NCHA Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame Inductees

BY JENNIFER HORTON

E.J. Huntley’s journey to the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame began years ago when he rode horses and showed as a kid. Growing up in Houston, he had the opportunity to see the NCHA World Finals when they were held there. An introduction to trainer Kobie Wood by a friend of a friend led Huntley to his first cutting horse.

While he enjoyed the sport, family and his work as a real estate consultant took Huntley away from cutting for a few years.

“My kids were growing up and I didn’t want to be gone,” Huntley said. “But my daughter, Christina, got me back into it. We started when she was about ten years old, and I hauled her for six or seven years while she showed in the Youth.”

Christina won the world championship in the Youth. She earned 634 Youth points and has $151,178 in NCHA lifetime earnings recorded at press time. E.J. began cutting again while he was hauling Christina for several divisions of the NCHA World Finals.

E.J. considers his daughter’s success one of his proudest accomplishments in the cutting pen.

“Last year became my year to haul,” E.J. said.

The horse that carried Christina to her world championship title in 2019 would take E.J. to the winner’s circle as well - Ripping Ichi (Cat Ichi x Kodoboomba x Kodo). The gelding has earned a special place in the Huntley family.

“Ripping Ichi was my number one horse,” said E.J.

When he realized he was going to haul for the title, he purchased two more geldings to show, which would allow Ripping Ichi the time he needed to rest. Ten Blade (High Brow Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey) and Bordeauxx (Bet Hesa Cat x Uno Tassa Mia x Smart Little Uno) joined the Huntley team.

“Winning the Non-Pro world championship last year was my biggest accomplishment,” E.J. said. “It came down to the last night of the World Finals and I was the last horse. It was a fairly climactic ending, but it worked out for me. It was really interesting for everyone else; it was nerve-wracking for us.”

E.J. won the world championship by less than $4,000.

“Last year was all about the challenge,” E.J. said. “Learning to show better and manage situations – what better challenge than to come into the World Finals with bad draws every night? But it worked out good.”

“I didn’t start last year with the intention of winning the world [championship],” E.J. continued. “I wanted to show my horse and get better. We got off to a good start and one thing led to another. I had a lot of people encourage me to haul and go for it, and that became the objective. The Hall of Fame was a milestone achieved along the way.”

E.J. has a long list of people who he credits with helping him make it as far as he has.

“For sure I thank [my trainer] Michael Cooper,” E.J. said. “I started riding with him four years ago and he’s probably helped me more as an individual more than anybody. He’s spent a lot of time and effort helping me to improve and get better. His whole family - they’ve all been a big part of it.

“My daughter - she’s the reason I do this and I wouldn’t do it without her,” E.J. continues. “My wife and son don’t cut, but they sure enable me to do it and support me.

“The list of people who have given me advice and encouragement and helped me to get better goes on and on - I couldn’t list them all.”

E.J. continues to set his personal goals high.

“My goals are always to continue to get better and improve,” E.J. said. “I want to keep showing – probably at more aged events. You never know. I may decide to haul again, but it’s always just to learn and get better.” ★

BY JENNIFER HORTON

Being inducted into the NCHA Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame came as a surprise to Missy Jean Etheridge. Setting goals for specific wins or awards was not anything Etheridge has made a practice of doing.

“My goal for each horse is to bring them to their fullest potential, whatever that might be,” said Etheridge.

A conversation with Ashley Galyean about goals and qualifying for the Hall of Fame prompted Etheridge to call NCHA and check her own earnings. She learned she had also achieved the milestone. At press time, Etheridge has $852,964 recorded in NCHA lifetime earnings.

“My favorite horse is A Star Is Borne,” said Etheridge. “She’s been a rock for me and I call her my queen – my soulmate horse.”

The mare, by Boon Too Suen and out of Holly Is Smooth, by Smooth As A Cat, has $157,126 in recorded NCHA lifetime earnings at press time.

