2021 August/September RCHN

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 26, NO. 4

SHINING BRIGHT

SHINEY OUTLAW and JAY MCLAUGHLIN made up a deficit to eventually claim the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular at the DT Horses Western Derby.

INSIDE: 2021 DERBY CHAMPIONS

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PROFESSIONAL PATRIOTS

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TRUE MARE POWER

CONTENTS////// AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 26, NUMBER 4

DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

FEATURES

52 A Solid Bet

144 The Bottom Side

Corey Cushing nabbed the top spot aboard Hesa Dual Bet.

Top breeders have always paid attention to the “bottom side” of a horse’s pedigree—the mare family—and with good reasons.

60 Scottsdale Dreamin’

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

150 Professional Patriots

66 Sensational in Scottsdale

Two NRCHA Non Pro competitors schedule their riding time around their military commitments.

The Spectaculars gave talented older horses a place to shine during the DT Horses Western Derby.

82 Horse Show Headlines

Horse show class champions from the Western Derby.

ACENTRIC RODEO

CIRCLE UP 24 Cowboy Up 28 Empty Stalls 32 Trade Secrets 36 Sna e Bit e s 38 Quotable

MEMBER ROUNDUP 40 Know the Pro: Lee Deacon 44 Meet Tony Grover 50 Faces of the NRCHA

IN EVERY ISSUE

For the second year in a row, Trevor Hale captured the NHSFR World Champion Reined Cow Horse title.

20

DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY 95 On the Inside Cover:

Todd Crawford riding Jerry Smoke to the Eastern Derby Open Bridle Spectacular.

96 Super Suave

The Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, saw Ricato Suave and Clay Volmer come out on top of the Open Derby.

104 Double Derby

For the second year, Debbie Crafton is the Non Pro Derby Champion.

110 Smokin’ Spectacular

Todd Crawford earned two titles on versatile older horses.

126 Circuit Champions

Horse show circuit champions from the Eastern Derby.

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4 From the Executive Director 8 NRCHA President’s Letter 10 From the Judge’s Chair 14 From the NRCHYA 155 Dennis Moreland’s Tack Tips 157 NRCHA Committee Directory 158 filiate ist 159 Suspended List 160 NRCHA Approved Events On the cover: Shiney Outlaw, owned by Michelle Cannon, and Jay McLaughlin captured the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular in Scottsdale (page 66).

Photo by Primo Morales.

CINCHJEANS.COM

///////// FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECT0R

IT’S ONLY LOOKING UP As I write this letter, I can confidently report that summer has finally arrived in Texas. It’s hot, y’all; the kind of hot that requires a cool lemonade or a refreshing dip in the pool, or stock tank pool, as it were. Do you know what else has been hot?

Our entries! It’s hard to believe that since our last issue we’ve had two record-breaking Derbies and a record-breaking National High School Finals Rodeo, Dr. Anna Morrison where 111 youth competed in the cow horse arena!

For those of you who weren’t able to join us in Scottsdale, Arizona, let me share a bit of what you missed at the DT Horses Western Derby in June. Our entries were up 20 percent over the course of this 12-day show, which featured outstanding children’s activities like lead line and herd help horse painting, as well as the CD Survivor Memorial Bridle Spectacular and first-ever CD Survivor Super Spectacular, both supported by Holy Cow Performance Horses.

We also held our first-ever $10,000 added Non Pro Limited class, which helped Cheryl Chown to become the winningest Non Pro Limited rider ever at a single National Reined Cow Horse Association premier event. After all was said and done, it was Corey Cushing and Hesa Dual Bet, owned by Teton Ridge Ranch, that bested the field of 143 Open Derby horses in spectacular fashion.

After Scottsdale, it was on to Cordova, Tennessee, for the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS EquestrianTM. The 33 percent (yes, you read that correctly) increase in entries there ensured that our barns were full and our warm-up pens were always busy, and we were grateful for rain that kept the temperatures down! After the fence work it was Clay Volmer atop Ricato Suave, owned by Shaleah Hester and Madeline Fountain, that beat out 68 horses for the title of Open Derby Champion. That same day, Todd Crawford and Jerry Smoke earned the Open Bridle Spectacular title, and later that week Crawford rode Bet Lucky 13 to the Open Two Rein Spectacular title. The Pre-Futurity classes marked the first time we’ve seen NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® prospects in the pen at a major this year, and it was Ashley Deacon aboard The Royalty, owned by Lucinda Rose David, that came out victorious in the Open division.

Speaking of the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, this will be one for the record books! As of now, we have more than 300 open horses, with Level 1-only entries still to come, and many people still hunting slots. As we finish out the heat of the summer, we’ll be looking forward to the reprieve the fall weather will bring, along with the excitement of seeing which horses will rise to the top during the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals on October 23. I have a feeling you’re not going to want to miss this one!

Stay cool, and we’ll see you in Fort Worth!.

4 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Volume 26, Number 4

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: Corey Cushing Vice President: Paul Bailey Secretary: Frank Prisco Treasurer: Trey Neal NRCHA Foundation: MJ Isakson

NRCHA STAFF

Executive Director: Dr. Anna Morrison Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel Communications Manager: Kate Bradley Byars Program Manager: Elizabeth Ellis Membership & Affiliate Show Manager: Taylor Todd Director of Judges: Bill Enk Official NRCHA Photographer: Primo Morales Official NRCHA Videographer: Equine Promotion

REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Vice President: John Lunn Editor: Kate Bradley Byars Managing Editor: Jennifer Denison Production Manager: Sherry Brown Art Director: Susan Sampson Advertising Sales Shawn McCoy, 817-929-859/ shawn.mccoy@morris.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.

– THE OFFICIAL BOOT OF THE NRCHA –

///////// FROM THE NRCHA PRESIDENT

CREATING CONFIDENCE We are in that time of year where doubt creeps in to how we ride and train our horses. The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® looms. It’s easy to lose confidence in yourself and your horse now that we are starting to show in pre-works and pre-futurity events. I’m here to tell you, don’t lose focus!

Going into the Futurity season, it can be hard to stay the course. Working a Futurity horse brings out a lot of emotion and self-doubt. Have I done enough? What do I need to do better? But we always need to keep our horses in mind. Up until now, we’ve all stuck to a program to prepare these young horses for a very, very tough event. It’s stressful, and we ask a lot of them physically.

Watching other horses and riders when we’re at pre-futurity events can shake the confidence we have, and sometimes we allow that to shift our focus. Stick with your horse and the learning curve you have been on with it. Switching directions isn’t always the answer, but our nerves can have us thinking that doing exactly what someone else does is the answer to any little problem we may have.

If you watch another rider and think they’re doing something better, see how you can incorporate that idea into what you’ve already taught the horse or what you’re still working on. Remember that just like us, every horse is difKATE BRADLEY BYARS

ferent. We need to tailor our programs and how we ride to fit our equine partners.

Just like learning cow horse and moving from the boxing to going down the fence, it is all about Corey Cushing, NRCHA president building confidence in our horses as they learn the events. It’s not fair to our horses to keep changing things up on the learning curve. We want our horses to be confident.

Yes, we want them to be trained; yes, we are always working on them. But, if you take the confidence away, you’ll lose your horse.

We strive to train horses that can do every maneuver.

Keep in mind all of the different things we ask these young horses to do—rein, cut and go down the fence. It takes an athletic and confident horse to achieve all these things and do it at a young age.

It rings true for horses of all ages that when you have confidence in that horse, it also feels more confident. No matter if you’re a Non Pro Limited rider or a Youth going down the fence, consistency and confidence create a stronger partnership with your horse. No matter what, remember that horses are why we show and how we show. We train and work toward a goal, but in the end our horses come first.

This is looking like our largest field of Snaffle Bit Futurity entries yet, and that’s exciting! Have faith that the horse you’ve prepped will put its best effort forward in the show pen because you’ve built a confident athlete.

See you in Fort Worth!

Confidence in your horse can carry you through Futurity season.

8 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR Continue learning about one-point penalties.

G

10 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

one stride, falls out of the lead behind and then back into the correct lead in a blink of an eye. Focus is key here, and still you sometimes question yourself as a judge.

Obviously, early and late changes are also one-point penalties. These penalties occur when the horse changes leads either too early or too late during the lead-change maneuver. Sometimes it is hard to tell if the horse was a tad early or a tad late. In this case, dropping the maneuver score by a half-point would be a good way to address the situation appropriately. Changing leads in the designated part of the arena is a must for credit.

The scotch penalty is unique to the reined cow horse discipline. To assess this penalty correctly, the horse must assume the stop position and have to be asked to continue the approach until reaching the designated stopping area.

Anticipating the stop but not hitting the stop position is a poor approach, but it is not considered a scotch. A scotch should be obvious, or just factor in the poor approach with the quality of the stop, average the two, and come up with the correct approach and stop maneuver score.

Over- or under-spinning from oneeighth to one-quarter from where thehorse is supposed to stop the spin maneuver is a one-point penalty.

Sometimes the judge’s location makes it is hard to tell if the horse stops spinning at the one-eighth mark or is a touch

PRIMO MORALES

uidelines for the reined work in the cow horse discipline come from the National Reining Horse Association. The National Reined Cow Horse Association’s one-point penalties pretty much mirror those of the NRHA. The only exception is the “scotch” penalty, which occurs on the approach to a sliding stop. NRCHA has this penalty, but the NRHA does not.

Additionally, horses are required to be on the correct lead at all times when performing circle maneuvers. Circles are divided into four equal quarters.

If a horse falls out of its lead, it has one-quarter of the circumference of the circle to regain the proper lead for a one-point penalty. It is important to note where the horse fell out of its lead.

From that point, it has one-quarter of the circumference of the circle to regain the lead. When going from a large, fast circle to a small, slow circle the quartercircle is reduced in size and has to be factored in for the appropriate penalty.

If a horse is in the incorrect lead for three-quarters of a circle, the correct way to record this penalty is 3, not 1, 1, 1. Leads are cumulative and should be recorded correctly. This method tells the exhibitor that he or she was out of lead for three-quarters of the circle versus falling out of lead and then back into the correct lead three times during that circle, which would be recorded as 1, 1, 1.

One of the most difficult penalties to get a consensus on is when a horse, in

beyond. The difference in the penalties is a half-point, which is meaningful. In this case, my rule of thumb is to go with the lesser penalty—be as consistent and as fair as possible, and let their performance dictate how they place.

Showing with romal reins makes slipping the reins a fairly easy call. If a horse’s head is overly cocked to the inside, usually in the circles, and there is a loop on one rein and not the other, a penalty for slipping the rein could be applied to the score.

As a judge, it is not necessary to hunt for one-point penalties. If you are focused on the quality of the run and the horse has a bobble or two, it should be fairly obvious. Record the penalty, then decide how much, if at all, it affected the maneuver. Fairness and accuracy in these decisions separates the pretty good judges from the really good judges. Food for thought!

Until Next Time, Bill Enk

5/7/18

8/24/18

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FROM THE NRCHYA

By Tylor Todd Photos by Primo Morales

T

he 2021 DT Horses Western Derby had many activities to keep members of the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association buzzing around WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona. From painting the herd help’s horses to learning how to rope, there was an activity for Youth of all ages!

The activities kicked off with the youngest Youth competing in a leadline class held after the show ended on Sunday, June 6. NRCHA judge Al Dunning wasn’t able to pick a winner in the class of 18 kids, and their parents or grandparents that led them around the arena.

Next, the kids also painted the NRCHA professionals’ herd help’s horses on Monday, June 7. Horses were painted a variety of colors, and some also had a glittery touch to them.

My personal favorite horse painted by the kids was youth advisor Todd Crawford’s turnback horse, because the kids painted his horse’s mane and tail a bright blue with a touch of glitter. At

14 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

the end of the day, the kids had a wash party to clean their painting masterpieces off of their equine cavasses.

For older Youth, a cattle sorting was put in place in the practice pen on Monday, June 7. Youth had to drive cattle from one side of the pen to the next. This was a great activity for the Youth to gain some cattle sense and have a great time with their peers. For younger kids, the lead-line class was a perfect opportunity to get into the show pen. Kids both in the lead line and sorting had tons of fun and were rewarded with popsicles at the end!

The DT Horses Roping School on Wednesday, June 9, was a big hit!

Aspiring ropers of all ages on foot and on horseback came to learn how to perfect their skill sets. Kids on horses learned position and control by roping the Hot Heels drag. Kids on foot roped the dummy and learned how to better control their swing and throw. Several NRCHA professionals also took time out of their day to come out and teach

the younger generation. This was a great opportunity for the kids, and they all had a blast.

Lastly, all the Youth came to the kids’ corral on the arena concourse to paint festive signs and cheer on contestants. Kids had so much fun cheering and making signs. Kristen Cushing, NRCHA President Corey Cushing’s wife, was in charge of the kids’ corral, as well as organizing the youth activities for this show. The NRCHYA would like to give her a big thank you for organizing and planning the youth activities.

We would also like to thank DT Horses for coming out and doing the roping school, as well as the NRCHA professionals who came out and helped. It turned out to be a great show!

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COURTESY OF CRCHA

CRCHA SPRING CLASSIC A SUCCESS Provided from California Reined Cow Horse Association

T

he inaugural California Reined Cow Horse Association Spring Classic Derby was three years in the planning. The departure of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby in 2020 from Paso Robles, California, to Scottsdale, Arizona, left the first home of the reined cow horse sport with no major reined cow horse event for the first time and freed up the sponsorship commitments necessary for the CRCHA to produce a major reined cow horse limited age event.

Mark Borjon of Borjon Auto Center took the lead role and made the major financial commitment as the presenting sponsor along with a matching commitment by the CRCHA, enabling the first Paso Robles Spring Classic to move forward.

When entries closed at 61 in the Open, 18 in the Non Pro and 19 in the Non Pro Limited, the financial success of the event was assured. The higher than expected turnout increased the Open purse from $80,000 to $97,750.

Across all divisions the derby paid out $194,250.

The premier Open Derby, sponsored

by Call Me Mitch, saw Justin Wright of Santa Maria, California, sweeping the top two placings on Graceful Smart Cat in first, marking a 666.5 and earning $30,000 for owner Wagonhound Land & Livestock, and on Hustle And Flo in second, marking a 664.5 and earning

18 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

$17,250 for owner Russ Mothershead.

High rein work score was Clayton Edsall of Oakdale, California, on Gunna Bet My Boon for owner Beverly Servi, marking a 225.

The Intermediate Open Derby, also sponsored by Call Me Mitch, was topped by Russell Probert who made the trip down from Joseph, Oregon, to show Roo To Do, marking a 658 and earning $6,000, and adding $4,000 for seventh in the Open for a total of $10,000 for then-owner Probert Ranch.

In the Limited Open Derby, sponsored

by One Fine Vintage, Wyatt Fisher of Nipomo, California, led the field on DMAC Rubirosa, scoring a 647.5 and earning $2,175.

The Level 1 Limited Open Derby, also sponsored by One Fine Vintage, was won by Cody McNaney from Oakdale, California, on SJR Sparkin Metal, marking a 644 and earning $1,275, and adding $1,800 for seventh in the Intermediate and $1,740 for second in the Limited for a grand total of $4,815 for owner Erica McNaney.

In the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Derby, sponsored by Brother Jackson, Angela Vogt of Elk Creek, California, took home the titles on her Royal Boon Roan scoring a 650 and earning $3,450 in the Non Pro and $1,575 in the Intermediate Non Pro for a total of $5,025.

The Amateur Derby, sponsored by

Open Derby Champion Justin Wright aboard Graceful Smart Cat.

Tomcat Chex, found Stacy Duesterhaus on ISR A Little Lace at the top of the results, marking a 629.5 and earning $1,425, and adding $1,725 for fourth in the Non Pro and $787.50 for fourth in the Intermediate Non Pro for a total of $3937.50 for owners Brendan and Stacy Duesterhaus. Rounding out the Derby champions in the Non Pro Limited, sponsored by Gotta Go Get It, was Mac Stein on Special Time Edition, marking a 647 and taking home $1,875.

The event also featured a full slate of NRCHA- and CRCHA-approved horse show classes with over 200 entries. The event will return in 2022 for the second year of a five-year contract and will add several attractive ancillary exhibitor events that had to be cancelled this year to comply with county COVID-19 requirements.

The event was produced by the CRCHA, a NRCHA affiliate member, founded in 1998 as the Valley Cow Horse Club. The CRCHA promotes eight events annually, including a derby, a spectacular, a shoot-out and nine horse shows. The CRCHA’s mission is to preserve the vaquero tradition of training and exhibiting reined cow horses in California.

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TWICE ON TOP A graduating senior, Trevor Hale repeated his 2020 win at the National High School Rodeo Finals.

Story and photograph by Kate Bradley Byars

Trevor Hale and Seven S Crazy Horse have teamed up successfully for the young man’s the last couple of years in the National High School Rodeo Association.

M

ore than 1,500 high school rodeo competitors descended on Lincoln, Nebraska, July 18-24, 2021, to compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo, presented by CINCH. Of those, 111 were entered to compete in reined cow horse. Through 10 performances, five per go-round, the go-round scores were totaled to determine the top 20 horse and rider teams that would come back for the

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Finals held on Friday, July 23. The 12th draw, Trevor Hale riding Seven S Crazy Horse, turned in the top cow work score in the Finals and, ultimately, receive the 2021 World Champion Reined Cow Horse title.

It was a repeat win for the roper and reined cow horse competitor from Perryton, Texas, who also rode the black gelding called “Batman” to the 2020 win.

“I’ve always roped and [competed] in Junior High and High School rodeos,” said 18-year-old Hale. “When they added cow horse, I thought to do that, too. I think it’s gotten bigger, more people want to do it and go show. It’s definitely gotten tougher. They were all tough in this Finals; it just happened to be in my favor.”

Riding the 12-year-old son of Hickorys Indian Pep out of Seven S Babe that is owned by Terry Stuart Forst, Hale won the first and second go-rounds before taking the average with a cumulative score of 890.

He credits Brad Lund and Todd Crawford with coaching him in the cow horse. However, his highest praise goes to Batman, who he also rode to reserve in the 2021 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, presented by MARS Equestrian™, in February.

“He is awesome; really easy to show and lets me do my job,” Hales said. “He

always tries and that’s all I can ask of him. We got together better this year and were solid all around. He’s been awesome for me and I can’t thank the Stuarts enough for letting me ride him.”

While he dominated the reined cow horse pen, Hale plans to set aside his spade bit and pick up his rope, and purchase his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association card and focus on tie-down roping.

Hot on Hale’s heels during the NHSFR were Tylor Todd, of Rexford, Kansas, who was reserve in go-round 1, third in the average and then went on to earn the 2021 NHSRA All-Around Cowgirl title. Earth, Texas, exhibitor Trail Townsend was reserve in goround 2, just a half-point behind Hale.

