Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 28, No. 3, May/June 2023

Clayton Edsall & Von Cali have slowly built up to their first premier event win.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Unable to attend the NRCHA Hall of Fame Banquet during the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes? No fear, the inductees’ videos are online at NRCHA.com. Learn about Bill Enk, Randy Paul, Kathy Wilson and Smart Chic Olena.

Missed the NRCHA action? Catch up on the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, the Western Bloodstock / High Brow Cat / Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman, and more, online at ondemand. horseandrider.com!

NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

President: Boyd Rice | Vice President: Paul Bailey | Secretary: Todd Crawford | Treasurer: Trey Neal

Executive Director: Emily Konkel | Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers

Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney | Account Manager: Kasydi Valentine

Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary | Programs Manager: Jennifer Bishop | Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor

Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek | Youth & Recognition Coordinator: 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: Savanah Allen, 817-569-7106, savanah.allen@cowboypublishing.com

Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114, diana.buettner@morris.com Advertising, Fax 817-737-9633

AtRios ofMercedes,quality hasbeen awayof life since1853.That’s169yearsof ourcraftsmen handmaking extraordinary boots with artist-like devotion. | riosofmercedes.com

78

Start to Steer Stop

When the pressure’s on in competition, it can be hard to overcome your nerves. Use these tips to help stay cool and collected in the show pen.

By Kate Bradley Byars

FEATURES

88 Affiliate of the Year

California Reined Cow Horse Association takes top honors.

By Abigail Boatwright

97

2023 NRCHA Hall of Fame

Four were welcomed into the Hall of Fame while in Las Vegas.

Compiled by Reined Cow Horse News sta

Brad Barkemeyer gives advice on starting a cow horse in the box.

and Clayton Edsall rode to the 2023 Open Derby Champion title at the Teton Ridge Stallion

FROM THE EDITOR

GROWING UP SHOWING IN ALLAROUND EVENTS

on the Appaloosa and Quarter Horse circuits, I wasn’t exposed to reined cow horse. Years later, as an assistant editor with Western Horseman, my eyes opened to the world of gritty ranch horses, versatile cow horses and cattle events. Since 2010, I’ve been not only a fan of all things cow horse, but also an advocate for all my friends to take up events that involve working cattle. It didn’t matter that I knew next to zero about cow horse, not one person mocked my limited understanding of the discipline when I started. At my first World’s Greatest Horseman in 2012, Hall of Fame trainer Don Murphy even talked me through the finals as we sat on the metal bleachers in San Angelo, Texas, when Ron Emmons and Olena Oak won the title. That said, when I was offered the Reined Cow Horse News contract editor position in 2018, following Bonnie Wheatley’s reign, I jumped at the chance to dive into the industry and into the workings of the National Reined Cow Horse Association.

From my first Snaffle Bit Futurity® in 2013 when I saw Nick Dowers and Time For The Diamond take the win to this last event where Lee Deacon earned the win with Tornado Jonez, it’s been a heck of a learning curve and a wild ride. NRCHA’s premier events often capture the attention of the industry and the outside world, and are spotlighted in each issue. Rightly so with the moments of sheer joy, like when Doug Williamson landed on the cover following his electrifying Derby win in the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular in Paso Robles, California, in 2019, or when Lance Johnston won his first Futurity in 2019, throwing his hat and arm into the air in satisfaction. He in turn also gifted me the opportunity to shoot a photograph that graced the cover of the Snaffle Bit Futurity ® Program in 2020. Or, when Sarah Dawson made history, becoming the second woman to win the Futurity in 2021 aboard Selvarey.

Yet, the entire association makes up the cow horse family. It’s those members who started at the affiliate level then entered their first premier or attend the Cowboy Clinic to show in the Cowboy class, the Youth

riders in the National High School Finals Rodeo, and even those in Europe expanding cow horse to a predominantly English riding audience. Our talented group of freelance writers and editors and our art director, Susan Sampson, tried to spotlight those individuals as ate up with cow horse as I am and as many of you are, and bring those stories to the pages of each issue. When I served in the NRCHA communications role, it allowed me to gain even more insight into the association and its members and turn that into content to fill this ever-expanding magazine.

The magazine has evolved to showcase more of the entirety of the membership, and under the direction of its new editor, Jennifer Paulson, it will continue to do so. It’s been a joy to get to know the NRCHA membership and a highlight in my ongoing journalism career. While I am stepping away from this position, I hope to never step away from the cow horse family. Thanks to all of you, it feels like my family, and I am so grateful for you all allowing me be part of it.

With gratitude,

Kate Bradley Byars

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

AS I ENTER my new position as executive director of the National Reined Cow Horse Association, I do so with a grateful heart. Throughout my life, I’ve learned that gratitude has a lot to do with success.

I have gratitude for my parents, who weren’t horse people, supporting my passion for horses and getting me horseback by age 5. When the time came to choose sports or horses, they supported my choice to continue riding, despite opportunities being limited in my home state of Michigan. That encouragement continued into my collegiate years, when I joined the Michigan State equestrian team and horsemen’s association.

I’m grateful for opportunities in the horse industry, outside of training horses. I began my career in the horse world managing horse shows. This led me to work in Oklahoma, where I joined the staff at the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association as executive secretary. I did leave the horse industry for a short bit, but my passion led me back, and eventually I found my way to NRCHA in 2018, where I’ve worked in many departments, which allowed me to learn this business inside and out.

Family is big for me, both by blood and by choice. I’m grateful for the family that raised me and my sisters, and I make time to visit them whenever possible. I’m also thankful for my cow horse family. That aspect of NRCHA makes it unique—we really are one big family, and it shows. It’s what keeps us together when things get tough and allows us to celebrate individual wins and successes as a group together.

Finally, I’m grateful for our sport’s rich history. It’s what makes us a family. It shows our depth. It makes every decision have a reason backed by what we’ve learned as we’ve grown as a sport and as an association. We must continue to honor and share this history so every member, from coast to coast, newcomers to old-timers, know exactly where we came from and why we are who we are. Without our past we have no future.

I look forward to serving NRCHA and helping to guide us into a bright future, bringing along gratitude for my family, the horse industry and my cow-horse family.

—Emily Konkel

Emily Konkel, NRCHA Executive Director

CALLIE BOEVERS

FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR

“The exhibitor should have a fair chance to compete on the animal drawn.” That statement sums up what the judge goes by when a possible new cow situation arises. The key to this statement is twofold: Is the rider in a good working position to control the cow, and does the exhibitor show the judges that a new cow is deserved? It’s easy to forget that the cow draw has a lot to do with the success or failure of a cow work. Around 10 percent of a herd are traditionally really good, 10 percent are really bad (new cow material) and 80 percent are basically workable and go from pretty good to pretty difficult.

Here’s some history to think about. Greg Ward was considered legendary when it came to working cattle. He could work a bad cow better than most people could work a good cow. So, he would draw a poor cow and work it pretty well. The next exhibitor would draw the same kind of an animal and would be unable to work it and a new cow would be awarded. What’s fair? Greg didn’t need a new cow to get the animal worked, and the other exhibitor needed a new cow to complete the work. Being able to recognize the degree of difficulty and the expertise that is required to work a difficult animal are constant challenges for the judges. Being fair and consistent when making the call to grant a new cow issue is the challenge.

Twenty or so years ago, the people in power put in a 20-second rule to declare if you wanted a new cow or not. You boxed the cow and if you wanted to try another you had 20 seconds to declare. You could do this one time, but if the second cow was unworkable the judges could award you a third cow. It sounded OK at the time until the exhibitors started schooling their horses up to the 20-second limit then declared for a new cow. Also, it became an issue when they were a tad late declaring and a review was necessary to see if they declared within the 20-second time limit. This did not work very well.

The Judges Committee has hashed over the new cow issue numerous times trying to find consistent

guidelines. The one constant that keeps coming up during these discussions is asking if the exhibitor is in position to control the cow or not? There are numerous scenarios where this question comes in to play.

The idea behind the boxing phase of the cow work is to attempt to get your horse hooked (acknowledge) to the cow, and to get the cow to honor the horse. If done correctly, and the cow is decent, the cow should turn on the fence when the exhibitor is in a controlling position. There are two reasons an exhibitor could be considered for a new cow option in the boxing phase. If the animal wouldn’t move, or if the animal runs, or attempts to run, through the exhibitor and the exhibitor stays in the proper position to control the animal. The key here is the animal consistently will not take the pressure off the horse by turning away but instead keeps pushing on the horse until it loses the cow off the end. The exhibitor must attempt to hold a hard charging cow for a new cow to be considered.

Over-boxing, where the animal wouldn’t run down the fence, is bad cow management and the new cow issue, should not come in to play.

Being in position weighs heavily on the judges when granting, or not granting, a new cow.

“OVERBOXING, WHERE THE ANIMAL WOULDN’T RUN DOWN THE FENCE, IS BAD COW MANAGEMENT AND THE NEW COW ISSUE, SHOULD NOT COME IN TO PLAY.”

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

2022 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® OWNERS INCENTIVE FUND

Thank you to these supporters contributing to the added money purse for the 2022 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity ®!

Larry & Kathy Barker

Best Kept Secret Ranch

Bet He Sparks

Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate

BMW Quarter Horses

Brazos Valley Stallion Station

Call Me Mitch

D Lazy K Ranch

Double F Ranch / Roy & Sherri Fischer

Dual Smart Rey / Strawn Valley Ranch

DuraPro Health

Fults Ranch / Stevie Rey Von Gardiner Quarter Horses

Hartwood Farms

Hat 6 Ranch

Honeysuckle Rose Boutique

Hooray / Eric & Wendy Dunn

Ann Matthews

Matthews Cutting Horses

Milum Performance Horses

Kit & Charlie Moncrief / Moncrief Quarter Horses

Ophir Creek Ranch

Red Arrow Ranch LLC

Rocking Nine Four Ranch

Carol Rose

Steve and Lori Roseberry

Spahn Law Firm PLLC

Stuart Ranch

War Ponies, Elite Paint Cowhorses

Woodglen Investments

On the first run down the fence the exhibitor must take the cow past the middle marker before attempting a turn. If the animal is reluctant to go with any speed and the exhibitor is in position to drive the animal and the animal turns back on his own, this presents a potential new cow whistle. If the cow is a runner and the rider starts up on the cow (toward the head) and after getting lined out, (at least three strides down the fence) the animal turns, it then becomes a question of whether the rider was out of position or not. Usually, the exhibitor steps on the accelerator to go and the animal turns at the same time. These are difficult calls—new cow or no?

The “slow loper” is another interesting scenario. The animal is loping at a slow speed down the fence and the rider isn’t behind it attempting to encourage it to run, it gets past center then turns and speeds up quite a bit—no new cow! Scenario No. 2, the animal is loping at a slow speed and the rider is behind it trying to get it to speed up, it gets past center and turns and stays the same speed, the rider sets it up for the second turn. The question here is if the exhibitor stays in a controlling position throughout the whole run can he mark in the low 70’s? There is a degree of difficulty to stay in a good position on a slower animal. Everyone would like a cow that they can score big numbers, but it is a draw, and most animals are in the 80 percent area. Do the best you can on the cow that you’ve drawn, and you might be surprised.

Another scenario is that the horse is in working position when it leaves the end on a cow that runs. If the horse is reluctant to go by and turn the cow and the animal goes around the end before it is turned there was a loss of position and control due to the reluctance of the horse to go by and turn the animal. When attempting to turn a cow on the fence, and the cow’s head is in front of the horse’s head, a controlling position has not been achieved.

The same situation when leaving the end starting down the fence except the horse gets by the cow but is in too tight to the animal and it is basically a foot race around the end of the arena. You might get a turn, but the odds are reduced by being so tight to the cow. Are you truly in position and control?

The horse is in good working position when it leaves the end on a suspect cow that runs. The rider attempts to initiate a fence turn but the animal keeps running, the rider then repositions the horse and attempts to block the animal before it gets to the one-point penalty marker. The animal runs through the horse and around the corner. In this scenario, the rider has done his or her part to show the judges that there probably isn’t a fair chance to compete on the animal drawn.

As an exhibitor if you do your part to stay in a controlling position on any cow drawn, you will help the judges make these difficult new cow decisions fair and consistent.

Until Next Time, Bill Enk

NRCHA Director of Judges

“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN A COW ON THE FENCE, AND THE COW’S HEAD IS IN FRONT OF THE HORSE’S HEAD, A CONTROLLING POSITION HAS NOT BEEN ACHIEVED.”

FRESHMAN SIRE OF 2022 GENERATION IS HERE

254.485.8280

FROM THE

The 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes was a successful 10 days in Las Vegas, Nevada. Congratulations to Clayton Edsall and Von Cali for taking the win in the Open Derby at the Stallion Stakes and earning the American Paint Horse Association’s Open Chrome Cash. Congratulations to Stephen Silva and DT Shiny N I Know It for sealing the deal in all the Non Pro divisions. Adding to the excitement to the show, there were new inductees into the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Bill Enk, Randy Paul, Kathy Wilson and Smart Chic Olena. Their inductions are well-deserved!

The NRCHA and National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association would like to thank talented artist Shannon Lawlor for painting an incredible, original piece titled “JAQUIMA” for the NRCHA Foundation. The Foundation chose to have it auctioned off at the Hall of Fame Banquet. We extend a special thank you to Brent and Suzie Steward of Rocking BS Ranch for purchasing the piece, giving $12,500 toward NRCHA Youth activities and education.

We had some fun activities for the Youth during the Stallion Stakes, such as The Spring Olympics, which was a huge hit. The Youth competed in events such as potato sack races, egg and spoon races, ring toss and three-legged races. They learned more about our NRCHA partners and what roles they play in the association by partaking in “Capture the Sponsor.” Our Youth kids got to mix education with games, having a blast while learning how important it is to know more about the NRCHA family, how to work together and how to cheer each other on, regardless of the competition.

Our NRCHYA officers took their headshot photos for the website. We know they will represent us well!

Thank you to everyone who encourages and promotes the NRCHYA. We appreciate everyone’s support as that makes our youth grow and learn. Thank you Bailey Carter for all of your hard work and love you have put into the NRCHYA, and thank you to Todd Crawford, Kristen Cushing, Sarah Clymer and many more for always supporting the NRCHYA.

—Lilly Gilson, reporter

The NRCHYA thanks the NRCHA Foundation for auctioning the Shannon Lawlor painting, and Brent and Suzie Steward for purchasing it.

PRIMO MORALES

NRCHA HIRES THREE STAFF MEMBERS

The National Reined Cow Horse Association welcomed three new hires to the association’s staff: Jordan Tierney as director of sponsorship and outreach, Jennifer Paulson as the contracted editor of Reined Cow Horse News magazine, and Ashley Valor as membership coordinator.

Growing up in the rodeo industry, Tierney has experienced all levels of rodeo as a competitor and as an advocate. As Miss Rodeo America, she educated and promoted the fundamental values of the Western industry. She worked with event committees, sponsor brands and contestants to share the Western lifestyle with fans across the United States. Tierney began her role as director of sponsorship and outreach on April 10.

“With my background in rodeo and ranching, I am so excited to be part of an association that highlights the amazing abilities and history of the cow horse so eloquently,” Tierney said. “The NRCHA is in a season of growth right now, and I am so honored to participate in it!”

Paulson joines the Reined Cow Horse News with over 25 years of experience in equine media, focusing on the Western performance industry. She served as the Western Editorial Director for the Equine Network, which included serving as the editor for Horse&Rider magazine for nearly 10 years. Paulson will be stepping into the contracted editor role of the association’s publication for the August/ September issue.

“Upon attending my first-ever NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® in 1999, I immediately became enamored with reined cow horses and the people who surround

them,” Paulson said. “I’m humbled to take the role as editor of the Reined Cow Horse News and use my background to help tell the stories of these horses and people, provide service to the membership and be part of the growth of this incredible sport.”

Valor has had a lifelong passion for horses, which lead her to pursue a career in the equine industry. After getting her degree in animal science from Fresno State University, she worked for over five years at NRCHA premier events as a sponsor show coordinator. She began working full time with NRCHA as the membership coordinator at the end of April.

“I am beyond excited to start my career with the NRCHA team which shares my love and passion for the cow horse industry. I look forward to building positive relationships with the staff, members, and the entire association,” Valor said.  “As the membership coordinator, I feel that I can make a positive, friendly, and supportive connection with members. More than anything, it will be an honor to be a part of the reined cow horse family!”

NRCHA also recently promoted Callie Boevers to director of media and communications, along with transitioning Tina McCleary to premier event manager and Taylor Meek to show coordinator.

“We are very excited to welcome three new faces to the NRCHA staff. Jordan, Jennifer and Ashley have deep roots within the horse industry and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with these individuals,” NRCHA executive director Emily Konkel said. “Their expertise and professionalism are second to none and we are honored to have them represent

the NRCHA. In addition to our new hires, we are proud to elevate our great staff members from within the company.”

For a complete list of the NRCHA staff and how to contact them, visit nrcha. com/contact-nrcha.

Director of Sponsorship and Outreach Jordan Tierney

Reined Cow Horse News Editor Jennifer Paulson

Membership Coordinator Ashley Valor

“THE BEST RIDE OF ALL”

Bobby Ingersoll received the Chester A. Reynolds Award at the Western Heritage Awards in March of 2023.

BY JENNIFER PAULSON

Every year, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum bestows a living legend with the Chester A. Reynolds Award, in honor of the museum’s founder. This year, National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Ingersoll received the accolade during the annual Western Heritage Awards.

