Winner TAKES IT ALL
BOYD RICE and MY BOOTS ARE ROYAL swept the Open Bridle and Two Rein Spectaculars at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.
WHAT
ONLINE
2024 Premier Events
Western Derby
May 29–June 8, 2024 Scottsdale, Arizona
Hackamore Classic
July 22–28, 2024 Tulsa, Oklahoma
NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®
October 5–19, 2024 Fort Worth, Texas
Did you miss the action in Las Vegas? Re-watch the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes Open and Non Pro finals online now with Horse&Rider On Demand.
2024 RULE BOOK
Be sure to view, download and review the 2024 Rule Book before you head to the show pen! Find it at www.nrcha.com/ rule-book/
Official Publication of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC
NRCHA 256 North Hwy 377 | Pilot Point, TX 76258 | Phone: 940-488-1500 | Fax: 940-488-1499 | info@nrcha.com | www.NRCHA.com
NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Boyd Rice | Vice President: Paul Bailey | Secretary: Todd Crawford | Treasurer: Trey Neal
Executive Director: Emily Konkel | Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers Director of Judges: Bill Enk | Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney
Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary | Programs Manager: Tara Carter | Programs Assistant: Teighlor Cross
Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor | Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek | Accounting Associate: Marilee Nies
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
Reined Cow Horse News (ISSN 23803975) is published six times a year by Cowboy Publishing Group. Known office of publication: 2112 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107. All contents are copyright of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the NRCHA. Opinions expressed in articles and advertising in Reined Cow Horse News do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the NRCHA or its officers and members. Accuracy of material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk and the NRCHA accepts no responsibility for them. Please address all submissions to: Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258. Subscription rate is $25 a year. Periodical postage paid at Pilot Point, Texas, 76258 and additional mailing offices. USPS number, 024-906. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258.
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THE RIOS OF MERCEDES FAMILY OF BRANDS
FEATURES
63 Honoring Our Heroes and Our Horses e 2024 NRCHA Hall of Fame inductees represent all facets of the cow horse industry.
76
2024 Affiliates of the Year
Idaho and Colorado claimed the 2024 A liate and Reserve A liate of the Year, respectively.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
THE FIRST TIME I competed in my first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® in Reno, Nevada, I attended the Hall of Fame banquet and haven’t missed one since. I was amazed by the stories the honorees told and the things their peers said about them. That continues as we’ve moved this celebration to the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in April.
Now that I’m more deeply involved in the organization, I realize that their stories are so much more and that having these types of people and horses in our sport is crucial to our ongoing development. They laid the groundwork so we could make our association what it is today. In turn, the influential members who give their knowledge, time, resources and so much more continue to forge the path forward. The people inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame have dedicated their lives to reined cow horse, and the horses have evolved our sport to new levels that we couldn’t have imagined 20 or 30 years ago.
Each year, I’m in awe of our inductees’ contributions to our sport. They don’t just compete in the show pen. They’re part of this sport in all ways possible, from training to showing to breeding to participating in our governance and on committees. They deserve every second of attention they receive during the ceremony and as they’re continually recognized in other ways.
I’d like to thank the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, led by Dan Roeser, for their efforts to honor these folks. I’m also grateful for the team putting together such a special event and those putting together the incredible videos highlighting each inductee.
When we get into this sport, it’s not just a hobby; it’s a lifestyle you bring your entire family into. We hope you enjoyed the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. If you haven’t yet attended one, be sure to get it on your calendar. Once you attend one, you’ll be hooked and want to join us annually.
FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR
New insights on awarding a cow from the Celebration of Champions and World’s Greatest Horseman®.
The NRCHA Judges Committee came up with an additional guideline for awarding a new cow that is transparent and easy to understand. The professional committee also agreed with our decision and is behind this guideline. On the first run down the fence, if the cow gets around the corner past the two-point penalty marker, no new cow will be awarded. It should be apparent that the cow isn’t giving the exhibitor a fair chance to compete, and the exhibitor is awarded a new cow before getting around the corner. It’s the exhibitor’s responsibility to get in position to run, rate and turn the cow before the corner markers to have a successful cow work. If the exhibitor does his or her part and the animal is unusually difficult, it should be apparent before the cow gets around the corner.
Now, if the exhibitor is out of position, misreads the cow or the horse is reluctant to go by and turn or block the cow and it gets around the corner, no new cow should be awarded. This guideline stresses the importance of being in position and reading the cow correctly, competing like this is the only cow the exhibitor will be given to work.
Marcus Theriot, who competed in this year’s Timed Event Championship at the Lazy E, had this to say about the cow draw in all the events that they had to compete in, “You have to draw good to do good. When you draw a good one, capitalize on it.”
That pretty much sums it up!
“ It’s the exhibitor’s responsibility
to get in position to run, rate and turn the cow before the corner markers to have a successful cow work.”
— Bill Enk
One more observation from the Celebration of Champions and World’s Greatest Horseman® contests: NRCHA is based on vaquero traditions. Mouth manners and respecting the hackamore are part of that tradition. These traits can be recognized on the scorecards in a couple of different ways. Either in the maneuver score (good or poor) or on some of our score cards there is an eye-appeal box. On occasion, if your score wasn’t quite as good as you thought it should’ve been, maybe—just maybe—it might have something to do with upholding the vaquero traditions that we’re built on.
Horses that work correctly are easy to recognize and reward.
FROM THE
New officers take the reins for a new year!
The 2024 Celebration of Champions was filled with enjoyment. First, a huge congratulations to Shawn Hays on taking the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman® title aboard MoonshineAndTwoAdvil, owned by Angela Massey. An additional congratulations to Nicole Donahoo riding Very Smart Pearl, who took home the 2024 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman® Champion!
Our youth members had a blast at the Celebration. We had our first A Cowboy’s Valentine Dance. The dance was free to all attendees, and we plan to make it an annual event in hope that the fun will continue throughout the years.
We implemented a fundraiser called the 50/50 Draw Slots, and NRCHyA held a stick-horse race for the youth kids during the World’s Greatest Horseman® finals. A great crowd of kids showed up, and it was a blast to watch. It also succeeded as great entertainment while setting up for the next event of the finals.
Throughout the show, we had two youth meetings, and we were honored to have guest speakers Brad
Pryor and Amanda Kimes. Thank you so much for being such an encouragement and great inspiration to future champions. During the second meeting, our excited youth members voted on the 2024 NRCHyA officers. Congratulations to President Landri Lisac, Vice President Cole Hawk, Secretary Addison Tomlinson, Treasurer Aurora Nicolazzi, Reporter Lilly Gilson, Northeast Rep Eli Naylor, Southeast Rep Isy Scheffel, North Central Rep Kixi Meador, Northwest Rep Taylor Jones, Southwest Rep Jack Kimes, South Central Rep Boyd Wilson, Canadian Rep Weston Clearwater and National High School Rodeo Association Rep Gracyn Saffert. We also congratulate and welcome our Junior Officers: Caleb Cushing, Cutter Housler, Katherine Kimes and Colton Scheffel.
We’re so thrilled to experience this year with these hardworking officers! We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new Youth Coordinator, Teighlor Cross. We can’t wait to see what the future holds!
—Lilly Gilson, NRCHYA ReporterThe first-ever A Cowboy’s Valentine Dance entertained NRCHyA members during the 2024 Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions.
LTE $62,000
WR This Cats Smart X Shiney Nu Annie by Shining Spark Shownby
MIDLAND, TX
CIRCLE UP
SCOOTERS DAISY DUKES IS FIRSTEVER NRCHA MILLION DOLLAR DAM
NRCHA proudly acknowledges its firstever NRCHA Million Dollar Dam, Scooters Daisy Dukes (Dual Smart Rey x Scooters Playmate x Freckles Playboy). Owned by Aaron Cook, the 2009 sorrel Quarter Horse mare’s offspring have collected more than $1,036,175 in official NRCHA Lifetime Earnings. Her two highest-earning horses are Scooter Kat (a 2015 Quarter Horse stallion by Kit Kat Sugar with LTE of more than $600,000) and Hazardouz Material (a 2016 Quarter Horse stallion by Metallic Cat with LTE of $211,364.82).
“She’s a unicorn, and I got very lucky,” Cook shared. The former Major League Baseball pitcher came to the horse world through his wife, Jennifer, a lifelong horsewoman who specializes in barrel racing. After retiring from baseball in 2013, Cook took up trail riding, and his competitive streak led him to cutting.
“I was at home asleep when my wife bought Scooters Daisy Dukes,” he recalled. “She knew I was looking for an amateur cutting horse and bought the mare in one of the Western Bloodstock Sales. She called me and told me to hook up the trailer to come and get my horse. Then she called me back and told me to bring the bigger trailer, because the mare came with three recipient mares carrying her babies.”
Talk about luck: one of those recipient mares was bred to Metallic Cat and the other two to Kit Kat Sugar, and one of the mare’s sons, only a yearling, was about to embark on a journey that would make him the highest-earning NRCHA horse in history.
“The Metallic Cat-bred mare foaled Hazardouz Material, which we sold to Linda Mars and Erin Taormino has shown,” Cook said. “Next thing I know, everybody is talking about Scooter Kat [owned by Eric Freitas and shown by Justin Wright, which became NRCHA’s highest-earning horse]. Once those two horses started showing, I had all kinds of people calling and asking if we had any babies out of her for sale.”
Today, Scooters Daisy Dukes lives out her retirement on the Cooks’ ranch in Oklahoma. She has her own acre of pasture with a 24-year-old retired mare and a mule as her neighbors.
“When Emily [Konkel, NRCHA Executive Director] called me to tell me about the achievement, it didn’t register at first what a big deal it is,” Cook said. “I didn’t realize she’s the first mare to have a million dollars in offspring earnings. She’s a huge blessing. We weren’t planning on this, but it has turned out to be a life-changing decision for us.”
“To see the first NRCHA Million Dollar Dam is monumental for NRCHA,” Konkel shared. “Scooters Daisy Dukes has produced some of the greatest cow horses of all time, and we’re fortunate to see her offspring in action. We’re so proud to recognize this incredible mare for her achievements. Congratulations to Aaron and Scooters Daisy Dukes!”
Scooters Daisy Dukes furthers her mark on cow horse history by becoming NRCHA’s first Million Dollar Dam.
NEW INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR 2025
NRCHA will launch the NRCHA Incentive Program for the 2025 Stallion Stakes to advance the current Subscribed Stallion Program, bringing larger payouts and more recognition to reined cow horse.
“NRCHA is excited to announce the new NRCHA Incentive Program,” said Emily Konkel, NRCHA Executive Director. “Our Board, staff and task force have spent countless hours working through the program’s details, and we believe it will transform the cow horse industry by increasing payouts and bringing even more value to these incredible horses.”
The new program will allow stallion owners and all breeders to remain connected to their horses’ offspring throughout their show pen careers. Stallion owners must pay a subscription fee for each foal crop to be eligible to compete at the Stallion Stakes. Additionally, all foals must be nominated into the program by paying a one-time nomination fee.
The NRCHA Incentive Program will allow NRCHA to increase payouts to Stallion Stakes competitors and reward the stallion subscribers and foal nominators for their offsprings’ success.
At the 2024 Stallion Stakes, the limited-age classes paid out over $500,000, and the sire of the Open Stallion Stakes champion banked a check for $2,500. With the new NRCHA Incentive Program, competitors could vie for over $1 million next year. Stallion subscribers and offspring nominators will earn checks for every horse that makes the finals across all divisions.
Beginning at the 2025 Stallion Stakes, horses competing in the limited-age event must be sired by a subscribed stallion and nominated into the NRCHA Incentive Program. NRCHA is offering a one-time nomination of $275 for eligible horses, regardless of age, due November 1. Any stallion currently enrolled in the Subscribed Stallion Program will be offered a $1,000 credit for each year they’ve been enrolled to put toward their subscription.
KIMES K I M E S
RANCH
FACES OF NRCHA
Having a sense of commitment to horses and creating opportunities for young people make Teighlor Cross a genuine fit for her role as NRCHA Program Assistant.
Raised in Waverly, West Virginia, on a hobby farm predominately of Angus beef cattle, horses, hogs and chickens, Teighlor Cross brings a lifetime of giving back to agriculture as NRCHA’s program assistant. She received an associate degree of science in diversified agriculture and completed her equine dental technician training through The American School of Equine Dentistry. She also earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science and a minor in equine science from Sam Houston State University. While attending the university, she competed on the school’s horse judging team, served as vice president of the Sam Houston State Horseman Association and was the Sam Houston State Stock Horse Team Captain. In the fall of 2021, she began her journey toward a Master of Science in animal science through Tarleton State University, where she continued to give back to her community.
Upon graduation from Tarleton State University, she began working as the organization division program assistant for the Texas Farm Bureau. She also continues to work as an equine dental technician while educating and creating lasting working relationships with local horse owners, farmers and ranchers.
“Whether helping performance horses reach their full potential, companion horses live life comfortably or informing owners on the importance of equine dentistry, I apply my love of animals and agriculture daily,” she said.
RCHN: Tell us about your personal life with horses.
TC: I grew up with horses and rode before I could walk. It was mainly just for fun, trail riding and participating in local shows until high school. Then, I joined a drill team and barrel raced in high school. My horse activities continued in college, and while at Sam Houston State University, I worked as the equine facility assistant and then managed Rancho Notso Grande. Right now, I have one horse that’s leased out as a lesson horse, and I plan to attend more dental classes to expand my equine dentistry education. I want to get more involved with horses and start colts once I have a place to keep them.
RCHN: How did you learn about NRCHA and cow horse?
TC: I learned about cow horse when I started showing stock horses at SHSU. I learned about NRCHA through [Texas cow horse trainer] Leon Lewis and decided it was more my style than stock horse.
RCHN: What excites you about working for the association?
TC: I’m excited to work for NRCHA because it’s such a family environment. Everyone wants to make you better, whether it’s in your job, horsemanship, or just as a human in general. I look forward to and enjoy working with the youth. They’re the future, and it’s important for them to feel involved and have a good foundation on which to grow. I’m excited to learn all the ins and outs of my job.
FROM THE
Making strides for the future of reined cow horse.
The NRCHA Foundation announced that the NRCHA Board of Directors approved the revamped Cowboy Crisis Fund application and established new and improved guidelines. This sets us up to be a vital resource for members facing hardships, bringing our cow horsefamily closer together.
We also have a new way to support the funding for this service with the first Night at the Stockyards event that we’ll host at Billy Bob’s Texas during the 2024 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® on October 17. We’re so excited for this new event, which will include dinner, a live painting by artist and NRCHA member Josey Butler of Streakin B Art, an auction and other fun activities to help celebrate NRCHA’s 75th anniversary. We’re seeking auction donors, so please reach out if you have a unique item or experience you’d like to provide to the fundraiser. Tickets will be on sale later this summer.
In this issue of RCHN, you’ll find stories about the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees. During the Hall of Fame ceremony at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, the Foundation presented videos featuring our honorees. Look for them on social media and NRCHA.com— we’re proud to provide these iconic videos that enhance our archive and help chronicle our history as an organization and a Western performance sport. We’re always looking for items to add to our archive and plan to develop a way to offer them digitally. Please let us know if you have items that support this effort, including magazines, photos and videos.
NRCHA Foundation Board
Chelsea Edsall, Chairperson
Paul Bailey
Todd Crawford
Kristen Cushing
Linda McMahon
Trey Neal
Kathryn Phillips
Boyd Rice
Brady Weaver
NRCHA Foundation Subcommittees
Scholarships
Cowboy Crisis Fund
Event Planning
Fundraising
Historic Preservation
KNOW THE PRO
Ryan Gallentine focuses on consistency in his training program as he makes his mark on the reined cow horse industry.BY KAYCIE TIMM PHOTOS COURTESY OF RYAN GALLENTINE
NRCHA professional Ryan Gallentine started early in the reined cow horse world when his father and grandfather were interested in breeding horses. Although their original plan was to breed for trail riding, an opportunity to partner on a reining stallion led the family to an introduction to reined cow horses.