For the cumulative Reserve Champion title, Sierra Telford of Caldwell, Idaho, took home the prize with a 874.5 average score.

For more information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association and NHSRA partnership, visit nrcha.com/ nhsra-reined-cow-horse/.

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COWBOY UP A clinic at the Four Sixes Ranch brought together the showmanship of the NRCHA and the workmanship of wage-earning cowboys for a special event.

Story and Photography by Kate Bradley Byars

Above: The historic Four Sixes Ranch is home to a strong ranch horse breeding program that includes historic running Quarter Horse bloodlines such as Dash For Cash, immortalized in this statue.

Early morning arrivals at the clinic included local riders as well as ranch hands from Colorado and Kansas.

F

ifty-five riders participated in the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s 2021 Cowboy Clinic, hosted at the Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, June 19-20, 2021. The two-day event included a full day of herd work, rein work and fence work instruction that was followed by a mock horse show. Despite the hot temperatures, the attendees, clinicians and spectators were in for a cool treat at the iconic ranch.

In 2019, the NRCHA returned to its roots, conducting the first of two clinics focused on benefitting working ranch hands and cowboys wanting to move into the reined cow horse arena. The outcome of the clinics resulted in the inaugural Cowboy Class at the 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, which provides wage-earning working cowboys a division tailored to their entry

24 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

into the show pen. The Cowboy Clinic continued the association’s outreach.

Glenn Blodgett, DVM, opened the ranch’s horse facilities to clinic participants, and he coordinated a cowpuncher-style food truck, while also ensuring that horses and riders alike survived the Texas heat by staying hydrated.

The historic ranch, which was founded in 1870 and owned by the Burnett Ranches LLC, annually has entries at NRCHA events, including the Snaffle Bit Futurity. It was the perfect host to meld the showmanship and higherlevel horsemanship of the arena with the athleticism and cow savvy ranch participants brought to the clinic.

Ranch cowboys and wage-earning day workers were invited to learn more about reined cow horse from professionals trainers such as NRCHA Hall of Fame and Two Million Dollar Rider

Right: Ashley Taylor, from Circle Bar Ranch in Truscott, Texas, and NRCHA Programs Manager Elizabeth Ellis, embody the friendly spirit of the weekend’s event.

Clinic attendees not only learned from top NRCHA riders, they also met ranching legends like Boots O’Neal.

Horses and riders of all ages enjoyed a break from the West Texas heat and sun when working on fence work in the large covered arena.

Todd Crawford, the Four Sixes’ resident trainer, Terry Riddle, Ben Baldus, Robert Forst, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Kelby Phillips and Jordan Williams.

Crawford and Baldus teamed up to work on rein work, Riddle and Williams tackled herd work, and Phillips and Forst coached riders down the fence.

On Sunday, for the mock show, Baldus served as the judge, ensuring riders could see how their run fared in the NRCHA judging system.

The ranching community is a natural fit for NRCHA to grow its membership base from while staying true to its traditional roots. Participants in this clinic and other cowboys and cowgirls have the chance to show in reined cow horse with their peers in the Cowboy Class that will be held at the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity this October.

With Jordan Williams (left) and Terry Riddle looking on, participants worked the ranch’s cattle in the round cutting pen. There were three riding rotations: rein and herd work outside, and then fence work in a covered pen. Each rider learned in two areas before lunch, then one afterward.

With coaching from Kelby Phillips (shown here) and Robert Forst, riders boxed a cow then worked it down the fence.

Even when not the focus of attention, other clinic participants were rapt to learn.

From left, NRCHA professionals Jordan Williams, Todd Crawford, Kelby Phillips, Robert Forst, Ben Baldus and Terry Riddle, the Four Sixes Ranch resident horse trainer, all gave their time to assist clinic participants in their desire to learn more about reined cow horse.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 25

Weste The Evening Session for

Qualified Yearlings, Broodmares & Breeding Stallions Qualification for the Evening Session (Yearlings, Broodmares & Breeding Stallions) Limited to the First 60 Qualified Completed Entry Contracts

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Broodmare Requirements

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EMPTY STALLS Miss Plain Plain passes on.

I

PRIMO MORALES

f ever a horse could be credited with changing lives, it is Miss Plain Plain. The 1992 mare by Just Plain Colonel and out of Miss Master Blaster, by Master Blaster, was a cutting-trained mare when Scott and Darnell Trueblood bought her from John Ward, who bred her on the Ward Ranch in Tulare, California. Yet when she passed away at age 29 with then-owner Kevin Cantrelle, the mare boasted four finalist appearances in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition and earned Reserve twice. She also produced the 2017 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion, Plain Catty (by Bet Hesa Cat). It is quite a story.

Russell Dilday said that she didn’t have a barn name, and instead everyone called her Miss Plain Plain. A self-described green trainer when the Truebloods, of Ducor, California, purchased the mare, Dilday showed her in reined cow horse events. In 2001, he took her to the World’s Greatest Horseman.

“She taught me what a fence turn and a steer stopping run should feel Miss Plain Plain like,” said Dilday. “That helped Russell Dilday become a mare was incredible on mainstay in the the fence. Next to ‘Slider’ World’s Greatest [Topsails Rien Maker], Horseman comshe is the best horse I’ll petition. recall. If I hadn’t had her, I don’t know if I could have been ready for Slider. She was second twice and third once, and showed in the second-ever World’s Greatest. When I started showing Slider she became a full-time broodmare.”

With NRCHA earnings of $71,642.10 and cutting earnings topping $20,000, the mare held her own in the show pen. As a broodmare, Miss Plain Plain produced seven NRCHA performers with earnings of $233,203.75, including Plain Catty, a 2014 stallion Jake Gorrell rode to the 2017 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion title, and Plain Baby Plain (by Topsails Rein Maker), a 2006 mare owned by Cantrelle that Dilday showed to the Intermediate Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals.

“She made Jake a Snaffle Bit Champion, the Truebloods, Kevin and my family received so much … and she was a $20,000 cutter! People spend millions to do what she did for our industry,” said Dilday.

Our condolences go out to Miss Plain Plain’s connections.

28 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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TRADE SECRETS Todd Crawford explains how learning to read, rate and stop with a cow are integral to success in the show pen.

By Bonnie Wheatley

T

32 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

snaffle bit is a milder piece of equipment, Crawford says it’s of utmost importance that horses be trained to respond to even the lightest cues from the earliest stages of their training.

“Whether it’s a snaffle or hackamore, or whether it’s a bridle or whatever, that horse has got to know that when that cow signals ‘stop,’ you get stopped now and there’s not another step,” he said. “Once you have that ingrained, then you know you can go down the fence and make circling turns and things like that, but you always have to have the ability to stop them anytime you want to.”

By teaching his horses to proficiently read cattle, Crawford is constantly reinforcing rate and stop.

“Cattle lower their front ends or withers as they’re preparing to stop, and I want my horse to recognize that signal from the cow,” he explained. “I want him to hit his hocks. The other thing is, if I’m running across the pen and the cow turns away from me, the moment that cow angles away from me it signals the horse to stop.”

During training, Crawford says he’s careful to create and reinforce softness.

ROSS HECOX

he ability to perform thrilling fence runs and crowd-pleasing stops with precision are hallmarks of reined cow horse competition that require a rock-solid training foundation. For National Reined Cow Horse Association Hall of Fame and $2 Million Rider Todd Crawford, instilling rate and stop are key fundamentals, and he uses cattle to reinforce these skills in his training program.

“Obviously, every aspect of training, all the details, are very important, but if I had one main theme it would be having my horse recognize that when a cow signals him to stop, he hits his hocks,” Crawford said.

At his training facility in Blanchard, Oklahoma, Crawford instills the correct foundation in some of the winningest horses and Non Professional riders in the industry by helping them learn to read cattle.

“You have to have your eyes on the cow in order to see when that cow signals your horse to stop,” said Crawford.

“Then you have to be able to back it up by any means that you need to in order to make sure your horse stops.”

Crawford says successful reined cow horses must learn to respect the traditional vaquero head gear, from the snaffle bit to the bridle. Since the

Instilling rate and stop are key fundamentals in Todd Crawford’s training program, and he uses cattle to reinforce these skills in training.

“Once you get them to finding that stop then you can kind of soften it up and take the resistance out,” he said.

“Let’s say, for instance, I had to put a bridle on one to get them to hit that stop because they’re running through my hand, I’m going to do that.”

For the Non Pros Crawford coaches, he says success comes easier if they learn to read cattle the same way as their horses are trained to do.

“What I’m doing in training is I’m putting those brakes on that horse to

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///////// CIRCLE UP where the worst case scenario is that I’ve got to kick and make that horse go farther ahead, but I’m kicking rather than pulling,” said Crawford. “I’ve trained that rate in; I’ve trained that stop in. It doesn’t matter whether I’m cutting or whether I’m going down the fence, I will run up alongside that cow and if that cow signals, I’ll hit that stop and I’ll let that cow go on. By doing that and getting that stop deeply ingrained, then, most of the time, I don’t have that much work to do in the reining because I already have that stop kind of implanted.”

Crawford emphasized that it’s just as important, if not more so, to be as vigilant about your own riding habits as it is to focus on schooling your horse.

“You have to discipline yourself to watch your cow,” he said. “Most of it is

34 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

me working on my self-discipline about watching the cow and being consistent in what I’m doing. It’s almost like I’ve got to work on myself just as much, if not more, than my horse.”

Without that mindset, Crawford says it’s tough to avoid sending mixed signals to your horse and, as a consequence, shaking his confidence.

“If I’m not disciplined to think that way, there’s no way my horse is going to be consistently thinking the way I want him to,” he explained. “If you’re not consistent in what you’re doing, your horse is not going to be consistent.

You’ll be sending mixed signals.”

In lockstep with reading cattle well, Crawford says approaching the stop, whether it’s in the reined work or the fence work, is just as important and boils down to speed and body control.

“I have to make sure there’s no lean in the run,” he said. “I don’t have to stop a lot, like run and slide, but the approach to the stop is so important— the run—just as it is running down the fence with the cow. In other words, that horse has to let me put him in position so that when the cow stops, he’s in position to turn.”

In order to be able to put his horse in the correct position to turn a cow, Crawford says he has to have taught the horse to respect all of his cues.

“It’s just a lot of maneuvering and handling, teaching the horse to run with the cow. I have my stop ingrained, but I am teaching the run, the softness and the steering.

“You know, when he’s good in the face, good in the bridle and reads a cow, then I think you have a cow horse.”

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NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY OPEN FINALIST FIELD EXPANDS IN 2021 ®

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he 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® will be the largest entry field for the 3-year-old event in recent history, and with those added numbers comes an increase in the cap on the total number of finalists brought back in the Open division.

As of August 1, there are 301 Open entries in the premier 3-year-old event in the Western performance horse industry.

In 2019, the field hit a decade-high of 274 entries. The event will be held again in Fort Worth, Texas, October 7 through 23, and will also feature an increase in the number of Finalist horse and rider teams showing under the lights in the Will Rogers Coliseum.

“The Board is in tune with the changes we are experiencing as our events grow, and feel the way we approach our finals should be responsive to that growth, too,” said Anna Morrison, NRCHA executive director. “When discussing changes to the finalist structure for the 2022 Derbies and Snaffle Bit Futurity®, it became clear that the time to make the change for the Futurity was now.”

The NRCHA Board of Directors voted to increase the finalist cap to 30 in the Open, Intermediate Open and Limited

36 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Open divisions at this year’s Snaffle Bit Futurity. There will be a maximum of 30 finalist contestants, plus ties, showing in the Finals, which are scheduled to run October 22-23. All other aspects of the Snaffle Bit Futurity finalist calculation detailed in the NRCHA Rule Book, rule 10.6.4, will remain the same.

“We’re pleased to be able to recognize additional horses in the finals, and even happier to say that despite the change happening so late in the season the Board is able to commit that 26-30th place in the Open Finals will receive a $5,000 payout,” explained Morrison.

Adding horse and rider pairs to the Finals will only increase the thrill of watching the best in the reined cow horse industry compete. The NRCHA membership has increased in 2021, reflecting in increased entries at all premier NRCHA events: 15% at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes and 20% at the DT Horses Western Derby and 33% at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.

Tickets for the 2021 event will go on sale in September.

Visit www.NRCHA.com to access information.

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QUOTABLE Heather Gibson felt her skin crawl with goosebumps as she read National Reined Cow Horse Association President Corey Cushing’s letter to members in the January/February issue of Reined Cow Horse News. She took his invitation to attend a premier event to heart when she read, “You and your horse are good enough, and you do belong there with us.”

PRIMO MORALES

I got chicken skin when I read Corey’s article [in the January/February issue], and it was so positive and motivating. I told my husband that my goal for the year was to show at a premier event,” said Heather Gibson, of Waimanolo, Oahu, Hawaii.

She had a mare that she originally purchased in Colorado and shipped to Hawaii to her husband’s family’s horse facility on the eastern side of the island. Prior to competing at the Western Derby, Gibson had only competed in four shows with about 20 entries in each, even barging her horse to the island of Hawaii to show in the state’s futurity.

“Through a family friend we decided to send [the horse to trainer] James Milum and he had her about 30 days before the show,” said Gibson “This is my dream come true. It hits me hard—I am so blessed to be part of reined cow horse. I have not met one person who isn’t supportive! Everyone is so kind and so supportive. No one looks at me like I ask a crazy question; they are all kind. I don’t know what the next show is that James will do, but I will be at the Eastern Derby [in Tennessee]. Just being here and showing with everyone is just amazing. ”—Heather Gibson

38 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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KNOW THE PRO Australian-born Lee Deacon deviated from his life plan when he started training cow horses in the United States.

Interview and photography by Kate Bradley Byars

G

rowing up in Queensland, Australia, Lee Deacon was immersed in the horse industry.

From an early age, he planned to be involved with horses.

“Originally, I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian,” said Deacon, 32. “Until I realized how much school I was going to have to do, I really got interested in the horse training side of things when I was around 12 years old. My dad came over here [to the United States] and rode with Bill Horn, which sparked a fire to focus on training reining horses.

He got into it so I got into it, and it’s gone from there.”

His father, Andrew, rode bareback horses and produced rodeos, and the family bred approximately 30 broodmares to their Paint Horse-Quarter Horse stallion. Deacon could ride before he could walk, starting the family’s colts along with his father.

After finishing 10th grade (when students can leave school for a full-time job), Deacon began to pursue a higher education in horses.

His first course was in reading cattle.

His father encouraged him to work on a “station,” the equivalent of a working cattle ranch in the United States.

“I spent 12 months on a cattle station when I was 16, then the next two

40 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

years I spent working for two of the top reining horse trainers in [Australia],” Deacon said. “I then had the opportunity to go out on my own, so I did that for two years.”

Living in Rockhampton, Queensland, Deacon had 20 head of horses in training when a young Chris Dawson came to teach reined cow horse clinics in the area in 2008. Dawson stayed with Deacon, riding horses for two weeks.

“My dad was in the process of starting an Australian Reined Cow Horse Association, so he organized some clinics. That year, Chris Dawson didn’t have any snaffl bit horses [in training], so he came over,” Deacon recalled.

“After riding my horses, he told me he would recommend me to any trainer in the [United States] if I ever wanted a job. Four years later, I called him and said I was coming over. My plan was to stay on his couch for a month and find someone to work for.”

At 21, Deacon left home with a plan to work for a “big name” trainer in the United States, hoping it would be Todd Bergen, before returning to Australia.

He arrived in Texas in April of 2012.

The risk has been worth it, as Deacon’s focus on cow horse has rewarded him in the show pen with multiple NRCHA premier event titles to his credit, Lee is

Lee and Ashley Deacon, married in 2014, own a successful reined cow horse program based in Marietta, Oklahoma.

also a 2A NRCHA Judge. Personally, it also introduced him to his wife of seven years, Ashley Deacon.

“I met Ashley at the Snaffle Bit [Futurity] in 2012. We started dating at the Snaffle Bit in 2013 and were married in 2014.,” Deacon said.

The couple went out on their own shortly after, purchasing a horse property in Marietta, Oklahoma. Together, they train aged-event cow horses and coach Non Pro and Youth riders. Deacon’s career has already far exceeded his expectations or dreams as a young man in Australia, and it’s on an upward swing.

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Reined Cow Horse News: How has your decision to focus on cow horse changed your original plan to train horses?

Originally, I had realized that it is hard to “specialize” in a certain discipline and make a living in Australia, so I knew I needed to learn all of it and be versatile. I really was focused on the reining back home and wanted to work for [Andrea] Fappani, but knowing that he’d worked under Todd Bergen I thought that would be the best of both worlds for me.

After a month of riding with Dawson and seeing what cow horse truly was, I decided that his horsemanship and style were what I wanted and they just fit. At the time, I was taking a bit of a risk deciding to work for a no-name trainer [in Australia’s eyes], but Chris was the kind of horseman I wanted to be! I’m very thankful I decided to stay on with Chris. He taught me a lot about the mental side of being a horseman and not just a “horse trainer,” and he gave me a lot of opportunities to show early on. The principles I learned from his program have been invaluable in my career.

What made you pursue your NRCHA Judge’s Card?

They had started the reined cow horse in Australia, and I thought I’d hopefully get to fly home to judge and do some clinics. Once I got my card, though, I started judging some smaller shows, which opened up opportunities to judge some of the bigger ones. My first major show I got to judge was the [National Stock Horse Association] Vegas Pre-Futurity in 2019 and then the NRCHA Derby in 2020. Judging really opened my eyes to what I needed to do better as a showman, when you’re

42 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Q A with NRCHA Pro Lee Deacon

having to separate those runs at such a high level it really makes you look for the crispness and execution of the maneuvers. When you go home, it is so clear what you [as a trainer] really need to focus on. It also helps you to not complain about the judging, that’s a tough chair to sit in!

You are the DJ for several premier events. First, how did that happen and, second, what would be the theme song for your life?

When I started coming to cow horse shows, the finals didn’t feel like a “performance” to me, sure the horses and

riders were awesome and everyone was excited, but I thought the “show” could be better. I’ve never been a guy to sit in the stands and complain and not be prepared to do something about it, so I offered to do the music. I really don’t know a lot about music as far as song names or artist names, but I think I have a good feel for what fits each event and I like to create a good atmosphere.

People seem to like it and it feels like we are putting on a good show.

My life song? There’s one I don’t think many people have ever heard, but it’s called “The Time Is Now,” by Warren Barfield. It’s an aggressive song that will get me bowed up a bit, but it’s a good message.

If any actor could play your role in a movie who would it be?

Heath Ledger, duh!

If you could ride any horse, dead or alive, what would you choose?

Travelin Jonez for sure! I’ve watched Travelin Jonez for years and he is the epitome of what a fence horse should be. When you see an elite cutting horse that does it all on their own, that is what he is down the fence. He’s a beast and I would love to get a feel of that.

What’s next for you?

I look at my career on a trajectory. As long as it continues to improve, I am ok with that. It’s good to have big pipe dreams, like being the first [NRCHA] million-dollar rider or World’s Greatest Horseman and a Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion from Australia, but to make the Finals consistently at an Open level [at NRCHA premier events] and continue improving the quality of horse I train are what I want to do. The rest will happen if it’s supposed to happen.

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MEET TONY GROVER Tony Grover started out with a love for reining horses, and now he’s a reined cow horse convert with an eye on producing quality foals out of proven broodmares.

By Allison Armstrong Rehnborg

T

COURTESY OF THE GROVER FAMILY

Tony and Angela Grover migrated to reined cow horse from reining and have never looked back. They raise show prospects from their Bit of Heaven Ranch in Washington.

44 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

ony Grover loves horsepower, whether it’s fueled by gas and diesel or by hay and oats. A career car dealer from Spokane, Washington, Grover has made his mark in the automobile industry for the past 40 years by dedicating himself to the pursuit of quality. Now in his second decade of horse ownership, it’s become clear that he’s applying that same desire for achieving great things to his career as a reined cow horse owner.

“In my career in the automobile industry, we make it a point to do our best,” Grover said. “We want to make sure that no matter what we’re doing, we do our best at it. And with the horses, my wife, Angela, and I want to do just that. Tony and Angela Grover own Bit of Heaven Ranch, which originated in Oregon’s Blue Mountains. Located near Cove, Oregon, on approximately 250 acres, and surrounded by other cattle and horse ranches, Bit of Heaven Ranch proved to be the perfect introduction to the horse world for the Grovers and their three children.

“Our three children were very young when we moved there,” Tony Grover said. “As they grew up, our youngest daughter became interested in horses, so she started riding and taking lessons and then, as a family, we were all interested. Eventually her interest waned, but by then our son had gone to college

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in Walla Walla, Washington, to major in a plant and animal science program.

When he graduated, we acquired some cattle to help him get started in a career of raising wagyu and red and white Angus.”

Although the Grovers’ children eventually moved on to other careers and interests, Grover had by then become involved in owning and raising reining horses. He didn’t know it, but he was already on a path that would lead him into the world of reined cow horses.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF HORSEPOWER

Grover first became interested in reining horses because his business partner, Josh Dykes, knew a local up-and-coming trainer in Walla Walla and had already purchased a reiner or two for himself. Then Dykes invited Grover along on a trip to visit Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas, to look at some promising yearlings. “[Jeff Oswood] ended up selling us a few [reining] horses, and that was really the beginning for us of having a professional career in owning horses,” Grover said. “Later, we met Pete and Tamra Kyle and they had a Topsail Whiz horse for sale. We learned a ton with that horse, and he was the first horse we took to competitions.”

Around 2010, Grover met National Reined Cow Horse Association Two Million Dollar Rider and National Reining Horse Association professional Todd Bergen of Eagle Point, Oregon, and a partnership was born. By then, Grover realized that he was interested in raising and developing young horses for competition, but he also knew he had more to learn about what turns a promising young horse into a proven winner. He thought Bergen might be the trainer to show him the ropes.

46 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

I thought it was even more exciting than watching the finals in reining, which were a lot of fun for me. There’s an extra challenge to the sport because you have to predict the cow on top of being a technically correct rider. —Tony Grover “We learned very quickly that in reining, if you want to perform and win, you have to develop a relationship and a communication train that works with your trainer,” Grover said. “That takes time. I learned that a trainer knows what he believes is or isn’t a great horse, and the belief from the trainer that he has the best horse, or that he has a horse that he really loves and thinks he can develop, is 50 percent of winning. Pretty soon, if you pay attention to your trainer, you’ll notice that when a trainer encounters a horse like that, their whole demeanor changes.”

Redd Snapper (Master Snapper x A Ruf Mistress x Lil Ruf Peppy) was among the first horses that Bergen selected for Grover, who purchased the colt from Jason Vanlandingham late in Redd Snapper’s 3-year-old year. It was just in time for Bergen to start prepping the horse for the highly competitive 2015 NRHA Futurity.

“Redd Snapper was a great horse, and Todd felt good about him and thought he had what it took to become a finalist horse,” Grover recalled. “That was a really great educational moment for me, and it taught me to understand that you have to trust your trainer to make good decisions.”

It was a decision that paid off. In the Open Futurity SemiFinals at the 2015 NRHA Futurity, Bergen and the sorrel stallion ended up leading the Level 4 Open division composite scores with a total score of 441.

FROM REINING TO REINED COW HORSE

In addition to training several reining horses for Grover, Bergen introduced him to the sport of reined cow horses and the NRCHA. Attracted to the concept of multiple events, Grover was hooked from the start.

“I thought it was even more exciting than watching the finals in reining, which were a lot of fun for me,” Grover said. “There’s an extra challenge to the sport because you have to predict the cow on top of being a technically correct rider. But in reined cow horse events, when it comes down to the top 20 or 30 horses after a week’s worth of work and competition, and then the horses have to go down the fence, there’s nothing like it. Anything can happen. Any horse can show up. Any horse can fall out. Over the years, Todd and I and our horses have been on both sides of that equation. We’ve had great runs down that final fence run, and we’ve had horses where cows jumped out of the way and the horse didn’t make it happen. But that challenge is a lot of fun to watch.”

Ready to support a trainer he trusted, Grover took the plunge into purchasing reined cow horses. One of his early horses was Moms High Stylin (High Brow Jackson x Moms Stylish Pepto x Pepto Boonsmal), a mare that Grover hoped might have what it took to compete and become a producer for Bit of Heaven Ranch someday.

“Trainers often pick out stallions, but

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP PRIMO MORALES

E Treble (Thomas E Hughes x FMR Double The Pepto x Peptoboonsmal) to the 2020 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® under Bergen, and the blue roan colt did not disappoint. The pair came in ninth place in the Open against stiff competition.

“Todd has this natural ability to look at a horse, get on the horse and find out what he can do with that horse. Then he can go do it,” Grover said. “Thomas has developed into a great horse with Todd, and he’s got a lot of talent and all the moves. He’s also got the ability to win. I think with Todd aboard, this horse is going to win sometime in the next year or two. And it’s going to be the perfect example of taking a horse that everyone else had put aside and making him into a champion, thanks to a really great trainer.”

Todd Bergen rode Thomas E Treble, owned by the Grovers, to ninth place in the Open at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I knew that great mares existed, and I wanted one,” Grover said. “The only way you can really grow a great mare is to start with a mare, and my wife and I wanted to foal out a couple of horses at home one day. We thought if we started getting some really great mares, we could breed them and market the babies. So Todd picked out Moms High Stylin for us because he thought she had what it takes. She was really the beginning of us wanting to pursue owning and growing mares within our program.”

In 2018, piloted by Bergen, Moms High Stylin tied for third place in the Pre-Futurity Open at the National Stock Horse Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a composite score of 655.5.

Along with Moms High Stylin, Tony now owns two more promising mare prospects: a 3-year-old filly named

48 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Metallic Daisy Dukes (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), and a 2-year-old filly named Rebel Daisy Dukes (Metallic Rebel x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey). Metallic Daisy Dukes is currently in training with Bergen, and both men have high hopes for her performance in the 2021 Futurity later this year.

“Metallic Daisy Dukes is a full sister to Hazardouz Material, the horse who just won the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes with Erin Taormino, and she’s a real nice filly,” Bergen said. “We’re pretty excited about her. Tony purchased both this horse and Rebel Daisy Dukes on his own, and kudos to him. They’re well-bred and they’re both going to be good horses. The parentage is there. I’m excited about these two horses we have coming up.”

Bit of Heaven Ranch also sent Thomas

SETTING NEW GOALS

These days, the Grovers are building a ranch in Green Bluff, Washington, to serve as a new home for Bit of Heaven Ranch. On top of continuing to campaign reined cow horses in the arena, the Grovers hope to establish a group of quality broodmares at the ranch and begin raising a few home-bred foals each year.

“We have a two-fold goal for the future,” Grover said. “One is that we’d like to win. It’d be a lot of fun to have a trophy. We want to keep supplying Todd with everything he needs to win.

And we’d also like to raise some quality foals, be able to market them and grow that program as a hobby for ourselves.

My wife and I have been tremendously blessed, and we’re very grateful. It’s not often that you get to compete with some of the best trainers in the world.

We’re super excited about that and enjoy it very much.”

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

FACES OF THE NRCHA Elizabeth Ellis thrives on interacting with NRCHA members of all ages.

Interview and photograph by Kate Bradley Byars The smile adorning Elizabeth Ellis’ face as she watches National Reined Cow Horse Association Youth of all ages throw loops during the DT Horses Roping School at the DT Horses Western Derby is as bright as the arena spotlights. Creating positive experiences is part of Ellis’ job with NRCHA as programs manager. It’s a title that encompasses many different roles.

As a youth competitor showing in American Quarter Horse Youth Association shows in her home state of Georgia, Ellis jumped in to help with special programs.

“I was an AQHYA regional director for two years and was president of the Georgia Quarter Horse Youth Association,” she said. “That’s where my love for association and member programs started, and now I get to do that at NRCHA. It’s a heck of a lot of fun!”

Her love of horses started when she was 5 years old, when Ellis rode one of her aunt’s three-day eventing horses. She was hooked on horses.

“I fell in love with horses there and then. At my elementary school they offered horseback riding lessons instead of [physical education] once a week,” Ellis said. “I was one of five kids in my school that took lessons; I did that from first to third grade. I was ready to find something else to advance my riding. I did local shows around Georgia on a little Appaloosa mare.

My mom’s best friend showed in AQHA {shows] in hunter under saddle, so I started showing in that in 2009, when I was 14.”

Studying at Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia, Ellis rode on the school’s equestrian team, competing in horsemanship and reining. After graduating with a degree in animal science with a chemistry minor, Ellis completed a marketing internship with AQHA. It gave her have a firsthand look at producing major events.

In February of 2021, Ellis stepped into her role with NRCHA following an upward-moving series of positions with AQHA that included serving as the AQH Foundation marketing and annual giving coordinator, and then director of marketing, communications and museum programs.

50 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Reined Cow Horse News: What is your role with NRCHA?

Elizabeth Ellis: At premier events, I coordinate awards and present them to the winners. I also coordinate the trade show and vendors at our premier events. Our Youth involvement in various activities and programs is so important, and I enjoy coordinating those special events.

When I am not at an NRCHA premier event, I am working on several tasks in the office, including an online judges’ education portal, entering show results and member communication.

RCHN: What hooked you on reined cow horse?

Ellis: The run that stuck out to me the most was when I watched Sarah Dawson win the Junior Working Cow Horse on Shiney Outlaw at the AQHA World [Championship] Show in 2017. That is the most electrifying memory I have of the class before starting at NRCHA—it was a wicked cool run! My first NRCHA event was the Snaffle Bit Futurity® in 2020, where Sarah won it, again. Those are my two ‘firsts’ with reined cow horse. There’s nothing like it!

RCHN: What do you enjoy most in your multi-faceted

position?

Ellis: I enjoy working with and getting to know all the Youth members. Getting all ages of Youth involved, from the young ’uns in the leadline to our Youth officer team that has big goals in the industry, it’s great getting to know everyone and seeing the enthusiasm for the shows. I’m headed to my first National High School Finals Rodeo this summer [in July], and it has been so exciting to work on that. It shows reined cow horse in another industry.

Working with the awards and trade shows at premier events has allowed me to connect with a lot of our members and meet people. That’s enjoyable for me, meeting new people.

e h t s ’ HHee’s the

b m o B LTE $500,037.51

Offspring earnings of $31.6 Million • NCHA Horse of the Year • NCHA Hall of Fame Horse • The ONLY NCHA Horse of the Year to sire 2 NCHA Open Horses of the Year • Sire of 15 NCHA World Champions • Sire of 11 AQHA World Champions • Sire of 2 NRCHA World Champions • $1 Million NRCHA Sire with $1.6 Million in Reined Cow Horse earnings Booked Full Every Year 2005-2021 Standing at Weatherford Equine Breeding Center 817-594-9181 • www.weatherfordequine.com PROUD SPONSOR

• A #1 Sire of money earners at the NCHA Futurity • Sire of 71 offspring earning in excess of $100,000 • His foals average earnings of $24,528 Because of extremely high demand in 2021, Smooth As A Cat booked full much earlier than usual. We apologize if you were one of those turned away.

Since we are keeping his discounted stud fee at $2500 for next year, we encourage you to act soon.

Don’t get left out.

Kyle, Havey & Layne Manion Office Manager: Lora Renfro e-mail: tmanionranch@aol.com Fax: 940.686.2616 P.O. Box 94 • Aubrey, Texas 76227 HIGH QUALITY HORSES FOR SALE

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940.686.2246

website: www.manionranch.com

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

Corey Cushing synced up with Hesa Dual Bet in time to win the Open Derby Championship at his hometown event, the DT Horses Western Derby.

52 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

A

SOLID BET

Corey Cushing bounced back from a disappointing show to nab the top spot in the Open Derby at the DT Horses Western Derby with Hesa Dual Bet.

By Kristin Pitzer Photos by Primo Morales

2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY TOP 10 Scottsdale, Arizona – June 2-13, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money 1. Hesa Dual Bet; Corey Cushing; (Bet Hesa Cat x RJJ Miss Viagra Pep x Dual Pep); Teton Ridge Ranch; 664 (H:218.5/R:224/C:221.5); $40,000.

2. Heza Rowdy Cat; Clayton Edsall; (Bet Hesa Cat x Dear Little Boon Bar x Boon Bar); Kim Basterrechea; 663.5 (H:219/R:219.5/C:225); $29,050.36.

T

he cattle were quick and the horses were as hot as the Arizona temperatures the day of the Open Derby Finals for the National Reined Cow Horse Association DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona. The nearly 1,000 spectators in the Equidome at WestWorld showed their enthusiasm as they watched two sets of Open riders vie for the $40,000 first place purse and the inaugural DT Horses Western Derby Champion title.

It started with the Limited Open and Intermediate Open finalists showing at 8 a.m. Then, at noon, the Open finalists took to the WestWorld arena dirt to ride for their share of a $208,076.29 purse. When the last cow circled up, it was Corey Cushing on top of the Open aboard Hesa Dual Bet. The stallion joined Cushing’s training program following the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes, which ended April 3. It was a quick “get acquainted” period for Cushing and the dark bay owned by Teton Ridge Ranch. Watching the pair in the show pen, however, a spectators wouldn’t know it.

“Matt Koch trained him—hats off to Matt, who is very, very easy to follow,” said Cushing. “I for sure called on [Matt] this week to ask him what he thought after some runs. In this industry, we are all competing [against each other], but we’re all friends. He was the first person to [congratulate me] when the results were final.”

3 (tie). SJR Talkin Diamonds; Corey Cushing; (Smooth Talkin Style x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark); San Juan Ranch; 663 (H:216/ R:222.5/C:224.5); $21,269.0.

3 (tie). Bad To Tha Boon; Erin Taormino; (Peptoboonsmal x Bet on Merada x Bet On Me 498); Brazos Cowhorse PTR; 663 (H:216/R:222.5/C:224.5); $21,269.01.

5. PRF Peptos Smart Cat; Jared Jones; (WR This Cats Smart x Wild Francine x Peptoboonsmal); Tori Simons; 662.5 (H:222/R:218.5/C:222); $14,525.18.

6. Roo To Do; Russell Probert; (One Time Pepto x Roosters Chicaroo x Gallo Del Cielo); Laurie Woods and Lexi Kastanis; 661.5 (H:218/R:222.5/C:221); $12,046.68.

7. Hazardouz Material; Erin Taormino; (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); Linda Mars; 660 (H:213.5/R:227/C:219.5); $10,375.13.

8. Hustle And Flo; Justin Wright; (Metallic Cat x Abbey Roan x One Time Pepto); Russ Mothershead; 658 (H:223/R:218/C:217); $8,300.10.

9. Smart Chic An Tari; Sarah Dawson; (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark); Aaron Ranch; 655.5 (H:217.5/R:220/C:218); $6,225.08.

10. Graceful Smart Cat; Justin Wright; (WR This Cats Smart x GracieLights x CD Lights); Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC; 654.5 (H:216/R:217.5/C:221); $6,225.08.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 53

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY Wearing the colors of Rios of Mercedes in the Open Finals on Sunday, June 13, Cushing rode a son of Bet Hesa Cat and out of RJJ Miss Viagra Pep (by Dual Pep) to a composite 664 (H:218.5/ R:224/C:221.5), securing the top spot and $40,000. Coming into the fence work, Cushing had a plan.

“When the cow came out, once it left the gate, I planned to push to the left side, back to the right and one more time to the left, then let’s go,” said the NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider based in northern Scottsdale. “The judges want to see a strong finish to a run, and it was hot for these cows, so I wanted to have enough [cow] to finish strong. It’s been intense all week and I had great cows today.”

While the song “Bad to the Bone,” by George Thorogood & The Destroyers, played over the speakers, Cushing proved he and the dark bay stallion were indeed the “baddest” duo in the pen, mastering the white Charolais steer in the

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

“It’s really exciting; every win is exciting. It’s such tough competition. I’m lucky to have such great help and great customers who stand behind me.”—Corey Cushing fence work. While they didn’t have the top score of the cow work that day, their consistency throughout the three events landed them in the top spot.

“It’s really exciting; every win is exciting,” Cushing said. “It’s such tough competition. I’m lucky to have such great help and great customers who stand behind me.”

Cushing admitted he was not happy with the performances he and his horses had at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada, earlier this year. He buckled down, focused on being positive and came into this show confident in his horses. His strategy worked, with Cushing not only winning the Open

Reserve Champion Clayton Edsall and Heza Rowdy Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Dear Little Boon Bar x Boon Bar), owned by Kim Basterrechea and bred by Clyde Wilmott, rode to a 663.5 (H:219/R:219.5/C:225) and earned $29,050.36.

54 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Finals, but also tying for third on SJR Talkin Diamonds (Smooth Talkin Style x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark), owned by San Juan Ranch, who earned $21,269.01.

Reserve Champion Clayton Edsall and Heza Rowdy Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Dear Little Boon Bar x Boon Bar), owned by Kim Basterrechea and bred by Clyde Wilmott, rode to a 663.5 (H:219/ R:219.5/C:225) and earned $29,050.36.

