Reined Cow Horse News, Volume 29, No. 1, January/February 2024

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

VOLUME 29, NO. 1

Who’s the

GREATEST? Titles will be claimed and history will be made this February in Fort Worth.

2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS //////////// 2023 REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

//////////// NRCHA MERIT AWARDS

NRCHA.COM

W HAT TO LOOK FOR

2024 Premier Events Celebration of Champions February 11–24, 2024 Fort Worth, Texas

Stallion Stakes

April 4–13, 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada

Western Derby

ONLINE Tickets for the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman finals went on sale January 10.

Be sure to get yours before they sell out at nrcha.com!

TM

May 29–June 8, 2024 Scottsdale, Arizona

Hackamore Classic July 22–28, 2024 Tulsa, Oklahoma

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® October 4–19, 2024 Fort Worth, Texas

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/.

Volume 29, Number 1

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 Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor | Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek 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.

2 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | VOLUME 29, NUMBER 1

FEATURES

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158 54

Peaks & Valleys Riding the highs and lows of training a futurity prospect isn’t for the faint of heart, but these two trainers are drawn to the challenge.

60

Today’s Champions Read extensive coverage of those who received National Champion titles, Merit awards and Regional Champion accolades.

150

158

The Keys to the Legend

The Finances of Breeding

Annie Reynolds, 2023 Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee, shares five essential traits all cowgirls need.

Learn from a firsthand account of a breeder’s key lessons about the investment side of breeding.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 5

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

DEPARTMENTS 10 From the President 14 From the Judge’s Chair 18 From the NRCHYA 170 Wellness Column CIRCLE UP

24 NRCHA News 30 Faces of NRCHA PRIMO MORALES

166

MEMBER ROUNDUP the Pro: 36 Know Abigayle Mixon

MEMBER RESOURCES

Non Pro: 42 Notable Cheryl Chown

176 Subscribed Stallion List 180 Subscribed Stallion Rules 182 Subscribed Stallion Contract 184 NRCHA Top Rider List 189 NRCHA Committee Directory 190 Affiliate List 191 Suspended Member List 192 NRCHA Sanctioned Events

Assitant: 48 Admirable Daxon Buttars

CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS AND WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN TM

of Champions 164 Celebration Schedule Greatest Horseman™ 166 World’s Past Champions BLOODSTOCK MEDIA

168

World’s Greatest Youth Horseman™ Past Champions

6 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

On the Cover:

36

Call Me Mitch and Phillip Ralls claimed the 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman™ championship title. Who will earn it this year?

Photo by Carolyn Simancik

FROM THE PRESIDENT CAROLYN SIMANCIK

Boyd Rice, NRCHA President

10 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

NRCHA KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR with preparations for the 2024 Celebration of Champions and the always exciting World’s Greatest Horseman™. As we launch into a new season of events that showcase our reined cow horses, I believe it’s important to shine the spotlight on our partners whom, without them, we couldn’t produce these spectacles that offer great prizes, large purses and the opportunities to show the world what NRCHA is all about.

One example is the recent sponsorships for the incentive pots to win the preliminary rounds in each phase of the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman™. For the first time, the top-scoring horses and riders in each event—herd work, reined work, fence work and steer stopping—will each receive a $10,000 check. This is a total game-changer for this event. Here’s why.

NRCHA has always committed to keeping entry fees manageable for the World’s Greatest Horseman™. We feel this opens the field of competition to riders from other disciplines who want to try our event. With these new incentive purses, a roper with a nice horse might see that hefty check as a reason to enter. When he enters, he meets new people, makes new friends, learns about our style of horsemanship, gets exposed to our events and sponsors and—maybe—decides to buy his first reined cow horse to increase his chances of success next year.

This scenario can be true for all our events, thanks to our partnerships with our sponsors. When someone sees one of their ads featuring reined cow horses, it can pique their interest to learn more about us, and the same is true when a new sponsor joins our family—our riders, owners and breeders learn more about them and try their products. When done right, it’s a symbiotic relationship that’s mutually beneficial for all involved.

While you’re at the Celebration of Champions and World’s Greatest Horseman™ in February, I encourage you to thank our sponsors for their contributions to our sport. Meet them in their booths or write them thank-you notes when you get home for the products you receive as awards. They help us keep growing and producing events for our current members and to draw in new ones.

The relationships we share with our sponsors aren’t purely transactional. We’re partners in every sense of the word, and we work together to achieve our shared goals, including the growth of our sport and other Western performance disciplines. We go a lot farther when we work together!

BREAKS ALL RECORDS!

2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales Black Magic Woman $180,000 Seller Southern Ranches Buyer Lucinda Rose David

H

High Cats Shine $125,000 Seller Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC Buyer William McElligott

igh Selling Yearling Fillies

The House Is Rockn

$140,000

Seller Teton Ridge Buyer Eduardo Elizondo

H

Highly Hazardous $150,000 Seller Beechfork Ranch Buyer Griffin Marshall

igh Selling Yearling Stallions

Selling Horses that Go the Distance!

Rebels Playmate $100,000

Seller Kalpowar Quarter Horses Buyer Nicholas Dowers

Call Her Hilda 17 $110,000

Seller Cooper Smith Buyer Eduardo

Elizondo

The Love Train $100,000 Seller Beverly Servi Buyer John Semanik

Sporty Metallic 18 $100,000

Seller Chappell-

White Partnership Buyer Michael Cannon

Texas Reynger $100,000

Seller Jeffrey W. & Jennifer Foland Buyer Florence Hix

She Be Magistic $100,000

Seller Aledo Horses LLC Buyer Rocking BS Ranch

Gunna Wanna $96,000

Melodys Smart Rey $105,000

Seller Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC Seller Jeremy Barwick Buyer Lita West Buyer Ty Smith

9710 Mineral Wells Hwy Weatherford, Texas 76088

Pistoleer $100,000 Seller Roger Terry Buyer Atlee Snyder

Office 817-594-9210 Jeremy Barwick 254-485-2542

www.westernbloodstock.com

FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR

F

inishing a cow work with good sets of circles shows the judges consistency and control—if accomplished properly. There are decisions to be made at a high rate of speed that either add or subtract from the overall value of a run that tells the exhibitor how well he or she competed.

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, made a fortune being a great finisher. He said, “A lot of people can play the game, but very few can finish.” He wanted the ball at the end of the game so he could take the big shot and show everyone he wanted it, and the shot that just went in wasn’t a fluke.

The same can be said about a strong finish to the cow work. Was your horse up to the task, and did he have control of the cow after leaving the fence phase? Rider decisions are critical for success. When the exhibitor decided to attempt the circles, was he or she in control of the animal, and were they positioned well enough to conduct the circles in an open part of the arena?

Differences of opinion on where the first circles actually start are meaningful to the judges in deciding if an exhibitor satisfied the rules for circling. Rule 19.3.3.3. states: The contestant shall take the cow to an open part of the arena and maneuver the cow smoothly at least 360 degrees in each direction without interference from the fence.

14 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

The official must make a fair judgment on where the circle started so he or she can grade the circle for what it actually was.

Sometimes, the animal will pick up speed and catch the exhibitor off guard, and it will take longer than expected to get up to and in control of the animal.

If the exhibitor gets up to a controlling position and then switches to circle the other way, did they exhibit enough position and control for a positive score?

Did they make enough of a circle, even though they trailed the animal most of the way? If they made a short circle, was it enough so the judge could score it, or if it wasn’t enough, they were made to circle again?

Completing the first circle is the rider’s responsibility; the second circle is up to the judge to blow the whistle when they’ve deemed that the horse and rider were in control and completed the circle.

Judges want to avoid having the exhibitor re-circle because it usually affects the run’s integrity. The answer is to give the judge a legitimate circle the first way, eliminating the re-circle problem.

Every judge has their own idea of how much they’d like to see before blowing the whistle to finish the work. It’s up to the exhibitor to keep competing until the whistle is blown; that’s when the work officially ends. The stronger you compete, the better the score.

Bill Enk, NRCHA Director of Judges

“

COMPLETING THE FIRST CIRCLE IS THE RIDER’S RESPONSIBILITY.” —Bill Enk

Incomparable.

And, that includes his stud fee.

LTE $500,037.51

$37 MILLION SIRE! NRCHA Multimillion Dollar Sire Multiple AQHA World Champion Sire DAUGHTERS have won and produced $25,854,572.72 SONS have won and sired $26,318,235.62 Clearly, one of the most prolific sires in our industry… ever!

2024 STUD FEE

1st breeding $2,500 / 2nd breeding half price

Est. 1979

940.686.2246

website: www.manionranch.com PHOTO BY ROSS HECOX

For breeding information, contact: Weatherford Equine Breeding Center 817-594-9181 www.weatherfordequine.com e-mail: tmanionranch@aol.com P.O. Box 94 • Aubrey, Texas 76227

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to all who have qualified for Nu Passport LTE $33,000

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by Shining Spark

• 2022 Utah RCHA Futurity Intermediate & Open Finalist •2023 MVRCHA Derby Intermediate & Open Finalist • 2022 MVRCHA Futurity Intermediate Open Finalist •2023 IRCHA Derby Intermediate • 2022 NRCHA SBF Intermediate Open Finalist Open Finalist • 2022 IRCHA Futurity Intermediate Open Finalist •NRCHA Celebration of Champions • 2023 Nevada RCHA Derby Intermediate Open Finalist Qualifier — Open Hackamore • 2023 IRCHA Derby Intermediate Open Finalist • 2023 Gem State Derby Intermediate & Open Finalist

FROM THE

W

hether it’s scholarships, clinics or cheering at the back gate, NRCHA strives to make its youth competitors successful and motivated. In 2009, NRCHA developed NRCHYA as an official and essential part of the organization. This encouraged youth participation through classes, clinics and scholarships for youth members. NRCHYA promotes sportsmanship, participation in events and activities, leadership skills, integrity and other virtues and values respected in the performance horse industry and the world.

NRCHYA aims to help its members grow and learn the ins and outs of reined cow horse through its youth clinic program. The one-day clinics consist of one or more NRCHA professionals guiding and teaching all levels of youth riders the horsemanship basics to gain ground on their cattle skills.

NRCHYA members are also supported through the scholarship program. At the end of every NRCHA show year, the NRCHA Foundation awards a scholarship to each NRCHA Affiliate Youth Cow Horse Champion and NRCHA Affiliate Youth Boxing Champion to those who meet the program’s guidelines.

NRCHYA fosters the future of cow horse, and the organization deserves recognition for its family focus.

Randy Paul, an established and dedicated NRCHA professional and Hall of Fame inductee, expressed his thoughts about what makes NRCHA special.

18 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“One of the things that makes NRCHA so special to me is that in other associations, the general community of horse trainers, owners and our youth are friends and get along quite well,” he said. “In this association, I truly believe that we all care about and support each other like no other association. It’s easy to get tired of and be jealous of a couple of people who keep winning everything, but in our association, there’s so much respect for fellow trainers and genuine friendship. We stand on the fence and cheer each other on and say we’re sorry when things don’t go well— and we mean it.

“Our quality of horsemanship and care for our horses is impressive to me,” he added. “The outstanding people running our association make it what it is.

NRCHA is one of the most respected equine sports, mainly because of the nature of the event, how the association runs, and the quality of our membership.

It’s an outstanding association for our youth, watching them care for their horses, care for the cattle and see how hard they practice. Because of the genuine friendship and support our trainers have for each other, it’s a wonderful environment for our youth. I’m proud to be a part of NRCHA.” Thank you to everyone who puts time, effort, patience and knowledge into our youth!

—Lilly Gilson, reporter

NRCHYA clinics provide helpful learning opportunities for our youth members, with knowledge shared by NRCHA professionals.

CIRCLE UP NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

Keep Cow Horse Connected

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 23

///////// CIRCLE UP

RAY SHELL RANCH JOINS WESTERN BLOODSTOCK AS TITLE SPONSORS OF THE 2024 WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN™

N

RCHA welcomes Ray Shell Ranch of Strawn, Texas, as one of the title sponsors of the 2024 World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition. Michelle and Reagan Horton’s Ray Shell Ranch will join Western Bloodstock as co-sponsors for this year’s event.

In 2024, the NRCHA will crown the 25th champion of the World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition. The event features the best cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in three traditional reined cow horse events—herd, rein and cow work—along with the added challenge of steer stopping.

“Ray Shell Ranch looks forward to celebrating the skill, dedication and spirit of the world’s greatest horsemen and horsewomen,” Michelle Horton said. “We’re extremely excited to support this event and NRCHA as it speaks to the essence of our mission statement. We strive to provide the Western performance horse industry with a mixture of the best bloodlines and horseflesh through concentrated breeding, management and promotional practices that honor our legacy.”

The Horton family’s Strawn Valley Ranch was founded in 1998 with an emphasis on cutting horses, and through their ownership and promotion of the remarkable champion sire Dual Smart Rey. The family’s legacy continues as it embarks on success with the next generation under the new title Ray Shell Ranch. This renaissance and interest in the reined cow horse is largely due to the Horton’s daughter Madeline’s passion her for the reined cow horse industry.

“NRCHA is thrilled to welcome Ray Shell Ranch as one of the title sponsors of the World’s Greatest Horseman™,” shared NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “The Horton family’s dedication to the performance horse industry through their ownership and breeding program is evident. We’re excited to partner with a ranch whose passion for the industry and the reined cow horse has become generational. Join us in welcoming Ray Shell Ranch to our cow horse family.”

The World’s Greatest Horseman™ will be held in conjunction with the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions February 11–24 at the Will Rogers Memorial Complex in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit nrcha.com.

24 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

MORE MONEY ADDED TO THE 2024 WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN™ THAN EVER BEFORE

N

RCHA has added more money than ever before to the upcoming Ray Shell Ranch and Western Bloodstock World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition. This year, there will be $80,000 up for grabs in preliminary go-round money alone.

The new go-round money in the prelims will now payout $20,000 per event, nearly doubling the prize money from 2023. This increase in money is largely due to the support

///////// CIRCLE UP PRIMO MORALES

of the National Reining Horse Association, American Rope Horse Futurity Association and One Time Pepto, which will sponsor the reined work, steer stopping and cow work, respectively. The winner of each event in the preliminary go-rounds will now take home $10,000, with second place paying $6,000 and third paying $4,000.

“The goal of adding the money to the prelims was to incentivize those riders who excel in the cutting, reined and roping portions and who have wanted to enter the World’s Greatest Horseman™,” said NRCHA Executive Director Emily Konkel. “They now have a way to earn a significant amount of money before even getting to the finals. With the help of NRHA, ARHFA and One Time Pepto, we can offer competitive payouts for the most exhilarating event in the performance horse world!”

Since its inception in 1999, this event has showcased the true versatility of the bridle horses and the cowboys and cowgirls who that compete with them. In 2024, NRCHA will crown the 25th champion of the World’s Greatest Horseman™, with the winner taking home a check for $150,000.

The World’s Greatest Horseman™ competition will be held in conjunction with the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, February 11–24, at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Success in the prelims of the World’s Greatest Horseman™ now means a hefty check for the highest scores of each event—herd work, reined work, steer stopping and cow work.

North America’s Premier Equine Exposition & Equestrian Gathering

APRIL 11-14, 2024 COLUMBUS, OH, Ohio Expo Center

• An Unparalleled Educational Program.

• The Largest Horse-Related Trade Show in North America.

• The “Marketplace” featuring quality consignments for horse & rider.

• The Fantasia (sponsored by Equine Medical & Surgical Associates) — Equine Affaire’s signature musical celebration of the horse on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

• Breed Pavilion, Horse & Farm Exhibits, Horses for Sale and Demonstrations — Enjoy meeting horses of all shapes, sizes, breeds, colors, and disciplines!

• Equine Fundamentals Forum — Educational presentations, exhibits, and activities for new riders and horse owners, young & old.

• NEW! Cowtown in Cooper — Special presentations catering to cow and ranch events.

Don’t miss this educational western lifestyle experience!

• The Versatile Horse & Rider Competition — A fast-paced timed and judged race through an obstacle course with $5,500 at stake!

• Adoption Affaire — Find and adopt your next horse at the Adoption Affaire, affiliated with the Right Horse Initiative!

• NEW! The Great Equestrian Fitness Challenge — A fun new activity for equestrians to exercise their barnyard skills and win prizes, no horses needed!

• A Horse for Heroes — Equine-assisted activities and therapies designed to benefit veterans, active-duty, and first responders, as well as their families.

• Youth Activities, a fun and educational College and Career Fair, and much more!

For all you need to know, consult equineaffaire.com or call (740) 845-0085.

26 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Featured Clinicians: Mike Major Ken McNabb Pat Parelli Steve Lantvit Chelsea Canedy Cynthia Hankins (Jumping) Mark Bolender (Mountain Trail) Lauren Sammis (Dressage) Daniel Stewart (Biomechanics/Fitness) Stacey Giere (Driving) Duane Esser (English Pleasure) Solange (Centered Riding/Biomechanics) Lynn Newton (Western Dressage) Matt McHugh (Trailer Driving) Jerry Paulsen (Equine Assisted Activities)

And many more! © 2024 Equine Affaire, Inc.

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FACES OF NRCHA

Ashley Valor’s cow horse career started as a volunteer.

When you call the NRCHA office, that friendly voice on the other end is NRCHA Membership Coordinator Ashley Valor.

Valor’s cow horse career began as a student at Feather River College in Quincy, California. She volunteered to help with the Snaffle Bit Futurity® when it was held in Reno, Nevada, while studying for her bachelor’s degree in animal science.

She’s worked on breeding farms and as a contractor for NRCHA during the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and the World’s Greatest Horseman™.

The Yorba Linda, California, native loved horses all her life and received her first horse for her eighth birthday from her aunt, and she spent summers on her aunt’s cattle ranch outside Milpitas, California.

Now, Valor uses her love of horses and the industry to serve NRCHA. Outside work, she has five horses at home, including her 15-year-old mare that she trained and showed, plus four of that mare’s offspring.

Ranging in age from yearlings to 6 years old, Valor trains the horses herself and competes in Stock Horse of Texas events.

She plans to dive into affiliate NRCHA shows in 2024.

30 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

RCHN: How did you learn about cow horse and NRCHA? AV: Growing up, I was around ranch versatility with my aunt. I got my first NRCHA experience in 2012 when I first volunteered at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® through Feather River College. That’s when I fell in love with the cow horse industry. I volunteered for a few years before I became a contract employee for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and later asked to work at World’s Greatest Horseman™.

RCHN: What excites you about working for the association?

AV: I’m most excited to be completely immersed in the cow horse industry. I love being involved, meeting many people and building a network.

RCHN: What are you most looking forward to in 2024?

AV: I look forward to meeting more people and learning more about the industry.

NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

MEMBER ROUNDUP

Meet Our NRCHA Members

KAYCIE TIMM

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 35

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

KNOW THE PRO

Abigayle Mixon knew she wanted to train horses at an early age, and she’s making that dream a reality as a proficient NRCHA professional.

BY KAYCIE TIMM

BLOODSTOCK MEDIA

T

he daughter of NRCHA professional Don Boyd, Abigayle Mixon has never known a life that didn’t involve horses.

“I pretty much grew up in the business,” Mixon revealed. “My dad trained reining horses, so I grew up in the barn and around all that.”

By the time Mixon was 5, she had her first pony.

Three years later, she started competing at NRHA events. As a youth, she racked up wins and earnings in youth and non pro reining classes and began developing the skills she now uses as a reining and cow horse trainer.

“I wanted to be a horse trainer when I grew up, and I never really deviated from that course,” Mixon explained. “It was all that I’d ever wanted to do.”

Turning in her non pro card in 2005 was easy for the horsewoman; it was the next step in achieving her dreams. For the next several years, she honed her skills while working for NRHA Five Million Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal and riding for owner Duane Hicks. In 2008, she accepted a training position with Jon and Norma Sather of Winfield Farms. There, she got her first taste of cow work. “[The Sathers] asked me if I’d consider trying the cow horse,” Mixon explained. “It was a no-brainer for me because I’d always wanted to do it. I just never really had the opportunity to do it before that.”

While at Winfield, Mixon met and began riding with renowned NRCHA professional Don Murphy. Under the horseman’s guidance, she fell in love with cow horse and got her first taste of fence work and was hooked.

36 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

In 2016, Mixon launched her own training business, Abby Mixon Performance Horses, specializing in training cow horses and reiners and coaching non pro riders. As she pursues her lifelong dream of training horses, Mixon has found success both in and out of the show pen. She has accumulated nearly $200,000 in NRHCA earnings, competing numerous times at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, the NRCHA Hackamore Classic and several NRCHA derbies.

NRCHA professional Abigayle Mixon crosses between NRHA and NRCHA events, training and preparing open horses and coaching non pros.

e l d d a S Up

2024 IN

WITH

Celebrating the Versatile Horse

Affordable & Family Friendly Educational Clinics & Cow Practice Cow Work

Kickoff Classic

FEB 29-MAR 4 SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA Ranch Riding

Bryan, Texas

2023 Year End Banquet on Saturday, March 2 Collegiate-only show Monday, March 4

APRIL 4-7

Guns Up! Ranch Horse Show

Lubbock, Texas

APRIL 25-28 Hamilton, Texas

Reining Ranch Trail Stock Horse Pleasure Jackpot Ranch Cutting 10 Divisions

MAY 15-19 Guthrie, OK

JULY 18-21 Amarillo, Texas

AUG 1-4 Sweetwater, Texas

Entry Level to Open For shows in Colorado, Wyoming & Nebraska, visit cownsh.com

SEPT 5-8 Hamilton, Texas

SEPT 26-29 Bryan, Texas

StockHorseTexas.org 855-846-7468

OCT 23-27 Abilene, Texas

SHTX Show & Clinic, includes Collegiate classes

Circle Up at Circle T

SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA VRH, RR & RTrail

The Gathering at the E presented by Equinety SHTX Show, AQHA VRH, RR & RTrail AQHA Ranching Heritage Qualifier Palo Duro Gathering

SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA VRH, RR & RTrail

Slide into Sweetwater SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA RR

Hoppin’ in Hamilton

SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA VRH

Aggieland Classic, featuring the Ordner Insurance / American Reliable Insurance Stock Horse Derby SHTX Show & Clinic, AQHA VRH, RR & RTrail Includes Collegiate classes

Western Horseman Stock Horse World Show *qualification required

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

RCHN: Describe your f irst experience going down the fence.

AM: When I was learning from Don [Murphy], he let me take Bald N Shiney down the fence. It was pretty amazing. I even got to show him once. They have a celebrity cow horse class at one of the [Southwest Reined Cow Horse] shows. It was a bunch of reiners, and we all showed a cow horse. I showed Bald N Shiney, which was the most amazing thing ever. He probably even spoiled me a little bit because I thought every cow horse would feel like he does. It took me a little bit to realize how special it was and how hard it is to come by something like that.

RCHN: What’s your ultimate goal as an NRCHA pro, and how are you working toward it?

AM: Winning the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. I’m working on improving myself and my training and making my horses a little bit better each year. Making your horses a little better one day at a time is how you get there.

RCHN: What skills from your reining background did you bring to the reined cow horse pen, and what differences have you found?

AM: The steering, going forward and having a good handle on a horse has carried over. The biggest thing I had to learn was how to read cattle. I was never around cattle growing up, so I didn’t know a thing about them. I also had to learn how to get that draw on a horse, especially in the herd work. In the reining, everything’s really forward. When you work a cow, you want your horse to suck back and come to you.

Those were opposites for me.

38 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

RCHN: If you could show any horse, alive or passed, which horse would it be?

AM: Call Me Mitch!

RCHN: What do you look for in a reined cow horse prospect?

AM: I look for a horse that’s put together well and a great mover. If they move really good, then they’re typically pretty balanced and have a lot easier time doing their job.

I watch for that balance and the look that they have. Reiners are a lot quieter, maybe a little bit more internal. Those really good cow horses don’t miss a thing. They’re constantly looking and a little bit more watchful than a reiner.

Q A With NRCHA Pro Abigayle Mixon

RCHN: What advice would you give someone interested in entering the cow horse industry?

AM: The cow horse community is amazing and super welcoming. Reach out to someone who’s in cow horse and try it. See if they’ll put you on a horse so you can get a feel for it. Just the feeling of going down the fence and working cows is super addictive. Finding someone to let you try it is a good way to see if you want to do it.

Mixon launched her training business in 2016 and now holds more than $200,000 in NRCHA earnings.

KAYCIE TIMM

RCHN: What’s your favorite part of showing reined cow horses?

AM: I love how much the horses love their job in the cow horse. I also love going down the fence. It’s really cool letting the horses think for themselves and feeling how much they crave it and want to do it, too.

RCHN: Who do you look up to the most in the reined cow horse industry?

AM: That’s a hard question because I love all the cow horse trainers. I’ve probably been the most influenced by Don Murphy. I always sit and watch a lot [at reined cow horse shows]. Chris and Sarah Dawson are two of my favorites to watch, and Matt Koch, too.

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///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

NOTABLE NON PRO

After years of barrel racing, a chance ride led Cheryl Chown to fall in love with reined cow horse.

BY JESSICA LASH

PRIMO MORALES, COURTESY OF CHERYL CHOWN

F

or the first 56 years of her life, Cheryl Chown was a diehard barrel racer. Born in the Rocky Mountain foothills of northern Colorado, she was horseback as soon as she could walk, riding alongside her parents at their home in Longmont, Colorado. Both Chown’s father, a rough-stock rider turned roper, and her mother, an avid barrel racer, enjoyed competing in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned events.

“I was pretty much born into horses,” Chown said.

“I have a lot of memories of growing up with them.”