“My grandpa started sending horses to Kyle Noyce when I was 14,” Gallentine explained. “That’s how we got started in the reined cow horse.”
After getting his feet wet as a non pro, Gallentine transitioned to professional status and hasn’t looked back.
“Going pro was just the next step in my mind,” he shared. “I never really had a moment where I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.’ It was just already there for me.”
Now, Gallentine and his wife, Samantha, operate their reined cow horse program in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, where they train open horses and coach youth and non pro riders. Gallentine’s approach to the sport relies on building and maintaining a strong base of fundamentals with every horse he rides.
“I always make sure we’re not just going fast but slow and consistent to make sure everything clicks for the horse,” he revealed. That’s what keeps me going—the consistency you need to have with these
horses to get it done right. I enjoy the dayin, day-out grind of it.”
For Gallentine, the daily grind starts around 6 a.m. and doesn’t end until every horse has been ridden. That dedication has allowed Gallentine to accumulate more than $300,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings and bring home wins, including the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Intermediate Open Stakes Championship, the Open Hackamore Circuit Championship, and the 2022 Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby Intermediate Open Championship.
their two children,
Left: Gallentine enjoys working with young horses for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and seeing them through as they progress in their training.
RCHN: What’s your main goal as an NRCHA professional?
RG: I really don’t have a big professional goal I want to reach. Winning the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® is a big deal, but that’s not really a benchmark for me. I truly enjoy going through the journey with the young horses every year. It’s a grind, and there are a lot of ups and downs. But in the end, the daily work is very fulfilling for me.
RCHN: What is your favorite part of showing reined cow horses?
RG: Probably the fence work. The balance between the adrenaline of going fast and having some finesse and horsemanship while you do it has kept me hooked from Day One.
RCHN: What do you enjoy most about working with non pros?
RG: I really enjoy teaching people and being with them through their reined cow horse journey, because everybody has a different journey.
RCHN: Do you prefer training and showing limited-age horses or bridle horses?
RG: I definitely like the futurity game. I like seeing young horses build through the years. That’s a lot of fun. I enjoy going back
Gallentine appreciates his local affiliate for offering something for all levels of members, from preparing for premier events to competing for local wins.
and watching videos of when they were 3 years old to when they’re 6—that’s a pretty cool transformation. The prestige factor of showing horses at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® takes the cake. If everything goes my way, I’ll never miss one. I love the journey of taking a young horse from early training to competing.
RCHN: What do you enjoy most about being based in Minnesota?
RG: I love it up here. We have a great affiliate, the North Central Reined Cow Horse Association, that does a great job putting on shows for everyone, from people starting out to people who are always showing at premier events. It’s a great mix. That association has been outstanding. It’s amazing to have a platform like that to show almost every month, especially for my non pros. Whether they’re getting ready for a premier event or that is their big show, everyone loves it, and I always look forward to those shows.
RCHN: Who do you look up to the most in the reined cow horse industry?
RG: Chris Dawson has been a big one for me over the years. I’ve known him for a long time. I met Chris early in my career when I rode with Kyle Noyce. Chris has been in the herd with me ever since then. I really look up to Chris and Sarah’s business. They’ve done a phenomenal job, in my opinion.
RCHN: If you could show any horse, alive or passed, which horse would it be?
RG: I’d have to go with One Ata Time (One Time Pepto x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey). I still show him for his owner, Steve Mattson. I love that horse. He gives me everything he’s got all the time.
RCHN: What do you look for in a reined cow horse prospect?
RG: The three big things for a prospect that hasn’t been started are conformation, pedigree and the way they move, which a lot of times is determined by conformation. Once we start them, like early in their 2-year-old year, I put a lot of stake in how they are
Q A
mentally. Do they want this, or are we just trying to get them through it? The mental side of it is the most important thing to me. If they want it as much as I do, that’s a great sign for moving forward.
RCHN: Who helps you keep you going on the hard days?
RG: My wife, Samantha, is my rock. Whether I’m up or down, she’s always there. My parents have been with us through this whole journey. They own the place that we work out of, and they’ve helped me in hard times and kept me grounded in good times. My children, Reese and Gracie, keep me going, too. My everyday team helps a lot. I have a good assistant who keeps things rolling, and we have a great saddler who keeps everything in order for me. Without them, I would be in a lot of trouble. I couldn’t do anything without my team.
RCHN: What advice would you give someone interested in entering the reined cow horse industry?
RG: My biggest advice is to make sure you’re not just enjoying the wins because wins and losses are temporary. Enjoy the journey and the process through it. Don’t forget to enjoy the horse and who they are. Enjoy the whole process with you and the horse, not just yourself.
NOTABLE NON PRO
From youth competitions to a career in equine media, reined cow horses have played a pivotal role in Elizabeth Clymer’s life.BY JESSICA LASH
Elizabeth Clymer’s roots are in cattle and horses. Her maternal grandparents, David and Mary Marold, imported the first Maine Anjou cattle into Texas in 1969, including the first Maine Anjou bull—an import from France named PTR Epinal 83. The Texas climate soon proved too harsh for the cattle, whose dense hair coats left them ill-equipped to withstand months of unrelenting heat. Undeterred, the Marolds relocated to Westcliffe, Colorado, where the herd thrived in the milder, mountainous climate.
Naturally, cattle first sparked the Marold family’s interest in horses, and they became invaluable assets on the ranch.
“Growing up, my mom’s side of the family always had ranch horses,” Clymer reminisced. “But the cattle are really what introduced them to it all—they had to have the horses to work cattle, so that’s really what started it.”
At home in Colorado, against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Clymer took the reins of her first horse.
“My mom [longtime NRCHA Youth Advisor Sarah Clymer] trained reiners and all-around horses,” Clymer shared. “As a kid, she was always trying to instill in me the importance of good horsemanship, but I just wanted to ride around in the fields and play. I wasn’t interested in showing at all.”
In the late 2000s, Clymer’s mother transitioned from riding reiners and all-around horses to reined cow horses, and Clymer followed suit. It didn’t take long for the passion to ignite, and she quickly found herself competing in reined cow horse events.
“I was 10 years old when I started showing cow horses,” Clymer said. “I competed in the boxing and really enjoyed it, and it just took off from there.”
THE YOUTH YEARS
Early in the family’s transition to cow horses, mother and daughter met NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford. Clymer describes this meeting as a pivotal moment in her reined cow horse journey.
“My mom had a reining horse that had gotten kind of sour, but he was pretty cowy, so she started him on cattle,” Clymer explained. “Mom ended up really sick, and after she’d been in the hospital for a few months, Todd called and asked if she’d like him to keep her horse legged up for her. She’d taken some lessons with him, but we’d never had a horse in training.”
Elizabeth Clymer owns and operates EC Equine Marketing, a business built around her love for the reined cow horse industry.
Clymer’s mother consented, and Mr Dez (Chic A Dez x Oh My Heart x Satin Red Ant) initiated a training relationship that has spanned over a decade.
“Todd got ‘Dez’ going on cattle, and after my mom got better, she started riding with him,” Clymer shared. “That was in 2007, and we’ve been there ever since.”
Dez also carried Clymer steadfastly through seven years of her youth career before she graduated to Shined Up To Show in 2014. A son of Shut Up N Shine and out of Boom Town Runner by Boom Town Dude, “Shag” carried Clymer to a 2017 American Quarter Horse Youth Association boxing world finalist top-10 finish and back-to-back National High School Rodeo Association reserve state championships in 2018 and 2019 before his untimely death. It was a devastating blow for Clymer.
“After putting Shag down, I thought I was ready to take a break from cow horses,” she recalled. “I was in college, and I was telling myself, ‘It’s fine, you don’t need to compete right now.’ And then immediately after that I thought, ‘Wait, this is my world. I have to get back at it.’”
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
Broken-hearted by the loss of her gelding and unsure of the path forward, Elizabeth was in the stands at a horse show when family friends Christian and Danielle Lybbert approached her about riding one of their horses.
“They asked me about my horse, and I told them we’d had to put him down,”
Clymer shared. “They wanted to know if I was looking for something else. I was slowly looking, but horses were so expensive. I told them eventually I was hoping to f ind something.”
Generously, the Lybberts offered Clymer one of their horses—a 2009 son of Mister Dual Pep named Mister Dual Pepinic.
“Christian had shown him successfully as a stallion for years before he sustained an injury in 2018,” Clymer explained. “They gelded him after that, and they offered to let me buy him if I promised he would live the rest of his years with us.”
“Peppy” was shown successfully to a Superior Cow Horse title with Christian Lybbert in the saddle before elevating Clymer’s reined cow horse career to a new level. In 2019, the pair rode to AQHA and NRCHA Youth top-five finishes, an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Bridle Reserve Championship and an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Youth third-place finish. In 2020, they returned to win the NRCHA Intermediate Non Pro Reserve World Championship before closing their career together in 2021 with an NRCHA Intermediate Non Pro Bridle third-place title. All totaled, the pair amassed just more than $25,000 in earnings together.
“I still don’t know how I was lucky enough to get him,” Clymer shared. “He’s the horse that allowed me to be so competitive—he opened the door for all of it. In a word, he was incredible.”
Clymer retired Peppy in 2022 and purchased her first 3-year-old—a bay roan
Left: Under Todd Crawford’s expert guidance, Clymer competed on her first futurity colt, QS High Smokin Cat (Meteles Cat x Smokin Morona x Smokin Playgun), in 2023.
gelding named QS High Smokin Cat. Under Crawford’s expert guidance, Clymer futuritied “Big Cat” in 2023 and looks forward to continuing to compete in derbies in 2024.
“This is my first futurity horse and my first colt to go through everything with, so that’s been special,” Clymer shared. “I’ve always shown bridle horses, so this experience has been different. It’s a fun challenge, and I’m learning a lot.”
FULL CIRCLE
Reined cow horses have shaped Clymer’s career inside the arena and inspired her to build a business around the industry she loves. In 2017, she began handling Crawford’s social media accounts and helped with website design and marketing, using her degree in communications from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
“It started with Todd and Pam [Crawford] and just exploded from there,” Clymer shared.
She now owns and operates EC Equine Marketing, a full-service marketing firm that serves multiple NRCHA trainers and keeps the 23-year-old Texas transplant busy full time.
“I feel so lucky to do this for a living and be around the people and horses in the industry I love,” she said. “I absolutely love the cow horse community. A lot of the people I work for now are people I have known since I was 10 years old. It’s really cool to have kept those relationships for so long, to have built trust with people, and to have it all come full circle.”
ADMIRABLE ASSISTANTS
A strong foundation and focused determination have led Josh Briggs on a thriving path in the reined cow horse arena.
BY JADE CURRIDGrowing up in prime horse country in Pilot Point, Texas, as the son of American Quarter Horse Association world champion trainers John and Jill Briggs of Briggs Show Horses, Josh Briggs naturally learned to ride and show horses expertly at a young age.
“My parents both trained Western pleasure horses or all-around horses, so it’s a very different discipline,” Briggs said. “I grew up going to horse shows and being around horse training—it’s always been something I knew I wanted to do.”
Briggs, who describes pleasure horses as being “mechanically broke,” related that having to do a lot of maneuvers with your hand down, not being able to touch the bridle reins and having to be conscious of foot position are just a few aspects of how the experience of riding pleasure horses in his formative years have translated well to his current discipline.
“So, I had to learn a lot about that at a young age,” he said. “It has helped a lot. Riding these cow horses—they’re very different—but you still can never get a horse too broke.”
MATURING AS A HORSEMAN
As Briggs grew older, he craved new challenges and experiences in horsemanship. He was inspired by the roping ability of his older brother, Bryce Briggs, of Briggs Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas. By age 12, Briggs began to join his brother daily in roping and riding under the guidance of 24-time AQHA Open World and Reserve World Champion C.R. Bradley of Collinsville, Texas.
As fate would have it, Briggs ventured into the world of high school rodeo. He discovered his true calling and passion when the National High School Rodeo Association added cow horse events to the roster during his freshman year of high school.
Desiring to hone his skills in cow horse events, Briggs began riding under the expert tutelage of world champion performance horse trainer and NRCHA professional Steve Metcalf, with whom his father had previously worked.
“I think the guy who probably got me at the most vulnerable time in my life and taught me the most was probably Steve Metcalf,” Briggs shared. “As a youth, he taught me more than anyone else ever could
Josh Briggs rides Smokin Reyn (Stevie Rey Von x JP LittleSmokinAmber x Little Elmer Fudd) into a sliding stop during the 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Hackamore class.
just because of the time I was there and the knowledge that he had.”
During his senior year of high school, Briggs piloted Ricochet Shine (Ricochet San x Shiney Tea Pot Doc x Tejons Peppy Doc) to seize the 2018 NHSFR Reined Cow Horse Championship win, earning a $1,500 scholarship from the NRCHA Foundation, among other prizes. He attended North Texas Central College, where he competed on the equestrian and ranch horse teams. As a member of the NTCC Ranch Horse team, he won the 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® youth competition on SV Whiskey Whiz (Paddys Irish Whiskey x Sure Enough Whiz x Topsail Whiz).
The following year, Briggs returned to the grand stage of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and shined even brighter, winning the 2020 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Novice Non Pro Championship, the Non Pro Reserve Championship, and the Intermediate Non Pro Championship, all aboard the 3-year mare he owned at the time, Playin With Cher (Mr Playinstylish x Bella Cher x Peptoboonsmal).
“She loved to go down the fence,” he recalled. “She was a lot of horse, but it taught me a lot about how to train and show a mare.”
At the same event, Briggs also piloted Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) to capture the 2020 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Novice Non Pro Reserve Championship.
GOING PRO
After finishing a standout youth career strong, Briggs went to work for multiple AQHA World Champion and
NRCHA, Versatility Ranch Horse (VRH), and National Reining Horse Association trainer and clinician Ben Baldus of Baldus Horsemanship in Gainesville, Texas.
“Ben was awesome to work for, and he gave me a ton of opportunity,” Briggs said. “He’s kind of built his business to do that and give his assistants a lot of opportunity, and that’s really cool to see.”
While working for Baldus, Briggs had the fortune to reunite with the special mare he’d previously sold, Playin With Cher, now owned by clients of Baldus, Kit and Charlie Moncrief, who also bred the mare. Briggs piloted Playin With Cher, whom he describes as a mare who tries hard and is a routine check-earner, to win the 2022 NRCHA Tres Osos Cow Horse Limited OpenDerby during her 5-year-old year.
Josh Briggs turns a cow on Metallic N Shine (Metallic Cat x JustASparkNShine x Shining Spark) at the 2024 NRCHA Tres Osos Derby. Briggs rode the mare owned by Andrea Luce to earn the Limited Open Reserve Championship.
Bottom left: Josh Briggs and his girlfriend, Tajah Braganca, and their blue heeler Bentley are a team. Briggs considers Braganca one of his greatest supporters.
Below: Josh Briggs rides Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles) into a sliding stop.
“ Riding these cow horses they’re very different—but you still can never get a horse too broke.”
—Josh Briggs
“She seemed to just place everywhere she went, and I bet she’s won close to $100,000 now,” he said.
In January 2023, Briggs became an assistant trainer for his current employer, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and World’s Greatest Horseman Champion® Clayton Edsall of Edsall Performance Horses in Mineral Wells, Texas.
“I think Clayton is a great person,” Briggs shared. “I think he really, really cares about the horses and horse training. He’s a very good teacher, and he’s meticulous.”
Briggs said that he appreciated the parameters that Edsall’s program provides, which are helping him evolve as a horseman.
“If he sees something he doesn’t like, he’s quick to change it, and he wants to work with you to let you become better and make sure things on his horses are done the way he likes them,” Briggs said. “It’s very structured, and I like that. He’s helping me learn—not only to let me run into stuff on my own, but he’s right there by my side and helping me through those situations on horses that he’s already been through. It just helps my experience and helps me grow.”
Briggs just added another achievement to his extensive résumé, earning the Limited Open Reserve Championship at the 2024 Tres Osos Derby aboard the 2020 mare Metallic N Shine (Metallic Cat x Just A Sparknshine x Shining Spark), owned and bred by Andrea Luce.
“She’s a very talented horse,” Briggs said. “She’s a lot of horse. We didn’t get to show her in pre-futurities, so this was only her second show. Any of the horses are still learning, and all those 4-year-olds are a touch green, so you never know exactly what they’ll be like yet. To me, it felt like she showed every single event at least better than she did at the Futurity. She felt like she improved.”
Briggs said several components draw him to the reined cow horse events, including the combination of speed with working cattle, the intensity and the uncertainty. Based on that knowledge, it is no surprise that fence work is his favorite reined cow horse event.
The multi-talented horseman said that one of the characteristics he appreciates about reined cow horse events is that when it comes down to it, it is anyone’s game on any given day.
COWBOY CONNECTION
Aboard Coronel Del Rancho, longtime King Ranch Kineño Lee Roy Montalvo entered the show pen for the first time.
INTERVIEW AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS
The South Texas coastal plains are a far cry from the lights of Las Vegas, Nevada, where Lee Roy Montalvo first entered the show pen in a reined cow horse competition. The 46-year-old from Kingsville, Texas, grew up learning the ropes of the Kineño heritage from his father, grandfather and other Kineños, the term used for the cowboys on the King Ranch. Lately, his horsemanship lessons have focused more on showmanship skills.
The King Ranch was one of the 11 ranches invited to the inaugural Cowboy Invitational cow horse event held at the 2022 The Run For A Million at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. Riding King Ranch-bred and -raised stallion Coronel Del Rancho (Not Ruf At All x San Gris Girl x Les Glos Colonel), Montalvo made his debut in the show pen, placing fifth and returned for the $30,000 Cowboy Invitational, presented by XIT Ranch, in 2023, placing sixth.
“The support from my boss, Heath Grigg, is so important to me,” said Montalvo, the King Ranch
Quarter Horse division manager. “The support of family, [King Ranch] shareholders, as well as the other Kineños, and my family, has meant so much to me. It’s a dream to represent King Ranch and our heritage. To be able to show one of our stallions and talk to people about our horse program means the world to me. I’m so proud to have this opportunity and remind everyone that the world-famous King Ranch is still a working ranch. Our legacy is the King Ranch horses, and to be able to be around these top horses and top trainers—it’s a blessed feeling.”
Montalvo has always wanted to continue the legacy of his ancestors, working the land and, specifically, on the King Ranch. Today, he wants to showcase that pride to others interested in ranching.
“When I was a young kid, being with my father and grandfather on the ranch, they were my heroes, and I wanted to follow their footsteps,” he said. “They had passion and pride in representing the brand, so I tried to continue the legacy of our ancestors.”
Besides overseeing the horses in his care, Montalvo works with employees to give each horse a superior start for ranch work.
Q&A
COWBOY CONNECTION
Reined Cow Horse News: How did you get started down the horsemanship road or learn to show cow horse?
Lee Roy Montalvo: Growing up, I learned a lot of old-fashioned ways to train horses, but at the same time, I was always taught to get into the horse’s mind or allow them to learn, which is more of a new way of thinking. From learning from my grandfather, my dad and other Kineños, until now, I have never wanted to think I knew it all. I wanted an open mindset to learn from anybody. I want to be a better horseman, and what I do now is continue to learn from the top, top trainers on the showing side. Learning patterns and improving my showmanship and horsemanship skills by using my feet, body, softer hands or setting the horse up better, these are things that the trainers [we work with] are helping me to do better.
RCHN: What was it like competing in your first Cow Horse Challenge in Las Vegas?
LRM: I was very nervous. Understanding the pattern and managing my time within the time limit was new to me. I had to learn to read my horse to set things up and rack up points. On the ranch, you are just doing your day-to-day job. Doing it as slowly and smoothly as possible means it’ll be done faster and easier. In the show, you’re trying to read the animal as soon as it comes out and figure out how fast you can get your horse to lock on, and doing what you need to get done is a lot faster, whether you’re boxing, going down the fence or setting them up to get roped.
The second time, a lot was going on with my health before I showed, and I struggled. I had a lot of friends, especially my employees Andy Avelar and Cole Williams, supporting me through it. As soon as my run was over that year, I understood a lot
more about showing that I hadn’t known the previous year. It sunk in after my run, so now I understand better how to get it done. God willing, if the ranch and I continue to get invited, I feel more confident in what to do and expect. Win or lose, I plan on dedicating this upcoming show year to my father who passed away a recently, as well as my grandfather who passed away in 2019. They’re my heroes, and I know they will watch over me.
RCHN: Why is showcasing ranch horses in cow horse and their connection to the event’s heritage important to you?
LRM: For me, it’s important to showcase the heritage and legacy of the King Ranch. One, we get to showcase Coronel Del Rancho, the horse that won the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Champion All-Around Junior Horse with Ben Baldus in 2021. “Coronel” has been used as a breeding stallion during the breeding season and on the ranch in the off-season. By competing in this event, we had an opportunity to showcase his talent. Second, I believe that every cowboy who competes has the opportunity to learn more and cheer on others. The first year, I met and made friends with several people, ranchers and trainers.
It is important for me and other cowboys to do this to show our skills, what we do and what our horses and our bloodlines can do to represent our ranches. Win or lose, it’s a bigger picture for ranches and for us to showcase our pride in our jobs. You never know who’s watching at home or in the stands, and if we can show what ranch horses and cowboys can do, maybe we can get a younger generation to see and care about the legacy and heritage of these ranches, even though some of us are stepping out of our comfort zone to do the competition.
Starting young horses on the King Ranch is a part of Montalvo’s job as the Quarter Horse division manager.
Our Heroes Our Horses Honoring and
BY JENNIFER PAULSONWhen a group of historic influencers gathers in one room, it must be chronicled for all time. This happens annually at the NRCHA Hall of Fame ceremony, held during the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the South Point Hotel & Casino.
Produced by the NRCHA Foundation, which supports the reined cow horse community and curates the legacies of those who influence the sport, this event recognizes the inductees chosen by the NRCHA Foundation. In 2024, those individuals included Hall of Fame inductees Mike Miller, Jody Gearhart and 1978 stallion Mister Tiv (owned by Jody and Larry Gearhart). Additionally, the ceremony recognized Paul and Amy Bailey as Hall of Merit inductees, and Gene Armstrong received the Vaquero Award. Read about each honoree on the following pages.
R. MIKE MILLER
Big Piney, Wyoming
No stranger to great cow horses, tough competition and a commitment to horsemanship, non pro and open competitor Mike Miller first entered an NRCHA show in the late 1980s. He’s a past finalist in both the open and non pro divisions of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, made the 1999 World’s Greatest Horseman® Finals and has nearly $625,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings.
“I’m proud to be part of this association,” Miller shared. “It’s been a great trip, and I’ve enjoyed it all. I love training these horses, working them at home, and then testing my work at a show to see where I really am with them. The competition has gotten a lot tougher over the years—the reined work is a lot more like reining, and the herd work is a lot more like cutting—and I enjoy being around people who help me progress as a horseman.”
Most of Miller’s stock comes from his own breeding program. When he first started competing in NRCHA, his family owned the Quarter Horse stallion Mr Canada Dry (Dry Doc x Sullivans Fancy x Red Sullivan).
“We crossed him on our Hancock mares, and he was a really big part of our breeding [program],” Miller shared. “He brought out a lot of athletic ability and trainability and made good-minded horses. We’ve had lots of nice horses, and every one of them you train helps you get better. Each one is different, and that gives many tools to apply to other horses. Through the years, with every horse I’ve trained, all of them have helped me improve my ability to get it done.”
As if competing as a non pro isn’t challenging enough, Miller often has tossed his hat into open competition, too, earning spots in deep finals with the top cow horse riders of that time. It’s a point of pride for Miller.
“It really makes you feel good to compete with them,” he said. “I don’t know if I could still do it with as tough as they are today, but it was so fulfilling to compete against the open riders and hold my own. It makes you feel like things are coming together and that what you’re doing is working.”
Miller’s show horses do double duty in the show pen and on the ranch. Cowboying and getting his work done is how he gets his colts broke while keeping up with his ranch work. He calls it “ranch therapy.”
“If they’re showing burnout or it’s a young one with extra energy, the ranch work is invaluable,” Miller insisted. “They have to go to work, and then that horseshow stuff seems a lot easier than it did before! It’s good for an older bridle horse to go do something different. He already knows everything, so freeing up
his mind seems to get everything else working better after he’s been outside.”
When it comes down to it, Miller’s in this for the ride.
“I split second with Jon Roeser at the World’s Greatest Horseman®—that’s probably as big a win as I’ve had,” he said. “Making the finals of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® when it was in Reno [Nevada] was big, too. But I love winning no matter where it is. It can be a county fair or a big event. It just feels good to have your horse do well.”
Mike Miller's success in the show pen— both as a non pro and open competitor—demonstrates his competitive spirit, but also his commitment to cow horses.
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JODY GEARHART
Tehachapi, California
When Dan Roeser called to tell me I’d be going into the NRCHA Hall of Fame, I was shocked,” shared three-time NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro winner Jody Gearhart. “When he told me Mister Tiv was going in, too, that’s when I started to cry.”
It’s uncommon for a rider and her beloved horse to receive a notable honor in the same year. Still, Gearhart’s relationship with Mister Tiv was also a once-ina-lifetime connection. That bond began long before Gearhart met Mister Tiv, when she became hooked on horses as a young girl.
“I kind of grew up horseback,” she said. “My parents never bought me a horse, but my grandfather always had one. We lived 10 miles from him, and he got me on a horse at age 3. Then, I advanced to my brother’s gymkhana horse at age 5. We’d ride every weekend. My grandpa was retired, but he was an old cowboy and cattle rancher, so it’s in my blood.”
Gearhart bought her first horse on her own after high school while in college at Morro Bay and remembered riding every day.
“That hasn’t really stopped since then,” she said with a laugh, excluding the time she’s recently spent recovering from shoulder-replacement surgery.
For 23 years, Gearhart’s husband, Larry, managed Rancho San Fernando Rey in Santa Barbara, California,
where the couple worked cattle almost daily. She credits her husband with encouraging her to enter the open bridle class and supporting her in riding and competing. During their early years at Rancho San Fernando Rey, Gearhart met Sandy Collier at the Santa Barbara Fiesta Rodeo and became Collier’s first student rider.
“I rode with her every day for six months—she couldn’t get rid of me,” Gearhart said with a laugh. “We became close friends and started working cows together. I showed a little horse I started named Sunrise Sunny Boy. I’d team-penned on him, and I used him to learn the cow horse with Sandy.”
Along with her success with Mister Tiv (see page 67), Gearhart topped the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro three times—with Peppy Smoke Bar Lady in 1987, Cash Little Lena in 1988, and Master Rani Chex in 1994—and earned reserve champion five times. In addition to her success in the arena, Gearhart enjoyed showing with her daughter, Debbie, even sharing horses occasionally.
“I started riding with Teddy Robinson in 1988,” she recalled. “He always supported my using my snaffle bit horses on the ranch roping, gathering and branding and thought it was good for the business side of reined cow horse. I didn’t have a good horse to show in 1995, so he gave me Mo Cash Please to try. The horse was entered in the open, but Teddy gave me until March to see if we’d click. I took him home and rode him all over the ranch, gathering cattle. It made him pay attention
Both Jody Gearhart and her horse Mister Tiv, owned by Gearhart and her husband, Larry, went into the Hall of Fame together, an apt representation of their partnership.
more. If the horse was good enough, we’d both show him in Reno. We were one of the first pairs ever to do that. I was third and Teddy was in the top five.”
As her personal life changed, in 1998, Gearhart moved to Santa Barbara and started a new business with a friend selling lobster and crab. Her new location didn’t have cattle for her to work or an arena to train.
“Something had to give,” she said. “It was hard to let go. Sandy asked me how I’d got the monkey off my back. I said I didn’t. I just didn’t have a choice because it was impossible to go ride with a trainer every day.”
Gearhart beamed with excitement when she spoke about going to Las Vegas for the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“I’m excited to see old friends and competitors, watch the show and see what’s going on,” she said. “I keep track online, but I haven’t been able to go to a show for a while! I’m eternally grateful to all the friends I made in cow horse and the trainers who helped me along the way. Those were the best years of my life— ranch-living and NRCHA-showing!”
MR TIV
Owned By Larry And Jody GearhartHorses tend to fall into the right hands at the right time. For Mister Tiv (Johnny Tivio x Night Mist x Midnight Third), that happened in 1982 when Jody and Larry Gearhart purchased him as a 3-year-old gelding.
“We spent the first six months just riding around our ranch,” Jody Gearhart said. “He was nervous, but I started training him when I gained his trust. I knew immediately how special he was. The first year I showed him at the [Old Spanish Days] Fiesta [Stock Horse Show & Rodeo in Santa Barbara], he won it. In 1983, we hauled for the year-end hackamore title, and I think we ended up third. Once he went in the bridle, there was no stopping him. He knew when he walked into the arena what he was there for, and he’d pose for those photos.”
Winning or placing in the top three became routine for the duo. They stood out in all their showings, including bridle sweepstakes, year-end titles, maturities, ladies’ classes and even the tough open bridle competition. They were among only four pairs to earn back-to-back titles in the Open Bridle Sweepstakes (1986 and 1987), and their bond grew strong.
“He knew my footsteps on the pavement,” she recalled fondly. “He gave me his heart and soul. He was just a plain little chestnut horse—no white—but he had a huge heart. I always felt confident on him. He wasn’t the kind of horse you could school hard—he
had limits. I learned that if I pushed him, he’d push back. He taught me about listening to my horses and reading their personalities to connect with them. My relationship with him helped me build stronger bonds with all my other horses. I had NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® horses that I’d sold but still remembered me. He helped me learn to build that connection.”
Gearhart showed Mister Tiv one final time at the Cow Palace in 1990, winning their class. In his retirement, the gelding remained part of the family, with Gearhart jumping on him occasionally and her grandchildren enjoying him until he had to be put down in 2000.
“He was my best buddy,” Gearhart shared. “When I went to the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® that year, people asked about him. It was like they knew he was gone. I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything.”
HALL OF MERIT
PAUL AND AMY BAILEY
Sparta, Tennessee
Service to others lies at the core of Paul and Amy Bailey’s DNA, and horses might be a close second. For their dedication to NRCHA, the pair was inducted into NRCHA’s Hall of Merit at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes during the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Amy grew up roping, watching her dad ride with legends like Bobby Lewis and Carol Rose. Paul was immersed in Tennessee Walking Horses and came to the Western side of things when he and Amy met and later married. They began team penning with Amy’s sister, and Paul discovered reining along the way. Everything changed when they witnessed their first cow horse shows in the 1980s.
“We went to the American Quarter Horse Association World Show in working cow horse,” Amy recalled. “We weren’t very clear on how it was judged, so we reached out to our friend Bob Johnson [an NRCHA judge] to help us understand. He led us to become members of NRCHA, and Paul and I attended our first NRCHA World Show as spectators. One or both of us have been to every NRCHA World Show since the second one ever held.”
The Baileys’ commitment to cow horse goes well beyond showing their own horses, which they’ve done successfully and extensively. On top of running their own trucking business and Paul’s service as a Tennessee Senator, they play pivotal roles in furthering cow horse, and they have since they first joined the organization.
“When Paul Bailey is involved in anything, it takes very little time for him to become a leader,” Amy shared. “He’s the vice president of our trucking company, a state senator, chairman of the state senate committee, an AQHA director and he’s currently the vice president of NRCHA. He’s always involved.”
Paul credits Larry Bell and Lyn Anderson for his foray into NRCHA governance.