The award acknowledges four key factors: dedication to or promotion of the ideas of individualism, honesty, humility and integrity that are closely identified with the American West; a distinguished life’s work as a rancher, cowboy or ranch hand; leadership within professions or businesses that define themselves through their strong connection to the American West; and demonstration of a single remarkable achievement or body of quality of work through the years, with unwavering commitment to Western ideals and values.

Clearly, Ingersoll represents each of these qualities and has demonstrated them in his life as a horseman and NRCHA professional. His commitment to the Spanish Vaquero horsemanship methods shine through in his many successes, and his commitment remains strong today, conducting clinics, training horses and coaching riders to achieve their cow horse dreams.

“A gentleman named Dana Aler spent a lot of time around me in my younger days,” Ingersoll recalled. “He appreciated that I follow the California Vaquero horsemanship style. When I moved to Reno, he came to me in 2017 and told me he was going to nominate me for this award.”

As the years went on and Ingersoll went about his life training horses, the nomination went to the back of his mind. At the end of 2022, he received a call that he’d be receiving the award at the 2023 Western

Heritage Awards. Ingersoll was in awe at the call, but even more so when he arrived at the awards ceremony.

“It was like the Academy Awards,” he shared. “NRCHA staff and Million Dollar Riders joined us there. I felt really blessed that they all took the time to come see me get the award.”

Ingersoll also gave a workshop during the awards weekend, discussing Vaquero horsemanship and the traditions it follows.

“NRCHA stands for tradition,” he said. “The horses we see in our competitions today, the horsemanship out there, the bloodlines of the horses—it’s all built on tradition.”

It was like the Academy Awards.

NRCHA staff and Million Dollar Riders joined us there. I felt really blessed that they all took the time to come see me get the award.”

—Bobby Ingersoll

From his home in Reno, Nevada, Ingersoll continued to bask in the awe of being part of such a prestigious event. The Western Heritage Awards typically feature star-studded celebrities—musicians, actors from television and the big screen, and more. For them to recognize a humble horseman meant a lot to Ingersoll.

“The Western Heritage Awards ceremony is something I’ll never forget,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of great rides in my lifetime; I’ve ridden a lot of great horses. But that night—that was the best ride of all.”

EMPTY STALLS

One Time Pepto laid to rest.

On April 8, 2023, National Reined Cow Horse Association $4 Million Dollar Sire

One Time Pepto was laid to rest. The 2001 red roan stallion, owned by Matthews Cutting Horses, was sired by Peptoboonsmal and out of One Time Soon, by Smart Little Lena, and bred by David and Clare Capps. The Matthews owned One Time Pepto since 2002.

One Time Pepto achieved NRCHA Million Dollar Sire status in 2014 and skyrocketed to $4 Million Dollar Sire status by 2022. The sire’s top offspring include household names in the reined cow horse industry, including 2013 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion Time For The Diamond (out of Diamonds With Style) with $1,339,580.17, 2012 NRCHA Snaffle

Bit Futurity Open Reserve Champion This One Time

(out of Katies Starlight) with $158,969.39 and the 2018 World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Hickory Holly Time (out of Hickorys Holly Cee) with $228,563.40. The stallion has seven offspring with more than $100,000 in earnings, and the total continues to climb. As a show horse, the stallion earned more than $330,000.

When announcing the stallion’s passing, Sheri Matthews said, “More than a horse, he changed our lives forever. Now he is back where he belongs, with the man who believed in him most. One Time Pepto was Jeffrey’s ‘once in a lifetime’ horse and both are woven into many hearts forever.”

The NRCHA offers condolences to Sheri and all of One Time Pepto’s connections.

MILESTONES MADE

The National Reined Cow Horse Association is proud to recognize the accomplishments of the industry’s sires and dams who’s offspring continue to break milestones within the reined cow horse. Metallic Cat once again sets a record following the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, by becoming the NRCHA’s first $6 Million Dollar Sire. This momentous milestone comes less than a year after Metallic Cat earned his five-million-dollar status. The 2005 stallion, owned by Rocking P Ranch, now has more than $6.1 million in offspring earnings.

Additionally, the late Dual Rey earned his $3 Million Dollar Sire status following the 2023 Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions. The 1994 son of Dual Pep and owned by Linda Holmes

now has an excess of $3,102,000 in offspring earnings.

Three mares crossed the $750,000 milestone in our dam recognition program. Shiney Tari, owned by Aaron Ranch, secured the number one position on the leading dams list, following the Stallion Stakes with $874,987.09 in offspring earnings. Shiney Tari’s daughter, Shine Smarter (by WR This Cats Smart), owned by Linda Mars, is the mares highest earning offspring with more than $339,000 in NRCHA earnings.

The 1998 mare, Sheza Shinette sired by Shining Spark and owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses, LLC, locked in her spot on the NRCHA leading dams list with $787,186.09 in offspring earnings. Reyzinette (by Dual Rey), a 2014 son of Sheza Shinette, assisted with this accom-

plishment with his second-place finish at the 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman with rider Chris Dawson for Holy Cow Performance Horses.

With only six foals competing in the NRCHA, Scooters Daisey Dukes, has offspring earnings of $752,293.81. The daughter of Dual Smart Rey and owned by Aaron Cook is dam to the highest earning horse in the NRCHA, Scooter Kat (by Kit Kat Sugar), owned by Eric Frietas, with nearly $448,000 in earnings.

The NRCHA will recognize each of these milestones at the 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, in October in Fort Worth. To learn more about the sire and dam recognition programs visit nrcha.com/nrcha-milliondollar-club.

One Time Pepto

PHOTO BY ROSS HECOX

KIMES RANCH BECOMES THE NRCHA WESTERN DERBY TITLE SPONSOR

The National Reined Cow Horse Association welcomes Kimes Ranch Jeans as the newest title sponsor of the Western Derby. In addition to being the title sponsor, Kimes Ranch also will be recognized as the Official Outerwear and Cap of the NRCHA.

The Kimes Ranch Western Derby returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale, in Arizona, from May 31-June 10. The event will feature the limited-aged derby for 4- and 5-year-old horses that compete through the herd, rein and cow work. Furthermore, the event will host the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular, presented by Holy Cow Performance Horses, with $25,000 in added money, along with The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge qualifier.

“The Kimes Ranch partnership with NRCHA is one rooted in our love for the cow horse and the entire NRCHA community. Our brand is based firmly in the tenets of family, hard work and integrity—values that we know run deep through the cow horse industry,” said Amanda Kimes, founder and vice president of Kimes Ranch. “All of us at Kimes Ranch are thrilled to be part of the NRCHA during such an exciting time in the Western industry. We look forward to hosting all the Kimes Ranch Western Derby competitors in our hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona, in June.”

Kimes Ranch is a family-owned Western clothing brand located in Arizona. Established in 2009, the brand was created with the goal of developing a brand that is true to the Western roots that are current in the fashion world. Kimes Ranch has prioritized function and fit, making their classic jean a standout necessity for all cowboys and cowgirls.

“The NRCHA is very excited about our partnership with Kimes Ranch,” NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel said. “They have been contributors to the cow horse industry and our membership for several years, and we are thrilled to welcome them as the title sponsor of the Western Derby. The Kimes brand remains true to the Western roots, which are the same core values we have in the reined cow horse.”

For more information on the upcoming Kimes Ranch Western Derby, visit nrcha. com/events/western-derby.

TACK TALK: TWO-REIN TRANSITION

Brady Weaver offers insight into this important phase of a cow horse’s training.

BY JENNIFER DENSION

The two-rein is a transitional phase in a bridle horse’s training, bridging the gap between hackamore and/or snaffle and spade bit. Executed properly, riding in the two-rein rig allows a horse to move from the hackamore to straight up in the bridle without losing softness and collection.

Utah cow horse trainer Brady Weaver believes that the two-rein is an undervalued part of a cow horse’s training and longevity. In National Reined Cow Horse Association competition, a horse can be shown in both two-rein and bridle classes at the same time, but Weaver prefers to introduce the two-rein rig when a horse is 6 years old and ride with it for a year before going straight up in the bridle.

DISSECTING THE TWO-REIN RIG

The two-rein rig consists of a bosalito, a narrow form of the hackamore, about ⅜ of an inch in diameter. A headstall with a spade bit attached is placed on top of the bosalito.

“I was having trouble with a two-rein horse, and Benny Guitron showed me that the knots connecting the headstall to the bit are made to be on the inside, and they mash into the horse’s face and it’s uncomfortable for the horse,” Weaver explained. “I now flip them to the outside and it keeps the horse working well in the two-rein.”

Weaver also adjusts the bosalito a little higher on the horse’s nose than the hackamore to avoid rubbing on the headstall.

Brady Weaver introduces the two rein while practicing familiar drills so the horse learns to pick up and hold the bit in its mouth.

“You want the heel knot close to the horse’s jaw,” he said. “You should be able to fit a finger’s width in there so you’re not putting too much pressure on the horse’s nose but enough that he can feel it. The bosalito should sit squarely on the horse’s nose and apply even pressure. I’ve seen two-rein horses act uncomfortable when you pick up on the reins because there bosalito is too tight and pressure is grating on their cheeks.”

The goal of the two-rein is to gradually start directing your horse solely with subtle signals transmitted from romal reins to the bit. To achieve that, a horseman must ride with two sets of reins: the mecate reins and the romal reins. When he begins riding the horse in the two-rein rig, Weaver controls the horse using the mecate, just as he did in the hackamore. This shouldn’t be new to the horse, and it should neck rein and move in a light, collected frame. Weaver holds his romal rein in his hands but doesn’t start cueing with them until the horse learns to pick it up and pack the spade bit in its mouth comfortably.

“The bit has a cricket your horse can work with its tongue to encourage salivation and relax the neck muscles,” Weaver explained. “Tony Amaral told me he would hang the spade loosely in the horse’s mouth without the reins so the horse would learn to pack it. They would put salt or glycerin on the spoon and mouthpiece and the horse would start licking it and rolling the cricket [with its tongue], which increased

salivation [to keep the horse’s mouth moist] and the horse would pick up the bit in its mouth before you ever touched the reins.”

WORKING THE REINS

There are different ways to hold romal reins, but Weaver prefers to place his thumb between the mecate reins and his fingers around or in between the romals.

“I can stick my fingers through the reins if I want or put my hand around it,” he said. “In the two-rein you can have your fingers in between the reins and adjust them with your fingers as needed.”

Weaver practices familiar drills such as riding figure eights in the two-rein, starting with the mecate reins, so the horse can get used to the feel of the bit in its mouth. He gradually advances to signaling the horse lightly with the romal reins on its neck, using the mecate reins as support as necessary and vice versa. His hands work in a smooth, fluid motion on the reins, never pulling or overdoing things. If a horse gaps its mouth or becomes stiff or resistant, Weaver transitions back to using the mecate reins only and, in some cases, goes back to riding with the hackamore to soften the horse, and then he works back up to the two-rein.

It’s all part of keeping the horse light and responsive as it moves into the bridle and throughout its show career and beyond, he says.

Left: Weaver puts his thumb through the mecate reins and can use his fingers to adjust the reins or put his hands around them.

Far left: Benny Guitron taught Weaver to place the ties on the headstall away from the horse’s face so they don’t rub and cause discomfort.

You should be able to fit a finger’s width in there so you’re not putting too much pressure on the horse’s nose but enough that he can feel it.”

—Brady Weaver

MEMBER ROUNDUP

KNOW THE PRO

Veronica Swales’ multidisciplinary expertise has given her an edge in reined cow horse.

BY JADE CURRID

Veronica Swales’ destiny to become an accomplished all-around horsewoman was written in the stars. Before she could even walk, the Canadian native’s passionate, multi-disciplined horse trainer parents, Peter and Judy Swales, entered her in her first horse show in a lead-line pleasure class.

“Both my parents were horse trainers,” Swales said. “I swear they groomed us to be horse trainers—that was their goal for us. It was a full circle for all of us. I have two brothers, and they are both horse trainers as well.”

While growing up in the rolling hills of Longview, Alberta, Swales and her two brothers—John and Clint—inherited a love for horses, cattle and the land, and gleaned invaluable knowledge from their parents, who trained hunter/jumpers, pleasure horses and Arabians, as well as had cattle. Swales and her brothers all received their horsemanship foundation while riding and working with hunter/jumpers, resulting in her development of an early affinity for the discipline. Then Swales made her debut in the cutting pen at age 6.

“I showed cutters and jumpers until I was about 13, and that’s when I showed my first cow horse,” Swales said. “And then after a while of showing cutters, cow horses and hunter jumpers, and still dabbling in the pleasure horses, my parents finally, said, ‘OK, you have to make a choice of what you want to do.’ I chose the Western world. My dad was a huge roper, so I roped a lot when I was younger as well. I team roped and breakway roped all through high school rodeo.”

Swales ventured into showing working cow horses at age 13, which eventually became her focus. While competing in reined cow horse events, she also embarked upon a successful stint of training barrel horses.

“I had a friend come up to me and ask me if could train a barrel horse,” Swales said. “And so, I gave it a whirl and trained my first barrel horse and won my very first barrel race that I ever went to, a futurity. And then after that kind of took off, I got into the barrel horse world and trained futurity derby horses for multiple years.”

Under the tutelage of her older brother and mentor, John Swales, Swales continuously developed her knowledge, skills and

personal training technique, before evolving into a successful Non Pro around 2000 and turning professional in 2011.

“Probably my greatest memory showing in a National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® was when I had a horse that my brother, John, actually trained,” she said. “It was my very first cow horse event back when I was 13, and he let me show him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and I won it when I was 13 for the Non-Pro, and that was what really got me hooked.”

With lifetime earnings of $139,511, Swales has won 10 major events over the past couple of years, alone. Notably, the 2021 DT Horses Western Derby Limited Open Derby and the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Limited Open Derby aboard Desires Sweet Pepto (Sweet Lil Pepto x Desires Lil Scoot x Scootin Boon) owned by Robin Lynn Morrison.

Swales’ extensive reined cow horse résumé includes serving as an NRCHA accredited 1A judge. She and her husband, Clay Volmer, who is also an NRCHA professional, and their two sons, Boyd Wilson and Clayton Volmer, are currently based in Brock, Texas. As it truly takes a village, Swales’ family works as a tightknit team to make their equine dreams a reality.

Swales and Clay Volmer’s son, Clayton, is already following in his parent’s footsteps, like his big brother, 13-year-old Boyd Wilson.

Reined Cow Horse News: What have you brought with you from other disciplines you have ridden and competed in to reined cow horse events?

Veronica Swales: I feel like growing up showing the hunter/jumpers helped me a lot with showmanship. My parents really instilled in us proper posture, and I feel like that’s really helped me be able to look prettier when I ride. Cutting helped me learn how to read cattle and cut cattle pretty good and help me feel pretty confident in that side of it.

I think it always helps a person to not really fear very much, so that’s helped quite a bit because we can’t really fear anything when we go down the fence. Riding barrel horses taught me probably the most valuable lesson: patience. You can’t train on the running-bred horses like you can the cow horses, so it taught me to be patient and also look outside the box if one is not getting something and really treat every horse as an individual rather than all the same.

I absolutely love it, but it takes kind of a special horse to be able to do all of it, between the reining and cow events. You have to put in the time, and you have to put in the effort to be able to do it. It takes kind of a special horse and the work ethic to be able to do it.

RCHN: How do you determine if a horse is cut out for reined cow horse events, and what qualities do you look for in a top reined cow horse prospect?

VS: One big thing is if they can lope. That’s a huge part of it, and if they naturally want to stop. Those would probably be the first things, and then if they have a pretty look to them; if they’re eye-catching. That would be something too for getting drawn to them.

I always think a horse has its place, whether it’s in our discipline or not, and I feel that if a horse gets a little bit better each day where I’m going to reach my end goal, he’s going to get there. I just kind of

feel like that as long as they give us a little bit, then we’re good to go.

RCHN: What is your go-to piece of gear?

VS: I have a Dave Elliot snaffle that I’ve had for years. It’s a copper twist snaffle, and I love it. It is pretty much the first I reach for to use on any of my horses. I’ll use it on absolutely anything.

RCHN: What cow horse would you like to throw a leg over, living or dead?

VS: There are so many nice ones! A horse that I absolutely loved for so long was Olena Oak (a two-time World’s Greatest Horseman Champion with Ron Emmons). I thought he was so cool.

RCHN: Is there anything else that you would like to add for other competitors or readers?

VS: A big thing is to never give up. Always go after your goals. Never think that there is next year. Like if you want to do it, then don’t wait.

with NRCHA Pro Veronica Swales

Shown here on Desires Sweet Pepto, Veronica Swales is making a name for herself in the Open divisions.

NOTABLE NON PRO

Hard work and a little luck have driven this horsewoman to achieve her goals in and out of the arena.

BY MEGAN ARSZMAN

Throughout her life, if there’s something Lynne Faust wants to accomplish, she figures out a way and tackles it head on. As a young girl, she worked odd jobs and saved up $1,000 to purchase her first pony—a jetblack, Morgan-cross pony. She named him Evander’s Midnight Run, after professional boxer Evander Holyfield, because the pony had a notch in his ear, and she witnessed a harrowing escape by the pony as he was loaded into the trailer at the sale barn.

