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Non Pro Two Rein Champion
JENNIFER A. NEEL/Z MARTINALENA
Z Martinalena may be the first horse that Weatherford, Texas, realtor Jennifer Neel has progressed all the way through from the snaffle to the bridle, but the 28-year-old is doing a fine job of learning while she shows. Riding her 2011 homebred mare, Neel earned the South Central Non Pro Two Rein Championship with $1,906 and 55 points from five shows. “Learning how to get a horse in the bridle and the transition from the snaffle and hackamore to the bridle has been my biggest challenge in 2017,” Neel said. “It’s been a learning experience for me and my horse.” Neel and Z Martinalena (Zezes Pepto Cat x Fussy Hanky x Lotsolena) are no strangers to the winner’s circle. In 2016 they were the Non Pro Hackamore World Champions and the Non Pro Hackamore Classic Reserve Champions. The pair has also found much success in the NRHA and Neel counts the mare’s rein work, 56 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS
Jennifer Neel rode Z Martinalena to the South Central Non Pro Two Rein Championship.
“I couldn’t do any of it without their guidance, love and support. They are always there for the late night and early morning schooling sessions around my work schedule to make sure that both my horse and I are ready for the show,” Neel said. “Also my boyfriend, JD Holland, who is extremely supportive and understands my love of horses and this sport and supports and encourages me to keep doing it and be better everyday. I also have to thank Tell Edgmon who has helped me with my reining
and Jon Burgess for help with my cutting and herd work—both have made a huge impact helping me ride and show better.” Neel’s goal for 2018 is to compete at the bridle spectaculars and to qualify for the NRCHA World Show in the Non Pro Bridle.
Youth Bridle Champion
CUTTER W. MCLAUGHLIN/CD DEE VEE DEE PRIMO MORALES
especially her sliding stops, as a pointearner in the show pen. “I very rarely ever have to school her at a show, she usually shows up and gives her best when I ask her for it,” Neel said. “We’ve had so many runs together now that I really trust her, especially in the rein work.” After growing up doing some youth cutting and then reining in college, Neel began showing cow horses in 2011. “Once I got started I loved it,” Neel said. “It combines two other disciplines I love and the cow horse people are simply the best and so much fun to be around.” Neel’s dad, NRCHA veteran trainer Tom Neel, Millsap, Texas, trains Z Martinalena. She credits him and her mom, Lorna Neel, for much of her success. PRIMO MORALES
material into the talent and grit to be a winner.” Rankin-Williams is thankful for the help that she’s received with Mini Hot Flashes. “First, I need to thank Michael Rankin, my son. He not only encouraged me to get involved in show horses again, but also was the determining factor in buying Mini Hot Flashes. My late parents who instilled in me the love of horses and riding. They gave me the freedom to ride many different trails despite being a polio survivor. Ron and Patty Ralls for their training of my horses and me. Winston Hansma and Danny Motes for including Squatty’s accomplishments in Boss’s (CD Lights) ads and Facebook. Carol Rose who introduced me to, cheered for, and posted news about Squatty on her website. Nicole Miller, Squatty’s breeder, for her support and cheers.”
Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee won the South Central Region Youth Bridle Championship.
Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark) continued to shine in 2017 by earning 141 points to win the Youth Bridle Championship. The pair also took home $2,389 from their nine regional shows. CD Dee Vee Dee is a 2005 gelding owned by Cutter’s parents Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.
Youth Limited Champion
BAILEY J. SHOPBELL/BALD N SHINEY Bailey Shopbell lived the dream in 2017 when she got the opportunity to show Nelle Murphy’s multi-champion gelding Bald N Shiney. “He’s always there for me on a cow,” said Shopbell, who is a fifth grader at Whitesboro (Texas) ISD and in her second year of showing cow horses. “He’s so excited and you can feel his happiness when the cow comes out. It’s a neat feeling.”