Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 27, No.4, August/September 2022

SCOTTSDALE SWEEP

Brendon Clark swept the Open Derby at the DT Horses Western Derby to have his biggest event payday to date.

2022

Dt HOrses WesterN DerbY

72 Scottsdale Sweep

Brendon Clark and CR Hes A Tuff One sweep the DT Horses Open Derby.

81 One-Two Once More

Two consistent geldings put Debbie Crafton at the top of the Non Pro Derby.

90 On Spec

Scooter Kat and Justin Wright take the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular Championship.

106 Tuff Enough

The Super Spectacular entertains crowds while crowning Open and Non Pro champions.

112 Hot in Scottsdale: Horse Show Champions

124 The Final Field:

We know the 16 competing in The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge.

FeAtures

60 Shine On Keep your belt buckle shined up with these tips.

64 Affiliate of the Year

The Colorado Reined Cowhorse As sociation goes above and beyond for its members.

70 From our Corporate Sponsor: If This {Shorty’s} Hat Could Talk

CIrCLe up

18 NRCHA Foundation: Stories from the Shedrow

22 Course Correction

28 NRCHA News

28 Quotable

32 NHSRA 2022 Champion

member rOuNDup

38 Know the Pro: Tyler Merrill

42 Admirable Assistants: Isaac Carrell

52 Affiliate News: Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association

56 Affiliate News: California Reined Cow Horse Association

IN eVerY Issue

4 From the Executive Director

NRCHA President’s Letter

All the action from the Dom Conicelli memorial eastern Derby, presented by mArs equestrian™, begins on page 129.

DOm CONICeLLI memOrIAL eAsterN DerbY

130 Dominant Derby

For the second year, Clay Volmer and Ricato Suave top the Open Derby in the East.

134 The Streak Continues

Debbie Crafton flip-flops her two geldings to remain at atop the Non Pro Derby.

148 Sure Something Spectacular

The heat in Tennessee didn’t stop the Spectacular exhibitors from bringing the fire.

162 Eastern Circuit Champions

172 Heating Up the East Coast: Pre-Futurity Champions

10 From the Judge’s Chair

14 From the NRCHYA

Affiliate List

Suspended Member List

180 NRCHA Committee Directory

NRCHA Sanctioned Events

On the cover: Scottsdale sweep for Brendon Clark in the Derby Open divisions. Read all the show results starting on page 72

Photo by Primo Morales

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Faith is defined as complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Right now many of us are sharing in the faith that rain will eventually come to deliver us from these summer doldrums. And in the wee hours of the morning, barely after the sun has set and hours before it will rise again, many of you are horseback preparing your 3-year-olds and practicing faith that the rough spots will smooth out and your prospects will come together before October. These next months will be hot, intense and require conviction. Fortunately, the cow horse family is not short on that! As you wait out the heat, and perhaps grab a few minutes in the shade or air conditioning, let’s look back on all that’s happened the past few months.

The DT Horses Western Derby took Scottsdale by storm once with another 20 percent increase in entries. Our youth and adults alike beat the heat between runs in the dunk tank, which raised more than $15,000 to support youth activities, and the arena heated up once again with the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular and Super Spectacular, supported by Holy Cow Performance Horses, as well as the Derby. When the dust settled, Brendon Clark and CR Hes A Tuff One rocketed to the win in the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions of the DT Horses Western Derby for owner Jill Olerich. Derby season continued in Cordova, Tennessee, with the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS EquestrianTM, where exhibitors enjoyed hearing from our pros in the Tips from the Top sessions and cooling off with snow cones and ice cream during the Awards Happy Hours. At the end of the Derby, Clay Volmer and Ricato Suave pulled off a repeat win for the title of Open Derby Champion for owners Shaleah Hester and Madeleine Fountain. In another repeat, Todd Crawford once again won the Holy Cow Performance Horses-sponsored Open Bridle Spectacular title, this time atop Robert and Allysn Light’s Bet Lucky 13. In the Pre-Futurity classes, Ben Baldus aboard A Rey Of Sunshine came out on top in the Open division for owners Stanton Pinckard Horses LLC.

While we have our sights set on the Snaffle Bit Futurity® presented by Metallic Cat, we’ll also be cheering on the exhibitors competing in the Cowboy Invitational, presented by XIT Ranch, and Cow Horse Challenge at The Run For A Million, presented by Teton Ridge, in August, and eagerly awaiting the debut of more 3-year-olds in sanctioned pre-futurities across the country. Between now and October don’t forget to stay cool and keep the faith. We’ll see you in Fort Worth!

Volume 27, Number 4

Official Publication of the National Reined Cow Horse Association

Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC

NRCHA

256 North Hwy 377 | Pilot Point, TX 76258

Phone: 940-488-1500 | Fax: 940-488-1499 info@nrcha.com | www.NRCHA.com

NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS:

President: Corey Cushing

Vice President: Paul Bailey

Secretary: Todd Crawford

Treasurer: Trey Neal

NRCHA STAFF

Executive Director: Dr. Anna Morrison

Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine

Data Entry & Results Assistant: Taylor Meek

Media & Communications Manager: Callie McCarthy-Boevers

Membership & Affiliate Shows Manager: Tina McCleary

Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel

Programs Manager: Jennifer Bishop

Sponsorship Assistant: Bailey Carter

Director of Judges: Bill Enk

Official NRCHA Photographer: Primo Morales

Official NRCHA Videographer: Equine Promotion

REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Vice President: John Lunn

Editor: Kate Bradley Byars

Managing Editor: Jennifer Denison

Production Manager: Sherry Brown

Art Director: Susan Sampson

Advertising Sales

Shawn McCoy, 817-929-8597 shawn.mccoy@morris.com

Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114 diana.buettner@morris.com

Advertising, Fax 817-737-9633

Reined Cow Horse News (ISSN 23803975) is published six times a year by Cowboy Publishing Group. Known office of publication: 2112 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107. All contents are copyright of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the NRCHA. Opinions expressed in articles and advertising in Reined Cow Horse News do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the NRCHA or its officers and members. Accuracy of material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk and the NRCHA accepts no responsibility for them. Please address all submissions to: Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258. Subscription rate is $25 a year. Periodical postage paid at Pilot Point, Texas, 76258 and additional mailing offices. USPS number, 024-906. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258.

Dr. Anna Morrison

FROM THE PRESIDENT

We all think about how important it is to manage time when we are in the arena, watching the clock in a boxing run or managing a cow so it has enough get up and go for us to circle up for a good score. But in the grand scheme of life and in our industry, time and how we management really factors into much more than we think.

Right now, it may be summer but we are getting closer to the 2022 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®. All year, us trainers been juggling our Futurity prospects, aged-event horses competing and all the horses for our clients. It’s getting closer to our crunch time, and we want to spend as much time as possible to be sure those horses are ready to reach their potential and make our dreams come true.

Corey Cushing, NRCHA president

The flip side is what happens after you reach a goal. Do you keep pushing yourself or your horse, or do you keep watering it and let it grow? Sometimes, there are days when that flower you’ve planted is growing only underground. It’s slow to develop into its final beauty, like our cow horses. From the snaffle to the hackamore, to the two-rein and then the bridle, it may not always be beautiful. You put the foundation there and, while you may have to step back and put some fertilizer on it, the horse you’ve built will continue to grow with proper care.

There are two pieces of advice that I was told and keep in mind when I ride my horses. First, Benny Guitron told me, “Time spent on a horse’s back is never wasted.” Then, Jim Paul, Sr. told me that, “It’s not how long you ride that horse, it’s how often.”

Our goals may seem to take forever to achieve. Even though we are all focused on that Futurity title this season, it can feel like time slows down and we can’t reach our goals. Look at Brendon Clark. He’s worked at his program for years, and like many of us has had some ups and downs. In June, he hit a high sweeping the DT Horses Western Derby Open divisions to win. He’s reached that goal! I know what it feels like to work toward a goal and feel like it’s taking forever to achieve it.

That is what it is like for us in the cow horse industry. It’s not a quick hop, skip and jump to the top. It’s a journey that requires us to bide our time, manage how we work our horses so they can learn, and then figure out how to keep it all going in an upward trend. Just because you can’t see the goal line or see the flower bloom doesn’t mean it’s not coming. Remember, “Time spent on a horse’s back is never wasted.”

We’ll see you next at the Snaffle Bit Futurity and we can’t wait to see what’s developed!

Corey Cushing

FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR

Judging reined cow horses is no easy task. Lots of things can hap pen in the blink of an eye that must be addressed fairly and consis tently. The up-and-down runs present the biggest challenge to come up with a score that covers the whole work, the good parts and the not so good parts. It helps to be familiar with what is truly difficult that is made to look fairly easy. This knowledge helps separate runs that have some degree of difficulty but are made to look difficult or fairly easy, depending upon if the exhibi tor is behind or ahead and in control of the run. This relates more to the herd work and cow work but also in a subtle way to the reined work.

For judges, consistency starts with the basics then builds as the works progress. In the herd work, it starts with a clean cut: Are they even on both sides of the cow? Do they quit clean? If these basics are met on each cow the next question should be: Is their form correct? And finally, do they have correctness with speed? It is dif ficult to meet all the criteria on three cows, but if they do that is where con sistency comes into play. If the exhibitor can achieve these basics on all three animals somewhere near the middle of

the pen, (which shows control), he or she has earned credit in the form of a good to really good score.

The reined work basics have to do with location in the arena and all the individual maneuver parts. The center of the arena and the rundown mark ers are the important locations to be aware of. The closer you are to the center when circling and changing leads, the better chance for credit you

by not only stopping correctly but also making a good approach to the stop. Consistently doing all the parts of the maneuvers well can elevate the maneu ver scores into the plus-1 to plus-11/2 range depending upon the degree of difficulty exhibited.

The cow work basics involve how well the cow is set up and controlled from the start of the run until the whistle blows to end the work. The draw is vital for high scoring runs, there has to be degree of difficulty. If the exhibitor can stay ahead of the run (i.e., reading a cow correctly, not reacting after the fact) on a fast running, difficult ani mal they have met the criteria for a positive, credit-earning score. Even on a slower ani mal credit can be achieved by consistently being in the proper position to control the cow without overworking it.

have. Hitting the center consistently is a must for credit earning circles and changes, it is basic but hard to achieve. Running past the rundown markers before asking the horse to stop sounds easy, but the more seasoned the horse is the more they seem to anticipate the upcoming stop. Credit can be earned

The horses that end up at the top of the leaderboard usually have one thing in common: They were not only good, they were the most consistently good!

Until Next Time, Bill Enk NRCHA Director of Judges

FROM THE NRCHYA

The hot weather didn’t stop National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association members and all the youth at the show from having a good time at the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona. From poster decorat ing to the very popular dunk tank, there was an activity for all to participate.

Starting with the dunk tank, there were trainers, kids and parents lined around the tank; everyone was waiting to see their favorite NRCHA professionals get dunked. While it was major fun for everyone involved, it also earned tons of fundraiser money for the Youth! In total, the NRCHYA raised $15,040 off the dunk tank!

Another great fundraiser was the 50/50 raffle tickets. NRCHYA members sold tickets throughout the show, and 50 percent of the money went into our youth savings account

while the other 50 percent was held together for the winning ticket that was announced during the show. The raffle tickets raised $1,190. The NRCHYA would like to thank everyone who participated in our fundraisers, and we can’t wait for the next one.

In addition to the fundraisers, there were activities every day to keep the youth busy throughout the show. The sorting was a huge hit this year as well as the lead line. Scavenger hunts and pony pong also had the kids out and about at the facility. Another yearly tradition was the herd help horse decorating. Herd helpers let the youth paint their horses and then gave them back for the herd help to turn back on. Lastly, there was poster and Cinch hat decorating. Kids could deco rate a poster to support their favorite horse and rider duos as well as decorate a Cinch hat or go around and get autographs from their favorite NRCHA professionals and Non Pros. The Western Derby was so much fun for all youth members!

At the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, the Youth and other attendees were again treated to special ice cream desserts from MARS during the youth ice cream social and poster decorating. There was a full slate of events for not only NRCHYA members, but also youth of all ages, including a scavenger hunt for the first few days and then youth relay races. The show wrapped with the MARS Equestrian™ Youth Lead Line.

Every premier event offers something special for the youth members, and we can’t thank our advisors, supporters and the NRCHA staff enough for their continued support.

—Tylor Todd

Youth lead line is always a crowd pleaser and a great way to involve young riders and their parents or trainers.

Even NRCHA Executive Director Anna Morrison was nominated for the dunk tank fund raiser at the DT Horses Western Derby.

PRIMO MORALES

“Valor gives me everything on the pattern. To ensure I’m doing my best for him, I rely on supplements developed and proven by Kentucky Equine Research.”

Dona Kay Rule Th Three-time NFR Qualifier

Three mares are in the National Reined Cow Horse Hall of Fame, including Katie Starlight. Today, the sorrel mare, by Grays Starlight and out of the Colonel Freckles daughter Colonel Gunsmoke, is a cow horse household name. An earner of two World’s Greatest Horseman titles and an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion producer, “Katie” has left her mark on the industry.

When she started her career, though, she wasn’t predes tined to be a legend. Paula Hunsicker purchased the filly for California cow horse trainer Sandy Collier to start.

“As a 2-year-old she was amazingly athletic and smart. She was so cowy it was almost like she was afraid of them,” Collier recalled.

That cowiness cost the pair a top-five placing in the 1996 Snaffle Bit Futurity, instead placing ninth. But Collier, an NRCHA Hall of Fame member and also a Futurity Champion, was undeterred from continuing Katie’s show career.

“She just was such an exceptionally [well] put together filly and real bright, inquisitive and all the things we like to see,” said Collier. “She always looked like the right kind and was put together. She was low-necked, lowheaded and just a stunner. Anybody would kill to have her in their barn. She just took your breath away.”

By the time Katie was in the hackamore at 5 years old, Hunsicker was training with NRCHA Hall of Fame trainer Ted Robinson, and Katie moved with her. Robinson, known for winning the inaugural World’s Greatest Horseman on the mare, said he never intended to take her in 1999.

“To be truthful, Paula was showing her and not me,” Robinson recalled. “About three weeks before the World’s Greatest, my horse got sore and I took Katie Starlight at the last minute. Trying to rope on her, I couldn’t swing a

rope on her just riding, but I could swing [the rope] if we were chasing a steer. It was funny about her, and I think she was a typical great mare—you learn how to get along with them!”

The athleticism the mare showed in 1999 at the World’s Greatest Horseman had Robinson entering again in 2001, and for the second time the pair took top honors. However, there was hitchhiker on board with Katie that time—Nu Circle Of Light, the would-be 2005 Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion with Robinson in the saddle.

“You couldn’t ask for a nicer individual than her. I would rather ride mares, but she never showed those ‘marey’ signs. She was never out of sorts. She was always Katie Starlight,” said Robinson. “She became one of the greater producers of cow horses, no doubt about that. She was able to do it herself and also produce it, and we don’t see a lot of that anymore.”

When the mare sold to Cinder Lakes Ranch, she had more than $126,000 in earnings. Her offspring would amass more than $ 400,000. Nu Circle Of Light (by Nu Circle N Cash) earned the Futurity Champion title, and This One Time (by One Time Pepto) took the Reserve Champion Snaffle Bit Futurity title in 2012 with Todd Bergen aboard.

While Katie Starlight’s contributions to reined cow horse were recognized in 2017 with her induction to the NRCHA Hall of Fame, she continues to impact the industry.

“Mare power is so important. By the grace of God, I rode Katie and Sheza Shinette, who have helped our industry a lot,” said Collier. “The Thoroughbred [breeders] believe that the mare is 80 percent [of the pairing] and while it is 50-50 genetically, strong mares are much more of a given.”

You can say that again.

Through Stories from the Shedrow, the NRCHA Foundation continues to preserve the heritage and traditions of reined cow horse. FROM THE

Presented by Kalpowar Quarter Horses

COURSE CORRECTION

In the coverage from the 2022 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, these champions were inadvertently left off the article.

LEVEL 1 OPEN DERBY CHAMPION

Tuesdays Tuff Kitty (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Tuesday x High Brow Cat), owned by Jeffrey Simpson and shown by AJ Black, topped the level with a composite 638.5 (H:210.5/ R:216.5/C:211.5) to earn the win and $3,906.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

Riding her 2016 mare Hannas Metallic Rey (Metallic Cat x Reyhanna x Dual Rey), Denille LePlatte bested the 40-entry Non Pro Boxing Derby field with a composite 653 (H:216.5/R:214.5/C:222) to earn $3,534.30. The two also won the class, Non Pro Limited Derby, in 2021.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

In the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing, Jenna Stolting rode Kit Kat Royal (Kit Kat Sugar x Little Royal Blue x Smart Little Lena), a 2016 mare, to the Champion title with a composite 642 (H:214.5/R:214/C:213.5) to earn $1,559.25.

LEVEL 1 OPEN DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Got The Money Hunny (Reyzin The Cash x Charmed For Sure x Smart Little Lena) and Marcha Duvenage rode to a 637.5 (H:215.5/R:215.5/C:206) and earned co-owners Duvenage and Mark Banfield $2,720.25.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Niamh Sexton rode Ima Metallic Shine (Metallic Cat x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena), owned by Melissa Sexton, to the reserve spot earning $2,827.44 with a composite 646.5 (H:215/R:215.5/C:216).

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve Champion pair was Shandra Freitas riding her 2017 mare CR This Cats Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR Miss N Cats Meow x Miss N Okie). She earned $935.55 for the composite 630.5 (H:206.5/ R:211.5/C:212.5).

NRCHA APPROVES COWBOY CLASS TO BEGIN IN 2023

The National Reined Cow Horse Association voted and approved implementing rules for the Cowboy Class for the 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity® and in the 2023 NRCHA Rule Book.

The Cowboy Class introduces working ranch cowboys to the reined cow horse. Beginning in 2023, the Cowboy Class will be a recognized class, and local affiliates and show producers will be allowed to host these classes at their approved NRCHA events. It will be

recognized as a sanctioned Category 1 special event, similar to the all-around and spectacular classes.

“Reined cow horse grew from training methods used on ranches by the Vaqueros. NRCHA has continued to support cross over from working ranch horses and cowboys into our arenas through the Cowboy Clinics and Cowboy Invitational for several years now,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “Establishing the Cowboy Class as an official class in our

rulebook was the natural next step to honor and grow our sport’s connection with ranching.”

Eligibility for this class will be limited to individuals working on ranching and livestock operations, and who have earned less than $15,000 in NRCHA Open and Non Pro monies outside of the Cowboy Class.

The rules for the Cowboy Class can be found online at nrcha.com/snafflebit-futurity and will be listed in the 2023 rule book.

QUOTABLE

Riding cow horses has been a great way for me to expand on more natural horsemanship skills and move away from some of the perfection that reining horses require,” Andrea Fappani posted to his social media accounts during the DT Horses Western Derby in June. “I’ll be honest, it’s a test every day, but it definitely lights a fire and makes me responsible and more comfortable for being lost at times and getting it figured out. As always, the NRCHA and cow horse people are a tight family with outgoing personalities, ready and willing to step up to help in any way or provide some great advice. I’m here to learn!”

No stranger to the show pen, Andrea Fappani found his way to the cow horse arena. At the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, Andrea Fappani traded in his reining bridle for a reined cow horse snaffle bit. The National Reining Horse Association No. 1 Money Earning Rider piloted two horses in the premier event— Yaketyyakdontalkbak, owned by Teton Ridge, and Eight Karat Diamond, owned by Harry and Patricia Prince. Aboard Eight Karat Diamond, Fappani added more than $4,000 in National Reined Cow Horse Association earnings.

TOP OF HER GAME

Canadian cow horse competitor Ryley Rae Wilson topped the 117-horse field to earn the 2022 National High School Finals Rodeo World Champion title.

By Jennifer Bishop and Kate Bradley Byars Photography by Accentric Rodeo

When the Cinch National High School Finals Rodeo moves into town, it is more like an invasion. High school rodeo athletes from across the United States and Canada bring their families, multiple horses, friends and anything they could need for the multi-day event, and plunk down at their soon-to-be home away from home, adding more than 1,500 people to a town’s population. That is how it went in Gillette, Wyoming, July 17-23 for the 2022 Finals. In addition to the rodeo competitors, there were 117 entries in the cow horse competition— the largest field to ever be drawn for the NHSFR event.

After more than a dozen perfor mances where competitors were drawn into groups of approximately 20 to 25 to compete, the short-go wrapped up with Canadian Ryley Rae Wilson, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, as the 2022 NHSRA World Champion. The daughter of National Reined Cow Horse Association Board of Directors member and professional Cayley Wilson, Ryley rode LHR Rey C Time (One Time Pepto x Rey Jay Play x Dual Rey), owned by Fred Wien, to the title.

“This week has been so much fun! The high school rodeo atmosphere is the most fun part about it,” said the

18-year-old champion. “There is a lot of pressure, and pressure to do good, but it kind of lifts because everyone else is there having fun and trying hard, too. That’s the best part about it. But I was focused on getting my horse shown.”

For cow horse competitors, the Finals kicked off with a free clinic from NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Kelby Phillips and DT Horses Open Derby Champion Brendon Clark. The clinic, presented by CINCH and the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association,

gave one-on-one coaching Saturday, July 16. Then, the first cow horse performance kicked off on Sunday, July 17, with a question-and-answer session with the reined cow horse judg es before the first performance was held that evening.

With two horses to show in two events—she also competed on SQH Hot Rod Lincoln(Spots Hot X No Time For You x A Chic In Time) in the girls cutting—Wilson had her work cut out for her. She placed third in the first

Ryley Wilson piloted to the NHSRA Reined Cow Horse World Champion win after qualifying for the short round after two successful go-rounds.