“Larry and I didn’t serve on the board together, but he brought me in as a committee member when they were searching for a new CPA about 18 years ago,” Paul recalled. “At a time when a few board members had resigned, Lyn asked me to complete a term, and I agreed to do so. We created the youth division and a youth committee, which I chaired. I’ve been the chairman of the non pro committee, and then I became the treasurer and then vice president, which I’ve been for 12 years.”
and Paul Bailey (center) give back to their association and are active competitors at the top levels of cow horse.
Amy also gives back at the state level. Paul and four of his peers started the East Coast Classic show, morphing it from another large show that ceased production in Georgia. It became the largest cow horse show east of the Mississippi. Amy took a leadership role in that event when Paul earned his seat in the state senate. It later evolved into the Eastern Derby.
“Our son was 9 years old at the time,” Amy recalled. “It was special to have our friends and family come watch him show. It led me to become more involved on a regional level to influence cow horse in the east.”
Paul’s vision for NRCHA has always centered around it being a national organization and encouraging trainers to set up shop across the country—not just in west or central regions—noting that this acceptance around the country is the surest way to grow the sport. As the vice president, he runs the day-to-day operations of the association, which meant he was part of NRCHA setting up its own staff and office.
“We had to do that to grow,” Paul asserted. “We hired Jay Winborn, and he, Todd Crawford and I spent many hours on the phone determining our next steps for the direction of the organization, following what the members envisioned, too. The board didn’t always agree, but we reached compromises to positive ends. We partnered with the National High School Rodeo Association to boost our youth program, created the limited non pro division and looked to our grassroots
for a growth plan. That expansion on that level then bubbles up to the non pro and open divisions.”
With that growth comes valuable lessons that Paul takes seriously, including scheduling, length of show days and duration of shows.
“It’s a challenge, but we’re up for it,” he said. "We’ll figure it out and continue to move forward.”
As competitors, Amy and Paul have goals for the next five to 10 years. Amy looks forward to showing her first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® horse this year now that her son is grown. Paul has primarily focused on derbies and bridle horses. Still, he looks forward to competing in futurities more, too, especially following an accident in which he broke both wrists while showing and wasn’t sure if he’d get to compete again.
“For the association, I want us to grow and expand,” Paul shared. “A lot of people say cow horse is the hottest thing going right now. Many disciplines try to emulate what we do because we sell out the Will Rogers Memorial Center for two events—the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® open finals and the World’s Greatest Horseman®. I’d love for us to sell out the Dickies Arena someday.”
The competition keeps cow horse exciting, but Paul and Amy feel that the family atmosphere, camaraderie and patriotism make cow horse special.
“A lot of people helped us get where we are today,” Paul concluded. “We’ve stood on the shoulders of giants to get where we are. We give a lot of credit to our cow horse trainers, mentors and wonderful friends.”
VAQUERO AWARD
GENE ARMSTRONG
Paso Robles, California
The Vaquero Award recognizes NRCHA members who give back to the association and the cow horse community. In 2024, Gene Armstrong received this accolade to honor his commitment to all things horse, especially cow horse.
Raised on a California cattle ranch, Armstrong recalled his dad being all about the cattle because they made the money and kept the ranch going; his mother was more of a horseman.
“I can picture her now,” he recalled. “She sat a horse so good, even as she aged. I never saw her get into much trouble with one or come off a horse, and we were horseback a lot. She was so balanced, and she had a lot of influence on me.”
Armstrong left home to attend California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in the early 1960s, where he met Bill Gibford, an instructor at the school. Armstrong credits a revolution in his horsemanship to Gibford.
“Bill took an interest in me,” Armstrong said. “I rode blindly most of my young life, and this was my first real education with horses. Bill was a big part of that. He judged a lot of cow horse events and introduced me to many of the top cow horse trainers of the time.”
Armstrong became a certified journeyman farrier— inducted into the American Farriers Association Hall of Fame—and shared his knowledge at Cal Poly as a farrier science instructor for 35 years. He still travels to Feather River College to share his expertise.
Armstrong recalls two formative horses in his life. First, a palomino mare called Docs Smart Cashette, by Smart Cash Cutter, which was a horse from Cal Poly’s program and out of Doc Dor Ette.
“She was high-energy and fast-footed,” he said. “Sometimes, I was afraid to kick her because it might be too much. Then I learned when I started riding closer to her, she quieted down. I learned a lot from her, and everywhere I took her, we brought home a check.”
The second horse was No Foolish Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Lean Acre Doc x Bob Acre Doc).
“You could take him to a show, and he was so relaxed,” Armstrong recalled. “I told people he could be lying down in the stall, and you could just go show him without doing anything. I felt like he filled in for me a lot. I’d make a mistake, and he’d fill in.
“I love horses and people,” he continued. “The longer you learn and the more you understand about horses, the more you learn a lot about yourself! I’ve always thought about that when teaching students.
You probably couldn’t think of anything more honest than a horse. Everything they do has a reason. It teaches you that you have to think like horses think. That’s my real interest: communicating with horses. I don’t think about what the horse can do for me; I think about what I can do for the horse. We can get selfish when we ride. Instead, I think about what I can do for the horse.”
AFFILIATES OF THE 2024
Idaho and Colorado claimed the 2024 Affiliate and Reserve Affiliate of the Year, respectively.
ALL
NRCHA’S AFFILIATES strive to be the best they can be for their members by elevating their event production, offering educational opportunities and providing chances to claim unique titles that encourage involvement.
This year, NRCHA recognized the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association as its Affiliate of the Year and the Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association as its Reserve Affiliate of the Year.
BY PAIGE BRANDONAFFILIATE OF THE YEAR: IRCHA
Home to the third largest affiliate futurity, the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association is recognized as the 2024 NRCHA Affiliate of the Year. The organization’s dedication to growing the sport, specifically in the Northwest, is shown through its efforts to increase payouts and opportunities to show—all done by the helping hands of its membership.
“We strive to be the best organization we can be,” IRCHA President John Palleria said. “Many of us on the board are passionate about this and like to show it. We share our love for the cow horse industry and want it to continue. That’s why we do it.”
Palleria has served on the board for more than five years, three of which in the role of president. He started with horses late in life after finding inspiration from watching the Idaho futurity, an ironic twist of fate as he’d later become president.
Their organization started in 1976 with approximately 10 board members and 30 members. Today, it’s the third-largest NRCHA affiliate, with over 1,000 members from approximately 25 states and Canadian provinces. The organization focuses on two annual shows, both hosted at the Ford Idaho Center: the IRCHA Classic Derby and Horse Show and the IRCHA Futurity, Derby and Horse Show, presented by Magicality. It’s the third-largest affiliate futurity with the highest payback in the nation.
“We give it all out,” Palleria said. “The entry fee goes right back to the exhibitors after the expenses, such as the cattle fee, the secretary and the judge.” The organization also emphasizes keeping entry fees low on top of the 100% proceed payback.
This past year, the event paid out $386,450 across the horse show, with 1,003 entries and $125,000 added—$30,000 of which is added to the Open Futurity,
$17,500 to the Open Derby and $5,000 to the Open Bridle. It takes place each year at the end of October into the first week of November. Palleria attributes the facility, located in Nampa, Idaho, to the show’s success.
“We have an incredible facility and the support of the city,” Lindsey Dell, IRCHA Sponsorship Coordinator, said. “The Ford Idaho Center is a phenomenal climate-controlled arena, even in November in Idaho, which people might shy away from. You’re able to have a full-blown show with a covered arena, an indoor arena, and every amenity that you can want.” The center holds 650 stalls, which sell out each year.
During the futurity show, IRCHA offers an Idaho-bred buckle open to any horse born in Idaho with the highest score in the futurity. It can be any rider in any futurity class, from non pro to open riders. In 2023, it went to the open futurity champion, Dr StrangeLove, ridden by Shane Steffen and bred by Annie Reynolds.
“The challenge that any nonprofit has is the responsibility of giving the best product with limited resources,” Dell said. “We’ve overcome that quite a bit with how we approach our shows.”
With such a large production, the 12 directors who made up the 2023 board stressed the importance of scheduling to avoid late nights. Under the direction of their show manager, the leadership meets to evaluate years before schedule in the best interest of those showing.
Recently, IRCHA introduced the Boxing Shootout, sponsored by the Red Tail Ranch, to its show. The top three of each boxing class, including youth boxing, non pro boxing and limited boxing, automatically qualify for the shootout with a waived cattle fee. The winner receives a saddle. The increase in their boxing memberships directly reflects this new installment.
They host the shootout right before their futurity finals, in “prime time,” as Palleria described it. Each year, they sell out their stands for both Friday and Saturday of their show. One night for the futurity finals and the other for the open bridle finals—one of their biggest classes of the show. IRCHA also waives the cattle fee for all youth classes.
“We encourage a family atmosphere, so we waive the cattle fee,” Palleria said. “We try to make it cheaper for the kids to show, to keep them going.”
Of course, this couldn’t have happened without the help of sponsors.
“I am always trying to make sure the IRCHA is as premier an organization as we possibly can be, under the NRCHA umbrella, because our goals are to grow the organization more in the next few years,” Dell said. “That comes down to our relationships and how we’re able to provide support back to our sponsors, make everyone feel welcome and deliver on our promises.”
As the sponsorship coordinator, she prioritizes yearly sponsors to maintain a support flow and guarantee sustainability, one of the organization’s continual goals.
This year, IRCHA is bringing back the Triple Threat Clinic, which filled spots in two hours. A group of 27 members will be broken into three groups to focus on the cow horse events: reined work, herd work and cow work. The organization has a history of only using northwest-native horse trainers. This year, Jake Telford, an NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider; Annie Reynolds, an NRCHA Million Dollar Rider; and Wade Reaney, an NRCHA judge and trainer, will assist with the clinic.
Their next goal is to increase the added money for the futurity to $100,000 and $75,000 for the derby, a feat they feel can be accomplished through their evolving growth.
“We want to continue to bring to the table what we always have,” Dell said. “And it is because of this flow of support from different people who are passionate about helping us and seeing where this organization is going.”
RESERVE AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR: CRCA
For the second year in a row, Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association claimed the Reserve Affiliate of the Year award. Its board of directors provides a helping hand throughout the organization, and the group takes pride in its thriving camaraderie.
Top: The passionate directors drive prosperity for their yearly shows, all with the competitors in mind.
“ WE GIVE IT ALL OUT. THE ENTRY FEE GOES RIGHT BACK TO THE EXHIBITORS AFTER THE EXPENSES, SUCH AS THE CATTLE FEE, THE SECRETARY AND THE JUDGE.”
—John Palleria, IRCHA President
“Our goal is pretty simple,” said CRCA Executive Director Emily Parry. “We always try to put on high-quality shows with good ground, good cattle and great money, thanks to our sponsors. We want to keep it fun and relaxed and make folks feel welcome.”
Parry first showed through CRCA in 2010, before signing up as the show manager and working her way up to be the executive director. Founded in 1996, the organization has grown to 532 members today, with five directors and eight board members. CRCA hosts an average of five shows a year throughout Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
This past year, the organization added the cowboy class to the Drought Buster show in McCook, Nebraska; hosted a high school rodeo class at the Firecracker show in Douglas, Wyoming; and started a youth committee at the Sagebrush show in Pueblo, Colorado.
“Our mindset is to be willing to try,” said Tawny Fye, president and show manager. “It takes a unique group of people willing to put in the time and effort to make it right.”
Fye started showing horses in 2011 and always looked for opportunities to help, whether running the gate, scribing or announcing. She eventually moved up to be on the board.
One recent change in the organization is hiring show staff instead of relying solely on volunteers. It guarantees help while ensuring that no one’s time is taken advantage of. In 2023, the organization ran into trouble at its Firecracker show. They accidentally oversold stalls, a truck of shavings was lost in transit and rain threatened the event. In an illustration of their prided camaraderie, the group of directors and members worked together to solve the show jeopardized by Murphy’s law by putting up panels at 5:30 a.m.
“If you send out a text announcing [that we need help], everybody shows up,” Fye said. More hands make less work when they’re all there—not just board members but the members, too.”
“There were moments when you had to put on your safety caps and working gloves,” Parry added. “Our motto was ‘adapt and overcome’ for that show. But
when you work so hard at something and it ends up working, it makes it even sweeter.”
This same show had $48,800 in prize money and a record number of entries. Hosted at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds, entries came from as far as Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
The Colorado crew canceled the Sagebrush show this year in the best interest of its members. It fell too close to the NRCHA Stallion Stakes. The organization hopes to host its own Boxing Shootout, like IRCHA.
“It’s taking a page from their book, which is neat that we get to share ideas with other affiliates,” Parry said. “We’re trying to highlight our boxers because, when you look at the numbers, about 70% of our membership are boxers.”
Overall, CRCA stresses the importance of friendships outside of the arena.
“That’s the bigger story,” Fye said. “It’s about the people. The affiliate is a vessel to meet these people and build these relationships. It makes it a whole other family you didn’t know you had, but they’re all there for you. That’s what makes it worth it.”
Top left: One way CRCA focuses on the next generation of members is through youth clinics.
Top-right: Above all, the goal of CRCA is for members to be welcomed and have a good time.
Bottom-right: The dedicated staff illustrates more hands make less work in the organization.
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SOMETH
to Talk About
The second The American Performance Horseman event gave spectators a show they’ll tell stories about for years to come.
U
NDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL STA DIUM—Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers—Western performance events took center stage on March 8 for the second annual The American Performance Horseman, featuring five three-person teams, each comprised of a cutter, a reiner and a reined cow horse expert.
NRCHA puts together some incredible finals performances with pyrotechnics, loud music and an enthusiastic crowd. But this event is like no other, with its large-scale setting, comparably smaller arena and live music blasting out of Marshall stacks. It creates an electrifying environment to show off the best in our Western performance sports to stalwart followers and newcomers to our events.
& CO, COURTESY OF
Together, they’ve won more than $11 million in Western performance events, and in March, they took home the team win for Team Royal Blue. The team consisted of Casey Deary (left, NRHA), Adan Baneulos (center, NCHA) and Clayton Edsall (right, NRCHA)
ING
BY JENNIFER PAULSONFORMAT REFRESHER
The American Performance Horseman breaks into two competitions: individual and team. The individual cow horse scores include a composite of reined and cow work, just like you’d see in a standard class. The team portion includes a score from a cutter, one from a reiner (completing an abbreviated pattern), and the fence work portion of the cow horse division (excluding the reined work scores). The winner of each discipline receives $100,000, second place gets $75,000, third earns $50,000, and fourth and fifth take home $25,000 each. The winning team receives $75,000 to split among its members, and the non-winning teams split $25,000 each. It’s a huge payday for all 15 competitors and the owners of their horses!
THE BIG WINNER
Much of the event’s focus is on the team aspect because it’s unique in our Western performance sports. However, the individual event winners take home the biggest check. And this year, Corey Cushing and SJR Talkin Diamonds (Smooth Talkin Style x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark) topped the cow horse with a composite 439 (R: 220.5/C: 218.5), besting second-place Justin Wright and Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) by just half a point (R: 221.5/C: 217).
“This was my second time competing in this event,” NRCHA Three Million Dollar Rider Cushing shared. “It was easier this year knowing more what we were getting into. I knew it would be a smaller arena than we’re used to, that there’d be bright lights and loud music and that we’d have limited warm-up time. The reined work atmosphere is a lot quieter since that’s in the morning before the main event. We were able to ride for an hour, clean up our horses and go show.”
Cushing was pleased with his horse’s performance in the reined work, admitting his own rhythm might’ve been off a little to start, but he adjusted to the arena’s size and used his markers to set his pattern.
Corey Cushing and SJR Talking Diamonds, owned by San Juan Ranch, topped the individual competition at the 2024 American Performance Horseman at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
second place in the individual competition and fifth place on the Imperial Purple team.
Below: NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Clayton Edsall knew Bet He Sparks would be a perfect partner for Edsall’s first appearance at The American Performance Horseman. The pair had some tough luck, but their solid team score landed his Royal Blue team on top.