“Probably the horse that helped me the most to develop into the rider I am today is Hold My Patron,” Etheridge said. “She was the first horse I finished on my own. We did the small futurities and she earned a Limited Open title and a couple of Non-Pro titles. She’s one of the horses I feel like I helped reach her potential.”

Hold My Patron is by Mandalay Rey and out of Wood She Be Neat, by Nitas Wood. The 2018 mare has $69,897 in NCHA earnings at press time.

“She helped me learn how much to teach them and how much to let them do [on their own],” Etheridge said.

Etheridge doesn’t single out any specific accomplishments along the way to her induction to the Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame.

“Every time I go to the herd and that horse gives me their all, I count it as a win,” said Etheridge. “I really appreciate what they do for me.”

Etheridge is grateful for the support she has received along the way.

“It’s impossible to thank everyone who has helped me on this journey,” Etheridge said. “It truly takes a village. My husband, Vicky Lynn, is my biggest supporter, especially when we brought our horses home for me to train. It was an unknown for me, and he encouraged me to believe in myself. He grew up on a feedlot and has way more knowledge of cows than I do. He’s helped me with my herd work and approach. While we fight like cats and dogs, especially while working, he has helped me tremendously.

“My daughter, Millie Joe, and her boyfriend help me a lot,” Etheridge continues. “Even though they hate late night calls, they are happy to help our program succeed. My family sacrifices a lot for me, and I appreciate all that they do.”

Etheridge also mentions being thankful for the help she has received from the trainers who have guided her, from helping in the corners to providing feedback on training and herd work. NCHA trainers Beau Galyean, Zeke Entz, Gavin Jordan, Michael Cooper, Steve Oehlhof, Kory Pounds, Terry Hollis, Chris Hanson, Ed Duferrena and Dalton Vicar.

She also mentions her vets, Mark Akin, Molly Bellefeuille, Charlie Buchanan and Chad Marsh, as well as Jeanine Koehler, Pete May and Kathleen Daigles, as spokes on the wheel that rolled her to success.

Etheridge named a few of her horses who have earned special places in her heart: A Star Is Borne, Hold My Patron, Hot Huckleberry and Light Of Grace.

“I’m grateful for each one and the lessons they taught me,” Etheridge said.

She continues to focus more on the potential of each horse over specific wins or awards, but if she happens to win the NCHA Futurity, that will be okay, too. ★

BY JENNIFER HORTON

Aconversation with her eleven-yearold son, Daxton, about setting goals inspired Ashley Galyean’s plan to reach the NCHA Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame.

“We had Daxton sit down and set out some goals for himself and what he wanted to accomplish in his golf career,” said Galyean. “He asked me what my goals were for myself showing in the cutting. It was a really good question, because I had not thought about it. He helped me make a list of my goals, and getting to the Hall of Fame was one of them.”

Galyean’s very next show was The Ike, where she showed Buonvino (Metallic Cat x Never Reylinquish x Dual Rey) to win the Non-Pro Classic. That paycheck pushed her earnings total over $500,000 and the Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame was in the hole.

“It was great to reach that goal so quickly after setting it,” Galyean said. “Daxton felt a part of it since he helped me actually set goals for myself.”

Galyean has shown several Metallic Cat offspring, which are special to her, considering husband Beau’s history with the iconic stallion. Desiresomemettalic (out of Desire Some Freckles, by Freckles Playboy) took Ashley to several finals, and homebred Pedaltothemedal (out of Fairlea Magnolia Gal, by Colonel Pic) won a reserve title at the NCHA Super Stakes. Her first aged event championship came with Sweet Metallic (out of Sweet Abra, by Abrakadabracre).

“Having my family and people who try really hard for me to succeed - it really matters to have that support system,” Ashley said. “I knew nothing about riding or showing before I met the Galyeans. Beau is such a good trainer. He taught me everything from the ground up. His horses are pretty bulletproof, so it’s easy to show behind his training.”