As Chown’s confidence and skill grew, she began training her own barrel horses.

“My parents were so supportive,” she recalled. “They understood competition because they did it, too. I was such a practice fanatic—and still am, somewhat. I wear my poor husband out with it.”

Chown’s commitment to practice paid off during her decades of barrel racing. She qualified for the National High School Rodeo Association Finals all four years of high school. She competed on the collegiate rodeo team at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington, Wyoming, and Colorado State University in Pueblo, Colorado. She earned a reserve championship in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association’s Mountain States Circuit and was crowned the United Professional Rodeo Association Champion Barrel Racer in 2003.

In her late 50s—after more than three decades married to reining and reined cow horse trainer Robert Chown—she pivoted into riding reined cow horses, taking the skills she’d refined over decades of competitive barrel racing and melding them to fit into a new discipline. She may have entered the sport late, but it certainly hasn’t slowed her down.

42 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“I’m a firm believer in the idea that you have to keep moving forward,” Chown said. “No matter what else you do, just keep going.”

A CHANCE MEETING In the mid-1980s, a mix-up involving registration papers led Chown to her future husband’s door.

“I bought a horse from a friend sight unseen,” Chown explained. “I paid for the horse and had it in-hand but didn’t get the papers. A friend of mine said, ‘I think that’s a Chown horse, and he’s at the Sun Circuit right now.’”

Chown, who was living in Arizona, packed up the horse and hauled it to Scottsdale to see if it belonged to Robert.

“I’d never even heard of Robert before that,” she confessed. “The horse ended up belonging to him,

Cheryl Chown competed at the 2022 NRCHA Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, aboard the 2016 gelding The Metal Doctor (Metallic Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey).

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

PRIMO MORALES, COURTESY OF CHERYL CHOWN

don’t you?’ So that’s what I did, and it launched this whole journey—which I don’t know if my husband is happy or sad about, because it’s cost him a lot of money and work since then.”

Chown’s first big win came that first year, in 2017, when she won the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Non Pro aboard the horse that ignited her reined cow horse flame.

Since 2017, Chown has continued adding to an already impressive résumé. She’s a multiple-time NRCHA Non Pro Futurity and Derby Champion, most recently finishing fourth in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity finals on a homebred gelding out of A Time Of Caution and by standout stallion Stevie Rey Von. She brought home the Box Drive Championship aboard another homebred, -raised and -trained horse, Xtra Short Trick, by Shiners Voodoo Dr and out of another mare Chown showed, Short And Royal, the same week.

After a lifetime spent barrel racing, Chown enjoys competing in something new.

“I absolutely love the challenge of working cattle,” she shared. “They keep everyone humble to a point. And after all these years, it’s nice to enjoy this with Robert.”

GOAL GETTER REINED COW HORSE TAKES ROOT By all accounts, 2017 was a tough year for Chown.

Her daughter moved away for college, and she lost her mother after several years of ongoing health problems.

“Honestly, I was at a bad place in my life,” she confessed. “It was a challenging time.”

Enter a little bay mare named A Time Of Caution.

“She belonged to some customers of ours,” Chown explained. “Robert had trained her, but she couldn’t go down the fence anymore. We thought she’d make a good broodmare, so we bought her.”

The Chowns sealed the deal in late May—too late to suit that year’s breeding calendar, so Chown started riding “Paula” just for fun.

“One day, I joked with Robert and said, ‘I should just take her to a little show and box on her since she can’t go down the fence anymore.’ And he asked, ‘Why

44 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

If anything can be said about Chown, she’s always pressing toward the next goal. Now 62 years old and in her sixth year of reined cow horse competition, she says she still has a few items left to check off her reined cow horse bucket list.

“I started with five and I’m down to two, but I won’t say what they are,” Cheryl said with a laugh. “I like to keep them to myself until I check them off.”

Whether or not she achieves them, Chown is grateful for every opportunity competing on reined cow horses has given her.

“Honestly, when I started this six years ago, I never thought it would last this long,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to have really nice horses—my husband is such a good trainer to follow, and he does a wonderful job coaching me. If it’s all over tomorrow, I wouldn’t for a moment feel cheated. This experience has been more than I ever could have hoped for.”

COURTESY OF CHERYL CHOWN

and that’s how we met. It’s cliché, but I guess the rest is history.”

The chance meeting led to dating and a marriage that has spanned 34 years. Eventually, Chown moved from Arizona to join Robert at his training facility in Gainesville, Texas. But even in a barn surrounded by reining and reined cow horse hopefuls, she wasn’t ready to give up barrel racing.

“I did compete in reining in the late 1980s and early 1990s,” she said. “I also competed at the first NRCHA World Show in Stephenville, Texas, and in 2002 I was reserve in the NRCHA Novice Non Pro Bridle. I didn’t compete more than a handful of times back then. I was still training my barrel horses and competing on them, and one of my horses became a good rodeo horse. After that, it was barrel racing and rodeo for the next 20 years.”

Above: Winning is a team effort between Chown (horseback), her husband Robert (far left) and assistant trainer Alex Byrom (middle).

Left: Shown here at the 2022 Celebration of Champions aboard the 2016 gelding Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak), Chown enjoys the challenge of working cattle.

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///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

COURTESY OF DAXON BUTTARS

ADMIRABLE ASSISTANTS: DAXON BUTTARS This aspiring trainer was born to be horseback, but his diligence, determination and strong work ethic maintain his successful progression in the reined cow horse arena.

BY JADE CURRID

U

p-and-coming Snowville, Utah, reined cow horse trainer Daxon Buttars considers himself fortunate to have been born into a family with a ranching and reined cow horse legacy. The son of NRCHA professional Brandon Buttars, Daxon was riding on his own at age 2, turning back cattle for his father at age 4 and is now climbing his way up the cow horse ranks.

“With my dad being a horse trainer, I had my foot in the door, and as a young kid, I really enjoyed the roping part of it,” he said. “It was a goal of mine to train some rope horses, and after I had done that, I found that the cow horse [events] are where I belong and what I love to do. With three events, you always have something to work on. It’s impossible to master it, and that fuels my fire.”

Buttars was destined to work in the horse industry, and his father never doubted his son would become a trainer.

“It’s been in his blood from Day One,” Brandon Buttars said. “When Daxon wasn’t out riding with me, he played on the living room floor, starting his Breyer horses and roping the dummy on the coffee table.”

In his formative years, Buttars also gathered cows with his best friend, who lived on a large ranch that ran about 1,200 mother cows in desert-like country.

The experience was valuable in helping him learn to read cattle.

“There was a lot of riding involved with that,” Buttars said. “Learning to read cattle from a young age helps me in the cow events. Being around cattle so

48 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

much and knowing and reading cattle has helped me with showing and training.”

Buttars competed in reined cow horse and roping events in the Idaho High School Rodeo Association.

He won three state championship titles and claimed the coveted 2017 National High School Rodeo Association’s Reined Cow Horse Championship title while riding Nickin Along (Nic It In The Bud x Shining Smartly x Shining Spark), owned by Lori Adamski-Peek.

After graduation, Buttars attended Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado, where he competed on the rodeo team and earned two associate degrees. In 2018, he showcased reined cow horse events on the grand dirt arena stage of the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo in Utah during an exhibition televised by CBS. Buttars had ridden under the expert tutelage of his father for many years, starting all his 2-year-old colts and showing some. But he also learned from other horsemen, including NRCHA Million Dollar Riders and Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champions Zane Davis and Jake Telford, and cutting horse trainer Geoffrey “Spud” Sheehan.

“A lot of my success is credited to all of the trainers I’ve worked with,” Buttars said. “They’ve sure helped me out a lot.”

In 2021, Buttars moved back to his family’s ranch, where he currently serves as an assistant trainer for his father. A typical day on the Buttars’ ranch, which is 45 minutes from the closest town, begins early.

“We muck our own stalls and bring the cows in, and then we pretty much work until we are done,

Daxon Buttars credits the support of his friends and family for his growing success in NRCHA events.

“

I heard it a long time ago, and I have to tell myself every day: If you’re going to be a horse trainer, you’re going to have to be tough.”

—Daxon Buttars

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

50 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

of the senior Buttars’ favorite futurity prospects. Ultimately, the pair did not click, so he told his son to see if he and CR Lookout Tough clicked instead. The pair placed second at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion’s Stakes.

Another memorable horse was SJR Royal Romeo (One Time Royalty x Shining Juliet x Shining Spark), owned by 3 String Cattle Company and bred by the San Juan Ranch. Buttars and SJR Royal Romeo captured the 2022 Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association Mid America Open Derby Level 1 Championship.

When asked what advice he’d give aspiring trainers, resilience and patience were at the top of his list.

“I heard it a long time ago, and I have to tell myself every day: If you’re going to be a horse trainer, you’re going to have to be tough,” Buttars said. “It’s a difficult process, especially starting off and trying to learn everything. One thing that I would tell a young guy is to pick somebody you like, and even if you have to, work for them for free. Stay there for four or five years; don’t think you’ll learn it in a year or two.”

Buttars said he sees other young trainers become discouraged when they work for someone for at least a year and still have yet to have the opportunity to show.

He emphasizes the importance of choosing a trainer and program and sticking with them.

“If you look at all of the top guys, they worked for some top trainer for a long period and usually the same guy or the same type of program,” he observed.

Though he’s constantly learning from different horsemen, Buttars doles high praise for his father as a mentor and boss.

“He’s the best,” Buttars said. “He’ll be like, ‘Hey, try this,’ but he just gives us advice here and there. He’s never put his thumb on us too much. He lets us try our ideas and see if they work. We get along great, and we help each other all day, every day.”

PRIMO MORALES

PRIMO MORALES

and sometimes that’s 8 or 9 at night, depending on all what we have to take care of as far as what we have to do on the ranch and then with the horses and such,” Buttars explained.

On any given day, Buttars can also be found riding colts through expansive sagebrush pastures.

“It feels like we have unlimited space to train these horses,” he shared. “If we have one with a little bit higher energy, we can take the edge off and ride it through the pasture and free up its mind. I think that’s a big plus to our program.”

Recently, Buttars expanded his growing résumé of reined cow horse achievements, claiming the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Open Reserve Championship aboard the 2020 stallion Blue Light District (High Brow Cat x Savannah Blue Rey x Dual Rey), also known as “Bird,” owned by Cassandra Davis.

“That horse has been pretty awesome,” Buttars said.

“I got him late in the year. Zane Davis thought he was a really good horse, but not quite just a straight, Open horse. So, he offered the opportunity to me, and I took it, and it became history from there.”

Buttars often worked Bird outside the arena, gathering cows and riding him in the open when the gelding first came into his program.

“When I really started to come around on him was in Reno,” Buttars said of the 2023 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity. “I was going to do very well on him, and then he slipped and fell on me while going down the fence, or I would’ve placed very high there. After Reno, I’m like, ‘I’ve got a really good horse here—he’s getting better every time I show him.’”

Buttars recently had a memorable connection with CR Lookout Tough (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat), owned by his stepmom, Sophia Buttars. At first, CR Lookout Tough was one

Above left: CR Lookout Tough (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat), owned by his stepmom, Sophia Buttars, and Buttars found success at the 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes.

Above right: One of Buttars’ biggest accomplishments so far was claiming the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Open Reserve Championship aboard the 2020 stallion Blue Light District (High Brow Cat x Savannah Blue Rey x Dual Rey), also known as “Bird.”

The horse is owned

by Cassandra Davis.

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Standing at Brazos Valley Stallion Station

Peaks &Valleys Riding the highs and lows of training a futurity prospect isn’t for the faint of heart, but these two trainers are drawn to the challenge.

BY KATE BRADLEY BYARS

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

54 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Left to right: Arizona trainer Shadd Parkinson had two prospects bound for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, but Swoop Dogg was his only entry in Fort Worth, Texas.

Early on, the stallion’s abilities showed Parkinson that he had an exceptional young horse on his hands.

Parkinson focused on putting a solid foundation on Swoop Dogg so the horse could fall back on it if he became confused during training.

W

HILE IT MAY TAKE MORE THAN THREE YEARS to see the results from investing in a futurity prospect, the journey from pairing a mare and stallion to showing at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, is well worth the time. Each year hundreds of horse breeders, owners and trainers gamble on a prospect that has the breeding and athleticism to make it to the marquee event. Yet, in the end, the 30 horses showing on Open Finals night are the tiny handful with the training, cow smarts and a little luck, all coming together at the right time.

“The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® has so much hype put on it because it's the biggest payout of the year, but to train a young horse successfully and put it all together and then make the finals, that’s a really good feeling,” said Erin Taormino. “When you can put three events together when a horse is 3 years old, that’s big.

When you have one that allows you to show it numerous times, puts runs together and lets you help it get better, that keeps you striving to continue doing this job. It’s a craving, year after year.”

Owners and trainers ride the wave of starting a prospect through two years of training to see the outcome.

In 2023, Reined Cow Horse News kept in touch with two trainers and two 3-year-old Snaffle Bit Futurity® hopefuls on their road to Fort Worth, Texas, to offer perspective into the horses’ 3-year-old season.

Shadd Parkinson, of Scottsdale, Arizona, trained the 2020 stallion Swoop Dogg (Metallic Cat x Blue Rey x Dual Rey), owned by Chris and Melissa Garbrick. The Garbricks purchased the stallion at the Western Bloodstock Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sale, and then Jake Berry, who trains at the same facility as Parkinson, started him before Parkinson took the reins.

Taormino, of Lipan Texas, rode Nonie Casselman-Reed’s 2020 mare Pretty Martha Rey (Stevie Rey Von x Smart Pretty Cat x Cat T Masterson). She purchased the horse from Turner West after liking its natural movement, stop and cow smarts.

“You have to win an inch before you can win a foot,” Parkinson said of training a futurity prospect. “Managing expectations, you take it day by day and not get ahead of yourself.”

Purchasing a prospect is the first of many hurdles to get to the big show. Here, read how the trainers and horses fared on the path to the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

EARLY EXPECTATIONS

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

Starting a prospect from Day One of their formal training has advantages—there are no habits to break or weaknesses to overcome. That’s how Parkinson began the Futurity road with Swoop Dogg.

“He’s exceptional,” Parkinson said in January of 2023. “It’s more nerve-wracking than normal when you know you have something special and want to do it right.”

Early on, Swoop Dogg showed exceptional cow smarts but wanted to be low-headed, so Parkinson worked the stallion in a small gag bit to help teach the horse to stand up on its own.

“When they’re bred to be low-headed, it's a cool look, but we need them to learn to use themselves up a little bit, especially running down the fence,” he said.

“Right now, with these horses, their athletic ability outpaces their knowledge. The biggest problem I see with these really talented horses is that they do it so

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 55

easily; everyone skates along, but when it gets tough and there’s a problem, there’s [no foundation knowledge] to go back to. I’m making sure that he understands the reasons behind what’s going on. I want him to understand why he’s using himself so physically.

When things get more advanced, quicker, the horse has something to fall back to when he gets confused.”

While Parkinson worked on Swoop Dogg’s foundation, Taormino taught Pretty Martha Rey (“Martha”) to free up. The mare easily fit into Taormino’s program and already had a ton of cow savvy.

“She’d worked a lot of cattle, so I spent a lot of time putting the reined work on her,” she recalled of the horse's early 2023 training. “I didn’t have to focus a ton on cattle, but it was more getting her broke loose for three events. Coming from a cutting program, she hadn’t loped a lot. She needed to free up, line out and learn to stretch out and go somewhere—learning to run! She had to learn a lead change and all that.”

The early days of building a foundation can be frustrating and slow, but when the three events begin to come together closer to summer, the excitement builds.

FINDING THEIR STRIDE

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

56 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

Martha found her stride heading into the summer of 2023. In fact, the mare was “in a good spot.” It was both confidence-building and a little anxiety-inducing for the trainer.

“I’ve learned that until you go to the horse show, a horse won’t tell you where they are in training,” she laughed.

Parkinson had the same feeling: Swoop Dogg was cruising along.

“It’s been smooth sailing,” he said. “The hardest part is staying out of his way and not overdoing it. He tries so hard, and it would be easy to overdo it with him.”

When the training starts to come together, it’s time to test it. Taormino planned to show all four of her NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® hopefuls more than she'd previously shown. When she headed to Fort Worth, Texas, for the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association pre-futurity, she felt confident Martha could handle the show.

“She didn’t have a ton of ‘deer in the headlights’ moments, which was nice, and was consistent—that was key for me,” she said. “We ended up tied for fourth and fifth. It’s always nerve-wracking, though, walking through the gate on a 3-year-old. Barring any surprises, I knew what I had after that and was confident she knew her job. There were a couple of things in the reined work that I wasn’t happy with how I showed her. I didn’t let her turn around as good as I could have,

KATE BRADLEY BYARS

Left: Erin Taormino was impressed early with Pretty Martha Rey’s natural ability to stop and work a cow but had to work on freeing up the mare to lope and run down the fence.

Left below: While not a “cuddly” mare, Taormino appreciated that Martha retained training after being shown what to do once.

Below: Throughout training, Taormino felt the 2020 mare continue to gain confidence in all maneuvers.

“ ”

I’VE BEEN HUMBLED A LOT AT THE FUTURITY, AND YOU CAN FEEL GOOD OR CONFIDENT ABOUT ONE, BUT THEY CAN ALWAYS HAVE A STUMBLE.

but I felt like she knew all the parts, and I just had to put them together.”

Armed with that knowledge, she set out for the National Stock Horse Association Futurity in Las Vegas, Nevada. Parkinson had aimed Swoop Dogg at the same show.

“I showed him at Vegas, and it was okay, with a couple of bobbles,” Parkinson recalled. “It was okay because that’s why we show, to see what we need to improve. In his reined work, his lead changes were a little green. One stop, he ran down and stopped then spooked at the photographer’s assistant. It was little stuff. [The ground] is so slick that I put the tampers

—Shadd Parkinson

in, which worked for the practice pen, but it was too much in the show arena. He just grabbed the ground and got disconnected from the cow. These are those little things you figure out with the animal.”

Parkinson worked at home before showing at another pre-futurity show at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona and felt confident that Swoop Dogg was trending in the right direction before the big show.

Taormino finished the NSHA show tied for seventh, building her and Martha’s confidence before the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® kicked off on October 6.

“I’ve been humbled a lot at the Futurity, and you can feel good or confident about one, but they can always have a stumble,” Taormino said in September of 2023.

“I try to keep working each horse and not overthink it. I’ve had horses I’ve been really excited about, and it doesn’t work. This year, more than any other, I’m just focused on training.”

FUTURITY FEELINGS “I think he’s my best one, overall, that I’ve trained,” Parkinson said. “I’ve had some that can do individual events better, but he’s exceptional at all three events.

He’s been a solid horse the entire time. My biggest problem with him is that he’s so smart and good; I’ve been waiting for him to peak at the right time. I could’ve had it done months ago, but I was trying to be patient with him.”

Following the preliminary rein and herd work, where Swoop Dogg and Parkinson scored a 220.5 and a 215.5, respectively, the trainer felt good headed into the fence work preliminary at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. The stallion earned a couple of days off between the events.

“The reining and cutting were wham-wham, then we had three days before the fence work,” he explained.

“I focused on getting him out, moving him around, and then slowly working toward the next event. The first time you show one, they don’t have a clue, but the good ones start to figure out the parts and what [event] is coming next. You spend downtime letting the horse

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 57

PRIMO MORALES PHOTOGRAPHY

Left: With a 202.5 in the fence work preliminary, Parkinson and Swoop Dogg lost their shot at the Open Finals.

Below: Though consistent throughout the event, Pretty Martha Rey’s composite 649 wasn’t enough for an Open Finals berth.

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PRIMO MORALES PHOTOGRAPHY

know what’s coming next, and when they understand what's happening, it helps the outcome a lot.”

Similarly, Taormino and her crew hand-walked the four entries she had at the show.

“She’s tired, but the 3-year-olds are all tired, with all the show stimulus, but she’s doing well,” she explained.

“Fortunately, we use the saltwater spa almost every day. When they have time to rest, we let them. Today, we took them on a hand-walk to stretch their legs and have a day of rest without a saddle on their back.”

Taormino said that the mare was sitting on the bubble after the reined and herd work, with a 216 in the reined work and a 217.5 out of the herd.

When the buzzer sounded on Parkinson’s cow work preliminary, the pair marked a 202.5, ending their bid for a finals berth with a composite 638.5. Of the 279 horses that competed in the Open division, they landed tied for 132nd.

Taormino did make it to the finals, but not on Martha. The mare finished tied for 46th with a composite 649 after marking a 215.5 in the fence work preliminary. After all the work, time, sweat and anxiety, the Texas horsewoman summed it up succinctly.

“It's a constant battle to put mind over matter and just go do it because we all want to make the finals,” Taormino said. “If I do my job, I hope they’re trained good enough that they’ll do theirs, then we pray to the cow gods that it falls into place! You need to be okay with the peaks and valleys and not take everything that happens with a 3-year-old to heart.”

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T

HE GRAND FINALE It takes yearlong consistency and determination to win an NRCHA National title, but these riders were up to the challenge.

W

hether a competitor starts the year trying to win an NRCHA National Championship or takes up the charge halfway through, the feat can’t be taken lightly. It requires a good, solid horse, strategic riding, and a willingness to hit the road and show. The following riders had what it took to be crowned in their respective divisions after the 2023 show season.

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BY KRISTIN PITZER PHOTOS PROVIDED BY THE AWARD RECIPIENTS

///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

OPEN BRIDLE

Mary Janez & Ben Baldus, Owned by Carolyn Edson

T RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Ben Baldus: She’s super consistent and loves the fence work.

The faster the cow, the better she likes it! Our run during the Open Bridle class during the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® was a highlight, for sure.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

BB: “MJ” is an exceptional mare. Carolyn Edson and I have shown her this year, and she’s so consistent and capable. Carolyn made numerous boxing finals on her this year, and I’ve had her for the Open Bridle classes. It’s been a great fit, and MJ has been a true team player for both of us.

RCHN: What is your horse’s most special physical talent?

BB: The fence work is always exciting, and showing a horse like Mary Janez has been an honor. She truly loves to show, and to be able to count on her for the cow work is such a great feeling.

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hough they didn’t start off running for a title, as Ben Baldus rode Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles) throughout 2023, swapping back and forth with non pro/owner Carolyn Edson, it became clear the mare was sitting well in the Open Bridle standings. By the end of the year, Baldus and the mare settled as National Champions with 306 points.

“It was a pleasant surprise when we realized we were in the running for it,” Baldus said. “That mare has been really consistent and good, and she’s fun to share with a non pro. It’s a really good feather in her cap.”

It says a lot about a horse’s temperament and abilities when a trainer can double-up with a non pro, and Mary Janez certainly has stayed strong and dependable with both riders. Between shows, Edson keeps her legged up, and with just a little tune-up by Baldus, she’s ready to get back into the show pen.

“She’s good-minded, enjoys the reining and really loves going down the fence,” said Baldus, of Gainesville, Texas. “She's a naturally good fence horse. It's not something we have to put a lot of work or time into. She loves her job, so we’ll keep going with her next year.”

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LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE

TR Guns And Roses & Garrett Cooper, Owned by Karla Steckel

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arrett Cooper, of Whitesboro, Texas, has only been riding TR Guns And Roses (One Time Pepto x Miss Silver Gun x Colonels Smoking Gun) for about a year, but the pair synced quickly. After a banner year together, the duo was crowned the Limited Open Bridle National Champions with 173 points.

“It was very cool,” Cooper said. “She’s a special horse. I’m honored and grateful to get to ride her. I learned a lot on her. She’s been very fun.”

Cooper has shared “Axl” with her owner, Karla Steckel, all year and said the mare has a kind heart in addition to being pure-minded.

“She’s been great for her and me,” Cooper said. “She was very consistent and just very willing. She was always glad to be a part of the team and do her job, which made it a lot of fun.”

Cooper, an assistant trainer for Ben Baldus, has been riding primarily cow horses for about two years. He said thanks to Baldus and Josh Briggs, Axl was tuned up and ready to go by the time he got on her. He was grateful to Steckel for allowing him to ride the mare.

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RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

Garrett Cooper: The biggest challenge I faced was staying out of her way and letting her do what she is best at.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

GC: TR Guns And Roses is the purest-minded horse I’ve had the pleasure to show. She gives her best every time and has been incredibly consistent!

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NON PRO BRIDLE

Lanham Brown & Hesa Twisted Bet, Owned by R A Brown Ranch

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inning a national title wasn’t on Lanham Brown’s bucket list at the beginning of 2023. His main goal was to get Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan), who he shares with his wife, Josey, back into the show pen after an injury put the gelding out of commission for a few months. It only took a handful of shows for the pair to accumulate 159 points and win the Non Pro Bridle National Championship.

“I didn’t realize I was in contention until the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®,” said Brown, of Throckmorton, Texas. “It wasn’t a goal of mine to win the national standings at the beginning of the year—it was to get my horse shown as well as I could the few times I showed him at major events. We got along well, and it worked out.”

Brown was grateful Hesa Twisted Bet returned sound from his injury and appreciated the opportunity to show him in the bridle and extend his show career.

“It’s a neat accomplishment because there’s a lot of really good non pro bridle horses going,” Brown said. “It’s something I’m proud of, and I’m proud of for that horse to go on his résumé.”

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Lanham Brown: With this horse, it would be the World’s Greatest Non Pro finals.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

LB: He cut his leg at the beginning of the year and had to miss a few months while he recovered.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

LB: I think his overall strength allows him to be physical and gritty down the fence.

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///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE Tracy Adams & Perfect Light Time

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ast year, Tracy Adams and Perfect Light Time (CD Lights x BBR Perfect Timin x A Chic In Time) scored the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle National title. Despite several setbacks and no intentions to run for another year-end award this year, the pair again finished the year as National Champions in the same division.