There were 143 entries in the Western Derby this year. Judges Jaime Beamer, Ian Chisholm, Al Dunning, Bobby Ingersoll and Wade Reaney worked together to place a stout field of 4- and 5-year-old Derby horses.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION

Russell Probert rode Roo To Do (One Time Pepto x Roosters Chicaroo x Gallo Del Cielo) to a purse totaling $63,403.56 in the Intermediate Open Derby championship. The 2016 stallion, bred by Jim & Jo Anne Carollo and owned by Laurie Woods and Lexi Kastanis, scored a composite 661.5 (H:218/R:222.5/C:221) and earned $12,046.68.

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

Tucker Robinson piloted the 2017 gelding Smooth Outta Style (Smooth Talkin Style x Dualin Curly Pep x Dual Pep), owned by Julie Weinhardt and F. Velazquez and bred by Kerry and Jenny Frazier, to a composite 661 (H:223/R:220/C:218) and earned $8,876.50.

Abigayle Mixon rode owner Kathryn Rippatoe’s 2016 gelding Vintage Ambrosia (One Fine Vintage x Miss Fancy Juice x Smart Like Juice), bred by Mike and Linda Silver, to a composite 646.5 (H:213/R:218.5/C:215) and $3,458.38.

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Veronica Swales and the 2016 stallion Desires Sweet Pepto (Sweet Lil Pepto x Desires Lil Scoot x Scootin Boon), bred by Leea Arnold and Dudley Caraway and owned by Robin Lynn Morrison, rode to a composite 659.5 (H: 217.5/R:220.5/C:221.5) to the win and $4,322.97.

Kelby Phillips and Julie Strenge’s 2017 palomino stallion Peptilion (One Time Pepto x Sparktilion x Shining Spark) scored a composite 656.5 (H:215.5/R:220.5/C:220.5) to earn the win and $4,906.80.

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

OPEN NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

OPEN NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Aboard CR Tuff Star War (Woody Be Tuff x Shortys Starlight x Grays Starlight), Todd Bergen piloted to a composite 654 (H:215/R:221.5/C:217.5) and tied Lance Johnston and Lil Starlight Cat. Owner Eric Storey earned $3,496.10.

Magical Couper Ride (Little Red Coupe x Very Smart Choice x Very Smart Remedy) took Cara Hencratt to the division win with a composite 648.5 (R:218/H:213/C:217.5), earning breeder and owner Rocking BS Ranch $3,582.

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Lil Starlight Cat (High Brow Cat x Lil Foxie Starlight x Grays Starlight) and Lance Johnston tied Bergen and CR Tuff Star War with a composite 654 (H:216.5/R:219/C:218.5) to earn owners Kenneth and Karen Haugland $3,496.10.

HQ Wiilma Gotta Kitty (Meteles Cat x Wilma Gotta Gun x Spooks Gotta Gun), bred and owned by Reid Hockenson and Sarah Murphey, earned $2,865.60 with a composite 641 (R:215/H:208/C:218).

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

S

COTTSDALE DREAMIN’

For Abbie Phillips and CR Tuff Guns N Roses, “The West’s Most Western Town” became Paradise City after their Non Po Derby win at the DT Horses Western Derby.

A

n elite group of talented horses and riders faced off in the DT Horses Western Derby Non Pro Derby finals, held June 12 at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona. After a weekand-a-half in the dry Arizona heat, 13 talented horses and riders competed for bragging rights at the National Reined Cow Horse Association premier event.

In the end, Abbie Phillips and CR Tuff Guns N Roses (Woody Be Tuff x Gypsy Rose Rey x Dual Rey) pushed through and came out the champions with a 659.5 (H:220/R:224.5/C:215).

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Abbie Phillips and CR Tuff Guns N Roses topped the Derby Non Pro with a 659.5, earning $8,207.55.

By Kristin Pitzer Photos by Primo Morales

2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY Scottsdale, Arizona – June 2-13, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money 1. CR Tuff Guns N Roses; Abbie Phillips; 16G (Woody Be Tuff x Gypsy Rose Rey x Dual Rey); Abbie Phillips; 659.5 (H:220/R:224.5/C:215); $8,207.55.

2. Time To Lay It Down; Landon Luce;16M (One Time Pepto x Katies Kitty x High Brow Cat); Andrea Luce; 651.5 (H:216/R:217.5/C: 218); $6,566.04.

3-4. Twice In A Blu Moon; Debbie Crafton;16M (Once In A Blu Boon x Teletrona x Little Trona); Debbie Crafton; 651 (H:218/R:216.5/C:216.5); $4,616.75.

3-4. Dualin Alittle Time; Debbie Crafton;16S (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep); Debbie Crafton; 651 (H:214/R:221.5/C:215.5); $4,616.75.

5. Bush Whacked; Cutter McLaughlin;16S (Blind Sided x Smart Bunny Lena x Smart Little Lena); Jay & Wendy McLaughlin; 642.5 (H:214.5/ R:207.5/C:220.5); $3,283.02.

6-7. Seven S Tuff Boots; Meg Ralston;16M (Blind Sided x My Boots Are Tuff x Woody Be Tuff); Meg Ralston; 641.5 (H:213/R:219/C:209.5); $2,667.45.

6-7. Frat Cat; Catelyn Walker;16G (WR This Cats Smart x TAMU A Dualin Reina x Aggies Twelfth Man); Catelyn Walker; 641.5 (H:216/R:220/C:205.5); $2,667.45.

8. Shiney Nickel; Gianna Hansen;16M (Smart Boons x Nic A Shiner x Smart Shiner); Gianna Hansen; 640.5 (H:213/R:218.5/C:209); $2,051.89.

9. Dreamin Of Denver; Myles Brown;16M (Metallic Cat x Reys Dreamgirl x Dual Rey); Myles Brown; 639 (H:211/R:211.5/C:216.5); $1,641.51.

10. One Time Frosty Nic; Toni Hagen Heath;16M (One Time Pepto x Hollywood Frosty Nic x Hollywood Vintage); Daniel Heath; 637.5 (H:205/R:215/C:217.5); $1,436.32.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 61

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY “I’ve actually been reserve [on him] in a lot of places,” Phillips said with a laugh.

“To finally be able to get him shown— he’s such a good horse—I’m happy that we were able to put it all together.”

Phillips and “Axl” started off their three-prong run by marking the highest score in the herd work. Phillips credited her herd help, Corey Cushing, Russell Probert, Phillip Ralls and her husband, NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Kelby Phillips, for helping her find good cows to cut in the herd work.

The pair remained in the No.1 position in the rein work, where a 224.5 scored 3 points higher than any other. Phillips was not surprised, and said the horse ran pure and stopped hard, giving her the best rein work she’d ever had on him.

The difference, she said, was the advice Kelby gave her before her run.

“My husband told me I needed to trust him more, so I did,” Phillips said of Axl. “He’s always been really good in the reining for me, but I think it was more just me not trusting him in certain areas.

This time I did, and he showed really, really well.”

Down the fence, Phillips drew a soft cow. The pair handled it well, though, boxing it for only a short time before sending it down the fence.

“I knew I had to have a decent run, just to be safe, but [the steer] was a little softer,” Phillips said. “Corey and Kelby were both down on that end to tell me when to go, so I had to take it pretty early. I tried to just make it look as best as possible. We just made a businessman’s run.”

The duo’s cow work score wasn’t in the top placings, but it was enough to keep them at the top of the scoreboard overall, and the pair won with 8 points to spare.

They collected a $8,207.55 check.

Phillips has owned Axl since December of his 2-year-old year. With the help of Cushing and Kelby, she trained the now

62 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“He’s always been really good in the reining for me, but I think it was more just me not trusting him in certain areas. This time I did, and he showed really, really well.”—Abbie Phillips 5-year-old Center Ranch-bred gelding for the futurities, overcoming a sizable obstacle in the process.

“As a 3-year-old, he was really scared of cows on his right side going down the fence,” Phillips said. “It was really hard to get him down the fence for a very long time. We had to work on that and do a lot of different things to try and make him comfortable right there.”

Once the horse gained confidence down the fence, the pair went on to win the 2019 Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro and take home Reserve at the 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. In 2020, they placed second in the Tres Osos

Cow Horse Derby Non Pro, held during the NRCHA World Show. Then they defended their reserve title again in 2021.

With another win under her belt, Phillips, who now lives in Weatherford, Texas, plans to take Axl to the NRCHA Hackamore Classic later this year, then put him in the two-rein next year. She hopes to one day show him in the World’s Greatest Horseman.

“I just want to thank all my herd help and all those that have helped us at the barn, including Taylor Adams, Kelby, and all my family and friends that have supported me,” Phillips said.

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO CHAMPION, NOVICE NON PRO CHAMPION, AMATEUR CHAMPION

With a 651.5 (H:216/R:217.5/C:218), 17-year-old Landon Luce and 2016 mare Time To Lay It Down (One Time Pepto x Katies Kitty x High Brow Cat), owned by Andrea Luce and bred by Newt White, collected $11,774.68 in the Non Pro. In the Amateur, a 644.5 (H:217.5/R:218/C:209) earned them $2,444.40.

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, NOVICE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Cutter McLaughlin and Bush Whacked (Blind Sided x Smart Bunny Lena x Smart Little Lena), a 2016 stallion bred and owned by Cutter’s parents, Jay and Wendy McLaughlin, collected two reserve titles and a check worth $4,103.78 after scoring a 642.5 (H:214.5/ R:207.5/C:220.5).

AMATEUR RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

After scoring a 651.5 (H:213/R:219.5/C:219), Megan Waddell and Boonshinen (Smart Boons x Shine Up My Sliders x Shiners Vintage), a 2016 mare bred by Donna Waddell, earned $3,576.96.

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Reserve went to Mark Broeckel and his 2016 gelding CR Dees Be Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow x Peptoboonsmal), who was bred by Center Ranch. The duo marked a 641.5 (H:214.5/R:216/C:211) and collected $1,920.60.

Cheryl Chown guided Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak), a homebred 2016 mare she co-owns with her husband, Robert, to a 647.5 (H:207/ R:217.5/C:223), garnering $2,799.36.

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S

ENSATIONAL IN SCOTTSDALE

By Kristin Pitzer Photos by Primo Morales

The Spectaculars gave talented older horses a place to shine during the DT Horses Western Derby.

T

he bridle spectaculars are always a highlight at reined cow horse events, showcasing talented horses who have been perfecting their skills their entire careers. The CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular, held during the DT Horses Western Derby, didn’t disappoint, drawing 44 entries to the Equidome at WestWorld in Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 10.

As the teams battled it out for the $55,800 total purse, one pair rose to the top. That duo, Shiney Outlaw (Shiners Nickle x Mereyda x Dual Rey) and Jay McLaughlin, marked a 661.5 for the championship and brought home an $11,160 paycheck for the horse’s owner and breeder, Michelle Cannon.

“Winning the Holy Cow Performance Horses CD Survivor Memorial Bridle Spectacular is quite an honor,” McLaughlin said. “I’ve actually gotten to do that before on [CD Dee Vee Dee in 2015], and it’s a big deal. I tried to win it last year [with Shiney Outlaw], but it wasn’t in the stars. This year, I had a good feeling about him the whole time.”

That feeling persisted despite a slow start in the herd work, where McLaughlin and the buckskin stallion marked a 214. They were only a few points out of the lead, and McLaughlin knew Shiney Outlaw could make up for lost ground.

In the rein work, “Outlaw” fed off the crowd’s energy a bit, and McLaughlin had to wait on his ends a little longer than he wanted to help the horse settle. Despite that hiccup, they walked away with a 220.5. The duo had a later draw for the fence work, so McLaughlin used that time to watch the other riders before him and learn from any mistakes he saw.

“I just kind of told myself I was just going to let it happen, I wasn’t going to make it happen, and it worked out,” McLaughlin said.

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Shiney Outlaw (Shiners Nickle x Mereyda x Dual Rey) and Jay McLaughlin collected $11,160 for owner Michelle Cannon after winning the CD Survivor Open Bridle Spectacular with a 661.5 (H:214/R:220.5/C:227).

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///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY That strategy earned the pair a big 227, clinching the championship. McLaughlin was happy to see the buckskin, who he said is always happy to work, add another bullet point to his show résumé.

“He’s been pretty consistent [showing], and that’s what it takes on an older horse. They can’t just be one-hit wonders,” McLaughlin said. “The trophy is a pretty big deal. Nancy Crawford is a big time older horse supporter, and I’m a big believer in that, too. I love to take a horse from the beginning to the end. It’s just awesome.”

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR & YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR

Prior to the DT Horses Western Derby, Lannie-Jo Lisac said she and Lookslikelucktome (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep), an 8-year-old mare better known as “Marsha,” had been struggling a bit. The pair hadn’t won any titles together in more than a year. The last big accolade they picked up was at the 2020 NRCHA Celebration of Champions, where they won the Non Pro Two Rein.

Lisac knew they needed to step it up in Scottsdale, and she and the mare did just that, making up for lost time by nabbing both the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular and Youth Cow Horse Spectacular championships.

“It’s nice to have two good wins under our belt,” Lisac said.

“She was so great in all of [her runs]. She was just so consistent and on her game.”

In the Non Pro, Lisac and Marsha scored a 437 (H:146/ R:146/C:145), netting $4,200. They came back a few days later for the Youth Cow Horse. Though they didn’t cut the cows they wanted in the herd work, they still managed to score a 435.5 (H:141/R:147/C:147.5) overall for the win, garnering an additional $480.

“She worked through it [the herd work] really good, and she was very good down the fence,” Lisac said. “Usually, she doesn’t want to circle very well, but she was on top of it. She wanted to get up there.”

Outside of the cow horse, Lisac, who is an incoming high school senior, shows market goats through 4-H. It can be difficult to juggle that with horse shows, but she plans to take Marsha, who is owned by her grandparents, Timothy and Katherine Miller, to the 2021 American Quarter Horse Youth Association World Championship Show. Lisac thanked her trainer, Todd Crawford, his wife, Pam, and their crew, along with her whole family—parents, siblings and the Millers—for their support.

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NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION, YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

In the Non Pro, Lannie-Jo Lisac and Lookslikelucktome (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep), a 2013 mare bred by Kevin and Sydney Knight, blew everyone out of the water with their 437 (H:146/R:146/C:145), winning $4,200 for owners Timothy and Katherine Miller. They also dominated in the Youth with a 435.5 (H:141/R:147/C:147.5), banking another $480.

OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE A score of 660.5 (H:215.5/R:217.5/C:227.5) tied 2012 mare Light And Sassy (CD Lights x Dual Sass x Dual Pep) and Justin Wright for Reserve. The Winston Hansma-bred mare collected $8,091 for owner Shelly Franklin.

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OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

2020 Open Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion Duals Lucky Charm (Dual Smart Rey x TRR Ms Pepcid Olena x Pepcid), a 2013 gelding bred by Carolyn and Mark Murray, and Kelby Phillips scored a 660.5 (H:216/R:221/C:223.5) this year to collect the Co-Reserve title and $8,091 for owner JB6 LLC.

Jayson and Teresa Fisher’s 2011 mare Prize Winning Gal (Smokums Prize x Ill Be A Winning Gal x Ill Be Smart), who was bred by Justin Wright, scored a 651.5 (H:213.5/ R:216.5/C:221.5) with Wyatt Fisher for second place, banking $2,200.

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Metal Storm (Metallic Cat x Cowstruck x Smart Little Lena), a 2014 gelding bred by Reata Cutting Horses LLC, carried Shadd Parkinson to a 654 (H:214.5/R:219.5/C:220), winning the Intermediate Open title and $2,800 for owner Bronwyn McCormick.

With a 433.5 (H:141/R:146/C:146.5), Amy Bailey and 2012 gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), who was bred by W.T. Waggoner Estate, tied for Reserve and banked $2,925.

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NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE, YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Tylor Todd rode Kit and Charlie Moncrief-bred Mr Stylish Cat (Mr Playinstylish x Lil Sally Cat x High Brow Cat), a 2011 gelding, to a 433.5 (H:142.5/R:144/C:147), taking home a check worth $2,925 in the Non Pro. They came back in the Youth to mark a 433 (H:144/ R:144/C:145) for another $400.

NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION, YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

With a 437 (H:143.5/R:148/C:145.5), Landri Lisac rode her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark), who was bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, to Reserve in the Non Pro Limited, collecting a $2,984 check. They also scored a 435 (H:144.5/R:145.5/C:145) in the Youth Limited for $390.

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NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown piloted her homebred 2016 mare Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak), who she co-owns with husband Robert, to a 439 (H:145/R:147.5/C:146.5), winning the title and $3,730.

YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

A Time For Jazz (One Time Pepto x Starlight And Jazz x Grays Starlight), a 2010 gelding owned by Anne Buchanan and bred by John McCoy, carried Caroline Buchanan to a 438 (H:143.5/R:147.5/C:147), winning $520.

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TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Lil Time Reymanising (One Time Pepto x Reymanising x Dual Rey) and Sarah Dawson secured first place with a 440.5 (H:146.5/ R:147/C:147), bringing home $4,950 for owner Holy Cow Performance Horses.

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il Time Reymanising (One Time Pepto x Reymanising x Dual Rey) has been in the money many times throughout his career, but it wasn’t until the 2021 DT Horses Western Derby that he finally found a spot in the limelight.

There, the horse carried Sarah Dawson to a 440.5 (H:146.5/R:147/C:147) in the Open Two Rein Spectacular, winning first place and garnering $4,950.

Dawson said the cows had been tricky throughout the show, so she was a little worried about what she and the stallion might draw. She praised Lil Time Reymanising for his cow sense, though, saying she knew he could handle whatever was thrown at him.

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“He’s pretty good all the way around.

These days, they’ve got to be good in all three events if they’re going to get anywhere, so he seems to be even across the board,” Dawson said. “He’s always been a good fence horse, so he’s a horse that you have a lot of confidence on as to whatever they kick out, he’s going to work.”

Phillip Ralls showed the stallion as a 3-year-old, and Dawson Performance Horses added him to their program when he was 4. Dawson said he was a great hackamore horse, which has helped him make the switch to the two-rein.

“Usually, the good hackamore horses are good bridle horses,” Dawson said.

“He made the transition from two hands to one hand very well. For him to make that transfer so easily and smoothly, I was really excited about that and excited about him moving forward, because I think he’s going to be a really good bridle horse.”

Bred by Matthews Cutting Horses LLC, Lil Time Reymanising is owned

by Nancy Crawford’s Holy Cow Performance Horses. Dawson said the couple has been great to work for, and she was particularly excited for their horse to win the two-rein since they’re big sponsors of the National Reined Cow Horse Association, especially the bridle classes.

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///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY “Nancy is an awesome lady and an awesome owner, and we’re very proud to be riding horses for them,” Dawson said, noting she planned to finish out the horse’s two-rein year and then show him in the bridle the following year.

