Nick Dowers and Cabanna Boy went from 16th to 1st in the Kimes Ranch Western Derby Open, thanks to a ‘monster run.’
Debbie Crafton and Hesa Wee Bet clenched the first-ever NRCHA World’s Greatest Non Pro title.
Find the latest information and purchase tickets for the Snaffle Bit Futurity® presented by Metallic Cat and other NRCHA events at nrcha.com/events/
Unable to attend the Run For A Million? No fear, the champion’s videos are online at NRCHA.com Learn about the winners of the 2023 Cow Horse Challenge and the Youth Fence Challenge.
Be sure to view, download and review the 2023 Rule Book before you head to the show pen! Find it at www.nrcha.com/ rule-book/
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 | 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: Jennifer Paulson | 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
e challenge of completing a cow run hooks most reined cow horse competitors, but understanding how to manage cattle—that takes experience.
By Kate Bradley Byars
NRCHA welcomed the iconic clothing brand to its sponsor roster for the 2023 Kimes Ranch Jeans Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona.
WHEN YOU SPEND 25 YEARS ON ANY CAREER PATH, you see a lot of change. You’re part of sweeping revolutions that forever alter the course of the industry. You witness milestones being crossed and records being set. You see perspectives evolve, newcomers become veterans and veterans become icons.
When I began my career as an equine media professional in 1998, I never fathomed that a blockbuster TV show about a Montana ranch would have my nonhorse friends clamor to learn more about “my world.” Nor that horses and professionals that I cut my teeth writing about would become multi-million dollar riders and producers. Those big, sweeping changes are almost never on a radar that helps predict what’s to come.
While change is inevitable, tradition remains core to the Western industry. Without our roots, we wouldn’t be where we are now. That’s something I’ve always admired about the reined cow horse community—its deep respect for the Western way of life, the horses that help us do our jobs and the traditions that got us to where we are today, while still pushing the envelope to do better, be better and improve the quality of our stock.
As I’ve come along in the Western performance industry, I have to admit: Reined cow horses and their people have always been some of my favorites. I’ve attended nearly every major Western event, from futurities to national finals, cutting to rodeo to reining, and the NRCHA’s events stand out as some of the most fun, engaging and memorable. I vividly remember setting foot in the Reno Livestock Events Center for my first Snaffle Bit Futurity® in 1999. The excitement and emotion resonate in my mind, even after all these years. It’s the same kind of memory the first time I covered the World’s Greatest Horseman at the Lazy
E and the significant horse power it took to win that coveted title. I was lucky to share that feeling when I took a protégé to her first Hackamore Classic when it was held in Pueblo, Colorado. Simply put, cow horses are core memories for me.
That’s why, when I was presented with the chance to join NRCHA’s team as editor of Reined Cow Horse News, it just made sense. I thrive on telling these stories, chronicling history-making events and evolutions and sharing ideas for training and caring for our horses, all while remembering—and continuing to learn about—where we came from.
I’m excited to meet riders, owners and other members along this journey so we can work together to keep cow horses—and their stories—front and center for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.
Jennifer Paulson, Editor
WHO’D HAVE EVER THOUGHT we’d face the incredible popularity of the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during The Run For A Million? It’s definitely upped the stakes for NRCHA professionals and owners, and not just because of the money that’s on the line. Attending the qualifiers held during the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, the Kimes Ranch Western Derby and the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, you can see what a huge deal it is for the 15 riders to get qualified for the opportunity to compete on that stage. The level of horsemanship and competition is unbelievable. You can see complete lists of the qualifiers from Scottsdale, Arizona, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, on pages 108 and 154.
Our owners definitely want to see their horses compete in the Cow Horse Challenge—it’s special for them. It’s also something that could boost their horses’ careers in the breeding barn and their notoriety. So, it’s not just the riders feeling the extra motivation to make that list of 15 who get to show.
My advice to anyone trying to qualify for this event in the future: Go through the experience. Put it all out there, and know what’s going to happen will happen. You can show as hard as you and your horse can, and still not make the list— something can always go wrong. There’s always another horse show, and your horse has a bright future.
One thing to remember: No matter the stakes—be it fame, money or notoriety—our horses always come first. I know that the win is about the rider and the owner, too, but without the horse, we’re not getting that win. We don’t raise our sport’s visibility, nor do we make people want to try our sport, without the horses having unbelievable mental strength and athleticism while being in good condition.
I hope to see you all at the South Point Casino on August 18. I know you’ll represent our sport well and support its growth and the growing spotlight shining on us!
—Boyd Rice
BELLE VINTAGE 2022 smoky black mare (A Vintage Smoke x Nics Sexy Chexy, by Big Chex To Cash).
CIRCLE V HASHTAG 2022 bay stallion (Hashtags x Rivers Edge, by Playin Attraction). Dam PE $1,533.
DRESSED FOR REVENGE 2022 bay stallion (Hashtags x ARC Cat Her Please, by Chic Please).
Dam LTE $127,217. Dam PE $125,871. Dam’s siblings earned: $362,896.
FANCY LIKE WOODY 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tuff x Fancy Frostina, by Smart Little Lena). Dam LTE $104,631. Dam PE $426,511.
IM COUNTIN TIME 2022 sorrel stallion (Im Countin Checks x Holly Time Twist, by Hickory Holly Time). Dam is half sister to money earner.
QS SMOKIN TELESIS 2022 bay roan stallion (Meteles Cat x Smokin Morona, by Smokin Playgun).
REBELS PLAYMATE 2022 red roan stallion (Metallic Rebel x Starlight Playmate, by Grays Starlight). Dam LTE $13,872. Dam PE $95,528.
SHES ALL DRAMA 2018 sorrel mare (WR This Cats Smart x One Fancy Time, by One Time Pepto). 2 ET - Dual Reyish ‘24, Return Breeding - Cool N Hot ‘24. Dam LTE $48,855. Dam PE $237,442.
SMOOTH ANNA REY 2022 bay mare (Smooth As A Cat x Dual Reyann, by Dual Rey). Dam LTE $5,621. Dam PE $9,043.
STEVIES BUGATTI 2022 red roan mare (Stevie Rey Von x Lillys Bugatti, by A Shiner Named Sioux). Dam is a money earner. Dam’s siblings earned: $377,962. THE LOVE TRAIN 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tuff x Metallic Train, by Metallic Cat). Dam LTE $181,000. Dam’s siblings earned: $308,444. $377,962. WOODA SHOUDA COUDA 2022 sorrel stallion (Woody Be Tuff x Autumn Kitty, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $78,270. Dam PE $156,634. Dam’s siblings earned: $1,912,512.
Eduardo Elizondo
OUR PILLOW TALK 2021 red roan mare (Smooth Talkin Style x Our Special Kitten, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $140,206. Dam PE $75,369. Dam’s siblings earned: $490,119.
Seller - Gardiner-Miller Horses
REYISSH RAMBO 2021 sorrel gelding (Dual Reyish x Tuesday Kitty, by High Brow Cat). Dam is a money earner. 2nd dam LTE $208,455. 2nd dam PE $1,491,337.
RSR LITTLE STEVIE 2021 red roan gelding (Stevie Rey Von x Cats Savannah, by High Brow Cat). Dam LTE $48,655. Dam PE $15,407.
Buyer - Eduardo Elizondo TR SOMEONELIKEYOU 2021 sorrel stallion (Dont Stopp Believin x Adelle, by Metallic Cat). Dam LTE $74,337. Dam PE $49,939. Dam’s siblings earned: $681,036.
Yearling Requirements
— Must be out of a mare with one of the following:
• Won $100,000
• Open/Non-Pro World Champion
• Won a Triple Crown Event Open/Non-Pro
• Producer of- $200,000 in offspring earnings
- Triple Crown Open / Non-Pro Event Champion - Open / Non-Pro World Champion
— HERDA test results required
— Must be nominated to the NCHA Super Stakes Stallion Foal Program
— Radiographs required (all yearlings / all sessions)
Broodmare Requirements
— Must be 15 years of age or younger Must be in foal or selling with an embryo If oldest foal crop is less than 4 years old must have won $100,000
— If oldest foal crop is at least 4 years old must have produced earners of $100,000
— 5 Panel Test Results required (all broodmares / all sessions)
Requirements
Contact Jeremy Barwick for breeding stallion qualification 254-485-2542 (cell)
Limited to the First 60 Qualified Completed Entry Contracts
Separating horses at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, was no easy task for the judges. The depth and quality of horses and the showmanship level keeps getting better. With that said, the judges must consistently score the runs for what they’re worth—good or not so good. This takes focus, knowledge and the ability to mark the score sheets to reflect what actually happened during the run. Most works have ups and downs, so the key to coming up with a score that reflects both the good and not-so-good is balance. The score can be closer to one side or the other, but it should acknowledge what actually happened based on the facts of the work. Did the exhibitor make a fence turn in both directions? Yes, that’s a fact. How good were the turns? That’s an opinion.
NRCHA’s judging system isn’t as penalty-oriented as some other disciplines. If a penalty is obvious, the judge should assess it. If the judge isn’t sure if a penalty happened but knows something didn’t seem correct, dropping the maneuver score a notch or two should address what happened without having to justify a “phantom” penalty. There can be challenges with judging the herd work. Did they start the run with good, clean cuts in the middle of the pen? Were they in sync with the cow? Were they even on both sides? Did they have correct form, with any degree of difficulty? It’s very hard to accomplish these positives on three cows. That’s where balanced scoring comes in. Score the first two cows individually, average the first two scores and then go up, down, or stay the same on the last cow to come up with the one score that reflects the whole run. Some penalties are difficult to keep consistent: the one-point loss of working advantage, the one-point penalty for working out of position, the hot quit, and the switch while cutting. Excessive herd help can also be challenging to stay consistent and correct on unless they obviously make a save, which is major penalty. If it’s obvious, take the penalty; if not, use the run content to get the score correct.
In the reined work, it’s important to understand the definition of credit: smoothness, finesse, attitude,
quickness and using controlled speed that raises the difficulty level. When you throw in pleasing to watch, it covers a lot of ground. These guidelines are helpful because of the multitude of showing styles and training techniques. Speed doesn’t help the score if the maneuver doesn’t have correct form. The overall consistency of the work is more important than a run that’s very good in spots and average in others. Lead changes can be one of the most difficult penalties to consistently and correctly call. Did they miss the center by more than 5 feet on either side? Are they more than two strides past the correct lead change area before they change leads? If they’re out of the box (defined as two strides before dead center in the lead change area or two strides past the lead change area) one stride, the maneuver score should be dropped. If more than one stride, assess a one-point penalty for being out of lead.
The cow work is all about position and control. If you consistently maintain those two things while working a cow, you’re in the credit-earning area. Add degree of difficulty and form to the equation, and that’s what it’s all about. The luck of the draw comes into play, but if position and control are accomplished, there’s still a chance for a good to real good score.
Two maneuvers are helpful in separating runs: fence-turn form and circling-up location. To accomplish a plus-1 fence turn, the entry must be accurate, the turn itself must have controlled form and the exit must be in control of the cow. On occasion, the horse reads a cow so well that the entry is almost perfect, the horse melts into the ground on the turn and exits right where he’s supposed to be. That’s a plus-2 turn. Usually this only happens on the first turn, but it should be recognized and rewarded. If you don’t know how a horse could do a maneuver any better, that’s a plus-2 in the cow work. For circling up, some exhibitors manage to circle in an open part of the arena, away from the fences and the end of the arena. This is very hard to do consistently, but if accomplished, it shows position and control and a good finish to the work.
Bill Enk, NRCHA Director of Judges
SPEED DOESN’T HELP
THE SCORE IF THE MANEUVER DOESN’T HAVE CORRECT FORM THE OVERALL CONSISTENCY OF THE WORK IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A RUN THAT’S VERY GOOD IN SPOTS AND AVERAGE IN OTHERS.”
—Bill Enk
“
Our cow horse family is always growing, and it gets even better when we add our friends! Lucky for us, there are many reasons to join the cow horse family. Here are some of the reasons to convince your pals to join NRCHYA.
First of all, NRCHA is family friendly and everyone has a good time, whether it’s participating in games for youth or cheering on your buddies during rides they worked so hard to make.
Next, the cow horse family is full of quality people who are always on your team. We always see others giving confidence-boosting advice, holding horses while contestants put on their chaps or helping in the herd work. Everyone jumps to help you.
One of the most remarkable things about the NRCHA is our youth. The NRCHYA has a board full of great members. These youth board members are hardworking and dedicate their time to the association, and we appreciate each and every one of them. Thank you to Bailey Carter, Sarah Clymer, Todd Crawford, Kristen Cushing and so many others for your amazing work, dedication and heartwarming pride for the cow horse community and the youth!
NRCHYA never has a dull moment and organizes all kinds of activities, games and parties that allow youth members to relax and have even more fun than they already do at shows. For example, during the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby, our youth and many others participated in activities throughout the week. There was messy kickball, the cutest costume lead-line class, a challenging egg-and-spoon obstacle course, horse pong and a claw machine, just to name a few. These activities bring our youth closer together, no matter the age difference.
Finally, NRCHYA ensures that everyone is included. Whether it’s your first time showing in lead-line or you’re on your way to college, our youth group ensures that every youth member has a blast.
—Lilly Gilson, reporterTop: The Kimes Ranch claw machine was a hit with youth riders— and even adults!
Middle: We have fun showing our horses in the arena, but we have a lot of other fun times together, too.
Below: Youth of all ages and from different parts of the United States make up NRCHYA, which makes it a great family to join.
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NRCHA is proud to welcome Rafter P Construction as a new corporate partner and the Official Builder of NRCHA.
“A partnership with NRCHA was a no-brainer for the Rafter P Construction family,” said Brad Pryor, owner and founder of Rafter P Construction.” Farm and ranch communities across the country have been impacted by the lengths and strides taken by the entire NRCHA team over the years. The NRCHA platform has impressed us so much from the sidelines that Rafter P Construction decided it was time to step up to do our part in helping shape the future of the sport of reined cow horse and this traditional style of horsemanship. I look forward to a great partnership as the Official Builder of NRCHA, and all the exciting things in store for the upcoming year.”
As a leader in the farm and ranch industry, Rafter P Construction specializes in designing and building leading-edge structures that
will last a lifetime. Each design is backed by farm and ranch knowledge and expertise, and Rafter P Construction can provide answers to all questions related to designing and building the facilities and infrastructure needed to set every customer up for success. Rafter P Construction has an in-house drafting and design team, a strict project management plan and a top-notch customer service plan that helps assure a great experience for their customers.
“NRCHA is excited to welcome Rafter P Construction to the NRCHA family and proud to call them the Official Builder of NRCHA,” said NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “Brad has had a presence within the NRCHA industry for quite some time now, and we could not be happier with this partnership.”
View the quality and craftsmanship of Rafter P Construction at rafterpconstruction.com. According to the company, “From design to turnkey construction, we are YOUR builder for life.”
NRCHA welcomes Tornado Jonez Coffee as a corporate sponsor and the title sponsor of the Tornado Jonez Coffee Practice Pen.
The Ragland family’s desire for fresh, good coffee has been in the making for the last couple of years. Good coffee starts with choosing the right beans, meticulous roasting skills and then getting them to customers as fresh as possible. Their passion for excellence and competition started in the motocross industry, and now, with the same fervor, they embark on a new venture with their love for good coffee.
“After the remarkable triumph of Tornado Jonez at the prestigious 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity®, it became clear that a partnership with NRCHA was the perfect avenue for Tornado Jonez Coffee to give back to the performance horse community that has played such a vital role in our family’s journey,” said Brandy Ragland, chief operating officer of Tornado Jonez Coffee. “By teaming up with NRCHA, we aim to support and sponsor the very organization
that fuels the spirit of competition and camaraderie in the reined cow horse discipline. We are immensely grateful for this opportunity to collaborate and serve this incredible community that we hold so dear.”
The partnership between NRCHA and Tornado Jonez Coffee took effect at the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, with the implementation of the Tornado Jonez practice pen, which will continue at each of the premier events for the next three years.
“It has been such a pleasure to work with Brandy and Ryan,” said NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel,. “Their love and support of the cow horse runs deep, and we’re so excited to bring such great partners on board. They’re open to new and bold ideas—like sponsoring the NRCHA practice pen—so we’re excited to see what the future holds for Tornado Jonez Coffee and NRCHA together.”
To learn more about the Tornado Jonez Coffee brand and where to purchase the coffee, visit tornadojonezcoffee.com.
Rein chains are more than an ornamental piece of gear for Nevada horseman Nick Dowers.
BY KATE BRADLEY BYARSWhile reined cow horse was founded on traditional vaquero horsemanship, and horses are shown in traditional tack, not too many sport rein chains connecting a spade bit to rawhide romal reins. It’s a piece of equipment that not only showcases cow horse tradition, but it also has a place in ranch life and show pen runs.
“I sure like them on the ranch,” shared NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Nick Dowers. “If I was going to water a horse when I’m horseback somewhere, I can let them come up and drink without taking off the bridle or getting my rawhide wet. The main reason I use them is that it’s how guys did it where I grew up [in Dyer, Nevada], and I want to stay true to that. I like the way my horses operate in them.”
One horse that showcased Dowers’ affinity for using rein chains is Time For The Diamond, when he made the 2023 NRCHA Western Bloodstock/High Brow Cat/Hashtags’ World’s Greatest Horseman Finals, where spectators saw the traditional vaquero gear firsthand. While Dowers enjoys sticking to the cow horse roots, he also finds rein chains useful in competition.
The three-step training process of taking a horse through the hackamore, two rein and then spade bit evolved from the early California vaquero and remains alive in cow horse, with the addition of the snaffle bit, and is an integral part of the industry’s show-focused horsemanship. The reason for using each piece of the gear is well-documented; however, rein chains are not as frequently used showing bridle horses. The late horseman Ernest Morris, a longtime advocate of vaquero traditions, explains it succinctly when describing why a spade bit and rein chains make sense.
“The use of the spade bit brings with it a measure of responsibility,” he wrote on his website, vaquero enterprises.com, and often repeated in his many books. “Users must handle their mount in a manner that protects and preserves their horse’s mouth. Romal reins with accompanying rein chains for balance and presentation are needed.”
A long-held point when discussing rein chains is that when a rider lifts his or her hand to take out slack in the reins, the chains signal the horse before pressure is applied to the bit. Dowers rides with that in mind.
“I’ve been told that a horse can feel the slack being taken out [through the chain] before the contact of the rein on the bit,” he reiterated. “That’s definitely a factor. Honestly, the reason I use them is that I’m a traditionalist in a sense, and the vaqueros used them, and I like to stay true to that.”
Nick Dowers uses rein chains to connect his rawhide romal reins to spade bits when he’s training for competition and also when he’s doing ranch work.