Early on, she credits the gelding Casey Catt (Sophisticated Catt x Amanda Starlight x Grays Starlight) for teaching her a lot.

“He was big and strong,” Ashley said. “He allowed me to have more confidence because he was easy to ride and really smart. He was a kind horse and he allowed me to figure out how to get through runs.”

When she first started cutting, Beau gave Ashley a list of people to watch and study how they cut their cows.

“I would really pay attention to Paula Wood and Mary Ann Rapp - women who are so inspirational in our cutting world,” Ashley said. “And of course, my sisters-in-law, Christina Cox and Kristen Galyean, who have both won the NCHA Futurity.”

Cutting and confidence don’t always go hand-in-hand at first, as Ashley found out.

“I definitely have the fear factor, so that’s something I have to get over,” Ashley said. “Let’s face it, if you cut the kind of cow that gets you to the winner’s circle, there’s going to be some scary parts in there.

“I still get so nervous,” she continued. “Jody [Galyean] is always right there when I walk in to tell me to take a deep breath and smile, so I don’t look so nervous, and he calms me. They all have to talk me through it.”

With one goal met, what’s next on her list?

“Who wouldn’t want a Futurity win?” Ashley said, laughing. “That’s a goal. A Fort Worth, Texas, win would be a great victory for me. This year, I’m showing Halovayear (Metallic Cat x Dancing With Hal x Halreycious). We’ve won over $70,000 so far. She’s been a lot of fun to show, but she has definitely put a lot of pressure on my fear factor because she’s super cowy and she likes to be real cow smart. I’ve been trying to focus on my riding with her and try to stay out of her way, but it’s not always easy.”

The Galyeans have several futurity prospects coming up that could help her to the next goal.

Ashley thoughtfully recalled the people in her life who have helped her most to reach this goal.

“Lloyd Cox – he’s family, of course, and he has helped me everywhere, along with Beau, Wesley and Jody,” Ashley said. “My parents have always helped with our boys, Daxton and River, while we travel and show, so they’ve been a huge part of us getting to do what we love. I have to thank Beau for sure. The entire Galyean family has put up with me not knowing anything. I’ve been doing this for 10 years now and they were all instrumental in teaching me the industry.”

Ashley notes one of the more satisfying parts of her induction.

“Now I’m not the only Galyean not getting inducted into the NCHA Hall of Fame,” Ashley said with a smile. ★

BY JENNIFER HORTON

The son of Phil and Mary Ann Rapp, both members of the NCHA Hall of Fame, Ryan Rapp grew up as a regular kid involved with normal things like school sports. There was a time he may have chosen a ball over a bridle.

But when cutting took hold, it held hard. Ryan was 14 years old when he started cutting and took his first real steps into the family business.

“Really I enjoyed the training more than the actual showing,” Ryan said. “Dad, a trainer of course, would buy these project horses and I liked working with them. It was Spookystimetoshine that hooked me. When I started showing him, I really fell in love with [cutting].”

Ryan chose cutting as his sport of choice, thanks to the 2007 gelding Spookystimetoshine (One Time Pepto x San Starlight x Grays Starlight).

“It’s part of my life,” Ryan said. “All cutting, all the time. I do play a little golf and hunt a little, too.”

One of his favorite horses is Tuff Julie (Woody Be Tuff x Missys Powder x Powder River Playboy).

“She was the first aged event horse that was mine,” said Ryan.

One of his favorite memories is his win in the Limited Non-Pro Derby at the 2016 NCHA Summer Spectacular. He was just 15 years old when he and Tuff Julie marked a 222 for the win and earned $8,533.

“It was my first aged event win in Fort Worth,Texas, and I remember how emotional my mom was and how proud she was,” Ryan said.

The first horse to take him to a Non-Pro finals was Metalic Smoke (Metallic Cat x Smokin Tap x Smokin Trona). The 2011 mare is a great granddaughter of Tapeppyoka Peppy, the Rapp’s breeding program matriarch.