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

After Debbie Crafton purchased Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep) from Bruce Carter in February, it didn’t take the pair long to get in sync. In fact, they looked like old partners in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular, where Crafton piloted the gelding to a 433.5, winning the championship and $2,580.

Crafton credited the horse’s past trainers, Jay McLaughlin and Justin Wright, for helping them win the title.

“They’ve done a great job with him,” Crafton said. “It makes it really easy for

“That horse excels on a cow, whether it be out of the herd or down the fence. I was very pleased with him the whole way through. He showed good partnership.”—Debbie Crafton

someone like me to be able to take him and go be successful on him.”

She and “Tex” started off by marking a 142 in the herd, where Crafton said she cut two decent cows. Her last cow surprised her by running harder than she expected, but Tex handled it well. In the rein work, he stopped big and turned and circled well. Crafton was pleased with the run overall and their score of 145.5, which was third highest.

The cow that came out for the duo’s cow work allowed them to make two big turns on the fence before circling up in the middle. The judges gave them a score

OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

of 146, which launched them to the top of the leaderboard.

“That horse excels on a cow, whether it be out of the herd or down the fence,” Crafton said. “I was very pleased with him the whole way through. He showed good partnership.”

Crafton, who thanked the NRCHA for putting on a premier event in Scottsdale, plans to finish out the year in the two-rein by qualifying for the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, then will continue on in the bridle next year. She hopes for Tex to become a World’s Greatest Horseman contender one day.

With a 437.5 (H:148/R:145.5/C:144), Hes Pistol Packin (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Lil Pistol x Shining Spark), a 2015 gelding bred by Roxanne Koepsell, and Shadd Parkinson nabbed second place, claiming a check worth $3,960 for owner Jerilynne Michaels.

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NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton collected $2,580 after piloting her 2015 gelding, Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep), who was bred by Danielle Irlbeck-Johnson, to the win with a score of 433.5 (H:142/R:145.5/C:146).

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NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Myles Brown rode One Time Legend (One Time Pepto x HR Playin Legend x Little Lenas Legend), a 2015 gelding bred by Larry Hall Cutting Horses FLP and owned by his wife’s family, to Reserve with a score of 432.5 (H:146/R:146.5/C:140), netting $2,064.

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UPER IN SCOTTSDALE

By Kate Bradley Byars Photos by Primo Morales

It took four events to determine who would be crowned the allaround champion in the inaugural CD Survivor Bridle Horse Super Spectacular in both the Open and the Non Pro.

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wenty-eight horse and rider teams backed in the box to throw a loop for the CD Survivor Bridle Horse Super Spectacular Open muley steer stopping, and a slew of big scores followed.

The roping was the last of four events competitors rode in for the inaugural event, having to show in the typical Spectacular herd work, rein work and fence work. Yet, it was the steer stopping that made this Super Spectacular so special.

A continuation of her support of bridle horses through the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular, which began in 2021, Nancy Crawford’s Holy Cow Performance Horses provided the incentive for this year’s four-event

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Phillip Ralls and Short N Catt, owned by Sarah Davis, topped the four-event Super Spectacular to earn $800.

Super Spectacular, which was open to Open and Non Pro competitors.

“The goal of the bridle Spectacular and why it exists in the first place is to have [incentive] for a fully trained bridle horse. For years, some of us noticed that very few 4-year-olds and even fewer

5- and 6-year-olds were coming [to the show pen], and I didn’t like it,” Crawford said. “The whole basis of the National Reined Cow Horse Association is to have that training progression. I think it is really important to have those fully trained bridle horses that just about anybody

Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee won the Non Pro Bridle Super Spectacular with a high scoring 225 in the steer stopping. The pair also won the overall event.

can ride. A group of us thought it was a good idea to make a financially attractive incentive—that is the Bridle Spectacular.”

Adding this fourth event creates more incentive for older horses to continue to show, and allows for a place to try out a potential mount for the World’s Greatest Horseman competition. Many of the entrants were horse and rider teams that had previously competed in that event.

When the last steer left the chute, the top spot in the steer roping was claimed by Randy Paul riding LenaLilToTheWright (Lenas Wright On x Shining Survivor x Shining Spark), owned by Linda Katz and Richard Bell.

Paul, from Santa Maria, California, elicited cheers when his 231.5 steer stopping score was announced. He edged out Phillip Ralls and Short N Catt (Sophisticated Cat x Shortys Sugar Sue x Shorty Lena), bred by Tommy Mather and owned by Sarah Davis, who marked a 230.

In the end, though, it was Ralls and the 2011 bay gelding that claimed the inaugural CD Survivor Bridle Horse Super Spectacular Open Champion title wit their composite 886.5 (H:218.5/R:220/

C:218/S:230). Holy Cow Performance Horses added $5,000 overall to the Super Spectacular event, and the Open winner earned $1,000.

“Growing up with my dad [Ron Ralls], that was always our biggest focus, a horse’s longevity in their career,” said Ralls. “We don’t want them to be done as 3-year-olds, but to go through the whole process. I take a lot of pride in my bridle horses and the finished product that can show at these big events. These are the most exciting events to go to and there are always great horses, great riders, and to show these horse’s true all-around talents is important. It doesn’t get any more exciting.”

Ralls appreciated the opportunity to try out Short N Catt in a four-event format, much like the World’s Greatest Horseman.

Paul and LenaLilToTheWright finished in reserve for the overall Super Spectacular with a composite 878 (H:210/ R:218/C:218.5/S: 231.5) and earned $800.

In the Non Pro, the CD Survivor Bridle Horse Super Spectacular championship and muley steer stopping high score went to Cutter McLaughlin riding

CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark). Coming off his win at the 2021 World’s Greatest Youth Horseman, presented by MARS Equestrian™, McLaughlin was thrilled to have another chance to rope off his good cow horse.

“It is always fun to get to rope with the other three events,” he said. “It was cool because it was roping at a cow horse show, which we don’t have many of. We rope enough at home to keep us remembering how to do it, but this is fun.”

The Clarendon, Texas, Youth scored a 225 in the steer stopping. In total, his composite 653 (H:145.5/R:143.5/ C:139.5/S:225) topped the division by 10.5 points, which earned the pair $300.

In reserve, Ali Norcutt and Soulas Hickory Star (Soula Jule Star x Tun Liz Loose x Docs Hickory), bred by Ken & Ramona Wold and owned by Darrell Norcutt, rode to a 642.5 (H:143.5/R:143/ C:146.5/S:209.5) to claim the second-high spot for the Super Spectacular overall.

The four-event Super Spectacular brought out a full crowd for the action, and the NRCHA is looking to host another four-event competition next year.

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ORSE SHOW HEADLINES Compiled by Kate Bradley Byars • Photos by Primo Morales

During the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association DT Horses Western Derby, held June 2-13 at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona, a full slate of horse show class championships was awarded.

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here were record entries at the 2021 DT Horses Western Derby, including a full slate of horse show classes that included more added money than previously awarded in the Non Pro Limited class. Judges for horse show classes were, depending on the class, Jaime Beamer of Weatherford, Texas; Ian Chisholm of Weatherford, Texas; Al Dunning of Scottsdale, Arizona; Bobby Ingersoll of Reno, Nevada; and Wade Reaney from Rupert, Idaho, as well as National Reined Cow Horse Association Director of Judges Bill Enk from Paso Robles, California. Full horse show results are online at www.nrcha.com/show-results/.

OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Justin Wright rode Light And Sassy (CD Lights x Dual Sass x Dual Pep), owned by Shelly Franklin, to the reserve spot with a composite of 445 (R:217.5/C:227.5).

The 2012 mare earned $2,544 for her efforts.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Dual Chexx (Dual Rey x Starlight Chexx x Grays Starlight) and Jake Gorell earned the win with a 441 (R:219.5/C:221.5) and a check for $840 for owners James D. and Gay D. Ver Steeg.

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Colee Charlesworth piloted her gelding Sinful Merada (Cats Merada x Sinful Style x Docs Stylish Oak) to a 432.5 (R:213.5/C:219) and earned $1,425.

MARTIN PERFORMANCE

COWHORSE

®

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Elizabeth Horve rode Hello Kitty Hawk (War Bird Dog x Buckshot Kitty x Peppys Buckshot Bob), owned

by Laurie Woods and Lexi Kastanis, to a 431.5 (R:216.5/C:215) and a check for $1,187.50.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION, NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION Soulas Hickory Star (Soula Jule Star x Turn Liz Loose x Docs Hickory) carried Ali Norcutt to a 289.5 (R:143/C:146.5), earning $972.50 in the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle and winning the Novice Non Pro Bridle for an additional $1,244.

Garth Gardiner piloted Mr Shiney Lights (CD Lights x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark) to a 292 (R:145/C:147) and earned $1,650.

NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Bryce Barkemeyer rode FS Smart Boomer Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Boomers Lady Kiper x Boomernic) to a 284.5 (R:145.5/C:139) and $1,020 for reserve.

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION Shane Steffen rode Very Funny Valentine (Very Smart Remedy x Gunnabemyvalentine x Gunna Smoke), coowned with his wife, Beth, to reserve and $1,826 with a 294 (R:148.5/C:145.5), losing the composite score tie to the champion with a lower cow work score.

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Auspicious Storm (Auspicious Cat x Xtra Smart Swiss x Smart Little Lena) and owner-rider Lori Conrow earned reserve and $1,020 with a 289 (R:145/C:144).

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OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

SJR Smooth Lil Oak (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Little Oak x Shining Spark) carried Kyle Noyce to a 297 (R:149.5/C:147.5), and earned owner Janie Dvorak-Compton $2,610 in the Open and another $510 in the Intermediate Open.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Lee Deacon rode Bet Shesa Pepto (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Miss Pepto x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Cody and Katherine Clements, to a 291 (R:145.5/C:145.5) and $425.

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Jessica Ortiz rode her mare My Hickory Valentine (Hickory Holly Time x Cowgirl Sparkles x Shining Spark) to a 287 (R:143.5/C:143.5) and earned $675 for reserve.

NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Myles Brown rode Red Hickory Time (Hickory Holly Time x Very Red Remedy x Very Smart Remedy), owned by his father Rob A. Brown, to a 290.5 (R:143/C:147.5) and earned $1,158.

$5K NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

NON PRO HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Kristy Kay Miller rode her mare Glamour Royallty (One Time Royalty x Kitna Rey x Dual Rey) to a 286 (R:142/C:144) and earned $965 for reserve.

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Metallic Slide (Metallic Cat x Sliden Wright By x Smart Little Lena) and owner-rider Kendra Suhling scored a 295.5 (R:146/C:146.5) to earn the win and $756.25.

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$5K NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION, $1K NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Morgan Rogers and Reys Yer Shorts (Reys Dual Badger x Shortys Sugarote x Shorty Lena) earned $605 with their 292.5 (R:147/C:145.5) in the class. The pair’s score earned another $425.50 in the $1,0000 class.

SELECT NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Riding first and second place horses, Cheryl Chown took home $324 for scoring a 292 (R:144/C:148) aboard DCR High As A Cat (High Brow Cat x The Doctress Orders x Dual Rey).

$1K NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Allyson Bottini and Little Elk Dancer (Dual Pep x Little Belly Dancer x High Brown Hickory) rode to a 288.5 (R:144/C:144.5) to earn reserve and $333.

YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) took home reserve with a 289 (R:144/C:145) and earned $135.

BEGINNING FENCE WORK — 2ND PLACE

YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER — 2ND PLACE

Pretty N Vegas (Lena Naskiia x Boomers Gunna Smoke x Boomernic), owned by Vera Earl Ranch Inc, and Addison Tomlinson rode to second with a 287 (R:142/C:145).

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Monica Duflock rode Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay x Freckles Merada) to a 294.5 (R:145.5/C:149) and $720 for second place.

///////// 2021 DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

WINNERS’ BLOCK 2021 DT Horses Western Derby Award Sponsors

The following winners are also listed and pictured in the DT Horses Western Derby Spectacular event coverage.

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Jay McLaughlin rode Shiney Outlaw (Shiners Nickle x Mereyda x Dual Rey), owned by Michelle Cannon, to the Open Bridle class win with a 447.5 (R:220.5/C:227) to earn $3,180.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Shadd Parkinson rode Bronwyn McCormick’s Metal Storm (Metallic Cat x Cowstruck x Smart Little Lena) to the reserve spot with a 439.5 (R:219.5/C:220) for $660.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPIONS

Thank You to all of our award sponsors for the 2021 DT Horses Western Derby!

Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association Arizona Quarter Horse Association Holy Cow Performance Horses

Amy Bailey and her gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots) rode to a 292.5 (R:146/C:146.5) to earn the win and $2,100.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Tylor Todd rode Mr Stylish Cat (Mr Playinstylish x Lil Sally Cat x High Brow Cat), a 2011 gelding, to a 291 (R:144/C:147), taking home a check worth $1,167 in the Intermediate Non Pro.

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Lil Time Reymanising (One Time Pepto x Reymanising x Dual Rey) and Sarah Dawson secured first place with a 294 (R:147/C:147), bringing home $2,324 for owner Holy Cow Performance Horses.

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Debbie Crafton collected $1,224 after piloting her 2015 gelding Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep) to a 291.5 (R:145/C:144) to win the class.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION, SELECT NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown piloted her homebred 2016 mare Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak), who she co-owns with husband, Robert, to a 294 (R:147.5/C:146.5) and $4,375 in the large 55-horse entry field for the class. For winning the Select, Chown took home another $414.

TH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Parkinson Performance Horses

Lannie-Jo Lisac and Lookslikelucktome (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep), owned by her grandparents, Timothy and Katherine Miller, earned the win with a 294.5 (R:147/C:147.5) and a check for $180.

Two Bit Performance Horses

A Time For Jazz (One Time Pepto x Starlight And Jazz x Grays Starlight), owned by Anne Buchanan, carried Caroline Buchanan to the win with a 294.5 (R:147.5/C:147) and $202.50.

SJ Ranch

YOUTH LIMITED CHAMPION

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION, YOUTH LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION, YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER – 1ST PLACE, BEGINNING FENCE WORK – 1ST PLACE

Landri Lisac rode her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) to the class win with a 297 (R:148/C:149) and $900 in Beginning Fence Work, $2,700 in the Non Pro Limited for reserve and $162 for the reserve in Youth Limited.

**Not pictured due to camera malfunction in North Hall Arena

OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

Clay Volmer rode Ricato Suave (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey), owned by Shaleah Hester and M. Fountain, to a 294.5 (R:145.5/C:149), which tied for reserve and earned $1,827.

OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

Boyd Rice and Burnett Ranches LLC’s Saddling At Sunrise (WR This Cats Smart x Sunshine Ingredient x Mr Sun O Lena) tied for reserve with a 294.5 (R:147/C:147.5) and earnings of $1,827.

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Hickorys Lucky Time (Hickory Holly Time x Travalenas Luckylegs x Travalena), ridden by Craig Cowley and co-owned with Rosie Cowley, to a 288.5 (R:143.5/C:145) for the win and $1,125.

90 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 93

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 VOLUME 26, NO. 4

SMOOTH & SMOKIN’ The Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™ named Derby, Spectacular and Pre-Futurity winners in Tennessee

INSIDE: 2021 EASTERN DERBY CIRCUIT WINNERS

////

PRE-FUTURITY CHAMPIONS

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

Clay Volmer and Ricato Suave found their balance in a hackamore, powering their way to the Open Derby Champion title.

96 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

S

UPER SUAVE

First time Eastern Derby exhibitor Clay Volmer claimed the Open Derby title in a commanding manner aboard Ricato Suave.

By Katie Navarra Photos by Primo Morales

C

lay Volmer had more than one reason to celebrate his first trip to the 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. He celebrated his son’s first birthday the day after riding Ricato Suave (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) to the Open Derby Championship for owners Shaleah Hester and Madeline Fountain. Volmer and Ricato Suave scored a 656 (H:219/ R:220.5/C:216.5 ) to win the event and earn $17,434.44.

“This was the first time we’ve been out here. Last year my wife, Veronica, was having our son,” he said.

To kick off the Derby, the NRCHA professional from Brock, Texas, earned the Open high score rein work with a 220.5. Leading up to the event, the stallion wasn’t performing as freely as Volmer would have liked, he said. His wife and fellow Open competitor, Veronica Swales, suggested switching from a snaffle bit to the hackamore. Volmer credits her for the advice that helped secure the top performance.

“In Scottsdale [at the DT Horses Western Derby], Veronica helped me figure out that I should ride him in a hackamore,” he said. “We didn’t do well in a snaffle bit there, but he won the Open Hackamore class. We decided to try the hackamore here at the Eastern and he is just happier because I can’t pull on him as hard.”

2021 NRCHA EASTERN DERBY OPEN TOP 10 Memphis, Tennessee— July 10 – 17, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money 1. Ricato Suave; Clay Volmer; (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey); Shaleah Hester & Madeline Fountain; 656 (H:219/R:220.5/C:216.5 ); $17,434.44 2. Smart Chic An Tari; Sarah Dawson; (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark); Aaron Ranch, 654.5 (H:215/R:220/C:654.5); $13,075.83 3. Tee Boone; Jay McLaughlin; (Once In A Blu Boon x Skeets My Bro x Docs Curious Cat); JT “Trey” & Sandra Neal III; 650.5; (H:216/R:217/C:217.5); $10,896.53 4. Teles Were Dreamin; Ben Bladus; (Meteles Cat x Reyes Dreamgirl x Dual Rey); Catelyn M. Walker; 650; (H:212/R:215.5/C:222.5); $8,717.22 5-7. Fabulous Fletch; Boyd Rice; (Royal Fletch x Little Smart Ginger x Smart Little Lena); Kit & Charlie Moncrief; 649; (H:213/R:215.5/C:220.5); $5,375.62 5-7. Bet Shesa Pepto; Lee Deacon; (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Miss Pepto x Freckles Playboy); Cody & Katharine Clements; 649; (H:216.5/R:214/C:218.5); $5,375.62 5-7. Like Shine Wine; Clay Volmer; (Shine Chic Shine x Ben Smokin Pine x Bueno Starlight); Shaleah Hester; 649; (H:215/R:217/C:217); $5,375.62 8-9. Vintage Ambrosia; Abigayle Mixon; (One Fine Vintage x Miss Fancy Juice x Smart Like Juice); Kathryn Rippetoe; 647; (H:214.5/R:212/C:220.5); $3,268.96 8-9. One Time Edition; Ron Ralls; (One Time Pepto x PG Special Edition x Playgun); Bell Quarter Horses; 647; (H:215/R:213.5/C:218.5); $3,268.96 10. A Gritty Kitty; Dustin Mills; (Chiquita Cat x Scooters Daisey Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); HM Horses; 645 (H:211.5/R:211.5/C:222.5); $3,051.03

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

“The herd cows were tough out there. We were looking to manage time, show smart and kind of survive. We didn’t have the greatest cow down the fence. He has been working good, he is talented and made a good run.”