“He circled nice and changed leads; his second stop wasn’t as good as his first,” Cushing said. “He turned good to the right, then loped off and ran to the last stop. I got off center and he came to the inside a little, but he turned nice that way, too. That horse, even if it’s not perfect, it still looks good.”
The electricity of the crowd, concerts, spotlights and smoke—coupled with tough cattle—made the fence work a bit more of an unknown for each of the NRCHA riders.
“When we went down in there for the fence work, the band had just started,” Cushing recalled. “My horse wasn’t too sure about it. I just turned around and went back up to the barn area. I didn’t want to ride him down too much—I wanted to be sure I had enough horse. He could hear it when we went back down, but it didn’t all hit him at once like it did the first time. The cows were extremely challenging—but that’s no one’s fault. In that setting, you can’t be surprised when they’re pushy and bold. You just have to make the best of it. Maybe change your approach. In the end, we all had the same cattle to deal with across the board.
“My horse, he’ll set up for a perfect cow or a lesser cow,” Cushing continued. “He was athletic and strong in getting to the tough places. He didn’t just have to
get to the head and go the other way; we had to get to the head and keep control of it. In the moments where we did have to pick up or go past the ideal points, my horse really stood up.”
Cushing pointed out that no matter what, it was an even playing field and a great way to showcase the sport.
“Lots goes into creating a show like this,” he shared. You have to remember that as we’re putting on these new events, they’re going to be different from what we’re used to. But we want people to learn about what we do, so we have to be aware and adapt.”
THE TOP TEAM
Serious star power made up the winning team at The American Performance Horseman. Team Royal Blue, consisting of NCHA Six Million Dollar Rider Adan Banuelos, NRHA Four Million Dollar Rider Casey Deary and NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Clayton Edsall, topped the team competition with a 662.5 composite (cutting: 230/reining: 226.5/cow: 206).
“Originally, when I thought about the team idea, I didn’t think we’d be a real team,” Edsall admitted. “I was really impressed with how we came together. I’ve known Casey and Adan and have worked with them over the years, but it was fun to do it together. I had a
TEAM ROYAL BLUE
Team Score: 662.5
Cutting
Rider: Adan Banuelos
Horse: StoryTeler
(Smooth Talking Style x Show Biz Kitty x High Brow Cat)
Owner: Double Dove Ranch Score: 230
Reining
Rider: Casey Deary
Horse: Down Right
Amazing (Colonels
Smoking Gun x Shesouttayourleague x Walla Walla Whiz)
Owner: DAG Ventures LLC Score: 226.5
Cow Horse
Rider: Clayton Edsall
Horse: Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking
Train x Shining Spark)
Owner: K&L Phillips
Score: 206
TEAM REGAL RED
Team Score: 660
Cutting
Rider: Austin Shepard
Horse: Kittenish (Kit Kat
Sugar x Sweet Lil Gal x Sweet Lil Pepto)
Owner: Billy Wolf Score: 223
Reining
Rider: Cade McCutcheon
Horse: Finals Bound (Gunnatrashya x Wimpys Little Chic x Wimpys Little Step)
Owner: Burnett Ranches LLC Score: 223
Cow Horse
Rider: Sarah Dawson
Horse: Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark)
Owner: Aaron Ranch Score: 214
TEAM BURNT ORANGE Team Score: 653.5
Cutting
Rider: Morgan Cromer
Horse: Cool Guitar (Stevie Rey Von x This Kats Kool x WR This Cats Smart)
Owner: Pinwheel Partners Score: 219
Reining
Rider: Brian Bell
Horse: Vintage Couture (Platinum Vintage x Couture Tag x Whiz N Tag Chex)
Owner: George R. and Carol E. Bell Score: 216
Cow Horse
Rider: Corey Cushing Horse: SJR Talkin Diamonds (Smooth Talkin Style x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark)
Owner: San Juan Ranch Score: 218.5
TEAM RACING GREEN Team Score: 651.5
Cutting
Rider: Wes Galyean Horse: Nineteen 42 (Hottish x Lil Rattler x Dual Rey)
Owner: SMF Cutting Horses LLC Score: 208
Reining Rider: Andrea Fappani
Horse: All Bettss Are Off (Colonels Smoking Gun x Wimpys Little Chic x Wimpys Little Step)
Owner: Rancho Oso Rio LLC Score: 225
Cow Horse
Rider: Matt Koch Horse: Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats
Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady x Shining Spark)
Owner: XIT Ranch LLC Score: 218.5
TEAM IMPERIAL PURPLE
443
Cutting Rider: James Payne Horse: Summer Time
Fun (Metallic Cat x Hey Georgy Girl x Wild Thing DNA)
Owner: Ty Moore Score: 226
Reining Rider: Jason
Vanlandingham Horse: GunnaBeBigTime (Gunnatrashya x Big Time Jazzy x Shine Big Time)
Owner: Tami Nelson Score: 0
Cow Horse
Rider: Justin Wright
Horse: Scooter Kat (Kit
Kat Sugar x Scooters
Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey)
Owner: Eric Freitas Score: 217
“FOR PEOPLE WHO KNOW US FROM WHEN I USED TO RANCH AND DAYWORK, FOR THEM TO SEE ME ON FOX SPORTS, THAT’S PRETTY CRAZY.”
—Clayton Edsall
Left: Matt Koch and Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady x Shining Spark) captured fourth in the individual competition and finished fourth as a team with the Racing Green team.
Bottom left: NRCHA
Two Million Dollar Rider Sarah Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiny Tari x Shining Spark) earned a 429.5 (R: 215.5/C: 214) for third individually. Her Regal Red team finished second overall.
little hard time with my cow, but there was always mutual respect between us riders.”
Edsall thought his horse, Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark), handled the unfamiliar circumstances very well, but he admitted he had trouble with reined work.
“We had a break of gait,” he said. “This year, the reined work didn’t count for the team score, so I had to give myself a little time to pout [about not contending for the individual win] and get over it. I had to be able to do all I could for my team later that night.”
Like Cushing, Edsall had a tough cow that ended with some tough luck.
“I had a really good fence work going,” he shared. “We had two good turns and went to circle and the ground kind of slipped, so we changed sides. The cow pushed on me and fell down, so they got me for a knockdown. I was disappointed with what happened but not with my horse at all.”
The grace Edsall gave his horse comes from being part of the stallion’s entire career.
“He deserved to be there,” Edsall said.
At the end of the night, Edsall joined his teammates for celebratory champagne-spraying and trophy-hoisting and said his friends from his days cowboying on ranches in the West were impressed to see him on national TV.
“For people who know us from when I used to ranch and daywork, for them to see me on Fox Sports, that’s pretty crazy,” Edsall concluded.
H WHAT A NIGHT O
BY KRISTIN PITZER | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESWinning the Open Derby on Spanish Nights at the 2024 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes was an evening neither Veronica Swales nor the mare’s owners will soon forget.
2024 OPEN TOP 10
Veronica Swales picked up her first premier Open Derby win on Spanish Nights (Metallic Rebel x Lil Bit Reckless x CD Royal), whose owners also celebrated their first major win, worth $51,000.
Las Vegas, Nevada – April 4–13, 2024 (Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Spanish Nights; Veronica Swales; 19M (Metallic Rebel x Lil Bit Reckless x CD Royal); Bar One Land & Cattle LLP; 659.5 (H: 222/R: 216/C: 221.5); $51,000
2. DT Hotlilshineychex; Chris Dawson; 19S (Hottish x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark); Pamela & Marc Heitz; 658.5 (H: 217.5/R: 217/C: 224); $40,000
3. A Reyl Rebel; Nick Dowers; 19S (Metallic Rebel x Never Reylinquish x Dual Rey); Clinton Marshall; 656.5 (H: 222/R: 221/C: 213.5); $31,000
4. CD Metallic; Jesse Spence; 19S (Stevie Rey Von x High CD Rates x High Brow CD); Allison Trimble; 656 (H: 217.5/R: 219.5/C: 219); $27,000
5. Hicaliber Cat; Clayton Edsall; 19S (High Brow Cat x SFR Magic Doll x Abrakadabracre); Crosshair Ranch; 654 (H: 222/R: 213/C: 219); $20,000
6. Lil Sann Belle; Boyd Rice, 20S (Sannman x Tessa Belle x San Perdiz); Heidi Abshire; 651.5 (H: 218.5/R: 219.5/C: 213.5); $16,000
7. Lectrifyn Metallic; Andrea Fappani; 20S (Metallic Cat x Lectrifyn Royalty x One Time Royalty); Tim Anderson; 651 (H: 216.5/R: 217/C:2 17.5); $13,500
8. Anniereyvon; Kyle Trahern; 20M (Stevie Rey Von x Smart Annie Rey x Dual Rey); Paul Jenkins; 650.5 (H: 217.5/R: 218.5/C: 214.5); $11,000
9. Raquel Ray; Veronica Swales; 20M (Stevie Rey Von x Reychell Rey x Dual Rey); Bar One Land & Cattle LLP; 649 (H: 218.5/R: 215.5/C: 215); $8,100
10 (TIE). Stevey Nix; Chris Dawson; 19M (Stevie Rey Von x Soula Jule Forever x Soula Jule Star); Holy Cow Performance Horses Texas LLC; 648.5 (H: 218.5/R: 214/C: 216); $7,375
10 (TIE). Lizzies Lil Secret; Justin Wright; 19S (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Lil Liz x Lizzys Gotta Player); S C Ranch Co. Inc.; 648.5 (H: 216.5/R: 219.5/C: 212.5); $7,375
Veronica Swales has been showing reined cow horses for a long time, but the horsewoman, who is originally from Canada, didn’t often make her way south to the U.S. to attend NRCHA major events. Now based in Texas, Swales has had more opportunities to travel to shows and made her first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open finals in 2023. The trend continued at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes, held April 4–13 at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, but Swales outdid her own expectations when she piloted Spanish Nights to the Open Championship and banked $51,000.
“It means a lot; this was my very first win for a major event like that,” Swales said. “The mare is really special to us, and it was awesome that we were able to show off what she can do and that she was capable of winning something like that.”
Swales’ plan from the get-go was to push Spanish Nights a little bit but also show her smartly. The mare started off by marking a respectable 219.5 in the reining prelims, but the best was yet to come. She was dynamic in the herd work, marking a 221.5 that topped the leaderboard; then, down the fence, the pair scored another 219.5 after battling a tough cow, which gave them the second-highest composite score before going into the clean-slate finals.
Spanish Nights didn’t disappoint in the finals herd work, either. She marked a 222, which tied for the highest score yet again.
“She was outstanding. She felt just as good in the finals as she did in the prelims,” Swales said. “I felt like we had a good run, but I was just hoping to squeeze in there as high as I could. It was awesome that we tied those other horses for the [herd] win in the finals, as well.”
Swales spent the day between the herd work and the other finals events working the mare on the flag to prepare for the fence work. Saturday morning, the mare seemed relaxed and on her A-game, which carried through to the evening’s reined and cow works, where the pair marked a 216 and a 221.5, respectively.
“She made me feel super good that morning and like Saturday night was going to be a good night,” Swales recalled. “I, of course, wanted to win it, but I was kind of like, ‘just get the highest check you can get.’ She was so good for me Saturday night. She went and did exactly what I needed her to do for the reining, and same with the fence work.”
The Open win was also a first for owners Seth and Chantel Murphy, of Bar One Land and Cattle LLP. In fact, Spanish Nights, who is called “Naomi” after Seth’s late mother, is the couple’s first cow horse. The pair purchased the mare (Metallic Rebel x Lil Bit Reckless x CD Royal) at the 2021 Western Bloodstock National Cutting Horse Association Futurity Sales for $600,000, took her home and put her in training with Swales.
Naomi was initially meant to be Swales’ prospect for the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, but as time went by, Swales and her husband, Clay Volmer, decided to switch horses. Volmer showed the mare at the Futurity and on into her 4-year-old year; then about midway through, Swales took her back. Since then, the mare has continued to get better and better each time she and Swales have stepped into the show pen.
Swales thanked Volmer for always being there for her, her herd help, and her friends and family who’ve supported her through the years. She also thanked the Murphys for kicking off their cow horse adventure with her.
“This mare was their first mare they bought for the cow horse, and then the year before last, they bought another mare who was actually my very first Open finalist for the Futurity,” Swales said. “It’s been fun because it was their first Futurity finalist and my first Futurity finalist, and now, this was my first Open finals for these derbies, and same for them, then same with my first big win for it and theirs as well. It’s fun that we get to share the journey together.”
OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION & NOVICE HORSE OPEN CHAMPION
Chris Dawson piloted DT Horses LLC-bred DT Hotlilshineychex (Hottish x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark), owned by Pamela and Marc Heitz, to Reserve with a 658.5 (H: 217.5/R: 217/C: 224), banking $40,000. He and the 2019 stallion also picked up the Novice Horse Open title, worth another $6,479.46.
///// MEET TETON RIDGE
Teton Ridge is a multi-platform brand devoted to the American Western way of life and western equine sports, and it is a proud corporate sponsor of the NRCHA. Owned by visionary entrepreneur Thomas Tull, Teton Ridge has stepped into the rodeo and performance horse arenas in a big way, including being the title sponsor of the NRCHA’s Stallion Stakes. Teton Ridge also operates a philanthropic foundation that funds land stewardship, fosters community by preserving America’s Western cultural heritage, and works to ensure the future of ranching and riding sports. Learn more at tetonridge.com.
INTERMEDIATE
OPEN CHAMPION
Abbie Phillips and XIT Rita Blanca (Woody Be Tuff x Calie Del Rey x Dual Rey), a 2020 mare bred by Center Ranch and owned by XIT Ranch LLC, took the Intermediate Open win with a 658 (H: 216/R: 219/C: 223), earning $15,750.
LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
Joshua Briggs rode Andrea Luce’s homebred 2020 mare Metallic N Shine (Metallic Cat x Just A Sparknshine x Shining Spark) to a 646.5 (H: 215.5/R: 214.5/C: 216.5) to tie for Reserve, earning $3,375.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION & LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION
After scoring a 656 (H: 217.5/R: 219.5/C: 219), CD Metallic (Stevie Rey Von x High CD Rates x High Brow CD) and Jesse Spence went home with the Limited Open Championship and Intermediate Open Reserve Championship. Spence and the 2019 stallion, who was bred by Todd Nelson, collected a total of $16,000 for owner Allison Trimble.
LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
Also tying for Reserve were Bamacats Courage (Bamacat x Playguns Courage x Playgun) and Jon Hawthorne, who scored a 646.5 (H: 213.5/R: 217/C: 216). The 2020 mare, who was bred by H.B. Bartlett, DVM, banked $3,375 for owner Chuck Terro.
LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION
2020 stallion Purdy Bossy (CD Lights x Purdy Metallica x Metallic Cat), bred by Dan and Cindy Watkins, and Massimo Garlanda rode to a 641 (H: 213.5/R: 214.5/C: 213) to win the Level 1 Open Championship and $1,350 for owner Laureen Little.
LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
With a 639 (H: 214.5/R: 217.5/C: 207), Duals Diamond Cat (Dual Smart Rey x Shiners Diamond Cat x WR This Cats Smart) and Logan Leach picked up the Level 1 Open Reserve Co-Championship and $1,012.50. The 2020 mare, who was bred by Mike and James Draper, belongs to Richard and Pam Winkler.
LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
Alethea Prewett and her 2019 stallion Stevie Wunder (Stevie Rey Von x Justa Lil Freck x Bobs Freckle), who was bred by Double Dove Ranch, shared Reserve after riding to a 639 (H: 211/R: 216/C: 212). The pair earned $1,012.50.
NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
Sand N My Genes (Sannman x SDP I Got Good Genes x Dual Rey), who was bred by SDP Buffalo Ranch and is owned by Scott Armstrong, and Luke Jones picked up the Reserve Co-Championship with a 654 (H: 216.5/R: 218.5/C: 219). The 2020 mare collected a check for $4,485.78.
NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CO-CHAMPION
Another 654 (H: 218.5/R: 219.5/C: 216) helped Hicaliber Cat (High Brow Cat x SFR Magic Doll x Abrakadabracre), a 2019 stallion bred by Robert Thigpen Jr., and Clayton Edsall tie for Reserve. The pair took home $4,485.78 for owner Crosshair Ranch.
Event Sponsors
OPEN CHROME CASH
A Reyl Rebel (Metallic Rebel x Never Reylinquish x Dual Rey), a 2019 stallion that was bred by Hartman Quarter Horses Inc. and is owned by Clinton Marshall, and Nick Dowers rode to a composite 662 (H: 217.5/R: 222/C: 222.5) to win the Chrome Cash incentive and $1,900.
Title and Presenting Sponsors
Corporate Sponsors
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· Veterinarian trusted with over a million doses administered since 2006 High viscosity solution of Hyaluronic Acid + Chondroitin + Glucosamine
· Post-Surgical Lavage / Synovial Fluid Replacement / Viscosupplement Patented formulation
Use Only. Patent Nos.: 6,979,679 / 7,485,629 / 8,455,458. CAUTION: This device is restricted to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. WARNING: Do not administer to animals that are to be slaughtered for use in food. Keep out of reach of children. Polyglycan ® is a registered trademark of Bimeda, Inc. All rights reserved. © 2023 Bimeda, Inc.
ACK TO THE TOP B
Tammy Jo Hays went all in at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was rewarded with the Non Pro Derby Championship.
BY KRISTIN PITZER | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESFrom 2013 to 2018, Tammy Jo Hays was at the top of her game in her reined cow horse career. During that span of time, she won the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® three times, along with many other premier event titles. As 2019 rolled around, her kids got involved in golf, and she decided to take a break to spend time with them. For several years, she catch-rode here and there but never had the time to devote to being as competitive as before.
Two years ago, Hays started getting back in the show pen consistently, but reaching her former level proved more difficult than she expected. It took a while to relearn how to do certain things, she said, but during the 2024 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes Non Pro finals, everything came together as she piloted Metallic Lightning (Metallic Cat x Maliblu Barbie x Smart Boons) to the top of the pack, securing the championship. She also placed third on Shiverz, taking home $14,000 in total earnings from the event.
“This was my first show since 2018 that I really felt like the person I was six or seven years ago,” Hays said. “I felt really prepared to show, so I was pretty excited because you kind of wonder, well, maybe I just don’t know how to do this anymore. You have self-doubts, and so it meant a lot to pull it off.”
Metallic Lightning had his own struggles on the duo’s path to victory. Hays purchased the gelding shortly before the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and said back then, when he was still a stallion, the horse could be a little bit too laid-back when it came to certain aspects of cow horse.
2024 NON PRO TOP 10
Las Vegas, Nevada – April 4–13, 2024 (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money)
1. Tammy Jo Hays; Metallic Lightning; 20G (Metallic Cat x Maliblu Barbie x Smart Boons); Tammy Jo Hays; 649 (H: 216.5/R: 214.5/C: 218); $8,500
2. Debbie Crafton; Believe Im Smart; 20G (Dont Stopp Believin x One Smart Long Legs x One Time Pepto); Debbie Crafton; 647.5 (H: 217.5/R: 216.5/C: 213.5); $6,500
3. Tammy Jo Hays; Shiverz; 19M (Woody Be Tuff x Cats Boonolena x High Brow Cat); Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays; 647 (H: 216/R: 218/C: 213); $5,500
4. Brent Ratliff; Seven S Red Hot; 19G (Stevie Rey Von x Seven S Wild Flower x Nic It In The Bud); Brent Ratliff; 646 (H: 213.5/R: 218/C: 214.5); $4,500
5. Debbie Crafton; SJR Diamond Luna; 19M (CD Diamond x SJR Smooth Gina x Smooth As A Cat); Debbie Crafton; 644 (H: 215/R: 213.5/C: 215.5); $3,400
6. Jayson Fisher; Sure Hesa Smart Cat; 19G (Bet Hesa Cat x Poco Smart Oak x Smart Little Lena); Jayson & Teresa Fisher; 642.5 (H: 213/R: 212.5/C: 217); $2,750
7. Eric Freitas; Scootin Lil Lola; 20M (Scooter Kat x Wareable x Smooth As A Cat); Eric Freitas; 636.5 (H: 217/R: 217.5/C: 202); $2,325
8. Debbie Crafton; Ohh You Betcha; 19G (Bet Hesa Cat x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena); Debbie Crafton; 635 (H: 216.5/R: 218/C: 200.5); $2,125
9. Cutter McLaughlin; I Believe; 20G (Dont Stopp Believin x Shinin Peaches x Shining Spark); Jan & Wendy McLaughlin; 634 (H: 216/R: 219/C: 199); $1,700
10 (TIE). Amelia Wakley; Rey Kicked Back; 20M (Dual Smart Rey x Kickback Nic x Nic It In The Bud); Amelia & Joseph Wakley; 631.5 (H: 212/R: 211.5/C: 208); $1,387.50
10 (TIE). Matthew Kimes; Hope Shez Catty; 19M (Catty Hawk x Shes Full Of Hope x Smart Mate); Matthew Kimes; 631.5 (H: 217.5/R: 206.5/C: 207.5); $1,387.50
“We made the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®] finals, but he just kind of felt like, ‘You’re not big enough to make me do these things,’” Hays recalled. “We castrated him after the futurity, and I started having my husband, Shawn, help me mainly with the stops in the reining. He can stop huge, but a lot of times he’d be like, ‘I don’t have to try that hard.’”
Shawn rode the gelding over the winter, and about three weeks before the Stallion Stakes, Hays noticed a difference in the horse’s attitude. He started feeling solid down the fence, wasn’t pushy and knew his job. It seemed like he’d finally matured and come into his own.
In their Stallion Stakes finals herd work, Metallic Lightning made the first run where Hays felt like, from start to finish, she didn’t have to do anything to maneuver him in his cuts. Their first cow proved especially difficult, but the gelding handled it and turned what could’ve been a rough start to their bid for the championship into a 216.5, one of the higher scores in the herd work.
Metallic Lightning put in a solid run in the reined work, scoring a 214.5, which placed them in prime position going into the fence work. Luck was on their side when their cow stepped into the arena,
as Hays said it was the best cow she’d drawn all week. The pair marked a 218, the highest score of the class, giving them a 1½-point lead over reserve champions Debbie Crafton and Believe Im Smart.
“He just felt so solid—point, shoot, and ‘Hang on, I got this,’” Hays said. “It’s such a difference because, in the finals at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, he got really strong and wasn’t really listening to me. This was the opposite. He was really laidback and just, ‘Hey, I know my job, but I’m going to do what you tell me to do.’”
Hays thanked Shawn for getting Metallic Lightning ready for her before the reining and the cow work every single time. She also thanked her son, Hunter, 14, who trotted the gelding before the herd works, and Shawn’s assistant, Brendan Hackmann, for his support. Finally, she thanked the Lord for everything he’s done for her and her family.
“I've done this long enough to know that when it comes together, it’s because He makes it happen,” Hays said. “So many things could’ve gone differently—and not just for myself, but for other people. I look back over my career and I just think of how one little thing could’ve changed everything. I know the Lord’s in control of it all, and I’m super grateful.”
NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION
Debbie Crafton brought four horses back to the finals and took reserve on Believe Im Smart (Dont Stopp Believin x One Smart Long Legs x One Time Pepto). Crafton and the 2020 gelding, bred by Michelle Cannon, scored a 647.5 (H: 217.5/R: 216.5/C: 213.5) and banked $6,500.
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO & LIMITED NON PRO CHAMPION
A composite score of 655 (H: 217/R: 218/C: 220) shot Terra Kirchenschlager and Night Wach (Reyzin The Cash x Prowlin By Starlight x High Brow Cat) to the top of the leaderboard in both the Intermediate Non Pro and the Limited Non Pro. The 5-year-old J Five Horse Ranch Management LLC-bred gelding and Kirchenschlager collected $4,100 from the Intermediate and $1,950.75 from the Limited.
LEVEL 1 NON PRO CHAMPION, SELECT RESERVE CHAMPION & NON PRO CHROME CASH
Matthew Kimes rode Hope Shez Catty (Catty Hawk x Shes Full Of Hope x Smart Mate), bred by Cowan Ranch Inc., to a 644 (H: 217.5/R: 207.5/C: 219) and the win the Level 1 Non Pro and Chrome Cash incentive, and take reserve in the Select. The pair’s earnings totaled $1,845.
INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE, LIMITED NON PRO RESERVE & LEVEL 1 NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION
Taking reserve in the Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro with a score of 639 (H: 211/R: 216.5/C: 211.5) were Amber Carroll and Scooter Five (Scooter Kat x Kat Five x High Brow Cat). Carroll and the 2020 gelding, bred by Lacy and Wyatt Bourdet, took home $3,250 and $1,560.60, respectively. They collected another $540 for reserve in the Level 1 Non Pro with their 636.5 (H: 213/R: 210.5/C: 213).
SELECT
CHAMPION
Scootin Lil Lola (Scooter Kat x Wareable x Smooth As A Cat) carried Eric Freitas to a 649.5 (H: 217.5/R: 215.5/C: 216.5) for the Select Championship. Freitas and the 2020 mare, bred by Terry Ratto and Charise Gillespie, received a check for $220.
NOVICE HORSE NON PRO CHAMPION
Kenneth Schueller rode his 2020 stallion Hey Babe (Stevie Rey Von x One Stylish Babe x One Time Pepto), who was bred by Timothy Drummond, to a 637 (H: 213.5/R: 209/C: 214.5), banking $1,500 for the Novice Horse Non Pro Championship.
NOVICE HORSE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION
The Novice Horse Non Pro Reserve Championship went to Amy Bailey and 2019 gelding Pepi N Smart (Olena Oak x Gotta Good Feeling x Smart Little Pepinic), bred by Casey and Nichole Branquinho. The duo collected $1,125 after scoring a 630.5 (H: 213/R: 209.5/C: 208).
NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Aboard 2018 mare Smokin N Smooth (Dual R Smokin x Smooth And Stunning x Smooth As A Cat), owned by S C Ranch Co. Inc. and was bred by Erin Ellison, Vanessa Stevens earned $3,079.13 for the Non Pro Boxing win. The pair marked a composite 646 (H: 215/R: 211.5/C: 219.5).
NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION & NON PRO BOXING CHROME CASH
Allison Trimble Paparoa rode her 2019 stallion CD Metallic (Stevie Rey Von x High CD Rates x High Brow CD), who was bred by Todd Nelson, to win the Non Pro Boxing Chrome Cash incentive and take reserve in the Non Pro Boxing with a 644.5 (H: 213/R: 216/C: 215.5). The pair collected $690 as the highest-scoring Paint Horse and banked another $2,463.30.
LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
With a composite 621.5 (H: 207/R: 207.5/C: 207), Sarah Armenta and 2019 mare Bigcitybritelights (Light N Lena x CD Fancy Squaw x Hickorys Indian Pep), bred by Dustin and Elizabeth Madden, nabbed the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing win and earned $1,086.75.
LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION
Shelly Swenson and 2019 gelding Travelin For Checks (Travelin Jonez x Chex Too Suen x Boon Too Suen), bred by Stephen Stix, took Reserve with a 611.5 composite (H: 186/R: 212.5/C: 213) and earned $652.05.
SELECT NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION
Lori Adamski-Peek and One Metallic Spark (Metallic Cat x One Sparking Time x One Time Pepto), a 2018 gelding, defended last year’s Select Non Pro Boxing Champion title with a score of 641 (H: 207/R: 220/C: 214). One Metallic Spark was bred by Mark and Kimberly Rauch and earned $200 for the win.
SELECT NON PRO BOXING RESERVE CHAMPION
With 2020 gelding Geee Money
(Smooth Talkin Style x Reyonce x Dual Rey), bred by Dottie St Clair Hill, Janet
Bache scored a 625.5 (H: 210/R: 202.5/C: 213) and took home $150 for reserve.
Thank you to these supporters contributing to the added money purse for the 2023 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®!
Best Kept Secret Ranch
Hartwood Farms
BMW Quarter Horses
Larry & Kathy Barker
Stuart Ranch
Hooray / Eric & Wendy Dunn
Gardiner Quarter Horse
Carol Rose
Matthews Cutting Horses
Bet He Sparks
Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate
Brazos Valley Stallion Station
Dual Smart Rey / Strawn Valley Ranch
D Lazy K Ranch
Hat 6 Ranch
Call Me Mitch
Ann Matthews
Honeysuckle Rose Boutique
Woodglen Investments
Red Arrow Ranch LLC
Steve and Lori Roseberry
War Ponies,
Elite Paint Cowhorses
Spahn Law Firm PLLC
Double F Ranch /
Roy & Sherri Fisher
Moncrief Quarter Horses /
Kit and Charlie Moncrief Fults Ranch
Rocking Nine Four Ranch
Shawn Hays
Triple D Ranches
SPECTACULAR SWEEP
My Boots Are Royal and Boyd Rice swept the Two Rein and Bridle Spectaculars at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.
BY JENNIFER PAULSON | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALESMy Boots Are Royal, owned by Moncrief Quarter Horses, LLC, and Boyd Rice came to Las Vegas, Nevada, on a mission. Paired since the stallion was 2 years old, they always got along well at home but hadn’t yet found their groove in the show pen. That all changed when they won the Open Two Rein Spectacular, Open Two Rein, Open Bridle Spectacular, presented by Holy Cow Performance Horses LLC, and the Open Bridle at the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.
“He’s a big, strong horse and has always been good at home,” Rice shared. “I didn’t show him last year, but once we got that bit in his mouth, things really started coming together. I roped a lot of steers on him starting in December up until now, and I think the roping helped, but it really was a game-changer when we put a bit in his mouth. He’s really athletic, a good stopper— he’s been a good horse his whole life. I showed him at the [2024] Fort Worth Stock Show, and he was pretty exceptional there, so I felt confident coming into this show.”
That confidence paid off, with the stud nearly doubling his lifetime earnings over two days in Vegas.
Starting with the two rein (H: 146/R: 147.5/C: 147), Rice said the My Boots Are Royal (Royal Fletch x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff) felt great from the moment they entered the arena for the reined work.
“I couldn’t have asked him to be any better,” Rice said. “He ran circles, changed leads great, spun as fast as a horse can spin, and he always stops really pretty. In the cow work, a lot of it comes down to the draw. You can go from hero to zero as soon as they open the gate. The same horse on a different cow could completely change the outcome.”
In the bridle, Rice acknowledged the horse’s undeniable consistency.
“I pretty much asked him to go as fast as he could go in his circles,” he said. “He was super consistent in the reined work and on the cow.”
When it comes to the herd, Rice said the horse performed as expected in both classes.
“I had perfect cuts and got him shown,” he shared. “He stayed right in the middle of the pen and marked right what he should.”
Rice plans to keep the hot streak going with My Boots Are Royal, taking him to Scottsdale to attempt to qualify for the 2024 Run For A Million Cow Horse Challenge.
“HE WAS SUPER CONSISTENT IN THE REINED WORK AND ON THE
COW.”
—Boyd Rice
INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR
Dualin For Kit Kats (Kit Kat Sugar x Araceli Dual x Dual Pep), owned by Kari Sack, and Brady Weaver had a commanding win in the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular, scoring a 654 (H: 216/R: 219/C: 219) to top the class by five points and earn $2,650. They also topped the horse show class to pocket $1,483.50.
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR
Lanham Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x RAB Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) go all the way back to the horse’s yearling season. Now 8 years old, Brown and his wife, Josey, have piloted “Casino” to the winner’s circle countless times, most recently with Lanham Brown at the reins in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular during the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes with a 440 (H: 143.5/R: 146.5/C: 150).
“He’s been a good one for us,” Brown shared. “We raised his mother, sold her and bought him as a yearling.”