Purchasing a set of rein chains isn’t challenging; it simply requires a Google search. But properly fitting the chains to a horse can be more time-consuming. Dowers has a variety of chains that are different weights and lengths, and that correspond with different lengths of rawhide romal reins that are made and weighted differently.
“A lot of my reins are shorter than reins you see nowadays,” Dowers explained. “Cowboy makers made mine and [and they’re designed] for rein chains. I try to buy reins from cowboy gear makers trying to make a living in the winter.”
While Dowers recalls revered Elko County, Nevada, bridle horseman Bill Van Norman having a set of chains for each bridle he owned, and having 20 or 30 bridles, Dowers does move his chains and reins between bits. To do so, he uses leather connectors.
“I swap around a fair amount, and I use different bridles with different rein chains,” he said. “I have different lengths, different styles of rein chains and connectors. I have a set [of rein chains] that’s heavier and a little more decorative, but I found that those have a little more stability in the feel.”
Rein chains are sold by the inch, with 10-, 12- and 14-inch being popular. Some are made from iron, other are nickel or brass. Custom-made rein chains are available from makers around the United States. Options such as a swivel on the bit connector allow the chain more movement. The chain connects to the bit through a link, most often, but connecting the reins can be done using different methods. Dowers said that some horsemen prefer snaps for easier change out, but he prefers a leather connector.
“I don’t use snaps for connectors. A lot of guys do, and I don’t have a problem with it, but for me, I don’t like to put a $3 snap on a $2,000 outfit, you know? I have these little, leather connectors that are essentially a snap that allows me to interchange reins,” Dowers said. “They also are lighter than the snap. With those leather connectors, I have different lengths, and that’s handy if a horse needs a change in length. I can take the connector off between the rein and chain as I need to and adjust 2 to 4 inches and really match that horse.”
For Dowers, rein chains add balance and signal to how he communicates with his horses, but they also offer a challenge starting out.
“Chains can get to swinging and get a little distracting,” he shared. “Every time I’m riding in the bridle, there’s about a 100 percent chance I’ll have chains on,
so horses get used to them early on. Usually, the bridle that I use has a set of chains on it, and when I’m fitting a horse to show, I find a pair of chains that have swing to them that fit a horse’s stride and movement. I’ve found some that are either lighter or heavier; they’ll be noisy with the particular stride of a horse. The chain that fits that horse’s stride and how it moves will not have as much movement [to the chain].”
He suggests riding in rein chains at home and doing so at show speed to ensure the gear is set up for success.
“You need to ride them at home enough to know that the rein isn’t going to swing up and catch on the bridle and cause a hang up in the bridle,” Dowers explained. “If it swings up and catches, you instantly have one rein 8 inches or so shorter than the other.”
When he showed Time For The Diamond, Dowers used shorter romal reins and heavier rein chains. Depending on the horse or the event, he’ll change chains and reins to fit the situation.
“A lot of times, going down the fence, I’ll put stiffer reins on for stability to keep the horse in the middle of the bridle,” he said. “I like a set of reins that are thicker, not as pliable, and I found a green bridle horse does well because it has security in those reins. When I have lighter rein chains and softer reins, it’s looser and not as stable. I find myself using the stiffer reins and heavier rein chains for stability.”
Though it makes a pretty picture in the show pen, it can take getting used to using a set of rein chains on a spade bit. The traditional vaquero gear has a place both in the arena and in ranch work.
Top: Going down the fence, Dowers prefers stiffer reins that help keep a horse centered. He ensures that the chains don’t swing so much that they could catch on the bridle during a fence turn.
Bottom: When Dowers showed Time For The Diamond, he paired his favorite rein chains and romal reins together, creating a useful tool to signal the stallion.
An impeccable combination of environmental factors and skill collide in the creation of some of the most profound horsemen and horsewomen. Such is the case with NRCHA Top 25 Open Professional Horseman and 1A NRCHA Judge Shane Steffen.
“I grew up riding and started team roping as early as I can remember,” recalled Steffen, who grew up in South Dakota.
During his freshman year in high school, Steffen qualified for the 1993 National High School Finals Rodeo in team roping. He graduated from high school in 1996 and then attended Western Dakota Technical College in Rapid City, South Dakota, where he competed on the rodeo team.
After college, Steffen worked in a feed lot for a couple of years and married his wife, Beth, in 2002. Shortly after they married, Beth’s sister invited the couple to Reno, Nevada, to watch the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.
“After watching the Snaffle Bit Futurity finals I thought, ‘That’s something that looks like I can do and like a lot of fun,’” Steffen recalled.
Inspired by his life-changing trip, Steffen embarked upon his own reined cow horse journey.
“From there, we started working for different breeders and different trainers before we started out on our own in 2011,” Steffen said.
Steffen’s unwavering commitment to the process has earned him more than a half-million dollars in NRCHA Lifetime Earnings, fueled by major wins including the highly coveted World’s Greatest Horseman title in 2021 astride Gunna Be A Smartie (Very Smart Remedy x Gunna Be Mine x Gunna Smoke), owned by Linda McMahon’s McSpyder Ranch.
“It was a pretty good roller coaster,” Steffen shared. “I remember going into the back-number ceremony and just listening to all the competitors and all their achievements and what all they had done. It was pretty overwhelming and exciting to know that I was able to compete against such accomplished horsemen and horsewomen.
“Going into the (World’s Greatest Horseman) prelims, I was overwhelmed and wasn’t happy with how I had shown my mare,” Steffen continued. “I sat back and prayed a lot and talked to my wife and Brady Weaver and some of the other guys on how they control their nerves. God blessed me with being able to regroup and put it all together to be able to get back to the finals, and then I know during the finals God just gave me a peace to be able to go out there and show, and it was a very neat experience.”
Steffen and the same special black mare claimed the 2018 NRCHA Open Hackamore World Championship, the 2018 World’s Richest Stockhorse event title and the 2019 Open Bridle Spectacular Championship at the Stallion Stakes.
Another testament to his versatility as a horseman and deftness in showcasing and maximizing horses’ abilities, Steffen rode Peptos Smart Cookie (Cookin Merada x Uvaldes Cow Smart x Peptosmart), owned by Finally Farm Paints, to victory in two American Paint Horse Association Junior Working Cow Horse world championships and an APHA Senior Working Cow Horse World Championship. The pair also claimed an NRCHA Open Bridle Reserve World Champion title.
Steffen credits Beth and their children, Haydin, Kinley and Gideon, in helping his reined cow horse business, based in Powell Butte, Oregon, to flourish.
“Beth is a really big part of it,” Steffen said. “She takes care of all the books and does everything. She takes care of the horses at the barn, helps me warm up and cool down horses and with the doctoring. She manages everything. The kids play a big part of it, too. They jump in and fill in the gaps where we need help, whether it’s cleaning stalls, exercising horses or anything else. I couldn’t do it without them.”
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?
Shane Steffen: They need the athletic ability, but then also the mind. We’ve all run across the horses that have all the athletic ability, but mentally they just won’t take the training. Then you have other horses that mentally, they’ll do anything that you want, but physically they’re just not quite capable of stepping up to be that open horse. It’s a matter of finding a horse that’ll let you train them and has the ability to do all the maneuvers.
RCHN: Describe your process of training a reined cow horse?
SS: I like to get them as 2-year-olds and start them myself, and I’ve got some people that help me get them started. Once started, I like to be able to ride them myself and figure out what they are—mentally where they are at and what their abilities are—based on how they feel. I do a lot of reined work, and then work in the round pen through the winter of their 3-year-old year. I work them on cattle in the round pen a lot, and then I’ll track cattle down the fence. I have buffalo that I work a lot through the wintertime, and I’ll work the horses on the buffalo and just try and do as much as I can of all three events as I progress. I have to let the horses tell me what they’re ready for as they progress to being shown.
RCHN: Of all the reined cow horse events, which one is your favorite and why?
SS: The fence work; I think that’s why we all do it. There’s nothing like having a horse that can handle those tough cows and go put together a run, but I also think to have a horse that can do all three events is challenging. If you have a horse that excels in all three events and is as good and equal in all three events, that’s the main goal: to try to produce a horse that’s just as good a cutter, reiner and fence horse, or where’s there’s even scores across the board. When you can go work a [score between] 222 and 224 across the board on all three events—to me, that’s the ultimate horse.
RCHN: What’s your training philosophy?
SS: I stick with what I’ve been told before, which is that less is more when it comes to riding a horse. I show the horse what I’m looking for instead of trying to make that horse do it, and I figure out the stiff spots or the parts that they’re not understanding rather than just worrying about the maneuver itself.
RCHN: How would you define good feel when it comes to a horse?
SS: I would say just a horse that wants to be with me through all the maneuvers—one that knows his job and goes and does it, but yet is sensitive enough to listen to me and allow me to help him through different spots.
RCHN: Which cow horse would you want to throw a leg over, living or dead?
SS: There are so many good horses, and I was blessed enough to be able to ride Gunna Be A Smartie. She was probably my favorite horse. But I think it would be fun to ride Call Me Mitch (Metallic Cat x Miss Hickory Hill x Docs Hickory), owned by Estelle Roiblat Living Trust.
RCHN: Is there anything else that you would like to add for readers?
SS: My crew that works for me is a critical part of my success. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to get through the horses like I need and take care of them. I’d like to thank them. I thank God for blessing me with the ability, the horses, the clientele and the success that I’ve had. Obviously, the owners are the biggest part of it because they entrust me with their horses. There are so many people who I’m thankful for and who I want to recognize.
Riding primarily home-raised horses, Morgan Holmes has spent two decades moving up the NRCHA Non Pro ranks.
BY JENNIFER DENISON
Ever since her parents entered her in her first horse show—a youth cutting class at age 3 on a turnback horse—Morgan Holmes has been immersed in the horse industry. The daughter of performance horse trainer Jay Holmes and his wife Rhonda, the 27-year-old has ridden more horses than most do in a lifetime. She has competed in various disciplines, including cutting, reined cow horse, ranch rodeo and breakaway and team roping. She has won four American Quarter Horse Association Youth Association World Championships and seven NRCHA Non Pro World Championships. She most recenly won the reserve World’s Greatest Non Pro title at the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™
NRCHA Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station. What makes her show career unique, however, is that she has competed on mostly homeraised and/or -trained horses.
“My dad never pressured me to show or ride—I’ve just always wanted to be a cowgirl,” said Holmes, whose NRCHA earnings surpass $121,000. “I grew up horseback, and everything [with horses] has come second nature to me. I don’t really know what else I would do if horses weren’t in my life.”
Raised in Sarasota, Florida, Holmes spent much of her youth riding cutting horses, but as her father started training and showing cow horses, she also made the transition.
“I cut throughout my youth career, but the cow horse definitely became more of what we did,” she recalled. “I loved going down the fence, even at a young age. Sometimes I wish I was still that brave!”
Holmes started competing in NRCHA events at age 7 on Lion In Wait (out of Pleasure Trekkin) and Photons Pepita (out of Tuffigun). Both horses were by the 1983
Quarter Horse stallion Photon (Impressive Tommy x Super Susie Ann x Super Roan Bar), owned by Mary Clark of Triple J Ranch, for whom her father trained for several years. She qualified for the Youth Limited at the NRCHA World Championship Show three times (2005–2007) aboard Scamps Peppy (Freckles Scamp x Nitarita x Peponita), also known as “Pepper.” But she says the 1999 Quarter Horse gelding Smart Shooter (Smart Little Pistol x Dial Molly Snip x Dry Doc Dial), given to her by her grandparents Butch and Charlene Morgan, jumpstarted her cow horse career. She showed “Shooter” from 2006 to 2014 and won the Youth Limited World Championship in 2008, and the next year the duo came back and won the Youth Bridle Championship. The same year they also won the American Quarter Horse Youth Association Heading World Championship.
I’ve just always wanted to be a cowgirl.”
—Morgan Holmes
“Shooter did it all, and toward the end of his show career he became my goat tying horse at high school rodeos. He’s still raising kiddos in Florida today,” she said. “Horses like Shooter and Pepper molded my life and made me appreciate horses that can do multiple events.”
After graduating from high school, Holmes attended a year at Vernon Junior College in Vernon, Texas, where she competed in breakaway and team roping on the college’s rodeo team.
She then transferred to Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where she was on the school’s champion ranch horse team for three years under the coaching of Chance O’Neal.
In 2017, she and The Smart Dun (Dun It big x Poco Smart Oak x Smart Little Lena), a gelding bred by Joana Azevedo, won the Non Pro Two Rein World Championship, and she claimed reserve on Dun It On Que (Dun It Big x Que Uno x Smart Little Uno). In 2021, she and her home-raised horse, Monster Truk (Downtown Cat x Lil Quixote Badger x Peppy San Badger), won the Non Pro Hackamore World Championship, less than a year after the horse had surgery to repair a torn superficial flexor tendon.
Moving to Texas was a “game-changer” for Holmes, because of the numerous opportunities to compete in roping, cow horse and ranch rodeo events. Add the fierce competition, and she said she “never looked back.”
“Living where the majority [of horsemen and horsewomen are] and competing with the very best sharpens you,” she explained. “I fully believe that ‘iron sharpens iron.’”
Based in Stephenville, Holmes continues to compete in cow horse, team roping and ranch rodeos while pursuing her other passions: helping to build brands and representing companies in the Western industry. One of her highlights this year is producing social media content for the Bob Feist Invitational team roping. The only downfall of living in the Lone Star State, however, is that she’s far from her parents, who live at 5M Livestock Company in Sumpterville, Florida. But her grandparents, both AQHA world champions, live in nearby Weatherford.
“My dad has trained nearly every horse I’ve shown, and he expresses the importance of getting a horse shown to the best of their abilities,” she reflected. “My grandpa [Butch Morgan] used to tell me, ‘People know you, and how you present yourself says a lot— always brush your horse.’ My grandma, Charlene, has a special charm bracelet that she holds when I compete. I have an incredible support system.”
Holmes said her mom is her “rock,” and the pair often travels to events together to shows, despite the distance between them.
“We’re extremely close, and I’m very thankful for that,” Holmes said. “When I was in high school, she would turn back for me at every rodeo and, most recently, I had her turn back for me at Art of the Cowgirl. She is all cowgirl!”
After competing at Art of the Cowgirl since the first event in 2018, Holmes and “Monster” reached another milestone at the 2023 event, earning reserve in the World’s Greatest Horsewoman competition. The event requires contestants to compete in four events: boxing, dry work, fence work and steer stopping. The champion earns an entry in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition.
“It was monumental for my confidence,” she said. “Showing a horse like Monster in front of all those people, doing four events and doing them well was a huge feat!”
Monster remains her main mount for now, but she’s excited to start riding a 2-year-old full sister to the horse. She also has a 3-year-old she bought from Gusti Buerger in training with Clay Volmer. This summer, she has her sights set on qualifying for The Run For A Million in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Monster.
“It’s a big goal,” she admitted. “Of course, I just want to be the best I can be, and whatever happens along the way I will enjoy.”
Despite her hard work and dedication, Holmes says one of the hardest parts of getting to this point in her cow horse career is having confidence. However, through experience she has learned to trust her instincts. She also remembers a piece of advice from NRCHA world champion and National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee Sandy Collier, “Be accurate,” which has changed the way she shows.
“A lot of what we do in the cow horse requires a ton of confidence in knowing where to be at the right time, no matter if it’s running down the fence or in the herd work. It’s all about how you handle the situation,” she said. “I’ve struggled with the ideas that I’m not competitive enough or not capable. Sometimes our minds are our biggest enemies. Since Monster recovered from his injury, I made myself promise to enjoy the ride, because you never know when it’ll be your last.”
Far left: World champion trainer Jay Holmes influenced his daughter’s horsemanship and choice of disciplines at an early age.
Left: Holmes’ mother, Rhonda Holmes, is a top hand with a horse and travels with her daughter to shows.
It’s a big goal. Of course, I just want to be the best I can be, and whatever happens along the way I will enjoy.”
—Morgan Holmes
Ranching on good horses is the norm for Cody Gonsalves on the San Lucas Ranch in Santa Ynez, California.
INTERVIEW BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS
Life as a ranch cowboy prepared Cody Gonsalves to step into the show pen during the 2022 Run for a Million Cowboy Invitational.
Cody Gonsalves has watched reined cow horses—including many he helped breed—show in the NRCHA for nearly a decade. But it wasn’t until 2022 that the San Lucas Ranch manager stepped into the arena himself at The Run For A Million Cowboy Invitational, riding Nabisco Roan (Boonlight Dancer x Crackin x Smart Little Lena), a 2006 stallion that’s no stranger to the show pen. Owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses, which Gonsalves’ boss and San Lucas Ranch owner Nancy Crawford owns, the pair represented the nearly 10-yearold California ranch under the Vegas lights.
The experience proved different from Gonsalves’ norm, which includes running the ranch located on the Central Coast. Gonsalves grew up on a ranch and rodeoing, later graduating from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He wanted a job that would allow him and his future family similar experiences to what he had growing up. That’s when he hired on as the assistant ranch manager at San Lucas Ranch, assisting with breeding for Holy Cow Performance Horses. It’s a position that highlights his Californio vaquero roots in ranching and brought awareness of the reined cow horse industry that he enjoys today.
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Reined Cow Horse News: What about the ranching lifestyle do you love?
Cody Gonsalves: I grew up on a 20,000-acre ranch outside Los Alamos [California] and was riding before I could walk. My dad was a ranch manager, and my mom worked on ranches. My uncle, John Branquinho, owned the ranch I grew up on and it was ingrained in me. I’m big on the cowboy and ranching tradition. I helped start all the ranch horses, and then we branded and ranched on them. We made rope horses out of some of them, and growing up I rodeoed. When I finished rodeoing at Cal-Poly, I was at a crossroads. I was looking for something close to how I grew up, where I could raise kids and kind of teach them the same horse and ranching traditions I was able to grow up in. Nancy was looking for an assistant ranch manager, and we hit it off from the start. At the end of the day, what brought Nancy and me together is that we’re both just ranch kids.
RCHN: What was it like riding Nabisco Roan, an NRCHA Open Bridle World Champion, your first time showing?
CG: It was amazing to ride him. When I got there [to Las Vegas] and he realized he was at a show again, it was like I had a 3-year-old and not a 17-year-old horse! He and I were both excited! Having that caliber of horse means that when you ask him to do something, he’s going to do it. Any error in that show pen was user and not on him. It was a lot of fun!
We use him on the ranch. I gather on him a little bit and take him to brandings. He loves the branding pen! He loves being in there, roping and stretching calves. He’s quite a do-it-all type of horse.
RCHN: Why is showcasing the cow horse and ranching connection important to you?
CG: In California, we don’t get as much [land] to run as some of these other places. We’re just 10,000 acres. But to take the San Lucas name and represent the historic ranch on such a large-scale stage, that meant a lot. I’ve been watching reined cow horse ever since I got started here. Before, when I was rodeoing, I was doing it for myself. Now, I’m representing San Lucas Ranch, which adds a whole different level of honor.