During college, Faust wanted to ride more frequently, so she founded the University at Albany’s first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team, so she could compete over fences with her friends. Soon after, Faust discovered reining and learned that the IHSA had a Western division where exhibitors could compete in reining. As a way to experience that discipline, she and her friends also created the Western team for the University at Albany in New York.

It’s said that luck comes to those who work hard. That’s how Faust has found the gold at the end of the rainbow.

MOVING EAST

Faust was born in Utah, a fact she likes to remind connections when they think she’s “from New Jersey.”

“I don’t brag about being from New Jersey,” she laughed. “I remind everyone I was born in Utah; I just got stuck in New Jersey.”

The horsewoman’s parents divorced when she was young, and she and her mom moved to the Garden

Top and bottom photo: Aboard Smart Lil Brooksinic, Lynne Faust has earned money in the NRCHA, Stock Horse of Texas and AQHA, as well as at roping events. She often competes with her boyfriend, Jarrett Webb.

HIGH COTTON PROMOTION

State. Her mother worked full time as a nurse, so at a young age Faust learned how to care for herself and the house.

“I was up making my own breakfast, getting my own things ready, going to school, then coming home to do homework and care for the dogs before I went down the street to care for my pony,” Faust said.

While Faust’s family wasn’t involved with horses, her mother had always loved them as much as her daughter. Faust asked for riding lessons, which were English due partly to geography. She leased horses until she could afford her first pony.

“I was very lucky where we lived in New Jersey because while it was a suburb, there was a five-acre farm where I could keep my pony,” she said. “I could walk to school, then I could walk up the street three blocks and take care of him.”

Riding “Evander,” Faust competed in local horse shows and in 4-H for a few years. When she was in high school, her mother purchased a Paint Horse for all-around events, including Western classes. Faust credits the Allentown area for having a variety of equine events near the Horse Park of New Jersey to quench her thirst for anything involving horses.

“I found a fun group of horse people in the area,” she said. “I was showing hunters, but then I had fun team penning on the weekends … well, cow horse people would roll their eyes at how we ‘chased cows’ back then … .”

Faust didn’t stray too far from New Jersey to attend college at the University at Albany where she studied chemistry. She kept her horses near the school and was inspired to start an IHSA team with her friends to support their show habits. A friend gave her a 5-year-old, unraced Thoroughbred to train and compete in the hunter and equitation classes. If Faust wasn’t representing her school in the show ring, she was competing at the larger shows aboard the Thoroughbred in honor of her friend who suffered from breast cancer.

Then reining caught Faust’s eye at an IHSA show. Intrigued by the idea of a different type of adrenaline, she and her friends created the school’s first Western team the next year and competed in both disciplines.

“From then on, I got hooked,” she said.

DOING IT HER WAY

Upon graduation, Faust sold the Thoroughbred and used the proceeds as a down payment on her first small farm in New York. She moved her Quarter Horse mare, Great Pines Pearl, aka “Pearl,” there and started finding cattle to work and taught herself reining.

Faust joined the Eastern Mountain Ranch Horse Association where she learned about ranch riding, reining, trail and working cows.

“That’s when I learned there was an actual art to working cows—it wasn’t just chasing them into a pen,” she said. “That triggered my interest into the versatility of the sport and the horse. But I still didn’t know that the NRCHA was a thing.”

Faust joined multiple horse groups and did her own research into the ranch horse world. That’s when she discovered a fellow Utah native, Corey Cushing, was an up-and-coming trainer.

“I knew of Corey and his family from back when I lived in Utah,” she said. “So, that spurred me to look more into reined cow horse.”

But she was still lightyears from becoming part of the sport. Faust had returned to school for a masters in organic chemistry and was working as a researcher in a manufacturing lab near her farm. She was working as many hours in the lab as she could, barely able to make ends meet. She couldn’t dream of hitting the show circuit, but she still had her horses and was living the life she wanted.

Faust continued to work up the ranks in the pharmaceutical development field. After about five years, she went to work for a biotech company in Boston, Massachusetts, which was purchased by a larger pharmaceutical company. That’s what set the wheels in motion for the life Faust had dreamed of living.

“That was the event in my career that kind of tipped the scale for me, and I was finally able to get financially ahead a little and was promoted from associate director to director,” she said. “I was able to finally not live paycheck to paycheck and I can start living my dreams a little bit.”

Throughout the transition, Pearl offered Faust solace from the rigors of the lab life and constant financial strain. She experimented with breeding, which was a learning experience for the horsewoman. The second breeding led to a little ranch-type Paint

While living on the East Coast, Faust competed in English events.

That’s when I learned there was an actual art to working cows—it wasn’t just chasing them into a pen.”

—Lynne Faust

Horse that served as an introduction to boxing and truly learning how to work cattle.

When Faust was offered another promotion, it came with the best benefit: the ability to live anywhere if it was near an airport. Following a bad breakup, Faust packed up and joined a friend near the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Living out of her trailer’s living quarters, she parked in Craig Johnson’s driveway for almost six months.

“Finally, being down here in Texas I can be closer to cow horse, closer to the events and everything I’ve wanted to do for the last decade since I took that first run on a reining horse at the intercollegiate show,” Faust said. “But I knew I didn’t have the horsepower. I was humbled very quickly to the level of horsepower you need in Texas.”

Faust knew it would take time to get the right kind of horsepower to be competitive at the level she wanted reach, but she continued to learn however she could with her homebred horses she hauled from New York.

TURNING TEXAN

Faust absorbed as much as she could taking lessons from esteemed horsemen such as Johnson and Tom Neel. Johnson gave Faust a breeding to Sailing Smart when she first arrived, and that produced Pearl’s third and final foal.

“My mare unexpectedly died three days after the foal was born and that was devastating,” Faust recalled. “That was the horse that took me from middle school through every life change I’ve ever had.”

Fortunately, Faust still has that red filly, which is now 5 years old and her mount at Stock Horse of Texas and American Quarter Horse Association ranch versatility events.

“She’s certainly more talented [than her mother], but she definitely won’t ever be a great cow horse,” Faust said. “But she’s solid in the reining and if you want to talk about ranch riding and ranch trail deluxe, she is.”

Faust’s boyfriend, Jarrett Webb, introduced her to a fellow Utahn. It was like she was meeting a celebrity when she shook hands with Cushing. Then she also met Chris Dawson, who helped her try out a few different horses and purchase Smart Lil Brooksinic, aka “Pink,’ from Emily Kent as her first true entry in NRCHA events. She made connections with Lee and Ashley Deacon, with whom she still trains. She took up roping as a hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now adds that to the list of equine activities she does with Pink and Webb. All the while she continues to climb the corporate ladder.

“I grew up having to push myself if I wanted something,” Faust said. “I knew I better keep good grades, or I didn’t get to ride. As I got older, I knew if I wanted to do something I’d have to financially afford to do it. That’s just how it was.

“To this day, I push myself in my career because I wanted to be an executive director in my 30s, and I want to be a vice president before I’m 40 and right now I’m 37 and I should be getting my VP promotion by next year if everything goes well,” she added. “There’s a part of that I just push myself and my

career, a lot of it was to pay off my student-loan debt and everything I had to take out to get me where I’m at. That’s what slowed down my being able to show and do the things I wanted to do now.”

This mindset culminated to Faust and Lee Deacon making a huge splash last year aboard Seven S Party Favor at the DT Horses Western Derby in 2022.

“My hard work has given me the satisfaction of knowing where I came from and where I am,” she said. “Shoot, up to this year and having that yellow horse is a dream come true. I just wanted to have a good enough horse to show and keep learning. It was just icing on the cake for both Lee and I to make the finals—that was never in the plan, and I didn’t care what was in the plan, that’s for God to ultimately decide. My career growth and my personal motivation as a rider to always push myself to get better and keep learning. It’s just amazing and a true blessing everything that has happened.”

Seven S Party Favor carried both Faust and trainer Lee Deacon to premier event titles in 2022.

PRIMO MORALES

ADMIRABLE ASSISTANTS: LILLA BELL

Coming from a California ranching background connected this horsewoman to bridle horse traditions and cow horses.

JENNIFER DENISON

The California Central Coast is known as “cowboy country.” Nestled in the golden hillsides are family cattle ranches where horses are still essential for getting ranch work done. Also, the methods of early Vaqueros and bridle horsemen continue to impact the region’s horsemanship and the foundation of reined cow horse classes.

Growing up on her family’s third-generation cowcalf operation in Hollister, California, and around local horse shows and rodeos, Lilla Bell was exposed to bridle horse traditions from a young age and continues to honor them through her work in the cow horse industry.

“There’s so much history in California of cowboys on ranches,” she explained. “Everybody honors bridle horses. I remember going to brandings when I was young and watching all the cowboys show up on their nice bridle horses. I was always intrigued by them and how to make horses like that.”

Bell’s grandfather, Woody Bell, was raised in Nevada and later moved to California and rode with horsemen Bill and Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. He shared his knowledge with Bell’s father, Dean, who later taught it to Bell and her older brother, Dawson.

As with other Central Coast ranching families and cowboys, the Bells tested their horsemanship and their ranch horses’ handiness each year at the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo in Tres Pinos, California. Bell also rodeoed. Most of her high school years she was homeschooled, which enabled her to work for rope and ranch horse trainer Andy Holcomb in nearby San Juan Bautista, California. Through Holcomb, she reconnected

with champion National Reined Cow Horse Association trainer Justin Wright of Santa Maria, California, who recently joined the elite NRCHA $2 Million Rider Club.

“I used to take lessons from him when he lived in San Juan Bautista,” Bell said. “Justin got to talking to me one day and asked if I’d want to come out and help him a little bit. I went down there for a couple of weeks [in 2020] and stayed for about two years. I debated going to college, but when I got to Justin’s and saw all the nice horses I didn’t look back.”

Wright, who also was born and raised in San Benito county, had known the Bells for many years. In fact, his father grew up on the ranch where Bell was raised. Knowing her background and work ethic, he was willing to help her get her start in cow horses.

“She’s very talented and understands the mind and body of a horse. She always wants to improve her horsemanship and has a natural way with a horse,” Wright said. “She is always trying to make her horses better. The other thing is, she came off a ranch, can read a cow and has roped and knows how to compete. When she came into cow horse, she had a lot of raw ability that needed an opportunity.”

With a solid work ethic, dedication and a positive attitude, Bell seized any opportunities that came her way. Working for Wright, she learned everything about taking care of high-level performance horses, making sure everything is flowing smoothly at shows and working with clients. She also had the oppor-

The past few years, Lilla Bell has grown as a horsewoman and cow horse competitor, working as an assistant to Justin Wright, Kelby Phillips and currently J.D. Johnson. She’s shown here with CR Be Lethally Tuff, owned by Wyatt and Lacy Bourdet, on which she recently won the Limited Open at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY

tunity to ride several horses, including her personal favorite, Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), and show in her first major cow horse classes.

“The job was pretty much what I expected,” she said. “But what I didn’t expect to learn is how much goes into maintaining those horses and what athletes they are. I love that part of the job, but the hardest part for me was learning how to take care of them at that level and all the little things that go into it.

“People see the glamour at the shows, but they don’t realize that’s not even a fraction of what we do every day,” she continued. “It’s long hours, day and night, of taking care of the horses and training them, every day of the year. Some days you feel like you don’t know how to bridle a horse, and then the next day things go well and you’re hooked again. It’s all worth it!”

Her first major cow horse show was at the 2021 NRCHA DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she showed Smooth Lil Dream (Smooth As A Cat x Dream A Lil Dream x Proof Set). Wright had shown the stallion at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® the previous year.

“I’ve been so lucky to have clients allow me to go show their horses,” Bell said. “They know everyone has to start somewhere, and every time I’ve stepped into the show pen I’ve learned so much. Some of the clients have turned into my closest friends; they’re like family to me.”

Since then, she’s shown at events such as the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity and the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby. This year at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada, Bell and CR Be Lethally Tuff, (Woody Be Tuff x CR High Brow Letha x High Brow Cat), owned by Wyatt and Lacy Bourdet, won the Limited Open division. She is excited to keep showing the mare and a couple of 3-year-olds she has in her string, as well as a 3-year-old she purchased from Wright last December.

“Riding these cow horses is completely different than riding ranch horses,” she noted. “We could go get a job done on our horses, but they weren’t fancy like these horses. I thought my horses were broke until I started riding these horses.”

After the Snaffle Bit Futurity in 2022 Bell moved to Weatherford, Texas, to work as an assistant to Kelby Phillips. Then, in November of last year she wanted to be a little closer to home so she moved to Scottsdale,

Arizona, for the winter to work for J.D. Johnson, who she met while working for Wright.

“I like seeing their different styles,” she said. “I’m able to watch and learn and take things from everybody and put them into my own style and program. I love the team environment everywhere I’ve worked; everyone helps each other and become like family, because you spend so much time together. And the horses become family, too.”

As hard as it is to see a reliable assistant leave, Wright knows it’s inevitable and says that through the years he’s learned to “find joy” in it.

“It’s definitely hard to see them go, but at the same time something I’ve learned recently is watching them go is also very exciting, to hopefully see them dominate with their own program,” Wright explained. “It’s a way to give back to the industry that lets us do what we love every day and develop the next generation of [cow horse trainers].”

In just a few years, 21-year-old Bell has come a long way in the cow horse industry. She said, however, that she still has so much to learn and that drives her to keep working hard.

“I want to be able to train my own horses and go down the road and show them,” she said. “I’ve lived and breathed horses my whole life, and I still have a lot of goals left [to achieve] in the show pen.”

Raised on a ranch in California, Bell has spent her entire life horseback and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

Riding these cow horses is completely different than riding ranch horses.”

—Lilla Bell

COWBOY CONNECTION

R.A. Brown began riding cow horses because of brotherly competition, but today he enjoys the challenge of taking ranch-raised horses to the show pen.

INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS

It’s six miles of rock-dirt road from the highway to R.A. Brown’s home southwest of Channing, Texas, on the Rob A. Brown Ranch he manages. He covers a lot of country to tend cattle and complete ranch chores. Typically, he rides a Brownraised Quarter Horse, that has also spent time under the bright lights of the competitive arena.

“I get a lot of the horses my brother, Myles, starts; he is more of a horse trainer than I am,” said Brown.

Brown has three bridle horses that he can pick from to ride, including Ima Wynna RAB (PG Shogun x Right On Eddie RAB x Right On Tivio), a 2011 grey gelding owned by Brown’s father, Rob A. Brown, that he rode to Reserve Champion at the The Run For A Million 2022 Cowboy Invitational, presented by XIT Ranch. However, the cowboy was no stranger to the reined cow horse arena before making the trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2019, he showed a 3-year-old at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, Dreaming Of Denver (Metallic Cat x Reys Dreamgirl x Dual Rey), then Brown attended the first Cowboy Clinic in March of 2019 before competing in the Cowboy Class Invitational at the Snaffle Bit Futurity.

“Getting to go to the clinic, learn from some of the best, was a reason to go and also to ride with people like me who were learning,” he recalled. “The Futurity was fun, and I had a good time, even though I learned I wasn’t very good at the cow horse thing. Going down the fence was the easiest part!”

Today, he continues to compete in both NRCHA events and at Ranch Horse Association of America competitions, like the one held each spring in conjunction with the R.A. Brown Ranch Bull Sale at the Throckmorton, Texas, ranch. He’s won $9,060.75 in LAE/HS and $11,075 in the Cowboy Class, and counting.

R.A. Brown and Ima Wynna RAB at home in Channing, Texas.

Reined Cow Horse News: How did you get started in cow horse?

R.A. Brown: I grew up rodeoing and roping. I never really got into the cow horse until about 10 years ago, and it was a learning curve. My brother, Myles, started and I thought, ‘If he can do it, I can do it.’ My first NRCHA event was in 2019, but my first show was an [American Quarter Horse Association] Ranching Heritage event.

RCHN: What excites you about entering the Cowboy Class?

RAB: I’ve had a lot of fun showing, especially roping because, being a cowboy, we rope when we work, so having that option in the class is a good way to show that skill. The Cowboy Class is fun, because I’ve been able to show a horse we’ve raised and ranched on to success. That is Bubba [Ima Wynna RAB]. The Cowboy Class has definitely brought more people. The one in October [2022 at the Snaffle Bit Futurity]

was a big turnout, where before it was just an invite. I think [the class] has brought more cowboys, ranchers to NRCHA. It will help the market for a ranch horse.

RCHN: How does ranching on the horse you compete on go hand in hand?

RAB: I cowboyed on a CD Lights I showed at the Futurity a lot because he had a motor. If I knew then what I know now about [reined cow horse], I could have done a better job with him, I think. I’ve been showing right maybe 10 years. Every time I think I’ve maybe got it figured out and do good at a show, I go to another show and it’s terrible and you wonder what you’re doing. I’ve definitely learned a lot. It’s addicting; the success makes it worth it.

Cow horse, showing, it makes your horses better to show on and makes me a better cowboy. Out of the herd or going down the fence, it is kind of like sorting dries—you have to be in position and read your cow. There is just more finesse in the show pen. The fence work was boxing and go fast, and hope your horse stands up; I’m not very good at the reining.

& Q A

COWBOY CONNECTION

If you’re looking for a supplement to help bring your mare back from foaling or want to make sure the young ones have a solid foundation of nutrition, HorsLic® can help.