“It was great because I won it last year, which was a total surprise, and then to repeat it was unbelievable,” Adams said. “It meant a lot. I love my horse so much and am so proud of him. He deserves the recognition because he’s really an amazing horse.”

Adams, of Poulsbo, Washington, said she’s changed a lot in the years she’s owned “Scooby.” The gelding was a lot of horse for her at first, but now, they are almost perfectly in sync.

“All my friends remind me how lucky I am to have him, which I don’t need to be reminded of because he’s so consistent and easy-going,” Adams said. “He’s a very laid-back horse, so when you’re not working a cow, he’s pretty lazy and a big, gentle guy. But once a cow gets in front of him, he’s ready to eat them up. That part is really fun.”

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Tracy Adams: We won the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Bridle at the Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

TA: Keeping “Scooby” fit and happy without drilling him too much. He knows his job, and I’m obsessive-compulsive about practice. My trainer, Trent, had to keep reminding me to let Scooby chill out between shows!

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

TA: His consistency and his courage. He is the most honest horse I’ve ever had. He shows just like he warms up. He loves to work the cows and is always happy doing his job!

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///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BRIDLE Megan Waddell & Boonshinen

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t the start of 2023, Megan Waddell felt on top of the world. She and Boonshinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders x Shiners Vintage) won the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes, and all was going well. By the middle of the year, though, things had taken a turn, and Waddell had gotten a little stuck in her head. She didn’t give up, though, and after lots of hard work and determination, Waddell could pull through and ride “Betty” to the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle National Championship.

“It means a lot because it took a lot of convincing to get me to go down the fence,” Waddell said. “We had some really high highs this year, but we also had some lows. There was a little time I wondered, ‘Can we do this?

Should we go back to going down the fence?’ and second guessing myself, so it means a lot to win that title and validate that we can do this.”

Waddell, of Sunset, Texas, was grateful for Betty’s solid presence as she regained her confidence. The mare is her first homebred, and she appreciates their special bond.

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Megan Waddell: This moment right here. “Betty” and I went through some peaks and valleys this season, so coming out of the year as a National Champion is a dream come true.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

MW: Believing in myself. It’s very easy when things don’t go right to start doubting yourself and your ability. When we were having a little moment of struggle, I started to doubt our ability to succeed and if we belonged going down the fence.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

MW: Her consistency and ability to adapt to anyone who’s riding her.

This year, she was shown in the Open and Non Pro and was ridden by my 6-year-old. Never did she falter. I know I can always count on her.

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OPEN HACKAMORE

Shine Like A Dime & Cayley Wilson, Owned by Michelle Cannon

A

fter a great year together, including a big run in the Open Hackamore at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, where the duo tied for first place, Shine Like A Dime (Shiners Nickle x Hickory Ten x Doc’s Hickory) and Cayley Wilson were crowned the Open Hackamore National Champions. The pair have been working together for the past two years, and while Wilson said it took a little time for them to sync up together, having the support and trust of owner Michelle Cannon was instrumental in getting the mare to where she is today.

“She was a little horse that was fairly slow to come on, and she just ended up becoming a good little hackamore horse,” Wilson said. “[Cannon] let us take our time, and the mare won a little bit, then won a little more. She just got better and better as this 5-year-old year came about.”

He plans to take the mare into the two rein after the NRCHA World Show and believes with her talent in the reined and fence work, she’ll keep getting better.

Originally from Canada, Wilson, who now lives in Rosston, Texas, said he enjoys getting to “ride with and learn from some of the best guys that are all around here.”

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Cayley Wilson: It was our hackamore finals run at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

CW: Keeping her air through the summer months.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

CW: She has a very similar stride to the cow down the fence, and she can read the cow exceptionally well.

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///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE

Bet On This Pepto 18 & Cassie Jo Marshall for TGR Quarter Horses, LLC

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Cassie Jo Marshall: My most memorable show moment was winning the Level 1 Open Derby at the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association Firecracker Show in Douglas, Wyoming.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

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t the beginning of the year, Bet On This Pepto 18 (Bet Hesa Cat x Ima Fern Believer x Peptoboonsmal) was bred and flushed for embryos.

However, an embryo was missed, and the mare ended up carrying her own baby. It didn’t slow her down, and by the end of the year, she and her unborn foal by A Vintage Smoke had carried Cassie Jo Marshall to the Limited Open Hackamore National Championship.

“We’re really excited about the baby,” Marshall said. “We joke that when it comes out, it’s already a National Champion because it’s been traveling with us all year.”

Marshall, of Post, Texas, and the mare have grown together a lot since the mare joined her program in November 2022. Though they initially had a few challenges as they figured each other out, Marshall said she now has complete trust in the mare to do her job.

“She’s pretty much automatic in the fence work,” said Marshall, who credited Jay McLaughlin for helping her be so successful. “I know every time I turn that corner and send her down the fence; she will get there and turn with the cow no matter how quickly it stops. She really seems to like that event most out of all of them.”

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CM: “Fern” unintentionally carrying her own baby throughout the entire show season. It’s a long story, but this was an unexpected challenge because the original plan was to have a recipient carry for her. However, no one realized the embryo didn’t come out in the flush until she was almost two months bred. At that point, we decided to keep the baby and let her carry it herself.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

CM: It’s really hard to say. She is such a huge stopper, but her fence turns are also incredible, which goes back to her being a great stopper. I guess I would have to say her cow work as a whole because she’s so automatic.

///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

NON PRO HACKAMORE

Garrell Reilly & Bet Shesa Playmate, Owned by Preston Williams

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Garrell Reilly: Putting a run together in the Non Pro Hackamore in the Will Rogers at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. “Sister” was just spectacular that day. It was a tough, tough class, the biggest I can remember in a long time. I think there were 30 entries. I was second behind Hope [Mills], but I'll take that as a win, considering it was her!

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

GR: My mental game is always my biggest challenge. My husband, Preston, is my biggest cheerleader and also my best mental coach.

With all of his success in the roping, he has an excellent mindset.

S

ince she got her as a yearling from breeder Yellow Creek Ranch, Garrell Reilly has always known that even though Bet Shesa Playmate (Bet Hesa Cat x Very Smart Playmate x Very Smart Remedy) was small, she’d go on to do great things. The mare proved herself and then some in 2023, carrying Reilly to the Non Pro Hackamore National Championship.

“It means the absolute world,” Reilly said. “I’m shocked, honestly. I feel just incredibly lucky to have won that title. That horse is so small, but she’s so mighty and eager. I’m happy that I get to do it for her.”

The mare has impressed everyone who’s had a hand in training her, Reilly said. She’s particularly good on a cow; she loves to run, and, overall, she’s been a pleasure to bring along. Reilly, of Casa Grande, Arizona, was grateful for the advice her husband, Preston, gives her each time before she goes into the show pen.

“He says, ‘Don’t go in there trying not to lose,’” Reilly said. “‘You have to go in there and show them what you’ve got. You’ve got a great horse, and you can do it. Go in there and show them what a great mare she is.’”

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RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

GR: Sister is a freak of nature. She is so small, 900 pounds, but she doesn’t know it. Her ability to work a cow is incredible, and she can run!

///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

OPEN TWO REIN

Bad To Tha Boon & Erin Taormino, Owned by Kathleen Pinkley

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hen Erin Taormino and Bad To Tha Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Bet On Merada x Bet On Me 498) started the 2023 show season, running for a title wasn’t on their agenda. As the season progressed, they started climbing in the standings, and by the end of the year, they’d won the title in the Open Two Rein. Sadly, Bad To Tha Boon’s owner, Kathleen Pinkley, passed away at the end of September and didn’t get to celebrate her gelding’s accomplishment, but Taormino knows it would have meant a lot to her.

“She loved that horse,” said Taormino, of Lipan, Texas. “He's been one of the most steady, consistent horses I’ve had, and she even showed him a little bit until she got her new horse. He was so good for her. He’d step up and be an open horse for me, or he’d do as much as she asked of him, so it was really neat.”

In addition to his good mind, Bad To Tha Boon is a strong gelding with a massive stop, Taormino said. She thinks those qualities, combined with his cow sense, will make him a good World’s Greatest Horseman™ prospect in the future.

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Erin Taormino: Getting the win in the Open Two Rein Spectacular and horse show class for Kathy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Hackamore Classic this year.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

ET: He’s got a ton of stop and is just a really strong, balanced horse. He gives you that feeling that he can handle anything.

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NON PRO TWO REIN

Tylor Todd & Voodoo Whiskey

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ylor Todd attempted to win a National Championship with Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) while the horse was in the hackamore, but they came up a few placings short. She was thrilled to finally make it with the gelding in the Two Rein this year after a big run in the class at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

“It was really special on him,” Todd said. “I’ve had him for three years, so to finally win the nation on him was super cool.”

Todd’s favorite moment of the year came from the World’s Greatest Non Pro. She admitted she was shocked when she made the finals, but even that surprise didn’t compare to what awaited her during the steer stopping.

“I’m not really a roper, but we marked a 221, so that was pretty cool,” said Todd, of Lubbock, Texas. “That was my favorite memory of the year.”

Todd said Voodoo Whiskey is typically a horse that likes to be left alone, but he’ll always give 110 percent in the arena.

“I like how serious he is about his job; I think it’s cool that he takes it that seriously,” Todd said. “He has a lot of heart. He really tries for you every time you go out there.”

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Tylor Todd: The World’s Greatest Non Pro. We won the Non Pro Two Rein and the Two Rein Spectacular Non Pro and got third in the World’s Greatest Non Pro RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

TT: He’s an easy horse and never has any issues. He’s lots of fun to show.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

TT: He’s a big stopper and loves to go down the fence.

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///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

YOUTH COW HORSE

Baily Shopbell & Shes Playin Rey, Owned by Gregg Lafitte

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Baily Shopbell: Winning the Youth Cow Horse at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® this year. Gregg and Jahn [Lafitte] could be there to watch me show “Jessie.”

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

B

aily Shopbell has admired Shes Playin Rey (TR Dual Rey x Playin Acre x Playin Stylish), who’s been in her dad’s program for almost 11 years, for a long time.

When owner Gregg Lafitte offered her the chance to show “Jessie” this year, Shopbell jumped at the opportunity. The pair accumulated 214 points to win the Youth Cow Horse National Championship.

“It’s really cool to grow up watching her and then get to show her,” Shopbell said. “It was amazing to get the chance to ride such a great one.”

Shopbell, 17, said she learned to go down the fence on Jessie. While she’s enjoyed getting to experience the mare’s talent, she also feels safe on her.

“I love that she does what I ask,” Shopbell said. “She’s always there and supporting me. She’s just a good mare. I struggle with [being hard on myself] daily, but that mare packs me so well. If I believe we can do it and put our minds to it, I’m a little less in the way if I don’t overthink it.”

Shopbell, of Whitesboro, Texas, looked forward to showing Jessie next year in cow horse and reining events.

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BS: The biggest challenge would have to be being hard on myself. I love this mare and always want to do well on her.

She’s like family. I want things to be perfect in everything I do. Horse showing is a very humbling sport, but man, I sure learned so much this show season.

I wouldn’t change anything, even the learning mistakes—they just made me better as a whole.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

BS: She’s a huge stopper, and she can circle the cow like nothing I’ve ever rode. Even if I’m wrong, she’ll get me to the right spot.

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NON PRO BOXING

Delinda Jokela & Ice Wynnd Fire

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RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Delinda Jokela: I love the Stallion Stakes show in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Riggs” and I tied for the Non Pro Boxing Spectacular—I had the lower cow score, so I was reserve. It was a huge class, and competition was fierce. We marked a 145.5 in the herd, and that was super exciting!

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

DJ: Our biggest challenge is getting enough time to practice on cattle. Cattle in my area are not very abundant, and cow time is a precious commodity.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

DJ: Riggs’ best physical talent is his ability to get in the ground working a cow. He’s so quick, sure-footed and really tracks the cow.

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ast year, Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (Peptoboonsmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) set a goal to win a National Championship, which they achieved in the Box Drive. Though they didn’t try for it in the Non Pro Boxing this year, they still won the year-end award.

“I was shocked,” Jokela said. “I never even looked at the standings, and then my trainer called and said, ‘Guess what?’ I was happy but very surprised.”

She credited “Riggs,” her partner for the last five years, for his consistency, saying she can always count on him in the show pen. The gelding is cowy and great in the reined work, too, and is “a good boy all the time.”

Next year, Riggs and Jokela, of Enumclaw, Washington, will start learning how to go down the fence together under the tutelage of their trainer, Dean McCann. Jokela will also test the limited-age event waters with the derby horse she recently added to her herd.

“Dean wants to keep our winning streak going and to set some lofty goals for 2024,” Jokela said. “I’ll have my hands full, but I think his big goal for me is to learn how to ride a younger horse and learn how to go down the fence.”

///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BOXING, YOUTH BOXING Carissa Schaafsma & Jills Last Bet

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Carissa Schaafsma: The time that my Chicago screw on my bridle broke in the middle of my boxing class while working the cow. The photographer snapped a memorable picture of the bridle flying through the air and the shocked expression on my horse’s face.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

W

hen Carissa Schaafsma bought Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark) at the end of 2022, she had no intention of running for a title in the New Year, let alone two. By June, though, she and the mare were on the board in the Youth Boxing and Intermediate Non Pro Boxing, so they made a few unscheduled trips to shows to maintain their position. They ended the year as the champions in both divisions, accumulating 228 and 217 points, respectively.

“I was very surprised, especially for the Intermediate Non Pro,” said Schaafsma, 18. “We definitely didn’t know each other at all at the beginning, so we had quite a few oops moments. She’s a really broke mare, and we’ve grown a whole bunch.”

Schaafsma, of Grants Pass, Oregon, plans to start going down the fence in 2024, and “Jill” will likely become her brother’s horse. Though she’s only been riding cow horses for about two-and-a-half years, Schaafsma has fallen completely in love with the sport.

“I really, truly love that we get to do all three events,” Schaafsma said. “I definitely say that I still love the cutting part of it more sometimes, but I really can’t pick. I love all of it.”

86 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

CS: Learning how to properly ride a sliding stop in my patterns. The position of my seat and the support necessary for my horse throughout the stop were challenges I faced all show season.

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

CS: Thanks to Brandon Staebler, I’ve been blessed with an exceptional horse.

She may be tiny, but she’s mighty. Her rundowns and stops are unbelievable, and her cow work is just as amazing.

What makes her even more special than other horses is her passion for the arena.

“Jill” simply loves to show.

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///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

LIMITED NON PRO BOXING

Sydney Whitling & Extra High Caliber

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Sydney Whitling: Earning reserve champion in the Intermediate and Limited Non Pro Boxing class at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® after tying with the winning composite score.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

SW: Changing up my habits to better fit my horse.

A

fter starting in the reining pen, Sydney Whitling and Extra High Caliber (Snipers Smoking Gun x Extra Dry Dazzel x Extra Dry Chex) switched to reined cow horse. They nabbed the Limited Non Pro Boxing title only a short time later.

“I didn’t have any plans of going that route with this horse, so it really means a lot to be able to do that for him,” Whitling said. “I showed him as a reiner, and then we just took the cow horse journey with him, so it was kind of shocking for him to do that well over a year.”

The switch in disciplines didn’t come without its challenges. Whitling had to relearn how to ride “Ruger” not only in the show pen, but also at home.

“He’s got more of a cow horse brain,” said Whitling, of Weatherford, Texas. “He thinks a lot, and he gets worried about stuff. But the more I showed him, the better he got.”

The reined work may still be the gelding’s strongest suit, Whitling added since he’s big and strong, but his eye appeal helps him in all three elements.

“It gives them a reason to want to mark him,” she said. “He looks really pretty with everything he does.”

88 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

RCHN: What’s your horse’s most special physical talent?

SW: He’s a good mover and has an attractive appearance in the show pen.

///////// 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

BOX DRIVE

Kendra Suhling & Metallic Slide

RCHN: What was your most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023?

Kendra Suhling: Probably the finals of the Box Drive at the Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, Texas. I feel like I left everything out there in the arena that day, and “Mouse” was there for me every step. We wound up reserve, but I couldn’t have been happier or asked her for more in that run.

RCHN: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the show season?

KS: Competing in the show arena inevitably leads to up-and-down moments. About the time you feel like you’re starting to figure it out, something falls apart. Working through those moments and improving your horsemanship along the way is always the biggest challenge.

RCHN: What is your horse’s most special physical talent?

KS: Mouse is a big stopper and is very cowy.

90 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

S

ince moving through the limited-age events into the bridle together, Kendra Suhling, of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Metallic Slide (Metallic Cat x Sliden Wright By x Smart Little Lena) have continued to advance in the cow horse. Two years ago, Suhling and the mare stepped up to the Box Drive, and this year, they garnered 151 points to win the title in the division.

“I’m excited we got to finish the year on a high note,” Suhling said. “I think it’s great they have a kind of intermediate class to help people get some confidence and get them ready to move to the fence classes.”

Suhling said “Mouse” is quirky and likes to pull shenanigans during practice, but she gives 100% percent under the bright lights. The horse also takes care of Suhling’s 6-year-old daughter and Suhling’s trainer, Abby Mixon’s daughter.

Suhling thanked Mixon, along with Don Murphy, for coaching her. She plans to start going down the fence on Mouse next year and raise the mare’s babies for future show prospects.

“I appreciate the industry and the association for all their support, particularly of their non pros,” Suhling said.

“I’ve shown in other associations and shown in different events, and by far I feel like we have the most support from the national association with NRCHA.”

///////// NRCHA MERIT AWARDS

M

ETTLE BEHIND THE MERIT

The NRCHA Merit Award Program recognizes outstanding equine performers at all competition levels.

T

he National Reined Cow Horse Association Merit Award Program recognizes equines that have performed at a consistent level of excellence in reined cow horse. Using their show record, which encompasses an entire career rather than single major event titles, as criteria enables the horse to earn distinction by winning smaller checks at regional and national competitions across the United States.

The NRCHA Merit Award Program is a testament to the longevity of those stalwart athletes whose owners and/or trainers can depend on them to bring home a win.

Owned by Rocking BS Ranch, Annies Smart Cat earned the Certificate of Ability and the Superior award in 2022 and tops the Supreme Merit list with $112,628.07.

92 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

CERTIFICATE OF ABILITY 2023 A Genuine Sioux / owned by Laurel Laba

Mitcheladaa / owned by Jordan Ribeiro

Annies Smart Cat / owned by Rocking BS Ranch

Ms Chics N Dun / owned by Lesli Gilbert

Awholelotalilbeers / owned by Kamber Ulmer

Nickles Playgirl / owned by Julia Jaspen

Bet She Can Dance / owned by Amanda R McCarthy

Nothing But Blu / owned by Alicia Bolls

Bet She Can Rock / owned by Molly Russell

One Ata Time / owned by Steven Mattson

Bet Shes A Royal Cat / owned by Krista Larouche BoonShinen / owned by Megan R. Waddell

Onetime At Booncamp / owned by Mack and Gretchen Dodsworth

Cant Stopp Believin / owned by Melinda L. Frye

Pepi N Smart / owned by Paul E. Or Amy D. Bailey

Catty La Sea / owned by Tall Timber Performance Horses

Peptilion / owned by Paul or Amy Bailey

Chicody Leo / owned by Jennifer Woodmansee

Perfect Light Time / owned by Tracy Leanne Adams

Clic Clic Boom / owned by Brad Or Stacia Lange

PJW One Time Only / owned by Margaret J. Anderson

Coyote Moonshine / owned by Wayne O. Kiel

Remember The Boon / owned by Sliding J Ranch, LLC

CR Dainty N Tuff / owned by Lee Ann McDaniel

Rey Vision / owned by 2 KM Farm & Ranch LLC

CR Dees Be Tuff / owned by Renee L. Berrey

Reyl Hott Roxy / owned by Debbie and Gavriel Pilorget

CR Hes A Tuff One / owned by Jill Olerich

Reyzin A Princess / owned by Andrea Luce

Cutting With A Gun / owned by The Sliding Sister Ranch

Roo To Do / owned by Red Arrow Ranch

Devil In The DeepBlu / owned by Debra Simpson

RTR Judge This Metal / owned by Shelley Clapp

Dualin Blu Moon / owned by Kelsey or Justin Mueller

Rubys Reypeat / owned by Lucinda Rose David

Elans Star Enterpriz / owned by Colton Lavelle

SDP Paper Chaser / owned by Amanda R. McCarthy

Fancy Lil Gun / owned by Tucker L Dove

Seven S Johnny Reb / owned by Roman Lucas Moran

Ferns Whiz / owned by Krystal Meade

Share The Night / owned by Amanda R. McCarthy

Full Send / owned by Meryl Reber

Shine Like A Dime / owned by Michelle Cannon

Glamour Royallty / owned by Kristy Kay Miller

Sippin Boons Farm / owned by Heather J. Vatcher

Here Comes The Boon / owned by Rocking BS Ranch

Smart Time Peppy / owned by Paul E. Or Amy D. Bailey

Hez Metallic / owned by Erica Swank

Smarter Than Nic / owned by Lesli Gilbert

Hippster / owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown Hobby Nic / owned by Rylee A. McGehee Honey VooDoo / owned by Karolyn K. Herrigstad Kit Kat Royal / owned by Jenna Stolting Light Sage / owned by Stacey L. Webb Lightly Armed / owned by Paul E Or Amy D Bailey Lil Stormy Jonez / owned by Sliding J Ranch, LLC Lillys Vaquero / owned by Clark W. Weaver Little Elk Dancer / owned by Allyson Bottini Make Money Moves / owned by Amanda R McCarthy

Smoking Pistol Whiz / owned by Christa Morris-Stone SnapDragons / owned by Shane A. Law Spin N Twist Arey / owned by Dylan A. Sponseller Spittin Hickory / owned by Julie Saxe Sprinkld ConfettiCat / owned by South Cove Ranch LLC Stylish Rebel Boy / owned by Amber Haglin This Latigo / owned by Meryl Reber Time To Lay It Down / owned by Andrea Luce Tomorrows Smart Star / owned by Heather Bartley

Meoww / owned by Erin Gendreau

Tuff Marshall N Town / owned by Matt Spahn (Spahn Land and Cattle)

Metalic Belly Dancer / owned by Tom and Carol Hulme

VE Autumns Malice / owned by Dr. Jeremy Alltop DVM

Metallic Babe / owned by Stephen A. Silva Metallic Blaze / owned by Lainey Grewing

Very Black Magic / owned by Kenneth E. and Julie Strickland

Metallic Cajun / owned by M-Heart Corp

Voodoo Whiskey / owned by Tylor R. Todd

Metallic Slide / owned by Kendra Suhling

Watch Me Be A Rebel / owned by Two Cowgirls LLC

CERTIFICATE OF ABILITY

The Certificate of Ability is the first award for which a money-earning reined cow horse can qualify. A horse will be certified after winning a total of $500 in any NRCHA class or combination of classes. It is the NRCHA’s intention that the Certificate of Ability be available to several horses that demonstrate proficiency in cow horse competition. Earnings from Category 2 Special Events are not counted toward this award.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 93

///////// NRCHA MERIT AWARDS

2023 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® OWNERS INCENTIVE FUND 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

94 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

SUPERIOR COW HORSE A horse that has earned $10,000 in any NRCHA class or combination of classes or events may receive the Superior Cow Horse award. All earnings from reined cow horse snaffle bit events can be added to the hackamore and bridle winnings to total $10,000 to receive this award. The NRCHA believes that any horse that wins $10,000 in a single class or combination of classes and events is certainly considered a Superior Cow Horse and should be recognized. Earnings from Non Pro Boxing, Intermediate Non Pro Boxing, Limited Non Pro Boxing, Youth Boxing, and Category 2 Special Events are not counted toward this award.

SUPERIOR REINED COW HORSES OF 2023 Annies Smart Cat / owned by Rocking BS Ranch

Nothing But Blu / owned by Alicia Bolls

Autumns Purple Rain / owned by Jessica Christensen

One Ata Time / owned by Steven Mattson

Bamb Boon / owned by Janie Dvorak-Compton

Peptilion / owned by Paul or Amy Bailey

Bet Shes A Royal Cat / owned by Krista Larouche

Perfect Light Time / owned by Tracy Leanne Adams

BoonShinen / owned by Megan R. Waddell

Remember The Boon / owned by Sliding J Ranch, LLC

Catty La Sea / owned by Tall Timber Performance Horses

Rey Vision / owned by 2 KM Farm & Ranch LLC

CR Dainty N Tuff / owned by Lee Ann McDaniel

Reyzin A Princess / owned by Andrea Luce

CR Dees Be Tuff / owned by Renee L. Berrey

Roo To Do / owned by Red Arrow Ranch

CR Hes A Tuff One / owned by Jill Olerich

Seven S Johnny Reb / owned by Roman Lucas Moran

Cutting With A Gun / owned by The Sliding Sister Ranch

Shine Like A Dime / owned by Michelle Cannon

Dualin Blu Moon / owned by Kelsey or Justin Mueller Elans Star Enterpriz / owned by Colton Lavelle Glamour Royallty / owned by Kristy Kay Miller Here Comes The Boon / owned by Rocking BS Ranch Hez Metallic / owned by Erica Swank Honey VooDoo / owned by Karolyn K. Herrigstad Lil Stormy Jonez / owned by Sliding J Ranch, LLC Lillys Vaquero / owned by Clark W. Weaver Little Elk Dancer / owned by Allyson Bottini Metallic Babe / owned by Stephen A. Silva

Sippin Boons Farm / owned by Heather J. Vatcher Smarter Than Nic / owned by Lesli Gilbert SnapDragons / owned by Shane A. Law Spin N Twist Arey / owned by Dylan A. Sponseller Sprinkld ConfettiCat / owned by South Cove Ranch LLC Stylish Rebel Boy / owned by Amber Haglin Time To Lay It Down / owned by Andrea Luce Tuff Marshall N Town / owned by Matt Spahn (Spahn Land and Cattle)

Metallic Blaze / owned by Lainey Grewing

Very Black Magic / owned by Kenneth E & Julie Strickland

Metallic Cajun / owned by M-Heart Corp

Voodoo Whiskey / owned by Tylor R. Todd

Mitcheladaa / owned by Jordan Ribeiro

Watch Me Be A Rebel / owned by Two Cowgirls LLC

///////// NRCHA MERIT AWARDS SUPERIOR NON PRO BOXING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD The Superior Non Pro Boxing Achievement Award was first presented by the NRCHA Board in 2019 as the Non Pro Limited award. It recognized the value Non Pro Boxing horses and riders contribute to the Association, and in return, added a new award to the long-standing program. Non Pro Boxing and Youth Boxing riders meeting criteria can receive the Superior Non Pro Boxing Achievement award, a new level specifically designed for horses that excel in their classes.

