15 minute read
Smokin’ Spectacular
The Spectacular events at the Eastern Derby spotlighted versatile, athletic horses, but when the dust cleared Todd Crawford earned both Open titles in Tennessee.
By Kate Bradley Byars Photos by Primo Morales
Crawford was draw four in a 16-horse Open Bridle Spectacular cow work field. Riding his longtime show-pen partner, Jerry Smoke, the NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider ignited the arena with a thrilling textbook fence run, then waited to see if his 146 on the cow would keep him atop the class. When the final whistle blew, Crawford and Jerry Smoke (Dual R Smokin x Kool Arista Cat x Cats Merada), owned and bred by J Five Horse Ranch Management, marked a 435 (R:144/H:145/C:146) to earn the title and $2,940 at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.
The pair has been a frequent entry in National Reined Cow Horse Association events, and have an American Quarter Horse Association Junior Working Cow Horse World Champion title to their credit. But Crawford said “Jerry” has really started to come into his own in the last couple of years.
“He’s been consistently good the last two or three years where you can count on him to be there every time [in the show pen],” Crawford said of the 2013 gelding.
He attributes some of that to roping off the horse. It’s both helped the gelding mentally and also allowed Crawford to start preparing him as a possible World’s Greatest Horseman mount.
“I really think roping on him this past winter has helped him mentally mature,” said Crawford. “I couldn’t tell you exactly what it did other than settle him a little. He has a lot of feel and is high octane and [roping] helped soften him, relaxing him a tick to where he is rating and thinking a little better. He is an overachiever and sometimes he tries to overdo it.”
Jerry Smoke took a few years to come into his own as a confident cow horse, but now pilot Todd Crawford knows he can count on the sorrel gelding.
OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Reserve Champion Sarah Dawson and Travelin Miss Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Playin With Rubies x Lectric Playboy), earned owner and breeder Stephen Roseberry $2,352 for their composite 433.5 (R:147/H:139/C:147.5).
This is the second consecutive year Crawford has returnd to Oklahoma with a premier event title earned in Tennessee. However, he is no stranger to this event, which was originally the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic.
“I’ve been coming to [the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic] for 12 or 15 years. This show’s growth is what we all hope for being on the NRCHA Board of Directors and trying to broaden the scope of cow horses eastward,” said Crawford. “I believe moving the World Show and the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit] Futurity to Fort Worth helped that immensely. Now, these people that live far east, it is more attainable. They have always been competitive, but they didn’t have many big events to go to like what we have in the Southwest or West. Now, this show is even bigger and it is a great place to come show, learn and see people you don’t get to see often at other events.”
Crawford’s program had a successful show, with Non Pro Limited rider Monica Duflock capturing the Non Pro Limited Spectacular title, and Crawford, riding Bet Lucky 13, owned by Robert and Allyson Light, to the Open Two Rein Spectacular title.
INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Christian Lybbert rode Metallic Snowflakes (Metallic Cat x SmartLittleSnowflake x Smart Little Lena), bred by Mary Jansma and owned by Patricia Wilmoth, to a composite 426 (R:140/H:141/C:145) to earn $470.
Lance Sheffel rode his 2014 stallion Loaded With Light (Hes A Loaded Gun x Janes Starlight x Grays Starlight) to a 420.5 (R:140/H:142/C:138.5) to earn $352.50.
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR
Amy Bailey and 2021 gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estate and co-owned with her husband Paul, notched a premier event title in Tennessee.
“He is the best horse I’ve ever had, and I have had a lot of great horses. I’ve won six world championships and the Non Pro Bridle at the Snaffle Bit, all the big things. He has not won anything [big] yet, except the Snaffle Bit [Futurity] Two Rein, and we just keep being the bridesmaids,” Bailey said. “But he is the best horse I’ve ever had, meaning he is the most complete. Reining, herd and fence, he is the easiest for me to maneuver.”
That was evident in Bailey’s 148 scoring cow work in the class. The gelding stays with trainer Robert Chown, and Bailey works hard to buddy up to the horse when she sees him.
“[Electra Tuff] is very particular who he associates with. During the show and when I’m at Robert’s riding, I’ll go in the stall and get him to be my friend. We are getting better,” she said. “He’s gotten lighter [over the years] and I’ve gotten more patient with him, because he is a feely horse.”
Bailey credits “Woodrow” with giving her a fun and easy fence work.
“Honestly, the easiest [run] was the fence run at this show,” she said. “Robert worked me on the flag for the fence work prior to the class and he just felt light and good. That was the easiest part of the show, the fence run.”