Building Youth Ranks

In 2014, the National Reined Cow Horse Association and the National High School Rodeo Association partnered to bring reined cow horse as an optional event at NHSRA rodeos. The fast pace of cow horse fit right in with rodeo competitors that sought speed but also wanted to utilize their horsemanship skills and cow savvy.

The NHSRA draws approximately 12,500 students from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia to compete. In addition, the National Junior High School Finals Rodeo—open to students in sixth through eighth grades—includes reined cow horse, setting cow horse up to reach more youth than ever. For more information on how NRCHA helps high school rodeo produce reined cow horse events, visit nrcha.com/ nhsra-reined-cow-horse/.

go of the cow horse, earning $513.41, then tied for fourth in the second go to earn $310.74, before topping the shortgo and winning the title and $783.62. In the girls cutting, Wilson rode to second in the first go aboard SQH Hot Rod Lincoln to earn $954.76 and in the second go, she tied for fifth and earned $126.10. With the points earned in both events, Wilson earned the Reserve AllAround Cowgirl title.

But for Wilson, the memory she’ll carry with her is the cow horse short-go fence work.

“I’ve had other reining runs that were good in his and my career, but this is the best fence work I’ve ever done. It was really great; I was really happy,” she said. “Rayce’ is not easy to get along with, and if he decides he doesn’t like you, you’ll know. He is funny like that. The people that he likes, he will try his heart out. He likes me and we get along really well; we

have an understanding. I don’t nitpick at him because he gets worried if you push too much, but if you ride like it’s all fine and nothing is wrong, then he knows it. Riding him is a lot like warming up a cutting horse rather than a reining horse. He knows his job.”

Wilson first rode a cow horse at 10 years old, but the draw for her to compete in the event at high school rodeo lies in the all-around component.

“High school rodeo has a great atmosphere about it,” explained Wilson. “It also lets me do the other rodeo events, too, where you can’t do all that at other cow horse shows. I do cutting, team roping, breakaway, barrels, poles, but I do not tie goats.”

Wilson said that throughout the year, her Nana and Papa never missed a high school rodeo. She had a “whack load” of people to thank, including her mom and dad, stepparents and the Wiens, who own Rayce.

With a strong support system and two good horses under her, the recently graduated, newly crowned champion advises any rodeo competitor interested in cow horse to find a trained horse to take a spin down the fence.

“Try the cow horse first on a good horse. If you can get on a good horse, feel what it is supposed to feel like, then you’ll be set up to know what it should feel like when you’re on any horse.”

Finishing second in the average was the NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman Champion Emily Kent riding CallMe Mister Mister (Mister Dual Pep x Travelin With Sass x Travalena).

In third was Will Jones aboard Chex Out Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Chex Out My Hiney x High Brow Cat), the horse that also finished reserve in the American Quarter Horse Association Horse of the Year standings.

For complete results and information on the NHSFR, visit nhsra.com.

Aboard CallMe Mister Mister, Emily Kent took the Reserve World Champion title.

KNOW THE PRO

Interview by Abigail Boatwright

Some folks transition directly from youth competitor to cow horse trainer, no stops along the way. But not Tyler Merrill. The Purcell, Oklahoma, native is a dyed-in-thewool horseman with a passion for learning from each horse he rides. His journey to cow horse took a “scenic route,” but the husband and father of two has brought a wealth of expe rience to his current barn of cow horse clients.

The son of former American Quarter Horse Association President Frank Merrill, who bred racehorses and perfor mances horses for more than 40 years, Merrill was destined for a life with horses. His sister, McKenzie, and mom, Robin, showed in all-around events, reining, cow horse and cutting. And another sister, Megan, is a non pro cutter married to cutting horse trainer Matt Miller.

“The road [to horses] was paved before I was even thought of,” Merrill said.

As a youth, Merrill started out roping and cutting. His first foray into cow horses was with his sister Megan’s youth cow horse, Reys The Band. He showed the gelding twice at the AQHA Youth World Show in 1999 and 2000. He also won an AQHYA World Championship in tie-down roping in 2012.

After graduating from military school, Merrill continued to ride any horse he could. He worked for Carol Rose in 2006 and says that experience really hooked him on cow horse.

“I got to ride some of the greatest horses in the industry, working for her for two years,” he said. “That was really my start.”

In 2008, Merrill made his home in Weatherford, Texas, and the next year he married his wife, Katy. He worked for his brother-in-law, Matt Miller, in Poolville, Texas, breaking 2 year-olds and showing in cutting for about five years before starting his own training business.

When his son Mason was born in 2016, Merrill went to

work for Clay Johnson, training cutting and roping horses. Merrill stayed for a year, but with a young son at home, he wanted to spend more time with his family, so he started working for a ranch taking care of 10,000 yearlings and bringing Mason with him while he worked. Yet, the show pen called his name.

Tyler Merrill took a meandering path to becoming a reined cow horse trainer, but he finally found where he belongs.

Tyler Merrill is a husband, father and horseman.

COURTESY OF THE MERRILL

ROUNDUP

Merrill’s sister McKenzie had a 3-year-old named Suen To Love in cow horse training with Shadd Parkinson in Arizona, and she connected the two trainers. In 2019, Merrill traveled to Arizona to help Parkinson and to show the horse in a pre-futurity. Parkinson then asked him to come work for him at major events, helping non pro clients and watching cows in the herd work.

“I said, ‘Yeah, I’d love to, I’d love to get back into it,’ ” Merrill said. “I showed my sister’s horse at the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®], and last minute, Shadd called me and asked if I wanted another one to show. I said, ‘I’d love to. I’ll show anything.’ ”

Merrill teamed up with Andi Paul’s Tweenkle Lights, and that year at the Futurity, Tyler made the Finals in the Limited, Intermediate and Open divisions. That accomplishment pushed him back into cow horse training.

“I love it! I wish it hadn’t taken me so long, but I had to take a few different routes,” Merrill said. “That was my kick back into this deal. It was something everybody dreams of. I hope to continue to have success, and do it again, I love getting to ride all these great horses people trust me with.”

Now raising two sons with Katy, Merrill says watching a horse develop is a little like parenting, and it’s the most rewarding part of training.

“It’s so gratifying to know that you had a role in an animal’s life to help it do something that it was born to do,” Merrill said. “It’s a feeling I don’t think you can get anywhere else, when you start a horse, and then they go on to do something, or show you something one day. It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to teach a horse do these three different events.”

QReined Cow Horse News: What draws you to the reined cow horse?

Tyler Merrill: The challenges, especially with having a horse do three different events. And the trainers and spectators—everybody seems like they’re always rooting for you and will help you if you ever need anything.

ARCHN: What’s your go-to piece of equipment?

TM: A Kerry Kelly correction [bit]. It’s soft where you can put it on a young horse, but you can put it on an older horse and break them loose.

RCHN: Who do you consider your biggest mentors, and what did you learn from them?

TM: When I was really young, I rode with a guy named Clark Jerry, [who] worked for my dad and broke 2-yearolds, and he helped sharpen my skills as a roper. When I was a little bit older. I went to [roper] Robbie Schroeder’s every summer and would stay with him. He was kind of like a father figure to me. Gary Wells, another roper, all of them taught me how to be a horseman, and ride anything you can get on. Don’t just try to make the horses fit you. Robbie and Gary were both all-around guys that could do anything, from cow horse to pleasure to western riding, roping, you name it.

Don Murphy, Todd Crawford, too— those are the men in the older generation when I was coming up who always took me under their wing and gave me advice—or were hard on me, to make me learn more. The big deal for me was, don’t try to make a horse fit you. You try to fit the horse. Be a horseman, be there for the horse. Don’t try to be a trainer as much as a horseman.

with NRCHA Pro Tyler Merrill

COURTESY OF THE MERRILL FAMILY

ADMIRABLE ASSISTANTS: ISAAC CARREL

Story and photography by Jennifer Denison

Standing outside the arena gate at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, last February, Isaac Carrel gave the sorrel stallion Hott Rod a pat on the neck and bid his boss, Corey Cushing, good luck right before the horse and trainer trotted into the arena for the Western Bloodstock & Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman cow work Finals.

The duo stayed perfectly in sync with each other and the charolais steer they were working while the song “Feel Invincible” boomed in the background. Energy intensified as Cushing sent Hott Rod (Hottish x Sugars Smart Kitty x High Brow Cat) down the fence and seamlessly turned the cow in both directions and then circled it to the finish. When the buzzer sounded, he whirled his hat into the air with excite ment. Months of hard work and prepa ration culminated that one night, and it was charged with emotion.

“The scores were super close, and it all came down to the cow work,” recalled Carrel. “After the first two turns, I was confident Corey was going to win it. Hott Rod ‘ate’ that cow up. It takes a ton of planning to compete in four events in one day. I’ve watched

Hott Rod the past few years go from a Derby horse to a full bridle horse, and he and Corey have been through a lot together. It was so cool to see it all come together that day and see him win [his third World’s Greatest Horseman title].”

While Cushing and Hott Rod were in the spotlight, the trainer’s entire team played a part in the win. The day-today, behind-the-scenes work Carrel and other assistants perform allow Cushing time to do what he does best: train reined cow horses.

In the 2½ years Carrel has worked for Cushing, he has done “a little of every thing.” He gladly grooms, saddles, warms up and cools down horses— anything he can do to make the days and shows go smoothly and success fully for Cushing.

“There’s no real job description for an assistant trainer—it’s wide open,” he explained. “It involves long days doing everything from saddling and unsaddling horses, to warming them up, packing the trailer and getting the truck serviced, to starting 2-year-olds. We’re always making sure the horses are fed well, clipped, bathed and look their best—that can be a fulltime job.

Isaac Carrel’s willingness to learn and positive attitude make him a good fit as Corey Cushing’s assistant.

“Being an assistant is what you make of it,” he adds. “If you put in the time, it’ll benefit you.”

SADDLES AND SPORTS

Training horses was nothing new to Carrel, who hails from Sheridan, Wyoming. His father, Charlie Carrel, is a two-time American Quarter Horse Association World Champion show jumper and trainer. He started his son in a flat-seat English saddle. at a

As a training assistant to Corey Cushing, this Wyoming horseman applies knowledge he’s gained through playing sports and riding jumping horses to working cow horses.

young age and had him riding warm bloods and Thoroughbreds.

“I was decent at jumping when I was young, “ said Carrel. “I’m glad I did it, and I never realized how it would translate to what I’m doing now [with cow horses].”

In high school, Carrel traded his jodh purs for athletic uniforms and par ticipated on the baseball, football and basketball teams. While he excelled in each sport, he received a scholarship to play baseball for the University of Tennessee-Martin. After graduating with a degree in business administra tion, the university hired him to be an assistant to the athletic director.

“I was involved in every facet of the sports business world, but I really wanted to get into coaching,” he said. “So I enrolled in an online master’s program through Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, for kinesiology and coaching. I worked there for about six months as a grad assistant for their baseball team.”

During summer break in 2018, he visited his aunt, Sarah Clifford, who trained horses for ranch versatility in Carmel, California. Little did he know that visit would change the course of his career and life.

“I didn’t know anything about cow horses, and she’s the one who intro duced me to them,” he recalled. “I went out there and started helping her and really fell in love with working cattle [horseback]. I had planned to stay the summer, but I ended up staying a year and a half while finishing my master’s degree online.”

With an interest in cow horses, Carrel got his feet wet working a short time with Clayton Edsall, who trained in Oakdale, California, at the time. Then, in early 2020, he sought other trainers

looking for assistants, including Brad Barkemeyer in Scottsdale, Arizona. Barkemeyer wasn’t hiring, so he referred Carrel to a neighboring trainer, Cushing. During an in-person inter view, Cushing and Carrel hit it off.

“I told him I didn’t need another rider, but I did need somebody to sad dle and unsaddle and bring me horses, a lot of the grunge work. But along the way, I’ll give you opportunities to play around with the horses, but for right now this is what it’s going to be,” remembered Cushing. “He flew down for a weekend and fell right into place with my other assistants at the time, Steven Hutchins and Wilson McCray.

At the end of the weekend, he was still interested so I told him to pack his bags and come back down.

“He was very real and comfortable being himself,” added Cushing. “We have a lot of fun and joke around at the ranch to make the days a little bit short er. I’m big on positivity, and he’s always in a good mood and has a smile on his face and is up for a good time. That’s real important, whether it’s around me or a customer who is coming to ride or watch their horses.”

The assistant’s duties included put ting horses on the hot walker, saddling horses and getting them ready for the trainer to ride. In the heat of the sum

Working as a trainer’s assistant takes a strong work ethic, reliability and adaptability, but it comes with perks such as getting on champion cow horses like Hes A Dual Bet (“Dually”), owned by Teton Ridge.

mer in Arizona, that often means sad dling at 2 a.m. when it’s cool.

“There are people who look at assis tants as the ones who just ride the hors es I don’t have time for,” said Cushing. “My assistants are helping me prepare [the show horses]. When I leave at the end of the day or to go out of town, I trust my assistants are going to take care of things the way I want them done and make the days productive.”

Within days of Carrel’s arrival in Arizona, Cushing had his new assistant traveling with him to shows to help set up and get the horses ready to perform.

“We went to a little schooling show in Queen Creek, Arizona, and then went straight to the World’s Greatest Horseman competition in Fort Worth,” remembered Carrel. “Corey threw me right into the fire—the year before [2019], he had won his second World’s Greatest Horseman title on ‘Cinco’ [Sonita Lena Rey] and he had high expectations going into the show. His other two assistants were good about showing me the ropes. I would’ve been completely lost and forgot everything without them. It can get intense at shows, and you really have to know the show schedule, draws and what horses to get ready. It takes thinking ahead of Corey, even though there’s a lot of hurry-up-and-wait times.”

COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Though Carrel didn’t enter the cow horse industry with an intention to show, the competitive side of him from years of playing sports recently reemerged. Earlier this year, he started showing horses from his string in the Level 1 Open.

“I really like showing more than I thought I would,” he said. “It’s become addicting. Corey watches every run

and is usually in the herd helping. He talks to me after the run is over about things I can improve. He gives you so many opportunities to learn.”

Carrel not only refines his skills under Cushing’s tutelage, but also by observing other trainers he admires.

“A lot of the things I learned about playing sports I learned by watching other people, and I find myself doing the same thing at horse shows. I’m always watching Corey and other bigtime trainers and seeing how they han dle things and solve problems. Then I stew on it for a while and see if I can translate it to the horses I ride.”

Another skill that Carrel carried over from sports is teamwork.

“Corey promotes positivity and a team environment,” he explained. “One of the things I’ve learned about being a trainer’s assistant is that you have to be selfless—everything is for the trainer and team. Being a good assistant is akin to being a good golf caddie—you have to be there whenever anyone needs you. When the trainer succeeds, it’s just as much of a rush for an assistant. We work really hard at shows and leave knowing we gave it our all, no matter how the chips fall. There are bad days, just like striking out in baseball, but we try to move on and not dwell on them.”

A TIME TO LEARN

During his time with Cushing, Carrel has become more than an assistant; he’s also become part of the family. Cushing has shared a wealth of information with Carrel and watched him gain a deeper understanding for horses and training.

“There are more intense days than others. We try to keep a good flow and mindset, but there are 12- and 15-hour days and he understands that’s the way it is,” said Cushing. “As far as

evolving, it’s not something that comes overnight. What I’ve noticed most is that he’s understanding what I help him with on one horse may relate to another horse later, but it doesn’t mean every horse needs to be ridden that way. He’s gotten really good about reading a horse’s demeanor and mind set and knowing when a horse is ready to pay attention and learn something as opposed to being fresh or having enough for the day, and always ending on a good note.”

In June, Cushing moved from Arizona to Weatherford, Texas, to join the Teton Ridge training team. Carrel followed, never once balking at loading and unloading trailers and hundreds of boxes rather than riding horses. He looks forward to whatever opportuni ties arise and the possibility of striking out on his own someday as a trainer.

“I know this is the time in my life where I must learn as much as I can about being a better horseman,” he said. “I don’t take any of this for grant ed. I feel like training horses is the ultimate form of teaching. You’re trying to get along with an animal that can’t communicate with your verbally, so you have to find different ways to build a bond.”

Cushing knows that one day Carrel will move on, but he continues to mount him well and provide learning and showing opportunities.

“Isaac truly understands the time and effort involved in being an assistant and trainer,” said Cushing. “He’s never asked for more than what I’ve offered, and he appreciates all the moments he gets to spend on a horse, whether it’s in the training or show pen, given to him by me or my customers who believe in him and have agreed to let him show their horses and learn.”

AFFILIATE NEWS: COLORADO REINED COWHORSE ASSOCIATION

By Bonnie Wheatley, courtesy of CRCA Photographs by Performance Horse Photography

Cow horse competitors flocked to the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colorado, for the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association’s $44,400-added Sagebrush show, held April 20-24. CRCA directors, show staff and cattle crew all worked together to ensure that the show rolled smoothly, and determined competitors who traveled from throughout Colorado and other states rose to the challenge.

OPEN DERBY CHAMPIONS

Besting the field of 33 Open Derby entrants was topranked National Reined Cow Horse Association profes sional Matt Koch of Elizabeth, Colorado, riding Sargent Stryker (Metallic Cat x Cajuns Little Uno x Smart Little Uno) for owner R. Jeffrey Simpson of Kirkland, Arizona. Koch and Sargent Stryker’s composite score of 444 was worth $4,781.70. The horse also banked another $689.92 as the Open Novice Horse Derby Champion and $540.75 as the 4-year-old Incentive Open winner.

Koch split reserve honors rid ing La Veta, Colorado, based XIT Ranch’s Smart Lookin Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel x One Time Pepto) with Jay McLaughlin and Tee Boone (Once In A Blu Boon x Skeets My Bro x Docs Curious Cat), owned by Koch “Strykes” for Open Derby win at the Sagebrush.

JT and Sandra Neal III. Each team accumulated a total of 440.5 on three runs, worth $3,430.35 each.

Koch hit paydirt in the Open Derby and was second in the Open Novice Derby aggregate with MPH Voodoo Badger, owned by David Mize, also placing on SJR Diamonds Justify for San Juan Ranch.

In the Intermediate Open Derby, Marietta, Oklahoma, trainer Ashley Deacon and The Royalty (One Time Royalty x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish) bested the field of 23, earning $1,164.24 for their 434 composite score. The Royalty is owned by Lucinda R. David. Second was Khrome (Smooth As A Cat x Flo Dancing With Rey x Dual Rey), ridden by Kyle Trahern to a 430 for owner SneedPool Cattle Co. Inc. The win was worth $914.76.

The Limited Open Derby win ner was Hesa Silver Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Hickory Hill x Doc’s Hickory), ridden by Wes Housler to a 429.50 for $831.60. Hesa Silver Cat is owned by Lesley L. Marshall. SJR SumKindaRockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal) and Debbie Crafton were second with a 428.50 to earn $693.

Canadian trainer Marcha Duvenage made the trek from Idaho with Anne Reynolds to earn the Level 1 Open Derby title riding Got The Money Hunny (Reyzin The Cash x Charmed For

Bredon Clark swept the Open Derby divisions aboard CR Hes A Tuff One.

MEMBER ROUNDUP

Sure x Smart Little Lena), owned by Marcha and Mark Duvenage, to a 425 worth $562.63. JR Dual Cat and Matt Matusio were Reserve with a 423.50 composite to earn $675.15 for owners Jesse and Renate Gariner.

NON PRO DERBY CHAMPIONS

Topping the Non Pro Derby was Nicole Westfall of Calhan, Colorado, riding home-raised stallion Cat Like (Bet Hesa Cat x Smart N Katsi x Smart Little Pepinic), owned by her parents, Desiree and Jeff Westfall. The duo scored a 433.5 compos ite and earned $861.32 (not count ing go-round earnings). Banking $717.76 for reserve in the Non Pro Derby was Cutter McLaughlin, of Amarillo, Texas, riding Jay and Wendy McLaughlin’s SCR King Of The Road (Sannman x SCR Crackin Light x Boonlight Dancer) to a 430. Topping the Intermediate Non Pro Derby was Karey Louthan of Elbert, Colorado, riding Surely This Time (Surely A Pepto x Its That Time Again x A Chic In Time) to a 426.5 for $441.70. BOXO Opus Magnum (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic x Smart Chic Olena), owned by Box O Quarter Horses and ridden by Jecca Ostrander, was reserve for $331.27 with a 422. Louthan also topped the 4-year-old Incentive Non Pro with Surely This Time for $342.30, while Ostrander and BOXO Opus Magnum won the Select Non Pro Derby.

The Limited Non Pro Derby champion was Mitch Guerrieri, who scored a composite of 420 to earn $220.85 aboard Ruby White And Boon, owned by Guerrieri and Stacy Weisbach. Megan Ciana was second aboard NoShowJonez (Travelin Jonez x Shiner Pine x Sparkuptheballeus), owned by Dean Rand and Megan Ciana, with a 416.50.

In the Level 1 Non Pro Derby it was Kelly Valdez rid ing Smart Sided, owned by Robert and Betty Lou Valdez, to a 411.5 for $596.40. Sipping Coors Light (Light N

Lena x Smart Leo Cat x WR This Cats Smart), owned and ridden by Miriam Altman, was reserve with a 401 to earn $397.60.

The Non Pro Boxing Derby champion was Lori FramptonCrafton aboard One Smart N Timely (One Time Pepto x Ima Smart Response x Smart Little Lena), owned by Debbie Crafton. Frampton-Crafton’s cumulative score of 419 earned $684.60, while reserve champ Jared Melton earned $513.45 riding Sista Jackson(Brother Jackson x Hickorys One Time x One Time Pepto), owned by Jared and Crystal Melton, to a 415.

