of Elizabeth, Colorado.