Title and Presenting Sponsors

Corporate Sponsors

START STEER STOP to

Brad Barkemeyer’s background in roping helps him start a cow horse in the box with confidence.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS

STEER STOPPING BRINGS AN EXTRA EDGE to some of the reined cow horse industry’s most exciting events—the World’s Greatest Horseman, the Super Spectacular and the new World’s Greatest Non Pro. It showcases a cow horse’s savvy in the roping to create a truly versatile event. For Scottsdale, Arizona, trainer Brad Barkemeyer, it blends the experience he had early on as a rope horse trainer with his current focus on cow horse.

“The roping and the cow horse coexist so well because of the fundamentals,” he explained. “The foundation is the same. They must be willfully guided. They must have some cow instinct and they need to be able to control speed; they must be able to go slow and fast depending on the cattle. That piece of it is so relative, it makes the transition between the two events very simple.”

Starting a cow horse in the roping box can be challenging. In his program, Barkemeyer begins roping on all his horses during their 4-year-old year.

“I’ve found that the ones that are extremely cowy have a little more trouble initially,” he said. “Number one, just seeing a cow in the [roping]

chute and being close to it, they feel like they should be getting away or ready to react at any moment when that cow moves. To desensitize them to that process is tricky on the ones that have a lot of cow instinct. The ones that are a little more laid back, maybe aren’t as electric in say the herd work or the cutting, they take to it a lot simpler because they don’t care as much as far as the cow moving and responding to their getting in their comfort zone.”

Here, Barkemeyer walks through his process of introducing a horse to the roping chute and steers and coming out of the box, so that it has a solid foundation when the rest of the steer stopping work comes into play, like rating and stopping the steer.

STEP 1: GOOD INTRODUCTIONS

When Barkemeyer introduces a horse to the roping box, he starts by working it down. A fresh horse, with a fresh mind, is less likely to calmly accept a new situation. He initially introduces the horse to the chute and roping box without cattle.

Left: The transition from reined cow horse to rope horse can be easy if the foundation is built slowly.

Right: A good warmup allows the horse to work off the fresh and quiet its mind before being introduced to a new environment.

“You’re battling mental and physical freshness with the new stimulus. I warm them up good, just like normal, like you’re getting ready to go for a ride or a work,” he said. “Then walk them into the box. I like to let them kind of go at their own pace and if they’re real scared and tentative, I make sure that they keep moving and just keep forward motion.”

The goal with keeping the horse moving forward around the box, around the chute and down the pen is to show the horse it can move its feet and be less scared, he says. While doing this, Barkemeyer doesn’t hold a rope to avoid adding to the new elements of the situation.

“If you’re trying to introduce the rope and the cattle and the chute all at once, it’s just overwhelming,” he said. “The confinement of the boxes and the chute and the smell is different than when we’ve worked cattle in an arena. I know that they can tell that the cattle have been there and so the cowy ones, especially, I like to show them that environment before I introduce cattle to it and that makes it a little smoother process.”

When the horse gets comfortable, Barkemeyer loads the steers. He walks through the box and down the chute again. While forward motion is key, if a horse stops to smell or assess, and isn’t cowing down or spooking away, he allows it to stop. He focuses on keeping its body relaxed.

“It’s easy to stay tense and tight, ready for them to jump sideways. But the rider needs to be relaxed and pretend like everything’s okay. A rider’s energy transmits through to the horse and once you sit up there, pet on them and they’re standing still but you can feel them shivering underneath you because they’re not sure what’s coming next,” he said. “But just reassuring the horse that everything’s okay in that environment goes a long way.

Above: Before loading cattle, Barkemeyer lets the horse see and hear the roping chute.

Left: Once the steers are loaded in the chute, Barkemeyer walks down the pen, letting the horse smell and see the animals in a new environment.

“I like to walk them on both sides of the lead-up alley, so they see cattle from both sides. They start to get comfortable with the cattle being in that confined space and hearing the cattle and the horns hitting, the fence. Those are the different noises that they’re not necessarily used to,” he explained.

STEP 2: STEADY IN THE BOX

For many cow horses that are only going to steer stop, some people only work out of the left-side box, or the heading box. However, Barkemeyer likes to balance the horse by working both sides. The first time he takes a steer out of the chute and follows it out of the box, though, is from the heading side.

“The separator, the thing that determines the great ones from the others is how they handle the pressure of being in the box,” he said. “If they don’t mind the noise, they don’t get anxious for the start. Those box fundamentals are what either speeds up or slows down the training process. The ones that are a little more anxious like a racehorse, when the gates open, they want to just go, those take a little more time.

“As a trainer, you must be a little more consistent and slower with those ones so that they learn that they don’t have to give you 100 percent every time they leave the box. It’s all about control and being patient. The ones that are a little scared of the movement of the chute or the cattle leaving, those ones just take a little more time than the others.”

Barkemeyer spends time ensuring that the horse is willing to stand quietly in the box with steers in the chute. He often has an assistant rattle the gates, or open and close them, to allow the horse to hear the noise, and Barkemeyer’s goal is for the horse to be calm through it all.

The aim is to walk the horse calmly in and out of the box. Barkemeyer holds his rope and often swings it while walking in and out. He also walks the horse in and turns both toward and away from the chute before backing into the box’s corner.

“There’s so many things that we do [in cow horse] that are patterned and consistent that speeds up the training process,” he said. “Adding roping makes a more versatile, more user-friendly horse that anyone can get on. It’s not just me riding it all the time, somebody else needs to get on and be able to push different buttons but get the same result. So, to introduce the horse to the box, I’ll go in both ways.

“The main things that needs to be stressed is forward motion in the box. That is big, especially once

the horse kind of learns that’s a place where they can get a little anxious and get a little nervous,” he continues. “Keeping the horse moving forward as you’re turning them around and preparing them to back up into the corner, it’s critical that you’re able to get forward motion back at any time so that they don’t get stuck backing up and want to stay.”

When Barkemeyer can drop his reins and the horse stands, he knows it is comfortable in the box. It may walk out on its own, but he regroups and takes the horse back to the same spot.

“I’m going to go right back to that same spot and then relax again where I’m not forcing the horse to stand still or really try to confine them into that perfect place,” he said. “They learn that’s a place where they can relax as well as get ready to go.”

Both photos above: Before opening the chute and letting the steer out, Barkemeyer walks the horse in and out of the box, often swinging a rope, and getting it comfortable with the process.

STEP 3: WORK THE GAS PEDAL

The repetitive scene in the steer stopping preliminary of the World’s Greatest Horseman event is a horse leaving the box nose forward, neck level and zoning in on the steer. Barkemeyer says that the cue to leave the box is one like cueing a lope departure in a reining pattern, and one that should look as controlled. However, he starts teaching the horse the process of leaving the box with a steer at a walk or trot, not a lope.

“I try to keep some steers around that walk or trot. If all your cattle run fast, you still have to leave slow and you’re going to get a horse that rushes after the steer,” he said. “If slow cattle aren’t available, it is important for me to set a consistent, controlled pattern using a Smarty roping dummy to come out of the box. Having a good foundation and a good experience at the beginning is important, and me catching [the steer] is the least important piece. It does not matter; it’s all about keeping that horse confident, leaving the box nice, rating into a good spot and having that build confidence. And then the catching piece comes later.”

When he begins to teach a horse to leave with the steer’s departure, Barkemeyer uses his rein hand as a cue.

“It’s not a jumpstart. We want to go from a standstill into a nice, controlled lope sometimes with collection, sometimes on a loose rain, but it’s not a surprise,” he explained. “I train a horse to understand that my left hand is the gas pedal. If I throw that left hand down, that’s the signal for my horse

to squeal the tires and get going. But if I ease down with my left hand, they should feel that contact at the bit and they should be collected and lope off just like you’re starting a reining pattern.”

Ultimately, the goal is to have a horse leave the box from a standstill to a dead run, stretched out flat and reaching for each stride. Barkemeyer reiterates that the perfect picture doesn’t start by having a horse jettison after the steer from Day One.

“If the horse is lunging from the start, it costs you time and creates missed timing,” he said. “You want to be in time with your horse when you’re leaving the box. So that stride being consistent, flat makes it easier on me to focus on catching.

“A pretty critical piece in the judging portion of the steer stopping is in the box score. The horse must stand still and be ready to leave when you want to. But how they leave is a critical piece of that score. If a horse elevates or lunges, elevates the front end and then leaves a little sideways or choppy, that’s going to detract from your score in the box for that maneuver score.”

Slow is fast, as the adage goes. Taking the first steps to start a horse in the box and learning to rate a steer will ultimately earn points in the show pen.

“It might take a week’s worth of going to the box, sitting, or sitting on the horse while someone else is roping, to get a horse comfortable,” Barkemeyer said. “If you start a horse right in the box, you’ll have that versatile athlete that can do it all in the show pen.”

Above: A horse’s inclination is to jump forward when the steer leaves, because a cow horse knows to catch the cow, but Barkemeyer wants to teach it to leave in a controlled manner.

Below: Here, the horse is leaving before Barkemeyer’s left hand has dropped. He’ll let the horse go, then calmly walk back in and reset the horse in the corner. He wants the horse to be able to wait on a loose rein before he asks it to lope off.

Owned by K & L Phillips LLC

Photo credit Robb Walther

Claytt Edsall &

CALIFORNIA REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT

Makes the Connection

The California Reined Cow Horse Association is steadily building its membership, show entries and cash payouts year after year. And that hasn’t happened by accident. Intentional, thoughtful planning by the organization’s board has brought to fruition many benefits to its members, leading to increased participation.

Founded by Kathy Gould, a past National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion, the CRCHA began in 1998 under the name Valley Cow Horse Club. The name was changed to its current iteration in 2019 to recognize its longstanding affiliation with the NRCHA, Murray Thompson, California RCHA president, said. The name was also changed to reflect the club’s mission to “preserve the Vaquero tradition of training and exhibiting reined cow horses in California,” he continued.

Beginning in 2017, the organization initiated a strategic plan to improve its operations and offer value to its members and sponsors. This plan is

reviewed annually by the directors in an all-day planning meeting, as well as benchmarks such as show dates, class lists, added money, entry fees, show awards, sponsor engagement and much more.

Thompson has been a member of the association for 15 years and has served on the board for seven years. He’s most proud of the way the club analyzes and improves each year based on its strategic plan and data.

“Since I’ve been on the board, we’ve had a very clear plan of what we’re trying to do to build the association,” Thompson said. “Every year we evaluate our calendar to make it the best that it could be. We adapt to changes, try to find ways to make it a better product or experience for our members and sponsors, and just keep building on what we’re doing.”

The club’s nine annual horse shows are held at two event centers: the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California, and the International Agri-Center in Tulare, California.

The CRCHA club has forward-thinking board members, as well as dedicated staff, to make shows run smoothly.

The California Reined Cow Horse Association’s commitment to data-driven, value-oriented planning has reaped benefits for all its members.

COURTESY CALIFORNIA REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

Big cash payouts have become a hallmark of this club’s events. The inaugural Spring Classic Derby in 2021 had $72,000 added money and paid out $161,500 and prizes to 93 entries. In 2022 the event had $100,000 added money, paying out $187,380 to 89 entries. This year’s third edition again had $100,000 added money in the derby and paid out $196,750 to 103 entries and had $16,500 added money in the new-for-this-year spectaculars and paid out $41,850 to 81 entries.

“That’s been really exciting for us,” Thompson said. “And this year we’ve secured sponsorship to put on the Futurity and Derby at Tulare in November giving us premier limited age events at both of our host facilities. We’re very excited about that.”

Laura Norman, of Oakhurst, California, has been a member of the club off and on for 20 years, and has been the show secretary for the last seven years.

“I loved going to the shows, and all of the recognizable cover guys were just so down to earth, nice, and completely approachable,” Norman said. “Coming from the jumpers, where it was the opposite. So, I decided that these were the people I wanted to be with.”

Norman showed her horse in boxing for a couple of years and decided that she didn’t really need to be showing, so she’s been serving as the show secretary.

Norman says the CRCHA’s greatest strength is the board’s passion to improve the club.

“They’re willing to entertain whatever they need to do to make it better, and they’re really good at fostering relationships, such as with the facilities where we host the shows, which I think is critical in this industry,” Norman said. “The facilities are always wanting to improve and provide better and better ground, fencing and stalls—all of that is so critical to us putting on a really good show.”

CRCHA transitioned show labor positions from volunteers to paid professionals over the past seven years and hired a social media marketing agency in 2023 to improve engagement with members and followers and to better promote sponsors. Careful financial planning and management have returned value to members, while safeguarding against challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thompson says developing a sponsorship program and sponsor base has been the association’s most difficult challenge.

“We’ve spent a lot of time reaching out to potential sponsors and putting together a sponsorship program that returns value to the sponsor in terms of exposure and advertising,” Thompson said.

Another challenge has been forging long-term relationships with horse show facilities—something the association has finally secured the last few years with multi-year contracts at the Paso Robles Event Center and International Agri-Center.

Thompson says the success of the association’s inaugural Paso Robles Spring Classic has been a highlight for the club—and with strategic tweaks it has shown continued growth.

“We focus on scheduling events on dates that fit well into the overall show calendar, so that they are supportive of members who are showing at the major [NRCHA] events,” Thompson said. “We have put a lot of emphasis on having first-quality facilities with good ground, indoor arenas and good stalling, making sure that we’re offering an attractive class list, and trying to provide the most value that we can in terms of payouts, versus the cost of coming to our shows. And we try to make sure that we’re taking care of all the different demographics of our membership: high end Open riders, and Non Pros that just come to our weekend horse shows.”

Top left: Longtime CRCHA member Jake Gorrell, center, says the association is run like a national organization. Above: Good ground at the facilities has helped make the shows popular with competitors.

WE HAVE PUT A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON HAVING FIRST-QUALITY FACILITIES WITH GOOD GROUND, INDOOR ARENAS AND GOOD STALLING...”

—Murray Thompson

COURTESY CALIFORNIA REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

RCHA Paso Robles Spring Show Hits High Note, Again

FOR THE THIRD YEAR, the California Reined Cow Horse Association’s Paso Robles Spring Classic returned to the historic Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California, April 11-16. In addition to the National Reined Cow Horse Association-approved $100,000-added Derby, presented by Borjon Auto Center, the event also featured an NRCHA-approved $16,500-added Spectacular, presented by Brother Jackson and Wold Stallion Services, and a full slate of NRCHA-approved and CRCHA horse show classes, presented by Santa Lucia Farm, with $7,850 added.

More than 100 Derby entries in each division vied for more than $196,000. The three-event Spectacular classes had more than 80 entries riding for $19,500. There were 219 entries in the horse show classes, which paid $25,250, for a combined total event payout of $263,850, an increase of $57,420 from 2022 .

On Friday evening, Container Stop sponsored a ranch branding where 25 four-person teams, with at least one member entered in the horse show, competed for $7,500 in cash, with the first-place team also winning Henry lever-

action rifles. The winning team— comprised of Kain Eaton, Andy Holcomb, Jared Jones and Bear Pascoe—split $2,100 in cash. Six other teams took home shares of the remaining $5,400. Throughout the event there were three social activities, including 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.

Justin Wright, of Santa Maria, California, marked a 666 in the $60,000-added Open division on Zak 34 (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat), owned by Melissa Fischer. The $30,000 payout, sponsored by Call Me Mitch, pushed the stallion’s lifetime earnings to more than $300,000.

In the Non Pro, Jayson Fisher, of Nipomo, California, riding Wood

U Just Do

It (Woody Be Tuff x Spookys Cash x Miss N Cash), owned by Fisher and wife, Teresa, won with a 650 to claim checks for $7,000 and $2,250.

Phillip Ralls rode to the top prize in the Open Bridle Spectacular on his mother Billie Jo’s 2017 gelding, Son Of A Mitch, scoring a 656.5 and earning $5,850. In the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, Stephen Silva aboard Metallic Babe (Metallic Cat x Somebodys Lil Babe x Sombody Smart) came out on top with a 646 to take home $2,520.

Every rider earning a check in the Derby also won a Gist custom trophy buckle, with unique buckles going to the Open, Non Pro and Non Pro Boxing champions. The champions in all the Derby classes also took home Nutrena feed coupons. The spectacular champions were awarded Gist custom trophy buckles and Nutrena feed coupons. The champions in the NRCHA horse show classes received Nutrena feed coupons, and the champions in the CRCHA horse show classes earned Nutrena feed coupons and custom embroidered jackets sponsored by the CRCHA.

A COMBINED TOTAL EVENT PAYOUT OF $263,850.

Justin Wright piloted Zak 34 to the 2023 Derby Champion spot.

Today, the CRCHA has 372 members, and the club has seen a 205 percent increase in member numbers over the last six years. Members hail from 39 of California’s 58 counties, with most living in Southern California and the Central Valley. Because show entries have increased year over year, all CRCHA shows have expanded from one and two days and are on the verge of going to three days due to continued growth in entries.

“We try to make it a welcoming atmosphere at the shows and make it a place that people like to be, a place where they’ll have a good time—the top end open people and the weekend non pro people,” Thompson said.

Reined cow horse trainer and NRCHA Open Futurity Champion Jake Gorrell of Porterville, California, has been a member for 24 years. An avid competitor, he says the show office at events makes entering simple.

“Laura and the office are unbelievable,” Gorrell said. “It’s easy to enter, and they help us trainers get entered on time, so that’s good. The customer service is just great.”

Gorrell said the club’s dedication to putting on wellrun shows with good judges, cattle and facilities are critical to a successful organization—and important to cow horse in the area, too.