OPEN AND NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPIONS

Logicality, owned and ridden by Debbie Crafton, of Fowler, Colorado, won the Open Bridle Spectacular championship and $966 in earnings thanks to her composite score of 433. Logicality was bred by Anne Reynolds and is sired by Magicality and out of Boonlight Angel. Bet Shesa Pepto (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Miss Pepto x Peptoboonsmal) and Ashley Deacon teamed up for reserve with their 423 to earn $805 for owners Cody and Katharine Clements.

Earning $533.75 for first in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular was Meg Ralston, of Silt, Colorado, riding Seven S Tuff Boots (Blind Sided x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff) to a composite of 430. Reserve honors went to Jecca Ostrander of Gordon, Nebraska, aboard her Box O Quarter Horses’ 2014 stallion Opus Cat Olena (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic x Smart Chic Olena). The duo rode to a 429 for $320.25.

The 2021 NRCHA Affiliate of the Year, the CRCA is always innovating to deliver the best horse show experi ence possible to members in their region. For more infor mation, visit coloradoreinedcowhorse.com.

Lori Frampton-Crafton aboard One Smart N Timely earned the Non Pro Boxing Derby Championship.

Nicole Westfall piloted the home-raised roan stallion Cat Like to the Non Pro Derby win.

AFFILIATE NEWS: CALIFORNIA REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

By Murray Thompson Photography by Deb Mann Images

The second annual California Reined Cow Horse Association Paso Robles Spring Classic Derby, presented by Borjon Auto Center, was held at the historic Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California, April 13-17. In addition to the National Reined Cow Horse Associationapproved Derby classes, the event included a full slate of NRCHA-sanctioned and CRCHA Horse Show classes, pre sented by Santa Lucia Farm. After a successful first event in 2021, the CRCHA increased the Derby’s added money from $72,000 to $100,000 and the horse show added money from $6,075 to $7,150 without increasing fees.

Eighty-seven horses showed in the Derby: 54 in the Open, 15 in the Non Pro and 18 in the Non Pro Boxing. Open payouts totaled $103,500, while $28,850 was paid out in the Intermediate Open, $9,640 in the Limited Open and $4,750 in the Level 1 Open, for a total of $146,740. The Horse Show classes paid $19,050 for a combined total event payout of $206,430.

Brendon Clark of Hollister, California, swept the top three Open divisions on the 2018 bay stallion CR Hes A Tuff One (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat) for owner Jill Olerich, marking a 666.5 composite score. It was Clark’s biggest payday, and he took home checks for $30,000 in the $60,0000-added Open, sponsored by Call Me Mitch, $7,000 in the $10,000-added Intermediate Open, sponsored by Roo To Do, and $3,000 in the $5,000-added Limited Open, sponsored by Peter and Mary Beth Oppenheimer, for a total of $40,000.

The 2022 CRCHA Paso Robles Spring Classic Derby, presented by Borjon Auto Center, continues its success in cow horse competition.

Riding RAB Diamondsrforever, Lanham Brown won the Non Pro Derby.

Bredon Clark swept the Open Derby divisions aboard CR Hes A Tuff One.

Originally from Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia, Clark grew up rodeo ing, where he saw financial oppor tunity in the bull riding and rose to the highest levels of the sport while competing on the Professional Bull Riders circuit. He made the PBR World Finals 10 times and retired with life time earnings of more than $1 million. While he acknowledges many cutting and reined cow horse trainers for their help, he credits Phillip Ralls and fel low Australian Hayden Upton as his biggest influences. As for the winning horse, Clark says he is an exception al athlete and never has a bad day. Clark also credits the horse’s owner, Jill Olerich, for supporting his program and says she is like a family member.

Tracer Gilson of Sanger, California, won the $3,000-added Level 1 Open, sponsored by F&L Steel, on the 2018 red roan mare CR Peeks A Lil Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR A Little Peek x Halreycious) for owner JB World Marketing LLC, scoring a composite 650.5 and taking home a check for $2,000. Gilson’s score was also good for sixth in the Intermediate and third in the Limited, paying an additional $2,200 and $2,000 for a grand total of $6,200.

Lanham Brown of Throckmorton, Texas, swept all three Non Pro divisions on the 2018 sorrel gelding RAB Diamondsrforever (Time For The Diamond x Sparks Smart x Genuine Masterpiece), raised and owned by the R.A. Brown Ranch, totaling a 651 composite score. The $12,000-added Non Pro, sponsored by Brother Jackson, paid $7,000, the $4,000 added Intermediate Non Pro, sponsored by One Fine Vintage, paid $2,620 and the $2,000-added Limited Non Pro paid $1,620, rewarding Brown with a combined paycheck of $11,620 for the long haul from Texas.

Windy Mathews rode her 2016 brown mare Please Be A Diamond (Nics Black Diamond x RS Lets Play Please x Chic Please) to top the $4,000-added Non Pro Boxing, sponsored by Gotta Go Get It, with a 636.5 composite, earning a check for $2,800.

In the Open Bridle, sponsored by Gilson Performance Horses, Jake Telford of Caldwell, Idaho, rode CR Tuff Guns N Roses for owner SB Legacy Ranch LLC to the win, scoring a 293 for $1,095. Ron Emmons rode Scrub Oak to the win in the

Open Hackamore, sponsored by Quinn Caterpillar, for owner LaDona Emmons. He marked a 292.5 for a $1,000 check. In the Non Pro Bridle, sponsored by Silver Star Saddlesmiths, Laurie Richards on Glitter N Glam, co-owned with Karin Richards, came out on top, marking a 292.5 for $690.

The Non Pro Boxing, sponsored by Deb Mann Images, saw Nichole Branquinho on Dressed In Oak, owned by Casey and Nichole Branquinho, best the class with a 292.5 and win $810.

In the Youth Cow Horse, sponsored by One Fine Vintage, Nicole Donahoo and Very Smart Pearl marked a 291 for the win and $200. In the Youth Boxing, also sponsored by One Fine Vintage, Kiersten Fry on Lady In Minks scored a 285.5 and took home $180.

Every rider earning a check in the Derby also won a Gist custom trophy buckle. The top five in all the Derby classes also took home a Santa Cruz Animal Health gift certificate. Champions in the NRCHA Horse Show classes received Santa Cruz Animal Health product packages. Champions in the CRCHA Horse Show classes picked up custom embroi dered vests sponsored by the CRCHA.

In addition to the Derby and Horse Show competition, the event also offered three social events for attendees: the Central Coast Wine Competition Gold Medal Wine Tasting, San Luis Obispo County Cattlemen’s Association BBQ & Derby Awards Presentations and the Bonnie Marie Catering Mexican Fiesta. The event will return in 2023 for the third of a five-year contract. For more information, visit californiacowhorse.com.

Windy Mathews rode to the top of the $4,000-added Non Pro Boxing Derby.

By Megan Arszman

OU’VE WORKED SO HARD FOR THAT PRECIOUS MEMENTO. It is presented to you in a burgundy box with gold lettering.

You immediately adorn your waist with your own Gist Silversmiths belt buckle and it’s hard to tell which is shining brighter—the silver glistening on your belt or your smile. Here’s how to make that shine last forever.

Just as you’ve spent a lot of time in the saddle to earn that buckle, a lot of work has gone into creating it. A Gist belt buckle is constructed for durability and to be worn for years. However, there comes a time when the silver starts to tarnish, and you must bring back that sparkle. Below is expert advice on cleaning buckles and making them last a lifetime.

Use these tips to keep your Gist Silversmiths buckle shining bright.

➤  INSPECT THE BUCKLE’S MATERIAL

The materials used to make your Gist buck le determine how you should clean it. Wende Heinen, director of sales for Gist Silversmiths, advises checking the back of your buckle to see how it’s made.

“Much of the cleaning process is determined by buckle material type,” said Heinen. “We go by those materials when we recommend how to best clean our buckles, and the materials are generally listed on the back of the buckle.”

➤ Silver and Gold Electroplate: Many award buckles are crafted from non-precious metals and then finished with a silver and/or gold electroplate (and those rarely have material markings). They are the easiest to keep glistening because the protective coat ing adds a lasting shine. Use only a soft cloth with some mild soap and warm water to keep the buckle clean.

➤ Sterling Overlay ( listed as “Sierra Silver” on older buckles) and Jewelers Bronze: Gist recommends using a soft cloth with mild soap and warm water for basic cleaning. You can also use a light sudsy ammonia cleaner or a mild sterling silver liquid cleaner. Apply these two cleaners gently with a soft bristled toothbrush, rinse with warm water and then dry with a soft cloth. Gist warns to be careful around the popular paint and resin accents, as liquid cleaner might dilute the paint color.

➤ Sterling Overlay, Sterling Silver, 1/10 Karat Gold, All Karat Golds: You may use a liquid jewelry cleaner, polishing cloth or light sudsy ammonia, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

➤  STEER CLEAR OF CERTAIN CLEANERS

Heinen strongly suggests not using aerosol silver cleaners or silver polish pastes on buckles. Pastes can cake into the textured surfaces and crevices and are difficult to remove.

“Abrasive jewelry cleaners have grit in them, and when a buckle is hand engraved, continually scrubbing with an abrasive element will eventually wear down the engraving pattern,” said Heinen. “So, your buckle loses its pristine sparkle—light hitting those cuts in the back ground silver gives that ‘bling’, so-to-speak.”

Heinen has been presented with buckles that have an odd white crust on crevices and in the engraving, with the owner frantic to remove that crust. Most times, it’s from a paste silver polish or toothpaste the owner has tried to use, and the paste is not able to be thoroughly rinsed off.

“Toothpaste is abrasive, so it’ll wear down the engraving as well as get in all the nooks and crannies of your buckle,” said Heinen. “Anything with grit or that is a paste is not recommended for our buckles.”

“Soft Cloth” Clarified

You hear all the time to use a “soft cloth” when polishing silver. However, not every rag is considered a soft cloth. For example, that terry-cloth towel haphazardly thrown into your tack box, dotted with straw and col ored with face polish is not a soft cloth to clean your belt buckle.

A soft cloth for polishing silver doesn’t have a lot of “nap” to it. Nap is the texture of the fabric and is used to describe how the fibers align. Fabric with nap is more raised and fuzzier compared to fabric without nap. Flannel or a jersey material is considered a soft cloth because those fabrics don’t tend to scratch surfaces or your skin like burlap or a beach towel.

The buckle on the right has darkened over time with no cleaning, especially compared to the buckle on the left that is fairly new and worn regularly.

MEGAN ARZMAN

KATE BRADLEY

BYARS

KATE BRADLEY

BYARS

➤  PROUDLY DISPLAY YOUR BUCKLE

Gist Silversmiths buckles are meant to show to the world your accomplish ments, which is why they’re made of quality materials. Whether that display is on your waist, on the wall, in a case or on a bookshelf, your buckles are bound to tarnish.

If you display your buckles in your home, Heinen points out that it can be more difficult to keep your precious metal buckles bright.

“Displayed buckles are more exposed to the elements, so if they’re not plated, they’re going to tarnish,” she explained. “You just need to be vigilant about keeping them fairly cleaned, maybe once a month. The longer you wait to polish your buckles, the darker the tarnish becomes and the harder it is to get the buckle back to its original luster.”

How quickly your buckle tarnishes depends on your location. If you are in a humid climate, silver overlay and sterling buckles will tarnish faster. However, you can see the tarnish process happen in dry climate, except it’s just slower.

“That’s part of having silver,” said Heinen. “You should clean it.”

If you’re not wearing your buckle, storing it out of the elements will help maintain the shine, adds Heinen.

➤  WHEN IT DOUBT, TRUST GIST

If you’re concerned about bringing that sparkle back to your beloved buckle or something happened to damage your buckle, contact Gist Silversmiths to discuss what they can do to help bring it back to life. Depending on the materials and style, a buckle can be re-plated, cleaned or even reshaped for a nominal fee. The artists and clean ers will evaluate the needs of your buckle and give you an estimate before starting the work.

“We’ll do our best to accommo date any refurbishing needed on a Gist buckle; however, there is a limit to what our artisans can do,” said Heinen. “But, most of all, we just want you to wear your buckles with pride and love those buckles to death. They’re made to be worn and to show your hard won accom plishments.”

5 Ways to Keep That Shine

Caring for your Gist Silversmiths belt buckle is easy, whether you want to keep with the aged, patina look, or you hope to always have that new-buckle shine. Gist shares five ways to keep the shine throughout a buckle’s life.

1. Store in a dry environment: Humidity is the No. 1 threat to your buckle’s shine. Avoid storing buckles in your trailer’s tack compartment or in your bathroom where humidity lingers.

2. Zip it up: When storing your buckle, remove it from your belt and then place it in a plastic zippered bag, removing all the air before closing. Then place it in a dark, safe location such as your dresser or closet.

3. Spray window cleaner: Window cleaner is essentially a sudsy ammonia product that helps remove dirt and tarnish. Wipe off the window cleaner with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.

4.

Try a jeweler’s cloth: This soft, nonabrasive polishing cloth contains a non-abrasive polish on one side for shine, and the other side removes the tarnish. Typically made of microfiber, cloths can be found anywhere that sells jewelry.

5. Don’t polish with paste: Stay away from pastes, such as silver polish or toothpaste, as they are difficult to fully remove from a buckle’s intricate engraving.

A buckle will include a maker’s mark on the backside.

MEGAN ARZMAN

MEGAN ARZMAN

COLORADO REINED COWHORSE ASSOCIATION STRIKES GOLD AGAIN

This NRCHA affiliate goes above and beyond for its members and the reined cow horse industry.

By Allison Rehnborg Photography by Performance Horse Photography, Laura Cowen

The Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association has earned the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Affiliate of the Year honor. Nominees are evaluated on innovation, membership growth, increases in show entries and payouts, enticing year-end awards, qual ity sponsors and diverse host activities for members.

A testament to its standout qualities and enthusiastic membership, CRCA has received this honor three times (2016, 2021 and 2022) and placed second in 2020. For each first place victory, the affil iate has received $1,500, customized ban ners and bragging rights. For the people who invest their time and energy in this affiliate each day, the best part of earning the award is having the opportunity to show good horses on good ground with good people—the “golden trifecta” of reined cow horse.

“We’re like one big family,” said M.J. Anderson, CRCA executive director. “We all have a good time when we go show, and everybody wants to do well on their horses. We’re living our dreams here.”

Although the bulk of CRCA’s member ship resides in Colorado, its events draw NRCHA members from a wide swath of states, including Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Texas and Wyoming. Canadian competitors also travel across the border to CRCA events. According to Tawny Fye, CRCA president, the appeal of the association’s events is that the affiliate prides itself on making all its events feel

like members are “going riding at your best buddy’s house.”

“We want it to be fun,” Fye said. “You’re riding with your buddies, but you’re showing. It’s laid-back, but it’s great competition, too. Regardless of whether it’s a [Non Pro] showing in boxing or an Open level competitor riding, we want the best of the best at our shows—the best money we can gather and the fresh est cattle and the best facilities. We want you to go and enjoy yourself so that the only pressure is to get your horse shown the best you can. That’s the goal.”

ROOM FOREVERYBODY

Founded on May 30, 1996, CRCHA’s original mission was to promote “the training of and interest in reined working cow horses among the amateur horse men and the younger horsemen of this nation and the world.” Nearly 30 years later, it’s a mission the group continues to take to heart, especially as new people move into Colorado and express interest in learning about reined cow horse.

For Anderson, who’s been a member for 10 years and its executive director for approximately half that time, watch ing the group grow has been deeply rewarding.

“We’re on track this year to probably having the biggest membership year that

Top: CRCA President Tawny Fye (in the hat) says the appeal of CRCA’s events is that they feel like you’re “going riding at your best buddy’s house.”

Above: Family oriented fun, like the Short Stirrup class, allow all ages to get in the saddle. Here, young Collins Kurtz particpates with his father, trainer Andy Kurtz.

Opposite page: There is no short age of helpers to pitch in and make CRCHA shows a success.

AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

we’ve ever had in this club,” Anderson said. “The highest we’ve had since I was executive director has been 430, but we’re going to hit 500 members this year. We had so many new people show up for our little warm-up show that we held back in January of 2022, and they just keep coming.”

Anderson attributes much of that growth to the CRCA members’ willing ness to help each other out.

“In Colorado, everybody lifts every body up,” she said. “When we get new people, we want them to do well and enjoy it. We try to run a really friendly atmosphere and provide a good vibe. We’re a family and we’re a community, and we take care of each other.”

While many CRCA members are retired and therefore able to spend more time and money training and showing horses, some of the membership’s growth is also due to an influx of new and younger trainers whose clientele are discovering reined cow horse for the first time.

can go into the show pen,” Anderson said. “We also get a lot of youth from Montana and Wyoming, and that’s great.”

HAVING A GOOD TIME

CRCA holds multiple events per year at locations in a few different states, including Douglas, Wyoming; McCook, Nebraska; and Montrose, Colorado. Nearly every event is a multiday show featuring plenty of added money, includ ing the aptly-named Firecracker, held June 28-July 3, with $50,900 in added money, and the Mid-America, planned for Sept 14-18, with $52,600 in added

our executive director and she’s in charge of gathering sponsorships.”

Fye asserts that having one person for sponsors to connect with and go to with questions has been a game-changer.

“We have a great board, and they decided a few years ago that we needed to create a position that was in charge of sponsorships. It used to be Jerry Peters, who’s our current treasurer, and now it’s M.J.,” Fye said. “I can’t say enough good things about M.J. because she works her tail off for us.”

Thanks to great sponsorships, CRCA has been able to provide limited and intermediate boxing cir cuit buckles at every horse show, as well as a plethora of awards for other divi sions.

“Everybody comes for the flash and fun of the fence runs, but those salt of the earth people who are just there and having a good time? The ones who know they might not have the best horses, but they’re just there to be with their friends. They get it.”—TAWNY FYE

“These younger trainers are getting more clients and building their busi nesses, which is great,” Anderson said. “We’re also getting people from other disciplines, where folks maybe aren’t friendly as they are in the cow horse world. If you’ve been around a group of reined cow horse people long enough, you know that everybody helps every body. If I was over in Fort Worth and hav ing trouble in the arena, someone would stop and help me, even if they weren’t my trainer. It’s not always like that in other disciplines.”

CRCA also has a strong youth contin gent, especially in boxing classes.

“This year, we’ve had a lot more youth participating because many of our train ers’ kids are getting to the age where they

money. Both events are held at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds. The affiliate also focuses on providing great year-end awards, including saddles and buckles, and hosting fun activities throughout its events.

Many of the perks are possible by the affiliate’s generous sponsors, which include Discount Tire, Koch & Co, Inc., Discovery Voyages, D Lazy K Ranch, Cross Performance Horses, Mead Veterinary Medical Center, Iconoclast, Horsefly Creek Veterinary Services and Aaron Ralston.

“Sponsors make the world go around,” said Fye, who has been part of the club since 2012 and a member of the CRCA board of directors for three years. “We have a phenomenal group of sponsors, and if it wasn’t for them stepping up to sponsor a barbecue or sponsor a buckle, we couldn’t do this without them. We also couldn’t do it without M.J. [Anderson] going out and working hard for us. She’s

“Our boxers are wellrepresented, and we want to look after them,” Fye said. “That’s a big deal to me because they work really hard, and they’re busting their butts all year long and then at one weekend show, that might be the pinnacle of their year. And that might be the steppingstone for them to go after more.”

More than anything else, Fye says, tak ing care of the members and making sure everyone has fun are the keys to a happy, thriving affiliate.

“Horse showing is supposed to be fun,” Fye affirmed. “So, my attitude is that we’re going to have a good time no matter what. Everybody comes for the flash and fun of the fence runs, but those salt of the earth people who are just there and having a good time? The ones who know they might not have the best horses, but they’re just there to be with their friends. They get it. They put in the time and the effort and the hard work. They’re having fun. You can’t beat that. We’ve got them, plus we’ve got a bunch of neat new trainers who are building

Left to right, top to bottom CRCA board members, like Matt Koch, pitch in where needed, even dragging the arena.

The association honors longtime supporters, like Dave Dillman, through its CRCA Hall of Fame.

Growing the affiliate from the cradle to the saddle helps ensure reined cow horses stay front and center for the next generation.

their businesses, plus we’ve got some older trainers who are in semi-retirement now. Our affiliate’s a place where there’s room for everybody.”

LOOKING AHEAD

Fye was elected CRCA president in January, and while she’s dedicated to keeping the spirit of fun alive in the club, she’s also looking forward.

“I don’t want to let down the ones who have come before me, so I feel that pres sure, but I also want to make our club great and make that greatness sustain able,” Fye said. “At the end of the day, it’s the people who matter most to me. There are so many people in our club and on our board who help make things happen,

but the coolest thing about our industry is that I can call anybody at NRCHA to get help, too, or to bounce ideas around. We’re one ginormous family and every body wants to see everybody else be successful on so many levels. It’s almost like heaven.”

Both Anderson and Fye agree that CRCA succeeds because of its people, but it’s the love of the reined cow horse that knits all of them together.

“We’re definitely here for the right reasons,” Fye said. “It’s all about the horse. We’re just lucky to have such a great community. We might be called the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association, but there are a whole lot of people who fall under that umbrella with us.”

If This {Shorty’s} HatCould Talk

From the show pen to the office and everywhere in between, a person’s cowboy hat witnesses and represents greatness.