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS
Nothing makes a rider tense or the crowd holler like a bovine bursting through the back gate at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. There’s no question: It’s going to be a challenging run, and that’s one way reined cow horse competition hooks riders into coming back, run after run. No matter if it’s boxing, herd work or going down the fence, the key to success is watching—and understanding—that cow.
“Every situation on a cow is different,” said NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen. “That’s what’s fun about it: Each cow is a different situation, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. Every day, you can become aware of a new way to work.”
The challenge of completing a cow run hooks most reined cow horse competitors, but understanding how to manage cattle takes experience.How a cow reacts to a horse and rider can set up a run for success or potential failure.
While every cow and every run is different, there are similarities in how a cow performs if it comes out blazing or strolls into the arena. NRCHA Million Dollar Riders Chris Dawson and Ron Ralls and professional Tina Robinson have watched hundreds, if not thousands, of cattle come out of the herd and go down the fence. Here, they lend advice on what to watch for to set up a run and how to handle cattle.
Today’s reined cow horse has to rein, cut and go down the fence, and more and more NRCHA competitors, from youths to non pros to open riders are competing in three-event classes. The opportunity to work cattle out of the herd draws many riders and also challenges them.
“Getting through a run, 50% is getting the cow cut smoothly and quietly instead of cutting him and making him wild,” said Ralls, of Gainesville, Texas. “Once you get a cow driven out far enough and then get it stopped, to me that’s a good start.”
Ralls strongly advises having a game plan going into the herd. He watches cattle settle, identifying multiple he wants to work.
“No one knows what those cows are going to do when one gets out by itself. Sometimes, you can cut a cow that settled good but when you make a clean cut and the cow realizes it’s by itself, it’s game on.”
Ralls said cutting out a cow that goes side-to-side can allow a horse to show its ability to read and rate a cow. Dawson agreed, saying the steers used in NRCHA events often stay tight to the center and can be challenging to cut.
“We cut so many steers that don’t take a head very good and, if you step outside and expose your horse to show, they’re so tight that they can almost just walk underneath your horse,” said Dawson, of Perrin, Texas. “It’s tricky. A cow that’ll go to that outside edge is a better bet, whether you loved them or not.”
Dawson has employed a new plan when working cows: P.A.C.E.
“I learned P.A.C.E.—primary, alternate, contingent and emergency—from the Green Berets I’ve been
Below: Watch the cattle settle to evaluate how the cows react to a horse. Try to find out how each cow will move away from the horse, then turn back to watch it, Dawson advised.
working with,” Dawson explained. “My primary plan is whatever cow I like the best and I put him with my alternate cow and put them both in position to get a feel of both of them then cut the alternate cow on my second cut if everything goes as planned. My contingency plan is the cows I take up with them; emergency is ‘ah! last cow.’ ”
Watching cattle settle, identifying which ones honor the horse settling, which ones run and which ones won’t move away from that horse and rider is key to getting through the herd work.
Watching cattle coming out of the gate forms a show plan for boxing and for going down the fence, Robinson advised. The Shandon, California, trainer says cows fall into two categories.
“If the cows are walking out the gate or jumping out the gate, those are two very different cows,” Robinson shared. “When I go to a cow, the first thing I watch for is if it’ll get back or break off. I like to be on the cow side of the middle marker, walking to the cow, not flat-footed to start. You want to connect your hands
“THE GOOD THING ABOUT A COW THAT COMES OUT HOT: IT’S POSING A GOOD DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY, WHICH IS A BOX ON OUR SCORECARD, AND THAT’S GOOD. PLUS, THAT COW IS ENGAGING WITH MY HORSE, WHICH WILL HOPEFULLY ENCOURAGE MY HORSE TO ENGAGE WITH IT AND MAKE SOME BIG RUNS.”
—Chris Dawson
to that cow’s head. When the cow moves, you want to break off and go stop it, move it, then go stop it again.”
The cow’s reaction tells Robinson how to engage.
“A cow that looks at me has a little more feel; it looks at the horse and respects it a little bit more,” she said. “If you’re boxing a cow rubbing on the wall, you have to push on it, drive it, break off and just keep going, driving and stopping.”
Ralls prefers a cow that’ll try him and his horse more on the ends.
“I feel like if a cow tries me a little on the end, I have a better chance of establishing a little respect on that cow versus one that doesn’t do anything,” he said. “If the cow will try you a little but you can get across and stop, then get control of them, it seems like you have a better chance of getting respect instead of a cow that just doesn’t do anything.”
For Dawson, having a “hot” cow that blows through the gate isn’t always a dealbreaker for a successful run. He suggested engaging that cow quickly, before a potential horn blow from the judges, to see if the cow can be workable.
Dawson positions himself close to the gate, but not so close that he’s in retreat mode if a cow comes out running.
“The biggest thing to remember is that only one of you can be on offense at the same time,” he said. “If that cow comes out on offense, then I need to get on defense and just make sure I get him stopped, get him stopped, get him stopped. The good thing about a cow that comes out hot: it’s posing a good degree of difficulty, which is a box on our scorecard, and that’s good. Plus, that cow is engaging with my horse, which will hopefully encourage my horse to engage with it and make some big runs.”
There is not a magic formula to ensure a successful fence run. The way a cow boxes doesn’t always indicate how it’ll go down the fence. For example, a cow that doesn’t pay attention to the horse can do one of two things.
“Every cow is different, but one that looks back at the gate usually won’t give a lot of feel when you’re going down the fence,” Robinson said. “You have to stay up in a cow that isn’t paying attention to you—we call those cows wall sniffers!”
Yet Ralls will work that cow longer because he’s been burned by a cow that seems numb.
“A lot of times, a cow that won’t box or go anywhere driving on the end will take off down the fence and run wide-open,” he said. “Nothing is set in stone, but it never surprises me when they see the light of open arena, and it’s on from there!”
The happy medium can be to work a numb cow harder, driving it back and forth more before moving down the fence. Dawson employs that tactic.
“A cow that wants to lick the darn fence and not acknowledge my horse, I’ll end up staying [on the end] a little longer to be sure that cow will drive,” Dawson shared. “Those cows are liars; they’ll lull you to sleep a little bit, but once you get them drove, they look ahead of and haul tail. That might be the last you see of them! I’ll stay on those longer than one that comes out and wants to engage.”
No matter how the cow comes out of the gate, or out of the herd, the rider and horse have to attempt to control it. Considering there are two animals in the equation, a failproof plan isn’t always an option. But being able to roll with the cow given can result in a class-topping score.
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“EVERY COW IS DIFFERENT, BUT ONE THAT LOOKS BACK AT THE GATE USUALLY WON’T GIVE A LOT OF FEEL WHEN YOU’RE GOING DOWN THE FENCE. YOU HAVE TO STAY UP IN A COW THAT ISN’T PAYING ATTENTION TO YOU—WE CALL THOSE COWS WALL SNIFFERS!”
—Tina Robinson
Kimes Ranch has been a familiar sight at NRCHA events for many years. Not only can you spot that recognizable longhorn logo on the pockets of jeans and caps everywhere, but you also can catch Kimes family members as regular contestants in the Youth and Non Pro classes at NRCHA regional and major events. The Kimes family has deep roots in the Western industry—their early years were spent in the Quarter Horse show pen collecting world championships, obtaining multiple reining titles and even showing cutting horses for a few years.
Amanda Kimes, the matriarch and co-founder of the brand, began her show career in the Pacific Northwest competing in all-around events. Her family relentlessly supported in her competitive ventures and is now heavily involved in the Western equine industry with the family she has created with her husband, Matt.
The other half of the brand’s founding duo, Matt, hit the ground running in the show pen at an early age, accumulating multiple championships in the American Quarter Horse Youth Association all-around, reining and cutting events.
“Our brand is founded firmly in family and work ethic, which are deeply valuable principles across all performance horse industries,” Amanda proudly stated. “This family lives and breathes the Western lifestyle.”
After a decorated past in the all-around world, the Kimes family wanted to branch out to other competitive avenues.
“I showed reiners and cutters when I was younger,” Matt reflected. “When we introduced our kids to showing, NRCHA offered the best opportunity for them to learn horsemanship within all the different disciplines. When my turn came to get a horse, showing a cow horse in NRCHA with my family made perfect sense.”
While the cow horse industry is a family affair for the Kimes family, it’s also a place of friendship and camaraderie. The Kimes Ranch extended family has strong ties to the cow horse, as well. Chief of Marketing Lindsay Perraton started showing in the NRCHA more than 25 years ago, training with longtime childhood friend Shadd Parkinson, now an NRCHA Professional. Parkinson is married to Kimes Ranch Event and Sponsorship Manager McKenzie Parkinson, and she’s the daughter of the legendary Al Dunning. Sue Schmitz, a valuable sales rep for the Kimes team, has shown cow horses for many years, riding with Parkinson. Director of Operations Kiva Lindaman is married to NRCHA Pro Grant Lindaman. Lynzee Foreman, who manages the Kimes warehouse in Glendale, Arizona, has successfully competed in reined cow horse events and is the daughter of NRCHA Hall of Famer and NRHA Million Dollar Rider Randy Paul. MacKinnon Crawford, retail manager for Kimes, calls Todd Crawford, one of the most famous NRCHA Pros and an NRCHA board member, Dad. Andi Paul, who manages the Kimes
Above: Matt and Amanda Kimes not only look forward to supporting NRCHA through their clothing brand’s sponsorship, but also immersing their family in the world of reined cow horses.
Opposite page, top: Kimes Ranch-endorsed riders include some of the best known names and most respected horsemen and horsewomen in reined cow horse.
Opposite page, right: “When my turn came to get a horse, showing a cow horse in NRCHA with my family made perfect sense,” shared Matt Kimes, who competed at the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby on the 2019 mare Hope Shez Catty (Catty Hawk x Shes Full Of Hope by Smart Mate).
Ranch store in Glendale, serves as an active judge for Western performance horse events. The Kimes offices and warehouses are full of legacies and connections to the Western performance horse industry. The Kimes family’s move to show in NRCHA was largely inspired by the talented group of NRCHA athletes who’ve partnered with Kimes for many years. They have endearingly coined these athletes #KRJFamily, and the team includes Chris and Sarah Dawson, Nick Dowers, Clayton Edsall and Erin Taormino, to name a few. Several of these trainers have been a part of the Kimes Ranch family from the brand’s early days.
“We’ve always felt such a sense of gratitude toward our NRCHA athletes who believed in us back when we were just starting out,” shared McKenzie Parkinson. “To have this elite group of trainers wear our brand in and out of the show pen is an honor. Not only are they exemplary representatives of Kimes Ranch anywhere they go, but they’re always great sports whenever we need to involve them in any of our crazy marketing and social media ideas. I love working with our cow horse team.”
Looking forward, Kimes Ranch has lofty goals for their partnership with NRCHA, including expanded opportunities for youth and youth scholarships.
“The future looks bright for NRCHA youth riders,” Matt shared. “With over 40 entries in the youth box-
ing at the Western Derby, this next generation of cow horse exhibitors is already showing they’re extremely talented and hard-working competitors. We look forward to doing what we can to help this industry grow.”
For Kimes Ranch, this is a respectable association that brings pride and joy.
“There’s a mutual opportunity for growth with this partnership, and we intend to keep it going,” Matt said.
Perraton summed up Kimes Ranch’s relationship with NRCHA with a look to the future, too.
“Our goal is to spend a lifetime with and within this organization. This is home for us,” she explained. NRCHA and the people within it are the true embodiment of horsemen and horsewomen. They’re great role models, teammates and sportsmen. We’re proud to be a part of this organization and to raise our families within it.”
Scottsdale, Arizona – May 31–June 10, 2023 (Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Cabanna Boy; Nicholas S. Dowers; 19G (WR This Cats Smart x Shining Madonna x Shining Spark); Triple D Ranches LLC; 667.5 (H: 216.5/R: 224.5/C: 226.5); $50,000
2. Metallic Casanova; Clay Volmer; 18S (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry x Spots Hot); Pitzer Ranch/ Dack Cattle LLC.; 667 (H: 220/R: 222.5/C: 224.5); $35,000
3. This Cats The Mark; Brandon C. Buttars; 18G (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Miss Marker x Shining Spark); Lori Adamski-Peek; 660.5 (H: 216.5/R: 223.5/C: 220.5); $30,000
4T. Juliette Jonez; Sarah L. Dawson; 18M (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Linda A. Mars; 660 (H: 219/R: 221.5/C: 219.5); $20,000
4T. Vince Von; Sarah L. Dawson; 19G (Stevie Rey Von x Hottness x Spots Hot); Wendy K. Buehler; 660 (H: 221/R: 223/C: 216); $20,000
4T. Stylin Metal; Justin T. Wright; 18S (Metallic Cat x Stylin Playgirl x Docs Stylish Oak); Jim and Linda Schrack; 660 (H: 222/R: 222.5/C: 215.5); $20,000
7. Nu Passport; Chris C. Dawson; 19S (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark); Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC; 658.5 (H: 215.5/R: 221.5/C: 221.5); $12,500
8T. CD Metallic; Justin T. Wright; 19S (Stevie Rey Von x High CD Rates x High Brow CD); Allison S. Trimble; 656 (H: 217.5/R: 218/C: 220.5); $8,750
8T. Shine Like A Dime; Cayley R. Wilson; 18M (Shiners Nickle x Hickory Ten x Docs Hickory); Michelle Cannon; 656 (H: 215.5/R: 221.5/C: 219);
$8,750
10. Little Miss Voodoo;
BY LARRI JO STARKEY | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESWhen a rider is in 16th place after the herd work in a derby, he needs a horse he can go into battle on for the last two events. For NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Nicholas Dowers of Dyer, Nevada, that warhorse is Cabanna Boy.
At the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby, Dowers called on Cabanna Boy for everything in the reined work and the cow work finals to propel them from 16th place to the championship. In the herd work, the judges scored the duo a 216.5, which tied them for 16th place in a strong field of finalists. Dowers felt good about his chances, though. In the preliminaries, he had tied for third place after marking a 215 in the herd work.
“I was a 223 in the reining prelims, 223 and then a 23.5 in the fence work, as well,” Dowers said. “I knew if I could match those runs or maybe improve upon them, I’d have a chance, and sure enough, we did.”
In the finals, Dowers and his horse had the top score in the reined work, marking a 224.5.
“That's a pretty challenging pattern as far as the circles go,” Dowers said. “He had been practicing really well on those. In my first small slow circle, I said to myself, ‘If he comes out there and he’s dialed in, then I’m gonna send it and really try to plus-1
Jake D. Gorrell; 18M (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Lil Miss Rednic x Nic It In The Bud); Dana Lynne Roulet; 655 (H: 215/R: 216/C: 224); $7,500 Dowers and Cabanna Boy start from behind but finish strong at the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby.
Cabanna Boy and Nick Dowers of Dyer, Nevada, won the Open Derby title at the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby with a composite 667.5 (H: 216.5/R: 224.5/C: 226.5). The 2019 gelding (WR This Cats Smart x Shining Madonna x Shining Spark) was bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock and is owned by the Dowers family’s Triple D Ranches.
As Dowers prepared for the cow work, he was sitting fifth in the composite.
“I just remember knowing that if I laid down a monster run that I had a shot to win,” Dowers said. “I remember trotting some circles in the back and saying, ‘If I’m gonna go to battle, what better horse than this for this moment?’ Because he has just been such a reliable fence horse.”
A score of 226.5 in the cow work powered the winning duo to a 667.5 composite.
The 2019 gelding (WR This Cats Smart x Shining Madonna by Shining Spark) was bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock and is owned by Dowers’ family’s Triple D Ranches of Dyer, Nevada. Dowers bought the horse through the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® sale.
“He’s just been a fence horse from Day One, and he’s just a worker,” Dowers said. “He’s easy to maintain and is a lot of fun to have around.”
Dowers became an NRCHA One Million Dollar Rider in September of 2022 on Cabanna Boy. The Western Derby win added $50,000 to horse-and-rider earnings, and Dowers plans to continue showing the gelding.
“He’s just really good in all three events and great down the fence,” Dowers said. “Any time you have a horse that’s great down the fence and solid in the other two, you kind of have a shot at every show.”
Remember The Boon, owned by Slidin J Ranches, and Clay Roeser won the Intermediate Open Derby with a composite 661.5 (H: 219/R: 221/C: 221.5).
Remember The Boon is a 2018 stallion (Once In A Blu Boon x Just Another Memory by Smart Little Lena) bred by Troop Quarter Horses. The total purse for the class was $83,900 and Remember The Boon’s share was $15,000.
Metallic Casanova and Clay Volmer earned the reserve championship in the Open Derby. The 2018 stallion (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry by Spots Hot) was bred by Kelly Mahler and is owned by Pitzer Ranch/Dack Cattle LLC. Volmer and the stallion had a 667 composite score in the finals (H: 220/R: 222.5/C: 224.5) The reserve champion check was for $35,000 of the total class purse of $276,500.
Metallic Action, owned by Clyde Metzler, partnered with Wade Meador to earn the reserve championship in the Intermediate Open Derby with a composite 659.5 (H: 219/R: 218/C: 222.5). The 2018 mare (One Time Royalty x Moria Metallica by Metallic Cat) was bred by Ten/27 Ranch LLC.
DT This CatsDualRey (Dual Smart Rey x Savanah Cat) and Tucker J. Clark won the championship in the Limited Open Derby for owner Deanna Penna with a composite 645 (H: 214.5/R: 219.5/C: 211). The purse for the class was $20,454, and DT This CatsDualRey’s share was $4,090.77. The 2018 gelding was bred by DT Horses LLC.
Reyzin The Lights (Reyzin The Cash x CD Bright Lights) and Nicolas Barthelemy rode to the reserve title in the Limited Open Derby for owner White Tail Ranch Performance Horses. The 2018 gelding, bred by Danny Connelly Motes, scored a composite 640.5 (H: 215/R: 210/C: 215.5).
YaketyYakDonTalkBak and Andrea Fappani of Scottsdale, Arizona, rode to the Level 1 Open Derby Championship ($3,470.40) and the Novice Horse Derby Championship ($5,436) with a 658.5 composite (H: 216.5/ R: 220/C: 222). The 2018 gelding (Smooth Talkin Style x Some Kinda Twister) is owned by Teton Ridge.
Lil Prissy Blu Boon and Tucker Smith of Preston, Idaho, earned the Level 1 Open Derby reserve championship and $2,776.32 with a 650 composite (H: 215/R: 216/C: 219). Lil Prissy Blu Boon is a 2018 mare (Once In A Blu Boon x Ima Prissy Blue Boon) is owned by Lisa Messerly.