To qualify, the horse must have earned a minimum of $15,000 with a minimum of $1,000 in Limited Aged Events, such as Derbies or Futurities. This money can be earned in either fence class or boxing classes.

A minimum of $10,000 must be earned in Horse Show Category 1 Boxing classes, including monies earned in the Select and 13 and Under divisions.

Monies earned in Category 2 classes will not count toward the award.

SUPERIOR NON PRO BOXING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2023 Horse_Name

Owner

Riders

NPLS Earnings

Sex

Foal Year

Sire

BoonShinen

Megan R. Waddell

Chris Dawson, Megan Waddell, Jessica Ortiz

$13,694.40 M

2016

Smart Boons

Shine Up My Sliders

Dam

Devil In The DeepBlu Debra Simpson

Deb Simpson

$15,518.58 G

2015

Once In A Blu Boon

Witchy Maiden

Ferns Whiz

Krystal Meade

Krystal Meade, Arley Elliot, Brody Fitch

$15,725.25 G

2006

Whizmatic

Fernolena

Jills Last Bet

Carissa Schaafsma

Robert Chown, Cheryl Chown, Jubilee Stringfellow, Carissa Schaafsma, Brandon Staebler

$19,243.17 M

2014

Bet Hesa Cat

Shiners Diamond Jill

Kit Kat Royal

Jenna Stolting

Jenna Stolting, Julie Donovan

$19,755.17

M

2016

Kit Kat Sugar

Little Royal Blue

Metallic Slide

Kendra Suhling

Kendra Suhling, Wyatt Fisher, Kelby Phillips

$11,711.19

M

2016

Metallic Cat

Sliden Wright By

Rubys Reypeat

Lucinda Rose David

Lucinda David

$29,491.73 G

2016

Reys Dual Badger

Ruby Tuesday DNA

Sippin Boons Farm

Heather J. Vatcher

Heather Vatcher, Corey Cushing, Jason Grimshaw, Randy Gamble

$28,797.27 G

2012

Smart Boons

Peppy Nicolena

96 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

NON PRO BOXING ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE

SUPREME REINED COW HORSE

This is the first award for Non Pro Boxing horses to receive for their success in the arena. In order to earn this award, the horse must have earned a total of $7,500 in Horse Show Category 1 Boxing classes including Select, Youth Boxing and Youth Boxing 13 and Under.

The Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award is reserved for the unique individual that has shown and won money in all divisions and garnered $25,000 in earnings. A horse must meet the following criteria: a. The horse must have been shown in approved Limited Age Events (LAE) and earned at least $1,000 in these events. The horse must have been shown in the hackamore and have earned at least $1,000 in this event. Money earned at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic limited age event may count toward either LAE money or hackamore money, so long as it is counted only once. Up to $20,000 of any monies won at these two types of events can be applied to the total earnings required. b. The horse must win a total of $25,000.

After considering the totals earned from Limited Age Events and the hackamore, with the limitations previously stated, the remaining balance must be won in the bridle division. c. Money earned in the Non Pro Boxing, Intermediate Non Pro Boxing, Limited Non Pro Boxing, and Youth Boxing classes does not count toward the Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award. d. To fulfill the hackamore requirement, earnings must come from NRCHA Horse Show Hackamore classes or Hackamore Classic LAE money can count toward either LAE money or hackamore money, so long as it is counted only once. e. Money earned in the two-rein class will count as bridle earnings for the merit award program. f. Foals of 2000 and prior will be grandfathered into this program and are not required to have won the $1,000 in Limited Age Events and hackamore, but still must win a total of $25,000. As of January 1, 2002, earnings which count toward the Merit Awards are all NRCHA Approved horse shows, LAE and Category 1 Special Events.

Merit Award applications are available at nrcha.com/nrcha-merit-awards-program/.

NON PRO BOXING ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE OF 2023 BoonShinen / owned by Megan R. Waddell Call Me WR / owned by Erica Ann Katz CD Dee Vee Dee / owned by Jay and/or Wendy McLaughlin Devil In The DeepBlu / owned by Debra Simpson Ferns Whiz / owned by Krystal Meade Gunna Be Crazy / owned by Todd/Deanna Lambert Jills Last Bet / owned by Carissa Schaafsma Jojo Tari / owned by Lavert Avent Kit Kat Royal / owned by Jenna Stolting Little Elk Dancer / owned by Allyson Bottini Metallic Slide / owned by Kendra Suhling No Blu Aqui / owned by Amy D. Bell Over A Barrell / owned by Ron and Lanette Frye Pancho Lena / owned by Susan H. Stoltz Pepto Double Time / owned by Carolyn Meador Remedys Smooth Move / owned by Andrea L. and Jason D. Vietor Rubys Reypeat / owned by Lucinda Rose David Seven S Johnny Reb / owned by Roman Lucas Moran Shiners Darby / owned by Chris Cox Sippin Boons Farm / owned by Heather J. Vatcher Smooth Cat Voo / owned by Vera Earl Ranch Inc. The Fresno Fox / owned by Allysn Light Uno What Time It Is / owned by Julie A. Gibbons Unos Smokin Chic / owned by Ernie O. Beal

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 97

///////// NRCHA MERIT AWARDS

THE SUPREME REINED COW HORSES OF 2023 Horse_Name

Owner

Riders

Supreme TOTAL Earnings

Sex

Foal Year

Annies Smart Cat

Rocking BS Ranch

Lance Johnston

$112,628.07

S

2016

Sire

Dam

WR This Cats Smart Shiney Nu Annie

Bet Hesa Boon

Beverly L. Servi

Clayton Edsall, Tyler Merrill

$121,254.91

S

2014

Bet Hesa Cat

Flo N Blu Boon

Cutting With A Gun

The Sliding Sister Ranch

Dave Thacker

$32,199.10

M

2015

Spooks Gotta Gun

Miss Cut N Chex

Duallicious

Becky L. Smith

Robert Smith III

$78,662.36

M

2016

Dual Spark

Unos Charm

Glamour Royallty

Kristy Kay Miller

Kristy Miller, Matt Koch

$39,694.47

M

2016

One Time Royalty

Kitna Rey

Here Comes The Boon

Rocking BS Ranch

Lance Johnston

$227,150.21

S

2016

Once In A Blu Boon Stay Outta My Shorts

Lillys Vaquero

Clark W. Weaver

Clark Weaver, Brad Barkemeyer

$38,570.50

G

2013

Cat T Masterson

RS Lilly Starlight

Metallic Babe

Stephen A. Silva

Stephen Silva, Justin Wright

$59,071.99

G

2015

Metallic Cat

Shes A Stylish Babe

One Time Up North

Up North Performance Horses

Chet Martin, Cayley Wilson

$31,220.02

S

2016

One Time Pepto

Our Special Kitten

SnapDragons

Shane A Law

Zane Davis, Brady Weaver

$203,772.24

S

2017

Gunnatrashya

Catnaps

Tee Boone

Trey & Sandra Neal

Jay McLaughlin

$95,252.51

S

2017

Once In A Blu Boon Skeets My Bro

This Cats Forever

Jay And/Or Wendy McLaughlin

Ron Emmons, Ken Wold, Cutter McLaughlin, Holli Hutz

$54,403.43

G

2013

WR This Cats Smart Soula Jule Forever

Voodoo Whiskey

Tylor R. Todd

Tylor Todd, Joshua Briggs

$73,020.92

G

2017

Shiners Voodoo Dr

///// HOW TO APPLY

To apply for the Merit Award Program, complete the application and submit a one-time $50 application fee of to the NRCHA office by November 15 of the award year. All applicants are eligible for all levels of the Merit Award Program upon completion of each requirement. The NRCHA office calculates the applied horse’s show records and automatically processes the awards when each level is achieved.

///////// NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION: OUR SPONSORS

Event Sponsors

98 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Whiskey On Wheels

$248,000+ LTE 2 0 24 BR EED I NG FEE: $25 00 + CH UTE FEE - 6 PANEL N/N OWNE D BY : K & L PH ILLIPS | TRAINED B Y: CL AYTO N EDSALL

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

R

EGIONAL ROAD WARRIORS COMPILED BY JENNIFER PAULSON PHOTOS PROVIDED BY EACH NRCHA MEMBER

Across the U.S., Canada and even around the globe, NRCHA members put in the work to be named NRCHA Regional Champions for the 2023 show season.

CANADIAN REGION Open Bridle SMART TWISTED CAT/JOHN MURPHY

Limited Open Bridle REYDAS SUGAR KAT/SARAH WOLFS Owner/rider Sarah Wolfs and Reyadas Sugar Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Royal Reyda x Dual Rey) earned $2,472 to claim their title.

Open Hackamore DINERO KING/KENT WILLIAMSON

Owned by Wayne Bowd, Smart Twisted Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Little Twist O Pep x Dual Pep) and rider John Murphy began their journey when the horse was 2 years old. They earned $4,885 for their title. Along the way, they competed at the 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman™ and won the Open Bridle at the Calgary Stampede.

102 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Owner/rider Kent Williamson has had Dinero King (Woody Be Tuff x Spookys Got Cash x Miss N Cash) in his barn since the horse was 2 years old. He’s worked on consistency on his stops and smoothing out the herd work.

“He's a big horse, so everything is big in how he executes things,” Williamson shared.

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS CANADIAN REGION continued Limited Open Hackamore FRECKLES LITTLE SUN/MELODY ANDREWS

Non Pro Bridle/ Intermediate Non Pro Bridle/ Level 1 Non Pro Bridle/ Youth Cow Horse KATE V. WEDDERBURN/ BOOM TO THE MAX

Owned by Helga Roh, Freckles Little Sun (Freckles Golden Sun x Wimpys Little Whiz x Wimpys Little Step) and rider Melody Andrews earned $2,165 to claim their title.

“Showing him in the hackamore for the first time is my favorite memory of 2023; he took to it so well,” Andrews said. “He is so nice to show in the reining. He knows his job, and it helps make it easier to push for a better run when he’s with me all the way."

Open Two Rein HENDRIXX/JOHN SWALES Owned by Monica Wille, Hendrixx (One Time Royalty x Smooth Miss Trona x Smooth As A Cat) and John Swales earned $4,152 for their title.

Wille has owned the horse since he was a long yearling.

“Hendrixx was very consistent all season, and John was very happy with him at every show,” she said.

Non Pro Hackamore CARLENE SCHMIDT/WHATA STRONG CAT Home-raised Whata Strong Cat (Strong Enuf x Whata Way To Go x Pale Face Jose) and Carlene Schmidt earned $2,510 for their title. The pair’s highlight of the season came at the Calgary Stampede when they placed reserve in the Open Hackamore.

“I hadn't shown him much before this year, so I didn't know how much I could push him. It turned out that he loves to show,” she said. “He absolutely loves cows. He's very smart on a cow and reads them well.”

104 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Known as “Hart” around the barn, Boom To The Max (Maximum Echo x Docs Chickaboom x Doc Boomernic) served as Kate Wedderburn’s mount for the Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle, Level 1 Non Pro Bridle and Youth Cow Horse for the 2023 show season, earning $9,658.20 in total.

“My most memorable NRCHA show moment this year was during the Canadian Snaffle Bit Futurity because I finally entered a memorial fence challenge where we competed against open and non pro riders,” Wedderburn recalled. “I’ve wanted to compete in one for a very long time, so finally being able to do it and winning it was a very special moment for me and my bond with Hart. His endurance and speed, combined with how cowy he is, make him amazing down the fence.”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS CANADIAN REGION continued Non Pro Two Rein CODY HEINTZ/BMP STARFIRE PEPINIC

Cody Heintz remembers the Alberta Snaffle Bit Futurity’s Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular as a highlight of his 2023 show season with BMP Starfire Pepinic (Smart Starfire x Una Lista Pepinic x Smart Little Pepinic). In 2023, the pair earned $4,060 for their title.

“The biggest challenge this year was being consistent,” Heintz said. “We have a great horse and have been trying to stay out of his way and trust that he knows his job.”

Youth Boxing AYNSLEY BILYEA/STRAIGHT TO WIN

Aynsley Bilyea shared Straight To Win (Strait To Texas x Sliding To Win x Timmie Chex) with her grandmother and the horse’s owner Barb McCaughey. The youth rider and her horse earned $1,605 to claim their title.

“My most memorable NRCHA moment would have to be the Calgary Stampede show in July,” she recalled. “We had to qualify for the show by competing at the Northern Alberta Reined Cow Horse Club in the spring. I qualified to go and competed against some pretty tough competitors. ‘LT’ and I managed to earn reserve champion in Youth Boxing.”

106 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Non Pro Boxing DEBRA SIMPSON/DEVIL IN THE DEEPBLU

A team since 2019, Debra Simpson and Devil In The DeepBlu (Once In A Blu Boon x Witchy Maiden x Pretty Boy Cat) had the honor of qualifying for and competing at the 2023 Calgary Stampede, which Simpson said is a highlight of the show season. They worked hard to stay fit and ready to compete, and Simpson said Devil In The DeepBlu’s biggest talent lies in the cutting pen.

They earned $3,604.25 to take the title.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS CANADIAN REGION continued Intermediate Non Pro Boxing BILLIE JO BELT/WKK WHISKEYONTHEROAD

Billie Jo Belt and WKK Whiskeyontheroad (Red Dirt Roadie x This Whiskeys Smart x WR This Cats Smart) have been partners for two years. In 2023, they earned $1,865 for their title.

“Overall, I’d say learning to deal with the pressure that comes with showing in the derbies, trusting in my horse’s capabilities and remembering to have fun in the show pen are all pieces I had to work on at every show,” she said. “‘Roadie’ is an easygoing gelding with a nice, smooth lead change, and he's confident in the cow work.”

Box Drive NANCY PERLICH/METALLIC MOLLIE

Nancy Perlich and Metallic Mollie (Metallic Cat x April Foolish Hotrod x Colonel Hotrodder) captured their title with $2,035 in 2023 earnings. She and her son shared ‘Mollie,’ so the mare often showed three times in one day.

But it wasn’t an insurmountable task for this sweet mare.

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Limited Non Pro Boxing BONNIE KOETSIER/JAZZ TIME DARLIN

With earnings of $2,562.50 in the 2023 season, Bonnie Koetsier and Jazz Time Darlin (One Time Pepto x Otes Little Darlin x Hickoryote) worked their way from showing in ranch versatility to reined cow horse.

“My most memorable NRCHA show moment in 2023 was at a show in Claresholm, Alberta,” she shared. “It was the boxing portion of our run, and our cow was crazy! It was one that ran into the pen straight at you, with its tail in the air. I was so proud of ‘Gus’. He crouched down and stayed faced up to that cow and basically cut the cow while moving backward. That had him so dialed in that even when the cow broke away, Gus was hooked on for the rest of the run. It was amazing!”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS INTERNATIONAL REGION Open Bridle HIGHBROW FLETCH/GABRIELE POLI BARBERIS Owner Samisa Ranch Az. Agricola’s Highbrow Fletch (Royal Fletch x Lil Sally Cat x High Brow Cat) and Gabriele Poli Barberis earned $3,058.48 to claim their title.

Limited Open Bridle SMOKY SURPRISE/SOPHIE PAUCKER

In their more than 13 years together, Smoky Surprise (Cocos Snowball x Finales Demand x Demand Deposit) and owner/rider Sophie Paucker started out trail riding and then moved into reined cow horse events in 2023. They competed in their first Americana in Germany. In 2023, the pair collected $309.79 to claim their title.

Open Hackamore CR TUFF CALIE REY/TOMAS BART Owned by Karl Simon, CR Tuff Calie Rey (Woody Be Tuff x Calie Del Rey x Dual Rey) and Tomas Barta pocketed $2,237.20 for their title.

Open Two Rein TJ SHARP DRESSED MAN/MARTIN SCHEMUTH Owner/rider Martin Schemuth and TJ Sharp Dressed Man (Sharp Dressed Shiner x JK Gold Pine Dun It x Vivs Dun It) netted $1,253.21 to claim their title.

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Non Pro Two Rein/Bridle SABINE BRASCHE/BET HESA WILDCAT

Balancing training, showing and running her equine veterinary practice isn’t easy for Sabine Brasche. Still, she and Bet Hesa Wildcat (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Peptorella x Peptotime) captured $3,598.44 across their two classes to earn their titles.

“I bred, raised and trained him by myself, just like his mother and grandmother,” Brasche shared. “His mother was my first very successful cow horse, and he’s definitely stepping into her footsteps. He has many talents, and I think when he struggles with something, it’s mostly me holding him back. He’s very cowy and really strong at circling the cows.”

Intermediate Non Pro Bridle SYLVIA BATE/FIRST CATS GOT LUCK

After overcoming a trailer accident in 2022, Sylvia Bate and First Cats Got Luck (Cats Got Freckles x Latex Glo x Laxtexo Luck) earned $112 to take their title. They also won the Non Pro Two Rein at the Americana in Germany.

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS INTERNATIONAL REGION continued Level 1 Non Pro Bridle KLAUS PAUCKER/CHICS ELECTRIC SPARK

Klaus Paucker’s most prominent memory from 2023 with Chics Electric Spark (Jacs Electric Spark x Smart Chic Ohoney x Smart Chic Olena) is competing in their first Americana NRCHA show in Germany. The pair earned $244.48 in 2023 for their title. He said the herd work is their biggest challenge, but his horse has a huge stop and great turns.

Non Pro Boxing KAETHI GFELLER/CHICS SMART LOVER Kaethi Gfeller and Chics Smart Lover (Smart Chic Olena x Ellevi Love Jac x Mcjac Flash) earned $269.95 for their title.

Limited Non Pro Boxing CRISTINA CACCIOLATTI/CMP MIFI LEO JAC

Non Pro Hackamore SOPHIE-ALETT KRUSPE/SHARP SHINING GUN

They’ve been a pair since 2017, but in their first year competing in NRCHA events, Cristina Cacciolatti and CMP Mifi Leo Jac (Mifillenium x Leolena Jac x Spat Leos Jac) earned $138.24 for their title.

“We went from team penning competitions, so we had to learn everything about cow horse and handling a horse with a lot of engine,” she shared.

Box Drive FRANK KUNKEL/SNAPPER LIL BINGO With $1,088.28 in earnings, Sophie-Alett Kruspe and Sharp Shining Gun (Sharp Dressed Shiner x Love A Little Gunner x Colonels Smoking Gun) earned their title.

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A big win in Italy topped Frank Kunkel’s list of memories with his horse Snapper Lil Bingo (Peptos Lil Bingo x Snappers Victoria x Snapper Clay Bar). The pair’s $92.16 earned them the title.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTH CENTRAL REGION Open Bridle SMART LADIES SPARKLE/MATT KOCH Owned by XIT Ranch LLC, Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady x Shining Spark) and Matt Koch pocketed $2,100.50 for their title.

Open Hackamore SULENA PEPTO/MATT KOCH Owned by Linda Mars, Sulena Pepto (One Time Pepto x Shiney Sparklette x Shining Spark) and Matt Koch earned $1,844 for their title.

Koch waited for the mare to mature, and he appreciates her love of being a show horse.

Limited Open Hackamore BET ON THIS PEPTO 18/CASSIE JO MARSHALL

Taking the title in two regions, Bet On This Pepto 18 (Bet Hesa Cat x Ima Fern Believer x Peptoboonsmal), owned by TGR Quarter Horses, LLC, and Cassie Jo Marshall earned $3,455.50 total for their titles in the North Central and South Central regions.

“My most memorable show moment was winning the Level 1 Open Derby at the [Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association] Firecracker Show in Douglas, Wyoming,” Marshall said. “She’s such a huge stopper, but her fence turns are also incredible, which goes back to her being a great stopper.”

Limited Open Bridle GUS/TREA ALLEN Owner/rider Trea Allen has had Gus (Grade) in her barn for seven years.

They’ve learned together, and in 2023, they earned $1,197.50 for their title.

“I would say his special talent is putting up with me as his rider for all these years,” she shared. “He’s gone through my ups and downs with me since I was 15.

Open Two Rein REYSIN ROYALTY/ANDY G. KURTZ Owned by Mark and Lori Cross, Reysin Royalty (One Time Royalty x Forever And A Rey x Dual Smart Rey) and Andy Kurtz earned $1,774 for their title.

Non Pro Bridle/ Intermediate Non Pro Bridle KRISTY MILLER/GLAMOUR ROYALLTY

Pocketing $3,559.46 for their title, Kristy Miller and Glamour Royallty (One Time Royalty x Kitna Rey x Dual Rey) came together four years ago. Miller appreciates the horse’s consistency across all events.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTH CENTRAL REGION continued Level 1 Non Pro Bridle DIANE STEELE/SMOKIN REY DAR

Non Pro Two Rein REANNA DILLMAN/DANCING AT THE RITZ

Earning $1,101.5 in the class in 2023, Diane Steele and Smokin Rey Dar (Dual R Smokin x Little Miss Pepto x Peptos Stylish Oak) have been a team for five years.

“This was our first year in the fence class, and there were many memorable moments,” she shared. “But the most exciting was in Montrose, Colorado, when we won all three Non Pro Bridle classes and trophy buckles, donated by Horsefly Creek Vet Service. What I especially love about Rey Dar is he’s very laid back, and almost anyone could ride him until you put him on a cow. From a very early age, I was taught not to hold onto the saddle horn. But when the cow gate opens, he taught me I better sit deep and hold on.”

In their first year together, Reanna Dillman and Dancing At The Ritz (Nabisco Roan x LCR Knuckles x Dual Smart Rey) pocketed $1,079 for their title.

“I didn’t have a chance to ride much this year with my schedule,” she said. “It was a challenge to really trust ‘Cookie’ and go show. But between her foundation with Tim Unzicker and my husband, David Dillman, keeping her in shape and tuned up, and Cookie’s good nature, it was a challenge overcome! Cookie is a big, strong mare with all the talent, but her grit and try make her truly special. She gives her all every time, and she’s always there when I ask. She’s also a blast to show down the fence!”

Non Pro Hackamore JECCA R. OSTRANDER/BOXO OPUS MAGNUM

Gritty might best define Jecca Ostrander and her horse Boxo Opus Magnum (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic x Smart Chic Olena). She explained two reasons why, on their road to earning $2,213.75 for this title.

“The Colorado Reined Cow Horse Sagebrush Show in Pueblo, Colorado, was our most challenging with the extreme weather,” she shared. “We went down the fence with it snowing really hard. No one had planned to bring enough coats, and we didn't take what we had off all weekend. The association provided hand warmers. It was really fun! Later in the year, Magnum and I fell during our fence run in Tulsa at the Hackamore Classic [in Oklahoma]. My belt caught on the saddle horn, allowing me to stay on. I came right back up with him. The cow broke out of the gate, so I was awarded a new cow. It was really hard to go at that next cow—it was just as feisty as the first. We made a good run, but what an experience!”

116 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTH CENTRAL REGION continued Youth Cow Horse GRACYN SAFFERT/MONEY IN THE HOOD

Non Pro Boxing/Box Drive LESLIE GALE/HAL ON ICE A partnership for just over two years, Leslie Gale and Hal On Ice (Halreycious x Shes Icing Onthe Cat x High Brow Cat) earned a total of $3,991.01 for their two titles, all while splitting the mare’s time between training, showing and pulling embryos for breeding.

“She’s freakishly athletic and physical on a cow,” Gale said.

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing JOHN ANDREWS/YZ CAT

A team for three years, Gracyn Saffert and Money In The Hood (Meradas Money Talks x Hood River Melody x Mr Melody Jac) earned $792 to claim their title.

“Our biggest challenge is that this was my first year going down the fence, but I knew she knew her job, and I’ve been practicing and have a great coach, Lance Scheffel,” he said. “I knew we could do it! Hannah is very strong in the reining, and she will circle a cow no matter what!”

Youth Boxing MASON TAGGART/ONE TIMIN KATIE

Earning $1,255.18 to claim their title, John Andres and YZ Cat (Metallic Cat x Shes Pretty And Wise x Wise Play) showed at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes for the first time in 2023.

“When it was our draw, we rode into the amazing arena with a sliding stop as the first maneuver,” he recalled. “I felt ‘Handyman’ slide the longest and drop the most he ever had thus far in our showing together. He’s so honest and always remains calm in the show pen. He always gives 100 percent with each event, even with an intense show year.”

Limited Non Pro Boxing KARISSA MISIK/LENAS LIL DANCER

Partners for two years, Mason Taggart and One Timin Katie (One Time Pepto x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight) earned $532.44 to take their title.