By Katie Frank

Through thick and thin, sun and rain, a cowboy’s hat has been through it all. National Reined Cow Horse Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen jokes that if his hat could talk, he’s not sure he’d want it to.

“It’s been there through the good and the bad, the photo shoots and in the war zone of competition,” he said. “I’ve tipped my hat because of a great run but also pulled it down over my eyes trying to get out of the arena after an embarrassing run. It’s been through it all.”

Bergen, who started wearing Shorty’s Caboy Hattery hats after he won one at the Snaffle Bit Futurity® in 2011, says in the Western industry a cow boy hat is like an extension of a person. No matter where they’re at—on the ranch or in town—a hat is a testimony of a life dedicated to the West.

Here, these Shorty’s Caboy Hattery disciples discuss why they wear the hats made in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Todd Bergen banks on his Shorty’s to keep him looking sharp.

AS A COMPETITOR

Brad Lund knows a think or two about taking a victory lap. The Kansas-based horseman has 18 world championships to his name, including three American Quarter Horse Association Superhorse titles. For Lund, entering the show pen means not only riding a prepared horse, but also looking your best for the judge.

“At shows, it’s important that everything looks good. Not only do you want to make sure your tack and horse are clean, you want to make sure your hat is clean and looks good,” he said. It sends a message to the judge that you care about what you’re doing. As a trainer, the way I present myself also shows I care about my clients’ horses.”

Lund says that ever since his wife introduced him to Lavonna “Shorty” Kroger’s Shorty’s brand custom hats more than 20 years ago, he’s been impressed with not only the hat quality, but also the company’s customer service.

“Like a cowboy on a ranch who rides for a brand, I’m loyal to Shorty’s,” he said. “Everything they do is second to none.”

AS A HORSE BREEDER AND FASHION DESIGNER

If anyone knows how fashion and function fit together, it’s Lindsey James. The California fashion designer creates stunning all-around show clothes in addition to competing in the NRCHA, and breeding and raising Quarter Horses for more than 20 years.

Like a well-bred horse, a quality hat is timeless. She started wearing Shorty’s hats when she was a youth competitor vying to qualify for the American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show.

“A quality, well-shaped hat is crucial, regardless of your riding event or what you do in the Western industry,” James said. “Over the last 20 years I have had the privilege to work with both Bobbie and Shorty not only on a personal level, but also in a professional setting, I design show clothing for all-around events and we frequently work together. The Shorty’s name is synonymous with integrity and consistency. Shorty’s company and the owners stand behind its product and always go above and beyond for any client, whether a multi-world champion or a new-to-the-sport exhibitor.”

AS AN OWNER

In business, it can be hard to stay true to your roots while staying on the cutting edge. Larry Bell has proved it is possible to do both.

Bell and his family own Kalpowar Quarter Horses and Parks Bell Ranch based in Fort Worth and Midland, Texas. He’s well-acquainted with what it means to put your name on something you believe in. He says putting your brand on something—like Shorty’s does on hats and he does on his horses—“shows the world you’re proud of your heritage.”

“My family has worn cowboy hats forever,” Bell said. “We always had a special hat for church and other special occasions. We love our cowboy ranching heritage. The cowboy hat is the beginning of declaring our pride and love for the ranching way of life.”

He remembers taking his daughter, Amy, to order her first Shorty’s hat. The impeccable fit and style combined with topnotch customer service sold him and his family for life.

“Shorty’s fits the cow horse crowd perfectly because Shorty and her team love the event, they are a ton of fun, and they could not be more friendly and encouraging to all who they meet,” said Bell. “They are an important and wonderful part of the cow horse family.”

The way a cowboy hat fits and feels is as personal and unique as each person who wears one. But the symbolism unites everyone. If a person leaving the boardroom walks past a dusty-jeaned cowboy and they’re both wearing an authentic cowboy hat there’s common ground.

Shorty’s Caboy Hattery has been a proud corporate sponsor of NRCHA for more than a decade. You can not only find them in the Oklahoma City Stockyard, but also at their booths at all the premier NRCHA events. Visit ShortysHattery.com for more information.

COURTESY OF SHORTY’S CABOY HATTERY

COURTESY OF SHORTY’S CABOY HATTERY

COURTESY OF SHORTY’S

COTTSDALE SWEEP

Brendon Clark knew a big win was coming on CR Hes A Tuff One, and at the DT Horses Western Derby the stallion delivered, taking home three Open championships.

2022 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

TOP 10

Scottsdale, Arizona – June 1-11, 2022

1. CR Hes A Tuff One; Brendon Clark;18S (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat); Jill Olerich; 662.5 (H:215.5/R:221/C:226); $50,000

2. Zak 34; Justin Wright; 18S (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat); Melissa Fischer; 661 (H:217.5/R:222.5/C:221); $35,000

3. Stylin Metal; Justin Wright; 18S (Metallic Cat x Stylin Playgirl x Docs Stylish Oak); Jim & Linda Schrack; 660.5 (H:218/R:220.5/C:222); $30,000

4. Metallic Catin Rey; Justin Wright; 17G (Metallic Cat x Little Reygena x Dual Rey); Jerry Koopman; 657.5 (H:218.5/R:218/C:221); $20,000

5. Son Of A Mitch; Phillip Ralls; 17G (Call Me Mitch x Jackies Sparkle x Nic It In The Bud); The Trust/Billie Jo Ralls DTD; 656 (H:220.5/R:219/C:216.5); $15,000

6-7. Selvarey; Sarah Dawson; 17M (Dual Rey x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Sheri Jamieson; 655.5 (H:215.5/R:220/C:220); $11,961.50

6-7. SJR Royal Diamond; Justin Wright; 18S (One Time Royalty x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark); San Juan Ranch; 655.5 (H:217.5/ R:218/C:220); $11,961.50

8. Seven S Party Favor; Lee Deacon; 18G (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Party Girl x Matt Dillon Dun It); Lynne Faust; 655 (H:217.5/R:217.5/C:220); $8,699.27

9. Bad To Tha Boon; Erin Taormino; 17G (Peptoboonsmal x Bet On Merada x Bet On Me 498); Kathleen Pinkley; 654.5 (H:216/R:222/C:216.5); $6,524.45

10-11. Seven S Razzberry; Kelby Phillips; 17M (Blind Sided x Seven S Valentina x Playgun); R.A. Brown Ranch; 653.5 (H:218.5/R:215/C:220); $5,980.75

10-11. Hendrixx; John Swales; 17S (One Time Royalty x Smooth Miss Trona x Smooth As A Cat); Monica Wille; 653.5 (H:215.5/R:219.5/C:218.5); $5,980.75

By Kristin Pitzer Photography by Primo Morales

The DT Horses Western Derby, held June 1-11 at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona, promised to be a big event with $100,000-added money in the Open Derby alone. The chance to run for a large paycheck drew 188 entries to the prelims, with 54 advancing into the Open Finals. When it was all said and done, one horse-and-rider team, Brendon Clark and CR Hes A Tuff One (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat), nabbed the top composite score in all three divisions, going home with the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open Champion titles from the National Reined Cow Horse Association premier event.

Clark and the stallion banked a whopping $66,250.72 for owner Jill Olreich. The Australian-born horseman, who lives in Hollister, California, was somewhat in shock after his win, though he said he’d been waiting for the horse to score a big title for a while.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in totally,” Clark said. “It solidifies all the hard work and the talent of that horse. He’s amazing, and from day one with me, he’s always been a phenomenal athlete. I love it for him because he deserves it. He’s kind of changing our lives, so it means a lot.”

CR Hes A Tuff One, also known as “Cowboy,” was bred by the Center Ranch and Olerich purchased the 4-year-old out of the 2020 National Cutting Horse Association Futurity Sales. Clark said the horse has been great ever since, never wanting to put a foot wrong throughout his training.

After a huge fence run shot them to the top of the standings, CR Hes A Tuff One and Brendon Clark went home with the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited Open championships, along with a check worth $66,250.72.

“You hear stories of people saying, ‘The good ones train themselves.’ Obviously, that’s not the truth; I’ve had to do a lot of training on him, but he makes it easy,” Clark said. “He doesn’t like to do bad, and he doesn’t like to have too much discipline. That makes things very easy with him, and it’s fun to train and ride him every day.”

Cowboy only got better and better throughout the DT Horses Western Derby. In the herd work, Clark said the cattle didn’t make their job easy, but the horse is quick enough he can get himself in a good spot, even when the cows are being difficult.

“I was happy with it. The cows were tough, so to get through it with a decent score was good,” Clark said of the 215.5 they marked in the Finals.

The pair drew first in the rein work, so Clark planned to lay down a big run and make the rest of the field chase their score. The duo had marked a 222

in the prelims, so he didn’t change any thing for the Finals. After marking a 221, Clark, who said he doesn’t usually follow scores, started paying attention a little more upon realizing they had a shot at winning the title. He was a little apprehensive while waiting to see which cow they would draw in the fence work, but when the first one entered the arena, it ran right past them.

The judges called for a new cow, and the second one took hold of the pair, but Clark knew he was going to have to be smart about it.

“[The cattle] were being a little bit tricky and were kind of hit and miss, so you had to be careful not to take all the wind out of them,” Clark said. “The cow really ran and tried, but that horse hit the ground so hard and got back out of there. He almost unseated me because he hits the ground so fast and is so athletic getting out of the turn. I asked him to get off it and get around it, and

he just kind of swallowed it. He’s such a cool horse when he’s circling, and he had control.”

Though they had to work hard, their efforts were made worthwhile when the pair’s score was announced. Their 226 won the cow work by four points and upped their composite score to a 662.5, launching them to the top of the leader board and besting Cowboy’s full broth er, Zak 34, a 2018 black stallion ridden by Justin Wright and owned by Missy Fischer, who took reserve for the event. Wright earned more than $128,000 at the show riding four horses to finish in the top 10 of the Open Finals, helping him surpass the $2 Million Dollar Rider mark.

“It was definitely an amazing show,” Clark said of his sweeping win. “It’s always kind of hard going there with just one horse to show. You’ve only got one shot, but he definitely gave it everything he had. It makes it nice when you have a horse like that.”

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

The 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion Zak 34 (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat) carried Justin Wright to a composite 661 (H:217.5/R:222.5/C:221) for the Open Reserve Championship. The 4-year-old stallion, bred by Center Ranch and owned by Melissa Fischer, collected $35,000.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

One Metallic Spark (Metallic Cat x One Sparking Time x One Time Pepto), a 2018 geld ing bred by Mark and Kimberly Rauch, carried Brandon Buttars to a composite 657 (H:220/R:216.5/C:220.5) for the Intermediate Open Reserve Championship and $9,303.39. The horse is owned by Lori Adamski Peek.

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve went to 2018 mare CR Peeks A Lil Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR A Little Peek x Halreycious), bred by Center Ranch, and Tracer Gilson, who collected $2,899.76 for owner JB World Marketing LLC. The duo scored a 643 (H:206/R:220/C:217).

LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION

Dr. Harry Prince and Patricia Prince’s 2017 mare Eight Karat Diamond (CD Diamond x Whizs Guinevere x Topsail Whiz), bred by the San Juan Ranch, and Andrea Fappani’s composite 647.5 (H:211/R:222/C:214.5) won the Level 1 Open, along with $3,990.96.

LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

After scoring a 639 (H:211.5/R:215.5/C:212), Ms Chics N Dun (Chics Real Deal x Jackies Dun It x Hollywood Dun It), a 2017 mare bred by Lorris Vatnsdal and owned by Lesli Gilbert, picked up Reserve with Garrett Thurner. The duo collected $3,123.36.

NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

With a 653 score (H: 217/R:219.5/C:216.5), Sliver Of Majesty (Metallic Rebel x Little Reyalight x Dual Rey), a 2018 gelding bred by Clay and Carrie Volmer, and Chris Dawson picked up the Novice Horse Championship, along with a paycheck worth $4.755.60 for owner Carrie King.

NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Metallic Catin Rey (Metallic Cat x Little Reygena x Dual Rey) and Justin Wright also scored a 653 (H:219/R:219/C:215), but due to their lower cow work score, they settled for Reserve. Wright and the 2017 gelding, who was bred by Travis Lott, collected $3,804.48 for owner Jerry Koopman.

OPEN CHROME CASH CHAMPION

Corey Cushing navigated SJR Talkin Diamonds (Smooth Talkin Style x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark), a 2017 stallion owned and bred by San Juan Ranch, to a 657.5 (H:217/ R:221.5/C:219), garnering $1,650.00 for the Open Chrome Cash incentive.

OPEN CHROME CASH CO-RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve in the Open Chrome Cash incentive was split by two horses that marked composite 653.5. The first, SJR Royal Diamond (One Time Royalty x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark), a homebred 2018 stallion owned by San Juan Ranch, carried Justin Wright to the composite score (H:214/R:221/C:218.5) and collected $1,031.25.

OPEN CHROME CASH CO-RESERVE CHAMPION

Also tying for Reserve was Seven S Party Favor (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Party Girl x Matt Dillon Dun It), who collected $1,031.25 for owner Lynne Faust. The 2018 gelding, bred by Terry Stuart Forst, was ridden by Lee Deacon to a 653.5 composite (H:217/R:218/C:218.5).

Recent Champions & Reserve Champions!

CAT OLENA

This Cats Smart x

Chic, by Smart Chic Olena)

AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships Ranching Heritage 4-Year-Old & Over Amateur Ranch Cutting Champion, 3-Year-Old & Over Amateur Ranch Riding Reserve Champion, 7 & Up Open Working Ranch Horse Reserve Champion

Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC

Owned by Box O Quarter Horses • Shown by Jecca R. Ostrander

WR HOTSHOT

(WR This Cats Smart x Sunspot Flo, by Mr Peponita Flo)

NRCHA Eastern Derby Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular Champion & Open Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion

Bred by Matthews Cutting Horses LLC

Owned by L & K Barker Family Trust • Shown by Robert Chown

SMART SHINEY PLAYBOY

(WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Playgirl, by Freckles Playboy)

NRCHA Western Derby Open Two-Rein Spectacular Reserve Champion

Bred by Cowan Select Horses LLC

Owned by Clinton J. Marshall • Shown by Nicholas Dowers

SADDLING AT SUNRISE

(WR This Cats Smart x Sunshine Ingredient, by Mr Sun O Lena)

AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships Ranching Heritage Open Working Ranch Horse 5/6-Year-Old Champion

Bred & Owned by Burnett Ranches LLC Shown by Boyd Rice

CAT WALKS INTO A BAR

(WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner, by Shining Spark)

NRCHA Western Derby Non-Pro & Youth Bridle Spectacular Champion

Bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner

Owned & Shown by Landri Lisac

LOOKIN FROSTY

(WR This Cats Smart x PC Sun Chikini, by Sun Frost)

AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships Ranching Heritage 7 & Up Open Working Ranch Horse Champion

Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC

Owned by John Wolfe • Shown by Gary A. Cooper

SENOR SHINEY CAT

(WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Senorita, by Shining Spark)

NRCHA Eastern Derby Intermediate Open Bridle Circuit Champion, Open Bridle Circuit Reserve Champion

Bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner

Owned by Kinda Silly Farm LLC • Shown by Mark A. Sigler

SMART NICHOLAS

(WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Lil Liz, by Lizzys Gotta Player)

NRCHA Eastern Derby Intermediate Open Derby Reserve Champion

Bred by Cows & Horses Etc. Owned by L & K Barker Family Trust Shown by Robert Chown

Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena) was the star of the show with Debbie Crafton in the saddle, putting together a composite of 652 (H:213/R:219.5/C:219.5) and earning $11,136 between the Non Pro Derby and Chrome Cash Championships.

ONE-TWO ONCE MORE

Debbie Crafton and her two geldings proved that they had the magic for a second time, grabbing the Non Pro Derby Championship and Reserve with consistency and faith.

2022 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY NON PRO TOP 10

Scottsdale, Arizona – June 1-11, 2022 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money

By Lillian Kent Photography by Primo Morales

Debbie Crafton rolled into Scottsdale, Arizona, for the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby with high hopes. Coming off a one-two Non Pro Derby victory at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, Crafton was confident in her three Derby horses but ready to accept any outcome.

“Coming in, it was another see-what-happens thing. I knew that they were very capable. I talk to my horses, and I joked around with Hesa Wee Bet like, ‘Hey, this is your turn,’ ” Crafton said.

The 5-year-old gelding must have taken it to heart, stepping up and scoring a 213 out of the herd, 219.5 in the reining and a 219.5 in the cow work on challenging heifers.

With a composite score of 652, Crafton and “Wee Bet” (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena) earned the Non Pro Derby Championship and Non Pro Derby Chrome Cash Championship for a grand total of $11,136.

“Hesa Wee Bet is so fun to circle [in the reining] and a huge stopper,” Crafton said.

1. Debbie Crafton; Hesa Wee Bet; 17G (Bet Hesa Cat x Quejana Gal x Quejuanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 652 (H:213/R:219.5/C:219.5 ); $10,000.

2. Debbie Crafton; FoundLoveAtHooters; 17G (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey); Debbie Crafton; 650 (H:216/R:217.5/C:216.5); $7,500.

3. Trail Townsend; MC Bet Time; 17G (Bet Hesa Cat x Diamonds On Time x One Time Pepto); Trail Townsend; 639 (H:208/R:217/C:214 ): $6,000.

4. Hannah Warde; DT Time To Stray; 17G (Hickory Holly Time x Stray Katz x Boonlight Dancer); Hannah Warde; 638.5 (H:212/R:215/C:211.5); $4,410.90.

5. Julia Winders; Dual Smarty; 17S (Dual Smart Rey x Cats Gabriella Acre x Cats Merada); Julia Winders; 635 (H:208/R:212/C:215 ); $3,528.72.

6. Cutter McLaughlin; SCR King Of The Road; 17G (Sannman x SCR Crackin Light x Boonlight Dancer); Jay and Windy McLaughlin; 634.5 (H:212/ R:216.5/C:206 ); $2,646.54.

7. Debbie Crafton; SJR Sumkindarockstar; 18S (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda PinkCadilac x Peptoboonsmal); Debbie Crafton; 634 (H:213/ R:215/C:206); $2,646.45.

8. Lynne Faust; Seven S Party Favor; 18G (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Party Girl x Matt Dillon Dun It); Lynne Faust; 633.5 (H:209/R:216/C:208.5); $1,984.91.

9. Garrell Reilly; Bet Shesa Playmate; 18M (Bet Hesa Cat x Very Smart Playmate x Very Smart Remedy); Preston Williams; 629 (H:207/R:216.5/C:205.5 ); $1,764.36.

10. Tylor Todd; Voodoo Whiskey; 17G (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey); Tylor Todd; 626.5 (H:208/R:204.5/C:214 ); $1,543.82.

The Reserve Champion was Crafton’s Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes Non Pro Derby Champion, Foundloveathooters (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey), also known as “Zaro,” who scored a 216 in the herd work, a 217.5 in the reining and a 216.5 in the cow work for a 650 composite and $7,786.

Crafton managed to advance her third horse to the Finals, too. Stallion SJR Sumkindarockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal) finished seventh in the 15-horse finals with a composite of 634 (H:213/R:215/C:206), earning a check for $2,450.

“After the prelims I was just feeling so blessed. They’re little golden chil

“Going into the [cow] Finals, I sat and studied the cattle a lot. They were kind of liars. You would see one and think ‘That one is OK’ and it was a runner. It wanted to smoke you. They were heifers, they were going to be a little sensitive. I let [my cow] see me and process.”—Debbie Crafton

dren,” Crafton said. “Accomplishments are not possible without these kinds of horses and this kind of partnership.”

The partnerships’ poster child of the Western Derby was “showman” Wee Bet with his stylish reining maneuvers and quick feet down the fence.

“Going into the [cow] Finals, I sat and studied the cattle a lot. They were

kind of liars,” Crafton explained. “You would see one and thin ‘That one is OK,’ and it was a runner. It wanted to smoke you. They were heifers, they were going to be a little sensitive. I let [my cow] see me and process.”

Her plan panned out, and she posted the two highest scores in the cow work Finals on Wee Bet and Zaro.

To keep her team tuned between the Stakes and Western Derby, Crafton worked her horses on her family’s ranch in southeastern Colorado.

“I am a huge believer in using them outside. You’re still doing a form of training but in a totally different arena. It keeps them fresh, keeps them happy,” Crafton said. “They’re put in high-pressure, stressful situations and having to deal with that.”

To Crafton, one of the best ranching exercises is turning back a rouge calf in the pasture because of the drive it instills in the horses. Mistiming a turn means more running, so her horses learn to read the cattle accurately and conserve energy.

NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton rounded out the top two spots with Foundloveathooters (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey), scor ing a 650 composite (H:216/R:217.5/C:216.5) and bringing home $7,786 for the Reserve Non Pro Derby Championship.

Crafton thanked Chris Dawson, Matt Koch, Jay McLaughlin, Tyler Merrill and Caylee for their help during the show. Next up for Crafton and her trio is the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, in July, before focus ing on getting qualified in the hacka more for the NRCHA Celebration of Champions.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO CHAMPION, LIMITED NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Hannah Wade and DT Time To Stray (Hickory Holly Time x Stray Katz x Boonlight Dancer) wasted no time bringing home the Intermediate and Limited Non Pro Derby Championships, scoring a 638.5 composite (H:212/R:215/C:211.5) and earning $6,141.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, LIMITED NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Lynne Faust and Seven S Party Favor (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Party Girl x Matt Dillion Dun It) nabbed two Reserve Championships in the Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro Derby, scoring a 633.5 (H:209/R:216/C:208.5) for $4,886 in earnings.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Julie Donovan and Her Lucky Cat (Hes One Lucky Cat x Her Kinda Sugar x Some Kinda Okie) scored a 627.5 (H:208/R:214/C:205), winning the Level 1 Non Pro Derby Championship and $3,000.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Shelby Walker and 4-year-old gelding CR Ima Tuffy (Woody Be Tuff x Calie Del Rey x Dual Rey) scored a 626 (H:214/R:215.5/C:196) and $1,598 in winnings.