With a composite 437 (R:146/H:143/ C:148), Bailey earned $2,758 for the win. She also took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA Bronze finish trophy, an engraved cup and a Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.
YOUTH COW HORSESPECTACULAR
Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) are not strangers in the winner’s circle at major events. However, each time she rides the 2013 gelding, she grins ear to ear. In Tennessee, at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, the pair took the win in the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular with a composite 429.5 (R:141/H:142/C:146) to earn $520.
“We’ve been partnering three years now. It feels like longer! He’s been a great horse for me and taught me a lot,” said the 17-year-old Youth. “We are planning on it [showing longer].”
Catelyn credits Playin Motown’s consistency with building her up as a showman and competitor.
“He is consistent. No matter what, he gives you the same run—sometimes just
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
With a composite 437 (R:146/H:143/C:148), Amy Bailey earned $2,758 riding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estate and co-owned with her husband, Paul, to the win.
NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
In reserve was Adeline Gracie Bricker riding her 2015 gelding Dual Looks (Dual Rey x Teninas Smart Look x ), bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock, to a composite 432.5 (R:143.5/H:145.5/C:143.5). She earned $2,167.
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a little better or a little worse, but you can count on him,” she said. “It lets me concentrate on showing.”
In February, Catelyn’s trainer, Ben Baldus, showed the gelding at the DT Horses/Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman. Not all horses can move between Open and Youth riders.
“He is such a good-minded, laid-back horse,” Catelyn said. “Ben showed him at the AQHA Versatility World Show and won the Senior [All Around] on him. You can do anything—ride out in the pasture, rope, go on trails, just about anything. His versatility has made him a fun show horse for me.”
For the win, Catelyn took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy and engraved cup courtesy of the NRCHA and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.
NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR
Non Pro Limited Spectacular Champion Monica Duflock has piloted her 2009 mare for nearly six years. At the 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian, the pair earned the win with a 429 (R:138/ H:142.5/C:148.5), taking home the $2,460 check on Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay x Freckles Merada), bred by Billy Martin.
“I bought Oh Cay Meriah from Todd Crawford’s program and have been there since,” said Duflock. “She is super sweet and lovely to be around. When you pull her out of the stall she is the same horse every day, never looking for a fight and super willing!”
The pair’s cow work score was the class high at 148, and Duflock enjoyed the run.
“When you’re on her back, hands- down, the most fun thing is being on a cow, in the herd or boxing,” she said. “Last year, I started the [Beginning Fence Work] class and anytime she has a cow in front of her, she is a complete blast!”
Duflock showed at last year’s inaugural premier event and enjoys the show’s atmosphere.
“I showed here last year and I love it! It’s a nice show to come to, enjoyable and everybody is so nice to be around! It has really good energy here,” she said.
For the win Duflock took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.
YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), bred by Kit Moncrief and Tennison Lee, took the win in the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular with a composite 429.5 (R:141/H:142/C:146) to earn $520.
YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Quincee Clark and Vintage San (Ricochet San x Shiney Vintage Chic x Smart Chic Olena), owned by Kristi Clark and bred by Carolyn Edson, scored a 418.5 (R:138/H:140.5/C:140) to earn $390.
YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Jubilee Stringfellow rode her 2014 mare Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark), bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, to the win with a 436 (R:143.H:145/C:148), earning $660 .
YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Riley Friesen rode Peggy Cummings’ Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special) to a 432.5 (R:146/H:141.5/C:145) to earn $528 and a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.
NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Monica Duflock rode to a 429 (R:138/H:142.5/C:148.5), taking home the $2,460 check on Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay x Freckles Merada), bred by Billy Martin.
NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Greg Lewis rode Hartwood Farms’ 2015 gelding MC Reyn Or Shine (Shiners Nickle x Tootsie Rey x Dual Rey), bred by Michelle Cannon, to a 426 (R:140.5/H:140/C:145.5), earning $1,968 and a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.
The front is smooth and inviting. And it’s got a bold middle flavor that I love but can’t really describe. The finish is warm honey-almond with a smokey tinge on the very back end. It’s damn good.
— Kory Pounds, Professional Cowboy, Cutting Horse Champion, Whiskey Advocate
OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR
Todd Crawford and Bet Lucky 13 have had quite a long road to earning the Open Two Rein Spectacular Champion title in Tennessee.
It has been a good show!”
That is an understatement for Todd Crawford’s 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Crawford marked the highest cow score of the event on his way to a second title, this one in the Open Two Rein Spectacular aboard Bet Lucky 13 (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight), owned by Robert and Allysn Light and bred by James Eakin. Crawford has had the 2013 stallion in his program since the horse was a 2-year-old. Now, as an 8-year-old in the two-rein, the roan is finding his stride. “I showed him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. After his 5-year-old year I showed him in the World Show in the hackamore and was second on him. Then, he got an infection in his hock and we almost lost him, actually, so he had a year off,” Crawford said. “I started back on him, then COVID hit and they took him home to take another year off.”
Despite setbacks, the horse continues to improve and mature as a show horse, Crawford says. With more showing, the horse will soon become Allyson’s show horse.
“We are gearing him to become Allyson’s next horse and that is the goal. In order to achieve that goal, I have to stay on top of him and prepare him,” said Crawford. “He is still a stallion, but he is real laid back. That was probably a detriment as a 3-year-old because he didn’t have much motivation. But since he’s learned to show and learned the routine, he is plenty of horse but not too much horse.”
The 152 cow work was the kind of run that a trainer loves to make in the show pen, Crawford says.
“The Open Bridle was great but I didn’t have the kind of fence work that I had in the Two Rein. The fence work is always fun, but when that kind of run happens, it is really fun,” explained Crawford. “He drew a really good cow that boxed well and had a lot of feel on the ends. In order to win, you gotta go [down the
OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Clayton Anderson rode Troop Quarter Horses’ Rooster Cogboon (Once In a Blu Boon x Roosters Lucy x Gallo Del Cielo), bred by James or Debra Bramblett, to a 432 (R:145/H:142.5/C:144.5), and earned $1,225.
2020 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® OWNERS FUND DONORS
Alvin & Becky Fults Bet He Sparks / K & L Phillips Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate Brazos Valley Stallion Station Carol Rose Dual Smart Rey / Strawn Valley Ranch Ellen & Larry Bell Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP Gardiner Quarter Horses Hat 6 Ranch / Walter & Jocelyn Greeman Hooray Ranch / Eric & Wendy Dunn Matthews Cutting Horses Kevin & Sydney Knight Kit & Charlie Moncrief / Moncrief Quarter Horses Kit Kat Sugar / Barbara Allsup Larry & Kathy Barker Meteles Cat Shiney Outlaw / Cannon Quarter Horses Oswood Stallion Station Roxanne Koepsell Performance Horses San Juan Ranch / Santa Cruz Animal Health Shining CD Light / Ophir Creek Stables LLC Silveira Produce Sales Inc. Stuart Ranch WR This Cats Smart
fence] so I didn’t box long. I have quite a bit of confidence in him that he can handle a lot of cow. He nailed the first turn. I went further down the pen for my second turn and it was a little tighter than I wanted, then he ran and circled good. It was a real good run. Those kind don’t happen very often so you’re always happy when they do.”
In addition to a check for $1,470, Bet Lucky 13 earned took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.
NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR
With a 430.5 (R:140.5/H:146/C:143.5), 17-year-old Dakota Cox and 2015 gelding Meradas Cash Bar (KTZ Rey Of Cash “He is still a stallion, but he is real laid back. That was probably a detriment as a 3-year-old because he didn’t have much motivation. But since he’s learned to show and learned the routine, he is plenty of horse but not too much horse.”—Todd Crawford
x Meradas Bar Star x Meradas Money Talks), bred by Rodney Wrinkle Cutting Horses, took the top spot in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular.
“We’ve had him since he was a 3-yearold,” Dakota said. “Luke Jones showed him in [the Snaffle Bit] Futurity and we’ve all shown him through his Derby years.”
While the horse and Dakota have learned and grown together, the young man says the most improvement has been in their cutting. The two had the high score of the Non Pro Two Rein herd work with a 146.
“One thing that’s improved has been the cutting,” he said. “Here his cutting was the highest I’ve been and it was fun.”
Along with $880, Dakota took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.
NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR CHAMPION
Dakota Cox earned the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular title for the second year, but this time on 2015 gelding Meradas Cash Bar (KTZ Rey Of Cash x Meradas Bar Star x Meradas Money Talks), bred by Rodney Wrinkle Cutting Horses. He rode to a 430.5 (R:140.5/H:146/C:143.5) to earn $880
NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION
Ashley Lembke rode 2015 gelding Dually Tunes (Dual Rey x SDP Finely Tuned x Smart Little Lena), co-owned with her husband, Tyrel, and bred by Beechfork Ranch, to a 420.5 (R:138.5/H:143/C:139) to earn $660, a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.
