///////// NRCHA Regional Champions
Open Hackamore Champion
No Big Dual/Robert J. Smith, III FLETCH PHOTO COURTESY BECKY SMITH
horses the Apollo Beach, Florida, couple know well. Robert helped start Dual Spark as a 2-year-old when he worked for Bobby Lewis and Becky later picked No Big Dual, a.k.a. “Tater,” out as a weanling. “I fell in love with a bay weanling colt that was not for sale at the time,” said Becky. “Persistence and patience paid off and I was able to finally buy him as a yearling. Robert has done all of his training from the first ride to now.” The Smiths say Tater’s strengths have been his impressive stop and his consistency. “He is so special, like his sire, and a joy to be around and watch develop through all the phases of what makes our sport great—cow horse,” said Becky. “One thing that stands out is the consistency of this young stud in every pen, all kinds of different cattle and arenas.” The Smiths plan to show Tater at the Celebration of Champions and in 2017 and add AQHA versatility, NCHA competitions, and possibly non pro NRHA events, to his schedule. “He’s talented and handsome enough to try for a Super Horse title,” said Becky. “He’s young, sound and sane, so there are lots of options.”
Limited Open Hackamore Champion
steelin magnolias/ben bowman
Southeast Region Open Hackamore Champion No Big Dual ridden by Robert Smith, III.
No Big Dual (Dual Spark x Unos Charm x Smart Little Uno), owned by Becky L. Smith, was ridden by her husband, Robert Smith III, to the top of the Southeast’s Open Hackamore division. The 2012 stallion is from a family of
Steelin Magnolias (Metallic Cat x Fairlea Magnolia Gal x Colonel Pic) was ridden by Ben Bowman for owners Steve and Kathy Headley to the Limited Open Hackamore title in the Southeast Region.
Open Two Rein Champion
Miss Chic Dun It/Jay Holmes
Miss Chic Dun It (Dun It Big x Miss San Chic Olena x Smart Chic Olena), owned by David Beckett and Laura Bell, and ridden by Jay Holmes, earned 21 points and $570 to win the Southeast Region Open Two Rein title. The Cody, Wyoming, couple has owned Miss Chic Dun It, a.k.a. “Smoke,” for the past three years. “We have only been showing cow horses for just over two years—it’s never too late to start,” said Beckett. “But our trainer, Jay Holmes, has been training and showing cutters and cow horses for most of his adult life. He has not only trained our horses, but has worked patiently training us, which has been no easy task for him! Also, his wife Rhonda and daughter Morgan have offered great support and encouragement to us.” COURTESY DAVE BECKETT
horse show moment, which was “going down the fence in the Novice Non Pro Bridle for the first time.” The easiest part of tackling the fence work for Stratton was trusting her horse. “He has a willing-to-please-you attitude, big heart and a lot of grit to work a cow,” said Stratton, who was introduced to reined cow horses 12 years ago by Dan Biesiada, and began showing in the green class two years later. “Not only was my success this year due to my awesome horse, but also due to a lot of awesome people,” said Stratton. “My husband and son continue to support my love for cow horses. I thank Dan Biesiada for the determination to help me learn more about my horse and myself, and Jay Holmes for the lessons and show assistance getting me down that fence. And my Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association family’s support, as well.” Stratton plans to continue going down the fence with Money while learning and building confidence in the coming year.
Open Two Rein Champion Miss Chic Dun It ridden by Laura Bell. The 2009 mare is owned by the husband and wife team of Dave Beckett and Laura Bell.
Plans for the 2009 mare include hauling her to the Celebration of Champions where Holmes will show her in the Open Two Rein and Bell will show her in the Non Pro.
Non Pro Hackamore Champion
Cheri Has Dun It Big/Dave Watt
Cheri Has Dun It Big (Dun It Big x Cherialena Light x Grays Starlight), owned and ridden by Dave Watt, topped the Southeast Region Non Pro Hackamore with 33 points and $523.
Non Pro Two Rein Champion
Barbara McCaughey/Ruff NIGHT In Dixie Barbara McCaughey rode Ruff Nite In Dixie (Ruff Up My Chex x Miskid Olena x Olena Fritz) to the Southeast Region Non Pro Two Rein Championship.
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