AddictedToTheShindig (Stevie Rey Von x Shes Twice As Smooth) and Kelby Phillips earned the Open Novice Horse Derby Reserve Championship for owner Sarah Davis. The 2019 stallion earned a 655 composite (R: 219.5/H: 215/C: 220.5) and $3,737.25.
Nothing But Blu and Cayley R. Wilson rode to the Open Chrome Cash Championship and $1,600 for owner-breeder Alicia Bolls. The 2019 stallion (Once In A Blu Boon x CC Cat) marked a 663 composite (R: 220.5/H: 217.5/C: 225).
Dollar Signs and Brandon C. Buttars earned the Chrome Cash Open Reserve Championship and $1,200 for owner Sophia Flinders Buttars. The 2019 mare (Hickory Holly Time x Wright About Now) marked a 657 composite (R: 220.5/H: 214/C: 222.5).
HIGH CATS SHINE
5/1/22 sorrel filly (WR This Cats Smart x Shining Madonna, by Shining Spark)
A full sister to CABANNA BOY ($121,457: 2023 NRCHA Western Open Derby Champion; 2022 NSHA RCH Open Futurity Champion; finalist in the 2022 NRCHA Open Futurity). From the family of TRAVALENA TIMES ($151,368: NCHA Open Reserve World Champion).
MELODYS SMART REY
5/6/22 black colt (WR This Cats Smart x Reys Stressin Melody, by Reys Dual Badger)
A half-brother to ONE TIME MELODY ($12,183: 6th 2022 NRCHA World Open Two-Rein) and to STRESSIN THE BLUS ($15,460: ID RCHA Open Futurity Co-Reserve Champion).
Dam, REYS STRESSIN MELODY ($52,226, NCHA Open Hackamore Classic Reserve Champion); half-sister to HIGH STRESSIN CAT ($141,687: 4th NRCHA Open Futurity).
MISS SMART LIGHT
4/15/22 sorrel filly (WR This Cats Smart x Gracielights, by CD Lights)
A full sister to GRACEFUL SMART CAT ($97,150: California RCHA Paso Robles Spring Classic Open Derby Champion; 5th NRCHA Celebration of Champions Open Derby). Dam, GRACIELIGHTS, is a full or half-sister to 11 money-earners, $829,000, including CD GRACEFUL DUAL ($185,172: Breeders Inv. Non Pro Classic Champion).
MISS TUFF CAT
5/15/22 sorrel filly (Woody Be Tuff x Markin This Cat, by WR This Cats Smart) Dam, MARKIN THIS CAT ($11,442: 6th NRCHA Int. Open Stallion Stakes), is a full or half-sister to 5 money-earners, $270,247, including ARC GUNNA MARK YA ($167,093: NRHA Level 4 Open Derby Reserve Champion). From the family of JOES MIDNIGHT SON ($104,618), SANJO STARLIGHT ($100,804), etc.
5/7/22 red roan colt (Time Marker x Cats Smart Melody, by WR This Cats Smart) Dam is a half-sister to 5 money-earners including HIGH STRESSIN CAT ($138,352: 4th NRCHA Open Futurity), REYS STRESSIN MELODY ($52,226: NRCHA Open Hackamore Classic Reserve Champion). Second dam, PLAYGUNS MELODY, is a half-sister to HANGEM HIGH PLAYBOY ($75,543: NCHA Amateur Super Stakes Reserve Champion).
6/10/22 bay roan colt (Blue Guns Crackin x Savannahs Dual Rey, by Dual Rey) Second dam, SAVANNAHBOONSMAL ($11,437: NRCHA Limited Open Futurity Reserve Champion); a full or half-sister to the money-earners of $703,139, including REYMANATOR ($205,693: NRCHA Open Futurity Champion); out of SAVANNAH HICKORY ($45,248: a QData Top 15 All-Time Leading Producer of Reined Cow Horse Money-Earners).
4/27/22 bay roan colt (Olenas Nu Shine x This Cats Not Blu, by WR This Cats Smart) Dam, THIS CATS NOT BLU (3rd NILE AQHA Ranching 4-Year-Old Working Open Ranch Horse), is a half-sister to 12 money-earners, including BET HESA BOON ($75,752: NSHA Open Derby Champion twice). Second dam, FLO N BLU BOON ($66,949: NRCHA Novice Non Pro Rider Bridle Co-Reserve World Champion; split 7th NRCHA Open Stallion Stakes).
4/28/22 sorrel colt (WR This Cats Smart x Shiner Dear Rey, by Reys Dual Badger) Dam, SHINER DEAR REY ($15,963: SD AQHA Ranching Heritage 4-Year-Old Open Working Cow Horse Champion), is a full sister to DUAL WITH A SHINER ($76,126: NRCHA Open Stallion Stakes Reserve Champion); half-sister to SHINER OLENA ($78,539: NRHA Open Futurity and Derby finalist). Second dam is a half-sister to THIS ONE TIME ($162,469: NRCHA Open Futurity Reserve Champion).
TUFF REYS
4/1/22 sorrel colt (Woody Be Tuff x Reys Stressin Melody, by Reys Dual Badger) A half-brother to ONE TIME MELODY ($12,183: 6th 2022 NRCHA World Open Two-Rein) and to STRESSIN THE BLUS ($15,460: ID RCHA Open Futurity Co-Reserve Champion). Dam, REYS STRESSIN MELODY ($52,226, NCHA Open Hackamore Classic Reserve Champion); half-sister to HIGH STRESSIN CAT ($141,687: 4th NRCHA Open Futurity).
WOOD U BE MY LADY
1/30/22 sorrel colt (Woody Be Tuff x Shiners Diamond Lady, Shining Spark)
A half-brother to SHINERS DIAMOND CAT ($145,991: NRCHA Open Derby Champion) and to SMART LADIES SPARKLE ($97,868: NRCHA Futurity Open Bridle Reserve Champion). Dam is a full sister to SHINERS DIAMOND GIRL ($67,549: NRCHA Futurity Open Two-Rein Reserve Champion; dam of CD DIAMOND $153,320: NRCHA Open Futurity Champion and SJR ROYAL DIAMOND $111,675: 3rd NRCHA Open Futurity).
6/8/22 sorrel colt (Olenas Nu Shine x Savannahboonsmal, by WR This Cats Smart) Dam, SAVANNAHBOONSMAL ($11,437: NRCHA Limited Open Futurity Reserve Champion); a full or half-sister to the money-earners of $703,139, including REYMANATOR ($205,693: NRCHA Open Futurity Champion); out of SAVANNAH HICKORY ($45,248: a QData Top 15 All-Time Leading Producer of Reined Cow Horse Money-Earners).
1/29/22 bay filly (WR This Cats Smart x Play A Blue Melody, by Once In A Blu Boon) Dam, PLAY A BLUE MELODY, is a half-sister to 5 money-earners including HIGH STRESSIN CAT ($138,352: 4th NRCHA Open Futurity), REYS STRESSIN MELODY ($52,226: NRCHA Open Hackamore Classic Reserve Champion). Second dam, PLAYGUNS MELODY, is a half-sister to HANGEM HIGH PLAYBOY ($75,543: NCHA Amateur Super Stakes Reserve Champion; dam of HANGEM CAT $297,449).
TENINAS ONE TIME CAT
4/23/22 sorrel filly (Time Marker x Teninas Smart Look, by WR This Cats Smart) A half-sister to DUAL LOOKS ($64,762: 4th NRCHA Open Futurity) and Teninas One Time (Bluebonnet Stakes Open Classic Co-Reserve Champion). Dam is a half-sister to 13 money-earners, $385,866, including TENINAS TWISTER ($87,723: top 10 NCHA Non Pro Super Stakes). Second dam, LITTLE TENINA ($394,315, NCHA Open Futurity Champion and Open Derby Champion; a half-sister to TENINO SAN $146,647: NCHA World Champion).
After a week-and-a-half of tough competition, Abbie Phillips and Purdy Talker secured the 2023 NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby Non Pro title.
BY KRISTIN PITZER PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESScottsdale, Arizona – May 31–June 10, 2023 (Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Abbie Phillips; Purdy Talker; 19M (Purdy Boy Flash x Money Talks Smart x Smart Mate); Kelby Phillips; 657.5 (H: 217/R: 222.5/C: 218); $10,000
2. Tammy Jo Hays; Shiverz; 19M (Woody Be Tuff x Cats Boonolena x High Brow Cat); Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays; 652 (H: 216.5/R: 215/C: 220.5); $7,500
3 (TIE). Debbie Crafton; Ohh You Betcha; 19G (Bet Hesa Cat x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 651.5 (H: 213.5 /R: 220.5 /C: 217.5); $5,250
3 (TIE). Lanham Brown; RAB Fly Lika Outlaw; 19G (Shiney Outlaw x RAB Go Peppy Fly x Gold Peppy Freckles); R A Brown Ranch; 651.5 (H: 216/R: 218.5/C: 217); $5,250
5. Debbie Crafton; SJR Diamond Luna; 19M (CD Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat); Debbie Crafton; 651 (H: 216/R: 216/C: 219); $3,430.44
6. Elizabeth Kania; Hickory Dickory Time; 18G (Hickory Holly Time x Very Mild Remedy x Very Smart Remedy); Renee Dubois; 647 (H: 215.5/R: 217/C: 214.5); $2,787.23
7. Debbie Crafton; SJR SuKindaRockstar; 18S (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal); Debbie Crafton; 639.5 (H: 217/R: 216.5/C: 206); $2,358.43
8. Stephen Silva; DT Shiny N I Know It; 19S (Hickory Holly Time x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark); Stephen Silva; 636.5 (H: 206.5/R: 217/C: 213); $2,144.03
9. Stefani Wagley; Boon Doxx; 18G (Sannman x Docs Stylish Liz x Docs Stylish Oak); Stefani Wagley; 635 (H: 212/R: 218/C: 205); $1,715.22
10. Cutter McLaughlin; Peppy Reys; 19G (Dual Smart Rey x Ms Peptostripmal x Peptoboonsmal); Jay & Wendy McLaughlin; 634.5 (H: 213/R: 208.5/C: 213); $1,500.82
As she rode into the pen for the NRCHA Kimes Ranch Western Derby Non Pro, Abbie Phillips was hopeful the show would be the one where she and Purdy Talker could finally win their own title together. The duo came close last year, tying for the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Reserve Championship, and since then, they’ve made a couple finals in 2023. Still, a big championship had eluded them.
Fortunately, luck was on their side at the Western Derby. There, the pair scored a composite 657.5, winning the Non Pro Championship and banking $10,000.
“This mare is pretty special to me,” Phillips said. “She’s very sweet, and I love riding her. I’m glad I finally got her shown and she got the win. The Non Pro class is getting tougher and tougher, and you just have to have your A-game every time you walk into the pen.”
Phillips said the mare (Purdy Boy Flash x Money Talks Smart x Smart Mate) is talented in every aspect of the cow horse, and their performances throughout the finals proved it. In the herd work, they scored a 217, which tied to top that section of the class.
“The herd work is a lot of fun on her; she’s a lot of fun to ride since she’s so cowy,” Phillips
said. “I was first out in that set, so we were kind of cutting for shape, but she handled all three of our cows.”
Purdy Talker’s style in the reined work, from her big stops to her pretty circles, helped the pair mark the highest reined work score, a 222.5.
“She’s super pure in the reining,” Phillips said. “She runs and stops so hard, and I can count on her every single time.”
Tricky cows throughout the week made Phillips a little apprehensive headed into the cow work, but luck was on the duo’s side. They drew a good cow and scored a 218 down the fence—the third highest in the cow work—giving them the boost they needed to win the title.
“I need to thank my herd help—Corey Cushing, Phillip Ralls, Brandon Buttars and my husband, Kelby,” Phillips said. “I was first out in that set [in the herd work], and they put me on three good cows. A big thanks also to Oklahoma Equine, who vets our horses, and the Kelby Phillips team for being there and helping me out.”
Tammy Jo Hays and Shiverz (Woody Be Tuff x Cats Boonolena x High Brow Cat) picked up the reserve championship with their composite 652 (H: 216.5/R: 215/C: 220.5). The pair, which marked the highest score in the cow work, banked $7,500.
Tammy Jo Hays and Shiverz (Woody Be Tuff x Cats Boonolena x High Brow Cat) collected the Non Pro Reserve Championship with a 652 (H: 216.5/R: 215/C: 220.5). The 2019 mare, owned by Hays and Walter Greeman, collected $7,500.
Jayson Fisher and 2018 stallion Wood U Just Do It (Woody Be Tuff x Spookys Cash x Miss N Cash), who he owns with Teresa Fisher, scored a 651 (H: 215/R: 218.5/C: 217.5) to win the Intermediate Non Pro Championship. The pair garnered $3,793.28.
“SHE’S VERY SWEET, AND I LOVE RIDING HER. I’M GLAD I FINALLY GOT HER SHOWN AND SHE GOT THE WIN. THE NON PRO CLASS IS GETTING TOUGHER AND TOUGHER, AND YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE YOUR A-GAME EVERY TIME YOU WALK INTO THE PEN.”
—Abbie Phillips
A composite 643 (H: 212/R: 216.5/C: 214.5) gave Paul Bailey and Smart Time Peppy (One Time Pepto x Smart Peppy Doc Doll x Smart Peppy Doc) the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Championship. Bailey owns the 2019 gelding with his wife, Amy, and banked $2,968.65.
With a 641 (H: 209/R: 214.5/C: 217.5), Rachel Reedy and 2018 gelding One Genuine Time (One Time Pepto x Vandas Spark x Shining Spark) took home the Limited Non Pro Championship and $1,847.16 for her father, Rodney Davey, who owns the horse..
Katie Fox piloted Shinersdiamondlights (CD Lights x Shiners Diamond Cat x WR This Cats Smart), owned by Dan Fox, to a composite 639 (H: 213.5/R: 219/C: 206.5) for the Limited Non Pro Reserve Championship. Fox and the 2019 mare went home with $1,451.34.
Matthew Kimes and Hope Shez Catty (Catty Hawk x Shes Full Of Hope x Smart Mate) clinched the Level 1 Non Pro Championship with a 632 (H: 203/R: 215.5/C: 213.5). The 2019 mare, who is owned by Kimes, collected $1,778.40.
Mindy Barkemeyer and her 2018 gelding A Spoonful Of Boon (Once In A Blu Boon x Senorita Spoon x Hes A Peptospoonful) scored a 625 (H: 209/R: 215/C: 201) for the Level 1 Non Pro Reserve Championship, collecting $1,333.80.
Brenda Hannan rode her 2018 mare Isa Holly Time (Hickory Holly Time x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena) to a composite 625.5 (H: 205/R: 211.5/C: 209) for the Select Non Pro Championship and $175.
With a 623.5 (H: 208/R: 216.5/C: 199), Kristy Kay Miller and her 2019 gelding Blu My Cover (Once In A Blu Boon x Lil Play Rey x Reys Dual Badger) took the Select Non Pro Reserve title and garnered $105.
The Non Pro Chrome Cash Championship went to Debbie Crafton and SJR Sumkindarockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal), her 2018 stallion. The pair scored a 647.5 (H: 214/R: 220.5/C: 213) and banked $960.
Tricia Gilson and her 2018 gelding Rebellious Soul (Metallic Rebel x Farra Rey x Dual Rey) nabbed Reserve in the Non Pro Chrome Cash incentive, scoring a 644.5 (H: 214/R: 213/C: 217.5) for $640 in earnings.
Aboard Debbie Crafton’s 2018 mare One Smart N Timely (One Time Pepto x Ima Smart Response x Smart Little Lena), Lori Frampton-Crafton scored a 651 (H: 215/R: 216/C: 220) to win the Non Pro Boxing Championship and $3,500.
Riding VE One Hired Gun (Hired Gun x One Autumn Breeze x One Time Pepto), a 2018 mare owned by Vera Earl Ranch Inc., Addison Tomlinson picked up the Non Pro Boxing Reserve title with a score of 650 (H: 216/R: 216/C: 218), earning $2,750.
Rebecca Moore and Tinker With Platinum (Platinum Vintage x Tinker Nic x Reminic), her 2018 mare, amassed a 637.5 (H: 208/R: 215.5/C: 214) for the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Championship. They banked $1,000.
Dusty Anderson and DT Time For Drake (Hickory Holly Time x Smart Shine Ann x Smart Shiner) clinched the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Reserve Championship with a 624.5 (H: 202/R: 211.5/C: 211). Anderson and her 2018 gelding collected $750.
A composite score of 645.5 (H: 211/R: 219/C: 215.5) gave Lori Adamski-Peek and her 2018 gelding One Metallic Spark (Metallic Cat x One Sparking Time x One Time Pepto) the Select Non Pro Boxing Championship, along with $150.
Becky Stockett and her 2017 mare Katcinco (Hick Chicaroo x Kat Five x High Brow Cat) received Reserve in the Select Non Pro Boxing after scoring a 640.5 (H: 213/R: 212/C: 215.5). The pair collected $125 in earnings.
Karla Steckel and her 2017 mare TR Gun And Roses (One Time Pepto x Miss Silver Gun x Colonels Smoking Gun) picked up the Non Pro Boxing Chrome Cash Championship, which came with $650, with their composite 634.5 (H: 211/R: 217.5/C: 206).
Smart Chic An Tari and Sarah Dawson rode to two champion titles in Spectacular classes at the 2023 Kimes Ranch Western Derby.
BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESThe stars aligned to bring the right type of horse, the perfect class schedule and the right cow to score big to help Smart Chic An Tari carry Sarah Dawson to the NRCHA Million Dollar Rider’s first Open Bridle Spectacular title at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby. If that wasn’t enough reason to celebrate, the 2017 mare also won the Open Two Rein Spectacular Champion title.
Bred and owned by Aaron Ranch, Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) has been in Dawson’s program since the beginning of her show career. While it isn’t the Perrin, Texas, horsewoman’s first time to win a Two Rein Spectacular—she did it in 2021 aboard Holy Cow Performance Horse’s Lil Time Reymanising (One Time Pepto x Reymanising x Dual Rey) at the Western Derby—earning the top spot in the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular, presented by Nancy
Crawford’s Holy Cow Performance Horses, added a cherry on top of the championship.
“It was really cool [to win], especially with our history with Ms. Nancy, it was cool,” Dawson said. “It’s special. Bridle spectaculars are so tough. You can have a really good horse, but there are 20 other great horses you’re competing against, so for the stars to align, to cut and draw the good cows and your horse to stay together in the rein work, it takes a lot for [the win] to happen. I’ve been close on Shine Smarter a lot but never got [a Spectacular win] done, so it is nice to finally get the win.”
Of the 60 entries in the Open Bridle Spectacular, Dawson’s draws of 21 in herd, 21 in reined work and then 61 in cow (running concurrently with the Super Spectacular), put her in good position to make a run for the win. However, she wasn’t only concerned with how the bridle classes went, but also the two rein,
which had 37 entries. She said any other horse may not have handled the amount of runs in the show pen, but that Smart Chic An Tari is an exceptionally good-minded horse.