SELECT NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Eric Freitas and Meredith Gray (Dual Smart Rey x Cattahoochie x High Brow Cat) scored a composite of 623 (H:209/R:218/C:196) for the title and $125.

SELECT NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

With a 606 (H: 207/R: 202.5/C: 196.5) Timothy Rodney and Boons Chic A Boons (Smart Boons x Solid Lady Chic x Smart Chic Olena) earned the reserve spot and $75.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

Riding the 2016 gelding she co-owns with husband, Robert, Cheryl Chown and The Metal Doctor (Metallic Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey) rode to two division Derby champi onships with a 649 (H:213.5/R:217/C:218.5) in the Non Pro Boxing to earn $3,384.36. They added another $15 for winning the Select Non Pro Boxing.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Riding Logicality (Magicatlity x Boonlight Angel x Boonlight Dancer), Lori Frampton-Crafton rode to reserve with a 643.5 (H:208/R:213/C:222.5) ), earning $2,707.49. The 2016 gelding was bred by Anne Reynolds and is owned by Debbie Crafton.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

Jenna Stolting rode her 2016 mare Kit Kat Royal (Kit Kat Sugar x Little Royal Blue x Smart Little Lena), bred by Ronald Knutson, to a 632.5 (H:205/R:214/C:213.5) to take the title and $2,986.20 purse. For eight in the Non Pro Boxing Derby, the pair earned $1,015.31.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Vyntage (Doc’s Hickory x Cancan Kitty x High Brow Cat ), a 2018 stallion bred by Lone Oak Performance Horses and owned by Walt or Mark Vermedahl, and Amber Carrol rode to reserve with a 627.5 (H:205/R:207/C:215.5) to earn $746.55.

SELECT NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Carolyn Edson rode her home-bred 2016 mare Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles) to a 642 (H:210/R:213/C:219) to earn $125 and the Reserve title. The pair were third in the Non Pro Boxing Derby, earn ing another $2,369.05.

NON PRO BOXING CHROME CASH CHAMPION

American Paint Horse Association-registered horses are eligible for the Chrome Cash Incentive, and Calley Rae Satrina rode her 2017 mare Wing Anda Prayer (Meteles Cat x Wings Ofa Lena x Quejanaisalena ) to the high score in the division with a 630.5 (H:195/R:219.5/C:216) to earn $525. The pair was ninth in the Non Pro Boxing Derby.

N SPECO

These three-event horse and rider pairs brought their best performances to the tough field at the DT Horses Western Derby Spectaculars.

Justin Wright had a 2022 DT Horses Western Derby to remember in Scottsdale, Arizona, in June. He brought several horses to the show, but his partnership with 2015 stallion Scooter Kat and their win in the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular meant the most.

Wright, of Santa Maria, California, has been training the sorrel, nicknamed “Scooter,” since the horse was a 2-year-old, and they’ve had many successes during the stallion’s 3-, 4- and 5-year-old years. Last year was the horse’s first year in the tworein, and he placed well in the Spectacular events. This year, he made the Finals at the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Western Bloodstock and Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman competitions, while also spending time in the breeding shed during breeding season.

“He’s just an incredible animal, and probably one of the best horses I’ll ever get to ride in my life,” Wright said of the stallion bred by Taylor Carbo.

Training Scooter to show in the bridle was a challenge, Wright said, but not necessarily for the horse.

“It’s been a fun process, but it has taken a bit of seasoning,” Wright said. “He was making the Finals, and things were going good, but I just felt like maybe I wasn’t doing justice for him.”

Although he was occupied with several Derby horse at the show, Wright made sure Scooter was prepared for the bridle classes.

“He was good out of the herd, and he was just pretty good in the reining,” Wright said. “I kind of bobbled one turnaround and shut him off too early. But other than that, he was real good. The fence run was difficult for a young bridle horse, and he felt like he handled

By Abigail Boatwright Photos by Primo Morales

Justin Wright guided Eric Freitas’ stallion, Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), to win the Open Bridle Spectacular.

it really good, and never put his foot out of place. It was just a lot of fun. He took care of me all the way through.”

The duo received a composite score of 660.5 (H:219/R:219.5/C:222) and pock eted $14,240. Winning this event was redeeming for Wright because Scooter is so talented. Wright also qualified for The Run For A Million Cow Work Challenge for a second time.

“To have him step up and win one of these major bridle events was extremely satisfying because he deserves it, and he’s such a great horse. It was a relief to see him get the recognition he deserves,” Wright said.

“I tried not to worry about it and give him anxiety. I just really wanted to get him shown successfully,” Wright said. “But it’s very exciting. I am excited to be able to go back [to The Run For A Million] this year.”

With show earnings topping $128,000, Wright has now accumulated more than $2 million in NRCHA earnings, making him part of the elite $2 Million Dollar Rider club. However, he didn’t accom plish this solo.

“Jared Jones is my assistant trainer and pretty much a partner in what we do, and he did real well,” Wright said. “The Non Pros did real well. And I had four Derby horses and was fortunate enough to make it back to the Finals on all four of them. And Scooter was good, too—it was just a really fun week, and we stayed consistent with all the horses.”

Erin Taormino and 2016 stallion Hazardouz Material were the reserve champions in the Open Bridle Spectacular with a composite score of 657.5 (H:218.5/ R:224.5/C:214.5). The 2016 stallion (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), bred by Taylor Carbo and owned by Linda Mars, placed first in the reining and second overall. They received $10,680 for their efforts.

Landri Lisac, 14, and her 19-year-old sister, Lanni-Jo Lisac, both competed in the Youth Cow Horse class at this year’s DT Horses Western Derby. The younger sibling came out on top riding her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar, and Landri, who also competed in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, won both events.

The Pueblo, Colorado, resident has worked with 2014 gelding, also known as “Grasshopper” (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark), bred by

Garth and Amanda Gardiner, for about three years. To prepare this show she went to some smaller shows to practice.

“We went out to [Scottsdale] a few days early, so we could practice, and it just turned out,” Landri said. “I just wanted to try to do my best and accom plish what we could.”

Landri and Lanni-Jo’s family, includ ing their mom and grandparents, were on hand to cheer for them. Starting with the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular, Landri

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR & YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Landri Lisac and her horse Cat Walks Into A Bar scored a composite of 652 (H:215/R:216/C:221) to win the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Champion title and $4,226.25. Lisac and the gelding also won the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular with a com posite of 433 for an additional $480.

was a bit nervous about how they’d do overall, because her score in the herd work was bested by a few other riders. Her fears were unwarranted, though. Their composite score of 433 (H:142/R:142.5/C:148.5) topped the class and earned them a check for $480.

“We went into our reining and he was just so good, and then he was amazing down the fence,” Landri said. “He did really good.”

On to their first time to compete in a Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, Landri and Grasshopper tackled the reining first.

“It was probably one of the better runs I’ve ever had on him, and he felt really good,” Landri said. “But then I was really nervous going into the herd work, because I knew if I was just clean and good, I could have a chance of placing well. So, when I went in, I was nervous, but he did it, and we ended up winning the Spectacular and the class. It felt really good to be able to accomplish those things.”

Landri, who trains with Todd Crawford, said Grasshopper’s greatest strength is going down the fence. But her favorite thing about him is his heart.

“He’s just so loving, and he always tries his best,” Landri said.

OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Hazardouz Material and Erin Taormino took reserve in the Open Bridle Spectacular with a composite score of 657.5 (H:218.5/R:224.5/C:214.5). The pair earned owner Linda Mars $10,680.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

CR Tuff Taffy and Brad Barkemeyer were the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular champi ons with a composite score of 656 (H:213.5/R:220/C: 222.5). The 2015 gelding, (Woody Be Tuff x Peptocandy x Peptoboonsmal), bred by Kelly Schaar and owned by Vaqueros Venture, was awarded $2,760.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Smokin Little Ringo (Smart Little Pepinic x Smoking Sabrina x Mister Dual Pep) and Monica Caetano scored a composite of 650 (H:213/R:216.5/C:220.5) to secure the reserve title and $2,160. The 2011 gelding was bred by his owner, John Pascoe.

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton and Logicality (Magicality x Boonlight Angel x Boonlight Dancer) took the Non Pro Open Bridle Spectacular reserve champion title with a compos ite score of 646.5 (H:214/R:214/ C:218.5) to win $3,307.50. Logicality is a 2016 gelding owned and bred by Anne M. Reynolds.

NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown and The Metal Doctor, a 2016 gelding (Metallic Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey), won the Champion title with a composite score of 441.5 (H:145/R:14.5/C:150). The 2016 gelding, bred by Day Creek Ranch LLC and owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown, took home $3,940.

NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Lindsay Foreman and Randy Paul’s Peppys On Time (One Time Pepto x Quixote Lena Peppy, Paddys Irish Whiskey) were the Reserve Champions with a composite score of 438 (H:147/R:114.5/C:146.5), winning $3,152. The 2016 gelding was bred by Equis Equine LLC.

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Lanni-Jo Lisac and Lookslikelucktome, a 2013 mare (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep), were the reserve champions with a composite score of 431 (H:145/R:144.5/C:141.5) to win $360. The mare was bred by Kevin and Sydney Knight and is owned by Timothy and Katherine Miller.

PHOTO BY: TAMMY DONNELL

YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Elise Mason and her horse Sheza Haillion scored a composite of 438.5 (H:146/ R:143.5/C:438.5) to win the Champion title. The 2006 mare (Shine Like Hail x Sheza Playgun Too x Playgun), bred by Rhodes River Ranch Inc., earned $450.

YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Boyd Wilson and 2015 gelding Quik Draw Pistol (One Time Pepto x Dual Nurse x Peptoboonsmal) scored a composite of 429 (H:140/R:143/C:146) to win $375 and the Reserve title. The gelding, bred by Jose Milare Garcia, is owned by Clay Volmer.

Industry &

///////// NAT IONAL REIN E D COW HO RSE A SSOCIAT ION: O UR SPON SO RS

TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Jared Jones brought more awards back to the Justin Wright Performance Horses stalls after his stellar performance with 2015 gelding Remys Merada (Cats Merada x Chicks Sassy Nic x Reminic). Jones, of Santa Maria, California, and the gelding, bred and owned by Lucava Farms, have worked together since the trainer rode him during the horse’s 2-year-old year.

“Justin [Wright] rode him at the Futurity and his 4-year-old year, and then I [rode him in derbies] his whole 5-yearold year,” Jones said. “This horse’s strong point has always been the herd work, so when I saw they were those heifers, I got

excited because I have a lot of confidence in him there. So, I just tried to be as good there as I could so I would hopefully have a good lead there, and that worked out. He was really good in the herd; all three cows were good—that was his high event.”

The pair scored a 151 in the herd to win that event. Because of the heat, Jones kept his warm-up for the rein work and cow work minimal, and he worried the gelding wouldn’t be ready.

“I was just trying to manage the heat there, hoping that he’d be able to keep enough air through it,” Jones said.

That strategy paid off, though. The

duo ultimately scored a composite of 444 (H:151/R:147 C:146) to win the Open Two Rein Spectacular title and $5,500. This was Jones’ first Open win, and it was special aboard the gelding he calls “Sniper,” a horse he’s worked with for so long.

“I have always liked him, I’ve always been a fan of him and got along with him really well,” Jones said. “He’s a small horse, but as small as he is, he tries his guts out. He’s got a really unique look and a lot of style to him, which I think helps him out a lot.”

Nick Dowers showed Smart Shiney Playboy to the Reserve Champion title

Remys Merada (Cats Merada x Chicks Sassy Nic x Reminic) and Jared Jones won the Champion title with a composite score of 444 (H:151/R:147/C:146), taking $5,500 for their efforts.

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after scoring a composite of 441 (H:151/ R:147/C:146) to win $4,400. The 2016 gelding (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Playgirl x Freckles Playboy), bred by Cowan Select Horses LLC, is owned by Clinton Marshall.

NON PRO T WO REIN SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Lanham Brown has worked with Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x RAB Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) since the 2016 gelding was a 2-year-old. But the horse, nicknamed “Casino,” bred by

“He’s a fan favorite around the ranch. I use him for a lot of different things—he’s my ranch rodeo horse, my rope horse, my cow horse.”—Lanham Brown

Landy Warren and owned by R A Brown Ranch, hasn’t shown successfully that much. He missed the Finals at the Snaffle Bit Futurity® by a half-point, and he went to the Southwest Reined Cow Horse PreFuturity his 4-year-old year.

“I really didn’t do much with him besides using him here at the [R.A. Brown] ranch outside and did some rop ing on him,” Brown said. “Then I took him to Vegas [to the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes] and showed him in the two-rein there. He doesn’t really have a whole lot of record on him.”

Record or not, Casino was ready to go at the DT Horses Western Derby. Brown aimed for clean performances, knowing if they scored well, they’d have a chance to make it back.

“I didn’t think he would win—I thought there were a lot better horses in there than what I had, but he was really good for me,” Brown said. “The herd work is probably our weakest event, but we got three cows cut well in the center of the pen. I’m thankful for my help picking good cattle for me. It was a clean, smooth run.”

Their herd work scored a 145 and set the stage for the rest of the event. Their composite score was 436.5 (H:145/ R:143.5/C:148).

“I was really happy with him down the fence, we drew a live cow, went fast, and he handled it,” Brown said.

This was Brown’s first horse to show in two-rein and doing so well with Casino was a highlight.

“He’s a fan favorite around the ranch,” he said. “I use him for a lot of different things—he’s my ranch rodeo horse, my rope horse, my cow horse. My wife [Josey Brown] is about to start showing him in the boxing. He’s so durable, he’s a pretty big stopper and he’s consistent.”

Lanham Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet scored a composite of 436.5 (H:145/R:143.5/C:148) to win the Champion title and $2,310.

OPEN T WO REIN SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Smart Shiney Playboy and Nick Dowers took the reserve spot with a composite score of 441 (H:148/R:149.5/C:143.5), collecting $4,400 for owner Clinton Marshall.

NON PRO T WO REIN SPECTACULAR  RESERVE CHAMPION

Parke Greeson and SCR Betthistime were Reserve with a composite score of 436 (H:145/R:145/C:146) to win $1,925. The 2016 stallion (Bet Hesa Cat x PRF One Time Candi x One Time Pepto) was bred by Milton and Bridey Greeson and is owned by Sarco Creek Ranch.

TUFF ENOUGH

By Kate Bradley Byars Photography by Primo Morales

Brad Barkemeyer piloted CR Tuff Taffy (Woody Be Tuff x Peptocandy x Peptoboonsmal), also known as “Tuff,” to a com manding 881 composite to earn the second-annual Open Bridle Super Spectacular championship at the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby and pocketed $1,120. On Friday night, June 10, it came down to the muley-style steer stopping to determine the champion of the event, sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses. The 22 entries did not disap point the ticketed crowd in the stands at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Inside his hometown show pen, Barkemeyer piloted the 2015 gelding, owned by Vaquero Ventures, to the second-highest score in the steer stop ping with a 225, following strong per formances in the cow work with a 222.5 and the rein work with a 220. However, Barkemeyer wasn’t thrilled with his herd score of 213.5.

“I have a lot of confidence riding [CR Tuff Taffy]. If I do my job, there is a really good chance he will do his, and between the two of us, we can keep those cattle in check,” he said. “I was very disappointed after the herd work because he is an exceptional cutting horse, but in the last five seconds [of our run] the cow went real fast and we pushed to a stop where he got stuck in the ground and I had to rein him across. That cost us a point and I was disappointed with the score after he tried so hard.

“You look at these four events like you must mark a 220 in each one to win it, because cow horse is that competi tive now,” he continued. “But you must stay the course. When you go through multiple event shows, you have to stay consistent and stay the course. That is the kind of horse I have, too.”

Tuff joined Barkemeyer’s program during the horse’s 4-year-old year after starting his career with Ben Baldus. The

gelding impressed Barkemeyer in 2021, during the horse’s two-rein year, enough to earn an entry into the 2022 Hashtags’ and Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Horseman event. There, Barkemeyer, the gelding and the owners all earned their first Finals berth in the four-event compe tition. Barkemeyer knew Tuff was special.

“He is pretty laid back, but he has some spice to him,” Barkemeyer said of Tuff. “He is so fun to rope on because he is so physical. When he feels the tug on the saddle horn, you can almost feel him shrink and his whole body squats, so he puts that extra effort into it. That is what separates this kind of horse because there are a lot of really good horses out there, but when they want to try for you and put in extra effort, that separates the cream of the crop.”

The pair’s consistent showing in the Open Bridle events, including Reserve in the Open Bridle horse show class that earned one of the eight open spots in The

Brad Barkemeyer and CR Tuff Taffy stayed consistent through four events to capture a title that finally showed the industry what “ Tuff” could do in the show pen.

Brad Barkemeyer and CR Tuff Taffy bested the 22-horse field to top the four-event Open Bridle Super Spectacular.

WESTERN

Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge in August, is the recognition that was always coming for the athletic gelding, said Barkemeyer.

“The owner, my team and everyone that knows that horse has believed in him and the potential the horse and I have together, so to be included in that qualification isn’t a surprise, but it feels really good. It all came together,” he said.

“That is where putting the work in and showing to the best of your ability comes into it.”

Reserve Champion was Corey Cushing aboard Heather Vatcher’s 2012 geld ing Sippin Boons Farm (Smart Boons x Peppy Nicolena x Nic It In The Bud) with a composite 858.5 (H:215.5/R:216/ C:209.5/S:215) to earn $880.

NON PRO CHAMPION

In truth, Debbie Crafton planned to sell Logicality (Magicality x Boonlight Angel x Boonlight Dancer) when she purchased the 2016 gelding from breeder Anne Reynolds. However, he’s just too much fun to ride and show, she said. The pair kicked up the fun with a solid four-event show to earn the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular Champion title.

Debbie Crafton piloted Logicality to a composite 864.5 (H:214/R:214/C:218.5/S:218), earning the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular Champion title.

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With a composite 864.5 (H:214/R:214/ C:218.5/S:218), Crafton took home the buckle and $300. She also redeemed her self from 2021.

“I did enter it last year and I roped that muley like it had horns, so the roping didn’t go well after two tosses to miss before I finally caught,” she said. “This year, it worked out much better and I had a nice little heifer. I just love this horse— he is so cool!”

With the high score of the 11-horse entry field in the cow work, Crafton’s solid performances in the herd and rein work had her in the hunt for the win. A past team roping competitor, she knew that it came down to how she roped. However, the gelding was still green.

“I only roped on him a handful of times then decided to do the Super Spectacular on him even though he is a two-rein horse, only 6,” she said. “I came out

“I only roped on him a hand ful of times then decided to do the Super Spectacular on him even though he is a tworein horse, only 6...Being green in the roping, I wasn’t quite sure if this was going to go well, but it did!”

—Debbie Crafton

For Crafton, a past National Reined Cow Horse Association Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion and multiple limited age event winner, showing in the bridle is still out of her comfort zone. Yet her personal goals push her to stretch her skills in the show pen.

of the box on him once at home before showing him at McCook for one of our [Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association] shows and it has the same set up as here, and he handled it good. Being green in the roping, I wasn’t quite sure if this was going to go well, but it did!”

“This entire thing for me is about personal goals. What makes it so great is to achieve a personal goal of being consistent. We were a good team and that felt good,” she said. “Maybe in a couple of years be looking at the World’s Greatest Horseman on him. I love him and he is such a good-minded horse. He is willing to do whatever I want to do.”

Chantz Stewart rode Cowsmackin (Smooth As A Cat x Esthers Rita x Dual Pep) to the Reserve Champion title with an 852.5 (H:208/R:209.5/C:214/S:221) to earn $250 and the runner-up prizes.

OPEN SUPER SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Corey Cushing piloted Heather Vatcher’s 2012 gelding Sippin Boons Farm (Smart Boons x Peppy Nicolena x Nic It In The Bud) to a composite 858.5 (H:215.5/R:216/C:209.5/S:215), earning $880.

NON PRO SUPER SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Chantz Stewart rode Cowsmackin (Smooth As A Cat x Esthers Rita x Dual Pep) to the Reserve Champion Non Pro Super Spectacular title with an 852.5 (H:208/R:209.5/ C:214/S:221) to earn $250

HOT IN SCOTTSDALE

The National Reined Cow Horse Association DT Horses Western Derby, held June 1-11 in Scottsdale, Arizona, had big classes with riders vying for more than $128,000 in prize money. These horse and rider teams topped their horse show classes.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Smartly Starstruck (Very Smart Remedy x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight) and Todd Bergen marked a 443 (R:223/C:220) for owner McSpyder Ranch to earn $5,472 for the win. The 2012 stallion was bred by Cinder Lakes Ranch LLC.

Smokin Little Ringo (Smart Little Pepinic x Smoking Sabrina x Mister Dual Pep), a 2011 gelding bred and owned by John Pascoe, and Monica Caetano scored a composite 437 (R:216.5/C:220.5) to earn second and $784.

Wicked Weys (Metallic Cat x Wicked Wanda Rey x A Little Bit Wicked), a 2015 gelding owned by Jason Johnson and shown by Amber Johnson, marked a 427 (R:212.5/C:214.5) to secure the win and $1,350.