—Clay Volmer

After securing the high rein score at the Eastern Derby, Volmer focused on “businessman” runs to maintain the lead.

The duo won the title by 1½ points, with Sarah Dawson and Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) finishing reserve with a composite 650.5 (R:220/H:215/C:219.5) to earn $13,075.83.

“The herd cows were tough out there.

We were looking to manage time, show smart and kind of survive,” Volmer said.

“We didn’t have the greatest cow down the fence. He has been working good, he is talented and made a good run.”

Ricato Suave was the 2020 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Reserve Open Champion, and Volmer plans to take him next to the National Stock Horse Association Derby in Las Vegas, and then to the Hackamore Classic in Fort Worth, Texas, held during the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

“I am so thankful for everybody who works for us behind the scenes. Veronica and I show a lot and we’re hardly at the stalls, our team really takes care of us and keeps the ball rolling,” he said. “We owe our biggest thanks to the owners who send us down the road with good horses.”

98 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///// WITH THANKS

T

he Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby would like to recognize the foundation laid for this event by the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic. While the Eastern Derby is in its second year as a premier National Reined Cow Horse Association event, it started as the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic, a show that annually brought reined cow horse competitors together on the East Coast for 15 years. The event was originally founded by Paul Bailey of Sparta, Tennessee; the late Dominic “Dom” Conicelli of Collegeville, Pennsylvania; and Dick Rosell of Rosell Trailer Sales in Lenhartsville, Pennsylvania.

The show’s namesake, Dom Conicelli, was well known for his support of reined cow horse industry, especially on the East Coast. The owner of Kinda Silly Farms, who died in October of 2018, was one of the founders of the Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association. Just prior to his death, he was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Merit. Since 2019, his friends and peers have recognized his contributions through this memorial event.

When the regional show became the fifth NRCHA premier event produced by the association, the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic provided financial and logistical support to help make the show a success. In 2021, there was a 33 percent increase in entries for the event that includes two slates of horse show classes, a $50,000-added Open Derby and a Pre-Futurity for 3-year-olds bound for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. And, the event will only continue to grow as reined cow horse continues to spread throughout the country.

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Sarah Dawson piloted Smart Chic An Tari (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Teri x Shining Spark), bred and owned by Aaron Ranch, to a 654.5 (H:219/R:220 C:216.5) to win reserve and earn $13,075.83.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION & OPEN NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION-TIE

Lee Deacon rode Bet Shesa Pepto (Bet Hesa Cat x Lil Miss Pepoto x Freckles Playboy), owned by Cody & Katharine Clements, to a 649 (H:216.5/R:214/C:218.5). For the Intermediate Open win the horse earned $5,327.19. For the Open Novice Reserve Champion, the horse won $2,138.40.

LIMITED OPEN HORSE CHAMPION & INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION-TIE

Abigayle Mixon and Vintage Ambrosia (One Fine Vintage x Miss Fancy Juice x Smart Like Juice), owned by Kathryn Rippetoe, rode to a 647 (H:214.5/R:212/C:220.5). For the Limited Open Horse win, the horse earned $2,179.31, and an additional $3,795.62 in a tie for Intermediate Open Reserve.

100 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION-TIE

Ron Ralls piloted One Time Edition (One Time Pepto x PG Special Edition x Playgun) to a 647 (H:215/R:213/C:218.5) to tie for reserve, which earned $3,795.62 for owner Bell Quarter Horses.

LIMITED OPEN HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Abigayle Mixon also piloted the Limited Open Horse Reserve Champion, Eight Karat Diamond (CD Diamond x Whiz Guinevere x Tophsail Whiz), to a composite 643.5 (H:214/ R:214.5/C:215) for owners Dr. Harry and Patricia Prince. The horse earned $1,743.44.

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

OPEN NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

OPEN NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION-TIE

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Jay McLaughlin and Tee Boone (Once In A Blu Boon x Skeets My Bro x Docs Curious Cat), owned by JT & Sandra Neal III, rode to a 650.5 (H:216/R:217/C:217.5) to win and take home $2,980.80.

HQ Wilma Gotta Kitty (Meteles Cat x Wilma Gotta Gun x Spooks Gotta Gun ) and Sarah Murphey rode to a 641 (R:211.5/H:213/C:216.5) to earn owner and breeder Reid Hockenson $2,155.95 and the Derby title.

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Clay Volmer and Like Shine Wine (Shine Chic Shine x Ben Smokin Pine x Bueno Starlight), owned by Shaleah L. Hester, rode to a 649 (H:215/R:217/C:217), tying for reserve and taking home $2,138.40.

Logan Cotton piloted Jennifer Anderson’s mare, Starbucks Delight (Smooth Talkin Style x Smart Scat x Smart Starbuck ), to a 638 (R:210.5/H:214/C:213.5) to take reserve and earn $1,724.76.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

Debbie Crafton earned her second consecutive Non Pro Derby win at the Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, aboard Dualin Alittle Time.

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D

OUBLE D E R BY

Debbie Crafton defended her Non Pro Derby Champion title from last year at the 2021 Eastern Derby.

By Katie Navarra Photos by Primo Morales

D

ebbie Crafton hauled to the annual 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, looking to defend her 2020 Non Pro Derby Champion title.

This time she hoped it would be aboard a different horse.

Dualin Alittle Time (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep) was due for a win. The pair finished third at both the 2020 and 2021 competitions.

“We came to win!” she said. “We’d been so close at the Western Derby I just knew he could do it.”

During the weeklong show, she rode the stallion to a 651.5 (H:213.5/ R:219.5/C:218.5) to claim the Non Pro Derby Championship. The win paid $3,292.38. Crafton said the ground was perfect for the rein work.

The footing gave her a chance to showcase his talents.

“The dirt was really good, so I got to show him off in the reining with a big, long stop,” she said. “He circles and turns around so well. He is just pure and honest.”

Drawing up at the bottom, the duo was in a tough herd work spot. On their last cow, one bolted from the herd, causing a disruption. They still turned in a clean cut to score 213.5.

2021 EASTERN DERBY NON PRO TOP 10 Memphis, Tennessee— July 10 – 17, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money 1. Dualin Alittle Time; Debbie Crafton; (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep); Debbie R. Crafton; 651.5 (H:213.5/R:219.5/C:218.5); $3,292.38 2. Frat Cat; Catelyn Walker; (WR This Cats Smart x Tamu A Dualin Reina x Aggies Twelfth Man); Catelyn M. Walker; 648.5 (H:212.5/R:216/C:220); $2,586.87 3. TRR Lucky Brazos; Trail Townsend; (Pepcid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun); Tripp Townsend; 648 (H:207/R:216.5/C:224.5); $1,998.95 4. Seven S Red Robin; Addison Fjelstad; (Blind Sided x Seven S Dixie Chic x CJ Sugar Lena); Kenneth J. Schueller; 647 (H:216/R:212.5/C:218.5); $1,411.02 5. Monster Truk; Morgan Holmes; (Ima Downtown Cat x Cowgirls GettinItDun x Dun It Big); Jay & Rhonda Holmes; 644.5 (H:212/R:216.5/C:216); $1,058.27 6. Hughes This Chic; Debbie Crafton; (Thomas E Hughes x Smart Playing Chic x Smart Chic Olena); Debbie R. Crafton; 639.5 (H:212/R:217/C:210.5); $823.10 7. Twice In A Blu Moon; Debbie Crafton; (Once In A Blu Boon x Teltrona x Little Trona); Debbie R. Crafton; 638 (H:215/R:210.5/C:210.5); $587.93

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY “I really need to thank my herd help who I wouldn’t have been successful without,” she said. “I also couldn’t do this without my family who is holding down the fort at home.”

Heading into the cow work, she knew she needed a solid run to maintain the lead. Pleased to have a “decent cow,” the duo wrapped up the final leg of the competition with a 218.5, giving Crafton a full three-point lead over Reserve Champion Frat Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Tamu A Dualin Reina x Aggies Twelfth Man) and owner Catelyn Walker who rode to a composite 648.5 (H:212.5/R:216/C:220).

“It was extra special to win with him,” Crafton said. “I’ve raised him, and trained him and he has always wanted to please.”

“I really need to thank my herd help who I wouldn’t have been successful without. I also couldn’t do this without my family who is holding down the fort at home.”—Debbie Crafton

Crafton bought the 2016 stallion out of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Western Bloodstock Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales® as a yearling. She has done all his training on her own. Dualin Alittle Time was bred by Acrese Quarter Horses, and he has more than $52,000 in lifetime earnings. His career highlights include the 2019 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Championship and a Top 5 finish at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes.

Craftons’ plans include moving the

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO CHAMPION & NOVICE NON PRO CHAMPION

Catelyn Walker piloted her horse Frat Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Tamu A Dualin Reina x Aggies Twelfth Man) to a composite 648.5 (H:212.5/R:216/C:220). The horse earned $13,075.83 for the Non Pro Reserve, $1,356.75 in the Intermediate Non Pro and $542.70 for the Novice Non Pro.

106 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

hosre into the two-rein and, eventually, the bridle.

Crafton piloted three horses to Top 10 finishes in the Non Pro. She finished sixth with Hughes This Chic (Thomas E Hughes x Smart Playing Chic x Smart Chic Olena) and seventh with Twice In A Blu Moon (Once In A Blu Boon x Teltrona x Little Trona).

“It was a great week,” she said. “It is a blessing to have these horses who are talented and put me on top.”

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, NOVICE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, AMATEUR CHAMPION

Trail Townsend and TRR Lucky Brazos (Pepcid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun), owned by Tripp Townsend, rode to a 648 (H:207/R:216.5/C:224.5) to take home $1,998.95 for the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve champion. The horse earned $434.16 in the Novice Non Pro.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

AMATEUR RESERVE CHAMPION

Riding Seven S Red Robin (Blind Sided x Seven S Dixie Chic x CJ Sugar Lena), owned by her stepfather Kenneth Schueller, Addison Fjelstad scored a 647 (R:212.5/H:216/C:218.5) to earn the reserve spot and $1,170. In the Non Pro, she earned $1,411.02 for placing fourth; $814.05 for placing third in the Intermediate Non Pro and another $325.62 for third in the Novice Non Pro.

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

NRCHA Youth Lucinda Rose David piloted her horse Rubys Reypeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA x Peppy San Badger) to a composite (H:215.5/ R:212/C:216) to take home $2,088.90.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown rode her horse Xtra Short Trick (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Short and Royal x Short Oak) to a 645 (H:212/ R:217/C:216) to take home $2,658.60. This is her second consecutive Derby win on her home-bred mare trained by her husband, NRCHA professional Robert Chown.

108 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

S

MOKIN’ SPECTACULAR

The Spectacular events at the Eastern Derby spotlighted versatile, athletic horses, but when the dust cleared Todd Crawford earned both Open titles in Tennessee.

By Kate Bradley Byars Photos by Primo Morales

C

rawford was draw four in a 16-horse Open Bridle Spectacular cow work field. Riding his longtime show-pen partner, Jerry Smoke, the NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider ignited the arena with a thrilling textbook fence run, then waited to see if his 146 on the cow would keep him atop the class.

When the final whistle blew, Crawford and Jerry Smoke (Dual R Smokin x Kool Arista Cat x Cats Merada), owned and bred by J Five Horse Ranch Management, marked a 435 (R:144/H:145/C:146) to earn the title and $2,940 at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™.

The pair has been a frequent entry in National Reined Cow Horse Association events, and have an American Quarter Horse Association Junior Working Cow Horse World Champion title to their credit. But Crawford said “Jerry” has really started to come into his own in the last couple of years.

“He’s been consistently good the last two or three years where you can count on him to be there every time [in the show pen],” Crawford said of the 2013 gelding.

He attributes some of that to roping off the horse. It’s both helped the gelding mentally and also allowed Crawford to start preparing him as a possible World’s Greatest Horseman mount.

“I really think roping on him this past winter has helped him mentally mature,” said Crawford. “I couldn’t tell you exactly what it did other than settle him a little. He has a lot of feel and is high octane and [roping] helped soften him, relaxing him a tick to where he is rating and thinking a little better. He is an overachiever and sometimes he tries to overdo it.”

110 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Jerry Smoke took a few years to come into his own as a confident cow horse, but now pilot Todd Crawford knows he can count on the sorrel gelding.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 111

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve Champion Sarah Dawson and Travelin Miss Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Playin With Rubies x Lectric Playboy), earned owner and breeder Stephen Roseberry $2,352 for their composite 433.5 (R:147/H:139/C:147.5).

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Christian Lybbert rode Metallic Snowflakes (Metallic Cat x SmartLittleSnowflake x Smart Little Lena), bred by Mary Jansma and owned by Patricia Wilmoth, to a composite 426 (R:140/H:141/C:145) to earn $470.

112 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

This is the second consecutive year Crawford has returnd to Oklahoma with a premier event title earned in Tennessee. However, he is no stranger to this event, which was originally the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic.

“I’ve been coming to [the East Coast Reined Cow Horse Classic] for 12 or 15 years. This show’s growth is what we all hope for being on the NRCHA Board of Directors and trying to broaden the scope of cow horses eastward,” said Crawford. “I believe moving the World Show and the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit] Futurity to Fort Worth helped that immensely. Now, these people that live far east, it is more attainable. They have always been competitive, but they didn’t have many big events to go to like what we have in the Southwest or West. Now, this show is even bigger and it is a great place to come show, learn and see people you don’t get to see often at other events.”

Crawford’s program had a successful show, with Non Pro Limited rider Monica Duflock capturing the Non Pro Limited Spectacular title, and Crawford, riding Bet Lucky 13, owned by Robert and Allyson Light, to the Open Two Rein Spectacular title.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Lance Sheffel rode his 2014 stallion Loaded With Light (Hes A Loaded Gun x Janes Starlight x Grays Starlight) to a 420.5 (R:140/H:142/C:138.5) to earn $352.50.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR

Amy Bailey and 2021 gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estate and co-owned with her husband Paul, notched a premier event title in Tennessee.

“He is the best horse I’ve ever had, and I have had a lot of great horses. I’ve won six world championships and the Non Pro Bridle at the Snaffle Bit, all the big things. He has not won anything [big] yet, except the Snaffle Bit [Futurity] Two Rein, and we just keep being the bridesmaids,” Bailey said. “But he is the best horse I’ve ever had, meaning he is the most complete. Reining, herd and fence, he is the easiest for me to maneuver.”

That was evident in Bailey’s 148 scoring cow work in the class. The gelding stays with trainer Robert Chown, and Bailey works hard to buddy up to the horse when she sees him.

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

“[Electra Tuff] is very particular who he associates with. During the show and when I’m at Robert’s riding, I’ll go in the stall and get him to be my friend. We are getting better,” she said. “He’s gotten lighter [over the years] and I’ve gotten more patient with him, because he is a feely horse.”

Bailey credits “Woodrow” with giving her a fun and easy fence work.

“Honestly, the easiest [run] was the fence run at this show,” she said. “Robert worked me on the flag for the fence work prior to the class and he just felt light and good. That was the easiest part of the show, the fence run.”

With a composite 437 (R:146/H:143/ C:148), Bailey earned $2,758 for the win.

She also took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA Bronze finish trophy, an engraved cup and a Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

With a composite 437 (R:146/H:143/C:148), Amy Bailey earned $2,758 riding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots), bred by the W.T. Waggoner Estate and co-owned with her husband, Paul, to the win.

114 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR

Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) are not strangers in the winner’s circle at major events. However, each time she rides the 2013 gelding, she grins ear to ear. In Tennessee, at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, the pair took the win in the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular with a composite 429.5 (R:141/H:142/C:146) to earn $520.

“We’ve been partnering three years now. It feels like longer! He’s been a great horse for me and taught me a lot,” said the 17-year-old Youth. “We are planning on it [showing longer].”

Catelyn credits Playin Motown’s consistency with building her up as a showman and competitor.

“He is consistent. No matter what, he gives you the same run—sometimes just

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

In reserve was Adeline Gracie Bricker riding her 2015 gelding Dual Looks (Dual Rey x Teninas Smart Look x ), bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock, to a composite 432.5 (R:143.5/H:145.5/C:143.5). She earned $2,167.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY a little better or a little worse, but you can count on him,” she said. “It lets me concentrate on showing.”

In February, Catelyn’s trainer, Ben Baldus, showed the gelding at the DT Horses/Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman. Not all horses can move between Open and Youth riders.

“He is such a good-minded, laid-back horse,” Catelyn said. “Ben showed him at the AQHA Versatility World Show and won the Senior [All Around] on him. You can do anything—ride out in the pasture, rope, go on trails, just about anything.

His versatility has made him a fun show horse for me.”

For the win, Catelyn took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy and engraved cup courtesy of the NRCHA and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR

Non Pro Limited Spectacular Champion Monica Duflock has piloted her 2009 mare for nearly six years. At the 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian, the pair earned the win with a 429 (R:138/ H:142.5/C:148.5), taking home the $2,460 check on Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay x Freckles Merada), bred by Billy Martin.

“I bought Oh Cay Meriah from Todd Crawford’s program and have been there since,” said Duflock. “She is super sweet and lovely to be around. When you pull her out of the stall she is the same horse every day, never looking for a fight and super willing!”

The pair’s cow work score was the class high at 148, and Duflock enjoyed the run.

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Catelyn Walker and Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), bred by Kit Moncrief and Tennison Lee, took the win in the Youth Cow Horse Spectacular with a composite 429.5 (R:141/H:142/C:146) to earn $520.

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“When you’re on her back, handsdown, the most fun thing is being on a cow, in the herd or boxing,” she said.

“Last year, I started the [Beginning Fence Work] class and anytime she has a cow in front of her, she is a complete blast!”

Duflock showed at last year’s inaugural premier event and enjoys the show’s atmosphere.

“I showed here last year and I love it!

It’s a nice show to come to, enjoyable and everybody is so nice to be around! It has really good energy here,” she said.

For the win Duflock took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

YOUTH COW HORSE SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Quincee Clark and Vintage San (Ricochet San x Shiney Vintage Chic x Smart Chic Olena), owned by Kristi Clark and bred by Carolyn Edson, scored a 418.5 (R:138/H:140.5/C:140) to earn $390.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Jubilee Stringfellow rode her 2014 mare Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark), bred by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, to the win with a 436 (R:143.H:145/C:148), earning $660 .

YOUTH LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Riley Friesen rode Peggy Cummings’ Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special) to a 432.5 (R:146/H:141.5/C:145) to earn $528 and a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.

NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION NON PRO LIMITED SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Monica Duflock rode to a 429 (R:138/H:142.5/C:148.5), taking home the $2,460 check on Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay x Freckles Merada), bred by Billy Martin.

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Greg Lewis rode Hartwood Farms’ 2015 gelding MC Reyn Or Shine (Shiners Nickle x Tootsie Rey x Dual Rey), bred by Michelle Cannon, to a 426 (R:140.5/H:140/C:145.5), earning $1,968 and a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Todd Crawford and Bet Lucky 13 have had quite a long road to earning the Open Two Rein Spectacular Champion title in Tennessee.

It has been a good show!”

That is an understatement for Todd Crawford’s 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™. Crawford marked the highest cow score of the event on his way to a second title, this one in the Open Two Rein Spectacular aboard Bet Lucky 13 (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight), owned by

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Robert and Allysn Light and bred by James Eakin.

Crawford has had the 2013 stallion in his program since the horse was a 2-year-old. Now, as an 8-year-old in the two-rein, the roan is finding his stride.

“I showed him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. After his 5-year-old year I showed him in the World Show in the hackamore and was second on him.

Then, he got an infection in his hock and we almost lost him, actually, so he had a year off,” Crawford said. “I started back on him, then COVID hit and they took him home to take another year off.”

Despite setbacks, the horse continues to improve and mature as a show horse, Crawford says. With more showing, the horse will soon become Allyson’s show horse.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY “We are gearing him to become Allyson’s next horse and that is the goal.

In order to achieve that goal, I have to stay on top of him and prepare him,” said Crawford. “He is still a stallion, but he is real laid back. That was probably a detriment as a 3-year-old because he didn’t have much motivation. But since he’s learned to show and learned the routine, he is plenty of horse but not too much horse.”

The 152 cow work was the kind of run that a trainer loves to make in the show pen, Crawford says.

“The Open Bridle was great but I didn’t have the kind of fence work that I had in the Two Rein. The fence work is always fun, but when that kind of run happens, it is really fun,” explained Crawford.

“He drew a really good cow that boxed well and had a lot of feel on the ends.

In order to win, you gotta go [down the

OPEN TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Clayton Anderson rode Troop Quarter Horses’ Rooster Cogboon (Once In a Blu Boon x Roosters Lucy x Gallo Del Cielo), bred by James or Debra Bramblett, to a 432 (R:145/H:142.5/C:144.5), and earned $1,225.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY fence] so I didn’t box long. I have quite a bit of confidence in him that he can handle a lot of cow. He nailed the first turn. I went further down the pen for my second turn and it was a little tighter than I wanted, then he ran and circled good. It was a real good run. Those kind don’t happen very often so you’re always happy when they do.”

In addition to a check for $1,470, Bet Lucky 13 earned took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

With a 430.5 (R:140.5/H:146/C:143.5), 17-year-old Dakota Cox and 2015 gelding Meradas Cash Bar (KTZ Rey Of Cash

“He is still a stallion, but he is real laid back. That was probably a detriment as a 3-year-old because he didn’t have much motivation.

But since he’s learned to show and learned the routine, he is plenty of horse but not too much horse.”—Todd Crawford x Meradas Bar Star x Meradas Money Talks), bred by Rodney Wrinkle Cutting Horses, took the top spot in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular.

“We’ve had him since he was a 3-yearold,” Dakota said. “Luke Jones showed him in [the Snaffle Bit] Futurity and we’ve all shown him through his Derby years.”

While the horse and Dakota have learned and grown together, the young man says the most improvement has

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR CHAMPION

Dakota Cox earned the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular title for the second year, but this time on 2015 gelding Meradas Cash Bar (KTZ Rey Of Cash x Meradas Bar Star x Meradas Money Talks), bred by Rodney Wrinkle Cutting Horses. He rode to a 430.5 (R:140.5/H:146/C:143.5) to earn $880

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been in their cutting. The two had the high score of the Non Pro Two Rein herd work with a 146.

“One thing that’s improved has been the cutting,” he said. “Here his cutting was the highest I’ve been and it was fun.”

Along with $880, Dakota took home a C.R. Morrison NRCHA bronze finish trophy, engraved cup and Gist buckle courtesy of the NRCHA, and a UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR RESERVE CHAMPION

Ashley Lembke rode 2015 gelding Dually Tunes (Dual Rey x SDP Finely Tuned x Smart Little Lena), co-owned with her husband, Tyrel, and bred by Beechfork Ranch, to a 420.5 (R:138.5/H:143/C:139) to earn $660, a box fan from Hanson Quarter Horses’ Wayne and Michelle Hanson and a box fan bag from Classic.

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

C

IRCUIT CHAMPIONS Compiled by Bonnie Wheatley • Photos by Primo Morales

During the 2021 Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, which was held July 10-17 at the Agricenter International ShowPlace Arena in Cordova, Tennessee, two horse shows combined to award class circuit championships.

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION & INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION & INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION Danielle Lybbert rode Hi Hill Bud (High Brow CD x Roses To Rubies x Smart Little Lena) to a 273 in Horse Show 1 and her husband, fellow Open rider Christian Lybbert, rode the 2011 gelding to a 280.5 in Horse Show 2 to earn the Open Bridle and Intermediate Open Bridle Circuit Champion titles.

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION & NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION With a cumulative score of 536 (HS 1: 267/ HS 2: 269) the 2011 mare Smoke N Jet Surprise (Doc N Smoke x Truly Nifty Surprise x Town Clown) was ridden by Jonathan Hawthorne for owners Joseph and Leeann Slipher to earn the Limited Open Bridle circuit title and $315.

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The 2012 gelding Duals Big Catt (Sophisticated Catt x Duallin Docs Girl x Dual Pep), ridden by Brandy Johnson for Penny Cash, scored a 555 (HS 1: 273/ HS 2: 282) composite to earn the reserve circuit in both Open and Intermediate Open Bridle.

Mike Lundy rode his 2013 mare Cee These Guns (Colonels Smoking Gun x Dun It In The Bay Starlights Wrangler) to reserve in the Limited Open Bridle horse show circuit standings at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby thanks to a 414.5 (HS 1: 274/ HS 2: 140.5).

Lundy also secured the Novice and Intermediate Non Pro Bridle championships with a 561 (HS 1: 284.5/ HS 2: 276.5). Lundy unofficially banked $1,060 across the three horse show divisions.

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO BRIDLE CO-RESERVE CHAMPION

Lee Humble Baldock’s 2015 gelding Floki (WR This Cats Smart x Who Rey x Dual Rey) was ridden by Brandy Johnson to a 567.5 (HS 1: 283.5/ HS 2: 284) and the Open Two Rein reserve circuit championship. Floki garnered $366 in Open Two Rein horse show earnings.

NON PRO BRIDLE CO-RESERVE CHAMPION & SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION Judy Fortenberry and her 2009 gelding Cold Hard Smart Cash (Big Chex To Cash x Smartin Up x Smart Little Lena) scored a 563 (HS 1: 272.5/ HS 2: 290.5) to share the Non Pro Bridle reserve circuit championship, as well as win the Select Non Pro Bridle circuit title and $614 across both divisions.

Dillon Cox and Circle C Ranch’s 2014 mare Just Makin A Scene (Very Smart Remedy x CatInTheHat x High Brow Cat) scored a 563 (HS 1: 278.5/ HS 2: 284.5) to share the Non Pro Bridle reserve circuit championship.

Cox earned $267 in the Non Pro Bridle horse show classes.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION & NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION Stefani Wagley and her 2014 mare Precious Metalz (Metallic Cat x Starlights Liz x Grays Starlight) were reserve circuit champions in the Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro Bridle divisions, thanks to a composite of 554.5 (HS 1: 282.5/ HS 2: 272). Wagley garnered $503 in horse show class earnings at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby.

YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION Jecca Ostrander rode BoxO Quarter Horses’ 2014 stallion Opus Cat Olena (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic x Smart Chic Olena) to a 558 composite to earn the Select Non Pro Bridle reserve championship. Ostrander’s scores of 271 in Horse Show 1 and 287 in Horse Show 2 earned her $445.

Emma Swanson and her 2016 mare Outskirts Of Heaven (Haidas Seven Heaven x WBR Autumn Hickory x Autumn Acre) achieved a composite score of 547 (HS 1: 275.5/ HS 2: 271.5) to earn the Youth Cow Horse reserve circuit championship and $140.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Taking reserve honors in the Non Pro Two Rein with a score of 561 (HS 1: 273.5/ HS 2: 287.5) was Carisa Ann Kimbro riding her 2015 gelding Red Hotz (Sweet Lil Pepto x Doc NA Box x Bob Acre Doc). Kimbro earned $285 in addition to circuit awards.

One At A Time (One Time Pepto x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) was ridden by Ryan Gallentine to a composite 575 (HS 1: 294/ HS 2: 281) for owner Steve Mattson to earn the Open Hackamore circuit championship award and $360.

OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION Kyle Noyce guided SJR Smooth Lil Oak (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Little Oak x Shining Spark) to reserve circuit champion honors in the Open Hackamore with a cumulative 575 (HS 1: HS 1: 289.5/ HS 2: 285.5) for owner Janie DvorakCompton. Noyce gained $533 in Open Hackamore horse show earnings with SJR Smooth Lil Oak.

Topping the Limited Open Hackamore with a 544.5 (HS 1: 263/ HS 2: 281.5) was A Buckin Good Time (Hickory Holly Time x Buckalena Ote x Dual Spark), ridden by Lucas Metcalf for owners Michael and Kim St. Clair. A Buckin Good Time earned $207 in Limited Open Hackamore horse show money at the event.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION With 530.5 cumulative points, thanks to scores of 253.5 and 277 in Horse Shows 1 and 2, respectively, Little Boon Peep (Smart Boons x Signed Prescription x High Sign Nugget) and Rebecca Lipka were reserve in the Limited Open Hackamore circuit.

Little Boon Peep earned $138 for owner Holly Anderson.

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Edith Petaccio rode her 2015 stallion Chicys Lucky Lad (Smart Luck x Smokum Chicy x Smart Chic Olena) to a composite score of 566.5 (HS 1: 280/ HS 2: 286.5) to earn the Non Pro Limited circuit championship and $225 in the Non Pro Limited during Horse Show 2.

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BEGINNING FENCE WORK RESERVE CHAMPION

Jill Flint rode her 2014 mare Champ Sunshine (Pa Oh Cay Champ x Jazzys Baby Bob x TBD) to a 557.5 (HS 1: 282.5/ HS 2: 286.5) for reserve in the Beginning Fence Work division. Flint earned $325 in the Beginning Fence Work class.

$5K NON PRO LIMITED CO-CHAMPION

Will Lewis rode his 2011 gelding Spookin Jay (Smart Spook x Ultra Jay x Master Jay) to a 577 (HS 1: 288.5/ HS 2: 288.5) to earn the $5,000 Non Pro Limited circuit title and $574 in horse show earnings at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby.

$5K NON PRO LIMITED CO-CHAMPION

$1K NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Reserve in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited was Kendra Suhling riding her 2016 mare Metallic Slide (Metallic Cat x Sliden Wright By x Smart Little Lena) to a 577 (HS 1: 285/ HS 2: 292). Suhling earned $453 in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited.

YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER RESERVE CHAMPION

$1K NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve in the $1,000 Non Pro Limited was Angie Kilpatrick riding Peppys Hickory Jane (Peppy Lil Wil x Hickorys Jane x Docs Hickory) to a 569 (HS 1: 282.5/ HS 2: 286.5) and $325.

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Earning the $1,000 Non Pro Limited circuit championship was Greg Steckel riding his 2016 stallion Jersey In The Bay (Yellow Jersey x Dun It In The Bay x Starlights Wrangler) to a 569.5 (HS 1: 282.5/ HS 2: 287). Steckel went home with $393 in $1,000 Non Pro Limited earnings.

Reserve in the Youth Limited circuit standings was Isabella Slipher riding Joseph and Leeann Slipher’s 2005 gelding A Smart Remark (Mark This Spot x Smart Little Sadie x Smart Little Calboy) to a cumulative score of 550.5 (HS 1: 277/HS 2: 273.5).

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by

MARS Equestrian™, Award Sponsors

Thank You to all of our award sponsors for the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby!

Frank Prisco Family Gardiner Quarter Horses CB Trucking Hanson Quarter Horses Jay Holmes Performance Horses St Lucie Cattle Company Todd Crawford Performance Horses

132 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

WINNER BLOCK The following winners are also listed and pictured in the Eastern Derby event coverage.

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Rooster Cogboon (Once In A Blu Boon x Roosters Lucy x Gallo Del Cielo), ridden by Clayton Anderson for owner Troop Quarter Horses, accrued 582 points (HS 1: 289.5/ HS 2: 292.5) to earn the Open Two Rein circuit championship at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby. Rooster Cogboon’s Open Two Rein horse show earnings totaled $581.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Amy Bailey rode her 2012 gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electra Boots) to a 572-point composite and the Non Pro Bridle circuit title. Bailey’s massive 294 in horse show one earned $411, while her 278 in Horse Show 2 finished out of the money.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Quincee Clark and Vintage San (Ricochet San x Shiney Vintage Chic) earned scores totaling 573 points (HS 1: 280.5/ HS 2: 292.5) to secure the Youth Cow Horse circuit championship and $201. Vintage San is a 2012 gelding owned by Kristi Clark.

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Dakota Cox rode Circle C Ranch’s Meradas Cash Bar (KTZ Rey Of Cash x Meradas Bar Star) to a composite score of 566 (HS 1: 284/ HS 2: 282) to cinch the Non Pro Two Rein circuit championship and earn $250.

BEGINNING FENCE WORK CHAMPION & NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Non Pro Limited Reserve Champion Monica Duflock scored a 565 (HS 1: 286.5/ HS 2: 278.5) riding her 2009 mare Oh Cay Meriah (Light N Lena x Meradas Oh Cay) and won $113 in Horse Show 2. Duflock achieved a 566.5 (HS 1: 287/ HS 2: 279.5) composite to top the Beginning Fence Work circuit and earn $302.

YOUTH LIMITED CHAMPION, YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Riley Friesen rode Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart), a 2014 gelding owned by Peggy Cummings, to a composite 571.5 (HS 1: 286.5/ HS 2: 285) to win the Youth Limited circuit championship and $420 in horse show earnings at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby.

YOUTH LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Jubilee Stringfellow rode her 2014 mare Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill) to a composite 566.5 (HS 1: 293/ HS 2: 273.5) to win the Youth Limited reserve circuit championship and $245 in horse show earnings at the Dom Conicelli Eastern Memorial Derby.

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

A

LL IN STRIDE

A slew of promising 3-year-olds rose to the challenge in the 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby Pre-Futurity.

By Allison Armstrong Rehnborg Photography by Primo Morales

E

very reined cow horse competition tests the mettle of horse and rider, but the Pre-Futurity at the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, proved to be a special testing ground. For many of the 45 3-year-olds that competed in the Open Pre-Futurity at the Agricenter ShowPlace Arena near Memphis, Tennessee, it was their first opportunity to go eye-to-eye with cattle amidst the lights, cameras and action of a premier cow horse event. In the end, seasoned trainer Ashley Deacon of Marietta, Oklahoma, and The Royalty (One Time Royalty x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish) came out on top as the winners of the Open and Intermediate Open Pre-Futurity.

According to Deacon, the 2018 sorrel stallion performed with his customary style, even though the pair had been hampered in their preparations by poor weather.

“Nothing phases The Royalty, not even showing him here,” Deacon affirmed. “We’ve had a lot of rain this year, so we haven’t gotten to go down the fence quite as much at our house. I’d never put together a full fence run on him before we got here. We did take all our 3-year-olds to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the 2021 DT Horses Western Derby, and that helped us a lot. But those were used cattle, and there’s something different about taking a much fresher cow down the fence. It was really nice to see how The Royalty took that experience here.”

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The Royalty (One Time Royalty x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish) carried Ashley Deacon to the Dom Conicelli Eastern Derby Pre-Futurity Open and Intermediate Open winners’ circles.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 135

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY It may have been The Royalty’s first time to perform in a pen ringed by an enthusiastic crowd and illuminated by camera flashes, but the colt lived up to his name.

“He started off really good in the rein work, then he looked up and saw the photographer and the crowd and got a little full of himself,” Deacon said with a laugh. “He got distracted, and yet he still stopped huge. I tried to challenge him, but not push him, and he took it all in stride even though it was his first time alone in the pen. He liked the attention, but he never quit doing his job because of it. I really love that about him.”

At the start of the Eastern Derby, Deacon’s plans for The Royalty were to give the colt a good experience.

By the end of the week, the pair had put together a composite score of 435 (H:144.0/R:143.0/C:148.0) in the Open Pre-Futurity and won a total of $3,878.79 for owner Lucinda David.

“There’s so much more horse there, but I don’t need to ask that much of him going forward,” Deacon said. “My goal with that horse is always to stay out of his way. If I can show him the right thing to do, he’s going to figure it out.”

work out,” Gonzalez said. “The event itself is so much fun. I love having three different events so that you have three opportunities to go out there and show your horse.”

Encouraged by her mother, who is also an enthusiastic reined cow horse competitor, and mentored by trainers Ben Baldus and Josh Briggs, both of Gainesville, Texas, Gonzalez purchased Stylish Vixen (Mr Playinstylish x Playboys Vixen x Hickoryote) in July of 2020. She also worked with trainer Johnny Boudreaux of Lafayette, Louisiana, to help prepare Stylish Vixen for competition.

According to Gonzalez, her goal for the little sorrel mare’s debut performance in the Non Pro Pre-Futurity was just to go show.

“I wanted to have a good experience with her by having a clean ride without scaring her. I also wanted to find some things to work on to improve for our next Pre-Futurity,” Gonzalez said. “She obviously exceeded my expectations!”

Although the pair excelled in all three

events to win the Non Pro Pre-Futurity with a composite score of 420 (H:144.0/ R:139.5/C:136.5), Gonzalez says she’s most proud of how Stylish Vixen performed in the herd work.

“I think that’s when her pedigree really shines,” Gonzalez said. “If you’ve ever heard John Swales talk about Cats Picasso (Metallic Cat x Playboys Vixen x Hickoryote), he always says the herd work is his best event. Stylish Vixen is very similar. She’s cowy, which gives me an advantage.

“I was a little nervous about picking cows because I’ve only cut three cows once before. But I had some really good herd help. We went in and got our first cow, and she was really good about staying in the middle. My second cow was really quick, but she held it well.

Then she got to show off on her third cow. It didn’t feel the best to me at the time, but when I heard our score, I was super happy to feel like I had room for improvement, and yet she was still scoring that well.”