“We thought about it a lot going into it, and the schedule was super friendly to do it with,” Dawson said. “She’s super-easy to get ready—it doesn’t take anything. We figured that it was better to ride her that day for some money instead of just riding her. If she was one that was more difficult to prepare or took more riding, I don’t think we would’ve done it. She’s one, you keep her stretched and then go for it. That wouldn’t suit every horse, but it suits her.”
The mare’s scores remained consistent through both events. In the bridle, the pair scored a composite 663.5 (H: 220.5/R: 223/C: 220), and in the two rein, marked a 441.5 (H: 147/R: 148/C: 146.5). When it came down to the last run to earn the bridle win, Dawson hoped for a fast cow to show off the big-strided horse’s moves.
“She’s so pretty doing things that she doesn’t have to overexert herself to mark a big score,” Dawson said. “She can have a workman’s like run and get those scores without having to try her guts out. Luckily, we got a cow that ran, and we didn’t stay on the end that long on purpose, but it ran harder than I thought it was going to. I almost didn’t get it caught on the first turn, then I almost didn’t get it caught on the second turn! It surprised me how fast it ran, but that mare handled it all really good.”
The pair took home two paychecks at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby: $13,540 in the bridle and $5,700 in the two-rein. Up next, Dawson will prepare the mare for The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge, which they qualified for at the Scottsdale, Arizona, event.
Where one horse-and-rider pair earning two division championships would be rare, having two teams do it at the same show would be near impossible. Yet, Cutter McLaughlin rode SCR King Of The Road (Sannman x SCR Crackin Light x Boonlight Dancer), bred by Singleton Ranches and owned by Jay and Wendy McLaughlin, to do just that at the Derby. He and the roan gelding rode to a composite 436 (H: 144.5/R: 144.5/C: 147) in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular to win, and then topped the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular with a 440.5 (H: 145/R: 146/C: 149.5). In total, the student from Amarillo, Texas, earned more than $6,500.
“He’s fun to ride! Everything on him is actually really fun because he runs circles, stops, cuts and goes
down the fence great,” McLaughlin said. “He runs and stops really good. Down the fence, he’s a pretty small horse, but he will take the cow down the fence and makes the biggest fence turns.”
The 6-year-old gelding topped the 12-horse field in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular and outscored the Reserve Champion Paul Bailey riding Peptilion (One Time Pepto x Sparktilion x Shining Spark) by half a point. There were 39 entries in the bridle event, though, and several horses that were much older, and more experienced, than SCR King Of The Road.
“When I won the two rein, I was so excited,” McLaughlin said. “After, I was really excited to go and show him in the bridle and have a clean run. He is only 6, so I went into the bridle trying to have good, clean runs. It’s tough to compete with older bridle horses on a 6-year-old, but we figured, since we were going out there anyway, we’d enter him in the bridle. This horse rides good in the bridle, and I’ve been riding him in it since April or May of his 5-year-old year.”
Since purchasing the 2017 gelding, McLaughlin’s father, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Jay McLaughlin, has only ridden the horse a handful of times. The young rider has put in the hours to get the gelding ready to show, starting when the pair were entered in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.
“I’ve enjoyed him because I’ve done a lot of the work on him since we’ve had him,” McLaughlin said. “Seeing all he and I have accomplished, it’s cool, and he’s up there with the best horses I’ve ridden, like [CD Dee Vee Dee]. I’m fortunate to have such a good horse
to continue showing. He’s proven he can compete, and I want to see if he’ll progress even more in the bridle as he gets older. He accepts everything you show him and tries.”
Olivia Bethe and Smart Dual Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Dually Dodger x Dual Pep) teamed up two years ago, and in that short time frame, the pair has ticked off several goals for the cow horse for the 18-year-old rider. At the Kimes Ranch Western Derby, the 2015 gelding carried his pilot to the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular Champion title with a composite 430 (H: 145/R: 140/C: 145) to earn $840. For Bethe, it was as much fun as she’s ever had in the saddle.
“The Western Derby is my first big NRCHA show win, though I did place seventh at the [NRCHA Celebration of Champions] World Show, and it’s been really exciting,” she said. “I was all smiles out there because I love doing my job with him. It all worked out in our favor and God allowed us that win!”
For 10 years, Bethe, of Carmel, California, focused on hunter-jumpers before shifting into the Western world. Her trainers, Tina and Tucker Robinson, helped her find the gelding she calls “Frankie” and teach her the cow horse ropes.
“Frankie is a Godsend. It was a big transition from the English world to Western, but he taught me everything I know, along with the Robinsons’ and the training they’ve poured into me,” she said. “They’ve shaped me into who I am today, and I owe it all to them.”
Originally, Bethe started in the boxing, showing at the NRCHA Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in 2022 before moving to go down the fence so she could compete in California High School Rodeo Association cow horse events. Following the Western Derby, she rode in the CHSRA regional and qualified for the July National High School Finals Rodeo.
She credits Frankie with helping to make cow horse fun. Prior to the Western Derby, the pair focused on herd work, which helped kick off the event with a solid 145 score.
“In the Spectacular, we wanted to make sure we were ready to go so we practiced a lot of herd work,” Bethe said. “Frankie loves a cow; he squeals when it comes out in the boxing. He is Mr. Cow, so practicing a lot of herd work really helped us to the highest herd work score I’ve ever gotten on him, which put us ahead. Then, I just let him do his thing in reining. The fence work is my favorite event. Frankie and I both love chasing cows. I know he can handle any cow they send out into that arena, and he can get me there!”
Though Bethe is headed to college, she has one
more youth year, and plans to spend it showing Frankie and her Derby horse as often as possible.
“I have my last year in the youth to keep riding Frankie, do the Youth World’s Greatest [Horseman] and show my Derby horse,” she said. “Frankie has taught me everything, and when we can send it at the big shows, we are going to do it.”
The NRCHA Derby Bridle Spectacular is named in memory of CD Survivor (CD Olena x Have A Lil Lena x Peppy San Badger), orphaned as a foal to earn the name “survivor.” He was best love by his owner, Nancy Crawford of Holy Cow Performance Horses, who puts up $50,000 in added money for bridle spectacular classes held each year at NRCHA premier events. The added money started in 2010, and Crawford has not wavered in her support of the finished bridle horse.
“The goal of the bridle spectacular and why it exists in the first places to have [incentive] for a fully trained bridle horse to compete,” she said. “I think it’s really important to have those fully trained bridle horses that just about anybody can ride.”
The CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular Champion, presented by Holy Cow Performance Horses, receives a perpetual trophy and their name and the horse’s name are added annually.
OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Tabasque O (Metallic Cat x Nievas x Cats Merada), a 2015 gelding bred by Brandon Duferrena, and Ron Ralls scored a composite 661.5 (H: 218/R: 220/C: 223.5) and earned $10,155 for owner Richard Bell. With the same score in the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular, the duo took home $2,912 and the championship title.
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)
Debbie Crafton rode her 2017 gelding Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Qujana Gal x Quejanaisalena), bred by Molly Mae Mirassou, to the reserve title with a composite 437 (H: 144/R: 146/C: 147) to earn $3,168.75.
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)
Parke Greeson riding SCR BetThisTime (Bet Hesa Cat x PRF One Time Candi x One Time Pepto), a 2016 gelding bred by Milton and Bridey Greeson and owned by Sarco Creek Ranch, tied with a 437 (H: 146/R: 145/C: 146) to earn $3,168.75.
YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION
Landri Lisac and her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark), bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, rode to a 429 (H: 141.5/R: 142.5/C: 145) to earn $672.
YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Caleb Cushing rode 2011 gelding Good Time (One Time Pepto x Dual Nurse x Nurse Rey), bred by Cindy Smith and owned by Corey and Kristen Cushing, to a 437 (H: 145/R: 143.5/C: 148.5) to earn $840.
YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Chet Gorrell rode 2005 gelding Smooth N Cash (Smooth As A Cat x Dox Gavacash x Miss N Cash), bred by Robert Lambert and owned by Roloff Ranch, to a 435.5 (H: 145/R: 144/C: 146.5) to earn $700.
NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Lucinda David and Rubys Reypeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA x Peppy San Badger), a 2016 gelding bred by Ruby Tuesday Partners, rode to a 437 (H: 144/R: 144.5/C: 148.5) to earn $4,850.
NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
DJ Crafton rode Doctor Spark (Very Smart Remedy x Magic Sparkles x Shining Spark), a 2013 gelding bred by Joyce Pearson Trust and owned by Debbie Crafton, to a 436.5 (H: 145/R: 143.5/C: 148) to earn $3,880.
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OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)
Teles Were Dreamin (Meteles Cat x Reys Dreamgirl x Dual Rey), a 2017 gelding bred by Jordan Furnish, and Brad Barkemeyer rode to the tie with a 440 (H: 146.5/R: 146/C: 147.5) to earn owner Greenberg Land and Livestock LLC $4,275.
OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION (TIE)
Shane Steffen rode 2016 gelding Metallic Metal (Metallic Cat x Nurse Gray x Grays Starlight), bred by Dottie St. Clair Hill, to a 440 (H: 146/R: 147/C: 147) and earned owner Kristen Troxel $4,275.
NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Paul Bailey rode Peptilion (One Time Pepto x Sparktilion x Shining Spark), a 2017 gelding bred by Michelle Cannon and co-owned with Amy Bailey, to a 435.5 (H: 140.5; R: 146.5; C: 148.5) to earn $1,900.
These competitors showed their versatility and grit in the four-event Super Spectacular classes.
BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT / PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESThe Non Pro and Open Bridle Super Spectaculars at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby added steer stopping to reined cow horses’ traditional herd work, reined work and cow work. The winners of these events show why a cow horse is a true athlete.
Whose Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow x Peptoboonsmal) proved his mettle throughout the four events of the Open Bridle Super Spectacular on June 9. The 2015 sorrel gelding, guided by Shadd Parkinson of Scottsdale, Arizona, secured the championship title with a composite score of 880.5 and took home $1,200 and a Classic Equine rope bag.
Parkinson has been with “Shep” since the gelding was a 3-year-old. They’ve shown in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition, so the gelding is used to roping.
“He’s not very complicated,” Parkinson said. “He’s a real fun horse to show—he’s always game for just about whatever you want him to do. My biggest strategy is to try to do the best job of staying out of his way and letting him do his job.”
Whose Tuff and Shadd Parkinson captured the Open Bridle Super Spectacular title with an 880.5 (H: 219 /R: 221.5 /C: 220 /S: 220). The 2015 gelding collected $1,200 for owner Christa Hampton.The pair scored a 219 in the herd work—landing second—and placed at the top of the reined work with a 221.5 and scored a 220 in the cow work.
“The cows were kind of hit or miss, but he was fantastic down the fence,” Parkinson said.
Steer stopping was the final event.
“I just saddled him up, turned him around and backed in the box, and he acted like we’d done it a hundred times,” Parkinson said of their run, which scored a 220. “I was really happy with him.”
Parkinson praised Shep’s consistency during the event, and said the horse’s attitude is his greatest strength.
“He’s always willing to do anything, he’s got a lot of try and he stops huge, whether it’s in the reining or other events,” Parkinson said. “Mostly, he’s just got a real love of life. He can just go lope a circle and you can show him, and he’s going to be the same if you lope him for an hour. It doesn’t make a difference to him. He’s just one of those really good show horses.”
MC Cowhammer (Metallic Cat x Gunsmart Gay x Playgun) and Trevor Carter earned the reserve championship in the Open Bridle Super Spectacular. The 2015 red roan stallion and Carter, of Clovis, New Mexico, scored an 876 (H: 217/R: 219.5/C: 216.5/S: 223). MC Cowhammer was bred and is owned by Bogle Brothers LLC of Dester, New Mexico.
Parke Greeson of Goliad, Texas, was thrilled when his 2016 red roan stallion SCR BetThisTime (Bet Hesa Cat x PRF One Time Candi x One Time Pepto) won the Non Pro Super Spectacular with a
composite score of 582 (H: 146/R: 145/C: 146/S: 145), taking home $850 and a Classic Equine rope bag. The horse was bred by Milton and Bridey Greeson and is owned by Sarco Creek Ranch, in Goliad.
“We raised him, started him as a 2-year-old, showed him through the Derby, into the two rein and now into the bridle,” Greeson said.
He uses “Pablo” on his family’s ranch in South Texas, so roping is a natural event for the stallion. He prepared for the Super Spectacular by working on each element of reined cow horse.
“He’s a quicker horse, so I felt confident he would merge into the roping pretty well, and he did,” Greeson said. His wife, Heather, showed Pablo in boxing earlier in the week and he was solid for her, too.
MC Cowhammer and Trevor Carter earned the reserve championship in the Open Bridle Super Spectacular. The 2015 stallion and Carter scored an 876 (H: 217/R: 219.5/C: 216.5/S: 223), winning $1,000 for owner Bogle Brothers LLC.
Parke Greeson and SCR BetThisTime won the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular Championship with a 582 (H: 146 /R: 145 /C: 146 /S: 145). The 2016 stallion, owned by Sarco Creek Ranch, collected $850.
“HE’S ALWAYS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING, HE’S GOT A LOT OF TRY AND HE STOPS HUGE, WHETHER IT’S IN THE REINING OR OTHER EVENTS."
—Shadd Parkinson
A good draw and good cows made for a top-ranked herd work score of 146. Their second-place reined work pattern scored a 145.
“In the reining, he let me use him in the circles, and he ran and stopped well,” Greeson said. “In the cow work, we had a pretty good cow, he rated off well, and we had both turns and went and circled. I felt good going into the roping.”
Their cow work score of 146 set them up for the steer stopping.
“I always get a little nervous when I draw first, because you’re not able to see the start a whole bunch,” Greeson said. “But these steers were really honest, so we just saw about a shoulder around, and went and caught him.”
That run scored a 145, landing them the championship title.
“I’m super proud of that little horse, raising him and everything,” Greeson said. “He’s been with me a long time. I’m just tickled that he’s staying with me, and I know how hard it is to keep these show horses good and honest. I’m just going to
try to keep doing that on him. He’s a standup horse, and he’s got some good speed. He’s a pretty important horse to me.”
Debbie Crafton of Ordway, Colorado, and her 2017 brown gelding FoundLoveAtHooters (Smooth As A Cat x Rey Lena Rey x Dual Rey) took the reserve title in the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular with a composite score of 579.5 (H: 143.5/R: 146.5/C: 141/S: 148.5), earning $637.50. Connie Down-Cicoria of Foothills, Alberta, Canada, was the gelding’s breeder.
Debbie Crafton and her 2017 gelding FoundLoveAtHooters took the reserve title in the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular as well as $637.50 with a score of 579.5 (H: 143.5/ R: 146.5/ C: 141/ S: 148.5).
The Arizona heat sizzled as NRCHA open riders vied for five spots in the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge.
As if the competition wasn’t hot enough in the Kimes Ranch Western Derby, The Run For A Million qualifier turned up the temperature as riders attempted to capture one of five spots to compete in the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge, held during The Run for A Million.
It took a composite 442.5 to earn a spot, and NRCHA Hall of Famer Randy Paul took top honors in the class and earned his second trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, aboard Linda Katz’s CD Highlights, topping the qualifier with a 445.5 (R: 219.5/C: 226).
Following the reined work on Monday, June 5, Paul and CD Highlights (High Brow CD x Go Little Starlight x Grays Starlight) sat just inside the top 20 with a 219.5. Paul knew he’d need a solid cow work to make the top five and a earn a trip to compete in Las Vegas. Marking a massive 226 on the cow, Paul secured the top score and earned a $7,400 check.
The four additional riders who earned their spots for the Las Vegas event are Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion and World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Boyd Rice from Weatherford, Texas; NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and multiple World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Ron Ralls from Gainesville, Texas; NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and The American Performance Horseman Champion Sarah Dawson from Perrin, Texas; and past NRCHA World Champion Shawn Hays from Weatherford, Texas.
2018 NRCHA OPEN FUTURITY CHAMPION
#1 NRCHA OPEN ALL AGES/ALL DIVISIONS HORSE OF THE YEAR 2018
LTE: $174,997
•••
SHOWN BY COREY CUSHING
BRED & OWNED BY SAN JUAN RANCH
POWERED BY ULTRACRUZ®
The Kimes Ranch Western Derby boasted a record number of entries and payouts. These horse and rider teams rode to the top of the horse show classes.
BY CALLIE
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Donna Waddell and Shes Devine (Metallic Cat x Shesa Show Stopper x Peptoboonsmal) earned the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 290 (R: 145 /C: 145). The 2015 mare collected $756.25 and is owned by Donna Waddell.
NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION, BOX DRIVE CHAMPION
Niamh Sexton and Ima Metallic Shine (Metallic Cat x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena) clinched the Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 294 (R: 145.5/C: 148.5), and the Box Drive Championship with a 295.5 (R: 145/C: 150.5). The 2016 stallion collected $3,950 in the boxing and $1,340 in the box drive for owner Melissa Sexton.
LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Josey Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) won the Limited Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 284.5 (R: 143/C: 141.5). The 2016 gelding collected $410 and is owned by R.A. Brown Ranch.
SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (Peptoboonsmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) clinched the Select Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 293 (R: 146/C: 147). The 2010 gelding collected $425.50 and is owned by Delinda Jokela.
YOUTH BOXING CHAMPION, YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER CHAMPION
Caleb Cushing and Good Time (One Time Pepto x Dual Nurse x Dual Pep) clinched the Youth Boxing and 13 & Under Championships with a 292 (R: 143.5/C: 148.5). The 2011 gelding collected $230 and is owned by Corey and Kristen Cushing.
YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION
Hunter Hays and TheCrowdLovesMe (Smart Chic Olena x Shine Smartly x Shining Spark) won the Youth Cow Horse 13 & Under Championship with a 287.5 (R: 146/C: 141.5). The 2008 gelding is owned by Lindsay Wadhams.
NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION
Paul Bailey and Peptilion (One Time Pepto x Sparktilion x Shining Spark) took the Non Pro Two Rein Championship with a 295 (R: 146.5/C: 148.5). The 2017 gelding collected $1,308 and is owned by Paul and Amy Bailey.
YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION
Caroline Buchanan and Sweetes (Metallic Cat x One Sweet Sis x One Time Pepto) earned the Youth Cow Horse championship with a 289 (R: 146.5/C: 142.5). The 2017 gelding collected $232.50 and is owned by Anne Buchanan.
SELECT BOX DRIVE CHAMPION
Heather Vatcher and Sippin Boons Farm (Smart Boons x Peppy Nicolena x Nic It In The Bud) clinched the Select Box Drive Championship with a 289 (R: 145.5/C: 143.5). The 2012 gelding collected $240 and is owned by Heather Vatcher.
OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION
SnapDragons (GunnaTrashYa x Catnaps x High Brow Cat) and Zane Davis clinched the Open Two Rein Championship with a 296 (R: 148.5/C: 147.5). The 2017 stallion collected $2,780 for owner Shane Law.
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
Sarah Clymer and Royal Roanie Smart (One Time Pepto x Royal Smart Cat x High Brow Cat) earned the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 292 (R: 144.5/C: 147.5). The 2016 gelding collected $2,014.80 and is owned by Sarah Clymer.
SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
Kristy Kay Miller and Glamour Royallty (One Time Royalty x Kitna Rey x Dual Rey) won the Select Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 284 (R: 145/C: 139). The 2016 gelding collected $260 and is owned by Kristy Kay Miller.
Cutter McLaughlin and SCR King Of The Road (Sannman x SCR Crackin Light x Boonlight Dancer) took the Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 295.5 (R: 146/C: 149.5). The 2017 gelding collected $2,357.50 and is owned by Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.
NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
LEVEL 1 NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
Lainey Grewing and Metallic Blaze (Metallic Cat x Blazen Tornado x Smart Mate) clinched the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 292 (R: 145/C: 147). The 2016 gelding collected $1,820 and is owned by Lainey Grewing.
NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION
Debbie Crafton and HotNRebellious (Metallic Rebel x Ima Hot Model x Spots Hot) took the Non Pro Hackamore Championship with a 291 (R: 143/C: 148). The 2019 gelding collected $1,660 and is owned by Debbie Crafton.
OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
CR Dainty N Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Dainty Dual Rey x Dual Rey) and Lee Deacon won the Open Hackamore Championship with a 298 (R: 147.5/C: 150.5). The 2018 gelding collected $2,912 for owner Lee Ann McDaniel.
LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
VE One Hired Gun (Hired Gun x One Autumn Breeze x One Time Pepto) and Bailey Kimball won the Limited Open Hackamore Championship with a 277 (R: 140/C: 137). The 2018 mare collected $1,200 for owners Vera Earl Ranch Inc.
LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION
Ruby Merada (Cats Merada x MS Peptostripmal x Peptoboonsmal) and Patrick Appleby earned the Limited Open Bridle Championship with a 423 (R: 210.5/C: 212.5). The 2012 mare collected $1,500 for owners Amanda Dingley.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
Lil Stormy Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Shiners Lil Ann x Shining Spark) and Clay Roeser clinched the Intermediate Open Hackamore Championship with a 286.5 (R: 143.5/C: 143). The 2018 stallion collected $510 for owners Sliding J Ranch.
OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION
CD Highlights (High Brow CD x Go Little Starlight x Grays Starlight) and Randy Paul clinched the Open and Intermediate Open Bridle Championships with a 445.5 (R: 219.5/C: 226). The 2012 stallion collected $5,362.50 in the Open and $840 in the Intermediate Open for owner Linda S. Katz.
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EQUESTRIAN™ HACKAMORE CLASSIC, PRESENTED BY OSWOOD STALLION STATION
July 24–30, 2023, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Cats Nu Shine; Nicholas Dowers; 18M (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark); Clinton Marshall; 664.5 (H: 220.5/R: 224.5/ C: 219.5); $23,000
2.CR Dainty N Tuff; Lee Deacon; 18G (Woody Be Tuff x Dainty Dual Rey x Dual Rey); Lee Ann McDaniel; 658.5 (H: 216.5/R: 223/C: 219); $18,040.32
3. Vince Von; Sarah Dawson; 19G (Stevie Rey Von x Hottness x Spots Hot); Wendy Buehler; 656 (H: 223/R: 217.5/C: 215.5); $14,432.26
4 (TIE). Metallic Casanova; Clay Volmer; 18S (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry x Spots Hot); Pitzer Ranch/Dack Cattle Co.; 655 (H: 219.5/R: 213/C: 222.5); $10,523.52
4 (TIE). Metallic Daisy Dukes; Todd Bergen; (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); Bit Of Heaven Ranch; 655 (H:218.5/ R:217/C:219.5); $10,523.52
6. Bet Hes Blu; Clayton Edsall; 19S (Bet Hesa Cat x Flo N Blu Boon x Pretty Boy Boon); Beverly Servi; 654.5 (H: 216/R: 215.5/C: 223); $7,216.13
7. SJR Stylish N Smooth; Matt Koch; 19M (Smooth As A Cat x Stylish Little Oak x Playin Stylish); 652 (H: 214.5/R: 218.5/C: 219); San Juan Ranch; $6,013.44
8. SJR Diamonds Justify; Matt Koch; 18G (CD Diamond x Highly Unlimited x High Brow Cat); San Juan Ranch; 650 (H: 213.5/R: 216.5/C: 220); $4,810.75
9. The Royalty; Lee Deacon; 18S (One Time Royalty x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish); Lucinda Rose David; 648.5 (H: 214/R: 216/C: 218.5); $3,608.06
10 (TIE). Shine Like A Dime; Cayley Wilson; 18M (Shiners Nickle x Hickory Ten x Docs Hickory); Michelle Cannon; 646 (H:213/R:216.5/C:216.5); $3,307.39.
10 (TIE). Smart Lookin Secrets; Matt Koch; 18M (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel x One Time Pepto); XIT Ranch LLC; 646 (H: 219.5/R: 216/ C: 210.5); $3,307.39
Nick Dowers and Cats Nu Shine landed on top of the Open in the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station.
BY KRISTIN PITZER | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESWhen Nick Dowers selected which hackamore horses he’d bring to show at the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, his string included a 4-year-old mare that had surprised the Dyer, Nevada, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider with her maturity. Cats Nu Shine (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark), owned by Clinton Marshall and bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC, had the winter off, but the 2018 mare rode around like she hadn’t missed a beat.
“I’ve only ridden her the last month, and what surprised me is how quickly she was ready; it was like we’ve been doing it all along,” Dowers said. “She was right back to form, right away. She felt more mature, stronger and better than where I left her [before she had the winter off].”
The mare called “Little Kim” for Kim Marshall, owner Clinton’s wife, is a barn favorite. Dowers had the high composite score on her in the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open preliminary, but tough luck has kept the pair from the winner’s circle at premier events.
“She’s great everywhere,” Dowers said. “In the herd work, she’s outstanding; in the reined work, if I do my job, I can plusone every maneuver. She’s ferocious down the fence. She’s been
knocking on the door to win. I told Clinton it was a matter of time [because] she’s too special; she’s too great to not win some events. I’m really happy for Clint and for Kim to realize that goal.”
The pair marked a 664.5 (H: 220.5/R: 224.5/C: 219.5) and earned $23,000 for the Open Hackamore Classic Championship, adding to Cats Nu Shine’s more than $34,000 in NRCHA earnings. The pair took the Open Hackamore class win, too, adding another $3,600 to their take-home earnings.
Dowers said that the combination of explosive reactions when needed with composure in the reined work helped take them to the top.
“She’s a freak,” he said. “She’s so composed yet so explosive; it’s an incredible combination. I felt like she’d been capable of this, but we had little things here and there that have gotten away [from us]. She has so much heart and I can’t say enough about her.”
In spite of time off and an earlier hackamore show than in previous years, Dowers said that his horses rose to the occasion. The move by the NRCHA to Tulsa in July is only positive, in his eyes.
“I love Tulsa!” Dowers exclaimed. “The ground was phenomenal, they did a great job, the facility is great and we had air-conditioned pens to ride in and warm up, so it wasn’t nearly as hot as I thought it would be. It was good.
“This is a unique deal, where we ride in a hackamore, and it is a good test to see what the horse is all about,” he continued. “Nothing really changed in [my] preparation, but for my program this is a little early in the year and I didn’t feel like a couple of my 4-year-olds were ready in the hackamore for a prelims and a finals in one week, so I brought a couple that were a little further along and packing it good. I feel like a horse has to be really pure and really genuine to be a hackamore horse, and it’s fun to have an event that showcases that.”
Of the 79 entries in the Open Hackamore Classic, 18 moved on to the Finals held Sunday, July 30. Lee Deacon rode CR Dainty N Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Dainty Dual Rey x Dual Rey), bred by Center Ranch, to the Reserve Champion spot, marking a 658.5 (H: 216.5/R: 223/C: 219) to earn owner Lee Ann McDaniel $18,040.32.
For generations, MARS EQUESTRIAN™ has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS EQUESTRIAN™ is committed to the sport and building enduring legacy. This is one reason why MARS EQUESTRIAN™, sponsored by MARS, Incorporated, is now the title sponsor of the Hackamore Classic. In its first year as a headlining event, the Hackamore Classic moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a central location and outstanding facilities that offered climate-controlled arenas during the summer heat and sure footing for our equine athletes.
From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines, to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS EQUESTRIAN™ is dedicated in our purpose to improve the lives of horses, pets and the people who love them.
For more, visit marsequestrian.com or find MARS EQUESTRIAN™ on Facebook and Instagram @marsequestrian.
“I LOVE TULSA! THE GROUND WAS PHENOMENAL, THEY DID A GREAT JOB, THE FACILITY IS GREAT AND WE HAD AIRCONDITIONED PENS TO RIDE IN AND WARM UP, SO IT WASN’T NEARLY AS HOT AS I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.
— Nick DowersCR Dainty N Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Dainty Dual Rey x Dual Rey), a 2018 gelding bred by Center Ranch and owned by Lee Ann McDaniel, and Lee Deacon rode to a 658.5 (H: 216.5/R: 223/C: 219) and earned $18,040.32. They added another $1,375 for the Chrome Cash high score.
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INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION
Metallic Action (One Time Royalty x Moria Metallica x Metallic Cat), a 2018 mare owned by Clyde Metzler and bred by Ten/27 Ranch LLC, and Wade Meador rode to a composite 872.5 (H: 218/R: 216.5/C: 222/F: 216) to earn $7,500.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION, NOVICE HORSE OPEN CHAMPION
Aboard Kit Kat Paddy Whack (Kit Kat Sugar x Maliblu Barbie x This Cats Destiny), a 2019 mare owned by Clyde Metzler and bred by K&L Phillips LLC, Wade Meador rode to an 870 (H: 213/R: 218.5/C: 221/F: 217.5) to earn $5,879.81. In the Novice Horse, the pair earned $3,500.
LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION, LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION
Dirty Look (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat), a 2019 stallion owned by Ty Smith and bred by Center Ranch, and Garrett Cooper rode to a 865.5 (H: 206/R: 220.5/C: 222/F: 217) to earn $3,006.72 in the Limited Open and another $3,500 in the Level 1 Open.
LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION
Bettin On Willie (Bet Hesa Cat x Jennas Royal Legacy x Smart Royal Rey), a 2019 stallion owned by Troop Quarter Horses and bred by Wiggins Quarter Horses LLC, and Clayton Anderson rode to an 851.5 (H: 213/R: 217/C: 219.5/F: 202) to earn $2,405.38.
Foolish Sue (Im Countin Checks x Pinkys Little Sue x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Stormie Callaway and bred by Circle Y Ranch, and Robert Rush rode to tie with a 636.5 (H: 212/R: 209.5/C: 215) to earn $2,425.41.
Bring It Skippy (Reyzin The Cash x Smooth Peanubutter x Smooth As A Cat), owned by Logan Brothers Performance Horses LLC and bred by Iron Rose Ranch, and Bruce Logan rode to tie with a 636.5 (H: 214/R: 215/C: 207.5) to earn $2,425.41.
In 2021, the NRCHA Hackamore Classic gained a valuable presenting sponsor in Oswood Stallion Station. The Hackamore Classic highlights those derby-aged horses moving from the snaffle bit stage and furthering traditional reined cow horse training. Oswood Stallion Station, based in Weatherford, Texas, continues to support the cow horse industry though this multi-year partnership.
Much like managing each of the stallions in his care, Jeff Oswood understands the importance of supporting a horse throughout its career. With more than 40 years in the industry, Oswood moved the operation to Weatherford in 2007, close to the area most focused on the Western performance horse industry. Last year, Brock and Molly Malson began the process of purchasing the station and continuing Oswood’s legacy. At the stallion station, multiple premier performance stallions stand to the public, including prominent reined cow horse sires like NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champions Hickory Holly Time and Time For The Diamond, as well as One Time Pepto.
Shirley Metallic (Metallic Cat x Shirley Shine x Shining Spark), owned by Geoffrey Porges and bred by Anne Reynolds, and Tyler Merrill rode to a 651.5 (H: 214/R: 218.5/C: 219) to earn $2,736.36.
The NRCHA Hackamore Classic was first held in 1996, and this year debuted as a headlining event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, providing a bright stage for these horses to compete at one of the largest reined cow horse premier events.
July 24–30, 2023, Tulsa, Oklahoma (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Debbie Crafton; Hotnrebellious; 19G (Metallic Rebel x Ima Hot Model x Spots Hot); Debbie Crafton; 654 (H: 216/R: 217/C: 221); $8,500
2. Debbie Crafton; SJR Sumkindarockstar; 18S (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal); Debbie Crafton; 650 (H: 216/R: 218/C: 216); $6,595.88
3. Trail Townsend; Lil Purple Rein; 18G (Once In A Blu Boon x Lil Red Firecat x High Brow Cat); Tripp or Hope Townsend; 642 (H: 215.5/R: 215.5/C: 211); $5,096.81
4. Carrie King; Sliver Of Majesty; 18G (Metallic Rebel x Little Reyalight x Dual Rey); Carrie King; 614 (H: 214.5/R: 213/C: 213.5); $3,597.75
5. Debbie Crafton; SJR Diamond Luna; 19M (CD Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat); Debbie Crafton; 634 (H: 214.5/R: 216/C: 203.5); $2,698.31
6. Jayson Fisher; Wood U Just Do It; 18S (Woody Be Tuff x Spookys Cash x Miss N Cash); Jayson and Teresa Fisher; 613.5 (H: 213/R: 193.5/C: 207); $2,098.69
7. Parke Greeson; Hotest Spots; 18S (Spots Hot x Shesalittleredboon x Peptoboonsmal); Sarco Creek Ranch; 422.5 (H: 212 /R: 210.5/C: 0); $1,499.06
Debbie Crafton earned multiple spotlights during the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, including the Non Pro Hackamore title along with 4-year-old Hotnrebellious.Debbie Crafton and Hotnrebellious smoked their competition in the Non Pro Hackamore Classic at the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ NRCHA Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station.
BY ABIGAIL BOATWRIGHT | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESebbie Crafton hoped for the stars to align for her horse Hotnrebellious at the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ NRCHA Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station. Crafton and “Rebel” have just missed the winner’s circle by inches several times since they got together this year in January. But everything fell into place, and after a composite score of 654, the duo was crowned Non Pro Hackamore Classic champions on July 30, to the tune of $8,500.
“He’s been very good, but something’s kind of always gotten in the way,” Crafton said. “It really wasn’t his fault; just circumstance. So, at this show it was great to be able to have it all come together.”
Crafton, who owns a trucking business with her husband, Andy, and Rebel have become a solid team as she’s learned best how to show him.
“We’re a pretty good little partnership,” Crafton said. “He’s got a lot of confidence and trust in me, and I’ve got a lot of conf idence in him.”
To ease Rebel into the Tulsa, Oklahoma, heat and humidity, the Ordway, Colorado, resident did minimal riding prep leading up to
their event. And Crafton had her hands full— besides Rebel, she had two other horses in the finals—she showed five horses at the show, not to mention competing in other events, including winning the inaugural World’s Greatest Non Pro title.
“I just made sure he was where I needed him to be without having to do a lot of riding,” Crafton said. “I tried to show him to the best of my ability and let his cow and his ability come out, and it worked this time.”
Rebel did well in the herd work, and Crafton thanked her herd help—Chris Dawson, Jay McLaughlin, Ashley Deacon and Tyler Merrill—for assisting her. She scored a 216, tying with her ride on another horse to win the herd work in the finals.
“That horse was really good everywhere,” Crafton said. “He reads the cow really well, and as long as I don’t get in his way, he looks really good out of the herd.”
In the rein work, they marked a 217.
“He was really good on that run-in pattern,” Crafton said. “He handled it really well—very true and pure all the way.”
On the fence work, Crafton didn’t know what to expect from the cattle, but she believed that Rebel had what it took. Despite a tough go, they scored a 221.
“With our team effort, we conquered the cow, and he put together a really good run,” Crafton said.”
Crafton was pleased with Rebel’s performance. The 2019 red roan gelding (Metallic Rebel x Ima Hot Model x Spots Hot) has a bright future— in part due to his trainability, willingness and well-rounded ability.
“He’s just going to continue to grow and get stronger and gain confidence in the show pen,” Crafton said. “He’s really matured a lot in the last few months. I’m really excited to continue our career together.”
Debbie Crafton and SJR SumKindaRockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal) were the reserve Non Pro Derby winners with a composite score of 650 (H: 216/R: 218/C: 216) . The 2018 stallion is owned by Crafton and won $6,595.88. They also had the Chrome Cash high score for an additional $960.
Carrie King and Sliver of Majesty (Metallic Rebel x Little Reyalight x Dual Rey) won the Intermediate Non Pro champion title with a composite score of 858 (H: 215.5/R: 216/C: 213/F: 213.5). The 2018 gelding, owned by King, won $3,500. They also won the Limited Non Pro champion title and $1,400.
“I JUST MADE SURE HE WAS WHERE I NEEDED HIM TO BE WITHOUT HAVING TO DO A LOT OF RIDING. I TRIED TO SHOW HIM TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY AND LET HIS COW AND HIS ABILITY COME OUT, AND IT WORKED THIS TIME.”
—Debbie Crafton
Ashley Lembke and Bet Hesa Honeybee (Bet Hesa Cat x Honey Bees x Peptoboonsmal) were the Intermediate Non Pro reserve champions with a composite score of 857.5 (R: 214.5/H: 209.5/ C: 218/ F: 215.5). The 2018 gelding, owned by Tyrel and Ashley Lembke, took home $2,767.50.
Paul Bailey and Smart Time Peppy (One Time Pepto x Smart Peppy Doc Doll x Smart Peppy Doc) won the Novice Horse Non Pro champion title with a total score of 639.5 (H: 209/R: 215.5/C: 215). The 2019 gelding won $1,375, and is owned by Paul or Amy Bailey.
Chantz Stewart and Bet Hes Chexy (Bet Hesa Cat x Lee San Chex x Prime Time Chex) were the Novice Horse Non Pro Reserve Champions after a composite score of 638 (H: 212.5/R: 214/C: 211.5). The 2018 gelding collected $825, and is owned by Stewart Ranch Inc. The duo also was the Limited Non Pro Reserve Champions with a composite score of 841 (H: 214/R: 212.5/C: 211.5/F: 203), for an additional $825.