“This year, I learned every ride isn’t going to go perfectly; we just keep learning as we go,” Taggart said. “‘Katie’ loves to work a cow. I know she’ll always give me 100% on a cow.”

118 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“My most memorable show moment was one of the first shows of the season in Pueblo, Colorado,” she said. “It was late April, and we usually get some pretty nice weather. But this year, we were one of the first few classes of the day, and it was below freezing, with snow blowing sideways. Warming up and showing in a snowstorm was certainly memorable on its own, but we also got the toughest cow I've ever had. I thought we would lose it several times, but we stayed focused and held it! We won both classes that weekend, and I won my first buckle ever!”

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHEASTERN REGION Open Bridle TL BOONSTRUCK/CHET MARTIN

Limited Open Bridle ELANS STYLISH/SKYLER LAWSON

Owned by Haley Turnell, TL Boonstruck (Boon A Little x One Pepto Diva x One Time Pepto) earned $1,271 to claim their title.

“He is a legit multi-event horse,” Turnell said. “He can cut, rein, cow horse and rope, and he does all of it well. He’s also only 13.3 hands, which makes him extra unique.”

Open Hackamore SASSYS SMOOTH CAT/CHET MARTIN

Owner/rider Skyler Lawson piloted Elans Stylish (Elans Playboy x IPH Steady N Stylish x Start Me A Tab) to their title after partnering since the horse was a yearling.

“At our last affiliate show of the year, he was really good down the fence, and I knew it secured our standing in the region,” Lawson shared.

“He’s a really big stopper.”

Limited Open Hackamore CR TUFF N SMOOTH/SKYLER LAWSON

Owned by Marie Fraser, Sassys Smart Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Shining N Sassy x Shining Spark) earned $700 for their title.

“We bought her from Erin Taormino’s program as a 2-year-old and have had her ever since,” Martin shared. “My favorite show moment with her is anytime I get to go down the fence on her. She is a true fence horse. She’s extremely cowy and won’t get outrun. She’s also fun to ranch rope on. I love this horse because we’ve done so many things together that I feel like we are truly a team.”

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Purchased at the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sale, owner Gabrielle Crawford trusted the reins of CR Tuff N Smooth (Woody Be Tuff x Mercedes Smoothe x Smooth As A Cat) with professional Skyler Lawson to pocket $1,277.40 to claim their title. Lawson said the mare knows her job and is super down the fence.

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHEASTERN REGION continued Open Two Rein SHEZ NOT TRASHY/JED J. LAWRENCE

Intermediate Non Pro Bridle JENNIFER BLACK/SOME SWEET BETTINCAT In 2023, Jennifer Black and Some Sweet Bettincat (Bet Hesa Cat x Some Kinda Sweety x Sweet Lil Pepto) earned $1,499 for their title.

“The best moment for me at an NRCHA Show in 2023 was at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®,” she said. “It was the first premier event for us to go down the fence as a team, and he was great! We won the Select Non Pro Bridle and finished eighth in the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle.

What a great experience.”

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle DESIREE J. HOYT/DB STRICTLY BUSINES Owned by Meghan O'Brien, Shez Not Trashy (Gunnatrashya x Sheza Shady Slider x Shining Spark) and Jed Lawrence earned $730 for their title.

“She missed her 5-year-old season, so getting her ready to show in the two rein rig and being patient while she figured it out was challenging, but she was a trooper,” O’Brien shared. “She’s such a big stopper. I never have to wonder if she is going to stop.”

Desiree J. Hoyt and DB Strictly Business (Smooth As A Cat x Moms Stylish Scoot x Smart Lil Scoot) earned $984.40 for their title.

Non Pro Hackamore KASEY SNOW/STYLISH VIXEN

Non Pro Bridle ALLYSN LIGHT/BET LUCKY 13

Pocketing $826.60 for their title, Kasey Snow and Stylish Vixen (Mr Playinstylish x Playboys Vixen x Hickoryote) have partnered for two years.

“My most memorable moment was when I scored a 147 in the hackamore,” she shared. “‘Sophie’ is a huge stopper—I can always count on her to lay out a monster stop!”

Allysyn Light has owned Bet Lucky 13 (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight) for seven years, but 2023 marked the first year the horse showed solely in non pro classes. They earned $300 to claim their title.

“Every time I get to show him is pretty cool,” she said. “He’s really physically talented, but his mind is what makes him special.”

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Non Pro Two Rein LIA J. SAVAS/WH FLASH LARUE Lia J. Savas and WH Flash Larue (JR Red Diablo x Chulas Merada x Chula Dual) pocketed $404 to claim their title.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHEASTERN REGION continued Youth Cow Horse GABRIELLE CRAWFORD/SMOKIN JONEZ A pair for two years, Gabrielle Crawford and Smokin Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Smoke My Boots x Doc O Boots) earned $344.20 to take their title. Their most significant moment of 2023 was making the finals at the NRCHA World Show, all while balancing her schoolwork.

Youth Boxing TRISTAN COX/MISS POCO HONEY BEA

Non Pro Boxing JILL FLINT/DIAMONDS N CAICOS With two years together, Jill Flint and Diamonds N Caicos (Time For The Diamond x CR Wood Be N Caicos x Woody Be Tuff) earned $565 this season for their title, including a reserve title at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic. Flint works to focus on riding the horse she has that day instead of focusing on the win, and she says her horse loves to turn.

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing ELIZABETH PICCONE/THIS CATS BOSS

In 2023, Tristan Cox and Miss Poco Honey Bea (Mr Poco Holly Do x Cindy Skip Bar x Bold Dynamingo) earned their highest score ever, on top of making $171.20 for their title.

He’s working on getting more aggressive and trusting his horse, and he shared that she has a lot of eye appeal in her circles.

Box Drive SARAH CANEVARI/ONE TIME AT BANDKAMP While grieving the loss of a filly, Sarah Canevari managed to pilot One Time At Bandkamp (One Time Pepto x Wonderin In The Reyn x Dual Rey) to $649.47 in earnings to claim their title.

“In November ‘Rey’ and I won the ARCHA Limited Non Pro Boxing Spectacular, it was our biggest paycheck to date,” she shared. “Rey can really turn it on in the show ring and throw down a big stop if she is in the right mood.”

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Pocketing $502.90 for their title, Elizabeth Piccone and This Cats Boss (WR This Cats Smart x Boss Woody x CD Lights) have competed together for four years. Piccone was challenged by staying relaxed and controlled in the rundowns, and she shared that her mare has excellent expression and read on a cow.

Limited Non Pro Boxing NICHOLAS CANEVARI/ICHI PATRONA With $567.62 in season earnings to secure their title, Nicholas Canevari and Ichi Patrona (Cat Ichi x Shiney Patrona x Shining Spark) are ready to transition from straight boxing to setting up a cow to go down the fence.

“Patrona has always taken care of me on a cow,” he said.

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHWEST REGION Open Bridle LIGHT ON THE WHIZKEY/SCOTT SEEKLANDER

Owned by Joanne Pettit, Light On The Whizkey (Whizkey N Diamonds x Starlight On The Bay x High Brow Cat) earned $2,971 to claim their title. “‘EZ’ was originally sent to Scott in 2020 for training as a non pro reining horse,” Pettit said. “One day, when I came to the barn to ride, Scott mentioned that he’d used EZ as a turnback horse and that he was very cowy. I said, ‘Let's put him on cows and see how he does.’ Six months later, Scott and EZ won the Limited Open Derby at the NWRCHA Summer Showdown. EZ's special talent is his mind and attitude that allows Scott to show at him at a high level in the Open Bridle and remain quiet enough for me to show him as a beginner cow horse rider.”

Open Hackamore ROK N ROLL/DAN ROSER

Owned by Jodi and Rich Charrier, Rok N Roll (Sannman x Peek Of Faith x Peek A Pep) was started by Dan Roser and returned to his barn in 2022.

They amassed $5,886 in 2023. Roser cites winning four hackamore titles in 2023 as one of the best memories the horse’s connections share. They overcame challenging circumstances when an outside horse caused Roser’s barn to go under quarantine this summer. Still, they persevered and ended up on top of the Hackamore in the Northwest region.

“Jodi and Rich Charrier are highly successful individuals,” Roser said of Rok N Roll’s owners. “Their knowledge and passion for the cow horse have been key to the success of this horse and our partnership.”

Limited Open Hackamore ELANS STAR ENTERPRIZ/MACK DODSWORTH

Limited Open Bridle ONETIME AT BOONCAMP/MACK M. DODSWORTH

Onetime At Booncamp (Blue One Time x Dualin Little Boon x Dualin Boon) and Mack Dodsworth had teamed up for two years before earning their title with $1,845 in 2023. This show season, they worked to be more consistent.

Dodsworth praises his horse’s fence work as his biggest talent.

“He’s the type that just loves to work cattle,” Dodsworth said. “He has so much try and natural talent on a cow. He makes everything pretty easy.”

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Owned by Colton Lavelle, Elans Star Enterpriz (Elans Holibar x BG Dun It Fine x Jerry Lees Dun It) and Mack Dodsworth earned $2,896 for their title.

The trainer praises the mare’s heart and grit to help make her a great cow horse.

Open Two Rein HOLLY CHET X JIM W. SPENCE Owned by Pamela Resetar Davini, Holly Chet (Hickory Holly Time x Vandas Spark x Shining Spark) and Jim Spence earned $6,216 for their title.

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHWEST REGION continued Non Pro Bridle KARNELL PERRY/MISS SOLANO CAT

Intermediate Non Pro Bridle TARA MATSLER/SMOKETTA CAT

A team for four years, Karnell Perry and Miss Solano Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Miss Solano Rey x Dual Rey) earned $5,030 for their title.

“She is a fence horse,” Perry shared. “‘Ariel’ was on a streak this summer, marking 75s down the fence for several shows in a row. I was showing at the MRCHF show in Kalispell, Montana, and the snap on my romal broke during my first fence turn. Ariel kept her composure and finished the run without much of a hiccup and ended up placing second.”

In their first season together, Tara Matsler and Smoketta Cat (Dual R Smokin x Fletchetta Cat x High Brow Cat) claimed their title with $2,643.90. The mare had previously competed with Matsler’s father, Terry.

“I took several years off from showing reined cow horses, and it’s been quite the effort to get back in the groove,” Matsler shared. “‘Loretta’ is so talented and covers many of my mistakes.

My futurity horse also thanks her for bearing the brunt of my re-introduction with reined cow horse. Loretta is so athletic and talented. I treasure that she has a huge heart and so much try.”

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle LINDSAY AWBREY/DYNAMITE KAT

Non Pro Hackamore STEPHEN CLINE/NIC IT N STARLIGHT

With four years together, Lindsay Awbrey and Dynamite Kat (Tomcat Chex x AR Dynamite Powder x Powder River Playboy) have made many memories. They pocketed $2,420 for their title.

“My most memorable moment was winning the region,” she shared. “I’d been reserve champion in different classes the two years previous, so I was extremely excited to get the win in 2023. It all came down to my last show in Idaho. My horse ‘Goo’ is great down the fence. He makes huge turns and fires out with a ton of power. He hustles and shows heart with every run we make. I am truly blessed to use him in the show pen and every aspect of ranch life. He is really fun to rope on as well.”

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Stephen Cline’s homebred, -raised and -trained mare Nic It N Starlight (Whiz N Starlight x Nic It Chic x Nic It In The Bud) is out of Cline’s first bridle mare. The pair netted $2,132 to earn their title.

“Last spring, she severely injured her leg, and her future athletic career was questionable,” Cline shared. “She sat out almost all last year, and I always felt like she was behind. Our other challenge was balancing the responsibilities of owning a business and maintaining my horse at home.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS NORTHWEST REGION continued Non Pro Two Rein ANTONIETTE HARMS/METALLIC MINI Using his athleticism in the herd and down the fence, Metallic Mini (Metallic Cat x Pow Wow Pep x Hickorys Indian Pep) and Antoniette Harms secured $2,710 to earn their title.

“Training and keeping my horse schooled for the shows in Montana’s unpredictable, challenging weather can be challenging,” she said. “Our highlight of the year was winning the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular at the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Classic Derby & Horse Show.”

Youth Cow Horse KARLEE VANDERSNICK/STYLISH HERITAGE Karlee Vandersnick and Stylish Heritage (Docs Stylish Oak x Miss Meow x High Brow Cat) pocketed $1,590 for their title.

Box Drive JAMIE SHUMAKER/LIL JOHN HENRY

In their third year of reined cow horse competition, Jamie Shumaker and Lil John Henry (Little Trona x Glo A Little Smarter x King Glo Solano) netted $1,760.83 for their title.

“Our most memorable show moment was at the Idaho Magicality Futurity, Derby and Horse Show, where we were finally able to put all the pieces of our reining pattern together and scored our highest score to date,” she shared. “‘LJ’s’ most special physical talent is his stop. He's really shown me this year how great his stops can be.”

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing CARISSA SCHAAFSMA/JILLS LAST BET Carissa Schaafsma and Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark) earned $3,070.25 for their title.

Youth Boxing CARISSA SCHAAFSMA/JILLS LAST BET Carissa Schaafsma and Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark) earned $2,305 for their title.

Non Pro Boxing DELINDA JOKELA/ICE WYNND FIRE Delinda Jokela and Ice Wynnd Fire (Peptoboonsmal x Fancy Frostina x Smart Little Lena) claimed $3,027.75 for their title.

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Limited Non Pro Boxing JACKIE TOWLE/WIMPYS LITTLE HAVOC Showing an older horse has its perks. Jackie Towle appreciates the maturity and consistency of Wimpys Little Havoc (Wimpys Little Step x Miz Santana Anna x Topsail Whiz). The pair earned $472.50 to claim their title.

“My standout memory of 2023 is riding in a thunder and rainstorm in an outdoor arena,” she shared. “The weekend hadn’t been going well, and I didn’t know how ‘Havoc’ would handle the thunder because he tends to be shy. The weather didn’t bother him, and, in fact, he seemed to enjoy it. We had our best ride of the show. I was so proud of him!”

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTH CENTRAL REGION Open Bridle MARY JANEZ/BEN BALDUS

Open Two Rein BAD TO THA BOON/ERIN TAORMINO

Owned by Carolyn A. Edson, Mary Janez (Travelin Jonez x Daphne Doo Right x Chex My Freckles) and Ben Baldus earned $12,089.90 to claim their title.

Limited Open Bridle MISS SPARKIN CHICS/SAMUEL BREMENOUR Owned by April Williams, Miss Sparkin Chics (ARC Sparkin Chics x Von Bondie Lena x Moon Me Pepto) and Samuel Bremenour earned $2,518.25 for their title.

Open Hackamore SHINE LIKE A DIME/CAYLEY WILSON

Owned by Michelle Cannon, Shine Like a Dime (Shiners Nickle x Hickory Ten x Docs Hickory) and Cayley Wilson earned a whopping $14,316 to claim their title. “‘Dime’ has a tremendous ability to read a cow going down the fence and has so much heart,” Cannon shared. “She’s determined not to get beat by a cow.”

Limited Open Hackamore BET ON THIS PEPTO 18/CASSIE JO MARSHALL Bet On This Pepto 18 and Cassie Jo Marshall also claimed this title in the North Central region. Please see complete write-up on page 114.

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Owned by Kathleen Pinkley, Bad To Tha Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Bet On Merada x Bet On Me 498) and Erin Taormino pocketed $7,772 to earn this title. Keith Pinkley said the title is in memory of his late wife, Kathy.

“Our most memorable show moment of 2023 was ‘Tat’s’ reserve championship in the Open Two Rein at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and thinking of my wife, Kathy,” he said.

Non Pro Bridle LANHAM BROWN/HESA TWISTED BET

Lanham Brown started Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x R A B Twistin Dodger x Little Twistin Juan) as a 2-year-old and never looked back. They earned $6,098.75 to capture their title.

“My best memory of 2023 on this horse was making the Non Pro World’s Greatest Horseman™ finals,” Brown shared. “His overall strength sets him apart.”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTH CENTRAL REGION continued Intermediate Non Pro Bridle BIRGIT SELF/MARTINIS BET 15

Non Pro Two Rein TYLOR TODD/VOODOO WHISKEY

Showing at the Kimes Ranch Western Derby was a highlight for Brigit Self and Martinis Bet 15 (Bet Hesa Cat x Dual Martini x Dual Rey) during the 2023 show season. The pair earned $2,443.40 for their title. “'Martini' is a phenomenal show horse with a big personality,” she said. “He's consistent in the show pen and excels in all three events: herd work, reined work and fence work.”

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle MEGAN WADDELL/BOONSHINEN

In her first full year going down the fence, Megan Waddell and partner Boonshinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders x Shiners Vintage) earned a total of $2,894.25 for their title.

“The biggest challenge I faced this show season was not letting a bad run affect my confidence,” she said. “This was our first full year going down the fence. We had two shows where we struggled, and keeping my mental game strong was hard. Chris Dawson told me it’s all part of the process. I really had to keep my chin up and remind myself even the pros have their bad days, and ‘Betty’ and I can do this.”

Partners for three years, Tylor Todd and Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Iris Whiskey) shared a big highlight in 2023: placing third in the World’s Greatest Horseman ™ non pro division. They earned $3,397.5 for their title.

“He’s the easiest horse to be around,” Todd said. “There are never really any challenges with him. He’s a huge stopper and loves to go down the fence.”

Youth Cow Horse BAILY J. SHOPBELL/SHES PLAYIN REY Baily Shopbell and Shes Playin Rey (TR Dual Rey x Playin Acre x Playin Stylish) earned $3,278.8 to claim their title.

Youth Boxing/Box Drive TALEN BARRY/SMART REM N BE

Non Pro Hackamore MYLES BROWN/OVERTHELEGALLIMITRAB Myles Brown and OverTheLegalLimitRAB (One Time Royalty x Billie Travis x Continental Fly) pocketed $1,589.40 for their title.

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Partnering for five years, Talen Barry and Smart Rem N Be (Very Smart Remedy x Be Bob To Reno x Bob Acre Doc) took two titles, with total earnings of $3,595.25.

“My horse’s best physical talent is working a cow,” she shared. “No matter what, I can count on him to do his job.”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTH CENTRAL REGION continued Non Pro Boxing KENDRA SUHLING/METALLIC SLIDE Kendra Suhling and Metallic Slide (Metallic Cat x Sliden Wright By x Smart Little Lena) have progressed from limited-age events to bridle classes.

They earned $1,983 for their title.

“My biggest memory of 2023 is the box drive finals at the Celebration of Champions,” she shared. “I felt like I left everything in the arena that day, and ‘Mouse’ was there for me every step. We ended up reserve champions, and I couldn’t have been happier.”

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing/ Limited Non Pro Boxing SYDNEY WHITLING/EXTRA HIGH CALIBER Once she adapted her habits with Extra High Caliber (Snipers Smoking Gun x Extra Dry Dazzel x Extra Dry Chex), Sydney Whitling clicked with her horse. The pair earned a total of $4,489.38 to earn their two titles. She says her horse is a good mover and is attractive in the show pen.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION Open Bridle TIMEFORLIGHTENING/BEN BOWMAN Competing across two divisions successfully can be challenging, but TimeForLightening (One Time Pepto x SDP Gretchens Kitty x Hydrive Cat) managed to find success in the Open Bridle with Ben Bowman and in the Boxing with his wife, Lisa Marie. Bowman and the horse collected $2,505 in the Open Bridle in his region to claim the title.

Open Hackamore FLASHED/JOE W. HARPER Owned by Diane Wilson, Flashed (Catty Hawk x Dual Reyann x Dual Rey) and Joe Harper earned $3,942 for their title.

Limited Open Bridle BOONS REFLECTION/CHRIS WARD

Shannon Ward’s Boons Reflection (Yellow Roan Of Texas x Cutta Reflection x Colonels Reflection) and Chris Ward earned $2,057 for their title. At the pair’s final show of 2023, the horse marked a 75 down the fence, a personal best.

“I tried to make sure he was comfortable and sound the entire show season with the help of good vets and a good farrier,” Chris Ward said.

“He’s just become a great horse to me.”

Limited Open Hackamore SMART BLIND ANNIE/CHRIS WARD

Owned by Marsha Brantley, Smart Blind Annie (Blind Sided x Smart Shiney Annie x Smart Shiner) and Chris Ward pocketed $1,695 for their title.

“She’s fun to show—the entire year was fun,” he shared. “I was most worried about running out of her favorite treats at the shows!”

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTHEASTERN REGION continued Open Two Rein CLIC CLIC BOOM/ELISE C. ULMER

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle LIZ WAGUESPACK/MISTER HICKORY SMOKE

Owners Brad and Stacia Lange’s Clic Clic Boom (Chic Please x Alice In Boomerland x Mr Boomerjac) partnered with Elise Ulmer to earn $906 for their title.

Non Pro Bridle FRANCES LABOURDETTE/TIME ENOUGH FOR LOVE

In 2023, Frances Labourdette and Time Enough For Love (This One Time x Shining Peptolena x Shining Spark) found their groove, earning $1,550 for their title.

“Katie is very athletic,” she said. “She can stop big, turn pretty and change leads effortlessly. Her attitude is also one of her greatest assets.”

In their first show season together, Liz Waguespack and Mister Hickory Smoke (Mister Dual Pep x Mary Jo Hickory x Docs Hickory) overcame Waguespack’s knee injury to earn $1,710 for their title.

“When all the pieces you've been working on in practice come together in a show—that feeling is just really amazing,” she shared. “We had an incredible show in Memphis, Tennessee, in November, with each show getting stronger and stronger. We followed it up with our highest score ever in Andalusia, Alabama, at the Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance’s final show of the year.”

Non Pro Hackamore LUCAS A. MCCULLOUGH/SHES SLIDIN ON ICE Intermediate Non Pro Bridle LISA SYKES/SHINEE HOT WHEELS Lisa Sykes brought Shinee Hot Wheels (Shining Lil Nic x Paymethemoney x Lena My Way) to Florida in 2022.

The pair won $372 in 2023 to claim their title.

“Shinee Hot Wheels has many talents, but he can stop like there’s nobody’s business—I can’t always time it right, but when I can, it’s pretty perfect,” she said.

“He’s also an amazing ranch riding horse.”

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Lucas A. McCullough and Shes Slidin On Ice (Gunner On Ice x Slidin For Chex x Nu Chex To Cash) earned $482 for their title.

Non Pro Two Rein JENNIFER RICHARDS/BRIGHT CD LIGHTS After the injury of her longtime mare, Jennifer Richards connected with Bright CD Lights (CD Lights x Jennys Spark x Shining Spark) in 2022. During the 2023 season, the pair earned $1,740 to capture their title.

“There are so many amazing memories, but probably the most memorable moment was the very last class at the very last show of the year,” she said. “My goal was just to be braver going down the fence. That entire weekend, we had consistent runs, but I wanted to finish strong. The minute the whistle blew, I knew we had accomplished that goal. I immediately stepped off and gave ‘Vegas’ a big hug!

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTHEASTERN REGION continued Youth Cow Horse ISABELLA SLIPHER/A SMART REMARK

Non Pro Boxing SUSIE LANE/ROANY REY JAY

A pair for three years, Susie Lane and Roany Rey Jay (Boonlight Dancer x Rey Janie Starlight x Grays Starlight) might’ve had trouble finding cows to work, but they managed to net $1,208 for their title.

“He always gives his best regardless of me,” she said. “The year 2023 was a challenging one for me personally, so I didn’t get to ride as much as I would’ve liked, but this horse was always there for me. He’s so good-minded and does his job as long as I don't get in his way.”

Earning $874.60 to claim their title, Isabella Slipher and A Smart Remark (Mark This Spot x Smart Little Sadie x Smart Little Calboy) were proud to earn a score in all but one reined work all show season, though she admits her horse of three years did lose a shoe at every show in 2023.

Youth Boxing JOSIE MANSFIELD/HAPPY TO CD SUN

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing DIANA TEMPLETON/PRINCESS IN PLATINUM Personalities that work together helped Diana Templeton and Princess In Platinum (Platinum Vintage x ARC Martina x Smart Little Lena) pocket $745 to earn their title.

“It’s hard for me to choose one special talent,” she shared. “But her sliding stop impresses me. I love her in the pen just as much as in the stall. She is a very kind mare.”

Limited Non Pro Boxing LEE BALDOCK/ SMART N SMOKIN REY

Challenged by balancing school and a busy competitive schedule, Josie Mansfield and Happy To CD Sun (Sundoctor x Happy CD x CD Olena) netted $796.70 to secure their title.

“My most memorable moment from the 2023 season was at the Larry Westmoreland Memorial Show in Monroe, Louisiana,” she said. “‘Gracie’ had never felt better, and we ended up with our highest cow work score to date! We also ended the show as reserve circuit champions in the youth boxing for the weekend, walking away with a buckle.”

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This show season marked the pair’s first going to as many shows as they could, and Lee Baldock and Smart N Smokin Rey (Dual Smart Rey x Smart Little Nina x Smart Little Lena) made the most of it by earning $1,779.90 for their title. “‘R2’ is such a little powerhouse,” Bladock said. “He has athletic ability in both reining and boxing.”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTHEASTERN REGION continued Box Drive SUMMER KELLY/SJR DIAMOND KATRINA

They took a bit to click, but once they did, Summer Kelly and SJR Diamond Katrina (CD Diamond x Whizs Katrina x Topsail Whiz) earned $1,883 for their title.

“My most memorable moment was in May at the Volunteer Ranch Horse show in Cordova, Tennessee, where we had our highest scores in the pen. The reining was great and so much fun, and then the cow was perfect and we worked it so well. That was a ton of fun!”