“Without this club I think we wouldn’t be near as strong on the West Coast these days,” Gorrell said. “We used to have all the major events on the West Coast, and now we have none—the closest one is in Las Vegas. I think the CRCHA is instrumental in keeping the Vaquero and reined cow horse traditional methods alive on the West Coast.”

That welcoming atmosphere extends from the board, show staff, owners and riders, Thompson said.

“It’s a very supportive, family-type atmosphere,” Thompson said. “We do a lot of outreaches to members who have some kind of hardship. Everyone involved in the association is really committed to the reined cow horse and keeping it active in California.”

Gorrell agrees, saying the club attracts folks from surrounding states such as Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona, as well as California. He says the club winning NRCHA Affiliate of the Year is well-deserved.

“They run it very well, like a national organization,” Gorrell said. “They make sure we have all the elements that make a good horse show, ground, cattle, judging, facilities, and then great payouts and super spectacular awards. I think that extra effort they put out to make it a big deal is extraordinary, and they just keep going. It caters to everybody, from the boxers to the Open guys. From the beginners to the trainers. That’s what keeps it going.”

Norman says the club board members are thoughtful and value all the exhibitors.

“Everybody who comes and spends this much time and money in their hobby deserves respect, and to have a very good experience,” Norman said. “And this club shares that value: all exhibitors and owners, the extended group that is the cow horse family, they’re all valuable to the club, and they demonstrate that by being thoughtful. Beyond what is going on at the show—it’s a whole relationship throughout their lives.”

Left: Jayson Fischer won the NOn Pro Derby in 2023.

Right: Son Of A Mitch carried Phillip Ralls to the Open Bridle Spectacular win.

WE HAVE EVERYBODY WHO COMES AND SPENDS THIS MUCH TIME AND MONEY IN THEIR HOBBY DESERVES RESPECT, AND TO HAVE A VERY GOOD EXPERIENCE.”

—Jake Gorrell

HERITAGE & HORSES

The National Reined Cow Horse Association and NRCHA Foundation gathered members, past and present, at the South Point Hotel & Casino during the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes to honor three individuals and one stallion that have made a positive impact on the cow horse industry. As fitting for Las Vegas, Nevada, the banquet brought out the glamour, spotlighting the merits of the NRCHA Hall of Fame members.

The Hall of Fame Banquet is produced by the NRCHA Foundation, which supports the reined cow horse community and honors the legacy of the reined cow horse sport through the enactment of charitable and educational programs. The NRCHA Hall of Fame Committee selects the inductees annually.

Congratulations to the four honorees and welcome to the Hall of Fame: Bill Enk, Randy Paul, Kathy Wilson and Smart Chic Olena. Thank you for your contributions to the cow horse industry.

During the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, the Hall of Fame Banquet honored inductees at an evening reception.

COMPILED BY REINED COW HORSE NEWS STAFF • PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

I didn’t start out to be director of judges… I found out I have a passion for teaching, more than I ever thought.”

—BILL ENK

BILL ENK

Bill Enk’s California cow horse roots run deep, so much so that he can trace his beginnings to mentor Ronnie Richards and Enk’s long-term home in Paso Robles, California, has allowed him to stay connected to the industry where he got his start. The native Californian aspired to be a horse trainer when he developed a deep love for horses.

“I’ve always had a love for horses. Genetically, I came with it,” Enk said. “My brother has never liked horses; he’s a car guy. My grandfather was a farmer in Wisconsin, and he used horses on the farm. We’d always go back in the summer. He had the gene, my mom had the gene and I got it, that affection for horses. My whole life has been fashioned around horses.”

At age 7, after school, Enk rode his bike to a local stable in Long Beach, California, and saddled horses the stable rented for rides. His family moved close to Los Alamitos Racetrack in Los Alamitos, California, and Enk soon found himself riding five miles by bike at 4 a.m. before school to hot walk racehorses, clean stalls and occasionally gallop a horse. At the racetrack he met Ronnie Richards, an NRCHA Hall of Fame trainer, who kickstarted Enk down the cow horse trail.

“Ronnie Richards, he was young, he was 20 something at the time, but he was the dude,” recalled Enk. “He was the one that was coming, and I was right there with him. It was a great learning time for me.”

Following his service in the U.S. Army, which Enk is incredibly proud of and says is where he learned about leadership, he and wife, Colleen, settled in Paso Robles. While he worked for Richards, Enk diversified his income and became involved in horse judging. He judged regularly, still riding horses, until 2002, when Benny Guitron visited with him about taking on the NRCHA judge’s program. First, he standardized the score sheet.

“The thing that that I am so proud of is, Number One, the scoresheet helps you with the score. It justifies your score without having all this opinion,” he said. “You know, the opinion has to be based on fact, then you go to eye appeal, which is the judge’s opinion. It’s been a real ride! I’ve learned to enjoy the judge’s room more than I ever thought I would.”

It’s been quite the evolution for Enk from junior judging to his current position. He has judged the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, the American Quarter Horse

Association World Championship Show, Road to the Horse and many other premier events.

“I didn’t start out to be director of judges; I am a horse trainer,” Enk said. “But it is hard to do both a lot. Pretty soon, it took over! I found out I have a passion for it. I have a passion for the teaching, more than I ever thought.”

Enk has helped shape not only the cow horse industry from the judge’s room but encouraged today’s up-and-coming judges to obtain cards. His hard work is only one reason his wife, Colleen, appreciates him.

“I want to say that Bill has always been in my Hall of Fame for many reasons, and it is so nice knowing how hard Bill has worked at this and what he does that his peers have recognized his passion for the horse,” she said.

Enk has had a front row seat to see the reined cow horse industry evolve and is guided by his respect for tradition, and is grateful, for the support he’s received along the way.

“You have to have support in judging, because it isn’t a popularity contest,” he said. “It’s been a good, fun run and I am not done.”

NRCHA President Boyd Rice, left, and Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Dan Roeser, right, present Bill Enk with the honor.

You have to really care about the horse and the horse’s well-being. And you have to care about the job you’re doing.”

—RANDY PAUL

RANDY PAUL

To the people around him, Randy Paul appears to simply cruise through his day. He makes the challenge of training and showing horses look effortless. Perhaps it’s that laid-back attitude and measured pace that make him an NRCHA Hall of Fame horseman.

Paul grew up in California surrounded by horses and horse trainers. His father, Jim, and Jim’s wife, Dema, are both NRCHA Hall of Famers and influenced the direction this sport has taken. From his childhood, Paul has shown reining and cow horses, and even spent a little time riding bulls. But in his early 20s, he committed his life to riding and training horses professionally. Starting out in a barn with three legendary professionals, including his dad, gave him a head start.

“When my dad was in Paso Robles, Don Dodge and Gary Bellenfant both trained out of his place, so I worked for all three of them,” Paul recalled. “I think about the things I do today—and the things I’ve always done—and I learned it from my time with those guys. I still use that knowledge today.”

Paul didn’t limit his influences to those only in the cow horse world. His endeavors in reining led him to work with National Reining Horse Association professionals, including NRHA Hall of Famer Tim McQuay. Paul credits the Tioga, Texas, horseman with teaching him the value of providing exceptional care for his horses.

“You have to really care about the horse and the horse’s well-being,” Paul said. “And you have to care about the job you’re doing. One person I look up to who really is one of the best at that is Tim McQuay. Being around him made me want to be a better horseman.”

Paul combined his knowledge from both disciplines and found success few others have known. He’s one of only two men who’ve ever won both the National Reining Horse Association Futurity, which he topped in 2006 with Taris Designer Genes, and the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, with Smokeelan in 2010. Paul has also topped the NRHA Derby and won numerous AQHA World and Reserve Championships in working cow horse and reining.

Even with those shining accomplishments, Paul is ever a student. He admitted he’s always had to work at his showmanship in the saddle, and so he admires

legendary showmen such as Greg Ward, as well as the young stars of today, including Corey Cushing, Justin Wright, Kelby Phillips, and Chris and Sarah Dawson, as influences.

Paul’s influence in the Western world goes well beyond winning major events and training superstar horses. His creativity stands on its own. He’s a bit maker, a skill passed down from his father; he’s an artist; and he’s a singer and plays guitar.

“I started making bits when I was young, just because my dad did it,” Paul shared. “There was a time I set it aside because I was so busy training, but I started doing it again seriously maybe 15 years ago. I really enjoy it. Anything that I can do that has an art to it, I enjoy it, like playing the guitar and drawing.”

While still competing against the crème of the crop, Paul’s also coaching up his daughter, Lindsay, and granddaughter, Shilo, to compete in cow horse events.

“Nobody deserves this more than my dad,” Lindsay said. “He’s worked so hard and overcome so many things. He’s my hero.”

Paul still finds it hard to comprehend this honor and standing amongst horsemen he’s idolized his entire life.

“Being inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame—it’s pretty hard for me to say that,” he concluded. “I don’t feel like I’ve done enough or that I’m worthy of it. To be in the same room as them, and have my picture alongside theirs, it’s pretty special.”

Randy Paul accepts his plaque from Rice, left, and Roeser.

The cow horse community is just a really special group of people. They’re kind of my second family, and my family is very important to me.”

—Kathy Wilson

KATHY WILSON

The best reined cow horse riders are driven by competition, committed to the care and training of their horses, and dedicated to learning. Kathy Wilson of Clarksburg, California, embodies all these characteristics, plus she’s also known for motivating her fellow cow horse competitors and representing her favorite discipline.

“She sold the reined cow horse to thousands of people in her life,” said her longtime friend and mentor, National Reined Cow Horse Hall of Fame inductee and Million Dollar Rider Ken Wold. “She always has time for other people and she kind of never puts herself first. She wants to do well. She’s very competitive. I would say she’s a great horsewoman, but she’s a better person.”

Wilson grew up neighboring Wold, and he has influenced her riding since she was a youngster. Her parents, Tom and Dixie Young, supported their daughter’s passion for horses and made sure she had mounts to train and show.

“[My dad] really encouraged me,” she said. “And every year we’d go pick out a 2-year-old, and they weren’t always the best ones out there with kind of a low-overhead operation. But it was just something we did together. Looking back, I’m so blessed to have had that opportunity, and I just hope I can keep things going, so my grandkids can come and continue to compete also.”

Wilson began her show career in 1977 at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and went on to win three Non Pro championships (1981, 1983 and 1984) at the prestigious event. Since then, she has trained several horses and garnered multiple aged-event titles and career earnings if more than $320,000.

“Every win is pretty special and not to be taken for granted,” she said. “I’m so thankful I can keep competing and look forward to that next futurity win.”

For Wilson, getting involved in the cow horse industry was more than winning titles and prizes. It’s about the members who welcomed her from a youth and continue to support her.

“The cow horse community is just a really special group of people. They’re kind of my second family, and my family is very important to me,” she said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie and encouragement,

and it makes me think back to when I first started showing in the reined cow horse. There were a couple of great Non Pros—Frank Rue and Zera Varian—and I just remember how accepting and encouraging they were to me. I was just a kid with a not-so-good palomino mare I started out with. But that was my first horse, and they were always very encouraging and acted like they enjoyed seeing me and made me feel at home.”

She extends the same warm welcome to newcomers to the discipline, whether it’s offering advice or helping them find a suitable horse. As much as she enjoys riding into the show pen, she also finds training and selling prospects rewarding.

Wilson and her husband, Mark, raised their family in the cow horse and cattle industries, and now they look forward to their grandkids continuing to compete and gain confidence through cow horse.

“There are so many great mentors in our cow horse community,” she said. “I can’t thank Ken Wold enough. He’s just a great trainer and he gave me the confidence to know I could do it. Having that behind you is what makes you successful I think.”

Wilson recognizes the importance of the NRCHA Hall of Fame and is humbled by her induction.

“It shows the history and the foundational people who have been in our organization and have really improved it over the years,” she said. “I’m so honored to be counted as one of those people.”

Paul Bailey looks on while Kathy Wilson embraces trainer Ken Wold.

SMART CHIC OLENA

Smart Chic Olena not only made history as a competitor in the show pen, but as a sire he has stood out across the Western performance horse industry. The 1985 sorrel stallion, by Smart Little Lena and out of Gay Sugar Chic by Gay Bar King, became a legend long before he entered the breeding shed. The stallion, affectionally known as “Chic,” was foaled at B.F. Phillips Ranch in Frisco, Texas, where well-known cutting trainer Bill Glass instantly liked the colt.

The colt began his show career in cutting, eventually making his way to the National Cutting Horse Association Futurity Open semifinals. But following his third-place finish at the 1989 NCHA Super Stakes, he sustained an injury that made his future in the arena questionable.

It was a gamble to rehabilitate the horse, but Smart Chic Olena returned to the cutting pen with Dell Bell. The pair earned more than $114,000 and the 1990 American Quarter Horse Association World Champion Senior Cutting title. In 1993, with Craig Johnson in the saddle, Chic captured the AQHA World Championship in the Senior Reining. In less than five years, Smart Chic Olena went from earning checks in cutting to claiming some of the most prestigious titles in reining.

By the end of his show career, the stallion had earned more than $167,000 in reining and cutting events, along with a multitude of titles, including NRHA Reserve World Champion and All-American Quarter Horse Congress Champion. Today, he remains the only horse to ever win an AQHA World Championship in both the cutting and the reining.

Smart Chic Olena’s athletic ability and consistency garnered him unparalleled success in the show pen. With these characteristics passing on to his offspring, they too have earned several championship titles. Smart Chic Olena’s offspring have earned more than $14 million in reined cow horse, reining, cutting, roping and barrel racing.

“I feel that Chic’s biggest contribution to the equine energy industry is just his versatility,” Trevor Bond said. “In our opinion, he is probably one of the greatest all-around sires ever. If you look at the fact, he’s got multiple NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity champi-

ons, multiple NRHA Futurity champions, and world champions across multiple disciplines.”

Bond and his wife Tiffiny have been working diligently to preserve the Smart Chic Olena legacy since 2011 when they first bred to Chic. According to Bond, there are some great studs today, but not all bring that ability to be relevant in all disciplines like Chic.

The ability to compete across all disciplines made his offspring sought after in the reined cow horse industry, which ultimately led to Smart Chic Olena becoming an NRCHA $3 Million Sire. Chic sired three Snaffle Bit Futurity® champions, four World’s Greatest Horseman champions and eight foals that earned an excess of $100,000 in the reined cow horse.

“The rein cow horse represents kind of the ultimate versatility in a horse,” Bond said. “Those are traits that he passes on, which makes a great cow horse. They’ve got to be smart, and they’ve got to be athletic.”

In 2012, Smart Chic Olena was laid to rest, but his legacy continues to impact today’s performance horse world. He has been immortalized in the AQHA Hall of Fame and the NRHA Hall of Fame and has gained the same recognition in the reined cow horse industry.

“We’re just incredibly blessed that God put us all together for us,” Tiffiny said. “Here is a sire from 1985, and here it is 2023. Thank you to everybody who honored and saw him back then to nominate him for the Hall of Fame; it is a huge honor. We’re glad to be those honorees and to be able to preserve his legacy.”

In our opinion, he is probably one of the greatest allaround sires ever. If you look at the fact, he’s got multiple NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity champions, multiple NRHA Futurity champions, and world champions across multiple disciplines.”

—Trevor Bond

Rice and Roeser present Trevor and Tiffiny Bond with the plaque.

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

IDING THE WAVE R

With Clayton Edsall piloting, Von Cali has steadily climbed the Open standings to land in the Open Derby Champion spot at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

Von Cali is a “chill” horse with a lot of ability, according to trainer and National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Clayton Edsall, but his climb to the top of the derby-aged pack hasn’t been without its challenges. It all came together in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, though, where Edsall rode the K&L Phillips, LLC-owned gelding to a $50,000 payday and the win.

“He’s just a super nice horse to be around, very chill. I can’t say enough nice things about him as a horse in general; he is so kind,” Edsall said.

It was more than the horse’s kind heart that took him to the top with a composite 662 (H: 223/R: 218.5/C: 220.5). Von Cali (Stevie Rey Von x Hotel Cali x Smart Aristocrat) stayed consistent in three events while continuing to also show his strength in the herd work. Prior to this event, the gelding earned preliminary top honors in the herd work at the 2022 Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, and out of the herd placed second at the 2022 DT Horses Western Derby and fourth at the 2022 Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby.

In Las Vegas, Edsall piloted the roan to a 223, the top score in the Finals herd work.

“He's always had something special to him in the herd work,” said Edsall. “When you watch him, every time the cow wants to flick an ear or thinks about a turn, this horse [senses that] and lowers or waits on that cow. He is incredibly smart. It’s a neat feeling because you can cut the scariest cows in the bunch, and he can slow them down a little bit with his response to them.”

Top scores in the herd work helped launch Von Cali and Clayton Edsall into the Finals, and then claim the Champion title at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

2023 OPEN TOP 10

Las Vegas, Nevada – March 23-April 1, 2023 (Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)

1. Von Cali; Clayton Edsall; 18G (Stevie Rey Von x Hotel Cali x Smart Aristocrat); K&L Phillips LLC; 662 (H: 223/R: 218.5/C: 220.5); $50,000.

2. Metallic Daisy Dukes; Todd Bergen; 18M (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); Bit Of Heaven Ranch; 660 (H: 221/R: 218/ C: 221); $40,000.

3. Zak 34; Justin Wright; 18S (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucinda x High Brow Cat); Melissa Fischer; 658 (H: 218.5/R: 222/C: 217.5); $30,000.