“Manteca Moe was the first one I trained as a three-year-old,” Ryan said. “Dad helped me finish him, and he was the first really good horse I showed in the Non-Pro.”

The 2014 gelding (Hydrive Cat x Memorey x Dual Rey) was bred by the Rapps and has NCHA lifetime earnings of $151,853 at press time.

These days, everything Ryan shows is by the family stallion, Dont Stopp Believin.

“It’s hard to make the finals on anything else if that’s what you’re showing,” Ryan said.

Ryan earned his first NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro Classic championship this year, sharing the win with co-champion Megan Miller and Hit Tha Flo. Aboard Next Stopp Cowtown (Dont Stopp Believin x Manytimes x One Time Pepto), Ryan marked a 220.5 to share the win and take the $19,063 for the purse split.

“The Super Stakes was my first really big win in Fort Worth,” said Ryan.

Ryan believes cutting has taught him how important the mental aspect is to life.

“Obviously, it’s big in cutting, but even just in life in general, I’ve learned how important perspective is,” Ryan said. “You can get into your own head and ruin things for yourself, or you can help yourself with the right mental perspective. You learn how to control your emotions in situations to keep yourself going.”

Ryan finished up his Youth career with 559 NCHA Youth points and an induction to the NCHA Youth Hall of Fame. It’s a rather unique situation that he earned Youth and Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame honors the same year.

“My goal is always to do the best I can and win as much as I can,” Ryan said. “I knew the Hall of Fame would be the result of that philosophy, but I never let making the Hall of Fame be my primary goal. For me, it was to show my horse the best I can and it will all total up in the end.

“I’m extremely thankful for my parents for allowing me the opportunities to have the success I’ve had,” Ryan continued. “I appreciate everyone who helped me, both in and out of the show pen, along the way. Mostly it’s my parents - I would not have done any of this without them.”

The now 21-year-old said his future goals include finishing his college education at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, and to continue his cutting career as a Non-Pro competitor.

With his NCHA earnings topping $943,627 at press time, there could be another major milestone in his future. ★

BY JENNIFER HORTON

Jill Roth grew up riding hunter jumpers in California. Her mother started her early riding English horses, then, in a curious turn of events, her mother began breeding cutting horses.

Roth got on her first cutting horse in 1989 and said she laughed the whole way through her first year, learning and showing for fun at local club cuttings.

Eventually, Roth began showing Mystic Mary Jean (Too Much Pepper x Docaree x Doc’s Oak).

“She was the first horse I really started showing,” said Roth. “My mother raised her. She was pony-size and fast. She taught me more than any person could.” In 2012, Roth found trainer Morgan Cromer in her quest to learn and improve. She finally began to understand “use your feet” and “ride to the stop” that she had been hearing people say.

“My husband-to-be decided if I was going to do this, he wanted me to win,” Roth said. “That’s when Morgan found CD Headlight and it all changed again. He was a once-ina-lifetime horse. We made the top 15 in the $50,000 Amateur that year. The next year, we hauled and won the world title in 2013.”

She retired CD Headlight (CD Lights x Peppeco Lena x Peppy San Lena) with $105,570 in NCHA lifetime earnings. A couple years later, the NCHA World Series of Cutting started and drew Roth back in.

“Morgan found me a second once-in-alifetime horse in Bea Pure Cat,” Roth said.

Their 2016 World Finals championship in the $25,000 Novice Non-Pro took Roth out of weekend Amateur eligibility, and the gelding was too old for limited aged events, so they began competing in the Non-Pro.

“I really enjoy the weekend shows over the aged events because I like to show every day,” Roth said. “I’m very competitive, and I have to have goals. I didn’t feel competitive in the weekend Non-Pro, but the Mercuria events were great. We were co-champion of one of the Mercuria events and went to the World Finals three times.”

Roth never considered the Non-Pro Riders Hall of Fame a possibility since $500,000 in lifetime earnings seemed far from her reach, but $150,000 in weekend events, known as the “haulers hall of fame,” gave her an avenue, and that goal seemed attainable. Roth’s NCHA lifetime earnings at time of press are $341,307.

“It’s really hard to win the world championship from the west coast, especially with just one horse, so I set the Hall of Fame as a goal,” Roth said. “It was all Bea Pure Cat; all of my Non-Pro money was earned on him. He’s been my only horse since 2015, and he’s phenomenal. He had less than $50,000 earnings when I bought him.”

Bea Pure Cat (High Brow Cat x Mae Bea Marie x Freckles Playboy) has $312,282 LTE at press time.

“He is an amazing animal; I’m very lucky,” Roth said. “We bought him from Kenny Platt, who said he had wolverine running through his veins. I call him ‘Snoop Dawg,’ but Morgan calls him ‘James.’

“He has the best personality,” Roth continues. “He’s an athlete, very well balanced and built right, with a huge heart, and he knows his job. He’s my only horse so I have plenty of time to attend to his care, and I consider that a full-time job.”

Roth and Snoop Dawg have quite the regimented schedule to prepare them for success at a cutting.

“He has to eat two hours before we get ready to show, because he likes to sleep after he eats,” Roth said. “I get up at 4 a.m. to feed him so he has time to eat and nap. He gets ice spa and therapy, and we take walks during the day just to get him out of his stall. At home, he enjoys turnout.”

Roth is grateful for everything, including all the horses she has ever ridden, the trainers who have helped her in the corners and especially her trainer, Cromer.

“Morgan has been tremendous in getting me to the point where I am now,” Roth said. She found me these horses to win the world championship. She played a big part in this.”

Most of all, though, Roth is thankful for her husband.

“I couldn’t do any of this without my husband, Bill,” Roth said. “He’s so supportive. I can’t thank him enough. He’d never been to a cutting before we met, and he’s hauled all over with me since 2012. He’s also one-in-a-million. The horse and the husband are both gifts from God.” ★

Congratulations to these Champions and Reserve Champions. And, thanks to all the Reserve Champions. And, thanks to all the competitors, our corporate sponsors and show competitors, our corporate sponsors and show attendees. We really appreciate your support. attendees. We really appreciate your support.

Derby Open Champion HOTTISH METAL by HOTTISH Rider: Adan Banuelos • Owner: Jim Good

Derby Open Reserve Champion A REGAL ROYAL by ONE TIME ROYALTY Rider: Adan Banuelos Owner: Brumbaugh Ranches

Derby Open Limited Co-Reserve Champion DON’T LOOK FOR TROUBL by METELES CAT Rider: Dalton Vicar Owner: Circle Y Ranch

Derby Non Pro Limited Champion METALLIC MOMMA by METALLIC CAT Rider: Erica Lennox Owner: Tommy & Tiffani Ray

Derby Amateur Intermediate Co-Reserve Champion COCO KIT KAT by KIT KAT SUGAR Owner/Rider: Jane Mancuso Derby Open $10K Champion DOCZ STYLISH PLAYER by DOCS STYLISH OAK Rider: Kenny Platt Owner: Bradley K Zuver

Derby Non Pro Champion ASPEN by METALLIC CAT Rider: Kristen Galyean Owner: Wesley & Kristen Galyean

Derby Non Pro Limited Reserve Champion LITTLE DIRTY REBEL by METALLIC REBEL Rider: Julie Elrod Owner: Russ & Julie Elrod

Derby Amateur Intermediate Co-Reserve Champion METECULOUS by METELES CAT Owner/Rider: Jim Haworth Derby Open $10K Reserve Champion DR PEPPA by DUAL SMART REY Rider: Kenny Platt Owner: Robert D Tregemba