Smart Time Tucker (Somebody Smart x Smoke Time Tuck x Doc Tom Tucker), a 2008 gelding bred by Bar Eleven Quarter Horses, and Jessica Pipkin rode to a 421.5 (R:207.5/C:214) and garnered $1,125 for owner Christa Hampton.

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Compiled by Kate Bradley Byars

Photos by Primo Morales

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Amy Bailey and the 2012 gelding she coowns with Paul Bailey, Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), took reserve with a 429.5 (R:215.5/C:214) and earned $1,408.80.

Jennifer Holland rode her 2016 gelding Ze Sparkin (Zezes Pepto Cat x Digger She Sparkles x Diggers Rest), bred by Janiejill Tointon, to a 431 (R:214/C:217) to earn $1,476 for reserve.

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Eric Freitas and Cat Snacks (Cats Full Moon x Chic Snacks x Snackbox), a 2014 gelding bred and owned by Eric, took the win with a 423 (R:215.5/C:207.5) and earned $280.

Carol Williamson rode 2009 stallion High Brow Shiner (Shining Lil Nic x High Brow Meow x High Brow Cat), owned by Doug Williamson and bred by Belle Meade Ranch Quarter Horses, to reserve with a 420.5 (R:206.5/C:214) and earned $210.

Test Your Metallic (Metallic Cat x Twistin ALittle x Peppy San Badger), a 2016 gelding bred by James Eakin, and Caleb Jantz rode to the win with a 296.5 (R:146.5/C:150) to earn owner Jerry Baber $2,920.

Here Comes The Boon (Once In A Blu Boon x Stay Outta My Shorts x Shorty Lena) and Lance Johnston took reserve with a 294 (R:146.5/ C:147.5). The 2016 stallion bred by Randy and Sharon Butler is owned by Rocking BS Ranch, who earned $2,336.

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Lanham Brown rode Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan), a 2016 gelding bred by Landy Warren and owned by the RA Brown Ranch, to a 291.5 (R:143.5/C:148) to earn the win and $1,356.

Parke Greeson rode his Sarco Creek Ranchowned 2016 stallion SCR BetThisTime (Bet Hesa Cat x PRF One Time Candi x One Time Pepto) to reserve with a 291 (R:145/C:146) and earned $1,084.80.

SnapDragons (Gunnatrashya x Catnaps x High Brow Cat), owned by Shane Law and bred by Flying V Ranch, and Brady Weaver marked a 291 (R:147.5/C:143.5) to top the Open Hackamore and win $2,790.

Smooth Cat Player 17 (Smooth As A Cat x Lizzys Lil Playgirl x Lizzys Gotta Player), bred by James Eakin, and Abigayle Mixon marked a 290 (R:144/C:146). Owner Emma Elise Dorn earned $2,232 in the Open and another $600 for winning the Intermediate Open Hackamore.

OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Steven Mattson’s 2017 stallion One Ata Time (One Time Pepto x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey), bred by Flag Ranch LLC, and trainer Ryan Gallentine rode to reserve with a 289.5 (R:143/C:146.5) to earn $500.

Lausanne Hillmuth rode The Wright Approach (Wright On Trigger x Lynx Approach x Paddys Approach), a 2018 gelding owned by Todd Brown and bred by Jayden Patrick, to a 288.5 (R:144/C:144.5) to take first and $1,050.

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Home Creek Twilight Cat (Metallic Cat x Homecreek Dusk x Brooksipep), a 2017 stallion bred, owned and shown by Craig Cowley, took reserve with a 284.5 that earned $875.

Cynthia Bias rode Shesa Smooth Lady (Hes Pretty Smooth x Colonels Smooth Lady x Mr Colonel Tee), a 2017 mare co-owned with David Bias and bred by the TAMU Department of Veterinary Medicine, to a 284 (R:141/C:143) to earn the win and $1,660.

NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION

NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Katie Fox rode 2017 gelding Makin A Seen (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow x), owned by Dan Fox and bred by Center Ranch, to a 281 (R:141.5/C:139.5) to earn $996.

Lucinda Rose David piloted her 2016 gelding Rubys Reypeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA x Peppy San Badger), bred by Ruby Tuesday Partners, to reserve with a 293 (R:145.5/C:147.5) and earned $2,800.

LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Paige Kremer and Peptos Shiney Pistol (One Time Pepto x Shiners Lil Pistol x Shining Spark), a 2010 gelding bred by Roxanne Koepsell, took the win with a 288 (R:140.5/C:147.5). Paige and John Kremer co-own the 2016 gelding and earned $812.50.

Linda Kiernan rode her 2015 gelding FTR Smart Smoke (Very Smart Remedy x Smoke N My Wranglers x Wranglers Starlight), bred by Dan and Linda Macedo, to a 289.5 (R:144/C:145.5) to earn the win and $480.

BOX DRIVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION LIMITED NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

Donna Stewart and the 2016 mare she co-owns with Alfred Stewart, CR Justa Lil Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Can You Handle A Lil x Smart Little Lena), rode to a 291.5 to earn reserve and $342. The mare was bred by Center Ranch.

Jessie Coughlin rode her 2011 mare Playin In Color (Playboy Again x Check My Credentials x Smart Painted Lena) to the win with a 297 and earned $1,155 in the Box Drive. The team added $650 for Reserve in the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing and another $384 in the Limited Non Pro Boxing.

Julie Gibbons rode her 2017 mare GAR Sweet Tea (Bamacat x PG Selena x Playgun), bred by Mark and Eva Gardiner, to reserve with a 290 (R:144.5/C:145.5) and earned $924.

Haydin Steffen rode 2015 mare Tuckin Right (TR Dual Rey x Tuckin Smart x WR This Cats Smart), owned by Shane Steffen and bred by Elizabeth Kania, to reserve with a 287 (R:142.5/C:144.5) and earned $125.

Riley Friesen and Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special), bred and owned by Peggy Cummings, took first with a 268 (R:139/C:129).

DJ Crafton piloted Doctor Spark (Very Smart Remedy x Magic Sparkles x Shining Spark), a 2013 gelding bred by the Joyce Peterson Trust and owned by Debbie Crafton, to a 293.5 to earn first place and a $210 check.

YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

BOX DRIVE RESERVE CHAMPION

YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

YOUTH BOXING CHAMPION, YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

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YOUTH BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDERRESERVE CHAMPION

These winners are pictured in other event coverage:

OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

CR Tuff Taffy (Woody Be Tuff x Peptocandy x Peptoboonsmal), bred by Kelly Schaar, and Brad Barkemeyer captured reserve with a 442.5 and earned owner Vaqueros Venture $4,032 in the Open and an additional $980 for winning the Intermediate Open division.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, LIMITED NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Landri Lisac and her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) swept the Non Pro Bridle division with a 437 (R:216/C:221) composite to earn $2,312.50 in the Non Pro, $1,761 in the Intermediate Non Pro and $1,845 in the Limited Non Pro. With a 290 the pair earned $150 in the Youth Cow Horse for the win. The gelding was bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner.

NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton and Logicality (Magicality x Boonlight Angel x Boonlight Dancer), a 2016 gelding bred by Anne Reynolds, took the reserve spot with a 432.5 (R:214/C:218.5) and earned $1,850.

NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown and The Metal Doctor (Metallic Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey), a 2016 gelding bred by Day Creek Ranch LLC and owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown, marked the high class composite of 296.5 (R:146.5/C:150) to earn the win and $3,500. In the Select Non Pro Boxing, the pair earned an additional $437.

Levi Swales piloted 2006 gelding CD Shiner (CD Olena x Shiners Little Oak x Shining Spark), bred by San Juan Ranch and owned by John Swales, to a 289.5 for second place.

Sheza Haillion (Shine Like Hail x Sheza Playgun Too x Playgun), a 2006 mare bred by Rhodes River Ranch Inc, took owner and rider Elise Mason to a 292.5 (R:145/C:152) and the second place check of $168.

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THE FINAL FIELD

By Callie McCarthy-Boevers • Photography by Primo Morales

Out of a 77-horse field, it took a 439 composite score to earn the final invitations to The Run For A Million Cow Work Challenge, which will be held August 17-20 at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Todd Bergen, riding Smartly Starstruck, who is owned by the McSpyder Ranch, topped the field with a 443 and earned a check for $8,265.

“Coming into the qualifier, you knew it was going to be deep and it was going to be tough, just by looking at the horses and the riders competing here,” said Bergen a National Reined Cow Horse Association Two Million Dollar Rider. “I felt very fortunate to be able to put together two good runs and qualify for Vegas this year. It is great to see events like this putting up big money for the bridle horses.”

Just like the qualifier held during the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas last March, the cow work concluded with a tie for the eighth qualifying spot. This

time, the tie was between Cara Hencratt riding Playing One Time, owned by the Rocking BS Ranch, and Chris Dawson aboard Reyzinette, owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses. Dawson marked a 224 in the fence work run-off to win the tie breaker and secure the final spot for The Run For A Million.

The eight riders who qualified in Scottsdale are Brad Barkemeyerm Scottsdale, Arizona; Todd Bergen, Eagle Point, Oregon; Chris Dawson and his wife, Sarah Dawson, Perrin, Texas; Matt Koch, Elizabeth, Colorado; Kelby Phillips, Weatherford, Texas; Erin Taormino, Dennis, Texas; and Justin Wright, Santa Maria, California.

“Once again, The Run For A Million qualifier proved to be a draw, enticing our top horseman to bring their best bridle horses to the DT Horses Western Derby and compete for their chance at a spot in Las Vegas,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “With all of the qualifying spots settled we’re ready to set our sights on August when we’ll

cheer on 16 of our sport’s best in the Cow Horse Challenge!”

The 16 riders qualified for The Run For A Million Cow Horse event are (in score rank):

NICK DOWERS, 444

TODD BERGEN, 443

BRAD BARKEMEYER, 442.5

JUSTIN WRIGHT, 441.5

KYLE NOYCE, 441

LUKE JONES, 441

TODD CRAWFORD, 441

ERIN TAORMINO, 441

RANDY PAUL, 440.5

COREY CUSHING, 440.5

SHAWN HAYS, 440.5

MATT KOCH, 440.5

PHILLIP RALLS, 440

SARAH DAWSON, 440

KELBY PHILLIPS, 439.5

CHRIS DAWSON, 439

Tickets for the event are on sale now. For more information, visit trfam.com

The second set of eight riders qualified for The Run For A Million Cow Work Challenge while at the DT Horses Western Derby.

The

8. CHRIS DAWSON, Perrin, Texas

1. TODD BERGEN, Eagle Point, Oregon

2. BRAD BARKEMEYER, Scottsdale, Arizona3. JUSTIN WRIGHT, Santa Maria, California

4. ERIN TAORMINO, Dennis, Texas

5. MATT KOCH, Elizabeth, Colorado

6. SARAH DAWSON, Perrin, Texas

7. KELBY PHILLIPS, Weatherford, Texas

Title, Presenting & Corporate Sponsors

Breeder Sponsors

The front is smooth and inviting. And it’s got a bold middle flavor that I love but can’t really describe. The finish is warm honey-almond with a smokey tinge on the very back end. It’s damn good.

— Kory Pounds, Professional Cowboy, Cutting Horse Champion, Whiskey Advocate

Ricato Suave and Clay Volmer earned back-to-back Eastern Derby Champion titles, in 2021 and 2022.

DOMINANT DERBY

By Kate Bradley Byars Photography by Primo Morales

It was a familiar sight to see Ricato Suave and Clay Volmer take their cow down the fence at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, and an outcome seen before in the AgriCenter International Arena in Cordova, Tennessee, when the duo earned the Open Derby Championship title. The 2017 stallion (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) and Volmer took the same title at the 2021 event.

But, this year “Rico” felt a little bit better.

“Today he was just fantastic down the fence,” said Volmer, of Brock, Texas. “Today was one of the first times I felt like, after the second fence turn, I felt like he just took it over and did his job. I feel like he has matured so much. As a 3- and 4-year-old he was very talented, very strong and did all the events very well but as a 5-year-old he is just stronger.”

The pair marked a composite 666.5, a three-and-a-half-point lead over the Reserve Champion Selvarey and rider Sarah Dawson. The 224 score on the cow was the highest of the Open division and sealed the win when added to the 220.5 rein work and 222 in the herd. Owners Shaleah Hester and Madeleine Fountain earned $20,000 and the premier event title.

“This show is hot, of course, and we just worked him smart and managed the heat. He’s just always been good about handling everything; not much winds him up,” Volmer said. “When that cow broke across there the first time, he really ran and hit his bottom real hard and I thought, ‘Oh, hey!’ He felt like he really wanted to play the game today.”

2022 DOM CONICELLI

MEMORIAL EASTERN, PRESENTED BY MARS EQUESTRIAN™, DERBY OPEN TOP 10

Cordova, Tennessee – July 8-16, 2022 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money

1. Ricato Suave; Clay Volmer; 17S (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey); Shaleah Hester & Madeleine Fountain; 666.5 (R:220.5/H:222/C:224); $20,000.

2. Selvarey; Sarah Dawson; 17M (Dual Rey x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Sheri Jamieson; 662 (R:225/H:216/C:221); $11,289.78.

3. Pow Pow Pepto; Ben Baldus; 17G (Peptoboonsmal x Shiners Pretty Woman x Shining Spark); Jonathan Yarbrough; 657.5 (R:221.5/H:214.5/C:221.5); $9,031.82.

4. Metallic Casanova; Clay Volmer; 18S (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry x Spots Hot); Sandra Kuntz; 656 (R:219.5/H:220/C:216.5); $7,526.52.

5. Reyzin Cane; Taylor Gillespie; 18S (Reyzin The Cash x DB Little Cat x Metallic Cat), William McElligott, Sr.; 654.5 (R:217/H:215.5/C:222); $5,644.89.

6. (tie). Tuesday Tuff Cat; Luke Jones; 18G (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Tuesday x High Brow Cat); Good Ole Boys; 650 (R:218/H:213/C:219); $4,139.59.

6. (tie). Juliette Jonez; Sarah Dawson; 18M (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Linda Mars; 650 (R:222/H:219.5/C:208.5); $4,139.59.

8. (tie). Autumns Smokin Cat; Sarah Dawson; 18M (WR This Cats Smart x Autumn Amanda x Autumn Acre); Holy Cow Performance Horses; 649.5 (R:216.5/H:215/C:218); $2,822.45.

8. (tie). Tee Boone; Jay McLaughlin; 17S (Once In A Blue Boon x Skeets My Bro x Docs Curious Cat); JT & Sandra Neal; 649.5 (R:220/H:213/C:216.5); $2,822.45.

10. Smart Nicholas; Robert Chown; 18G (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Lil Liz x Lizzys Gotta Player), L&K Barker Family Trust, 649 (R:220/H:215/C:214); $3,679.63.

For the second year, Clay Volmer and Ricato Suave triumph in the Open Derby.

Volmer showed the stallion in the hackamore and is aiming at the final aged event of the year with Rico, the Hackamore Classic presented by Oswood Stallion Station. It will be bittersweet, Volmer says, to finish the limited aged event years.

Looking forward, he plans to continue partnering with Rico in cow horse.

“It’s a thousand percent better to have a horse like this, that I know inside and out, to show,” Volmer said. “A potential World’s Greatest Horseman is a major goal for the owners and for me. That’s a long look at it. I’m super excited every time I show him.”

The 2022 premier event east of the Mississippi also had a different feel for Volmer than years past when he has competed.

“It’s not a schooling show, but you make sure your ducks are in line now,” he said. “You are preparing for a major event when you come here to show. Once that is in your mind, it changes it all for

you. Its great because Veronica did well here and we have fun.”

In total, 54 horse and rider teams vied for the Open Derby total purse of $82,564.61. Reserve Champion Selvarey (Dual Rey x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart) and Sarah Dawson rode to a composite 662 to earn $11,289.78 for owner Sheri Jamieson. Taylor Gillespie swept the other divi-

///// MEET MARS EQUESTRIAN™

sions, piloting Reyzin Cane (Reyzin The Cash x DB Little Cat x Metallic Cat), owned by William McElligott Sr., to the Intermediate Open, Limited Open and Novice Horse Champion titles with a composite 654.5. There were 38 entries in the Intermediate Open, another strong showing for cow horse.

For generations, MARS has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS Equestrian™ is committed to the sport and building enduring legacy. This is one reason why MARS EQUESTRIAN™, sponsored by Mars, Incorporated, is again the presenting sponsor of the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman in 2021. In the four years of the event, 2022 saw the largest field of entries vying for the title. There were eight that advanced to the clean-slate cow work finals after competing throughout the week.

From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines, to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS EQUESTRIAN™ is dedicated in our purpose to improve the lives of horses, pets and the people who love them. For more information on the event’s sponsor, visit www.marsequestrian.com, or find MARS on Facebook and Instagram @marsequestrian.

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Selvarey (Dual Rey x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart), a 2017 mare bred by Richard and Cheryl Winters and owned by Sheri Jamieson, and Sarah Dawson earned Reserve and $11,298.78 with a composite 662 (R:225/H:216/C:221).

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION, LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION, NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

Aboard William McElligott, Sr.’s 2018 stallion Reyzin Cane (Reyzin The Cash x DB Little Cat x Metallic Cat), bred by Jason Clark Cutting Horses, Taylor Gillespie piloted to a 654.5 (R:217/H:215.5/C:222) for $4,600 in the Intermediate, $1,881.63 in the Limited and $3,303 in the Novice Horse.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION, CHROME CASH CHAMPION

Robert Chown rode 2018 gelding Smart Nicholas (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Lil Liz x Lizzys Gotta Player), bred by Cows & Horses Etc. and owned by L&K Barker Family Trust, to $3,679.63 in the Intermediate with a composite 649 (R:220/H:215/C:214). The pair earned an additional $1,050 for the Chrome Cash high score.

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

My Boots Are Royal (Royal Fletch x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff), a 2018 stallion bred and owned by Kit & Charlie Moncrief, and Daniel Sanchez rode to a composite 647 (R:218/H:215.5/C:217) to earn $1,050.30.

LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION

Jeffrey Simpson-owned 2017 mare Tuesdays Tuff Kitty (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Tuesday x High Brow Cat), bred by Cowan Ranch LLC, and Aaron “AJ” Black Jr. took the win with a 645.5 (R:217.5/H:213.5/C:214.5) to earn $2,052.

LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Talk It Walk It (Smooth Talkin Style x Reyvin My Engine x Dual Rey), a 2018 stallion bred by Lloyd & Christina Cox and owned by Elizabeth Piccone, and Rebecca Lipka rode to a 634 (R:210.5/H:209.5/C:214) to earn $1,641.60.

NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Cayley Wilson rode Lee Ann McDaniel’s 2018 stallion CR Dainty N Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Dainty Dual Rey x Dual Rey), bred by Center Ranch, to a 646.5 (R:220.5/H:215/C:211) and earned $2,642.40.

CHROME CASH RESERVE CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton rode her 2018 stallion SJR SumKindaRockStar (Smooth As A Cat x SumKinda PinkCadilac x Peptoboonsmal), bred by San Juan Ranch, to the Chrome Cash second high score of 644 (R:214/H:210.5/C:219.5) to earn $700.

Debbie Crafton and Foundloveathooters (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey) earned the Non Pro Derby and Chrome Cash Championships with R:220/C:221.5), winning a total of $5,989.

HE STREAK

TCONTINUES

Debbie Crafton and her team of horses capture their third major NRCHA Derby title of the year, this time in Cordova, Tennessee.

By Lillian Kent Photographs by Primo Morales

Debbie Crafton’s Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, plan was all about optimization. She’d won the event in 2021 and curated a treasure trove of derby-aged horses since then, putting her in prime position to take the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s eastern premier event’s Non Pro Derby Championship home to Ordway, Colorado.

After studying entry numbers, Crafton entered her stallion SJR Sumkindarockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal) in the higher-paying Open Derby to make way for her two geldings: Foundloveathooters (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey), or “Zaro,” and Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena), or “Wee Bet,” in the Non Pro.

“The goal was to see if we could do a repeat win, because we’ve been consistent at the other two [premier NRCHA events],” Crafton said.

Repeat she did, continuing her streak that started in Las Vegas at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes and continued at the DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale. Riding Zaro, Crafton won the Eastern Non Pro Derby with a composite of 654.5 (H: 213/R: 220/C: 221.5) and clinched reserve on Wee Bet (H: 213.5 /R: 219.5 /C: 220.5) with a composite of 653.5, earning $5,000 and $3,173 respectively. Zaro also won the Non Pro Chrome Cash for an additional $725.

“I am so blessed with those two horses–they are so consistent and they will do anything for me,” Crafton said.

2022 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN, PRESENTED BY MARS EQUESTRIAN™, NON PRO TOP 6

Cordova, Tennessee – July 8-16, 2022 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money

1. Debbie Crafton; FoundLoveAtHooters; 17G (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey); Debbie Crafton; 654 (H:213/R:220/C:221.5); $5,000.

2. Debbie Crafton; Hesa Wee Bet; 17G (Bet Hesa Cat x Quejana Gal x Quejuanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 653.5 (H:213.5 /R:219.5 /C:220.5); $3,173.

3. Steafani Wagley; Boon Doxx (Sannman x Docs Stylish Liz x Docs Stylish Oak); Stefani Wagley; 650 (H:214.5/R:214/C:221.5); $2,379.78.

4. Cutter McLaughlin; SCR King Of The Road; 17G (Sannman x SCR Crackin Light x Boonlight Dancer); Jay and Windy McLaughlin; 638.5 (H:212/ R:217.5/C:209 ); $1,586.52.