4 (TIE). SJR Stylish N Smooth; Matt Koch; 19M (Smooth As A Cat x Stylish Little Oak x Playin Stylish); San Juan Ranch; 656.5 (H: 215.5/R: 218.5/ C: 222.5); $22,500.

4 (TIE). Metallic Casanova; Clay Volmer; 18S (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry x Spots Hot); Pitzer Ranch/Dack Cattle LLC; 656.5 (H: 219.5/ R: 219/C: 218); $22,500.

6 (TIE). Lookin For Hottstuff; Abigayle Mixon; 18S (Hottish x Hotstuff An Then Sum x Peptoboonsmal); Don Murphy/Desi Holt; 656 (H: 211/R: 218/C: 227); $13,500.

6 (TIE). WhatUTalkinAbout; Justin Wright; 19S (Smooth Talkin Style x Smart Blues x Smart Boons); Justin Ray Price; 656 (H: 220/R: 220.5/ C: 215.5); $13,500.

8. SJR Diamonds Justify; Matt Koch; 18G (CD Diamond x Highly Unlimited x High Brow Cat); San Juan Ranch; 655.5 (H: 219/R: 217/C: 219.5); $10,000.

9. Juliette Jonez; Sarah Dawson; 18M (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Linda Mars; 655 (H: 214.5 /R: 220 /C: 220.5); $8,500.

10 (TIE). Outfoxxed; Chris Dawson; 18S (Peptoboonsmal x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark); KK Performance Horses; 654 (H: 218 /R: 216.5 / C: 219.5); $6,750.

10 (TIE). Pepinstep; Matt Koch; 18S (One Time Pepto x Better Sue x Bet On Me 498); Flag Ranch LLC; 654 (H: 216/R: 219.5/C: 218.5); $6,750.

The Glade Knight-bred gelding’s cow savvy comes through down the fence, too. But the reining is one element Edsall has worked to put together. The pair’s fifth place finish at the 2023 Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby started an upward trajectory.

“He has always been outstanding on a cow; he stops so hard,” Edsall said. “He hasn’t wanted to break loose on his front end, so it’s been a bit of a struggle to figure out how to make that more presentable. We work at that a lot. It started to get better, and it was better in Fort Worth [at the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby]. It’s been like we survive the rein work, he’s always in the top end of the herd work, then we get to the fence work. We are finally getting a handle on the rein work and that is helping us stay competitive all the way through.”

Adding to the double-registered Quarter Horse and Paint Horse gelding’s more than $28,000 in NRCHA earnings is the $50,000 Derby purse and the Open Chrome Cash high score check for $1,555 from the preliminary rounds. Edsall says that while Von Cali is not finished showing, his future is set.

“When we bought him, he is obviously very attractive, and he is going to be Kathryn Phillips’ forever horse,” he said. “She has some of those horses I’ve shown, like Maliblu Barbie and Metallic Playmate, at her place in Carmel [California]. She enjoys horses and the plan all along is for him to be her horse in the end of it. I’ll show through the derbies, and I wouldn’t

MEET TETON RIDGE

Teton Ridge is a multi-platform brand devoted to the American Western way of life and western equine sports, and it is a proud corporate sponsor of the NRCHA. Owned by visionary entrepreneur Thomas Tull, Teton Ridge has stepped into the rodeo and performance horse arenas in a big way, including being the title sponsor of the NRCHA’s Stallion Stakes. Teton Ridge also operates a philanthropic foundation that funds land stewardship, fosters community by preserving America’s Western cultural heritage, and works to ensure the future of ranching and riding sports. tetonridge.com

be surprised to put him in the two-rein and the bridle, depending on what Kathryn wants to do. As hard as that horse stops, he’d be pretty spectacular in the steer stopping so maybe one day we will see him in the World’s Greatest [Horseman].”

Reserve Champion Metallic Daisy Dukes (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) and Todd Bergen earned $40,000 for owner Bit of Heaven Ranch. The 2018 mare, bred by Aaron Cook, and Bergen rode to a 660 composite (H: 221/R: 218/C: 221).

Horses sired by a stallion that is in the NRCHA’s Subscribed Stallion Program are eligible to compete in the Derby, both Non Pro and Open divisions, at the Stallion Stakes. The eligibility isn’t a limitation, though, according to Edsall, and doesn’t dampen the talent brough to compete.

“It's mind blowing how good the horses are and how good everybody’s training is,” he says. “It is pretty incredible to watch these Finals, horse after horse, where everybody is doing their homework, and everybody has really good horses. It is fortunate when it all comes together.”

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

“HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN OUTSTANDING ON A COW; HE STOPS SO HARD. HE HASN’T WANTED TO BREAK LOOSE ON HIS FRONT END, SO IT’S BEEN A BIT OF A STRUGGLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT MORE PRESENTABLE. WE WORK AT THAT A LOT."

—Clayton Edsall

Todd Bergen piloted the Aaron Cook-bred Metallic Daisy Dukes (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), owned by Bit Of Heaven Ranch, to Reserve and added $40,000 to both his and the 2018 mare’s earnings, with a 660 (H: 221/ R: 218/ C: 221).

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION

Abigayle Mixon rode Lookin For Hottstuff (Hottish x Hotstuff An Then Sum x Peptoboonsmal), a 2018 stallion bred by Wade Smith and owned by Don Murphy and Desi Holt, to the win with a 656 (H: 211/R: 218/C: 227) and $16,000 in the division.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Bettin Blind (Blind Sided x Bet on Merada x Bet On Me 498), bred by Aaron Ranch and owned by Debra Wattenburg, and James Milum rode to a composite 650.5 (H: 215.5/R: 215/C: 220) to take Reserve and $13,000.

LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

CR Be Lethally Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR High Brow Letha x High Brow Cat), a 2019 mare bred by Center Ranch, and Lilla Bell rode to a 634 (H: 213/R: 214/C: 205) to earn the title and $5,000 for owners Lacy and Wyatt Bourdet.

///////// NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION: OUR SPONSORS

Event Sponsors

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Daxon Buttars rode 2019 gelding CR Lookout Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat), bred by Center Ranch, to a 632 (H: 206 /R: 219/ C: 209) for Reserve, earning owner Sophia Buttars $4,000.

We’re proud to celebrate the partnership between you and your horse, so we created the Horse Care Loyalty Rewards Program. It’s our way of giving back and provides an opportunity for you to earn complimentary full-size supplements, fly control and grooming products that you use regularly.

• Receive 1 free product for every 5 purchased!*

• Earn rewards wherever you shop — your local retail store or online

• Extensive list of 15 products provides solutions for various horse care needs View

Keep him protected

LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION

Earning owner/breeder Ellie Willoughby $3,906, Cody Hanson and 2018 mare Shiners Voodoo Doll (Shiners Voodoo Dr x CR CD Slide x CD Lights) rode to a 638 (H: 207.5/R: 217/5/C :213).

LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Edward John rode Cats Tell Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel x One Time Pepto), bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC, to a 634 (H: 213.5/ R: 211/C: 209), earning owner Orlando Gonzalez $3,069.

NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

Jaymes Bond (Metallic Cat x Shortys Jay Ray x Dual Rey), a 2018 stallion bred by Fults Ranch LTD and owned by Pete Bonds, and Jordan Williams rode to a 660.5 (H: 218/R: 220.5/C: 222) for the win, earning $6,405.75.

NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Metallic Ruano (Metallic Cat x Royal Red Rosita x Smart Little Lena), bred by Billy Emerson and owned by Teton Ridge, and Todd Bergen picked up the title with a 658 (H: 218/R: 220/C: 218) and a check for $4,927.50.

HINY SWEEP S

Stephen Silva came roaring back to showing reined cow horses, capturing three Non Pro titles in Las Vegas, Nevada.

BY JENNIFER BISHOP | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

In September of 2022, Stephen Silva’s longtime trainer, Justin Wright, called to say he finally found the right horse for his client. As it turns out, Wright was right on the money. After qualifying for the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Finals and finishing 12th, Wright turned 2019 gelding DT Shiny N I Know It (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark) over to Silva to show in the 2023 Derby events.

Silva piloted the gelding to win the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and the Limited Non Pro divisions of the Derby at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada. The pair marked a total of 646 (H: 211/R: 218.5/C: 216.5) to win a total of $15,587.92—winning $10,000 in the Non Pro, $3,582 in the Intermediate Non Pro and in the Limited Non Pro, $2,005.92.

Since 2016, Silva has taken it easy and backed off showing while he worked on his business, invested time in his family and tuned into his favorite hobbies of music, wine and cooking, all while waiting for the right horse to come along. He enjoyed watching Wright show his horses in the Open and he still showed some in the Non Pro Bridle, but overall, he says he was regrouping.

Stephen Silva piloted DT Shiny N I Know It (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark) to win the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and the Limited Non Pro Derby titles at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes. The pair took home $15,587.92 for the win.

2023 NON PRO TOP 10

Las Vegas, Nevada – March 23-April 1, 2023 (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)

1. Stephen Silva; DT Shiny N I Know It; 19S (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark); Stephen Silva; 646 (H: 211/ R: 218.5/C: 216.5); $10,000.

2. Debbie Crafton; SJR SumKindaRockStar; 18S (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal); Debbie Crafton; 646 (H: 214/ R: 218/C: 214); $7,500.

3. Debbie Crafton; SJR Diamond Luna; 19M (CD Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat); Debbie Crafton; 645 (H: 216/R: 212.5/C: 216.5); $6,000.

4. Brent Ratliff; Seven S Red Hot; 19G (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Wild Flower x Nic It In the Bud); Brent Ratliff; 644.5 (H: 212/R: 216.5/C: 216); $4,500.

5 (TIE). Debbie Crafton; Ohh You Betcha; 19G (Bet Hesa Cat x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 638.5 (H: 208/R: 217.5/C: 213); $3,150.

5 (TIE). Lanham Brown; RAB Fly Lika Outlaw; 19G (Shiney Outlaw x RAB Go Peppy Fly x Gold Peppy Freckles); R.A. Brown Ranch; 638.5 (H: 211/ R: 215.5/C: 212); $3,150.

7. Elizabeth Kania; Hickory Dickory Time; 18G (Hickory Holly Time x Very Mild Remedy x Very Smart Remedy); Renee Dubois; 637.5 (H: 210/ R: 212.5/C: 215); $2,350.

8. Jayson Fisher; Wood U Just Do It; 18S (Woody Be Tuff x Spookys Cash x Hi Cash); Jayson and Teresa Fisher; 623.5 (H: 207/R: 213.5/C: 203); $1,900.

9. Nicole Westfall; Cat Like; 18S (Bet Hesa Cat x Smart N Katsi x Smart Lil Pepinic); Desiree or Jeff Westfall; 623 (H: 207/R: 217.5/C: 198.5); $1,650.

10. Kelli Buckley; One Royal Princess; 18M (One Time Royalty x Dillons Skarlet Chic x Matt Dillon Dun It); Mark Buckley; 622.5 (H: 209/R: 217/ C: 196.5); $1,650.

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Debbie

“In years past, I put so much pressure on myself to do well, and you know it got to be pretty stressful and I would put so much weight on winning or losing,” Silva said. “Coming into this year, I really just want to be a better horseman and keep coming to the shows.”

Silva’s motivation to show in the cow horse is a direct result of the passion displayed by the Non Pro’s around him.

“I drew a ton of inspiration at the 2023 Celebration of Champions, talking to fellow Non Pros in the warm-up pen just hearing their stories. It’s inspiring; it makes you want to be part of this group of people who are so enamored with cow horse and competing, yet want everyone to do well,” Silva said. “It’s a unique family.”

Of his accomplishments in the horse world, Silva is most proud of his newfound positivity and his journey in the cow horse. He wants to compete in NRCHA events for a long time and to do so he recognizes that his horsemanship will need to improve, his physical fitness will be

important, and his mental game may be the key piece of the puzzle. He defines success not by the amount of dollars and prizes he wins, but rather by the relationships he builds.

“Where I’m at in my life, I’m 45 years old, I think this was the vision I had for myself at 20 years old,” he said. “To have it actually happen and be where I want to be, not just with the horses and showing, but with all aspects of my life that are really starting to come together is kind of unbelievable. I feel incredibly fortunate.”

Silva looks forward to showing DT Shiny N I Know It through his derby and bridle years. He enjoys riding the gelding because he is easy to prepare and show, but overall, Silva says he wants to learn how to be a better showman.

Non Pro Reserve Champion Debbie Crafton piloted SJR SumKindaRockStar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal), bred by San Juan Ranch, to a 646 (H: 214/R: 218/C: 214) and earned $7,500. In total, the Non Pro Derby finalist rode for a $47,300 purse at the 2023 event.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Brent

Ratliff rode his 2019 gelding Seven S Red Hot (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Wild Flower x Nic It In The Bud), bred by Forst Ranch LLC, to a 644.5 (H: 212/R 216.5/ C: 216) and $4,500.

Crafton piloted three horses in the Finals, with SJR SumKindaRockStar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal), bred by San Juan Ranch, earning Reserve with a 646 (H: 214/R: 218/C: 214) and taking home $7,500.

“I DREW A TON OF INSPIRATION AT THE 2023 CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS, TALKING TO FELLOW NON PROS IN THE WARM-UP PEN JUST HEARING THEIR STORIES."

—Stephen Silva

LIMITED NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Austin Henstra and RTR Red Hot Remedy (Red Hot Metal x Foxy Little Remedy x Heart Of A Fox), a 2019 mare bred by Loren Macey and James Baker, took home the title with a 626.5 (H: 213/R: 215.5/C: 198), earning $1,576.09 for owner Abbigail Henstra.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO CHAMPION

Erin Hanson rode Shiners Voodoo Doll (Shiners Voodoo Dr x CR CD Slide x CD Lights), bred and owned by Ellie Willoughby, to a 641.5 (H: 210/R: 217.5/C: 214) for the win and earnings of $2,057.40.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Kelli Buckley piloted 2018 mare One Royal Princess (One Time Royalty x Dillons Skarlet Chic x Matt Dillon Dun It), bred and owned by Mark Buckley, to the Level 1 Non Pro Reserve that was awarded by preliminary scores.

SELECT CHAMPION

Meryl Reber and her horse, Full Send (Metallic Cat x Kittys Ruby x Dual Rey), bred by Nancy Burkes, received a check for $140 for scoring a 629.5 (H: 203/R: 212.5/ C: 214).

SELECT RESERVE CHAMPION

Eric Freitas and his 2018 gelding Nacho Librey (WR This Cats Smart x Reylishious x Dual Smart Rey), bred by Gloria Brigantino, took Reserve with a 629 (H: 206.5/ R: 210.5/C: 212).

NON PRO CHROME CASH

The American Paint Horse Association Non Pro Chrome Cash high-scoring horse was SJR Diamond Luna (C Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat), owned and shown by Debbie Crafton, with a 651 (H: 215.5/R: 216/C: 219.5), earning $885.

NON PRO BOXING

Aboard Blinded By The Boon (Blindsided x Tommy Boon x Thomas E Hughes), owned by Luke Jones, Erin Jones earned $2,998.80 for the Non Pro Boxing Derby win with a composite 641.5 (H: 211.5/R: 214 /C: 216)

NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION, NON PRO BOXING CHROME CASH

Calley Satriana rode her 2017 mare Wing Anda Prayer (Meteles Cat x Wings Ofa Lena x Quejanaisalena) to the win with a 641.5, earning $2,399.04. For the high scoring American Paint Horse Associationregistered horse, the duo earned another $650.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Riley Valin rode her 2018 mare Dual Timin Holly (Hickory Holly Time x Mister Red Pepper x Mister Dual Pep), bred by Sarah Kennedy, to the win 635.5 (H: 210/R: 212.5/C: 213) and earned $1,058.40.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

Bette Smith and Royal Blue Ruby (Once In A Blu Boon x Cats Ruby x High Brow Cat), bred by Jeffrey David Neidhart and owned by Micheal and Bette Smith, took Reserve with a 618.5 composite to earn $635.04.

SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Lori Adamski-Peek and her 2018 gelding One Metallic Spark (Metallic Cat x One Sparking Time x One Time Pepto), bred by Mark and Kimberly Rauch, took the win and earned $160 with a composite 634.5. (H: 209.5/ R: 215.5/C: 209.5)

SELECT NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION

Aboard her 2017 mare Katcinco (Hick Chicaroo x Kat Five x High Brow Cat), bred by Latigo Canyon Ranch, Becky Stockett took home $120 and the title with a 627.5 (H: 202/R: 214/C: 211.5).

Optimal Therapy for Your Four-Legged Partners

The therapy you trust for your horse, is now available as a sedation-free treatment for your dog.

PulseVet® therapy helps speed healing, resolve lameness, and manage chronic pain in just 1-3 treatments; and is covered by most veterinary medical insurance.

Successfully treats more than 20 equine and canine indications such as:

• Chronic Back Pain

• Tendon/Ligament Injuries

• Osteoarthritis

• Fractures

• Wounds

To find a veterinarian near you who offers PulseVet® shock wave therapy, visit Zomedica.com/pulsevet

To learn more, call or click Zomedica.com • 800.245.4417

info@zomedica.com

ANNIE’S ABSOLUTELY AWESOME

Horses and riders proved themselves with gusto in the Spectacular classes at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

BY LARRI JO STARKEY | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

Annies Smart Cat continued to add to his lifetime earnings with a victory in the Open Bridle Spectacular at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada. The win also qualified National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Lance Johnston for The Run for a Million Cow Horse Challenge, continuing Johnston’s string of great rides on the stallion that started with winning the NRCHA Open Bridle World Champion title in February.