Derby Non Pro Reserve Champion HOTT SHOTS by HOTTISH Owner/Rider: Katie Fonsen Young Derby Open Limited Champion BEELIEVE I WILL by DONT STOPP BELIEVIN Rider: Colt Moore Owner: George & Charlene Lane

Derby Non Pro $10K Champion MAKE BEELIEVE by DONT STOPP BELIEVIN Rider: Mary Ann Rapp Owner: Phil & Mary Ann Rapp

Derby Amateur Champion STAG by METALLIC CAT Owner/Rider: Jim Haworth Derby Amateur Reserve Champion MCKENZIE REBEL by METALLIC REBEL Owner/Rider: Trey Fricke

Derby Amateur Limited Champion DESIRES SUM PRADA by IM COUNTIN CHECKS Rider: Mike Roberts Owner: Hidden Valley Ranch Derby Amateur Limited Co-Reserve Champion MOVIN METALLIC by METALLIC CAT Owner/Rider: Michael E Biehle II Derby Open Limited Co-Reserve Champion BOUJIE by ONCE IN A BLU BOON Rider: Nate Gribble Owner: Cowan Ranch Inc

Derby Non Pro $10K Reserve Champion HOTANDBOTHERED by HOTTISH Rider: Colette Lesh Owner: C Heart Ranch LLC

Derby Amateur Intermediate Champion PEPTOS REBEL by METALLIC REBEL Owner/Rider: Tee Worley

Derby Amateur Limited Co-Reserve Champion SR DUAL KITTY by DUAL SMART REY Owner/Rider: Rusten Smith

Classic/Challenge Open Champion PIPE BOMB DREAM by METALLIC CAT Rider: Adan Banuelos Owner: SMF Cutting Horses LLC Classic/Challenge Open Reserve Champion PRINCESSES RULE by DOCS STYLISH OAK Rider: Grant Setnicka Owner: Rio Roca Land & Cattle Co

Classic/Challenge Non Pro Reserve Champion CHAMPAYNE DREAMS by METALLIC CAT Rider: Caitlin Rice Owner: Scotty Rice

Classic/Challenge Amateur CoReserve Champion KNICKS N LAKERS by LAKER DOC Rider: Von Sutten Owner: Von & Andrea Sutten Classic/Challenge Non Pro Limited Champion FLASHIE by PURDY BOY FLASH Rider: Jimmy Purselley Owner: Purselley Performance Horses

Classic/Challenge Intermediate Amateur Champion CHATY CATTY by CATTY HAWK Owner/Rider: Gregory Williamson Classic/Challenge Open Limited Champion SPECIALKAT by KIT KAT SUGAR Rider: Colt Moore Owner: Joseph Jingoli

Classic/Challenge Non Pro Limited Reserve Champion DREAMY MARTINI by SMOOTH TALKIN STYLE Rider: Erica Lennox Owner: SMF Cutting Horses LLC Classic/Challenge Open Limited Reserve Champion REYZIN GRACE by REYZIN THE CASH Rider: Austin Johnson Owner: Turnback Pony

Classic/Challenge Amateur Champion HEAVY METAL FAITH by METALLIC CAT Rider: Michael Townsend Owner: Lakeside Ranch LLC

Classic/Challenge Intermediate Amateur Reserve Champion MISS LILY REY by DUAL REY Owner/Rider: Liana Erenberg Classic/Challenge Limited Amateur Champion PRIME TIME DIVA by ONE TIME PEPTO Owner/Rider: Mary Crow Classic/Challenge Non Pro Champion SHORTY KATZ by HIGH BROW CAT Rider: Sheridan Clark Owner: Clark Cutting Horses LLC

Classic/Challenge Amateur Co-Reserve Champion CW BLU REY by ONCE IN A BLU BOON Owner/Rider: Troy Boutonnet

Classic/Challenge Limited Amateur Reserve Champion LADYS METALIC CLUTCH by METALLIC CAT Owner/Rider: Brenda Wolgamott