5. Addison Fjelstad; Tuff Reyzin; 18G (Woody Be Tuff x Reyzin x High Brow CD); Kenneth Schueller; 635 (H:212/R:212/C:211); $1,189.89.

6. Ashley Lembke; Bet Hesa Honeybee; 18G (Bet Hesa Cat x Honey Bees x Peptoboonsmal); Tyrel and Ashly Lembke; 634 (H:213/R:209.5/C:211.5); $1,000.

“My whole thing is a bond and a relationship with them, and I know that might sound cheesy to some but it’s true. I don’t want them to think that every time I get on them that I’m going to expect perfection in the arena.”—Debbie Crafton

Crafton has so much confidence in her horses that after trav eling the more than 1,000 miles from Colorado to Tennessee she didn’t school them ahead of the fence work on July 13.

“Honestly, how I prepared for the fence was trail riding. There are these trails and ponds across the way from the fairgrounds here and I rode them the [two days prior there],” Crafton said. “My whole thing is a bond and a relationship with them, and I know that might sound cheesy to some but it’s true. I don’t want them to think that every time I get on them that I’m going to expect perfection in the arena.”

Crafton thanked Linda Mars for her sponsorship of the event and the NRCHA for their hard work. She also praised her herd help Jay McLaughlin, Cayley Wilson, Ashley Deacon and Luke Jones.

NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena) and Debbie Crafton locked down the Non Pro Derby Reserve Championship with a composite of 653.5 (H:213.5 /R:219.5 /C:220.5), earning $3,173.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Stefani Wagley and Boon Doxx (Sannman x Docs Stylish Liz x Docs Stylish Oak), bred by Jeff Schieber, earned the win with a composite of 650 (H:214.5/R:214/C:221.5), earning $1,526.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION, LIMITED

NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Ashley Lembke and Bet Hesa Honeybee (Bet Hesa Cat x Honey Bees x Peptoboonsmal), bred by Honeybee Partners LLC and co-owned by Tyrel and Ashly Lembke, put together a composite of 634 (H:213/R:209.5/C:211.5), winning $1,881.

LIMITED NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION,

SELECT NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Diane Edwards and her 2018 gelding Here For A Good Tyme (Thomas E Hughes x Dualin Safari x Playin Safari), bred by Kathleen Moore, clinched the Reserve with a composite of 627 (H:212/R:210/C:205), winning $608.

SELECT NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Sandy Miller-Allen and Talkinattheboondocks (Smooth Talkin Style x My Gun Goes Boom x Smart Boons) rode to a 578 (R:198/H:200/C:180) for reserve.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO DERBY CHAMPION

Amber Haglin and Stylish Rebel Boy (Metallic Rebel x Mom In Style x Lizzys Gotta Player), a 2018 gelding bred by Dan Churchill, scored a composite of 626.5 (H:213/R:207.5/C:206), winning $1,845.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Evan Means and Chapos Esperanza (Hic Highbrow Freckle x LPD Red Buck 712 x Little Bay Pistol), bred and owned by Means Brothers, put together a 625 compos ite (H:204/R:210/C:211), earning $1,107.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak) and Cheryl Chown, who co-owns the 2016 mare with Robert Chown, won with a 651.5 (H:215/ R:217.5/C:219), earning $2,434.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown took the top two spots in the Non Pro Boxing Derby, bringing home Reserve on The Metal Doctor (Metallic Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey), bred by Day Creek Ranch LLC and co-owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown, with a 649 (H:208/R:218/C:223) and earning $1,922.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHAMPION

Toni Blonde and Bet Shes Wright (Bet Hesa Cat x Just Wright Lilly x Hes Wright On), a 2018 mare bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, won with a composite of 618 (H:206/ R:203/C:209), earning $679.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING DERBY RESERVE CHAMPION

Taylee Albritton rode 2017 gelding Once In A Rey Boon (Once In A Blu Boon x Dual Reys Ms Bobbi x Dual Rey), owned by Hawk Family Trust, to a 607.5 (R:209/ H:212.5/C:186), earning $407.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHROME CASH CHAMPION

Karla Steckel and TR Guns And Roses (One Time Pepto x Miss Silver Gun x Colonels Smoking Gun), a 2017 mare bred by Tamarack Ranch, rode to a 641.5 composite (H:213/R:214.5/C:214), winning $650.

NON PRO BOXING DERBY CHROME CASH RESERVE CHAMPION

Robert Shockley and Cold Harde Cash (Reyzin The Cash x Shes Icing Onthe Cat x High Brow Cat) took the reserve spot with a of 582.5 (R:180/H:192/C:210.5).

Stoney’s Web Design

Jake Gorrell and Little Miss Voo Doo Owned by Dana Roulet

Photo courtesy of Robb Walther

Todd Crawford and Bet Lucky 13 rode away with another Eastern Derby title, this time as the Open Bridle Champions.

S

URE SOMETHING SPECTACULAR

The heat in Tennessee wasn’t only outside the arena. During the Spectacular classes, horses and riders turned up the heat to take their respective titles.

By Callie McCarthy-Boevers and Kate Bradley Byars Photographs by Primo Morales

Call it the Twilight Zone or déjà vu, but no matter how you label it, there is something in the water at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. The repeat of 2021 champions capturing 2022 titles continued with Todd Crawford riding Bet Lucky 13 (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight) to the Open Bridle Spectacular win for owner Allyson Light. It’s the second title the pair have earned at the AgriCenter International Arena in Cordova, Tennessee, with the 2021 Open Two Rein Spectacular title being the first.

Crawford joins Clay Volmer and Debbie Crafton as consecu tive champion at this Eastern premier event. The 2013 stallion called “Twitch” carried Crawford to $3,300 for a 438 composite score (H:145/R:144.5/C:148.5) that was six points above the reserve champion.

“He’s really good on a cow,” said Crawford, an NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider from Blanchard, Oklahoma. “It took him awhile to learn his job as an aged event horse. Before the World Show his 5-year-old year we worked and worked him, and something then just clicked. Ever since then, he has been really good on a cow. He marked a 148.5 in the fence work and was pretty consistent this show.”

The red roan also does double duty with owner Light, show ing in the Non Pro. However, that hasn’t affected his ability to

compete in the Open. Crawford rode to a qualification for The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge on the stallion at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in March.

“It takes [an Open type horse] to be competitive in the Non Pro,” he said. “This horse is real quiet and easy to get through the reining. He has the odd combination of being quiet and easy to show in the reining but also being fast and strong enough to go down the fence well. A lot of horses that have those big runs on them get tricky to show in the reining, but he is pretty easy.”

For Crawford, competing at the Eastern Derby is a chance to see exhibitors that aren’t always in attendance at the Westernbased premier events.

“This is an enjoyable show. There are a lot of people that come here that we don’t see real often and it is a different crowd than going out West, which is kinda fun,” he said.

More than 20 exhibitors vied for the $11,000-added purse sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses. Reserve Champion WR Hotshot (WR This Cats Smart x Sunspot Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), shown by Robert Chown and owned by L&K Barker Family Trust, finished with a 432 (H:143.5/ R:145/C:143.5) to earn $2,640. Chown also rode the 2014 geld ing to the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular Champion title, earning an additional $532.

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR

It only made sense for Debbie Crafton to enter Logicality in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. After all, the pair were coming off a big win in the Non Pro Super Spectacular at the DT Horses Western Derby only a month ago, and you have to ride a hot streak.

Crafton, of Ordway, Colorado, and the 2016 gelding bred by Anne Reynolds once again brought their A-game to a premier event, topping the class with a composite 436.5 (H:143/R:146.5/C:147) and taking home $1,875 of the class’s $6,250 purse.

“I didn’t have any second thoughts about entering him here. I have a lot of faith and confidence in him. Of course, I hope our momentum stayed, and it did,” Crafton said. “He is so good in all

the events—he can really run and stop and really turn around in the reining. I’m comfortable in the bridle with him, but down the fence is where I prefer two hands. He is so good at reading a cow that I feel good with him. He is so fun to show and every time I step in the pen with him, I’m confident and excited.”

From the mountains to the humid ity of the south, Logicality (Magicality x Boonlight Angel x Boonlight Dancer) handled the temperature swing like a pro.

“I kept them on electrolytes and kept feed and water in front of them to keep them as comfortable as possible,” she explained. “My horses aren’t used [to the heat] so the preparation was different for each class. We exercised them in [short] increments, riding several times but only doing little bits at a time. I wanted to give them plenty of time to cool down and not overheat.”

The plan paid off when Crafton worked not one but two cows to earn the 147 score in the fence work.

“They blew me a new cow and I was appreciative of that,” she said. “The sec ond cow was a decent cow and I didn’t stay long with it [boxing] and did two really big turns, circled up really good and just had a lot of fun. When I get one a little wolfy like our first cow, we got two cows, that runs back and forth, he can read that cow better than me. When he and I read it together, it is a great feeling.”

Now, Logicality will take a vacation while Crafton prepares her 3-year-old horses for the upcoming National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, but the pair will be back for the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, she said.

Reserve Champion Catelyn Walker rode Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) to a 427 to earn $1,562.50.

YOUTH COW HORSESPECTACULAR Riley Friesen piloted her 2014 gelding, Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special) to claim the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular title at the 2022 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.

The pair marked a 143 out of the herd, followed by a 143.5 in the rein work and 146.5 on the cow work for a composite score of 433 to secure the winning check for $560.

“Our best event is either the herd or the fence work, he is really cowy,” Friesen said. “In our fence work the cow boxed great and I got a good first turn. He was a little pushy on my second turn, but the rest of my run shaped up great.”

Coming in Reserve was Will Lewis aboard Spookin Jay (Smart Spook x Ultra Jay x Master Jay) with a 432 (H:139/ R:144.5/C:146.5) and earning a check for $420.

Debbie Crafton and Logicality captured a second consecutive premier event title.

OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Kyle Noyce and SJR Smooth Lil Oak have had a Cinderella story year. From capturing the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Hackamore National Championship in February to qualifying for The Run For A Million in March, the pair have excelled at all levels of cow horse. Now, they can boast the Open Two Rein Spectacular Champion title here at the Dom Concicelli Memorial Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.

Noyce, who is from Blanchard, Oklahoma, and “Jose” have been a team since the horse was 3 years old. And while he says that the 2016 gelding bred by San Juan Ranch and owned by Janie Dvorak-Compton was a late bloomer, Noyce is confident the horse has caught up.

“When we came to this show two years ago, he turned it on and has been great ever since,” he said. “He’s been really good. Those hackamore horses we show as a 4- and 5-year-old we ride quite a bit in the two-rein and he took to it like a duck to water. From the snaffle to the hackamore he was better and now in the bridle he is even better.”

SJR Smooth Lil Oak (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Lil Oak x Shining Spark) is “pretty average” in the herd, as the 141 score may attest, but when it comes to the fence and rein work, he brings his top game, says Noyce.

“He didn’t feel all that good in the herd work, but he does what he normally does, which is show up to play in the rein and down the fence,” he said. “When that cow came to the gate, I remember

it worked pretty good in the herd work, and it all came together and fell into place for us.”

With a composite of 438.5 (H:141/ R:146.5/C:151), Jose and Noyce earned $1,590. The pair will next take aim at The Run For A Million before heading to the February Celebration of Champions to ride for a two-rein world title.

“He’s been a blessing. He’s always been good and kind of a freak. Without a whole lot of riding, he’s great and he’s stayed really sound,” said Noyce. “Our plan is to do The Run For A Million this year, the two-rein at the World Show [in February] and then the next year we will do the World’s Greatest Horseman.”

There was a tie for Open Two Rein Spectacular Reserve Champion. Chet Martin piloted Up North Performance

Kyle Noyce and SJR Smooth Lil Oak are having an exceptional year in the cow horse pen, and added another line to their résumé in Tennessee.

MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

Horse’s 2016 stallion One Time Up North (One Time Pepto x Our Special Kitten x High Brow Cat) to a composite 434.5 to earn $1,192.50. Clay Volmer and 2016 gelding Like Shine Wine (Shine Chic Shine x Ben Smokin Pine x Bueno Starlight), owned by Shaleah Hester, rode to the same score and earn ings to tie. A total purse of $5,300 was up for grabs at the premier event.

NON PRO T WO REIN SPECTACULAR

With only two shows under their belt, Evan Means was confident that she and her new horse would have what it takes to win at the Dom Concicelli Memorial Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.

Means purchased the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association World Champion, Hollywood Big Star (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Dunnit Wright On x OJ Dunit), earlier this spring from Christine Northrop McRoy. Means and the 2016 mare, called “Thatcher,” marked a composite of 430 (H:139/R:141.5/C:149.5) to secure a check for $820 and the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular title.

“Thatcher loves tough cattle. Her favorite thing to do is to go fast, she loves to go fast and stop hard,” Means said. “So, going into the cow work I was really confident and high expectations for me and for her. I was hoping for a fast cow that would be respectful of my horse and that’s exactly what I got.”

Finishing as Reserve Champion, Sareece Brown riding Sixteen Carat Cat (Metallic Cat x All That N Cat x High Brow Cat) marking a 428.5 (H:146/ R:144.5/C:139.5) and taking home a check for $615.

OPEN T WO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

WR Hotshot (WR This Cats Smart x Sunspot Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), a 2014 gelding owned by L&K Barker Family Trust and shown by Robert Chown, finished with a 432 (H:143.5/ R:145/C:143.5) to earn $2,640 in the Open and additional $532 in the Intermediate Open.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Smooth Merry (Smooth As A Cat x Merry Merada x Freckles Merada), a 2012 mare owned by Frank Frisco Jr. and bred by Milton & Bridey Greeson, and Jay Holmes rode to reserve with a 431.5 (H:143.5/R:145/C:143.5) to earn $426.

New show team Evan Means and Hollywood Big Star rode to the Non Pro two Rein Spectacular win.

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Catelyn Walker rode her 2013 gelding Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), bred by Kit Moncrief & Lee Tennison, to a 427 to earn $1,562.50.

NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown rode her 2016 mare Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short N Royal x Short Oak) to a 435 (H:143.5/R:144.5/C:146) to earn the win and $2,580.

NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Carolyn Edson rode Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles), a 2016 mare she bred and owns, to a composite 434.5 (H:143/R:145/C:146.5) and earned $2,064.

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Riley Friesen rode Peggy Cummings’ 2014 gelding Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special) to the win with a composite 433 (H:143/ R:143.5/C:146.5) to earn $560.

YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE SPECTACULARCHAMPION

Will Lewis rode 2011 gelding Spookin Jay (Smart Spook x Ultra Jay x Master Jay), owned by his father William Lewis and bred by Rosanne Sternberg, with a 432 (H:139/ R:144.5/C:146.5) and earning a check for $420.

YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Taylor Allen and her 2012 gelding Shinen Metallic Cat (Metallic Cat x Winenshineme x Shining Spark) rode to a 434 (H:142.5/R:144.5/C:147) and earned $510.

YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Jubilee Stringfellow and Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark), bred by Garth & Amanda Gardiner, to a 432.5 (H:143/R:144.5/C:145) and earned $425.

OPEN T WO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)

Chet Martin piloted Up North Performance Horse’s 2016 stallion One Time Up North (One Time Pepto x Our Special Kitten x High Brow Cat) to a composite 434 (H:143.5/ R:144.5/C:146) to earn $1,192.50.

OPEN T WO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)

Clay Volmer and 2016 gelding Like Shine Wine (Shine Chic Shine x Ben Smokin Pine x Bueno Starlight), owned by Shaleah Hester, rode to a 434 (H:143/R:146/C:144.5) and $1,192.50 to tie.

NON PRO T WO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Sareece Brown rode Sixteen Carat Cat (Metallic Cat x All That N Cat x High Brow Cat),a 2016 mare bred and owned by Yellow Creek Ranch, to a 428.5 (H:146/R:144.5/C:139.5) and a check for $615.

CIRCUIT CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Senor Shiney Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Senorita x Shining Spark), shown by Mark Siglar for Kinda Silly Farm LLC, claimed the Intermediate Open Bridle and the Open Bridle Reserve Champion circuits for owner Kinda Silly Farm LLC.

TimeForLightening (One Time Pepto x SDP Gretchens Kitty x Hydrive Cat), bred by Rebecca Elliott and owned by Flying B Ranch, and Ben Bowman rode to the reserve circuit champion title.

Fool In The Rain (Starlights Wrangler x Hangten Spanish Lady x Hangten Peppy), a 2012 stallion owned by Caroline Calais Reining, LLC and shown by Logan Cotten won the Limited Open Bridle.

Kelsey Ward rode Lil Ruff N Spooky (Smart Spook x Lil Jewel x Lil Ruff Peppy), bred by Rosanne Sternberg and owned by Tammy Russell, to the reserve spot.

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Two slates of Horse Show classes run during the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Here are the circuit champions based on composite placings from two gos in their events.

Photographs by Primo Morales

LIMITED NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Mike Lundy showed Cee These Guns (Colonels Smoking Gun x Dun It In The Bay x Starlights Wrangler), bred by Oldenburg Farm, to a 573 to claim the Limited Non Pro Bridle Circuit title and reserve in two divisions.

Aboard Nee On Lights (CD Lights x Shine Smartly x Shining Spark), bred by Walter Greeman and Tammy Hays and owned by Yellow Creek Ranch, Sareece Brown took home another circuit title, the Reserve Champion Limited Non Pro Bridle.

Jonathan Yarbrough and 2015 gelding Adrenaline Force (Metallic Cat x Reyz Me Twice x Dual Smart Rey), bred by Gale Force Quarter Horses and owned by Laura Yarbrough, took home the Select Non Pro Bridle Circuit title.

OPEN HACAKMORE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Metallic Chrome (Metallic Cat x Bella Coy Moon x Docs PouPon), owned by Joesph and LeeAnn Slipher and shown by Lee Deacon, took home the two circuit awards.

Tee Boone (Once In A Blu Boon x Skeets My Bro x Curious Cat), a 2017 stallion bred by Charlotte Farms Inc., and Jay McLaughlin won the Open Hackamore circuit for JT “Trey” and Sandra Neal.

Sassys Smooth Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Shining N Sassy x Shining Spark), bred by Roxanne Koepsell and owned by Marie Fraser and Brent Hulshof, carried Chet Martin to the circuit’s reserve spot.

OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

LIMITED NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

LCR CrazyXGirlfriend (A Shiner Named Sioux x Smart With A Twist x Dun It With A Twist), bred by Edward Rufledt and shown by Brent Boevers for Jodell Johnston, won the Limited Open Hackamore Circuit Champion title.

Talk It Walk It (Smooth Talkin Style x Reyvin My Engine x Dual Rey), a 2018 stallion bred by Lloyd & Christina Cox and owned by Elizabeth Piccone, and Rebecca Lipka took reserve for the circuit.

Evan Means took the circuit win with Chapos Esperanza (Hic Highbrow Freckle x LBP Red Buck 712 x Little Bay Pistol), bred and owned by Means Brothers, in the Non Pro Hackamore.

Rebekah Thompson rode her 2018 gelding SRH Mr Smart Pepper (BARW Red Pepper Jack x Miss Smart Doc x Smart N Gray) to the reserve spot with a total 541.

NON PRO HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Traci Witte showed Ima Prizcee Hickory (Cee Mr Hickory x Nu Prize x Smokums Prize), bred by Trystin Johnston, to win the Non Pro Boxing and Select Non Pro Boxing Circuits.

Lucinda David piloted her 2017 gelding Seven S Johnny Reb (Blind Sided x Seven S Prairie Rose x Real Gun), bred by Terry Stuart Forst to the reserve circuit title.

NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPIO

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Karla Steckel and TR Guns And Roses (One Time Pepto x Miss Silver Gun x Colonels Smoking Gun), a 2017 mare bred by Tamarack Ranch, won the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing circuit.

Kristi Clark rode Quincee Clark’s 2012 gelding Vintage San (Ricochet San x Shiney Vintage Chic x Smart Chic Olena), bred by Carolyn Edson, to the circuit reserve champion title.

Curt Spangler and CR Shortys Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Shortys Starlight x Grays Starlight), a 2017 gelding bred by Center Ranch and co-owned with Patti Spangler, won the Limited Non Pro Boxing circuit.

LIMITED NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

Riding her 2003 gelding Chexn In For Charlie (Badger Starlight x Smart Royal Queen x Smart Charlie Chex), Lee Alford captured the Reserve Circuit Champion spot.

Kristin Kenley rode Hi Hill Bud (High Brow CD x Roses To Rubies x Smart Little Lena), owned by Christian Lybbert, to the second spot in the circuit with a 571.5.

Jill Flint rode Diamonds N Caicos (Time For The Diamond x CR Wood Be N Caicos x Woody Be Tuff), a 2016 mare bred by Walter Greeman and Tammy Hays, to win the Box Drive circuit championship.

BOX DRIVE CHAMPION

Get your engines ready.

BOX DRIVE RESERVE CHAMPION

Benit Gouin rode 2011 mare Cromed Out Playgirl (Tuckers Lil Playboy x Chloes Dip O Sugar x Lenas Sugarman), bred by Chad Tracy, to the reserve spot in the circuit.

These winners are pictured in other event coverage:

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Bet Lucky 13 (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight), owned by Robert and Allysn Light, took home the Open Bridle circuit with Todd Crawford.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION Catelyn Walker showed her 2013 gelding, Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), to claim two circuit champion titles and a reserve.

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

SJR Smooth Lil Oak (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Lil Oak x Shining Spark), shown by Kyle Noyce, owned by Janie Dvorak-Compton, took home the Open Two Rein circuit.