SOUTHWEST REGION Limited Open Hackamore VE ONE HIRED GUN/BAILEY BEARUP

Open Bridle SCOOTER KAT/JUSTIN WRIGHT Owned by Eric Freitas, Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Rey) had a great year, including competing at The American Performance Horseman and winning the Run for a Million with Justin Wright. During the 2023 season, they captured $8,144.63 to claim their title.

Limited Open Bridle LIL DUSTY DUAL RAY/MELVIN HELMUTH Owner Sallianne O’Neal plans to show Lil Dusty Dual Ray (Dual Rey x Lil Dusty Lola x CD Royal in the non pro in 2024, but in 2023 Melvin Helmuth piloted the horse to $1,832 in earnings to capture the title.

“He’s never cow-fresh, but he’s so cowy,” she said.

Open Hackamore CR TUFF N STYLISH/KEN L. WOLD Owned by Daniel J. Perez, CR Tuff N Stylish (Woody Be Tuff x CR Stylish Play Rey x Dual Rey) partnered to earn $5,614.10 for their title.

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Owned by Vera Earl Ranch Inc., VE One Hired Gun (Hired Gun x One Autumn Breeze x One Time Pepto) and Bailey Bearup brought home an impressive $2,197.80 for their title.

“Every run has been memorable on this mare,” she said. “But one of my favorite moments was showing at the NRCHA Western Derby and winning the Limited Open Hackamore. Her owner, Addison Tomlinson, showed her in the Non Pro Derby Boxing class, placing reserve champions.

Open Two Rein SMART CHIC AN TARI/SARA DAWSON

Owned by Aaron Ranch, Smart Chic N Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) has been with Sara Dawson since the mare was 2 years old. The pair earned $5,385 to claim their title.

“This mare had her whole 5-year-old season off due to injury,” Dawson shared. “For her to come back as strong as she did her 6-year-old year was simply amazing. This mare is a freak of nature—she does every single event so beautifully; she doesn’t have a weakness.”

///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTHWEST REGION continued Non Pro Bridle/ Intermediate Non Pro Bridle PAUL WILINSKI/SMOOTH SANTANNA For seven years, Paul Wilinski has owned Smooth Santanna (Smooth As A Cat x Smart Mariah x Smart Little Lena). Altogether, the pair earned $6,441.85 in two events to claim their titles.

“I struggled coming back from a leg fracture and bad bone bruise that put me out for five weeks after getting hit hard twice in the same place on the left leg by cows going down the fence at back-to-back weekend shows,” he revealed. “My best memory of the year is showing at the California Reined Cow Horse Association show in Paso Robles, California, with NRCHA classes and earning a shootout spot with both Smooth Santanna and Brothers Belledancer. It was so special to show them in such an electrifying atmosphere against all the great riders and have the crowd cheering for you.”

Non Pro Hackamore GARRELL L. REILLY/BET SHESA PLAYMATE

Garrell Reilly’s most prominent memory of 2023 with Bet Shesa Playmate (Bet Hesa Cat x Very Smart Playmate x Very Smart Remedy) was putting together a great run in the Non Pro Hackamore at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® to place second in the class. They earned $2,327 to take the title.

“My mental game is always my biggest challenge,” Reilly shared. “My husband, Preston, is my biggest cheerleader and best mental coach. With all his success in the roping, he has an excellent mindset. My horse, ‘Sister,’ is a freak of nature. She is so small (900 pounds), but she doesn't know it.

Her ability to work a cow is incredible, and she can run!”

Non Pro Two Rein PAUL WILINSKI/BROTHERS BELLEDANCER

Partners for three years, Paul Wilinski had to overcome injuries of his own in his journey with Brothers Belledancer (Brother Jackson x Belle E Dancer x SMF Lenas Award). Ultimately, the pair tallied $2,966 to earn this title. “‘BB’ is so quick and agile and loves the cow work,” he said.

Level 1 Non Pro Bridle REBECCA ANN WINFIELD/SEVEN S CORONA The 2023 Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes marked the first time Rebecca Ann Winfield and Seven S Corona (Very Smart Remedy x Seven S Zans Fancy x Seven S Zanaday) came together as a completely relaxed team in their four years together. In 2023, they earned $1,717.40 for their title.

“Our biggest challenge is saddle time,” she shared. “‘Corona’ is in training in Arizona, and I live in New Mexico. I rarely get to ride him more than three times a month. It's what makes him so special. He doesn't get to spend much time with me, but I'm still his favorite person. Corona is incredibly cowy, but it's that first turn on the fence that he excels at. He can make the dust fly!”

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///////// 2023 NRCHA REGIONAL CHAMPIONS SOUTHWEST REGION continued Youth Cow Horse LANDRI LISAC/CAT WALKS INTO A BAR Landri Lisac and Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) partnered to earn $335.25 for their title.

Youth Boxing CHET GORRELL/ SMOOTH N CASH Chet Gorrell and Smooth N Cash (Smooth As A Cat x Dox Gavacash x Miss N Cash) earned $1,894.75 on the way to their title.

Non Pro Boxing JENNA STOLTING/KIT KAT ROYAL

Showing cow horses is a family affair for Jenna Stolting and her sister and brother-in-law. She and Kit Kat Royal (Kit Kat Sugar x Little Royal Blue x Smart Little Lena) finished the 2023 season with $5,539.26 for their title.

“I enjoy every opportunity I get to swing a leg over such a talented, big-hearted mare,” she said. “I show with my sister, Julie, and brotherin-law, Patrick, which makes great fun on the road. My most memorable moment this year was the Western Derby because it’s a home show for us, and all my family and friends came to support us. That’s what I love about this sport: It’s about fun, friends and family! I couldn’t be more blessed to be a part of such a great association!”

Intermediate Non Pro Boxing ANALINA M. PORSCH/MAGICAL BROTHER Analina M. Prosch and Magical Brother (Hickory Holly Time x Smoke N My Wranglers x Wranglers Starlight) partnered to earn $1,472.50 for their title.

Limited Non Pro Boxing DEANNA JOHNSON/SHINEY NU GUNS Deanna Johnson and Shiney Nu Guns (Gunnatrashya x Cash Me If U Can x The Cash Button) partnered to earn $1,644.50 for their title.

Box Drive LINDA KIERNAN/FTR SMART SMOKE

The year's first show was the first time Linda Kiernan showed FTR Smart Smoke (Very Smart Remedy x Smoke N My Wranglers x Wranglers Starlight) in the box drive class. The pair earned $1,516.25 for their title.

“The first show of the year was my first time showing in the box drive class, and we’d been unable to practice due to continuous rain,” she said.

“I was anxious as I called for my cow, but my horse, ‘Dodger,’ took a big breath and let me know he was ready.”

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COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME

The

Keys to the Legend

BY LARRI JO STARKEY

150 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Annie Reynolds,

2023 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame inductee, shares five essential traits all cowgirls need.

I Right: The 2023 class includes Reynolds (front-left), Megan Hill-McQueeny (front-center), Gladys Roldán-de-Moras (back-left), Kendra Santos (back-right) and Mary Fields (not pictured)..

The National Cowgirl Hall Museum and Hall of Fame was established to honor women of the West who exhibit courage and the pioneer spirit as trailblazers.

Reynolds, who carved a path in reined cow horse competition for other women to follow, is exactly the sort of woman the Hall of Fame honors.

COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL COWGIRL MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME

Opposite page: Cowgirl to her core, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Annie Reynolds was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum’s Hall of Fame for the five traits she says make a true cowgirl: skill, tenacity, strength, compassion and passion.

N NOVEMBER, the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame recognized the essential cowgirl nature of the legendary Annie Reynolds and inducted her into its prestigious Hall of Fame.

Reynolds has been unwavering in her commitment to horses, cattle and the cowgirl way of life since the 1970s as a breeder, owner and competitor. She’s an NRCHA Million Dollar Rider and was the first woman to reach that mark. She was also the first non pro to achieve this honor. As of press time, Reynolds had $1.73 million in lifetime earnings—well on her way to $2 million. That’s a status she could one day share with her stallion, Very Smart Remedy, who already has $2 million in offspring earnings.

Reynolds won the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® eight times as a non pro before becoming exclusively an open rider in 2012. She was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame in 2015. Still, the induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame came as a surprise.

“It’s really an overwhelming honor,” Reynolds said. “I’m truly grateful to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and to my mother, Joyce Pearson, for all the opportunity and all the amazing horses that she raised. She’s been a breeder of great horses for 70 years.

I’m grateful to the literally thousands of people whose helped in my journey allowed me to achieve this distinction. I feel like my induction is due mostly to them and only partially to me.”

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Reined Cow Horse News asked Reynolds to share the five traits that every cowgirl needs to develop on her way to becoming a legend. From the Why Worry Ranch in King Hill, Idaho, Reynolds described these characteristics in her own words.

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PRIMO MORALES

Tenacity. Tenacity is the ability to keep on keeping on, even when things are hard. It’s about being tough enough to keep your eye on the bigger picture and being willing to endure hard times to get to better times.

When I started in reined cow horse, the industry was male-dominated, and in the beginning, it took a lot of grit and tenacity to be a nonconformist and do what not many had done before. It was a great lesson. There were some people who tried to hold me back, and I refused to allow that. In the process, they taught me how to be mentally tough and focus on what I wanted.

That’s a valuable tool. It was a gift that they gave me.

When I was starting, the industry didn’t necessarily have the vocabulary to help other people. Riders and spectators didn’t know how to articulate what was going on with the horse or the rider or the run.

We didn’t have the communication that exists via the Internet now. You couldn’t find things out. There was no way to research what you wanted to know. Today, there are books on everything. It was more difficult for everyone, not just me. We learned through trial and error—a lot of error.

You must immerse yourself in learning and continue to challenge yourself every day. It takes the desire

Below: Reynolds, shown here with Magical Lena (Little Lenas Legend x Swayback Magic x Early Tink), credits her mental focus for much of her success.]

NRCHA FILE PHOTO BY MIDGE

Skill. Skill takes practice. It requires an eagerness and willingness to learn, and the will to get better. The hardest skills to learn are the ones that you have to relearn. As time goes by, you get new ideas and new information, and then you must change your skills in handling horses and cattle to continue to improve.

I was lucky to have lots of great horses to help me learn and great people in my life: horsemen, cattlemen, cowboys, cowgirls. Lots of people helped me, just one bit at a time, and there was also a lot of making mistakes and trying to learn from them.

I really wanted to prove myself. I wanted to be really, really good at something. I didn’t set out for it to be horse training. When I started to learn how to train horses, I never verbalized that I wanted to be a horse trainer. I felt like that was too lofty a goal for me. My goal was to get better.

It was important to me to know that I was tough and that I was a hard worker, and that I maintain an open mind and continue to learn whatever came my way. It’s easy to stay where you are. It’s hard to challenge yourself to get better.

to want to do that and the tenacity for the will to do it.

I’d tell anyone who asked me that winning wasn’t my goal. I wanted to do a good job training my horse, preparing my horse to show and showing my horse. I figured that if I could do a good job at all those things, there was a good possibility that I’d win, but winning was not my focus.

“

I’D TELL ANYONE WHO ASKED ME THAT WINNING WASN’T MY GOAL. I WANTED TO DO A GOOD JOB TRAINING MY HORSE, PREPARING MY HORSE TO SHOW AND SHOWING MY HORSE.

Opposite page, bottom: Breeding, training and showing—Reynolds, shown here on 2012 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion Very Black Magic (Very Smart Remedy x Magical Lena x Little Lenas Legend) excels at it all.

When my kids were small, I didn’t show much for about nine years. During that time, I realized that learning was the reward, and I thrived on it. Whether I had a great run, a good run or a bad run, or I made a mistake, there was always a lesson to be learned. That lesson was an opportunity to improve.

Strength. Being a cowgirl takes a lot of mental strength and physical strength. Some of the smallest cowgirls I know are some of the strongest people I know. Many cowgirls I know are extremely strong mentally and are faced with lots of challenges every day that they conquer.

I spent a lot of time being my own worst critic, looking in the mirror and trying to figure out my weakest links and dedicating some of my time to improving those. That was a constant practice for many years.

”

A lot of the things that cowgirls do in a normal course of the day, like starting colts or dealing with unruly horses or unruly cattle or going down the fence are dangerous, and they all require courage and strength, both mental and physical.

Compassion. I think that any cowgirl worth her salt loves her horses, her cattle, her family and friends, and has empathy for all of them.

Passion. Passion drives it all. That’s the motor behind everything – the love of horses, cattle and the Western lifestyle.

Those five qualities can carry a cowgirl a long way toward success. I wish you all the best of luck.

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THE FINANCES OF

BREEDING Learn from a first-hand account of a breeder’s key lessons about the investment side of breeding.

REEDING AND FOALING SEASON is an exciting time of year, but it hasn’t always been that way. It’s taken time to get to the point where I’ve gained confidence in my breeding decisions.

Several incredible people in the industry have been my mentors and guides. I value the relationships and knowledge I’ve built through the years. Along with educating myself in the Western performance horse industry, I realized that financial planning is also critical in decision-making. I start with a written plan: a breeding budget and a review of the financial market to determine the supply and demand of the industry.

Although the economy has been a past concern, the volatility doesn’t seem to

158 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

influence the industry at this time. Exciting events such as The American Performance Horseman, The Run For A Million and barrel racing and rope horse incentives alone added more than $12 million in purses to the industry in 2023. The surge in the NRCHA, National Cutting Horse Association, National Reining Horse Association and American Rope Horse Association industries has led purses to increase to an all-time high, and they continue to grow.

By that same token, stallion fees, mare costs and the overall cost to breed and raise a horse have increased substantially during the last few years. It’s an exciting time in the industry, and the demand for well-bred horses is at a premium. What does all this mean for the breeding business?

WHAT BUYERS WANT We can’t read buyers’ minds, but we have a pretty good idea because we’re deeply involved in the Western performance industry.

“

WE CAN’T READ BUYERS’ MINDS, BUT WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA BECAUSE WE’RE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE WESTERN PERFORMANCE INDUSTRY.

”

STORY BY BEVERLY SERVI

Photos Courtesy of Beverly Servi

You have big dreams of breeding your mare. Before diving in, ensure that you understand the financial obligations you’ll face to produce someone’s dream horse.

BEVERLY SERVI is a Western performance equine breeder and stallion owner, as well as a retired CPA and financial consultant. She serves on the NRCHA Board of Directors and is on the strategic planning and owners committees and the stallion incentive task force. It’s her goal to build connections through educating others about the breeding and showing business. Visit serviquarterhorses.com to read her article that lists the top tips to help your mare settle in foal.

Buyers are looking for well-bred horses with more than just good bloodlines.

Conformation, good bone, eye appeal, sire and dam earnings, a good mind and demeanor and longevity are some important aspects buyers look for that should play into your decision when choosing a broodmare or a stallion. How the sire and dam move, what catches your eye about them, what you like about the stallion

or mare’s presentation and what the offspring will bring to the industry will be items on the buyer’s checklist and should be on yours, too.

Additionally, buyers want to purchase from a breeder they know provides quality care and who they can trust to put the horses’ best interests first. This gives them confidence in their investment, which can be substantial.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 159

THE INVESTMENT When we look at the surface of this endeavor to produce high-quality offspring, the stallion must have superior qualities, lifetime earnings (LTE) and progeny earnings (PE). The chosen mare should have the proverbial “mare power,” including her own LTE and PE, proving she can produce winning offspring. If the mare has several offspring earners, you have yourself an asset—hold onto it. Some mares have limited lifetime earnings or no earnings, but their offspring are successful. Keep in mind it takes four to eight years to prove a mare this way. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and embryo transfers help increase the PE for mares, making both her and her offspring more valuable.

Creating this winning combination may cost a minimum of $50,000 for an egg. A winning mare with longevity in the sport and earnings of $150,000 could cost $25,000 to $75,000 for an egg. Scarcity plays a role here, because there are very few mares with this type of record. It takes a minimum of four years to prove a mare, so consider the time value of money here.

You can invest $30,000 to more than $100,000 raising a single foal to show age, so proving a mare can be costly.

Many factors influence the cost of raising a foal, including breeding, raising and training. And don’t forget the value of your time and overhead like barns, utilities, trailers, trucks and equipment. A long-term

160 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

business plan can help boost your success and sanity.

Having clearly defined goals and a breeding budget will help eliminate surprises and help you stay the course to meet your desired outcome and success.

DEVELOPING YOUR PLAN Conversations with your reproductive veterinarian regarding the best way to breed your mare are important and are the first phase of your plan. Our industry doesn’t do live cover because of the dangers to the horses and humans. Therefore, the stallions are collected, allowing for fresh or frozen semen. Then, the mare or oocytes are artificially inseminated. Embryo transfers and ICSI procedures are also available, and I’m incredibly encouraged to know that IVF in horses may be available soon. This is so big for the equine reproductive community because it drastically reduces early embryonic loss. Each of these decisions, made with your veterinarian, is crucial in developing your plan.

Next, understand and be confident in the funds available to invest in breeding. Third, understand your customers and the industry and consider supply and demand. Finally, enlist mentors in the industry. People are willing to help, and your relationships with stallion owners, mare owners, associations, reproductive veterinarians, trainers and stallion stations can bolster your plan—and your confidence in it.

Here's a list of some budget items to consider in your breeding plan.

Think the major costs end when the foal hits the ground?

Think again. Consider all elements of its care, from veterinary visits to feed and supplements to starting and training the colt or filly.

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BONUS TIP: BE KIND Your veterinarian, vet techs, employees at the breeding farm—everyone involved with your breeding process—are all working hard to make your dreams come true. Treating them with respect, patience and kindness goes a long way in achieving your goal and setting your reputation with these valuable members of your breeding team.

A standout mare, like Flo N Blu Boon, has a major influence on the marketability of the foal you’ll produce and hence plays a big part in your breeding investment.

Read the stallion contract to identify all fees, such as the stallion himself, chute, shipping, rebreeding and other fees that may apply if your mare doesn’t settle in foal the first time.

Closely examine the stallion and mare’s disease panels.

Before signing the contract, conduct a complete reproductive soundness exam on the mare, including cultures and biopsies.

Consider costs such as the additional electricity to keep a mare under lights, transportation expenses and regular care, including vaccines and farrier expenses.

Look into fees for artificial insemination, embryo flush, embryo transfers and recipient mare fees— these can add up.

The average conception rate in the equine industry is about 65 percent, which means you might have to breed your mare multiple times before she settles, which affects your budget.

Look at your feed program and any additional mare and foal growth and development supplements you’ll need to purchase.

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Price mare care at an equine reproductive facility if that’s part of your plan.

Be ready for veterinary expenses to add up, including pregnancy checks up to 120 days, foaling out the mare, foal care, post-foaling vet check, plasma IV and more.

Price additional insurance you’ll need to carry to protect your investment.

KNOW YOUR WHY Raising quality foals requires planning, whether you’ve raised one or 100 foals. What makes your mare a great candidate for breeding? Does breeding bring you a great deal of joy? Are you seeking to be a part of a community of people who raise extraordinary equine athletes? Or, is your goal to produce a future show horse for yourself or a trainer? Your why determines your goals, mission and dreams. When you’re confident in knowing your why, it’s easier to ask for what you want and to communicate clearly. Having clearly defined goals, including a breeding budget, will help eliminate surprises and help your program meet your desired outcome.

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YOUR WHY DETERMINES YOUR GOALS, MISSION AND DREAMS.

Schedule as of December 19, 2023 Patterns Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby: 11 Lope Toward World Championship Prelims/WGYH: 10 lope Toward World Championship Finals: 8 Lope Toward World’s Greatest HorsemanTM Prelims: 2 Lope Toward World’s Greatest HorsemanTM Finals: 1 NHSRA Challenge: NHSRA Pattern 4

Will Rogers Memorial Center 3401 W. Lancaster Ave. Fort Worth, Texas 76107

February 11-24, 2024 SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 11 8 AM

settle @ 7:40

Coliseum

MONDAY – FEBRUARY 19 Derby Herd Work: Non Pro Boxing Divisions Derby Herd Work: Non Pro Divisions

8 AM 8 AM

Coliseum Justin

MONDAY – FEBRUARY 12 8 AM

Coliseum

Derby Herd Work: Open Divisions

8 AM

Justin

Preliminaries: Non Pro Bridle** Derby Rein Work: Non Pro Boxing Divisions Derby Rein Work: Non Pro Divisions

Following Open Hackamore

Derby Herd Work: Open Divisions Derby Herd Work: Open Divisions - L1/NH Preliminaries: Intermediate & Level 1 NP Bridle** Preliminaries: Non Pro Boxing **

8 AM 8 AM 11 AM

settle @ 7:40

TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 13 8 AM

Coliseum

8 AM

Justin

settle @ 7:40

TUESDAY – FEBRUARY 20 8 AM

Coliseum Justin

Coliseum

8 AM

Justin

settle @ 7:40

Derby Herd Work: Open Divisions - L1/NH – continued WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Preliminaries: Herd Work Preliminaries: Box Drive** Derby Cow Work: Non Pro Divisions Derby Cow Work: Non Pro Boxing Divisions Finals: Non Pro Bridle

THURSDAY – FEBRUARY 15 12 PM 8 AM

Coliseum Justin

Preliminaries: Intermediate & Ltd NP Boxing** Derby Rein Work: Open Divisions Finals: Intermediate Non Pro Bridle

FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 16 8 AM

Coliseum

8 AM

Justin

7 PM

tentative

Round Up Inn

Preliminaries: Intermediate & Ltd NP Boxing** Preliminaries: Non Pro Hackamore Derby Rein Work: Open Divisions Derby Rein Work: Open Divisions - L1/NH Finals: Level 1 Non Pro Bridle Finals: Box Drive WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Back Number Ceremony

SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 17 8 AM 8 AM

Coliseum Justin

Preliminaries: Youth Boxing / YBX 13&U WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Preliminaries: Rein Work Following Justin Finals: Non Pro Boxing WGH Rein Work Finals: Non Pro Hackamore 5:30 PM John Justin Sale Arena General Membership Meeting

Preliminaries: Open Hackamore / IOH Finals: Limited Open Hackamore Finals: Open Two Rein

WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 21 Coliseum Justin Justin

WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 14 8 AM

Preliminaries: Non Pro Two Rein Finals: Ltd Non Pro Boxing Derby Cow Work: Open Divisions - L1/NH Derby Cow Work: Open Divisions

Preliminaries: Limited Open Bridle Finals: Non Pro Two Rein WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Preliminaries: Steer Stopping World’s Greatest Youth HorsemanTM Steer Stopping WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Preliminaries: Cow Work

THURSDAY – FEBRUARY 22 8 AM 8 AM

Coliseum Justin

Preliminaries: Open Bridle / IOB Preliminaries: Youth Cow Horse / YCH 13&U / WGYH Finals: Open Hackamore

FRIDAY – FEBRUARY 23 8 AM

Coliseum

8 AM

Justin

3:30 PM

Watt Arena

Special: SHTX Intercollegiate Challenge Special: NHSRA Reined Cow Horse Challenge Finals: Youth Cow Horse Finals: Limited Open Bridle Finals: Open Bridle Careers in Cowtown

SATURDAY – FEBRUARY 24 8 AM

Justin

4:30 PM

Coliseum

World’s Greatest Youth HorsemanTM Herd Work WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Finals: Herd Work WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMANTM Finals: Steer Stopping Finals: Rein Work World’s Greatest Youth HorsemanTM Fence Only Finals Finals: Cow Work

SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 18 8 AM

Coliseum

8 AM

Justin

Preliminaries: Limited Open Hackamore Preliminaries: Open Two Rein Finals: Intermediate Non Pro Boxing Finals: Youth Boxing RANCHER REUNION Cowboy Class Stray Gathering

164 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

** Select classes (55 & over) are offered and run concurrent with only one corresponding preliminary based on exhibitor choice.

