///////// CIRCLE UP Woody Be Tuff (Nitas Wood x Tuffs Junie x Tuff Wood) sired the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion Zak 34 (a 2018 stallion out of Cat Digs Lucinda), which helped to catapult him over the million-dollar mark to claim $1,176,601.12 in reined cow horse offspring earnings. Owned by the Center Ranch in Centerville, Texas, the 2001 sorrel Quarter Horse stallion stamps many of his offspring with his signature sorrel color with a flaxen mane and tail and, often, white legs or blazed face. When a horse matching that description enters the arena with a sigma brand, it is more than likely sired by Woody Be Tuff. “He’s a bigger horse and not a typical smaller, cow-bred horse,” said Jay Dickson, Center Ranch manager. “His
trainability is his most valuable asset, even the horses we punch cows on the ranch. Everyone wants one not only for the looks, but also for the demeanor and talent. Woody Be Tuff has earned his place in the industry. He’s an awesome horse, and his legacy will live on for many years.” Following Center Ranch owner Finis Welch’s death, the ranch is being dispersed and Woody Be Tuff sold in December at the 2021 Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sale to Kaleb Terlip and Melanie Smith, of Solo Select Horses and now stands at the Lazy E in Guthrie, Oklahoma. However, Dickson says the stallion and Welch’s sigma sign will forever be linked through the many offspring stamped with both the stallion’s qualities and the ranch’s brand.
Milestones such as these are due in part to the commitment of the NRCHA Board of Directors and sponsor family that help to continually increase the prize money awarded for the accomplishments of these horses and trainers at premier events. The efforts of dedicated owners and breeders push our industry forward, making horses that compete in the three disciplines of reined cow horses competitive in any industry. “When a horse begins to reshape a sport by nature of the offspring they send to the pen, they’ve made a lasting impact on the industry,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “That is certainly the case with Dual Smart Rey and Woody Be Tuff, and we congratulate all of the connections of these great stallions.”
PRIMO MORALES
QUOTABLE To me what is great about World’s Greatest Horseman bridle horses is they have to have all the talent and all the trainability and be versed across the board in every event, and then they still have to have the stamina to do all four events in one day. It’s the kind of horse we’re supposed to be creating. It embodies everything you want in a bridle horse. “Riders and owners are putting so much effort into this event that horses in World’s Greatest are horses that trainers have had since they were 2-year-olds! They have been riding those horses for three to five years before they go to the event, and it takes a ton of commitment from an owner. Afterward, a great bridle horse can be a great Non Pro horse, because they have proven themselves to be open-minded and trainable. It just takes time to get there, like it takes a trainer to make a great bridle horse.” —Russell Dilday Three-time National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Russell Dilday, riding Topsails Rien Maker (Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby gay Bar), knows a thing or two about the pressure-packed, crowd-pleasing event and the type of horse it takes to get there.
38 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS