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Chet Martin piloted Up North Performance Horses’ 2016 stallion One Time Up North (One Time Pepto x Our Special Kitten x High Brow Cat), bred by Lone Oak Performance Horses LLC, to the circuit reserve title.

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER RESERVE CHAMPION

Evan Means and Hollywood Big Star (ARC Gunnabeabigstar x Dunnit Wright On x OJ Dunit) took home the Non Pro Two Rein Circuit Champion title.

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Sareece Brown and Sixteen Carat Cat (Metallic Cat x All That N Cat x High Brow Cat), bred by Beechfork Ranch and owned by Yellow Creek Ranch, took the reserve circuit title.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Trystan Crow rode his 2016 mare RR Rey To Stylish (Stylish Rey Gay x Miss Reys Hickory x Dual Rey) to the reserve champion circuit title.

Will Lewis road Spookin Jay (Smart Spook x Ultra Jay x Master Jay), owned by William Lewis, to claim the Youth Cow Horse circuit title.

YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Riley Friesen and Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special), bred and owned by Peggy Cummings, added another title to their name after capturing the Youth Cow Horse 13 & Under circuit.

YOUTH BOXING CHAMPION, YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Taylor Allen and her gelding Shinen Metallic Cat (Metallic Cat x Winenshineme x Shining Spark) captured two circuit titles at the Eastern Derby.

YOUTH BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION, YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER RESERVE CHAMPION

Gracie Bair rode her 2016 mare Reys Precious Star (Reys Star Cat x Tazanic x Nic It In The Bud), bred by the Dom Conicelli Estate, to two reserve circuit champion titles at the Eastern Derby.

HEATING UP ON THE EAST COAST

By Katie Frank

The heat index wasn’t the only thing hot in Cordova, Tennessee, during the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, pre sented by MARS Equestrian™. Competitors brought smoking 3-yearolds to the third annual event.

Winning the Open Pre-Futurity with 654.5 (R:215.5/ H:221.5/ C:217.5) was A Rey Of Sunshine and Ben Baldus owned by Stanton Pinckard Horses, LLC. The 2019 mare by Stevie Rey Von and out of a Bobs Freckle mare named Justa Lil Freck, rode wise beyond her years.

“This was the first show we hauled this year’s 3-year-olds to,” said Baldus, of Gainesville, Texas. “’Freckles’ did really great. She was very correct. She stepped it up in the herd work, and really tied on to the cow going down the fence.”

Baldus also captured Reserve with Travis and Rene David’s Fancy Wasnt My Name (One Time Pepto x Cyndi Cat x WR This Cats Smart), a 2019 mare that tied with Cayley Wilson and Nothing But Blu (Once In A Blue Boon x CC Cat x Neat Little Cat), owned by Alicia Bolls. Wilson also topped the Intermediate Open with the mare.

Photographs by Primo Morales

Reined cow horse competitors brought their 3-year-olds and A games to the East Coast.

Aboard Stanton Pinckard Horses LLC’s 2019 mare A Rey Of Sunshine (Stevie Rey Von x Justa Lil Freck x Bobs Freckle), Ben Baldus rode to the win with a 654.5 (R:215.5/ H:221.5/ C:217.5) to earn $2,870.78.

Kirk Druey of Adamstown, Maryland, had a clean sweep across the Non Pro divisions with Gin N Smoke N Lies marking a 614 (R:196/ H: 213/ C:205) to win the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro.

“She’s usually a real ‘lookie’ horse at home, but she did well,” Druey said, who rides with Todd Crawford, who bred and raised the mare. “Usually having the combination of a three-yearold horse and a non pro isn’t the best idea, but it worked out.”

Brandon Gorham marked a 617 (R:206.5/ H:207/ C:203.5) aboard OSR Smooth Indian to win the Non Pro Boxing and Level 1 Non Pro Boxing. Gorham, of Weatherford, Texas, owns the 2019 gelding.

“I bought her a year ago with no intentions of showing him as a 3-year-old,” said Gorham. “As training progressed, he showed athleticism I didn’t know he’d have.”

Gorham says the usually skittish young horse was calm at the show. “I feel like I had more nerves than him!”’

INTERMEDIATE OPEN PRE-FUTURIT Y CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN PRE-FUTURIT Y CHAMPION

Maxx Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x DLH Miss Peppy Cat x Cats Merada), a 2019 stallion bred by JPM Ranch Company and owned by Toni Blonde, and Ben Bowman rode to the win with a 586.5 (R:203/H:195/C:188) to earn $512.64.

NON PRO PRE-FUTURITY CHAMPION

Kirk Druey swept three divisions of the Non Pro Pre-Futurity with his 2019 mare Gin N Smoke N Lies (Brother Jackson x What Chics Wanna Doo x Chic Please), bred by Todd and Pam Crawford, with a 614 (R:196/ H: 213/ C:205).

2019 stallion Bothing But Blu (Once In A Blue Boon x CC Cat x Neat Little Cat), Cayley Wilson topped the Intermediate Open and also tied for Reserve in the Open with a composite 644 (R:217/H:221.5/C:217.5), earning $939.84 for the win and $1,999.30 for reserve.

Aboard Alicia Bolls’

LEVEL 1 OPEN PRE-FUTURIT Y CHAMPION

Will Letner piloted the BFB Syndicate’s 2019 mare Stevie Bobbi Baby (Stevie Rey Von x Smart Bobbi Sock x Bob Acre Doc), bred by Fults Ranch LTD, to a composite 628 to earn $1,728.

NON PRO BOXING PRE-FUTURITY CHAMPION

Brandon Gorham marked a 617 (R:206.5/ H:207/ C:203.5) aboard OSR Smooth Indian (Smoothe Bye Design x OSR Young Guns Peppy x Hickorys Indian Pep) to earn $510 in the Non Pro and another $150 Level 1 Non Pro Boxing.

Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association

Krystal Meade 250, 200 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary AB T2C 5E3 CANADA

Phone: 403-991-4617

Email: info@cowhorse.ca Website: www.cowhorse.ca

Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association

Bronwyn McCormick 28150 N Alma School Pkwy Ste 103-520 Scottsdale, AZ 85262

Phone: 480-510-0974

Email: info@azrcha.com Website: www.azrcha.com

Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association

Lia Savas 53 Deerpath Rd Central Islip, NY 11722

Phone: 631-766-0155

Email: LiaARCHA@gmail.com Website: www.atlanticRCHA.com

Australian Reined Cow Horse Association

Jay Gordon 359 Duri-Dungowan Rd Tamworth, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA 2340

Phone: +61 490 915094

Email: archa@outlook.com.au Website: www.cowhorseaustralia.com

California Reined Cow Horse Association

Stacy Duesterhaus

15169 Road 223 Porterville, CA 93257

Phone: 559-999-8146

Email: califcowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.californiacowhorse.com

Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association

Judy Blough

P.O. Box 413 Wilsall, MT 59086

Phone: 409-223-3690

Email: info@cmrcha@gmail.com Website: www.cmrcha.com

Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association

MJ Anderson PO Box 88 Trinidad, CO 81082

Phone: 719-963-4770

Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.coloradoreinedcowhorse.com

AFFILIATE LISTING

Current as of July 15, 2022

European Reined Cow Horse Association

Augusto De Fazio via Natalia Ginzburg 1 - 11015 Ivrea (TO) ITALY

Phone: +(39) 338 8860657 Email: ercha@hotmail.it Website: www.ercha.org

Gem State Stock Horse Association

Callee Miller 301 Market Rd Caldwell ID 83607 Phone: 541-519-4748

Email: Cowhorse22@gmail.com Website: www.gemstatestockhorse.com

Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association

Paul Kaskey 6329 Old Court St. North Port, FL 34291

Phone: 941-256-4760

Email: paulkaskey@aol.com Website: www.gulfcoastcowhorse.com

Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association

Paxton Deal 509 S 2nd St Homedale, ID 83628

Phone: 208-880-9066 Email: paxtondeal@gmail.com Website: www.idahoreinedcowhorse.com

Italian Reined Cow Horse Association

Laura Ruffino ercellino ia rilloni 22100 Como ITALY Phone: +39 347 26 22 783

Email: segreteria.ircha@gmail.com ebsite: https: nrchaofitaly.com

Magic Valley RCHA

Nikki Francis 3644 N 3300 E Kimberly ID 83341

Phone: 208-539-5410 Email: vpnikki@gmail.com Website: www.intermountaincircuit.org

Mid State Cow Horse Association

Sharon Michelucci 2500 Adobe Rd Paso Robles CA 9344 Phone: 805-835-5014

Email: info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com Website: www.midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity, Inc

Margaret Ore PO Box 1604 East Helena, MT 59635

Phone: 406-227-7019 Email: more@mt.net Website: www.montanareinedcowhorse.com

Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association

Aubree Englert 6600 W Rome Blvd Las egas N Phone: 702-290-4231

Email: aubree.rcha@gmail.com Website: www.nvrcha.org

New York Reined Cow Horse Association

Jacob Partridge 996 Flickner Rd. Arkport, N.Y. 14807

Phone: 585-738-1057

Email: jpartridge996@gmail.com Website: www.newyorkrcha.com

North Central Reined Cow Horse Association

Jim Wilson 2409 25th Ave Rice Lake, WI 54868

Phone: 641-420-0440

Email: wilson@myomnitel.com Website: www.ncrcha.com

Northeastern Reined Cowhorse Alliance

Mary Baks 13 Maple Hill Rd RR #2 al erton N N CANADA

Phone: 519-881-8684

Email: info@walkertonequine.ca Website: www.nercha.ca

Northern Alberta Reined Cow Horse Club

Shawna Husted 27245 TWP 350

Red Deer County, AB T4G 0M4

Phone: 403-875-1369

Email: nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com

Northwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Diane Edwards PO Box 260 aple alley A Phone: 206-390-0715

Email: diane2bph@outlook.com Website: www.nwrcha.com

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association

Lane Arnold

PO Box 1053

Canyon, TX 79015

Phone: 806-341-0941

Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

Website: www.panhandlecowhorse.com

South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association

Jill Swanhorst

P.O. Box 55 Alzada, MT 59311

Phone: 605-484-5788

Email: Jswanhorst5278@gmail.com Website: www.sdrcha.com

South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association

Tina McCleary

5819 Michael Rd Sanger, TX 76266

Phone: 979-218-0633

Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: www.strcha.org

AFFILIATE LISTING

Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association

Christy McSweeny

33175 Temecula Pkwy Ste A, 754 Temecula, CA 92592

Phone: 714-785-1333 5

Email: smal4joy@gmail.com Website: ltht@airenetworks.com

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance

Larry Westmoreland

PO Box 143 Tickfaw, LA 70466

Phone: 985-320-5058

Email: srcowha@gmail.com Website: www.srchala.com

Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Gay Lenz

11587 Hunt Lane Guthrie, OK 73044

Phone: 405-818-7556

Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com Website: www.srcha.org

Swedish Reined Cow Horse Association

Silvio Wirth Kyrkbyn Backagarden 1 SE-512 62 Mardaklev., Sweden Phone: +46 70 676 7642 Email: styrelsen@srcha.eu Website: www.srcha.eu

Utah Reined Cow Horse Association

Nikki Francis 3644 N. 3300 E. Kimberly, ID 83341

Phone: 208-539-5410

Email: vpnikki@gmail.com Website:www.urcha.org

Volunteer Ranch Horse Association

Tammy Bledsoe

1110 Black Ridge Road Lynnville, TN 38472

Phone: 931-638-0804

Email: tammy.bledsoe@gmail.com Website: www.volrha.com

NRCHA Suspended List

NRCHA membership privileges will be suspended for the second offense of bad checks, per rule 1.1.6.2 and for non payment of debt to NRCHA Show Management or NRCHA Approved Show Management. Additionally, all amounts for advertising in the NRCHA publication, Reined Cow Horse News, are due and payable within 30 days of receipt.

Agricultural Foundation, Fresno, CA

Desert Spring Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ

Keetch Ranch, Waddell, AZ

Del Rey Paint & Qtr Horses/Aneka Schelbeck, Cotton Wood, CA

Bynum Farms/Blair Bynum, Palm City, FL

Donnie Boyd, Sarasota, FL

Robyn Bush, Visalia, CA

Marcy Campbell, Creston, CA

Pompeo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Riccardo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT

Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY

Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA

Laura Delfino artine CA

Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL

Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA

Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

A finance charge of . per month APR will be added to all past due amounts. Membership privileges shall be suspended on accounts greater than 90 days past due and this information will be published in Reined Cow Horse News. There will be a membership reinstatement fee of $75.

Current as of August 1, 2022

Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX

Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE

Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC

Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA

Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL

Jill Serena, Castaic, CA

Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA

Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX

Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID

Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL

Don Stockman, Dayton, TX

Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX

Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling Purcell, OK

Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY

Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA

Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX

Darren Roberts, Kent, NY

Chris Anderson Marietta, OK

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Corey Cushing Vice President: Paul Bailey Secretary: Todd Crawford Treasurer: Trey Neal

Executive Committee Members: Todd Bergen, Dr. Joe Carter, Boyd Rice

Board Members: Ben Baldus, Diane Edwards, Amanda Gardiner, Dan Roeser, Jon Roeser, Jake Telford, Cayley Wilson

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY

AFFILIATES

Chairperson: Ben Baldus ben@baldushorsemanship.com 940-923-7255

ANIMAL WELFARE

Chairperson: Dr. Joe Carter, DVM jcarterdvm@aol.com • 405-288-6460

ETHICS

Chairperson: Trey Neal trey@treyneal.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Paul Bailey paulb@cb-trucking.com • 931-260-3909

HALL OF FAME

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com 208-841-2052

HORSE SALES

Chairperson: Todd Crawford toddcrawford333@gmail.com

JUDGES

Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Staff Liasion: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

NON PRO

Chairperson: Diane Edwards Diane2bph@outlook.com • 206-390-0715

OWNERS

Chairperson: Linda McMahon maclin@earthlink.net • 415-269-5563

PROFESSIONALS

Chairperson: Cayley Wilson cayleyrwilson@gmail.com • 604-300-0401

RULES

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com • 208-841-2052

SHOWS

Co-Chairperson: Todd Bergen tbergenhorses@gmail.com 541-778-0980

Co-Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

SPONSORSHIP

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

STALLION SERVICE AUCTION

Chairperson: Garth Gardiner gardinergarth@gmail.com • 620-635-5632

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

YOUTH

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer shubrick3@gmail.com • 719-330-1932

STAFF

Executive Director: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com

Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine kasydi@nrcha.com

Data Entry & Results Assistant: Taylor Meek • taylor@nrcha.com

Media & Communications Manager: Callie McCarthy-Boevers callie@nrcha.com

Membership & Affiliate Show Manager: Tina McCleary • tina@nrcha.com

Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

Programs Manager: Jennifer Bishop jennifer@nrcha.com

Sponsorship Assistant: Bailey Carter bailey@nrcha.com

SHOW SCHEDULE

Aug 18 - 21 West Slope Pre-Futurity

Aug 19 The Run For A Million

Aug 20 - 21

Aug 23 - 28

Yellowstone Dog Days Rendezvous

HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Montrose, CO Colorado RCHA

HS, cat.2 Las Vegas, NV

Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkcroft4@frontier.com

Shawn M. Martin (623) 217-3879 emailmyentries@gmail.com

HS, LAE, cat.1 Silesia, MT Central Montana RCHA Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

National Stock Horse Futurity, Derby, Worlds Richest HS, LAE, cat.1 Las Vegas, NV

Aug 26 - 28 Labor Day Show

Aug 27 - 28

HS, cat.1 Stephenville, TX South Texas RCHA

Cowboy State Classic HS, LAE, cat.1 Big Piney, WY

Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 nshaentries21@gmail.com

Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 southtexasrcha@gmail.com

Reanna Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

Aug 31 - Sep 4 Road To Texas HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Rapid City, SD South Dakota RCHA Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

Sept 1 - 4 Alberta Snaffle it uturity Da e Robson Derby HS, LAE, cat.1 Claresholm, AB Alberta RCHA

Sep 2 - 5 Colorado State Fair

Teri Clearwater (306) 544-7621 justaboutaranch@gmail.com

HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Pueblo, CO Pamela Humphreys (405) 509-0494 pamela.a.humphreys@gmail.com

Sep 7 - 10 Futurity/Nations Cup/Bridle Spec/HS #5 HS, LAE, cat.1 Mooslargue, France European RCHA

Sep 9 - 11 Cow Horse Express

Otto De Fazio (39338) 886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

HS, cat.1 Amite City, LA Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

Sep 10 - 11 September Classic HS, cat.1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com

Sep 14 - 18 Mid America

HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Douglas, WY Colorado RCHA

Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkcroft4@frontier.com

Sep 15 - 18 NCRCHA September Show HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Winona, MN North Central RCHA Jennifer Schueller (641) 590-1041 jenschueller21@gmail.com

Sep 17 - 18 Beat The Heat HS, cat.1 Cordova, TN Volunteer Ranch HA Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

Sept - Diamond Shows S cat. Dillsburg PA Atlantic RC A Cindy Pfeifer - cindypfeifer gmail.com

Sep 21 - 25 Arizona Fall Championship

HS, LAE, cat.1 Scottsdale, AZ Arizona RCHA Shawn M. Martin (623) 217-3879 emailmyentries@gmail.com

Set 22 - 25 Fall Into Autumn HS, cat.1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

Sep 22 - 25 Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Kalispell, MT Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

ct - NRC A Snaffle it uturity S LA cat. ort orth T NRC A mily on el - emily nrcha.com

Oct 8 - 9 Yahoo Buckaroo HS, cat.1 Fonda, NY New York RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

ct - uturity Derby orse Show S LA cat. Pono a A Northern Alberta RC C Shawna usted - nabreinedcowhorseclub gmail.com

ct - Autumn Show S S LA cat. Tra agliato taly uropean RC A tto De a io - ercha hotmail.it

Oct 22 MSCHA Show #6 HS, cat.1 Paso Robles,CA Mid State CHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura@midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Nov 5 - 6 Fall Finale HS, cat.1 Cordova, TN Volunteer Ranch HA Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

Nov 9 - 13 Road To Nowhere HS, LAE, cat.1 San Angelo, TX South Texas RCHA Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 southtexasrcha@gmail.com

Nov 11 - 13 Fall Roundup HS, LAE, cat.1 Andalusia, AL Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

No - Shoot ut orse Shows S cat. Tulare CA California RC A Laura Norman - crcha saddleup-enterprises.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX

ADVERTISER

6666 RANCH 55

ALVIN FULTS 83

AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION 121

BDB BREEDERS, LLC 30-31

BILLY WOLF 16-17

BLOOMER TRAILERS 171

BOB’S CUSTOM SADDLES 89

BRAZOS VALLEY STALLION STATION 68-69

BUFFALO RANCH 93

CANNON RANCH QUARTER HORSES 95

CAPO CUSTOM SADDLES, LLC 117

CAROL ROSE QUARTER HORSES 84-85

CARTER RANCH HORSE 99

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET 101

COWTRAC SYSTEMS 103

CR RANCHWEAR LLC 105

CURT 109

DANIEL J PEREZ 29

DECHRA VETERINARY PRODUCTS 111

DON RICH SADDLERY 155

DT HORSES LLC......................................................................6-7

ECOPLANET ONE HEALTH 177

EQUIBRAND 123, 153

ESTELLE ROITBLAT ESTATE 163

GHOSTWOOD DISTILLING CO. 128

GIST SILVERSMITHS INC.........................................................115

HASHTAG VENTURES LP 26-27

HOLY COW PERFORMANCE HORSES 9

HOME RANCH 133

IRON ROSE RANCH...................................................................39

JAMIE HILL CUTTING HORSES 53

K&L PHILLIPS, LLC 23

KALPOWAR QUARTER HORSES 119

KENTUCKY EQUINE RESEARCH 15

LINDA MARS 113

LITTLE ROC RANCH 19

MANION RANCH 41

MARKEL INSURANCE 147

MARS EQUESTRIAN 11

MATTHEWS CUTTING HORSES LLC 58-59

METALLIC REBEL 43

MILLER INTERNATIONAL 3

MONCRIEF QUARTER HORSES 75

NOBLE PANELS AND GATES BC

NUTRENA FEED DIVISION 169

OKLAHOMA EQUINE HOSPITAL 151

OPHIR CREEK STABLES LLC 157

OSWOOD STALLION STATION 20-21

PLANTATION FARMS 45

PLATINUM PERFORMANCE, INC 181

PRO FUTURE EQUINE................................................................35

PULSE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC 143

QUARTER HORSE NEWS 176

RED ARROW RANCH 137

RICATO SUAVE LLC 33

RIOS OF MERCEDES 5

ROBERTSON RANCHES 97

ROCKING BS RANCH 63

ROCKING P RANCH IFC-1

ROLLZ ROYCE 47

SAMI FINE JEWELRY 159

SAN JUAN RANCH / SANTA CRUZ 173

SANTA LUCIA PRESERVE IBC

SERVI, BEVERLY 12-13

SHORTY’S CABOY HATTERY 182

SJ RANCH 165

SKYBAND RANCH, LLC 161

STOCK HORSE OF TEXAS 183

STRAWN VALLEY RANCH 145

THE SADDLE HOUSE 167

TR9 RANCH 48-49, 50-51

TRES OSOS PERFORMANCE HORSES 135

TRIPLE D RANCHES 77

WAGONHOUND LAND AND LIVESTOCK 79

WESTERN BLOODSTOCK 24-25, 36-37

WESTERN LEGACY CO. 141

XIT RANCH 175

OUT OF THE SADDLE,

WITH A CADENCE ALL ITS OWN.

iconic ranch community

equestrian

miles of trails to ride and hike,

Tom Fazio championship golf course,

20,000

more than a preserve,

so much more make

make it heaven on