///////// 2024 CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS

PAST WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN CHAMPIONS TM

Year

Rider

Horse

Sex

Pedigree

Owner

1999 2000

Ted Robinson Bob Avila

Katie Starlight Paid By Chic

M S

Grays Starlight x Colonel Gunsmoke x Colonel Freckles Smart Chic Olena x Oaklynn x Docs Oak

2001 2003

Ted Robinson Ron Ralls

Katie Starlight Cowgirls Are Smart

M M

Grays Starlight x Colonel Gunsmoke x Colonel Freckles Smart Chic Olena x Sweet San Badger x Peppy San Badger

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Ron Ralls Jon Roeser Andy Adams Bob Avila Russell Dilday Russell Dilday Randy Paul Russell Dilday Ron Emmons Ron Emmons

A Chic In Time Very Smart Remedy Just Plain Cat Light N Fine Topsails Rien Maker Topsails Rien Maker Smokeelan Topsails Rien Maker Olena Oak Olena Oak

S S S S S S S S S S

Smart Chic Olena x Paula Tari x Tari Glo Smart Little Lena x Remedys Response x Doc’s Remedy High Brow Cat x Shes Alenaglow Rio x Doc Olena Grays Starlight x Lenas Fine Freckle x Doc Olena Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby Gay Bar Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby Gay Bar Elans Playboy x Smart Little Smokee x Smart Little Lena Topsail Cody x Jameen Gay x Toby Gay Bar Smart Chic Olena x Fritzs Oak E Doakie x Docs Oak Smart Chic Olena x Fritzs Oak E Doakie x Docs Oak

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Boyd Rice Corey Cushing Clayton Edsall John Swales Kelby Phillips Corey Cushing John Swales Shane Steffen Corey Cushing Phillip Ralls

Oh Cay N Short PRF Spoonful Of Gold Skeets Oak Peppy Heza Diamond Spark Hickory Holly Time Sonita Lena Rey Metallic Cat Rose Gunna Be A Smartie Hott Rod Call Me Mitch

S S G S S G M M S S

Oh Cay Quixote x Bit Of Shorty x Shorty Lena Hes A Peptospoonful x Sons Miss Sprat x Sons Rushette Skeets Peppy x Oak Ill Be x Ill Be Smart Diamond J Star x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark One Time Pepto x Hickorys Holly Cee x Doc’s Hickory Dual Rey x Sonita Lena Chick x Smart Chic Olena Metallic Cat x Teletrona x Little Trona Very Smart Remedy x Gunna Be Mine x Gunna Smoke Hottish x Sugars Smart Kitty x High Brow Cat Metallic Cat x Miss Hickory Hill x Docs Hickory

Paula Hunsicker 865 Paid By Partners 871 Jim Babcock/Jim Dunn Paula Hunsicker 594.5 Jim Babcock and 594 George Heckman Broken B Ranch 582.5 Anne M. Reynolds 584 Robert Smith III 871.5 Rhodes River Ranch 870.5 Cantrelle & Dilday 867 Cantrelle & Dilday 884 Jill Smiekel - George 875 Cantrelle & Dilday 874 Mel Smith & Nichole Scott 885 LaDona Emmons 874 & Nichole Scott Boyd Rice 877.5 Cathy Corrigan Frank 889 Clayton Edsall 883 7 P Ranch 874 DT Horses 890.5 Sheri Jamieson 877 Jerry and Nicole Myer 878.5 McSpyder Ranch 894 Lynne Wurzer 893 Estelle Roitblat Living Trust 902

* not held in 2002

166 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Score

///////// 2024 CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS

PAST WORLD’S GREATEST YOUTH HORSEMAN CHAMPIONS TM

Year

Rider

Horse

Sex

Pedigree

Owner

Score

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Trevor Hale Trail Townsend Cutter McLaughlin Emily Kent Tylie Norcutt

Survive These Lips TRR Lucky Playgun CD Dee Vee Dee CallMe Mister Mister Soulas Hickory Star

G G G G G

CD Survivor x Lipschic x Smart Chic Olena Pepciid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark Mister Dual Pep X Travelin With Sass x Travelena Soula Jule Star x Tum Linz Loose x Docs Hickory Oak

Trevor Hale Tripp Townsend Jay & Wendy McLaughlin Leslie Kent Darrell Norcutt

723 727 746.5 746 729

168 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Break free

Help your equine patients by controlling the clinical signs associated with osteoarthritis • The only FDA approved pentosan polysulfate sodium injection • Convenient; only 4 intramuscular injections required • Not limited to use for specific joints1

To learn more about Zycosan®, please scan the QR code or visit go.dechra-us.com/zycosan 24-hour Veterinary Technical Support available: (866) 933-2472 Nonurgent Technical Support available: support@dechra.com Important Satefy Information As with all drugs, side effects may occur. For intramuscular use in horses only. Not for use in humans. 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. Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium 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. Caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities. Caution should be used when NSAIDS are administered concurrently due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan. If Zycosan and NSAIDS are used concurrently, horses should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are injection site reactions, prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Refer to the prescribing information for complete details or visit www.dechra-us.com.

1. Zycosan® Freedom of Information Summary NADA 141-559 © 2023 Dechra Veterinary Products. Dechra is a registered trademark of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC. Zycosan is a registered trademark of Dechra Limited; all rights reserved. E230045

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

170 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///////// HORSE HEALTH

VACCINATE, VACCINATE, VACCINATE! Don’t let respiratory infections sideline your horse.

BY JOE CARTER, DVM

I

f you ask me to pick one thing to do to prevent coughs, fevers and snotty noses, it’s to vaccinate your horse with influenza and rhinopneumonitis virus vaccines frequently. If you ask me to pick a second thing after vaccinating to prevent upper respiratory infections, it’s to use reliable biosecurity measures, especially limiting your horse’s exposure to sick horses.

It’s important to understand how respiratory infections develop and how vaccines work to prevent them. Here’s a quick lesson as we’re at the height of respiratory infection season.

The equine respiratory system runs from the tip of the nose to the tip of the lungs. It’s divided into two halves: upper and lower.

The upper respiratory tract runs from the nose to where the trachea or windpipe attaches to the lungs. The lungs comprise the lower respiratory tract.

Infections of the upper respiratory tract are called upper respiratory tract infections or UTIs. That is simple enough. Horsemen commonly call them by their symptoms: a cough or a snotty nose. Not all coughs or snots are caused by infections, meaning viruses or bacteria; allergies or high ammonia levels in stalls, for example, can cause them.

Lower-airway or lung infections are commonly called pneumonia. There’s a condition called lower airway inflammatory disease, or IAD, which can cause chronic coughing, typically caused by allergens that make it past the upper airway’s filtration system. A secondary bacterial infection frequently dog-piles on top, making it more troublesome to correct.

We have very effective vaccines to prevent common viral respiratory infections

such as flu and rhino. These infections, in their most elemental form, are just killed viruses mixed with a carrier called an adjuvant that promotes an immune response from the horse’s body. The killed virus in the vaccine stimulates the body’s infection-fighting cells to produce antibodies to fight the live virus.

The antibody level in your horse’s blood is called a titer. Your horse’s blood will have the highest titer a couple of weeks after a vaccination. The titer will slowly decrease every day after that until a vaccine booster stimulates the body to produce more antibodies. The higher the titer, the longer the antibodies will last in your horse, offering longer-lasting protection.

One of the factors that determines how high your horse’s titer will rise post-vaccination is the antigenic mass, which refers to the part of the killed virus in a vaccine that stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies, called an antigen. Vaccines are measured by antigenic mass. The higher the antigenic mass, the higher the antibody production and the higher the titer.

The downside to high antigenic mass is vaccine-site reactions. To have a higher titer, you must have a higher response to the vaccine, often resulting in a sore neck, rump, or chest—wherever the vaccine was administered. Vaccine companies constantly weigh the antigenic mass and its antibody production against site reactions. One way to avoid site reactions is to use intranasal vaccines, which are widely available and are very effective.

If you have any questions regarding vaccines, respiratory infections and biosecurity measures you can take to prevent infections, consult with your local veterinarian

///////// NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION: OUR SPONSORS

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(972) 977−6581 (480) 563−1966 (940) 372−0470 (805) 260−8800 (559) 592−4753 (818) 606−4180 (254) 485−8280 (855) 674−6773 (254) 485−8280 (970) 749−3322 (806) 596−4424 (503) 682−3898 (605) 381−6493 (901) 826.7297 (903) 886−8836 (817) 279−8275 (254) 485−8280

Hashtags Hazardouz Material Hendrixx Here Comes The Boon Hes Wright On Hesa Dual Bet Hickory Holly Time Hickorys Indian Girl Hickorys Indian Pep High Brow Cat High Brow CD High Brow Shiner High Cost of Metal Hired Gun Hit Tha Flo Honky Tonk Dreams Hott Rod Hottish Hottish Metal HQ Helluva Cat Hydrive Cat Im Countin Checks Jans Rey Cuatro Jasons Peptolena Jesses Topaz Judge Boon Kit Dual Kit Kat Sugar KR Fantallicka Kreyzy Horse Laker Doc Light N Lena Lil Catbaloo Lil Joe Cash Lil Time To Smoke Little Cielo Little Deuce Coope Little Pepto Rey Little Puma Lotta Stuff To Shine Magical Voodoo Magicality Master Spook MC CowHammer Metalic Al Metallhic Metallic Cat Metallic Cattack Metallic CD Metallic Chrome Cat Metallic Huckleberry Metallic Malice Metallic Masterpiece Metallic Rebel Metallic Red Cat Metallic Rey Mink Metallic Snowflakes Metallic Voodoo Metallics MVP Meteles Cat Moms Stilish Cat Moon Me Pepto Mr Playinstylish

2024 (817) 560−0038 (916) 802−6668 2024 (805) 688−3673 2024 (920) 360−0474 (951) 529−6258 (903) 564−3692 (480) 563−1966 (940) 464−0783 2024 (855) 674−6773 (855) 674−6773 (580) 220−1281 2024 (817) 594−9181 (319) 330−6862 (805) 688−3673 (817) 599−0522 2024 (806) 488−2321 (250) 793−4270 (254) 592−2016 2024 (254) 485−8280 (254) 485−8280 (903) 536−2673 2024 (254) 485−8280 (940) 839−1969 (855) 674−6773 (559) 706−5128 (480) 563−1966 (817) 599−4560 (817) 599−4560 (303) 956−1887 2024 (254) 485−8280 (951) 317−6868 2024 (254) 485−8280 (817) 560−0038 (605) 787−4808 (209) 603−9710 (580) 775−0885 (855) 674−6773 (940) 612−4584 2024 (806) 488−2321 (307) 276−3478 (806) 596−4424 (817) 559−4560 (951) 529−6258 (403) 652−1326

as of January 1, 2024

Foal Crop: 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2023 2021 2022 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2019 2019 2020 2019 2020 2021 2020 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2021

2022 2023

Contact Phone 2024 (254) 485−8280 (575) 313−2647 (403) 870−9551 (805) 550−8387 (806) 622−9787 2024 (254) 485−8280 (817) 599−4560

2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022

2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2022 2020 2020 2022 2020 2021 2022 2023 2020 2021 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2020 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 2021 2019 2019 2020 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2021 2022 2019 2020

2019 2019 2019 2019

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2022 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2020 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2022 2023 2022 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2019 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

2024 2024 2024

2024 2024

2024 2024

2024 2024 2024 2024 2024 2024

(254) 485−8280 (940) 748−2610 (817) 560−0038 (661) 706−7724 (479) 979−4411 (903) 564−7883 (254) 485−8280 (503) 550−6739 (817) 594−9181 (254) 485−8280 (254) 485−8280 (319) 330−6862 (817) 560−0038 (940)654−8013 (805) 260−8800 (903) 227−0462 (855) 674−6773 (620) 644−2197 (318) 574−0960 (806) 316−5024 (940) 291−2030 (855) 674−6773 (903) 564−3692 (817) 560−0038 (817) 599−4560 (254) 744−9111 (559) 268−1115 (559) 999−8146 (469) 995−0507 (307) 690−2686 (325) 642−1943 (559) 665−2908 (661) 305−0337 (208) 598−6220 (719) 980−0487 (254) 723−4983 (805) 350−2578 (870) 654−2576 (254) 485−8280 (903) 564−7883 (541) 213−8518 (936) 870−8510 (208) 741−0625 (940) 291−2030 (307) 327−5550 (254) 485−8280

(855) 674−6773 (940) 594−5466 2024 (817) 235−5530 2024 (817) 771−3184 2024 (817) 594−9181 (661)303−6015 (855) 674−6773

STALLION REGISTER 2024 Get the ultimate guide for elite stallions in the Western performance horse industry.

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SUBSCRIBED STALLIONS Stallion Natural Bottom Nic It In The Bud Nics Black Diamond Nineteen Ten Northern Metallic Nothing But Blu NRR Cat King Cole Nu Smoketana Offers Are Cheap Olena Oak Once In A Blu Boon One Fine Vintage One Shiney Metallic One Time Pepto One Time Royalty Pale Face Dunnit Patroan Pepto Bro CD Peptoboonsmal Peptos Duke Peptos Player PG Heavily Armed Playboys Red Pepto Porr Que PRF Spoonful Of Gold Purdy Boy Flash Pure Pepto Quahadi Red Hot Metal Reynshine Reys A Shine Reyzin The Cash Ricato Suave RL Styling Rey RN Highbrow Lena Rockin Spots Rockin W Rocky Mountain Blues Rollz Royce Roo To Do Royal Fletch RS Cats Starlight RTR Reason To Believe Rustic Metal Saddling At Sunrise Sannman Scooter Kat SDP Blue Blood SDP Hy Rey Bound Seven S Grand Slam Shine The Lights Shiners Nickle Shiners Voodoo Dr Shiney Outlaw Shining Cat Shining CD Light Shining Lil Nic Shining Spark Sho Cat Sindicat

Foal Crop: 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2022 2021 2022 2023 2019

2019 2019 2019 2019 2019

2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020 2020

2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021

2019 2020 2021 2021 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2020

2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2023 2023 2022 2022 2023 2022

2024 2024 2024

2024 2024

Contact Phone

Stallion

Foal Crop:

Contact Phone

(855) 674−6773 (480) 563−1966 (805)688−3673 (817) 599−4560 (250) 263−2105 (214) 455−9577 (817) 594−9181 (805) 535−5544 (254) 485−9945 (209) 256−0172 (940) 536−9275 (254) 485−8280 (940) 839−1969 (817) 599−4560 (817) 599−4560 (480) 563−1966 (254) 485−8280 (435) 760−3445

Sinful Cat Sir Long Legs Sixes Pick SJR Diamond Mist SJR Smooth Cadilac Slooow Ride Smart And Shiney Smart Boons Smart Chic Olena Smart Luck Smoketana Chex Smokin Custom Crome Smokinn Smooth As A Cat Smooth Talkin Style Solano Cat Son Shining Rooster Spotish Spots Heff Spots Hot Starjac Vintage Starlight Kat Starlight Midnight Step To The Light Steppin On Sparks Stevie Rey Von Stunned Stylin With Pepto Sun Un Dun Sushi Boss Sweet Lil Pepto Taggline Tee Boone The Animal The Boon The Reyl McCoy Third Edge This One Time Time For The Diamond Tin Man Titanium Vintage Tomcat Chex Topsail Smoking Gun Total Blam Blam TR Dual Rey Travelin Jonez Tru Grrit Two Legitt Uno What Time It Is Whizkey N Diamonds Wicked Pretty Wimpys Little Step Wind Her Up Nic Woody Be Dual Cat Woody Be Tuff WR This Cats Smart Xtra New Pal Voodoo YOR The One Zak 34

2021 2022

(701) 842−3150 (863) 838−4979 (806) 596−4424 (817) 594−9181 (951) 529−6258 (817) 560−0038 (940) 465−1852 (903) 564−7883 (254) 485−8280 (541) 601−9507 (805) 535−5544 (903)-564−3200 (405) 612−7551 (940) 686−2246 (254) 485−8280 (940) 637−2536 (806) 676−8566 (817) 560−0038 (817) 560−0038 (254) 485−8280 (254) 485−8280 (208) 861−0760 (435) 744−2469 (805) 290−6544 (919) 631−1058 (806) 672−0639 (903) 564−7883 (785) 479−6817 (828) 400−9339 (308) 380−2244 (817) 594−6900 (903) 564−3692 (940) 367−0976 (817) 560−0038 (855) 674−6773 (361) 550−8924 (254) 485−8280 (970) 846−5455 (817) 599−4560 (940) 654−8013 (559) 706−5128 (707) 480−6543 (780) 645−4581 (403) 396−3643 (817) 560−0038 (903) 564−7883 (970) 749−3322 (336) 430−2191 (405) 344−6692 (405) 288−6460 (406) 599−0389 (405) 600−1990 (307) 763−6073 (541) 401−4978 (903) 563−7090 (806) 596−4424 (480) 563−1966 (639) 471−8600 (805) 688−3673

2024 (406) 434−5724 (559) 706−5128 (817) 560−0038

2019

2019

2020

2022 2023

2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 2019 2020 2021 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2020 2021 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 2020 2021 2022 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2021 2022 2023 2019 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 2019

178 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

as of January 1, 2024

(903) 564−7883 (817) 599−4560 (901) 826.7297 2024 (920) 360−0474 (855) 674−6773 (208) 861−0760 (660) 748−5844 2024 (936) 870−8510 (254) 485−8280, ext. 5 2024 (940) 654−8013 (319) 239−6171 2024 (660) 864−3200 2024 (254) 485−8280 (855) 674−6773 (817) 992−8262 2024 (254) 485−8280 (805) 688−3673 (817) 594−9181 (402) 689−9338 (208) 861−0760 (319) 795−4649 (855) 674−6773 2024 (817) 560−0038 2024 (805) 688−3673 (303) 618−0749 (817) 560−0038 2024 (903) 564−7883 (208) 589−0870 (210) 381−3132 (405) 600−1990 (210) 381−3132 (817) 594−9181 (303) 915−6444 (940) 372−2000 (573) 443−4414 (780) 817−0896

2019 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2022 2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2019 2021 2022 2023 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 20219 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2023 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2019 2019 2020 2021 2020 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019

2024

2024

2024

2024

2024 2024

2024 2024 2024

2019 2020 2021 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2021 2022 2023 2023 2020 2021 2019 2020 2023 2020

2024

2024 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2024 2022 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2022 2020 2022 2023 2019 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2021 2022 2023 2023 2019 2020

2024 2024

2024 2021 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019 2020 2021 2022 2022 2021 2022 2023 2023

2024

NRCHA STALLION SUBSCRIPTION RULES 1.

By nomination of a foal crop, offspring of a subscribed stallion from the nominated foal crop are eligible to show in the NRCHA Stakes both as 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. 6-year-olds are also eligible in the Non Pro Boxing Division only.

2.

Any stallion of any breed may be subscribed to the NRCHA Stakes program, subject to provisions as set forth in these rules and stipulated on the entry form.

3.

Nominations must be postmarked and paid by February 1 of the following year for each calendar year to avoid paying the higher fee of the following year.

4.

Nomination fees will be as follows: a. b. c. d. e.

Paid during the breeding year (the next year’s foal crop) - $1000 Weanling year - $1,250 Yearling year - $1,500 2-year-old year - $1,750 3-year-old year - $2,000

5.

4-year-old year: Nominations received between February 1 of the 4-year-old year and the final entry deadline for that NRCHA Stakes event will be accepted at the rate of $3,000. 5-year-old and 6-year-old foal crops that have not been previously subscribed may also be paid in for $3,000.

6.

All nominators of stallions must be members in good standing of the NRCHA.

7.

In the event the stallion owner or syndicate manager chooses not to enroll the stallion, nominators may be persons other than the owner or syndicate manager of the stallion. In the event that the nominator is someone other than the owner or syndicate manager of the stallion, the nominator represents that they are authorized to nominate the stallion.

8.

All subscription fees will be made payable to the NRCHA in US funds or its equivalent.

9.

The added purse for the NRCHA Stakes will consist of not less than the total stallion nomination fees received less 20% for NRCHA administration. The remaining 80% will be divided between the Open and Non Pro divisions in accordance with NRCHA Board policy. The NRCHA shall have the right to supplement the added-money purse for the event, but shall be under no obligation to do so. A minimum of 5% of the total purse will be used for the Stallion Nominator Award as described below.

10. There shall be no refunds of the nomination fee paid for any reason, and the fee (less 20% for NRCHA administration as set forth above) will become part of the purse for the NRCHA Stakes.

11. In the event a subscribed stallion changes ownership, any previously paid foal crops will remain eligible under the new owner. Nominator Awards will be paid to the original nominator unless otherwise specified in writing to the NRCHA and signed by both the original nominator and the new owner.

12. Stallion Nominator Award: The nominator of the stallion siring the winners of the NRCHA Stakes will receive a monetary award as set by the NRCHA Board of Directors.

13. A list of subscribed stallions nominated to this program and their eligible foal crops will be posted on the NRCHA website, and will be available upon request from the NRCHA. 14. These rules are subject to change at any time by the NRCHA Board of Directors.

NOMINATION FEES Nominated before Feb 1, 2024

Nominated after Feb 1, 2024

Foal Crop..................................................Fee 2018.....................................................$3,000 2019.....................................................$3,000 2020....................................................$2,000 2021.....................................................$1,750 2022.....................................................$1,500 2023.....................................................$1,250 2024.....................................................$1,000

Foal Crop..................................................Fee 2019.....................................................$3,000 2020....................................................$3,000 2021.....................................................$2,000 2022.....................................................$1,750 2023.....................................................$1,500 2024....................................................$1,250 2025.....................................................$1,000

180 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

NRCHA STALLION SUBSCRIPTION CONTRACT (Must be postmarked by February 1 – annually)

SECTION 1 – HORSE INFORMATION Horse Name: Breed:

Registration #:

Year Foaled:

Year of First Foal Crop:

Website:

SECTION 2 – OWNER INFORMATION Owner Name: Address: City / State / Zip: Phone Number / Best Contact: Email Address: Display the above as contact information on the NRCHA website (only one is listed)

SECTION 3 – BREEDING INFORMATION / STANDING LOCATION Standing At: Address: City / State / Zip: Phone Number / Best Contact: Website: Display the above as contact information on the NRCHA website (only one is listed)

SECTION 4 – NOMINATION INFORMATION / PAYMENT Name of Nominator (Will Receive Win Checks): Check 1 Same as Owner

Other Person / Company:

Address: City / State / Zip: Phone Number / Best Contact: Foal Crop Year(s):

$ Amount:

Enclosed Check/Money Order All credit cards must be processed online here: nrcha.com/subscribed-stallions/ Payment is made to NRCHA in full on receipt of same by the nominator no later than February 1. Acceptance of payment by NRCHA is not to be considered approval of nomination until contract is complete and all rules are complied with. Traditional payment methods accepted are cash and check.

I accept this offer to make the above-named stallion eligible to participate in the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Program and agree to be bound by the conditions of the program.

Nominator Signature: Printed Name:

256 N HWY 377 • PILOT POINT, TX 76258 • 940-488-1500 WWW.NRCHA.COM 182 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Top Riders For Open Eligibility in 2024 INTERMEDIATE OPEN—Open to any rider who is not on the top thirty (30) Open Rider Listing based on Open category 1 money won in the past three years at any NRCHA-approved events.

LIMITED OPEN—Open to any rider who is not on the top 120 Open rider listing based on Open category 1 money won in the past three years at any NRCHA-approved events; has not earned over $350,000 in Open and Non Pro category 1 and category 2 money at any NRCHA-approved events.

Open Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Rider Name

2021 Open Earnings

2022 Open Earnings

2023 Open Earnings

3-Year Open Sum

$429,524.86 $199,256.52 $178,645.02 $115,265.65 $135,520.26 $127,062.46 $60,023.83 $34,848.19 $212,364.32 $77,246.58 $28,453.30 $137,769.27 $119,585.12 $95,407.00 $15,823.47 $101,197.16 $75,922.57 $101,201.42 $30,741.12 $68,987.29 $52,127.65 $57,359.16 $194,824.00 $47,674.20 $84,967.63 $74,982.61 $13,167.03 $85,643.29 $38,065.63 $94,856.20 $80,708.55 $46,736.25 $58,464.16 $38,964.03 $63,886.45 $51,323.16 $119,133.13 $57,930.25 $18,108.69 $31,483.17 $25,965.41 $25,610.91 $23,015.67 $34,781.02 $11,996.00

$277,584.21 $361,810.54 $237,323.11 $208,191.84 $259,028.66 $103,374.85 $148,787.15 $312,687.83 $98,652.65 $162,774.12 $220,705.27 $101,382.04 $107,471.40 $80,422.28 $170,068.72 $104,049.27 $42,938.43 $90,340.37 $38,320.73 $47,930.77 $75,850.52 $114,156.66 $1,058.00 $75,849.87 $43,928.90 $41,550.25 $126,759.01 $75,182.80 $35,819.60 $62,016.05 $75,792.80 $46,535.82 $89,737.79 $54,154.26 $63,236.47 $22,386.21 $9,702.25 $36,143.20 $23,332.11 $50,094.44 $33,954.57 $37,183.14 $8,164.50 $38,451.88 $73,002.56

$348,985.52 $467,197.64 $391,282.02 $277,263.08 $175,674.42 $264,216.99 $227,698.42 $69,947.00 $77,428.20 $135,612.67 $115,822.29 $123,819.10 $127,942.93 $153,422.47 $93,280.29 $56,401.38 $129,109.22 $50,458.75 $167,092.78 $111,976.32 $96,830.49 $53,140.68 $14,044.00 $78,917.97 $70,707.81 $79,325.51 $46,604.72 $24,870.01 $107,615.15 $16,057.12 $16,155.10 $75,359.06 $18,895.61 $68,600.88 $32,481.92 $83,454.81 $11,601.65 $40,151.33 $92,116.27 $49,528.96 $61,351.82 $58,166.60 $86,845.37 $44,590.08 $31,461.67

$1,056,094.59 $1,028,264.70 $807,250.15 $600,720.57 $570,223.34 $494,654.30 $436,509.40 $417,483.02 $388,445.17 $375,633.37 $364,980.86 $362,970.41 $354,999.45 $329,251.75 $279,172.48 $261,647.81 $247,970.22 $242,000.54 $236,154.63 $228,894.38 $224,808.66 $224,656.50 $209,926.00 $202,442.04 $199,604.34 $195,858.37 $186,530.76 $185,696.10 $181,500.38 $172,929.37 $172,656.45 $168,631.13 $167,097.56 $161,719.17 $159,604.84 $157,164.18 $140,437.03 $134,224.78 $133,557.07 $131,106.57 $121,271.80 $120,960.65 $118,025.54 $117,822.98 $116,460.23

Justin Wright Sarah Dawson Corey Cushing Matt Koch Chris Dawson Clayton Edsall Phillip Ralls Lee Deacon Kelby Phillips Nicholas Dowers Brandon Buttars Erin Taormino Clay Volmer Shane Steffen Cayley Wilson Luke Jones Todd Bergen Lance Johnston Shawn Hays Russell Probert Jake Telford John Swales Dustin Mills Ben Baldus Jake Gorrell Boyd Rice Brendon Clark Zane Davis Veronica Swales Jay McLaughlin Todd Crawford Dale Clearwater Ryan Gallentine Shadd Parkinson Brady Weaver Abigayle Mixon Cara Hencratt Jared Jones Wade Meador Tyson Benson Clay Roeser Clint Swales Jordan Williams Matt Frederick Chris Krieg

184 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Open Rank 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100

Rider Name Ron Ralls Trent Pedersen Tyler Merrill Garrett Cooper Ashley Deacon Andrea Fappani Lance Scheffel Kyle Noyce Flint Lee Ken Wold Jim Spence Robert Chown Tucker Robinson Gusti Buerger Ricky Nicolazzi Nicolas Barthelemy JD Johnson Kyle Trahern Clifton Shopbell Wade Reaney AJ Black Seth Abrahamson Brad Barkemeyer Tucker Smith Rick Wiebe B. J. Avila Travis Young Ron Emmons Giovanni Campanaro Roy Rich Jason Gay Lilla Bell Wes Housler Randy Paul Brad Lund Cody Hanson EJ Laubscher Trey Pool Tack Louthan Daxon Buttars Luke Hammerness Clinton Anderson Daniel Sanchez Trevor Carter Tracer Gilson Monica Caetano Caleb Jantz Jake Barry Mark Sigler John Love M. Terry Riddle James Milum Joe Harper Darrel Norcutt Dan Roeser

2021 Open Earnings

2022 Open Earnings

2023 Open Earnings

3-Year Open Sum

$43,640.10 $33,070.02 $9,360.43 $180.00 $20,884.00 $− $17,123.38 $31,175.69 $15,742.08 $9,607.50 $37,346.88 $23,565.70 $20,230.94 $50,638.76 $15,224.76 $4,387.95 $26,590.09 $13,606.50 $10,234.57 $18,292.18 $9,742.75 $7,100.96 $7,260.95 $2,211.36 $25,126.57 $52,188.26 $19,056.89 $7,340.63 $21,385.08 $19,180.25 $7,011.88 $632.00 $844.00 $16,535.00 $6,159.75 $14,679.50 $14,297.30 $25,834.84 $2,774.50 $387.50 $22,913.80 $33.28 $− $4,652.00 $1,036.13 $4,337.26 $18,665.99 $18,460.00 $11,895.50 $15,076.65 $211.63 $11,081.79 $5,607.00 $2,120.00 $10,046.83

$37,689.14 $37,607.62 $15,078.32 $17,137.38 $48,042.32 $18,843.29 $36,002.52 $23,044.66 $49,767.45 $29,073.59 $25,650.63 $32,405.00 $22,381.95 $20,383.64 $11,686.81 $9,148.66 $20,042.10 $29,658.07 $17,448.86 $17,746.19 $47,036.01 $31,407.00 $41,183.92 $9,680.30 $18,415.23 $6,400.60 $24,864.42 $38,511.82 $18,759.06 $14,810.11 $39,923.47 $7,089.60 $31,384.36 $14,554.11 $4,816.56 $1,678.67 $18,634.09 $15,526.44 $25,464.89 $11,855.00 $12,810.89 $4,179.70 $44,882.90 $31,891.40 $35,540.53 $29,166.81 $13,742.59 $14,269.04 $17,087.71 $17,202.15 $41,846.15 $14,309.63 $13,152.50 $4,852.38 $11,598.75

$31,520.27 $29,009.92 $63,511.84 $67,860.21 $16,222.34 $63,912.39 $29,285.86 $27,429.44 $15,510.60 $40,422.15 $15,350.76 $17,126.71 $30,264.35 $1,750.50 $44,283.80 $57,071.61 $23,751.16 $24,297.39 $36,028.58 $27,653.35 $6,778.61 $24,863.91 $14,424.10 $50,781.07 $17,706.01 $1,434.61 $14,372.23 $12,353.35 $17,078.77 $22,405.13 $8,990.13 $47,509.17 $22,270.23 $23,375.75 $42,790.73 $34,338.86 $17,079.48 $7,446.76 $20,235.46 $35,905.09 $10,905.72 $42,307.51 $1,336.25 $8,829.28 $8,428.44 $10,976.00 $11,930.50 $11,592.60 $15,039.14 $9,819.62 $− $14,651.28 $21,261.53 $32,787.87 $17,671.87

$112,849.51 $99,687.56 $87,950.59 $85,177.59 $85,148.66 $82,755.68 $82,411.76 $81,649.79 $81,020.13 $79,103.24 $78,348.27 $73,097.41 $72,877.24 $72,772.90 $71,195.37 $70,608.22 $70,383.35 $67,561.96 $63,712.01 $63,691.72 $63,557.37 $63,371.87 $62,868.97 $62,672.73 $61,247.81 $60,023.47 $58,293.54 $58,205.80 $57,222.91 $56,395.49 $55,925.48 $55,230.77 $54,498.59 $54,464.86 $53,767.04 $50,697.03 $50,010.87 $48,808.04 $48,474.85 $48,147.59 $46,630.41 $46,520.49 $46,219.15 $45,372.68 $45,005.10 $44,480.07 $44,339.08 $44,321.64 $44,022.35 $42,098.42 $42,057.78 $40,042.70 $40,021.03 $39,760.25 $39,317.45

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 185

Top Riders For Open Eligibility in 2024 continued Open Rank 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120

Rider Name

2021 Open Earnings

2022 Open Earnings

2023 Open Earnings

3-Year Open Sum

$8,369.12 $31,479.69 $1,380.00 $4,332.50 $3,418.54 $2,204.18 $6,086.16 $10,807.52 $12,041.80 $16,383.20 $4,477.05 $12,071.28 $10,000.00 $1,270.80 $3,360.01 $18,689.14 $17,515.03 $27,845.79 $4,570.00 $7,449.12

$14,778.69 $1,352.14 $5,601.78 $7,653.60 $24,090.29 $19,869.21 $2,459.50 $12,644.59 $7,858.42 $8,815.98 $6,232.29 $7,941.13 $− $27,600.12 $29,586.48 $8,355.40 $644.88 $3,686.91 $5,662.13 $11,356.45

$15,961.26 $5,909.36 $31,390.14 $26,039.13 $7,314.38 $12,725.79 $26,021.86 $11,021.47 $14,105.00 $8,782.00 $23,243.22 $13,629.21 $23,476.50 $4,594.00 $382.90 $6,155.48 $14,714.74 $1,015.65 $22,117.71 $13,417.03

$39,109.07 $38,741.19 $38,371.92 $38,025.23 $34,823.21 $34,799.18 $34,567.52 $34,473.58 $34,005.22 $33,981.18 $33,952.56 $33,641.62 $33,476.50 $33,464.92 $33,329.39 $33,200.02 $32,874.65 $32,548.35 $32,349.84 $32,222.60

Richard Winters Wyatt Misrasi Samuel Bremenour Tina Robinson Taylor Gillespie Jeremy Knoles Tyler Albrecht Riley Willumsen Ted Robinson Robert Smith III Chet Martin Debbie Crafton Abbie Phillips Dell Hendricks Stefan Heim Aaron Brookshire Justin Lawrence Taylor Peters Whitney Campbell Brandy Johnson

Riders ineligible for LAE Limited Open baesd on earnings over $350,000 (see rule 10.4.3): Anne Reynolds Bob Avila Bobby Ingersoll Dema Paul Doug Williamson Eric Freitas Greg Ward Jay Holmes Jo Anne Carollo John Ward

$1,782,081.72 $1,187,080.48 $357,295.61 $695,835.60 $1,425,536.97 $363,217.86 $429,321.91 $454,678.24 $536,106.87 $1,209,859.37

186 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Jon Roeser Kevin Stallings Laurie Richards Lyn Anderson R. Mike Miller Robbie Boyce Russell Dilday Sandra Collier Smoky Pritchett Tammy Hays

$1,638,193.39 $351,829.48 $553,931.96 $969,077.40 $628,237.67 $756,090.50 $644,021.34 $806,613.19 $559,804.14 $387,802.96

Top Riders for Non Pro Eligibility in 2024 INTERMEDIATE NON PRO—Open to any rider who possesses a current Non Pro card and is not in the top 25 Non Pro rider listing based on the previous three years of Open and Non Pro category 1 money won at NRCHA-approved events.

LAE LIMITED NON PRO—Open to any rider who possesses a current Non Pro card and is not on the Top 60 Non Pro rider listing based on the

previous three years of Open and Non Pro category 1 money won at NRCHA-approved events; have not earned more than $100,000 in Open and Non Pro category 1 and category 2 money at NRCHA-approved events.

Non Pro Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Rider Name

2021 Earnings

2022 Earnings

2023 Earnings

3-Year Earnings Sum

Debbie Crafton Abbie Phillips Lanham Brown Trail Townsend Cutter McLaughlin Tylor Todd Pam Myers Parke Greeson Brent Ratliff Myles Brown Jayson Fisher Karnell Perry Stephen Silva Tammy Hays Amelia Spratling Wakley Carmen Buckingham Landri Lisac Stefani Wagley Landon Luce Garrell Reilly Sophia Buttars Tricia Gilson Jecca Ostrander Catelyn Walker Kristy Miller Elizabeth Kania Cody Halford Jace Sheridan Tracy Adams Katherine De Haan, DVM Kenneth Schueller Julia Winders Addison Fjelstad Jett Smith Suzon Schaal Amy Bailey Carlene Schmidt Carrie King Paul Wilinski Megan Waddell Kathy Wilson Chantz Stewart Lynne Faust Lori Conrow William Akin

$117,650.41 $53,774.34 $− $74,861.34 $29,359.15 $30,769.60 $35,165.49 $31,218.48 $11,539.15 $27,662.97 $11,617.18 $13,960.02 $2,888.50 $14,435.69 $3,022.00 $1,277.50 $1,167.85 $20,392.87 $46,238.38 $25,339.02 $5,692.94 $5,733.57 $11,728.60 $18,895.97 $20,745.96 $11,604.38 $− $4,143.63 $8,754.00 $15,890.03 $17,323.64 $11,107.91 $26,567.47 $3,450.00 $12,981.01 $10,170.00 $11,551.09 $5,358.93 $5,448.50 $5,308.13 $9,880.02 $545.83 $12,350.72 $8,005.50 $5,491.08

$199,392.77 $30,154.50 $41,098.50 $12,975.96 $29,085.31 $15,787.00 $19,809.84 $13,379.79 $12,790.35 $18,048.86 $2,727.33 $24,377.11 $6,770.80 $17,361.68 $11,371.00 $7,320.20 $31,601.20 $14,215.70 $2,829.02 $4,352.06 $35,030.00 $16,967.86 $16,529.72 $10,705.36 $7,553.06 $21,975.30 $39,210.01 $31,067.48 $14,173.57 $14,261.50 $13,184.77 $19,554.75 $8,081.92 $12,345.30 $10,853.80 $20,205.98 $5,384.33 $2,797.84 $9,181.53 $8,973.46 $14,403.73 $17,412.28 $13,254.06 $7,257.95 $9,220.50

$162,605.49 $40,761.91 $83,417.00 $7,912.96 $29,139.82 $24,132.05 $15,012.60 $19,801.61 $37,016.42 $9,988.34 $41,209.96 $16,177.80 $43,474.50 $21,057.34 $36,005.36 $40,845.00 $16,519.78 $14,561.88 $− $18,252.50 $5,900.00 $23,785.74 $14,731.59 $13,184.50 $12,785.39 $7,053.89 $− $2,955.00 $14,700.50 $7,097.55 $6,699.24 $4,283.00 $186.50 $18,369.70 $9,983.60 $2,249.36 $15,635.24 $24,282.45 $15,739.35 $16,031.08 $5,649.88 $11,481.96 $3,002.38 $12,320.52 $12,804.19

$479,648.67 $124,690.75 $124,515.50 $95,750.26 $87,584.28 $70,688.65 $69,987.93 $64,399.88 $61,345.92 $55,700.17 $55,554.47 $54,514.93 $53,133.80 $52,854.71 $50,398.36 $49,442.70 $49,288.83 $49,170.45 $49,067.40 $47,943.58 $46,622.94 $46,487.17 $42,989.91 $42,785.83 $41,084.41 $40,633.57 $39,210.01 $38,166.11 $37,628.07 $37,249.08 $37,207.65 $34,945.66 $34,835.89 $34,165.00 $33,818.41 $32,625.34 $32,570.66 $32,439.22 $30,369.38 $30,312.67 $29,933.63 $29,440.07 $28,607.16 $27,583.97 $27,515.77

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 187

Top Riders for Non Pro Eligibility in 2024 continued Non Pro Rank 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Rider Name

2021 Earnings

2022 Earnings

2023 Earnings

3-Year Earnings Sum

Paris Starn Morgan Holmes Meg Ralston Jonathan Morrison Ashley Lembke Danielle Griffiths Toni Hagen Heath Gianna Hansen Birgit Self R A Brown II Lannie-Jo Lisac Tylie Norcutt Karey Louthan Cynthia Bias Paul Bailey

$16,659.45 $9,700.80 $20,449.91 $10,886.80 $4,767.41 $7,901.39 $12,726.84 $22,661.63 $2,295.00 $− $12,000.55 $− $934.55 $589.50 $102.30

$7,582.54 $4,046.00 $4,317.75 $5,802.50 $8,326.62 $12,490.21 $11,639.00 $− $14,532.98 $10,817.45 $9,226.67 $12,929.25 $13,449.41 $21,261.69 $11,218.17

$3,157.33 $13,107.52 $1,924.56 $10,000.50 $11,923.50 $4,063.44 $76.00 $1,710.00 $6,959.45 $12,834.60 $1,739.50 $9,872.60 $8,096.28 $550.00 $10,773.86

$27,399.32 $26,854.32 $26,692.22 $26,689.80 $25,017.53 $24,455.04 $24,441.84 $24,371.63 $23,787.43 $23,652.05 $22,966.72 $22,801.85 $22,480.24 $22,401.19 $22,094.33

Riders ineligible for LAE Limited Non Pro based on earnings over $100,000 (see rule 10.4.8): Bart Holowath Bret Paulick Bubba Petty Carol Roberts Debby Sanguinetti Eric Freitas Hope Mills Jerry Beukelman John Showalter Laurie Richards

$151,606.65 $135,889.64 $163,388.12 $140,805.92 $255,535.05 $363,217.86 $181,783.72 $107,896.72 $140,233.31 $553,931.96

188 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Marc Bourdet Michelle Cowan Nelle Murphy Paul Bailey R. Mike Miller Rachel Eady Shawn Renshaw Terry Christiansen William Cowan

$120,873.08 $200,918.98 $112,471.25 $121,452.99 $628,237.67 $140,065.66 $317,500.32 $114,634.93 $140,874.22

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, Amanda Gardiner, Lance Johnston, Jay McLaughlin, Dan Roeser, Jon Roeser, Beverly Servi, Jake Telford, Cayley Wilson

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY

STAFF

AFFILIATES

OWNERS

Executive Director: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

PROFESSIONALS

Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com

RULES

Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com

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: Abrian Bass harris.abrian@gmail.com | 817-517-3006 Chairperson: Cayley Wilson cayleyrwilson@gmail.com | 604-300-0401 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

Chairperson: Lance Johnston jphperformancehorses@gmail.com | 805-550-8387 Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com

STRATEGIC PLANNING

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer Shubrick3@gmail.com | 719-330-1932

Chairperson: Chelsea Edsall edsallhorses@hotmail.com | 209-603-8968

NON PRO

Chairperson: Diane Edwards Diane2bph@outlook.com | 206-390-0715

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

Chairperson: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com | 940-488-1500

YOUTH

MARKETING

Chairperson: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com | 940-488-1491

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 189

AFFILIATE LISTING Current as of January 1, 2024

Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association

European 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

Augusto De Fazio via Natalia Ginzburg 1 - 11015 Ivrea (TO) ITALY Phone: +(39) 338 8860657 Email: ercha@hotmail.it Website: ercha.org

Margaret Ore PO Box 1604 East Helena, MT 59635 Phone: 406-227-7019 Email: more@mt.net Website: montanareinedcowhorse.com

Gem State Stock 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

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 PO Box 88 Trinidad, CO 81082 Phone: 970-520-1069 Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com Website: coloradoreinedcowhorse.com

190 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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

Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association

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

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

AFFILIATE LISTING Current as of January 1, 2024

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association

Southeastern Reined Cow Horse Association

South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association

Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Lane Arnold PO Box 1053 Canyon, TX 79015 Phone: 806-341-0941 Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com Website: panhandlecowhorse.com Tina McCleary 1951 Poe Prairie Rd Millsap, TX 76066 Phone: 979-218-0633 Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: strcha.org

Rachel Cobb 104 Murphy Hill Rd Belton, SC 29627 Phone: 864-276-9678 Email: southeastcowhorse@gmail.com Website: southeasternrcha.com Gay Lenz 11587 Hunt Lane Guthrie, OK 73044 Phone: 405-818-7556 Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com Website: srcha.org

Swedish Reined Cow Horse Association

Southern California 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

Roy Rich Phone: 951-529-6258 Email: socalrcha@aol.com Website: ltht@airenetworks.com

Team Professional Italia Western Show A.S.D. Eveline Besozzi Via Ottaviano 42, Roma, Rome ITALY 192 Phone: +39 347 26 22 783 Email: eveline.besozzi@gmail.com Website: westernshow.it

Utah Reined Cow Horse Association Morgan Miller 3185 W 15200 N Collinston, UT 84306 Phone: 435-279-7529 Email: utahcowhorse@gmail.com Website: urcha.com

Volunteer Ranch Horse Association

Rachael Snow 4807 Shadecrest Dr. Nashville, TN 37211 Phone: 615-405-5219 Email: volunteerranchhorseassociation@gmail.com Website: volrha.com

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Lee Alford 18211 La Tung Rd Covington, LA 70435 Phone: 985-373-8347 Website: www.srchala.com

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.

Agricultural Foundation, Fresno, CA 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

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 January 1, 2024

Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT

Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC

Don Stockman, Dayton, TX

Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY

Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA

Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX

Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA

Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL

Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling Purcell, OK

Jill Serena, Castaic, CA

Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY

Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA

Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA

Laura Delfino, Martinez, CA Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID

Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX

Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE

Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL

Chris Anderson Marietta, OK

Darren Roberts, Kent, NY

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 191

SHOW SCHEDULE

LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show

as of January 1, 2024

Date

Show

Type of event

Location

Jan 6

National Western Stock Show

HS, Cat 1

Denver, CO

Affiliate

Secretary

Phone

Email

Kelsey Nichols-Rhyne 661-889-8059

knichols06@yahoo.com

Jan 5-6

Mid State CHA Show #1

HS, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

Mid State CHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Jan 13-14

Northern California RCHA #1 - 2024

HS, Cat 1

Corning, CA

Northern California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Jan 14-15

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

HS, Cat 1

Fort Worth, TX

Nelle Murphy

580-276-0761

baldnshiney@hotmail.com

Jan 19-21

CRCHA Horse Show #1

HS, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Jan 20-21

Southern RCHA Celebration Preparation

HS, Cat 1

Andalusia, AL

Southern RCHA

Mikayla Alexander

936-900-4568

mikaylaalexander317@gmail.com

Jan 20-25

Black Hills Stock Show

HS, Cat 1

Rapid City, SD

Jan 26-28

CRCA World Show Warm-Up

HS, Cat 1

Castle Rock, CO

Colorado RCA

Keri Croft

503-701-3305

dkcroft2@frontier.com

Jan 27-28

GCCHA New Year Showdown

HS, Cat 1

Sarasota, FL

Gulf Coast CHA

Renee Burks

863-634-7385

rburks2556@aol.com

Feb 2-3

NvRCHA Show #1

HS, Cat 1

Las Vegas, NV

Nevada RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Feb 2-4

STRCHA Celebration Warm Up

HS, LAE, Cat 1

Abilene, TX

South Texas RCHA

Tina McCleary

979-218-0633

southtexasrcha@gmail.com

Feb 23-25

CRCHA Horse Show #2

HS, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Mar 1-2

NvRCHA Show #2

HS, Cat 1

Las Vegas, NV

Nevada RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Mar 6-10

SWRCHA Swing Into Spring

HS, LAE, Cat 1, Cat 2

Ardmore, OK

Southwest RCHA

Jackie Cline

405-818-7556

entry@srcha.org

Mar 18-24

CRCHA Paso Robles Spring Classic Derby, Spectacular, & Horse Show #3

HS, LAE, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Mar 29-30

NvRCHA Show #3

HS, Cat 1

Las Vegas, NV

Nevada RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

April 13-14

GCCHA April Showers

HS, Cat 1

Sarasota, FL

Gulf Coast CHA

Renee Burks

863-634-7385

rburks2556@aol.com

Apr 19-21

ARCHA Dust Off The Rust

HS, Cat 1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Ashley Kanaman

May 3-4

NvRCHA Show #4

HS, Cat 1

Las Vegas, NV

Nevada RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.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 24-26

ARCHA Mike Carone Classic

HS, Cat 1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

June 1-2

Gulf Coast CHA

HS, Cat 1

Sarasota, FL

Gulf Coast CHA

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

June 21-23

CRCHA Horse Show #6

HS, Cat 1

Tulare, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

July 12-14

CRCHA Horse Show #7

HS, Cat 1

Tulare, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Aug 9-11

CRCHA Horse Show #8

HS, Cat 1

Tulare, CA

California RCHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

crcha@saddleup-enterprises.com

Aug 16-18

ARCHA Summer Shootout

HS, Cat 1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Sept 6-7

Mid State CHA Show #3

HS, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

Mid State CHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Sept 13-15

ARCHA The Green Showdown

HS, Cat 1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Oct 18-19

Mid State CHA Show #4

HS, Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

Mid State CHA

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

Oct 31-Nov 3

ARCHA Code West Classic

HS, Cat 1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Nov 5-10

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 # 6666 RANCH ..........................................40/41 ALVIN FULTS .............................................113 AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION .........................................175 AMERICAN REGENT ANIMAL HEALTH ...........45 ANDERSON, LANDON ..................................43 BIMEDA USA ...............................................67 BLOOMER TRAILERS .................................133 BOB’S CUSTOM SADDLES............................85 BRUMBAUGH’S FINE HOME FURNISHINGS.........................................165 CALIFORNIA REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION ...........................................49 CANNON RANCH QUARTER HORSES ............65 CAROL ROSE QUARTER HORSES.............32/33 CEI COMMUNICATIONS................................81 CLASSIS .....................................................69 COWTRAC SYSTEMS .................................105 CR RANCHWEAR LLC ..................................89 DANIEL J PEREZ........................................163

This index is provided as a service.

The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

DECHRA VETERINARY PRODUCTS .......169/170

LOS JABONCILLOS RANCH ........................109

QUARTER HORSE NEWS............................177

SHANNON LAWLOR EQUINE ART ...............143

ECOPLANET ONE HEALTH ..........................137

MANION RANCH..........................................15

RAFTER P CONSTRUCTION ........................174

SHORTY’S CABOY HATTERY..........................75

ELEVEN BAR RANCH LLC ...........................139

MARKEL INSURANCE ................................115

RAY SHELL RANCH .................................... 8/9

SHOW PRO INDUSTRIES .............................83

EQUINE AFFAIRE .........................................26

MARS EQUESTRIAN.......................................7 MARTIN SADDLERY ...................................129

GHOSTWOOD DISTILLING CO.....................156

MATTHEWS CUTTING HORSES LLC .........28/29

RED ARROW RANCH .................................167 REDTAIL RANCH PERFORMANCE HORSES, LLC ...................79

SJ RANCH.................................................141

ESTELLE ROITBLAT ESTATE..........................39 GIST SILVERSMITHS INC............................111

METALLIC REBEL.........................................19

RICATO SUAVE LLC ......................................51

STELLA SWANSON......................................22

HASHTAG VENTURES LP .........................52/53

MILLER INTERNATIONAL ...............................3

RIOS OF MERCEDES ......................................4

STOCK HORSE OF TEXAS .............................37

HAY CHIX ..................................................119

MONCRIEF QUARTER HORSES .....................71

ROBERTSON RANCHES................................77

STRAWN VALLEY RANCH.............................91

NOBLE PANELS AND GATES ........................ BC

ROCKING BS RANCH .............................27, 59

THE SADDLE HOUSE ..................................157 TORNADO JONEZ COFFEE ..........................145 TR9 RANCH.................................... 46/47, 179

HEDLUND, CODY..........................................63

SKYBAND RANCH, LLC ..............................161 SLASH 7 SLASH, LLC...................................61

HOLY COW PERFORMANCE HORSES ..........117

NUTRENA FEED DIVISION .......................... IBC

ROCKING P RANCH ................................IFC, 1

HOME RANCH PERFORMANCE HORSES .....103

OKLAHOMA EQUINE HOSPITAL ..................125

ROGERS HEAVEN SENT RANCH..................147

JAMIE HILL CUTTING HORSES .....................34

OLERICH, JILL ...........................................121

ROLLZ ROYCE ..............................................11

TRES OSOS PERFORMANCE HORSES/ MISS ELLIE LLC ................................ 31, 127

JEFF SMITH’S CUSTOM SADDLES ..............149

OSWOOD STALLION STATION..................20/21

SAMI FINE JEWELRY .................................148

WAGONHOUND LAND AND LIVESTOCK ......171

K&L PHILLIPS, LLC......................................99

PLANTATION FARMS ...................................25

SAN JUAN RANCH / SANTA CRUZ ................87

WESTERN BLOODSTOCK ........................12/13

KALPOWAR QUARTER HORSES ..............16/17

PLATINUM PERFORMANCE, INC ................123

SCOOTER KAT PARTNERS ..........................135

WESTERN LEGACY CO. ..............................173

KIMES RANCH..................................... 73, 107

PULSE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.... 131

SERVI, BEVERLY ..........................................95

XIT RANCH.........................................100/101

192 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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