The pair synched up again in Vegas for the win, topping the competition by 4.5 points and adding $5,444 to the horse’s earnings. Additionally, they won the bridle class. Casino was Brown’s lone chance at a check in Vegas, as he didn’t bring his derby horse, but that singular focus didn’t change anything about Brown’s game plan.
“Traveling this far [from the family ranch in Throckmorton, Texas], I’d usually have a few with me,” he said. “But having just one horse doesn’t really change anything. I prepped him like always, just as if I had several others to show.”
Brown rode into the herd last in his set, which he said they managed well. The next two phases of the competition continued to build on that solid herd work.
“In the reined work, he was as good as he’s been in a long time,” Brown shared. “He felt pure, solid, bright and happy to be there. That horse always gives 100% down the fence, and we drew the right cow.”
Brown’s favorite characteristic of Casino is his versatility and ability to rise to the occasion when called upon.
“He’s really good for my wife to show in the boxing classes,” Brown said. “He’s so good-minded—you can do a lot of different things on him.
The pair's next event is the Kimes Ranch Western Derby in Scottsdale, followed in July by the World’s Greatest Non Pro in Tulsa.
YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR
Hunter Hays and Metallic Metal (Metallic Cat x Nurse Gray x Grays Starlight) have spent the past year trying to connect, and it all clicked in Vegas where they came together to win the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular and the Youth Cow Horse class with a 436.5 (H: 145/R: 144/C: 147.5).
“The last month, we’ve really clicked and everything started going right,” Hays shared. “I can trust him so much in any of the cow work—in
the herd or down the fence. My weakest part is the reining, but he’s really good at it.”
Beginning with the herd work, Hays was very excited when he heard his score.
“I was so nervous with my cuts,” he said. “I’m not the best at cutting yet—this was only my second time showing in the herd. I was hoping the cows would drive up there really good, and everything fell into place.”
Hays said he had to learn to trust his horse more in the reined work—a lesson gained at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.
“On our slow-downs, he’d get a little nervous, so I had to trust him more,” he said. “At the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, I didn’t trust him enough and it didn’t go as well. I trusted him and turned him loose this time. His stops and spins are his best maneuvers.”
Finally, in the fence work, Hays and his horse had a cow that didn’t look like it would test them, but it was a good one for the run.
“The cow came out the gate and looked a little dead,” Hays recalled. “I started pushing him, and he woke up a lot. He pushed back and was a little tricky, so I had to knock as much air out of him as I could before we went down the fence. That arena [at South Point] gets short fast. When my cow headed to the fence, I wasn’t quite ready, but we were in position, so we went ahead with it and it worked really well.”
Lanham Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) scored a 440 (H: 143.5/R: 146.5/C: 150) to top the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular and Non Pro Bridle.
“IN THE REINED WORK, HE WAS AS GOOD AS HE’S BEEN IN A LONG TIME. HE FELT PURE, SOLID, BRIGHT AND HAPPY TO BE THERE. THAT HORSE ALWAYS GIVES 100% DOWN THE FENCE, AND WE DREW THE RIGHT COW.”
—Lanham Brown
Hays’ confidence in the pen comes from the coaching he receives from his father, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman® Shawn Hays.
“It’s awesome to have my dad as my coach,” he said. “He makes it so simple and makes everything so clear.”
NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR
Debbie Crafton and SJR SumKindaRockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Pepto Boonsmall) partnered up when the stallion was a 2-year-old and have made all the major finals, most recently winning the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular during the Stallion Stakes. The pair clicks and continues to build momentum as he gains experience in the show pen.
“He’s a very good horse, and his personality is great,” Crafton said. “He’s always on my side, never ahead of me, and he always tries. I love that he’s the same horse at the show as he is at home—he’s really chill. You never know how they’ll change when you start breeding them, but he’s stayed the same, and I can always call on him.”
The Vegas show marked the horse’s first outing in the two rein after being shown in the hackamore at the Celebration of Champions.
“In the herd, I really felt like I could trust him and put my hand down,” she began. “I wasn’t too worried about riding with one hand in the reined work, because I try to ride my horses off my body. He’s always been pure and felt the same one-handed in the two rein. He probably turned better than ever. People told me it was one of the best reined runs we’ve had. With the fence work, you just never know, especially his first time one-handed. He was better than I’ve ever felt him. He read the cow spot-on. We left the end with plenty of cow; he read the cow better than I did the first turn, made the second turn, and circled up.”
It all came together to top the leader board with a 442.5 (H:146.5/R: 147/C: 149) to win the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular.
Additionally, Crafton’s daughter DJ showed “Wilson” in the Non Pro Boxing Derby, placing third. Next up: Crafton will take the horse to Scottsdale to continue their adventures in the two rein and bridle.
“The goal is to make him into a four-event horse,” she concluded. “Then it’s possible he’ll be one of my options for the World’s Greatest Non Pro."
Break free
Help your equine patients by controllingthe clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis
•The only FDA approvedpentosan polysulfate sodium injection
•Convenient;only4intramuscularinjections required
•Not limited to use for specificjoints1
24-hour Veterinary Technical Support available: (866) 933-2472
Nonurgent Technical Support available:support@dechra.com
Important SatefyInformation
Aswithalldrugs, sideeffectsmayoccur.Forintramuscularuseinhorses only.Notfor usein humans.Pentosanpolysulfate sodiumis aweakanticoagulant.Cautionshouldbeused whenadministeringZycosanifyouaretakingananticoagulant. Incaseofaccidental self-injection,seekimmediatemedicalattention.Ifproductcomesintocontactwith skin,rinse skinthoroughlywithwater andseekmedicalattentionifneeded. HorseswithhypersensitivitytopentosanpolysulfatesodiumshouldnotreceiveZycosan.Do notuseZycosanconcurrentlywithotheranticoagulantdrugs. Donotuseinhorseswithclotting disordersorwithin24hoursof surgicalprocedures.Cautionshouldbeusedwhenadministeringthisdrugbeforeorafterstrenuousactivities.Cautionshouldbe used whenNSAIDSareadministeredconcurrentlyduetotheanticoagulanteffectsofZycosan.IfZycosanandNSAIDSareused concurrently,horsesshouldbemonitoredforhemorrhageorotherclinicalsignsofabnormal bleeding.ThesafeuseofZycosanhas not beenevaluatedinbreeding,pregnant,orlactatinghorses.Thesafetyoflong-termrepeatuseofZycosanhasnot been evaluated.Themostfrequentlyreportedadversereactionsareinjectionsitereactions,prolongationofcoagulationparameters (activatedpartialthromboplastintime(aPTT)andprothrombintime(PT).Refertotheprescribinginformationfor completedetailsor visit ww w.dechra-us.com.
Zycosan®
(pentosan polysulfate sodium injection)
250 mg/mL
For intramuscular use in horses only. Brief Summary (For Full Prescribing Information, see package insert)
CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.
DESCRIPTION: Zycosan contains pentosan polysulfate sodium, a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan. It is a pale yellow to brownish yellow, clear, sterile solution.
INDICATION: For the control of clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis in horses.
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium or any of the inactive ingredients in Zycosan should not receive Zycosan. Do not use Zycosan concurrently with other anticoagulant drugs. Do not use in horses with clotting disorders or within 24 hours of surgical procedures (see Warnings and Precautions).
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:
User Safety Warnings: Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a weak anticoagulant. Caution should be used when administering Zycosan if you are taking an anticoagulant. In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical attention. If product comes into contact with skin, rinse skin thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if needed. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472.
Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions: Zycosan has been shown to prolong coagulation parameters up to 24 hours after injection, therefore caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities (see Target Animal Safety). Due to the anticoagulant effects, this drug may exacerbate Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).
The concurrent use of NSAIDs with Zycosan has not been evaluated. Due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan and known anticoagulant effects of some NSAIDs, caution should be used if NSAIDs are concurrently administered. Horses concurrently treated with Zycosan and NSAIDs should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding (e.g., petechiae, ecchymosis, or epistaxis). The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. Pigmentary changes in the retina (pigmentary maculopathy) have been reported in human patients following long-term oral use of pentosan polysulfate sodium. It is not known if a similar finding occurs in horses. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses.
Other Warnings: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Injection site reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in the field study. Injection site reactions were associated with clinicopathology changes in some cases. Other adverse reactions reported in more than one horse were prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT)), lethargy, behavior changes, and colic. To report suspected adverse events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472 For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.
STORAGE CONDITIONS: Store at room temperature 68-77°F (20-25°C), with excursions to 59-86°F (15-30°C).
MANUFACTURED FOR:
Dechra Veterinary Products
7015 College Boulevard, Suite 525
Overland Park, KS 66211 USA
Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-559 Zycosan is a trademark of Dechra Limited.
R 01 2023
NON PRO BOXING SPECTACULAR
Marking a 436 (H: 141/R: 147/C: 148), Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (Peptoboonsmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) earned the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular ($3,940) and Non Pro Boxing ($1,550) titles.
YOUTH BOXING SPECTACULAR
Reese Pedersen and Hickoryhollyisallena (Hickory Holly Time x Isabelle x Quejanaisalena) scored a 434 (H: 142.5/R: 145.5/C: 146) to win the Youth Boxing Spectacular ($690), Youth Boxing ($595) and Youth Boxing 13 & Under.
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HORSE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
In April, the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes highlighted horses and riders from across the United. Here are the champions.
COMPILED BY CALLIE BOEVERS AND JOY NABORS
PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES
Venom Boonsmal (Peptoboonsmal x A Black Widow x High Brow Cat) and Sarah Dawson clinched the Open Hackamore championship with a 293.5 (R: 145/C: 148.5). The 2020 stallion collected $2,430 for Aaron Ranch.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE
Shes Reys Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Shes Playin Rey x TR Dual Rey) and Clifton Shopbell earned the Intermediate Open Hackamore championship with a 289 (R: 144.5/C: 144.5). The 2019 mare collected $1,140 for Michelle Shopbell.
CR Dualin Meow (Dualin Boon x CR Dees Boon Meow x Peptoboonsmal) and Enrico Grandi won the Limited Open Hackamore championship with a 264.5 (R: 142.5/C: 122). The 2019 mare collected $1,500 for Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch LLC.
Gianna Hansen and Calling Dibs (Call Me Mitch x Shine Di Light x Boonlight Dancer) took the Non Pro Hackamore championship with a 286.5 (R: 143.5/C: 143). The 2019 gelding collected $2,160 and is owned by Gianna Hansen.
Bets R Dual (Dual Smart Rey x Bets R Wild x Bet On Me 498) and Candace Cameron clinched the Limited Open Bridle championship with a 428.5 (R: 216/C: 212.5). The 2017 gelding collected $1,600 for Janet Handtmann.
Paris Starn and Santanas Rey Gun (Hired Gun x Chickita Rey Santana x Short Of Santana) won the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle championship with a 294.5 (R: 144.5/ C: 150). The 2018 gelding collected $1,913.60 and is owned by Paris Starn.
Calley Rae Satriana and Cool Response (One Smart Response x Gallo Del Cello) earned the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle championship with a 288 (R: 144/ C: 144). The 2013 gelding collected $1,635.20 and is owned by Jonathan Satriana.
Shelly Franklin and Light And Sassy (CD Lights x Dual Sass x Dual Pep) clinched the Select Non Pro Bridle championship with a 288 (R: 144/ C: 144). The 2012 mare collected $532.50 and is owned by Shelly Franklin.
Emma Dilts and Shiny Lil Catillac (WR This Cats Smart x Sashas Lil Angel x Shining Spark) took the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing championship with a 289.5 (R: 145 /C: 144.5 ). The 2014 gelding collected $851.20 and is owned by Lee Ann McDaniel.
YOUTH
Keira Weisbart and Cures All (Peptoboonsmal x Lenas Lacy Moon x Doc Olena) won the Limited Non Pro Boxing championship with a 283 (R:143.5 /C:140 ). The 2008 gelding collected $435 and is owned by Brad Englert.
Brent Shopbell and Shiney N Sporty (Shining Spark x Starlight O Lena x Paddys Irish Whiskey) earned the Youth Cow Horse 13 & Under championship with a 286 (R: 142.5/C: 143.5). The 2006 mare is owned by Ann Matthews.
Pictured in previous coverage:
OPEN BRIDLE
My Boots Are Royal (Royal Fletch x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff) and Boyd Rice earned the Open Bridle championship with a 443 (R: 220.5/C: 222.5). The 2018 stallion collected $4,360 for Moncrief Quarter Horses LLC.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE
Dualin For Kit Kats (Kit Kat Sugar x Araceli Dual x Dual Pep) and Brady Weaver won the Intermediate Open Bridle championship with a 438 (R: 219/C: 219). The 2016 gelding collected $1,483.50 for Kari Sack.
NON PRO BRIDLE
Lanham Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twisten Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) won the Non Pro Bridle with a 296.5 (R: 146.5/C: 150). The 2016 gelding collected $2,450 and is owned by R A Brown Ranch.
OPEN TWO REIN
My Boots Are Royal (Royal Fletch x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff) and Boyd Rice won the Open Two Rein championship with a 294.5 (R: 147.5/C: 147). The 2018 stallion collected $3,420 for Moncrief Quarter Horses LLC.
NON PRO TWO REIN
Debbie Crafton and SJR SumKindaRockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac x Peptoboonsmal) clinched the Non Pro Two Rein championship with a 296 (R: 147 /C:149 ). The 2018 stallion collected $1,722 and is owned by Debbie Crafton.
NON PRO BOXING/SELECT NON PRO BOXING
Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (Peptoboonsmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) won the Non Pro Boxing and Select Non Pro Boxing championship with a 295 (R: 147 /C: 148). The 2010 gelding collected $2,182 for both titles and is owned by Delinda Jokela.
YOUTH BOXING/YOUTH BOXING 13 & UNDER
Reese Pedersen and HickoryHollyIsallena (Hickory Holly Time x Isbabella x Quejanaisalena) earned both Youth Boxing and the Youth Boxing 13 and Under championships with a 291.5 (R: 145.5 /C: 146). The 2016 stallion collected $595 and is owned by Ron Cochran of Quail Run Ranch.
BOX DRIVE/BOX DRIVE SELECT
Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (PeptoBoonSmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) took the Box Drive and Select Box Drive championships with a 293.5 (R: 146/C: 147.5). The 2010 gelding collected $1,625 for both wins and is owned by Delinda Jokela.
YOUTH COW HORSE
Hunter Hays and Metallic Metal (Metallic Cat x Nurse Gray x Grays Starlight) earned the Youth Cow Horse championship with a 291.5 (R: 144/C: 147.5). The 2016 gelding collected $810.60 and is owned by Hunter Hays.
COLLECTION CONSIDERATIONS
Know when to collect your stallion so it doesn’t impede his ability to compete.
BY JOE CARTER, DVMStallion owners need a reminder about some common sense regarding collecting their studs. Recently, I was called to examine a stallion set to compete in The American Performance Horseman. The horse became sore after collecting semen samples. He wasn’t injured; he was just sore. It was easily treated, but the scenario created a lot of anxiety for me and the horse trainer.
I’ve had three similar calls in the last year surrounding big-money events. Sore hocks, sore stifles and other potential injuries are risky and make collecting your stallion before such a big show a no-no if you want to succeed, especially when you have frozen semen on hand or are collecting for a single mare.
Let’s consider the physics of this for a minute. Our Western performance horses compete horizontally. They lope in circles, cutting and stopping with their bodies parallel to the ground. Your stud’s body adapts to this type of workload in this position. His body strengthens the joints, bones, tendons and ligaments for the highest level of performance in this repetitive manner. In physiology terms, this is called adaptive remodeling or adaptive strengthening. What happens when you collect a stallion? You stress all the joints, bones, tendons and ligaments of the hind end at a completely different angle. A body used to working and stopping parallel to the ground now thrusts itself upward at a 45- to 60-degree angle. This applies a different workload to the joints, bones, tendons and ligaments. Unless the stallion has been
“
breeding for a while, his body hasn’t had time to adapt to that motion and strengthen to handle the work.