Annies Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark), a 2016 stallion, marked a 219 in the herd work and a 216.5 in the rein work.

“I cut him good cows in the herd work,” Johnston said. “If I cut him good cows, he is usually pretty good. He’s always really stylish in the herd. In the reined work, we actually had a few little bobbles that weren’t quite what he normally is, but we scored enough to keep us in the ballgame and get to the fence work.”

The duo ended up working last in the first set of the fence work.

“In the fence work, he was phenomenal and the cow was really tough and really wild,” Johnston said. “He was with me every step of the way.”

They marked a 224, which put them in the lead.

“There were so many big-time horses left to go that I really didn’t think the score would hold,” Johnston said. “I was happy that I did as good as I did, but I didn't think it would hold. So, I was pretty excited at the very end when I found out it did hold and then even more excited when I found out that I made the Run for the Million.”

Annies Smart Cat is a chestnut stallion bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC and is owned by Rocking BS Ranch, owned by Brent and Suzie Steward. Originally, Johnston had the horse purchased from then-trainer Matt Koch for another client, but the horse and client didn’t mesh.

“I talked to Brent from Rocking BS, and I told him, ‘You need to buy this horse. This horse is a great horse.’ And I said, ‘If I don’t win $100,000 in a year and a half, we’ll send him to somebody that will.’ That’s how much I believe in the horse,” said Johnston. “At this last World Show, when I won the bridle World Championship, that put us over $100,000 [in earnings].”

The Stallion Stakes check for first place will add $11,720 to the stallion’s lifetime earnings of $103,740.

The competition was tight. Annies Smart Cat’s composite score of 659.5 was just a point higher than

Annies Smart Cat and Million Dollar Rider Lance Johnston followed up their NRCHA World Championship in Open Bridle with a win in the Open Bridle Spectacular at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes with a 659.5 composite. (H: 219/R: 216.5/C: 224).

the 658.5 scored by Sprinkld Confetticat (WR This Cats Smart x PPH Especial Nitro x Nitro Dual Doc), ridden by Shane Steffen, and by Kreyzy Horse (Dual Rey x Shes Twice As Smooth x Smooth As A Cat), shown by Kelby Phillips.

Johnston and his wife, Tammy, operate Johnston Performance Horses in Lindsay, California. Johnston has $1.3 million in lifetime earnings. He won the 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open and Intermediate Open with Here Comes The Boon (Once In A Blue Boon x Stay Outta My Shorts x Shorty Lena). Annies

Smart Cat was the 2021 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open Champion, the 2020 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Novice Horse Open Champion and the 2020 NRCHA Open Hackamore National Champion.

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR

From the beginning, Megan Waddell and Boonshinen have been together. That is, from the beginning of Boonshinen’s life.

“She is actually my first baby out of my retired show mare, Shine Up My Sliders,” Waddell said. “I still have her. I bred her to Smart Boons, and I’ve had ‘Betty’ since she was a baby.”

At the Stallion Stakes, Boonshinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders x Shiners Vintage) proved she’s not just a homebred, she’s a champion, as she and Waddell won the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle class and the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular.

“I halter broke her, taught her to tie and did all the baby stuff with her,” Waddell said. “I gave her all the love and booty scratches she desired. She’s a sucker for a good booty scratch! Corey Cushing started her as a 2-year-old for me. She was with him until the middle of her 3-year-old year, and she wasn’t going to make an Open horse for him. So, she came home to me.”

Waddell had been showing Boonshinen in boxing classes when she bargained with NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Chris Dawson.

“The year before last, I made a deal with Chris that if I won a major Derby on her, I would stop boxing and go down the fence,” Waddell said. “And then I won the [Western] Derby out in Arizona, so I had to buck up and live up to that deal I made. The first time I went down the fence was at Las Vegas last year in the two-rein. I honestly had zero idea what I was doing.”

A year later, what she’s doing is winning. At the Stallion Stakes, Waddell and Boonshinen marked a 145 in the herd work, 142.5 in the reined work and 144 in the cow work for a 431.5 composite score. The check for first place was for $5,335.

“When she was real little, she was kind of quirky,” Waddell said. “She couldn’t cross-tie—she had to be

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Abbie Phillips rode 2015 stallion Peptos Stylin Time The (One Time Pepto x Stylin Jewel x Docs Stylish Oak), a horse she co-owns with Kelby Phillips and that was bred by Hanging H Ranch LLC, to a 658 (H: 216.5/R: 221/C: 220.5), earning $2,576.

tied to an oak tree—and now she’s the safest horse. She has logged a lot of kid hours. My son Jackson climbs up and down her. She’s kid broke and just easy. Anybody can honestly ride her.”

In herd work, Waddell tends to become nervous. In Las Vegas, Betty took care of her.

“She’s kind of got it figured out now,” Waddell said. “You know, those cattle were a little tough. They were either really soft and didn’t want to do a lot, or they were a little pushy. But we got two good cuts, and she took care of it.”

Dawson had been riding the mare for a couple of weeks and had her tuned up, Waddell said, ready for all three events.

“She was really good for me in the reined work,” she said. “It wasn’t our biggest reined work mark that we’ve ever had, but she did everything I asked. I just didn’t quite have the speed for a huge, huge reined mark. And then I called for our cow, and that cow came out and was pretty soft and wasn’t doing a lot, so I thought, ‘Well, we’ll just go,’ And then we came around the corner and that cow took off.”

As the cow swept from zero to 60 in three strides, Betty stayed with it.

“She handled it like a champ,” Waddell said. “She stayed with it, and she got two good turns and got to the center and circled it up real good, and she loped that sucker right out of the arena.”

Waddell didn’t even care about the score; she was just proud of their accomplishments together. The win was their first major after being in the top five in

“THE YEAR BEFORE LAST, I MADE A DEAL WITH CHRIS THAT IF I WON A MAJOR DERBY ON HER, I WOULD STOP BOXING AND GO DOWN THE FENCE. AND THEN I WON THE [WESTERN] DERBY OUT IN ARIZONA, SO I HAD TO BUCK UP AND LIVE UP TO THAT DEAL I MADE."

—Megan Waddell

Limited Bridle and Non Pro Two Rein at the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions.

“The scores don’t matter. They don’t,” Waddell said. “Every time I step in the pen, it’s not to win. It’s simple. I pray that God keeps us safe—that we walk in and walk out the same way we came in. The success we have had is just a bonus.”

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR

A great partnership led to a great win for Landri Lisac in the Youth Bridle Spectacular at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes. Landri rode Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) to the highest score in the herd work, the reined work and the cow work, coming up with a composite of 431.5 and a commanding win.

“The herd work was a lot of fun, because we don’t get to do it a lot,” Landri said. “It’s always fun to do something different every once in a while. It was a little nerve-wracking because I just don’t do it a lot. I always get nervous for that event, so I just go in and try my best and just listen to Todd [Crawford] all the way through it, and it worked.”

Landri, a 15-year-old from Pueblo, Colorado, has been on a roll in the past year, winning the World Championship in Working Cow Horse at the 2022 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show, then followed that up with

NRCHA World Championships in Limited Non Pro Bridle, Non Pro Bridle and Youth Cow Horse at the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions held in February in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cat Walks Into a Bar, a 2014 gelding she calls “Grasshopper," was bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner. At the Stallion Stakes, Landri and the horse hopped their way into the title smoothly.

“Our reined work was really good and then our cow work was just smooth,” Landri said. “Our cow respected us, and Grasshopper did really good.”

In the years that Landri has been training with Crawford, she has learned to stay positive in any situation.

“He’s always been a very good role model and has always pushed me to be my best,” she said. “He’s been amazing. He always tells me to be smart and if something goes bad, just forget it and we’ll fix it later.”

Landri has been riding cow horse for seven years. Recently, she has been putting in the time and making runs to get better, she said, both in practices and at weekend shows.

“I just really like the event,” she said. “I love doing it. I love my horses, and I just love the people that do it and the people I’m around when I’m doing it. I would just like to thank my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother, my grandparents and then especially everybody at Todd Crawford Performance Horses.”

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Megan Waddell rode her homebred mare Boonshinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders Shiners Vintage) to a 431.5 composite (H: 145/R:142.5/C: 144) and $5,335.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Landri

Lisac rode Cat Walks Into A Bar to a 431.5 composite (H: 142/R: 145/C: 144.5) for $560 of the $1,400 purse.

“THE HERD WORK WAS A LOT OF FUN, BECAUSE WE DON’T GET TO DO IT A LOT.”

—Landri Lisac

Get at least 94% outof each hay bale with the revolutionary Hay Chix® hay net. University Tested. Veterinarian Approved.

TO RECEIVE 15% OFF YOUR NEXT ORDER!

NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Serafina Madonna and Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep) rode to a 431 (H: 143.5/R: 140/C: 147.5) to earn a check for $4,570.

YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Cole Hawk rode Playoff Time (A Chic In Time x Uno What Weeno x Smart Little Uno), bred by Broken B Ranch and owned by Hawk Family Trust, to a 437 (H: 144/ R: 146/C: 147) and $690.

THE RUN FOR A MILLION

AUGUST 16-19, 2023

• SOUTH POINT CASINO & HOTEL

• $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge

• $30,0000 XIT Cowboy Invitational

• Youth Cow Horse Invitational

For tickets and event details visit trfam.com

TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Smart Chic An Tari came back from rehab with a scorching cow run as she won the Open Two Rein Spectacular with NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Sarah Dawson aboard at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

“The last horse show she was shown at was as a 4-year-old in the Hackamore Classic,” Dawson said. “And then she got hurt, so we’ve been having a really long rehab process. It was super exciting for her to come back as strong as she did, because she’s an outstanding mare.”

In the herd work, Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) marked a 146, with a 146.5 in the reined work. The cow score of 150 was the highest in the class, for a composite of 442.5.

“Those cows were a little tricky,” Dawson said. “They were heifers, and they were real fast and did not have a lot of feel. The good thing about that mare is she’s very fast and she needs a fast cow to show off how dynamic she is. It was the perfect storm for her. The cow stayed fast through the whole run. It tried her real hard when it came out in the boxing, and we got two big turns each way. It circled up fast, and it just made it for one of those high degree-of-difficulty runs.”

Smart Chic An Tari had promising competitions when she was 3 and 4 until injury took her out of the show pen for a while.

“She’s always been an outstanding individual,” Dawson said. “She won the prelims at the Snaffle Bit

Futurity as a 3-year-old. She made all the Derby finals as a 4-year-old, and it was super unfortunate that she had to miss her 5-year-old year.”

Dawson and her husband, Chris Dawson, rehabbed the mare and were eager to see her back in action. She had been in the Dawson’s program since her 2-yearold year. The Stallion Stakes was the first show where Smart Chic An Tari was shown in the two-rein for money.

“She was outstanding,” Dawson said. “These tworein horses, you just never know what they’re going to do the first time one-handed. I was super thrilled with her. She was just fantastic and just took that bridle really good and didn’t really give me many green spots, especially on a cow. For the first time showing one-handed, she was just fantastic.”

The check for first place was for $6,500 to breeders and owners Aaron Ranch. The 2017 mare already has foals on the ground.

“[Aaron Ranch was] excited – just like us,” Dawson said. “We were so excited to see this mare back in the show pen. We’re super happy for them. Looking forward into the future, it’s really neat for them to have an amazing mare to add to their broodmare band.”

Smart Chic An Tari will compete in the bridle when her two-rein career is over.

“She’s a very gritty mare,” Dawson said. “She does everything so cool. She can stop a 1 and she can turn a 1, and she’s extremely smart on a cow. She’s one of the horses that doesn’t come along every day. The ultimate goal is to have a great bridle horse.”

Sarah Dawson rode Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) to top the Open Two Rein Spectacular and earned a check for $6,500 of the $32,500 purse.

"THE GOOD THING ABOUT THAT MARE IS SHE’S VERY FAST AND SHE NEEDS A FAST COW TO SHOW OFF HOW DYNAMIC SHE IS."

—Sarah Dawson

After 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is still the only FDA-Approved equine intramuscular PSGAG joint treatment available. And still the only one proven to:1, 2

Reduce inflammation

Restore synovial joint lubrication

Repair joint cartilage

Reverse the disease process

Adequan® i.m. actually treats degenerative joint disease, and not just the signs. Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® i.m. is the right choice for your horse. Learn more at adequan.com.

www.adequan.com

BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at 1-888-354-4857 or email pv@americanregent.com.

Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com.

1 Adequan® i.m. Package Insert, Rev 1/19.

2 Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703.

All trademarks are the property of American Regent, Inc.

© 2022, American Regent, Inc.

PP-AI-US-0373 (v2.0) 05/2022

First of its kind. Still one of a kind.

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Chantz Stewart had the privilege of introducing Shineyy to two-rein competition, and that introduction paid off for both of them at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular. Stewart has had Shineyy, a 2017 mare (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Little Lady Steps x Wimpys Little Step) bred by Xtra Quarter Horses LLC, since the mare was 4.

The judges marked her a 136 in the herd work, a 144.5 in the rein work and 145.5 in the cow work.

“The cattle were pretty tough, but I got through the herd work, and thankfully, my horse showed up for me down the fence,” Stewart said.

Her composite score of 426 was a halfpoint higher than Reserve Champion Tylor Todd, who was also on a Shiners Voodoo Dr-sired horse. Stewart began riding two-rein with the coaching of the late Sam Rose, then Jimmie Paul and Jim Paul Sr. Most recently, Stewart had been

riding with Doug Williamson. She really liked the sport, she said, once she became accustomed to having so many reins in her hand. Shineyy is her third two-rein horse, and she did most of the training herself at her family’s Stewart Ranch in Cave Creek, Arizona.

“[In competition], I always take it class by class, day by day,” Stewart said. “I’ve had a lot of good luck on that mare here lately, and she has stayed true and honest.”

Shineyy has presence, Stewart said, and their partnership clicked in Las Vegas. Shineyy originally had a different registered name, which Stewart changed because she prefers one-word registered names. The mare came with the barn name “Taylor,” for the singer Taylor Swift.

“I didn’t change it,” Stewart said. “I don’t change barn names!”

For the win, Stewart took home a check for $2,280. Todd’s second-place finish was good for $1,900. The class purse was $7,600.

REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION: OUR SPONSORS

Industry & Facility Partners

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Chantz Stewart rode Shineyy (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Little Lady Steps x Wimpys Little Step), bred by Xtra Quarter Horses LLC, to a check for $2,280 with a 426 (H: 136/R: 144.5/C: 145.5).

Breeder Sponsors

ORSE SHOW HHIGHLIGHTS

In March, the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes brought competitors from around the United States to Las Vegas, Nevada, to compete in a full slate of horse show classes. Here are the champions.

COMPILED BY CALLIE BOEVERS

Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) and Justin Wright took the win in the Open Bridle with a 449.5 (R: 224.5/C: 225). The 2015 stallion, bred by Taylor Carbo, and owned by Eric Freitas, earned a check for $5,304.

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

The Coyote Rock Ranch-bred 2016 gelding Lil Dusty Dual Rey (Dual Rey x Lil Dusty Lola x CD Royal) and Melvin Helmuth won the Limited Open Bridle for owner Paris Starn, marking a 426 (R: 214/C: 212) and earned $1,500 for the win.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Tracy Adams piloted her 2011 gelding, Perfect Light Time (CD Lights x BBR Perfect Timin x A Chic In Time), to claim titles in the Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle and Select Non Pro Bridle with a 287.5 (R: 141.5/ C: 146), earning a combined total of $4,650.

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

In the Non Pro Boxing and Select Non Pro Boxing, the win went to David Beckett and his horse, Cuttin Wright Up (Hes Wright On x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena). Beckett and the 2011 gelding bred by Garth and Amanda Gardner marked a 290 (R: 143.5/ C: 146.5), earning a check for $2,475 for both wins.

LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

Bailey Foster rode the San Juan Ranch bred gelding SJR Smooth Diamond (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark) to win the Limited Non Pro Boxing with a score of 286.5 (R: 143.5/C: 143) and earned a check for $330.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Starlight Time (One Time Pepto x Starlight Edition x Bobby Starlight) and Matt Frederick won the Intermediate Open Hackamore and ended up tied for reserve in the Open Hackamore for owner Raising Hal Cow Horses, LLC., marking a 285.5 (R: 143/C: 142.5). The 2019 stallion, bred by the Flag Ranch LLC, took home a check for $2,677.50 for both titles.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION

DJ Crafton and Doctor Spark (Very Smart Remedy x Magic Sparkles x Shining Spark) claimed the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing championship with a 288.5 (R: 143/C: 145.5) and earned a check for $763. The 2013 gelding was bred by J Pearson and is owned by Debbie Crafton.

OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Sargent Stryker (Metallic Cat x Cajuns Little Uno x Smart Little Uno) and Matt Koch marked a 290.5 (R: 144/C: 146.5) to win the Open Hackamore. Jeffery Simpson’s 2018 stallion, bred by Salt Fork Cattle Co., earned a check for $2,940.

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Winning the Limited Open division was Santanas Rey Gun (Hired Gun x Chickita Rey Santana x Short Of Santana), owned by Paris Starn, and ridden by Melvin Helmuth, with a total score of 282.5 (R: 142.5/C: 140). The 2018 gelding, bred by O’Neal Quarter Horses, brought home a winning check for $1,300.