Jecca Ostrander and Boxo Opus Magnum (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic x Smart Chic Olena) won the Select Non Pro Champion title with a composite score of 635.5 (H: 212/R: 209/C: 214.5). The 2019 gelding, owned by Box O Quarter Horses, was awarded $120.
Lori Wyman and Nunya Beeswax (Metallic Rebel x Honey Bees x Peptoboonsmal) were named Select Non Pro Reserve Champions with a total score of 633.5 (H: 207/R: 214.5/C: 212). The 2019 mare is owned by Richard A. Jr. and Lori Wyman and won $80.
Landon Brown and Loudacris (Cattalou x Tina Bars Queen x Tina Bars Peppy) earned the Level 1 Non Pro Championship with a composite score of 623.5 (H: 208/R: 214.5/C: 201). Brown owns the 2018 gelding, and the pair took home $2,000.
Kourtney Judge and Sabbra Cadabra (Sannman x SR Smart N Stylish x The Smart Bet) were the Level 1 Non Pro Reserve Champions after scoring a total of 623 (H: 211.5/R:215 /C: 196.5). The 2018 mare collected $1,324.80 and is owned by Judge Livestock.
Cheryl Chown and Hippster (Metallic Rebel x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) won the Non Pro Boxing title with a total score of 643.5 (H: 215/R: 216/C: 212.5). The 2019 gelding took home $2,056.32 and is owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown. Hippster and Chown also won the Select Non Pro Boxing for an additional $50.
NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION AND LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Madison Swor guided Bugs Lite (Once In A Blu Boon x Starlights Natalie x Grays Starlight) to the Non Pro Boxing Reserve Champion title with a composite score of 643 (H: 215/R: 213.5/C: 214.5). The 2018 stallion is owned by Billy Swor and received $1,713.60. The duo also won the Level 1 Boxing Champion title and $483.84.
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LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION
Kaylee Dufresne and Hickory Voodoo Time were the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Reserve Champions with a composite store of 636.6 (H: 211/R: 213.5/C: 212). The 2018 mare (Hickory Holly Time x Voodoo Chic x Smart Chic Olena), owned by Top Fuel LLC, and won $362.88.
Debbie Crafton and Hesa Wee Bet added the inaugural NRCHA World’s Greatest Non Pro title to their streak of success.
BY PAIGE BRANDON | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES
Tulsa, Oklahoma—July 24–30, 2023 (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Owner/Scores/Money)
1. Debbie Crafton; Hesa Wee Bet; 17G (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejuanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 1,096 (H: 213.5/R: 219/C:221/SS: 223/F: 219.5); $12,068
2. Morgan Holmes; Monster Truk; 16G (Ima Downtown Cat x Cowgirls Gettinitdun x Dun It Big); Morgan Holmes; 1,095.5 (H: 212/R: 220.5/C: 217/SS: 224/F: 222); $9,482
Debbie Crafton’s dreams came true after buying Hesa Wee Bet as a 4-year-old. It started with winning a hackamore class their first year together, before exploding into a field of wins—a championship at the Western Derby, a reserve at the Stallion Stakes and a reserve at the Eastern Derby. Their winning streak continued when they clinched the first-ever NRCHA World’s Greatest Non Pro title.
The pair competed against more than 20 entries in the event, held during the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Their week started with a solid 219 in the reined work and progressed into a 223 steer stopping score—a surprise for Crafton as it’s a new event for her 2017 gelding (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejuanaisalena).
“He felt broker than he really should have felt,” Crafton said with a laugh. Despite the nerves, she loved the addition of the roping.
“It throws in excitement because it’s not something that we do,” she shared. “It gets us stepping out of our comfort zone. Just like going down the fence, it throws that cow— that little curveball in there—and you’re not quite sure what’s going to happen.”
3. Tyler Todd; Voodoo Whiskey; 17G (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey); Tyler Todd; 1,090 (H: 219/R: 213/C: 214/ SS: 221/F: 223); $7,327
4. Parke Greeson; Hesastylin; 16G (Mr Playinstylish x Shesalittleredboon x Peptoboonsmal); Sarco Creek Ranch; 1,088 (H: 220/R: 215/ C: 220.5/SS: 223/F: 209.5); $5,172
5. R.A. Brown II; Ima Wynna RAB; 12G (PG Shogun x Right On Eddie RAB x Right On Tivio); Rob A. Brown; 1,086 (H: 209.5/R: 214.5/C: 221/SS: 221.5/F: 219.5); $3,879
6. Lanham Brown; Hesa Twisted Bet; 16G (Bet Hesa Cat x RAB Twistin Dodger x Miss Rodger Hancock); R.A. Brown Ranch; 1,077.5 (H: 206.5/R: 217.5/C: 220/SS: 220/F: 213.5); $3,017
7. Tatum Olsen; Sweet Like That; 13G (Sweet Lil Pepto x Olenas Jazzy Tachita x CD Olena); Jamie or Mica Olsen; 1,056.5 (H: 213/R: 213/C: 215/SS: 221/F: 194.5); $2,155
8. Clark Weaver; Lillys Vaquero; 13G (Cat T Masterson x RS Lilly Starlight x Grays Starlight); Clark Weaver; 860.5 (H: 210.5/ R: 214/C: 217/SS: 219)
9. Chantz Stewart; Shiny; 17M (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Little Lady Steps x Wimpys Little Step); Chantz Stewart; 854.5 (H: 205/R: 218.5/C:
Debbie Crafton, from Ordway, Colorado, won the 2023 World’s Greatest Non Pro at the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station. Aboard Hesa Wee Bet, a 2017 gelding (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejuanaisalena), Crafton scored a 1,096 composite (H: 213.5/R: 219/C:221/SS: 223/F: 219.5). The gelding, bred by Molly Mae Mirassou, and the Colorado native took home a check for $12,068.
She tied for the win in the fence work with R.A. Brown II and Ima Wynna Rab with a score of 221.
“The fence is anybody’s game,” she said. “It depends on what cow you draw—if they want to participate or not. That’s what’s so fun about this event.”
A 213.5 in the herd work led the pair to an 876.5 composite and sitting second going into the cow-work-only finals. Crafton prepared with confidence in her partner and capitalized on the momentum from their fence win from earlier in the week.
“I knew there were some great horses, along with some great riders,” Crafton acknowledged. “I just went in and tried to lay down the run that I felt I was capable of doing and my horse was capable of.”
With a by-the-book run, the duo marked a 219.5 down the fence to move their score a total of 1,096, winning the prestigious World’s Greatest Non Pro title—an indescribable win for Crafton. She attributes her success to her “best friend kind of horse.”
“There’s no trick to him,” she said. “He’s so pure through everything he does, and he tries so hard. He has an absolutely big heart of gold. He allowed me last year to learn how to go show.”
The pair topped reserve champions Morgan Holmes and Monster Truk (Ima Downtown Cat x Cowgirls Gettinitdun x Dun It Big) by only a half-point in the final composite score.
WORLD’S GREATEST NON PRO HERD HIGH SCORE
Parke Greeson and Hesastylin, a 2016 gelding (Mr Playinstylish x Shesalittleredboon x Peptoboonsmal) owned by Sarco Creek Ranch, earned the herd work win during the World’s Greatest Non Pro competition with a 222. Bred by Kit and Charlie Moncrief, Hesastylin and Greeson finished the event fourth with a 1,088 composite (H: 220/R: 215/C: 220.5/SS: 223/F: 209.5), earning a check for $5,172.
Morgan Holmes rode Monster Truk, a 2016 gelding (Ima Downtown Cat x Cowgirls Gettinitdun x Dun It Big), bred by her parents, Jay and Rhonda Holmes, to earn the reserve title in the World’s Greatest Non Pro event with a 1,095.5 composite (H: 212/R: 220.5/C: 217/SS: 224/F: 222). The pair earned a check for $9,482.
WORLD’S GREATEST NON PRO REINED WORK HIGH SCORE
Morgan
Debbie Crafton and Hesa Wee Bet tied to top the World’s Greatest Non Pro fence work with a score of 221 on their campaign to win the event outright in its inaugural year.
R.A. Brown II and Ima Wynna RAB, a 2012 gelding (PG Shogun x Right On Eddie RAB x Right On Tivio) bred and owned by Rob A. Brown, tied to top the World's Greatest Non Pro fence work high score with a 221 and ended up fifth with a 1,086 composite (H: 209.5/R: 214.5/C: 221/SS: 221.5/F: 219.5) and a check for $3,879.
Myles Brown and One Time Legend (One Time Pepto x Hr Playin Legend x Little Lenas Legend) secured the steer stopping win during the World’s Greatest Non Pro with a 225 score. The 2015 gelding is owned by Larry Hall Cutting Horses LLC and was bred by Cowan Select Horses LLC. The duo later claimed 10th overall with an 840.5 composite (H: 217/R: 209/C: 189.5/SS: 225).
Kreyzy Horse and Kelby Phillips netted their first big win together in the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station.
BY SARAH McENTIRE | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESKreyzy Horse added to his long list of career highlights at the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ NRCHA Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with trainer Kelby Phillips. The pair took home the Open Bridle Spectacular Championship by a close half-point margin, with a total composite score of 666.5 (H: 220.5/R: 222/C: 224) for owner Bosque Ranch Performance Horses.
The championship title added $10,300 to the stallion’s lifetime earnings. Phillips shared that preparing the 2015 stallion (Dual Rey x Shes Twice As Smooth x Smooth As A Cat) was easy, adding that the stallion is the most laidback horse in the barn. Phillips just tried to stay out of the horse’s way and let him do his job. For this event, preparation included a lot of rating and tracking cattle around the arena without ever making a fence turn.
“I never went and made a fence turn on him [as we prepared]; I just wanted to keep him confident,” Phillips said. “I honestly hadn’t done a lot, because he’s well-trained, so I trust the process and just go with it.”
After having six months off as a 3-year-old, the stallion quickly gained ground once he began his show career as a 4-year-old. Kreyzy Horse’s lifetime earnings now exceed $118,000.
“He was never a horse I felt behind on; he is just that good-minded.” Phillips said. “He adapts to any situation, and when the pressure is on, he brings the heat.”
The Run For A Million $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge is next on the radar for the team. The plan going forward for the 8-year-old stallion is to keep him healthy, sound and fit in preparation of the event.
In a competitive Non Pro Bridle Spectacular class, Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown claimed the title with a composite score totaling 655.5 (H: 215.5/R: 219/C: 221) to win $4,190. To 19-year-old Walker, “Rio” is more than just a horse: He is her first horse to go down the fence, and they’ve shown together for the last six years. The pair shares a special bond and proved their talents as a team in Tulsa.
“It started off with the reining, and I was extremely
Kreyzy Horse (Dual Rey x Shes
Twice As Smooth x Smooth As A Cat) and Kelby Phillips clinched the Open Bridle Spectacular Championship with a 666.5 (H: 220.5/R: 222 /C: 224). The 2015 stallion collected $10,300 for owners Bosque Ranch Performance Horses.
happy with Rio,” she recalled. “Going into the herd, I just wanted a clean run and that’s what I got. In the fence work, he really pulled through and we scored a 221. It was a very fun run to have on him.”
Walker has been riding the gelding since his 4-year-old year, after purchasing him from Shawn Hays. Rio was her first fence horse and introduction to NRCHA, after showing in boxing and boxdrive-box classes at versatility events. Trainer Ben Baldus also showed him in fence classes.
This win meant a lot to Walker after taking the previous year off from showing.
“I was very excited for the win because it was my first win after taking the year off, and this was my first time winning the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular,” Walker said. “Everyone was showing hard for the World’s Greatest Non Pro, so I was very excited to keep up.”
While she has younger snaffle bit horses coming up in the ranks. Rio will remain her bridle horse. The team will attend some schooling shows this fall and then compete in the non pro bridle class at the Snaffle Bit Futurity® and continue to show at major events all next year.
Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) clinched the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship with a 655.5 (H: 215.5 /R: 219 /C: 221). The 2013 gelding collected $4,100 and is owned by Walker. They also earned the Non Pro Bridle Reserve Championship with a 440 (R: 219/C: 221).
After a minor setback in one class, Lainey Grewing and Metallic Blaze (Metallic Cat x Blazen Tornado x Smart Mate) made a big comeback to win the Youth Cow Horse Bridle Spectacular in Tulsa. The two took the championship with a composite score of 437.5 (H: 142.5/R: 147/C: 148), adding $510 to their NRCHA earnings.
MC Cowhammer (Metallic Cat x Gunsmart Gay x Playgun) and Trevor Carter nabbed the Intermediate Open Bridle Championship with a 656.5 (H: 217.5/R: 217/C: 222). The 2015 stallion collected $2,100 for owners Bogle Brothers, LLC.
INTO THE HERD, I JUST WANTED A CLEAN RUN AND THAT’S WHAT I GOT. IN THE FENCE WORK, HE REALLY PULLED THROUGH AND WE SCORED A 221. IT WAS A VERY FUN RUN TO HAVE ON HIM.”
“GOING
—Catelyn Walker
“Going in, I was a little nervous, but as soon as I stepped in that pen he felt really good underneath me,” Grewing said. “I knew it was going to be a great run.”
The 17-year-old has been showing in NRCHA for three years, starting in boxing classes. She started going down the fence with “Blaze” and has now shown down the fence for two years. Grewing only worked Blaze in the cutting pen when she first tried him. Her mom saw something special and encouraged her to buy the 2016 gelding. Her trainer, Cayley Wilson, started Grewing out going down the fence for a year while she was still showing boxing classes before she stepped up to enter fence classes.
“I got more confident in the fence work, so I switched over to that,” she shared. “I’d been practicing that at home, and I really enjoy it more. It’s a lot more adrenaline, and I have more fun with it.”
Grewing started showing in 4-H and FFA then moved into the Stock Horse of Texas. From there, Grewing began showing strictly in NRCHA classes. She was drawn to NRCHA because of how competitive it is, even in the youth classes.
“NRCHA is the best of the best; it is so competitive,” she said. “I think the youth can be more competitive than the non pro sometimes. Going in there and making a great run is so rewarding, especially seeing the scores and knowing I gave it my all.”
Lucinda David and Rubys Reypeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA x Peppy San Badger) clinched the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular Championship with a 438 (H: 143/R: 147.5/C: 147.5). The 2016 gelding collected $3,600 and is owned by Lucinda Rose David
Lainey Grewing and Metallic Blaze (Metallic Cat x Blazen Tornado x Smart Mate) clinched the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular Championship with a 437.5 (H: 142.5/R: 147/C: 148). The 2016 gelding collected $510 and is owned by Grewing.
Bad To Tha Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Bet on Merada x Bet On Me 498) lives up to his name thanks to his stellar show record, making all major event finals and garnering earnings of more than $127,000. The 2017 gelding, also known as “Tattoo,” added to that record after taking the Open Two Rein Spectacular Championship with Erin Taormino in Tulsa. The pair had a composite score of 438.5 (H: 144/R: 147.5/C: 147).
“I always know what I’m going to have with him whenever I walk into the arena,” Taormino said. “He’s one of those special horses that, every time you call on him, it doesn’t seem to matter, he’s always there for you.”
While the horse is known for being consistent across all three events, according to Taormino, the most fun event with Tattoo is the fence work. She said he rolls with the punches and goes with what the cow gives them.
“He always feels so strong and so confident,” she said. “I don’t think there’s ever been a situation I’ve put him in that worries him or I have to worry about if I did too much. He seems to
like the cows that push him a little harder, and he gets grittier the harder he has to go.”
Taormino has had the gelding in her training program since he was a yearling and has even trained and shown three full siblings to the gelding.
“I think the ones out of that mare [Bet On Merada] by Peptoboonsmal are really special individuals,” Taormino said. “All three of them have all been so good to show and so much fun. I think it is just in them to be show horses.”
Tylor Todd planned to school Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular at Tulsa. Her trainer, Jay McLaughlin, advised she try to win the class, and they did just that. Todd and Voodoo Whiskey, also known as “Voodoo,” took the title with a 434 (H: 142/R: 145/C: 147), adding $2,875 to their lifetime earnings.
“I already knew I’d made the finals in the World’s Greatest Non Pro, so I was going to
“I ALWAYS KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO HAVE WITH HIM WHENEVER I WALK INTO THE ARENA. HE'S ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL HORSES THAT, EVERY TIME YOU CALL ON HIM, IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER, HE'S ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU.”
—Erin Taormino
school him in the two rein,” Todd recalled. “But that morning, Jay told me I needed to show him to try and win, so that’s what I did, and he felt really good.”
Todd was hunting the pair’s first win after placing in many different events. After making the finals for the World’s Greatest Non Pro, Todd was worried the gelding would be too tired and deserved a schooling run; however, Voodoo never backed down.
“He felt great that entire week,” Todd said. “He’s been practicing great, so I felt confident on him. I was sitting good on him after the herd work in the two rein, so Jay said show your horse and go win.”
Todd’s first show with the gelding was at the Tulsa Expo Center when he was a 4-year-old. Having the opportunity to show the gelding in the two rein as a 6-year-old was a full-circle moment for the team.
Currently, Todd is pursuing a degree at Texas Tech University in Agricultural Business and competes on the Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team. She plans to finish out the gelding’s two rein year and then compete at the Art of The Cowgirl in the World’s Greatest Horsewoman.
Tylor Todd and Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) clinched the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular Championship with a 434 (H: 142/R: 145/C: 147). The 2017 gelding, owned by Todd, collected $2,875.
The final five riders earned their spots to compete in the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge at the 2023 Run For A Million.
Riders brought their A games and their top mounts to compete for the final five spots in the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge to be held at the 2023 Run For A Million, held during the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic, presented by Oswood Stallion Station.
At the Tulsa, Oklahoma, qualifier, it took a 433 composite score to earn a spot to the cow horse event, which will be held August 16–19 at the South Point Casino & Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tyler Merrill of Weatherford, Texas, secured his spot for The Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge, riding Bet Hesa Boon (Bet Hesa Cat X Flo N Blu Boon x Pretty Boy Boon), a 2014 stallion owned by Beverly Servi, to a 446 (R: 221.5/C: 224.5).
“First off, thanks to Clayton Edsall and Beverly Servi for giving me the opportunity to ride him,” Merrill said. “It’s very special, not only the Bridle win but also qualifying for The Run For A Million. We had really good success at the World’s Greatest, and it is even more special to come off of that success and have him do well again. It’s just a dream come true, really; it’s what we all dream and work for every day, so the opportunity is just amazing.”
The four additional riders who secured their spots at the Tulsa, Oklahoma qualifier are NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Kelby Phillips from Weatherford, Texas; NRCHA multiple-major-event champ Lee
Deacon of Marietta, Oklahoma; NRCHA
Million Dollar Rider Phillip Ralls from Paso Robles, California; and NRCHA
Million Dollar Rider Chris Dawson from Perrin, Texas.
