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Woody Be Tuff (Nitas Wood x Tuffs Junie x Tuff Wood) sired the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion Zak 34 (a 2018 stallion out of Cat Digs Lucinda), which helped to catapult him over the million-dollar mark to claim $1,176,601.12 in reined cow horse offspring earnings. Owned by the Center Ranch in Centerville, Texas, the 2001 sorrel Quarter Horse stallion stamps many of his offspring with his signature sorrel color with a flaxen mane and tail and, often, white legs or blazed face. When a horse matching that description enters the arena with a sigma brand, it is more than likely sired by Woody Be Tuff.
“He’s a bigger horse and not a typical smaller, cow-bred horse,” said Jay Dickson, Center Ranch manager. “His trainability is his most valuable asset, even the horses we punch cows on the ranch. Everyone wants one not only for the looks, but also for the demeanor and talent. Woody Be Tuff has earned his place in the industry. He’s an awesome horse, and his legacy will live on for many years.”
Following Center Ranch owner Finis Welch’s death, the ranch is being dispersed and Woody Be Tuff sold in December at the 2021 Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sale to Kaleb Terlip and Melanie Smith, of Solo Select Horses and now stands at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Oklahoma. However, Dickson says the stallion and Welch’s sigma sign will forever be linked through the many offspring stamped with both the stallion’s qualities and the ranch’s brand.
Milestones such as these are due in part to the commitment of the NRCHA Board of Directors and sponsor family that help to continually increase the prize money awarded for the accomplishments of these horses and trainers at premier events. The efforts of dedicated owners and breeders push our industry forward, making horses that compete in the three disciplines of reined cow horses competitive in any industry.
“When a horse begins to reshape a sport by nature of the offspring they send to the pen, they’ve made a lasting impact on the industry,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “That is certainly the case with Dual Smart Rey and Woody Be Tuff, and we congratulate all of the connections of these great stallions.”
To me what is great about World’s Greatest Horseman bridle horses is they have to have all the talent and all the trainability and be versed across the board in every event, and then they still have to have the stamina to do all four events in one day. It’s the kind of horse we’re supposed to be creating. It embodies everything you want in a bridle horse.
“Riders and owners are putting so much effort into this event that horses in World’s Greatest are horses that trainers have had since they were 2-year-olds! They have been riding those horses for three to five years before they go to the event, and it takes a ton of commitment from an owner. Afterward, a great bridle horse can be a great Non Pro horse, because they have proven themselves to be open-minded and trainable. It just takes time to get there, like it takes a trainer to make a great bridle horse.” —Russell Dilday
Three-time National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Russell Dilday, riding Topsails Rien Maker (Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby gay Bar), knows a thing or two about the pressure-packed, crowd-pleasing event and the type of horse it takes to get there.
By Kate Bradley Byars
It was a banner year for reined cow horses, with multiple milestones crossed, at the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, including Clayton Edsall becoming the newest Million Dollar Rider to join an elite club of cow horse competitors.
At the Snaffle Bit Futurity, presented by Metallic Cat, Edsall made the Open Finals, needing only $5,000 in earnings to push his lifetime total over the mark. He earned $10,000 in the Finals and finished the year with $1,016,157.75. While the cows weren’t cooperative during his run in the Finals, the announcement in the arena of Edsall’s earnings’ milestone had the crowd on its feet cheering in the Will Rogers Coliseum.
Edsall, originally from Montana, recently moved his training operation from Oakdale, California, to Mineral Wells, Texas. His roots run deep in horses, where he started evolving his horsemanship riding ranch-raised horses a. Today, he counts every major NRCHA premier event championship title to his résumé, bar the Snaffle Bit Futurity.
“My success started in the bridle and went backwards, really,” Edsall, 41, said. “I started [my show career] winning the World’s Greatest Horseman on Skeets Oak Peppy in the bridle, then won the Stallion Stakes, won the
PRIMO MORALES
Aboard Bet He Sparks, shown here winning the Open Two Rein Spectacular at the 2020 Derby, Clayton Edsall has earned several champion checks to bring his total earnings to more than $1 million.
Derby then Hackamore Classic. Now, it would be sure fun to win the 3-year-old Futurity. I just got to thinking about that and it seems a lot of times it goes the other way, but I’ve gone from bridle to snaffle with my wins. Most of those horses that I’ve won on are still showing: Metallic Train, Bet He Sparks, Bet Hesa Boon and Skeets Oak Peppy.”
And, they all helped Edsall achieve the million-dollar mark. His biggest paycheck came aboard Metallic Train (Metallic Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark), owned by Beverly Servi, with $35,471 for first place in the 2018 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. The mare has amassed $172,250 in NRCHA earnings with Edsall, and along with the K&L Phillips-owned stallion Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark) that carried Edsall to a $30,173.69 payday at the 2019 NRCHA
Derby and to more than $187,000 in NRCHA earnings, have been big factors in achieving this honor.
For Edsall, part of his measure of success is not only picking up the wins, but watching the horses he has trained continue to compete and have long careers.
“Some of the horses I’ve done good on, but I’m not still showing them, they are still going,” he said. “There were four horses I had a part in training in the World’s Greatest last year and that is special to me, important to me. If you do your homework and keep a horse sound, not only physically but mentally, it is great to watch a horse go on and be successful. That means a lot to me.”
First and foremost, Edsall thanks his wife, Chelsea, for not only being his wife and biggest supporter, but also for being a great partner helping in his horse business. The backing of his parents, all of his clients and customers who trusted him with their horses, and the support of his late brother, Roy, have all had a hand in helping him have a successful career.
“When I was getting started I was around a guy, Tink Elordi, who would harp on me about how it didn’t matter what you put on a horse’s face, but it was about how you use your feet, ride with your body and the energy you put out,” said Edsall. “That has been a huge focus for me and a positive in the older horses. I wasn’t raised in the industry and throughout my career fellow trainers have helped me learn, whether they knew it or not. Watching someone else warm a horse up, bouncing ideas off each other, it is so valuable and helpful.”
It takes a lot of support to keep a training operation running flawlessly, and Edsall recognizes the efforts from not only his family and customers, but also all of the veterinarians and farriers that help his horses get the job done in the show pen.
“Dr. Marty Gardner of Western Performance Equine, Dr. Joe Carter of Oklahoma Equine, our farriers, the staff and so many other people help keep us going,” the horseman said. “I’m humbled and appreciative of everyone who has helped me and the horses along the way.”
Edsall becomes the 21st rider in the NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Club.
“Earning a spot in the Million Dollar Rider ranks at NRCHA is a life’s effort for many of our professionals,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “We couldn’t be happier for Clayton and the team surrounding him for achieving this milestone.”
For more on the NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Club, visit nrcha.com.
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