HEADS TO TULSA JULY

NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Paris Starn and the 2018 gelding Santanas Rey Gun (Hired Gun x Chickita Rey Santana x Short Of Santana) marked a 290 (R: 144/C: 146) to earn a check for $1,560.

BOX DRIVE CHAMPION

Karlee Vandersnick rode Stylish Heritage (Docs Stylish Oak x Miss Meow x High Brow Cat) to win the Box Drive with a 291.5 (R: 144.5/C: 147) and earned a check for $1,250.

Alea Hansen showed 2011 mare Soula Shiner (Soula Jule Star x Nic A Shiner x Smart Shiner) to a 295.5 (R: 147.5/ C: 142) and took home the winner’s check for $231 in the Youth Boxing, and a 295.5 (R: 147.5/C: 148) in the 13 & Under.

YOUTH BOXING CHAMPION, YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Pictured in other event coverage:

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

The Intermediate Open Bridle and tied for Reserve Open Bridle honors went to Peptos Stylin Time (One Time Pepto x Stylin Jewel x Docs Stylish Oak) and Abbie Phillips. The pair marked a 441.5 (R: 221/C: 220.5) and earned a check totaling $4,492 for the wins.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Megan Waddell rode BoonShinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders x Shiners Vintage) to claim the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle with a 286.5 (R: 142.5/C: 144), collecting $1,554.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Landri Lisac and Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) took home the title in the Youth Cow Horse. Lisac and the 2014 gelding, bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, marked a 289.5 (R: 145/ C: 144.5) and earned $172.50 for the win.

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark), shown by Sarah Dawson, took top honors in the Open Two Rein for the owner and breeder Aaron Ranch. The 2017 mare marked a 296.5 (R: 146.5/C: 150) to win the Open Two Rein and earned $3,300.

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Chantz Stewart showed her 2017 mare Shineyy (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Little Lady Steps x Wimpys Little Step), bred by Xtra Quarter Horses LLC, to a 290 (R: 144.5/C: 145.5) to win the Non Pro Two Rein and took home $1,260.

YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Lane Jones and LA Smart Chicoreys (Smart Chic Olena x Dual Reys Belle x Dual Rey) won the Youth Cow Horse 13 & Under division with a 273 (R: 141/ C: 132). The 2016 mare was bred by David Pratt and owned by Luke Jones.

THE RUN FOR A MILLION QUALIFIER ADVANCES FIVE TO LAS VEGAS

The National Reined Cow Horse Association kicked off the qualifying events for the 2023 The Run For A Million at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, held March 23-April 1. Five riders qualified to advance to The Run For A Million, which returns to the South Point Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, August 16-19.

Previously, it was announced that in 2023, the NRCHA will host three qualifiers, each of which will take five riders to the event in August. The second qualifying event will be at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, May 31-June 10. The third qualifier will be held at the MARS Equestrian™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, July 24-30, which will be run concurrently with the World’s Greatest Non Pro.

In Las Vegas, 74 entries vied for the five spots and the qualifier was run concurrently with the Open Bridle class.

Complete event information regarding The Run For A Million, including room reservations and ticket sales, is available at trfam. com. Visit nrcha.com for information about the upcoming NRCHA qualifiers.

5. LANCE JOHNSTON rode 2016 stallion Annies Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark), owned by Rocking BS Ranch, to a 440.5 (R: 216.5/C: 224).

1. JUSTIN WRIGHT rode 2015 stallion Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), owned by Eric Freitas, to a 449.5 (R: 224.5/C: 225).

2. SHANE STEFFEN rode 2015 mare Sprinkld Confetticat (WR This Cats Smart x PPH Especial Nitro x Nitro Dual Doc), owned by Julia Jaspen, to a 441.5 (R: 214/C: 227.5).

3. ABBIE PHILLIPS rode 2015 stallion Peptos Stylin Time (One Time Pepto x Stylin Jewel x Docs Stylish Oak), owned by Kelby and Abbie Phillips, to a 441.5 (R: 221/C: 220.5).

4. CLAYTON EDSALL rode 2014 stallion Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark), owned by K&L Phillips LLC, to a 441 (R: 222.5/C: 218.5).

PRESENTED

BY

Official Wellness Partner of the NRCHA

Mare reproductive wellness begins and ends with nutrition.

Mares are seasonally polyestrus, meaning they naturally cycle several times during certain seasons of the year. Since pregnancy in a horse lasts about 11 months, five days, they were designed to foal when the grass is green and the days are warm. To accomplish this goal of foaling when the days are warm and long, mares must breed back quickly after foaling. This means they must cycle.

The reason mares are designed to foal in the late spring and early summer is because they will have plenty of grass or nutrition to produce milk and maintain body weight. A mare’s body weight is the No. 1 factor in my opinion in determining how well a mare cycles.

Mares are supposed to cycle every 21 days. There are many things that throw them off course. They are designed to cycle when the days are their longest. That is around the summer solstice the third week of June. You can move cycling up in the calendar by placing mares under artificial lighting—16 hours of light stimulate the pineal gland in a mare’s brain to wake up her reproductive organs. If it’s the right time of year, such as when the days are long, nutrition or the lack of it will disrupt a mare’s ability to cycle correctly.

Transitional estrus or “transition” is when the mare’s reproductive cycle is erratic. She may build follicles and regress them. She might short cycle herself or have prolonged estrus where she builds a follicle and won’t ovulate it.

Mares cycle the best when they are gaining weight. Conversely, they cycle the worst when they are losing weight. A skinny, dry mare on poor nutrition and not gaining weight is not going to cycle correctly even if the days are long. The same is to be said of the post-foaling mare that’s milking hard. If she’s receiving poor nutrition, she’ll use all her energy to make milk and feed her foal. Nothing will be left to give her energy to cycle back.

The perfect body score or body condition for a brood mare to cycle from a practical standpoint is when you can feel their ribs but not see them. I don’t like them too fat or too skinny. Fat mares don’t cycle well either.

I’m comfortable with a dry mare being a little thin in October and November. This body condition allows her body to shut down, so to speak, when the days are getting shorter and losing a little weight is a good strategy. This is followed with artificial lighting beginning December 1 and increased nutrition if your goal is to breed by or on February 15. If your mares put on 75 to 100 pounds between December 1 and February 15, and are getting 16 hours of bright light a day, I can almost guarantee they will be cycling.

However, you can’t use the same strategy with pregnant mares. They need solid nutrition and stable weight the entire pregnancy. The last trimester is the most important because all the micronutrients the foal needs are delivered to it during this period. The most important thing to

help post-foaling mares cycle back is to at least maintain and not lose body weight. They need to turn into eating machines, especially if they are heavy milkers.

Reproductive wellness and cycling begin and end with nutrition. You can have a mare under lights, but if she isn’t gaining weight, or worse losing weight, she won’t cycle very well. If you have any questions, contact your local veterinarian.

Joe Carter, DVM Oklahoma Equine Hospital  Official NRCHA Veterinarian

Your horse deserves the right nutrition to be their best. Nutrena’s online feed selector helps evaluate the feed suited for each horse’s age, condition, and activity level.

Scan the code or visit: NutrenaWorld.com/horse-feed-selector

FROM THE

With a big move to Tulsa, Oklahoma, the NRCHA Hackamore Classic once again gains its own spotlight.

PRESENTED BY KALPOWAR QUARTER HORSES

Every single phase of Vaquero traditional training methods holds value and merit for the longevity of cow horses, from their start in snaffle bits to hackamores to tworein setups to bridles. As such, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Foundation is delighted to see the NRCHA Hackamore Classic get its own stage once again as a premier event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, June 24–30, 2023, at the Tulsa Expo Square.

“The art of the hackamore and the steps of training in the hackamore are so important to getting our bridle horses soft in the mouth,” shared NRCHA Hall of Famer Bobby Ingersoll. “If a horseman chooses to bypass this phase, it’s not in the best interest of the horse. A horse’s mouth doesn’t mature until he’s 5 years old, so protecting it by going from snaffle to hackamore is an essential part of the training process.”

By once again putting the Hackamore Classic in its own spotlight, it creates an opportunity to highlight and celebrate this part of reined cow horse’s traditional training principles, encouraging Open and Non Pro riders alike to learn more about the equipment and its role in training cow horses.

“It’s not the easiest piece of equipment to use,” Ingersoll admitted. “It has to fit correctly—if it hangs too low, it has constant contact with the horse’s chin and nose and can make them go numb—and the nose

piece can’t be too stiff or too soft, but it must have life to it. It’s very important not to lose the art of using a hackamore.”

NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel echoed Ingersoll’s sentiment about the event’s importance.

“The Hackamore Classic is a historical event for NRCHA,” she said. “We’re pleased with the growth we’ve seen over the past few years while hosting the Hackamore Classic at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, and we’re ready for this event to again stand on its own. Tulsa Expo Square is a top-notch facility that will be a great home to one of our premier events.”

“BY ONCE AGAIN PUTTING THE HACKAMORE CLASSIC IN ITS OWN SPOTLIGHT, IT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT AND CELEBRATE THIS PART OF REINED COW HORSE’S TRADITIONAL TRAINING PRINCIPLES.”

Let’s celebrate tradition and a new stage for hackamore horses to shine by honoring NRCHA’s past and looking forward to the future this summer in Tulsa. For more information on this event, visit nrcha. com/events/hackamore-classic/.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Boyd Rice ■ Vice President: Paul Bailey ■ Secretary: Todd Crawford ■ Treasurer: Trey Neal

Executive Committee Members: Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Ben Baldus, Dr. Joe Carter

Board Members: Diane Edwards, Amanda Gardiner, Lance Johnston, Jay McLaughlin, Dan Roeser, Jon Roeser, Beverly Servi, Jake Telford, Cayley Wilson

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY

AFFILIATES

Chairperson: Jay McLaughlin jaymclaughlinperformancehorses@gmail.com 417-861-6963

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: Lance Johnston jphperformancehorses@gmail.com | 805-550-8387

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

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Chairperson: TBD

NON PRO

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

OWNERS

Chairperson: Abrian Bass harris.abrian@gmail.com | 817-517-3006

PROFESSIONALS

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

RULES

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

SHOWS

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

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

SPONSORSHIP

Chairperson: TBD

STALLION SERVICE AUCTION

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

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Chairperson: TBD

YOUTH

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer Shubrick3@gmail.com | 719-330-1932

STAFF

Executive Director: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com

Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com

Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine kasydi@nrcha.com

Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary tina@nrcha.com

Programs Manager: Jennifer Bishop jennifer@nrcha.com

Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor ashley@nrcha.com

Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek taylor@nrcha.com

Youth & Recognition Coordinator: Bailey Carter bailey@nrcha.com

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

Jeffry Heyer

Phone: 508-221-1358

Email: jrhyer@comcast.net

Website: www.azrcha.com

Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association

Jennifer Black

1600 Mapledale Rd

Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Phone: 717-433-5357

Email: ARCHASecretary.2022@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

Emily Parry

PO Box 88

Trinidad, CO 81082

Phone: 970-520-1069

Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com

Website: www.coloradoreinedcowhorse.com

AFFILIATE LISTING

Current as of May 1, 2023

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

Laura Kiracofe

P.O. Box 1375

Caldwell, ID 83606

Phone: 208-409-5656

Email: laurakiracofe@yahoo.com

Website: www.idahoreinedcowhorse.com

Italian Reined Cow Horse Association

Laura Ruffino Vercellino

Via Grilloni 25

22100 Como ITALY

Phone: +39 347 26 22 783

Email: segreteria.ircha@gmail.com

Website: 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

Robyn Englert

Phone: 702-768-3224

Email: rocketdog2333@yahoo.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

Deb Carruth

Email: debcarruth@hotmail.com

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

Debbie Pilgoret

P.O. Box 302

Newburg, OR 97132

Phone: 503-318-7339

Email: nwreinedcowhorse@gmail.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

1111 E Poe Prairie Rd

Millsap, TX 76066

Phone: 979-218-0633

Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com

Website: www.strcha.org

AFFILIATE LISTING

Current as of May 1, 2023

Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association

Roy Rich

Phone: 951-529-6258

Email: socalrcha@aol.com

Website: ltht@airenetworks.com

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance

Debra Motichek

Phone: 985-373-8347

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

Rachael Snow

4807 Shadecrest Dr.

Nashville, TN 37211

Phone: 615-405-5219

Email: volunteerranchhorseassociation@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, Martinez, CA

Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL

Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA

Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX

Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE

A finance charge of 1.5% per month (18% 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 May 1, 2023

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

Kaleigh King, Overbrook, Oklahoma

LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show

SHOW SCHEDULE

as of May 1, 2023

May 19-21 NERCHA Spring Fling HS, cat.1 Jerseyville, ON Northeastern RCHA Deb Carruth 905-818-5033 debcarruth@hotmail.com

May 20-21 NARCHC Cow Horse Show HS, cat.1 Ponoka, AB Northern Alberta RCHC Shawna Husted 403-875-1369 nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com

May 20-21 PRCHA Windy City HS, cat.1 Amarillo, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy 580-276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

May 25-28 IRCHA Classic Derby & Horse Show HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Nampa, ID Idaho RCHA Reanna Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

May 25-28 Cowtown Derby & Stockhorse Show HS, LAE, cat.1 Nanton, AB Alberta RCHA Teri Cleawater 306-544-7621 justaboutranch@gmail.com

May 27-28 ARCHA Circle G Ranch Classic Show HS, cat.1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

June 3-4 GCCHA June Show HS, cat.1 Sarasota, FL Gulf Coast CHA Claudia Nichols (772) 321-9637 claudia.horseshow@gmail.com

June 9-11 Sinsheim Open HS, LAE, cat.1 Sinsheim, Germany Sylvia Bate

49-160-844-4813 sylvia.bate@web.de

June 10 MSCHA Show #1 HS, cat.1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura@midstatecowhorseassociation.com

June 1-17 Hackamore Classic & Horse Show #3 HS, LAE, cat.1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA Otto De Fazio

June 15-18 Dave Grashuis Memorial Spectacular and Derby HS, LAE, cat.1

June 16-18 NARCHC Wildrose Derby & Horse Show HS, LAE, cat.1

June 16-18 Summer Classic HS, LAE, cat.1

Winnemucca, NV Nevada RC & CHA

Laura Norman

Ponoka, AB Northern Alberta RCHC Shawna Husted

39338-886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

559-760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com

403-875-1369 nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com

Andalusia, AL Southern RCH Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 tina.showentries@gmail.com

June 16-18 NYRCHA Silver Spur Classic HS, cat.1 Columbiana, OH New York RCHA

June 22-25 NCRCHA June 2023 Show HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Winona, MN North Central RCHA

June 24-25 CMRCHA The Broken Arrow Classic HS, LAE, cat.1 Sheridan, WY Central Montanta RCHA

June 24-25 CRCHA Tulare Summer Series Horse Show #6 HS, cat.1 Tulare, CA California RCHA

June 25-25 ARCHA Quaker Classic HS, cat.1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Schueller (641) 590-1041 jenschueller21@gmail.com

Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

Norman 559-760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Pfeifer 585-749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

July 7-9 Grant Berg Memorial HS, cat.1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com

July 7-9 PRCHA Red Dirt Rendezvous HS, LAE, cat.1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy 580-276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

July 8- 9 NWRCHA Day In The Park HS, cat.1 Cle Elum, WA Northwest RCHA

July 8-9 NYRCHA Cowhand Classic HS, cat.1 Bloomsburg, PA New York RCHA

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

Cindy Pfeifer 585-749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

July 14 Calgary Stampede Cow Horse Spectacular HS, cat.2 Calgary, AB Robyn Kurbel 403-261-0162 rkurbel@calgarystampede.com

July 15-16 CRCHA Tulare Summer Series

Horse Show #7 HS, cat.1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman 559-760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

July 24-30 NRCHA Hackamore Classic HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Tulsa, OK NRCHA 940-488-1500 entries@nrcha.com

July 26-29 Pre-Futurity & Horse Show HS, LAE, cat.1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA Otto De Fazio 39-338-886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

July 26 California Mid-State Fair HS, cat.1 Paso Robles, CA Kelley Hartranft 714-267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com

Aug 5 MSCHA Show #5 HS, cat.1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura@midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Aug 8-14 SRCHA Pre Futurity & Horse Show HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Fort Worth, TX Southwest RCHA Gay Lentz (405) 818-7556 glentz@lentzenterprises.com

Aug 12-13 CRCHA Tulare Summer Series Horse Show #8 HS, cat.1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman 559-760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Aug 22-27 2023 National Stock Horse Assoc. National Stock

Pre-Futurity HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Las Vegas, NV Horse Association Kelley Hartranft 714-267-5912 nshaentries21@gmail.com

Sept 4-10 Snaffle Bit Classic + Nations Cup + Friedrichshafen, Horse Show HS, LAE, cat.1, cat.2 Messe, Germany European RCHA Otto De Fazio 39-338-886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

Sept 8-10 Cow Horse Classic HS, cat.1

Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com

Sept 20-24 Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity HS, LAE, cat.1 Kalispell, MT Montana Reined Reanna Dillman

Sept 21-24 PRCHA Fall Into Autumn HS, cat.1

Sept 23-24 NARCHC Fall Cow Horse Show HS, cat.1

Oct

Oct

Nov 8-11 Futurity + Autumn Show + Horse Show #6 HS, LAE, cat.1

Nov 8-12 CRCHA Tulare Fall Classic Futurity, Derby & Horse Show #9 HS, LAE,

Nov

303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com Cowhorse Futurity INC

nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com