The five riders from the Tulsa qualifier will join the previous 10 qualified riders to compete in the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge scheduled for Friday, August 18. To view the schedule or purchase tickets, visit trfam.com.
Cow horse competitors put on a big show in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Here are the horse show class champions.
Bad To Tha Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Bet On Merada x Bet On Me 498) and Erin Taormino clinched the Open Two Rein championship with a 294.5 (R:147.5/C:147). The 2017 gelding collected $2,632 for owner Kathleen Joy Pinkley.
OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION
OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
Cats Nu Shine (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Nu Annie x Shining Spark) and Nicholas Dowers won the Open Hackamore Championship with a 444.5 (R: 224.5/C: 220). The 2018 mare collected $3,600 for owner Clinton Marshall.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
Lookin For Hottstuff (Hottish x Hotstuff An Then Sum x Peptoboonsmal) and Abigayle Mixon clinched the Intermediate Open Hackamore Championship with a 444 (R: 219.5/C: 224.5). The 2018 stallion collected $756 for owners Don Murphy and Desi Holt.
1. Lineage – If your horse has at least one APHA registered parent, your horse may be eligible for APHA registration REGARDLESS OF COLOR.
2. Markings – If your horse has two inches of solid white hair in one of the qualifying areas (above the hock/knee & behind the eye)
Below are some of the APHA- registered sires & dams with competing foals :
• CATTY HAWK
• DANDY CAT
• DUAL REYISH
• GUNNATRASHYA
• HISSY CAT
• HYDRIVE CAT
• METALLIC MALICE
• METALLIC MASTERPIECE
• METALLIC REBEL
• ONE TIME ROYALTY
• QUEJANAISALENA
• REYZIN THE CASH
• SADIE THE CAT
• SHES TWICE AS SMOOTH
• SMOOTH AS A CAT
• SMOOTH TALKIN STYLE
• SPARKTILION
• STEVIE REY VON
• ZEZES PEPTO CAT
Photo: VINCE VON 2022 Snaffle Bit Reserve Champion and Chrome Cash ChampionEQUESTRIAN™ HACKAMORE CLASSIC, PRESENTED BY OSWOOD STALLION STATION
LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION
Shes Lawless (Shiney Outlaw x Sadie The Cat x High Brow Cat) and Leanne Jetton earned the Limited Open Hackamore Championship with a 427 (R: 217.5/C: 209.5). The 2019 mare collected $1,275 for owners Chris and Debbie Swain.
NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena) and Debbie Crafton won the Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 440 (R: 219/C: 221). The 2017 gelding collected $2,312.50 for Crafton, who is the owner.
NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION
HotNRebellious (Metallic Rebel x Ima Hot Model x Spots Hot) and Debbie Crafton clinched the Non Pro Hackamore Championship with a 438.5 (R: 218.5/C: 220). The 2019 gelding collected $1,853.60 for Crafton, who is the owner.
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
LooksLikeLuckToMe (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep) and Landri Lisac earned the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 437.5 (R: 217/C: 220.5). The 2013 mare collected $1,573.60 for owners Timothy and Katherine Miller.
LEVEL 1 NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
Ima Wynna RAB (PG Shogun x Right On Eddie RAB x Right On Tivio) and R.A. Brown II won the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 435.5 (R: 214.5/C: 221). The 2012 gelding collected $1,290 for owner Rob Brown.
Lillys Vaquero (Cat T Masterson x RS Lilly Starlight x Grays Starlight) and Clark Weaver clinched the Select Non Pro Bridle Championship with a 431 (R: 214/C: 217). The 2013 gelding collected $250 for Weaver, who is the owner.
SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION
HACKAMORE
YOUTH AND YOUTH 13 & UNDER BOXING CHAMPION
Doctor Spark (Very Smart Remedy x Magic Sparkles x Shining Spark) and DJ Crafton topped the Youth Boxing with a 288.5 (R: 143.5/C: 145). The 2013 gelding collected $225 for owner Debbie Crafton.
OPEN AND INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION
Bet Hesa Boon (Bet Hesa Cat x Flo N Blu Boon x Pretty Boy Boon) and Tyler Merrill won the Open Bridle Championship with a 446 (R: 221.5/C: 224.5). The 2014 stallion collected $4,680 for owner Beverly Servi in the open and $825 in the intermediate open.
YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION
Metallic Blaze (Metallic Cat x Blazen Tornado x Smart Mate) and Lainey Grewing clinched the Youth Cow Horse championship with a 295 (R: 147/C: 148). The 2016 gelding collected $180 for Grewing, who is the owner.
PRESENTED BY OSWOOD STALLION STATION
NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION
Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) and Tylor Todd earned the Non Pro Two Rein Championship with a 292 (R: 145/C: 147). The 2017 gelding collected $1,410 for Todd, who is the owner.
LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION
Kit Kat Jerrie (Kit Kat Sugar x Jerries Dual Legacy x Smart Little Jerry) and Kelsey Thomas earned the Limited Open Bridle Championship with a 439 (R: 217.5/C: 221.5). The 2015 mare collected $1,100 for owner Buddy Thomas.
YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION
Shinen Metallic Cat (Metallic Cat x WineNShineMe x Shining Spark) and Taylor Allen earned the Youth Cow Horse 13 & Under Championship with a 286 (R: 144.5/C :141.5). The 2012 gelding is owned by Allen.
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
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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.
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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.
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NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Rubys Reypeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA x Peppy San Badger) and Lucinda David won the Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 295 (R: 147.5/C: 147.5). The 2016 gelding collected $1,218.75 for owner Lucinda Rose David.
LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Krogs Lena Cat (Cant Kick This Cat x RNR Ima Doc x RNR Ima Bit of Luck) and Jeff Mixon won the Limited Non Pro Boxing championship with a 290 (R: 144/C: 146). The 2017 stallion collected $360 for owner Jane Owens.
BOX DRIVE AND SELECT BOX DRIVE CHAMPION
Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak) and Cheryl Chown earned the Box Drive and Select Box Drive Championships with a 293.5 (R:146/C:147.5). The 2016 mare collected $937.50 for Chown, who owns the horse with her husband, Robert, in the Box Drive and $125 in the Select Box Drive.
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots) and Angie Kilpatrick clinched the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 295 (R: 147/C: 148). The 2012 gelding collected $772.50 for Kilpatrick, who owns the horse with her husband, Brian..
SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles) and Carolyn Edson won the Select Non Pro Boxing Championship with a 291 (R: 144.5/C: 146.5). The 2016 mare collected $240 for Edson, who owns the horse.
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
Keep your horse hydrated on the road and at shows with these vet-recommended tips.
BY JOE CARTER, DVM
Drink more water! You hear it all the time for your own health. Nutritionists say if there is one thing we can do to improve our wellness, it’s drinking more water. The same can be said of your horse; however, as the old saying goes, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” But that’s not 100 percent true. Drinking, or the lack of it, at a horse show has a real impact on your horse’s hydration and therefore its performance. The taste or palatability of the water at various show grounds or in different cities is the No. 1 influencer of your horse’s water intake.
Many things dictate water’s taste. Water treatment at city water treatment plants impacts flavor, and processes like chlorination can change water’s taste. The source of city water also makes a difference in the palatability of water. For example, lake water tastes different than well water. The time of year can affect the taste and aroma of lake water. In the fall, as temperatures drop, a lake’s surface temperature also drops, which makes surface water colder and heavier than deeper water. When surface water sinks and deeper lake water rises, this is called lake inversion, and it creates a muddy taste that horses and people don’t like.
Adding flavoring to your horse’s water at home and continuing it at horse shows will keep the taste consistent for finicky drinkers. An in-line water hose RV filter is also handy to filter water going into your horse’s bucket. Both improve palatability, which helps drinking, and in turn helps keep your horse hydrated.
Another tip to increase water consumption is to increase electrolyte or salt intake. Commercially available electrolyte pastes are convenient and easy to use. Electrolyte powder or salt can be mixed with
water in a 35- or 60-cc syringe, making a slurry. It can then be used to “drench” your horse. All of these techniques will increase drinking. Remember more salt equals more water consumption.
Mild dehydration has many adverse effects on your horse’s wellness. Its digestive tract doesn’t function as well, for one thing, which can lead to dry stools, impactions and colic.
It can also affect sweating: A dehydrated horse doesn’t sweat as well. This affects his ability to recover after work. When a horse quits sweating it’s called anhidrosis, which can lead to overheating and can be a potentially life-threatening condition.
Sometimes horses need IV fluids to recover from dehydration. Two easy tests for dehydration are skin tenting and capillary refill time measurements. To do a skin-tenting test, pinch the skin where the neck and shoulder come together and time how long it takes for the skin to return to normal position. Under one second is a normal time. The degree of dehydration will determine how long the skin stays tented. The more dehydrated the horse, the longer the skin stays tented after pinching.
Capillary refill time is measured by lifting your horse’s upper lip and pressing the gum with your finger, blanching it white. After you release your finger pressure, the blanched-white gum should return to its pink color in less than two seconds. If it takes longer than two seconds, your horse is dehydrated and needs IV fluids. The greater the degree of dehydration, the longer the capillary refill time will be.
You can improve your horse’s drinking at horse shows with a little planning and forethought. If you have any questions about keeping your horse hydrated, contact your local veterinarian.
Joe Carter, DVM Oklahoma Equine Hospital Official NRCHA Veterinarian
DRINKING, OR THE LACK OF IT, AT A HORSE SHOW HAS A REAL IMPACT ON YOUR HORSE’S HYDRATION AND THEREFORE ITS PERFORMANCE.”
—Joe Carter, DVM
In 2024, two members and one horse will enter the NRCHA Hall of Fame, and two members will be recognized as Hall of Merit recipients.
NRCHA is proud to welcome the inductees for the 2024 NRCHA Hall of Fame: R. Mike Miller from Big Piney, Wyoming; Jody Gearhart of Tehachapi, California; and the 1978 stallion Mister Tiv, who was owned by Larry and Jody Gearhart. Additionally, NRCHA will recognize Paul and Amy Bailey, of Sparta, Tennessee, as Hall of Merit recipients. NRCHA will recognize the induction class at the Hall of Fame Banquet that will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, during the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Miller has been a NRCHA member since the late 1980s and has earned more than $623,000 in cow horse competition. He’s been a multiple finalist in both the Open and Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity®, along with making the finals at numerous other premier events, including the 1999 World’s Greatest Horseman Finals. Gearhart has had a lifelong passion for the reined cow horse industry. For nearly 40 years, she competed throughout the NRCHA levels. She’s a three-time Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion, winning it on Peppy Smoke Bar Lady in 1987, then returning the next year to win it on Cash Little Lena in 1988. In 1994, she captured her third title on Master Rani Chex.
Larry and Jody Gearhart’s Mister Tiv’s success in reined cow horse was unmatched during his career in the show pen. The stallion, by Johnny Tivio and out of the mare Night Mist by Midnight Third, earned backto-back titles in the Open Bridle Sweepstakes in 1986
and 1987, a feat that’s only been accomplished by four other horses in the event’s history.
Paul and Amy Bailey have been involved in the NRCHA for many years. Their love for the industry extends far outside the show pen. Paul has served on many NRCHA committees, including the Executive Committee, and as vice president of the association. Both Paul and Amy have spent many years supporting the reined cow horse through their service, sponsorship and passion for the sport.
The NRCHA Hall of Fame represents the most impactful horsemen and horsewomen who’ve shaped the reined cow horse, along with the horses who’ve proven their merits over the years, through performance and progeny. The NRCHA Hall of Merit recognizes the people whose contributions outside the arena have helped to guide and advance the sport of reined cow horse. For more information about the NRCHA Hall of Fame, visit nrcha.com.
“THE NRCHA HALL OF FAME REPRESENTS THE MOST IMPACTFUL HORSEMEN AND HORSEWOMEN WHO’VE SHAPED THE REINED COW HORSE, ALONG WITH THE HORSES WHO’VE PROVEN THEIR MERITS OVER THE YEARS, THROUGH PERFORMANCE AND PROGENY. “
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
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: Chelsea Edsall edsallhorses@hotmail.com | 209-603-8968
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: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com | 940-488-1495
STALLION SERVICE AUCTION
Chairperson: Garth Gardiner gardinergarth@gmail.com | 620-635-5632
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Chairperson: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com | 940-488-1500
YOUTH
Chairperson: Sarah Clymer Shubrick3@gmail.com | 719-330-1932
MARKETING
Chairperson: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com | 940-488-1491
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
Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor ashley@nrcha.com
Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek taylor@nrcha.com
Youth & Recognition Coordinator: Bailey Carter bailey@nrcha.com
• Personalized web page for your stallion with photos, videos and catalog-style pedigree
• Performance records and earnings updated every week for your stallion and his o spring
• Customized breeding cross tools
• Unique web link to share with prospective mare owners
www.QStallions.com
Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association
Krystal Meade
330, 205 Quarry Park Blvd SE
Calgary, AB T2C 3E7 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
California Reined Cow Horse Association
Murray Thompson
15169 Road 223
Porterville, CA 93257
Phone: 209-201-8975
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
Current as of August 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
Magic Valley RCHA
Kaycie Keller
638 North Rd
Jerome, ID 83338
Phone: 208-329-0499
Email: kkayc_13@yahoo.com
Website: www.mvrcha.com
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
Mary Jo MacDonnell
22546 Grey Rd 16
Chatsworth, ON N0H 1G0 CANADA
Phone: 519-794-2027
Email: Maryjomacdonnell@gmail.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 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
Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association
Roy Rich
Phone: 951-529-6258
Email: socalrcha@aol.com
Website: ltht@airenetworks.com
Current as of August 1, 2023
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
Team Professional Italia Western Show A.S.D.
Eveline Besozzi
Via Ottaviano 42, Roma, Rome ITALY 192
Phone: +39 347 26 22 783
Email: eveline.besozzi@gmail.com
Website: www.westernshow.it
Utah Reined Cow Horse Association
Morgan Miller
3185 W 15200 N
Collinston, UT 84306
Phone: 435-279-7529
Email: utahcowhorse@gmail.com
Website: www.urcha.com
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 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
Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC
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 August 1, 2023
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, OK
Pamela Orth, Norman, OK
Paris Starn, Linchfield Park, AZ
Clayton Williams, Linchfield Park, AZ
LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show
as of August 1, 2023
Aug 8–14 SRCHA Pre Futurity & Horse Show HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Fort Worth, TX Southwest RCHA
Aug 10–13 NCRCHA August 2023 Show HS, LAE, Cat 1 Verndale, MN North Central RCHA
Aug 10–13 NYRCHA Northeast Spectacular HS, LAE, Cat 1 Columbiana, OH New York RCHA
cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
glenz@lenzenterprises.com
jenschueller21@gmail.com
cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Aug 10–13 Magic Valley RCHA Futurity, Derby, & HS HS, LAE, Cat 1 Filer, ID Magic Valley RCHA Reanna Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com
Aug 11–12
Bonda Cow Spectacular HS, LAE, Cat 1 Worbis, Germany Wolfgang Ben Laves (0172) 403-9160 wolfganglaves@aol.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 12–13 ARCHA WCAS August HS, Cat 1 Claresholm, AB Alberta RCHA Krystal Meade 403-991-4617 info@cowhorse.ca
Aug 17–20 Colorado RCA Western Slope
Pre-Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Montrose, CO Colorado RCA Keri Croft 503-701-3305 dkcroft4@frontier.com
Aug 17–20 Southern RCHA Louisiana Classic HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Andalusia, AL Southern RCHA Tina McCleary 979-218-0633 tina.showentries@gmail.com
Aug 18–20 Classic Cow Horse Futurity & Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Saskatoon, SK
Aug 22–27 2023 National Stock Horse Assoc. National Stock
Pre-Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Las Vegas, NV Horse Association
Teri Clearwater
Kelley Hartranft
306-544-7621 justaboutranch@gmail.com
714-267-5912 nshaentries21@gmail.com
Aug 25–27 NERCHA Summer Sizzler and Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1 Jerseyville, ON North Eastern RCHA Deb Carruth 905-818-5033 debcarruth@hotmail.com
Aug 26–27 CMRCHA Rosebud Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1 Forsyth, MT Central Montanta RCHA Reanna Dillman 303-985-5256 info@horseshowpros.com
Aug 30–Sept 3 SDRCHA Road To Texas HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Rapid City, SD South Dakota RCHA Reanna Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com
Aug 31–Sept 3 ARCHA Alberta Snaffle Bit Futurity & Dave Robson Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1 Claresholm, AB Alberta RCHA
Teri Clearwater 306-544-7621 justaboutranch@gmail.com
Sept 1–4 Colorado State Fair HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Pueblo, CO Colorado RCA Alexandra Johnson 580-222-7354 alexandra6399@gmail.com
Sept 4–10 URCHA Annual Futurity and Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1 Salina, UT Utah RCHA Dawn Erickson 208-360-3332 derickson1215@gmail.com
Sept 4–10 Snaffle Bit Classic + Nations Cup + Friedrichshafen Horse Show HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Messe, Germany European RCHA
Sept 8–10 Cow Horse Classic HS, Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA
Sept 12–17 CRCA Mid America HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Douglas, WY Colorado RCA
Sept 14–17 NCRCHA September 2023 Show HS, LAE, Cat 1 Verndale, MN North Central RCHA
Sept 16–17 ARCHA Slide Into Fall Show HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA
Sept 20–24 Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1 Kalispell, MT Montana Reined Cowhorse Futurity INC
De Fazio 39-338-886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it
Hartranft 714-267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com
Croft 503-701-3305 dkcroft@frontier.com
Schueller 641-590-1041 jenschueller21@gmail.com
Pfeifer 585-749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com
Sept 20–24 AzRCHA Arizona Fall Championship HS, LAE, Cat 1 Scottsdale, AZ Arizona RCHA Heidi Lane 623-869-8037 azqhainfo@gmail.com
Sept 21–24 PRCHA Fall Into Autumn HS, Cat 1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy 580-276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com
Sept 22–24 NERCHA Fall Spectacular HS, Cat 1 Clinton, ON Northeastern RCHA Deb Carruth 905-818-5033 debcarruth@hotmail.com
Sept 23–24 GCCHA September Show HS, Cat 1 Sarasota, FL Gulf Coast CHA Claudia Nichols 772-321-9637 claudia.horseshow@gmail.com
Sept 23–24 NARCHC Fall Cow Horse Show HS, Cat 1 Claresholm, AB Northern Alberta RCHC Shawna Husted 403-875-1369 nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com
Oct 5–21 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Fort Worth, TX NRCHA NRCHA
Oct 11–15 NARCHC Futurity, Derby & Horse Show HS,
Oct
Nov 8–11 Futurity + Autumn Show + Horse Show #6
Nov
Tulare Fall Classic Futurity, Derby & Horse Show #9 HS, LAE,