COLLECTING YOUR STALLION
COULD JEOPARDIZE HIS ABILITY TO COMPETE IN A MAJOR EVENT—WITH A SIGNIFICANT PAYDAY.”
One of the remarkable things about a horse’s body is its ability to adapt. A horse’s body will adapt and strengthen to a new workload, but it takes time. It takes, on average, about three weeks for the horse’s body to strengthen after introducing a new workload. It’s during this three-week window that they’re susceptible to injury. It doesn’t matter if they’re young or old. However, many of our studs competing in the most prestigious events today are older. Many, if not all, have some small degree of osteoarthritis. But many of our sports superstars are competing into their teens at the highest level through progressive joint therapies like hyaluronate sodium injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP).
—Joe Carter, DVM
When you decide to collect one of these great horses before a major event, you run the risk of him becoming sore. This simple change in their type of work may be all it takes. Trust me, I’ve dealt with it three times in the last year, so I know the issues.
Collecting your stallion could jeopardize his ability to compete in a major event—with a significant payday—so plan ahead. Frozen semen generally works well. And as far as freezing semen, plan on doing it well away from major competitions.
Don’t take your stallion’s soundness for granted. He’s a delicate flower and must be treated that way for competition at the highest level.
Joe Carter, DVM Oklahoma Equine Hospital Official NRCHA Veterinarian
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Boyd Rice ■ Vice President: Paul Bailey ■ Secretary: Todd Crawford ■ Treasurer: Trey Neal
Executive Committee Members: Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Ben Baldus, Dr. Joe Carter
Board Members: Diane Edwards, Lance Johnston, Jay McLaughlin, Dan Roeser, Jon Roeser, Beverly Servi, Jake Telford, Cayley Wilson
COMMITTEE DIRECTORY
AFFILIATES
Chairperson: Jay McLaughlin jaymclaughlinperformancehorses@gmail.com 417-861-6963
ANIMAL WELFARE
Chairperson: Dr. Joe Carter, DVM jcarterdvm@aol.com | 405-288-6460
ETHICS
Chairperson: Trey Neal trey@treyneal.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chairperson: Paul Bailey paulb@cb-trucking.com | 931-260-3909
HALL OF FAME
Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com | 208-841-2052
HORSE SALES
Chairperson: Todd Crawford Toddcrawford333@gmail.com
JUDGES
Chairperson: Lance Johnston jphperformancehorses@gmail.com | 805-550-8387
Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com
NRCHA FOUNDATION
Chairperson: 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
STAFF
Executive Director: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com
Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com
Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com
Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary tina@nrcha.com
Programs Manager: Tara Carter tara@nrcha.com
Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor ashley@nrcha.com
Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek taylor@nrcha.com
Accounting Associate: Marilee Nies marilee@nrcha.com
Programs Assistant: Teighlor Cross teighlor@nrcha.com
Alaska Reined Cow Horse Association
Nathan Horsman
Phone: 907-982-1930
Email: nchorsman@gmail.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: cowhorse.ca
Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association
Jeffry Heyer
Phone: 508-221-1358
Email: jrhyer@comcast.net
Website: 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: atlanticRCHA.com
California Reined Cow Horse Association
Laura Norman PO Box 70
Coarsegold, CA 93614
Phone; 559-760-2769
Email: crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com Website: californiacowhorse.com
Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association
Dave Clark PO Box 194 Boyd, MT 59013
Phone: 307-349-0551
Email: wyoclarks@yahoo.com Website: cmrcha.com
Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association
Emily Parry
21660 E Rd
Delta, CO 81416
Phone: 970-520-1069
Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com
Website: coloradoreinedcowhorse.com
AFFILIATE LISTING
Current as of May 1, 2024
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: ercha.org
Gem State Stock Horse Association
Callee Miller
301 Market Rd
Caldwell ID 83607
Phone: 541-519-4748
Email: Cowhorse22@gmail.com
Website: 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: 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: idahoreinedcowhorse.com
Magic Valley RCHA
Kaycie Keller
PO Box 5956
Twin Falls, ID 83303
Phone: 208-329-0499
Email: kkayc_13@yahoo.com
Website: 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: 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: montanareinedcowhorse.com
Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association
Laura Norman 2720 E Lone Mountain Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89091
Phone: 559-760-2796
Email: laura.saddleup@gmail.com
Website: nvrcha.org
New York Reined Cow Horse Association
Cindy Pfeifer 6040 Cleary Rd Livonia, NY 14487
Phone: 585-749-1764
Email: cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Website: 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: ncrcha.com
Northeastern Reined Cowhorse Alliance
Kim VanDerSluis
56 Woodborough Rd
Guelph, ON N1G3K5 Canada
Phone: 519-590-1558
Email: nerchainfo@gmail.com
Website: nercha.ca
Northern California Reined Cow Horse Association
Kelly Hamblin 4203 Road M Orland, CA 95963
Phone: 530-510-0198
Email: ncrcha2023@gmail.com
Website: www.ncrcha.info
Alberta Stock Horse Association
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: nwrcha.com
Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association
Lane Arnold PO Box 1053 Canyon, TX 79015
Phone: 806-341-0941
Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com Website: panhandlecowhorse.com
South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association
Tina McCleary
1951 Poe Prairie Rd Millsap, TX 76066
Phone: 979-218-0633
Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: strcha.org
AFFILIATE LISTING
Current as of May 1, 2024
Southern California Reined Cow
Horse Association
Roy Rich
Phone: 951-529-6258
Email: socalrcha@aol.com Website: ltht@airenetworks.com
Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance
Lee Alford 18211 La Tung Rd Covington, LA 70435
Phone: 985-373-8347
Website: www.srchala.com
Southeastern Reined Cow Horse Association
Rachel Cobb 104 Murphy Hill Rd Belton, SC 29627
Phone: 864-276-9678
Email: southeastcowhorse@gmail.com Website: southeasternrcha.com
Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association
Gay Lenz
11587 Hunt Lane
Guthrie, OK 73044
Phone: 405-818-7556
Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com Website: srcha.org
NRCHA SUSPENDED LIST
NRCHA membership privileges will be suspended for the second offense of bad checks, per rule 1.1.6.2 and for non payment of debt to NRCHA Show Management or NRCHA Approved Show Management. Additionally, all amounts for advertising in the NRCHA publication, Reined Cow Horse News, are due and payable within 30 days of receipt.
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
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: srcha.eu
Team Professional Italia Western Show A.S.D.
Alexandra Liberati
Via Ottaviano 42, Roma, Rome ITALY 192 Phone: +39 347 26 22 783
Email: alexandraliberati@gmail.com
Website: westernshow.it
Volunteer Ranch Horse Association
Rachael Snow 4807 Shadecrest Dr. Nashville, TN 37211
Phone: 615-405-5219
Email: volunteerranchhorseassociation@gmail.com Website: volrha.com
A finance charge of 1.5% per month (18% APR) will be added to all past due amounts. Membership privileges shall be suspended on accounts greater than 90 days past due and this information will be published in Reined Cow Horse News. There will be a membership reinstatement fee of $75.
Current as of May 1, 2024
Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC
Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA
Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL
Jill Serena, Castaic, CA
Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA
Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX
Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID
Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL
Don Stockman, Dayton, TX
Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX
Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling Purcell, OK
Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY
Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA
Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX
Darren Roberts, Kent, NY
Chris Anderson Marietta, OK
LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show
SHOW SCHEDULE
as of May 1, 2024 Date
April 4-13
NRCHA Stallion Stakes HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Las Vegas, NV
April 7 Okeechobee Cowtown Classic #1 HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Okeechobee, FL
April 12-14
April 13-14
NYRCHA Spring Derby & Spectacular HS, LAE, Cat 1 Columbiana, OH New York RCHA
GCCHA April Showers HS, Cat 1 Sarasota, FL Gulf Coast CHA
Apr 14 Carolina Spring Ranch Show HS, Cat 1 Yadkinville, NC
April 17-21
April 17-21
Apr 19-21
Apr 19-21
May 3-4
May 7-12
May 8-11
May 9-12
May 9-12
May 11-12
NRC&CHA Winnemucca Spring Spectacular and Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1 Winnemucca, NV Nevada RC&CHA
SRCHA April Show HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Ardmore, OK Southwest RCHA
ARCHA Dust Off The Rust HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA
VolRHA Spring Fling HS, LAE, Cat 1 Cordova, TN Volunteer RHA
NvRCHA Show #4 HS, Cat 1 Las Vegas, NV Nevada RCHA
SWRCHA Wild Rag Cattle Classic HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Ardmore, OK Southwest RCHA
ERCHA Derby & Horse Show #2 HS, LAE, Cat 1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA
NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com
Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
Crystal Ward-Taylor (828) 312-2705 3tlivestocknc@gmail.com
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com
Jackie Cline (405) 818-7556 entry@srcha.org
Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Mikayla Alexander (936) 900-4568 volrhaoffice@gmail.com
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com
Jackie Cline entry@srcha.org
Otto De Fazio 39-338-8860657 ercha.otto@gmail.com
SoCal RCHA Jimmy Flores Sr Memorial HS, Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com
NCRCHA May 2024 Show HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Winona, MN North Central RCHA Jennifer Schueller (641) 590-1041 jenschueller21@gmail.com
NWRCHA Cowgirl Classic HS, Cat 1 Eugene, OR Northwest RCHA Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkcroft4@frontier.com
May 16-19 CRCA Drought Buster HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 McCook, NE Colorado RCA Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkcroft4@frontier.com
May 16-19 CRCHA Horse Show #4 & #5 HS, Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com
May 17-19 SERCHA Rise & Shine Spring Showdown HS, LAE, Cat 1 Perry, GA SouthEastern RCHA Mikayla Alexander (936) 900-4568 mikaylaalexander317@gmail.com
May 18-19 ASHA May Cow Horse Show HS, Cat 1 Ponoka, AB Alberta SHA Shawna Husted (403) 875-1369 abstockhorse@gmail.com
May 23-26 PRCHA Windy City HS, Cat 1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com
May 24-26 ARCHA Mike Carone Classic HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
May 29-June 8 NRCHA Western Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Scottsdale, AZ NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com
June 1-2 Gulf Coast CHA HS, Cat 1 Sarasota, FL Gulf Coast CHA Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
June 12-15 ERCHA Hackamore Classic & Horse Show #3 HS, LAE, Cat 1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA Otto De Fazio 39-338-8860657 ercha.otto@gmail.com
June 12-16 Dave Grashuis Memorial Spectacular & Derby HS, LAE, Cat 1 Winnemucca, NV Nevada RC&CHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com
June 15-16 ASHA Wildrose Derby & Horse Show HS, LAE, Cat 1 Ponoka, AB Alberta SHA Shawna Husted (403) 875-1369 abstockhorse@gmail.com
June 16 Okeechobee Cowtown Classic #2 HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Okeechobee, FL
June 21-23 CRCHA Horse Show #6 HS, Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA
Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
June 21-23 ARCHA Quaker Challenge HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
July 4-7 So Cal RCHA Grant Berg Memorial HS, Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com
July 10-14 PRCHA Red Dirt Rendezvouz HS, LAE, Cat 1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com
July 12-14 CRCHA Horse Show #7 HS, Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com
July 22-28 NRCHA Hackamore Classic HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Tulsa, OK
Jul 26 California Mid State Fair HS, Cat 1 Paso Robles, CA
Aug 9-11 CRCHA Horse Show #8 HS, Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA
Aug 16-18 ARCHA Summer Shootout HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA
Sept 1 Okeechobee Cowtown Classic #3 HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Okeechobee, FL
Sept 6-7 Mid State CHA Show #3 HS, Cat 1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA
Sept 6-8 So Cal RCHA September Classic HS, Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA
Sept 7-8 GCCHA Florida Heat HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Sarasota, FL Gulf Coast CHA
Sept 9-15 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Reno, NV
Sept 10-14
NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com
Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com
July 31-Aug 3 ERCHA Pre-Futurity & Horse Show #4 HS, LAE, Cat 1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA Otto De Fazio 39-338-8860657 ercha.otto@gmail.com
ERCHA Futurity + Nations Cup + Horse Show #5 HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA
Sep 19-22 PRCHA Fall Into Autumn HS, Cat 1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA
Sept 21-22 ASHA Sept Cow Horse Show HS, Cat 1 Claresholm, AB Alberta SHA
Oct 4-19 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2 Fort Worth, TX
Oct 9-12 ERCHA Autumn Show & Horse Show #6 HS, LAE, Cat 1 Travagliato, Italy European RCHA
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com
Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com
Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 klsgrn@yahoo.com
Renee Burks (863) 634-7385 rburks2556@aol.com
Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com
Otto De Fazio 39-338-8860657 ercha.otto@gmail.com
Sept 13-15 ARCHA The Green Showdown HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com
Shawna Husted (403) 875-1369 abstockhorse@gmail.com
NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com
Otto De Fazio 39-338-8860657 ercha.otto@gmail.com
Oct 16-20 ASHA Futurity Derby & Year End Show HS, LAE, Cat 1 Ponoka, AB Alberta SHA Shawna Husted (403) 875-1369 abstockhorse@gmail.com
Oct 18-19 Mid State CHA Show #4 HS, Cat 1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA
Oct 31-Nov 3 ARCHA Code West Classic HS, Cat 1 Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA
Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 laura.saddleup@gmail.com
Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 cindypfeifer59@gmail.com
Nov 11-17 CRCHA Fall Futurity, Derby, & Show #9 HS, LAE, Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com
ADVERTISERS INDEX
ADVERTISER NAME ........................................PAGE #
100X EQUINE ........................................................ 129
ALVIN FULTS ............................................................ 43
AMERICAN REGENT ANIMAL HEALTH ..............155
BIMEDA USA ......................................................... 107
BLOOMER TRAILERS .............................................. 92
BOB’S CUSTOM SADDLES ...................................106
CANNON RANCH QUARTER HORSES ................. 45
CAROL ROSE QUARTER HORSES ................... 36/37
CEI COMMUNICATIONS ....................................... 131
CLASSIC .................................................................... 65
COLD CREEK EQUINE ...........................................125
COWTRAC SYSTEMS ............................................... 51
CR RANCHWEAR LLC ............................................. 93
DANIEL J PEREZ ....................................................115
DECHRA VETERINARY PRODUCTS .............127/128
ECOPLANET ONE HEALTH ...................................132
ELEVEN BAR RANCH LLC ..................................... 101
ESTELLE ROITBLAT ESTATE ................................... 79
DISTILLING
HOLY COW PERFORMANCE HORSES ................117
HOME RANCH PERFORMANCE HORSES ........... 91
JEFF SMITH’S CUSTOM SADDLES....................... 157
K&L PHILLIPS, LLC .................................................. 47
KALPOWAR QUARTER HORSES ......................18/19
KIMES RANCH...................................................28/29
KISER ARENA SPECIALISTS ..................................147
MARKEL INSURANCE............................................135
MARS EQUESTRIAN ...............................................38
MARTIN SADDLERY ..............................................133
MATTHEWS CUTTING HORSES LLC...............32/33
MED-VET PHARMACEUTICALS .............................17
METALLIC REBEL ......................................................7
MILLER INTERNATIONAL ........................................3
NOBLE PANELS AND GATES ................................ BC
NUTRENA FEED DIVISION .................................. 159
OKLAHOMA EQUINE HOSPITAL .........................119
OLERICH, JILL ...........................................................71
OSWOOD STALLION STATION ........................ 26/27
PLANTATION FARMS ..............................................41
PLATINUM PERFORMANCE, INC ....................... 146
PULSE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ....... 143
QUANTA SERVICES ................................................ 137
QUARTER HORSE NEWS ..................................... 156
RAFTER P CONSTRUCTION................................. 145
RANCH FUEL ........................................................... 32
RAY SHELL RANCH ............................................12/13 RED ARROW RANCH .............................................99
RICATO SUAVE LLC ................................................. 83
RIOS OF MERCEDES.................................................4
ROBERTSON RANCHES .........................................73
ROCKING BS RANCH.........................................74/75
ROCKING P RANCH ............................................IFC/1
ROGERS HEAVEN SENT RANCH .........................123