NON PRO PRE FUTURITY

For 16-year-old Isabelle Gonzalez, the 2021 Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, represented only the third major cow horse event of her career. Although Gonzalez, who’s from Lafayette, Louisiana, has been riding since she was 6 years old, she attended her first cow horse clinic in 2019 and fell head over heels for her new discipline. She’s been dedicated to learning everything she can about reined cow horse ever since.

“I love how humbling it is because you can have a great horse and you can be a great rider, and still things might not

136 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Stylish Vixen (Mr Playinstylish x Playboys Vixen x Hickoryote) carried 16-year-old Isabelle Gonzalez to her first NRCHA premier event titles.

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///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Todd Crawford rode Bryan Hawk’s Voodoo It Ruf (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Foxy Lil Catalyst x Lil Ruf Peppy) to the reserve championship with a 413 (H:144.0/R:144.0/C:143.0), earning $2,086.04.

LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

Taylor Gillespie and Reyzin Cane (Reyzin The Cash x DB Little Cat x Metallic Cat), owned by William McElligott, took the win with a 428.5 (H:145/R:141.5/C:142) to garner $434.59 in earnings.

138 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Lee Deacon piloted Neighbaline (Metallic Rebel x One Smokin Chic x Freckle Face Smoke), owned by Joseph and Leeann Slipher, to reserve with a 429 (H:142.5/R:143.5/C:143.0) and won $796.75.

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Kitt Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Tuff Julie x Woody Be Tuff) and owner and rider Danielle Lybbert finished in the reserve spot with a 419.0 (H:139/R:142.5/C:137.5). They won $325.94.

IS

CIP

LIN

E

OSPHOS® (clodronate injection)

F O R E V E RY E

N I QU

D E

The intramuscular bisphosphonate injection for control of clinical signs associated with Navicular Syndrome in horses 4 years of age and older

Bisphosphonate.

For use in horses only.

Brief Summary (For Full Prescribing Information, see package insert) CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

DESCRIPTION: Clodronate disodium is a non-amino, chloro-containing bisphosphonate. Chemically, clodronate disodium is (dichloromethylene) diphosphonic acid disodium salt and is manufactured from the tetrahydrate form.

INDICATION: For the control of clinical signs associated with navicular syndrome in horses.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Horses with hypersensitivity to clodronate disodium should not receive OSPHOS. Do not use in horses with impaired renal function or with a history of renal disease.

WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.

HUMAN WARNINGS: Not for human use. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. Consult a physician in case of accidental human exposure.

PRECAUTIONS: OSPHOS has been associated with renal toxicity. Concurrent administration of other potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be approached with caution and renal function should be monitored. Use of bisphosphonates in patients with conditions or diseases affecting renal function is not recommended.

Horses should be well-hydrated prior to and after the administration of OSPHOS due to the potential for adverse renal events. Water intake and urine output should be monitored for 3-5 days post-treatment and any changes from baseline should elicit further evaluation. As a class, bisphosphonates may be associated with gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Sensitivity to drug associated adverse reactions varies with the individual patient. Renal and gastrointestinal adverse reactions may be associated with plasma concentrations of the drug.

Bisphosphonates are excreted by the kidney; therefore, conditions causing renal impairment may increase plasma bisphosphonate concentrations resulting in an increased risk for adverse reactions. Concurrent administration of other potentially nephrotoxic drugs should be approached with caution and renal function should be monitored. Use of bisphosphonates in patients with conditions or diseases affecting renal function is not recommended. Administration of bisphosphonates has been associated with abdominal pain (colic), discomfort, and agitation in horses. Clinical signs usually occur shortly after drug administration and may be associated with alterations in intestinal motility. In horses treated with OSPHOS these clinical signs usually began within 2 hours of treatment. Horses should be monitored for at least 2 hours following administration of OSPHOS. Bisphosphonates affect plasma concentrations of some minerals and electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium and potassium, immediately post-treatment, with effects lasting up to several hours. Caution should be used when administering bisphosphonates to horses with conditions affecting mineral or electrolyte homeostasis (e.g. hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, hypocalcemia, etc.). The safe use of OSPHOS has not been evaluated in horses less than 4 years of age. The effect of bisphosphonates on the skeleton of growing horses has not been studied; however, bisphosphonates inhibit osteoclast activity which impacts bone turnover and may affect bone growth.

Bisphosphonates should not be used in pregnant or lactating mares, or mares intended for breeding. The safe use of OSPHOS has not been evaluated in breeding horses or pregnant or lactating mares. Bisphosphonates are incorporated into the bone matrix, from where they are gradually released over periods of months to years. The extent of bisphosphonate incorporation into adult bone, and hence, the amount available for release back into the systemic circulation, is directly related to the total dose and duration of bisphosphonate use. Bisphosphonates have been shown to cause fetal developmental abnormalities in laboratory animals.

The uptake of bisphosphonates into fetal bone may be greater than into maternal bone creating a possible risk for skeletal or other abnormalities in the fetus. Many drugs, including bisphosphonates, may be excreted in milk and may be absorbed by nursing animals.

Increased bone fragility has been observed in animals treated with bisphosphonates at high doses or for long periods of time. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption and decrease bone turnover which may lead to an inability to repair micro damage within the bone. In humans, atypical femur fractures have been reported in patients on long term bisphosphonate therapy; however, a causal relationship has not been established.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The most common adverse reactions reported in the field study were clinical signs of discomfort or nervousness, colic and/or pawing. Other signs reported were lip licking, yawning, head shaking, injection site swelling, and hives/pruritus.

POST-APPROVAL EXPERIENCE (December 2018): The following adverse events are based on post-approval adverse drug experience reporting. Not all adverse events are reported to FDA/CVM. It is not always possible to reliably estimate the adverse event frequency or establish a causal relationship to product exposure using these data.

The following adverse events are listed in decreasing order of reporting frequency: renal failure, polyuria, polydipsia, abdominal pain, anorexia, lethargy, hypercalcemia, behavioral disorder, discomfort, hyperkalemia, hyperactivity, recumbency, hyperthermia, injection site reactions, muscle tremor, urticaria, hyperglycemia, and fracture. In some cases, death has been reported as an outcome of the adverse events listed above.

INFORMATION FOR HORSE OWNERS: Owners should be advised to:

Learn more online

www.dechra-us.com www.osphos.com

As with all drugs, side effects may occur. In field studies and post-approval experience the most common side effects reported were signs of discomfort, nervousness, and colic. Other signs reported were: renal insufficiency/failure, anorexia, lethargy, hypercalcemia, behavioral disorders, hyperkalemia, hyperactivity, recumbency, hyperthermia, injection site reactions, muscle tremor, urticaria, hyperglycemia, and fracture. In some cases, death has been reported as an outcome of these adverse events.

The safe use of OSPHOS has not been evaluated in horses less than 4 years of age or breeding horses. OSPHOS should not be used in pregnant or lactating mares, or mares intended for breeding. NSAIDs should not be used concurrently with OSPHOS. Concurrent use of NSAIDs with OSPHOS may increase the risk of renal toxicity and acute renal failure. Use of OSPHOS in patients with conditions affecting renal function or mineral or electrolyte homeostasis is not recommended.

Refer to the prescribing information for complete details or visit www.dechra-us.com.

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of licensed veterinarian. * Freedom of Information Summary, Original New Animal Drug Application, approved by FDA under NADA # 141-427, for OSPHOS. April 28, 2014.

Dechra Veterinary Products US and the Dechra D logo are registered trademarks of Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC. © 2020 Dechra Ltd.

• NOT administer NSAIDs. • Ensure horses have access to adequate water before andafter administration of OSPHOS. • Observe their horse for at least 2 hours post-treatment forsigns of colic, agitation, and/or abnormal behavior.

• If a horse appears uncomfortable, nervous, or experiences cramping posttreatment, hand walk the horse for 15 minutes. If signs do not resolve contact the veterinarian.

• Monitor water intake and urine output for 3-5 days post-treatment.

• Contact their veterinarian if the horse displays abnormal clinical signs such as changes in drinking and urination, appetite, and attitude.

Manufactured for: Dechra Veterinary Products 7015 College Blvd., Suite 525, Overland Park, KS 66211 866-933-2472 © 2020 Dechra Ltd. OSPHOS is a registered trademark of Dechra Ltd. All rights reserved. Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-427

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

Errol Spence’s Midnight Rocks (Once In a Blu Boon x Coldstone Cat x High Brow Cat) won with Alex Alves in the saddle. The pair finished with a 411.0 (H:140/R:140.5/C:130.5) and earned $1,177.20.

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, AMATEUR CHAMPION

Stefani Wagley and Boon Doxx (Sannmann x Docs Stylish Liz x Docs Stylish Oak) took home the Amateur Championship and the Non Pro Reserve Championship. The pair earned a 417.5 (H:140/R:141/C:136.5) and won $723.60 in the Non Pro and an additional $540 in the Amateur division.

140 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Jonathan Hawthorne rode Dual Play Maggie (Total Dual x PlayBadge Maggie x PlayBadge Olena) to the reserve for owner and breeder Chuck Terro with a 408 (H:139/ R:134.5/C:134.5) and won $981.00.

AMATEUR RESERVE CHAMPION

Kourtney Rae Judge piloted Sabbra Cadabra (Sannman x Sr Smart N Stylish x Smart Little Lena) to reserve with a 414.5 (H:144/R:134/C:136.5) and won $360.00. Sabbra Cadabra is owned by Judge Livestock.

///////// 2021 DOM CONICELLI MEMORIAL EASTERN DERBY

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Walker Priester, owner, breeder and rider of Bad N Boojee (Solano Cat x Peekaboo MIF x Mifillena), finished with a 422 (H:139/R:140/C:143) to earn the win and $585.

142 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///////// INDUSTRY INSIGHT

The

BOTTOM SIDE Top breeders have always paid close attention to the “bottom side” of a horse’s pedigree—a horse’s mare family—and with good reasons.

By CHRISTINE HAMILTON

K

144 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///// THE SIDES DIAMONDS SPARKLE, largely through her son, Shining Spark (by Genuine Doc), and daughter, Sparkles Rosezana (by Zan Parr Bar), has had a huge influence on the reined cow horse breeding industry.

Top side, sire line: In a horse’s bracket pedigree, the “top side” is the sire’s family. When breeders talk about the “sire line” they specifically mean the uppermost line of the bracket through the generations—the sire, paternal grandsire, great-grandsire, etc. For example, Diamonds Sparkle is by Mr Diamond Dude, by Blondy’s Dude, by Small Town Dude, by King P-231, etc. It’s also called the tail male line.

Bottom side, mare line: In a bracket pedigree, the “bottom side” is the dam’s family. When breeders talk about a horse’s “mare line” or “mare family,” they specifically mean the bottommost line of the bracket. For example, Diamonds Sparkle is out of Pollyanna Rose (by Clabber Question), out of Irene Vee (by Bert Barton), etc. It’s also called the tail female line.

{ BLONDYS DUDE

{

SMALL TOWN DUDE BLONDY QUEEN

MR DIAMOND DUDE

{ MISS PATSY BLAKE

{

DAWSON GARY DOLLY RAPER

{ KING UNCLES PET PLAUDIT { BLONDY JOHNNIE ADAIR II { WIMPY BROWN BETTY DAWSON

{ SHILOAH PET WISDOM

DIAMONDS SPARKLE

{ CLABBER QUESTION

{

CLABBER BAR

BARS { THREE PEGGY N

FOOLISH QUESTION

MARK { QUESTION FOOLISH WIND

BERT BARTON

BARTON { SIR RODEO QUEEN

POLLYANNA ROSE

{ IRENE VEE

{

SMOKYS TAFFY

MOORE { SMOKEY MISS CAYENNE

SIRE MARE

ansas-born rancher and horseman Garth Gardiner remembers the first yearling he and his wife, Amanda, sold at the National Reined Cow Horses Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sale, almost 20 years ago in Reno, Nevada. It was a filly by Gallo Del Cielo, aka “Rooster,” out of an unproven Docs Stylish Oak mare.

“I thought she looked great,” he recalled. “But I didn’t know anything about trying to market or sell yearlings.

“As we were at the stall, people would ask what has the mare produced, and I was like, ‘Why is everyone so caught up with what the mare has produced? This is a nice filly.’ ” He remembers her selling well, but the experience made the Gardiners think hard on the broodmare side of the pedigrees of the horses they wanted to raise.

“I always thought a good individual, is a good individual,” said Gardiner, who now lives in Whitesboro, Texas.

“Until we got into the business of selling

SHINEY TARI SHINING SPARK SHINEY TARI

GENUINE DOC

{ DIAMOND SPARKLE

{ TARIZANA

TARIS CATALYST

DIAMOND DUDE { MR PLLYANNA ROSE TARI { DOC MINNICKS GOLDIE PARR BAR { ZAN DIAMONDS SPARKLE

SHINEY TARI, a 2000 mare by Shining Spark and out of Tarizana, by Taris Catalyst, is the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s all-time leading dam by foal performance earnings. People often point to her as a prime example of Shining Spark’s success as a broodmare sire. However, it’s important to also consider her mare family.

Shiney Tari’s mare line goes back to Diamonds Sparkle, who is also Shining Spark’s 1979 American Quarter Horse Association Superhorse dam. Shiney Tari’s dam, Tarizana, is out of Sparkles Rosezana, a Zan Parr Bar daughter of Diamonds Sparkle. A top producer in her own right, Sparkles Rosezana’s performance titles include 1985 National Reining Horse Association Open Futurity Champion, 1988 AQHA Senior Working Cow Horse Reserve World Champion, 1988 AQHA All Around High Point Mare, etc.

A better summary of Shiney Tari’s pedigree might be to say she’s line bred on the top and bottom sides to the great performing and producing mare, Diamonds Sparkle.

And the mare line continues to produce. Shiney Tari’s 2012 daughter by WR This Cats Smart, Shine Smarter, was the NRCHA Top Dam of 2020 by produce performance earnings. Her daughter by Dual Rey, Selvarey, won the 2020 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Open Futurity.

yearlings, I didn’t fully understand the importance of the broodmare in the pedigree. It makes them easier to market.”

How? Because the yearling’s genetics for success is proven on the dam side in addition to the typically better-known sire side.

“And when you have a mare that starts producing [performers], it seems to just snowball,” he added. “It’s very rare that you’ll have a mare that produces just one good one.”

SUCCESS IN MARE FAMILIES

That success runs in mare families is a fact, says Robin Glenn, director of QData, the American Quarter Horse Association pedigree and information service formerly known as Robin Glenn Pedigrees.

PRIMO MORALES

{ SPARKLES ROSEZANA

BAR { DOC GAY BARS GEN

Since she first began compiling performance and produce records almost 40 years ago, she’s seen the influence great mare families can have over multiple generations and across the Western performance disciplines.

What’s more, she added, if you simply look at the percentage of performers from numbers of foals, the odds of producing a performer out of a great mare can be greater than the odds of getting one by a great stallion.

“Percentage-wise, if you compare the produce records of sires and mares, you can see how much a mare can potentially contribute,” Glenn said. “Sires are capable of having 100 to 300 foals a year, and they might have one or two great ones every year.

Out of Shiney Tari, Smart Chic An Tari is the latest in a string of successful offspring. This 4-year-old mare is by Smart Chic Olena.

“In contrast, a mare is limited in the foals she can produce, even a mare that has produced multiple embryos. If she’s producing top performers every year, then that tells you that there’s a lot of strength on that bottom side.”

That’s why a standard horse sale catalog page focuses on the mare family, because it’s lesser known and holds the mare side information about a horse’s genetic potential. It offers buyers a detailed look at a catalogued horse’s mare family.

Glenn first began compiling reined cow horse data for the California Reined Cow Horse Association, which later became the NRCHA. “I started out with blank pages [on the mares’ produce records],” she said.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 145

///////// INDUSTRY INSIGHT

SPARKING TRAIN SHINING SPARK

{ DIAMONDS SPARKLE

SISTER TRAIN

{ REMINIC CALAN GAY

{

PRIMO MORALES

“There wasn’t very much to say. All of the horses were showing under nicknames, and it was really hard to figure out who they were.”

As a whole, the Western horse industry now benefits from decades of detailed performance and produce records that have been compiled and shared across the disciplines and associations.

Glenn, with input from industry horsemen, also developed a “black type” system for the Western performance horse industry to use in produce records and sale catalogs similar to what the horse racing industry uses. A horse name listed in “black type,” or bold type, indicates show pen success, with highest level performers in all caps. It helps to quickly highlight significant performers in a horse’s record.

A more thorough view of a mare family comes through reports such as a fourgeneration dam’s produce record, which

146 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

BAR { DOC GAY BARS GEN DIAMOND DUDE { MR POLLYANNA ROSE

PRIMO MORALES

SPARKING TRAIN

GENUINE DOC

REMEDY { DOC’S FILLINIC BAR KING { GAY CAL BOOGER BAR

In Garth Gardiner’s opinion, SPARKING TRAIN is one great performer who deserves more attention as a producer from a strong mare family. A 1998 mare

by Shining Spark and out of Sister Train, by Reminic, her accomplishments include earning the reserve Superhorse title at the 2007 American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show.

Sparking Train’s get include Metallic Train, the 2018 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Champion; oddly enough, Sparking Train’s dam, Sister Train, was the 1992 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes Open Champion, further evidence of the mare line’s multi-generational strength.

shows the performance and produce records of a mare’s female family for four generations, including the performance and produce records of her daughters, granddaughters, dam, sisters, granddam, aunts, etc. It uncovers the web of influence that great mares can have.

Glenn says both a sale catalog page and a four-generation produce record are important for breeders. “[As a breeder], I’d want to know how [a mare’s foal is] going to ‘catalog up’ because that’s how I’m going to merchandise those foals,” she said. “I’d also want to run a [four-generation dam’s produce record] and study what sires that mare’s family had success with.

“You need to study the whole picture. Commercially, that catalog page is important because that’s how you’re going to market that horse. But, to pick your studs and decide what mares to buy, I would want the in-depth information

Above: Sparking Train, piloted here in the two-rein

by Don Murphey, passed her athleticism on to her offspring.

Left: Metallic Train (by Metallic Cat) has added her lifetime earnings of more than $155,000 to Sparking Train’s produce earnings of more than $428,000.

[four-generation] produce records give.”

In a career “built from mares,” she’s seen great mares continue to show up out of great mare families.

Nancy Crawford of Holy Cow Performance Horses, with programs in Santa Ynez, California, and in Weatherford, Texas, agrees. Through the years, she’s learned the power of a breeding program based on proven mare families such as Sheza Shinette (Shining Spark x Chicks And Chex x Smart Chic Olena) and Smart Crackin Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Kwackin x Dual Pep). “[People] all focus on the stallions, but if it weren’t for the mares, the stallions wouldn’t be worth a dime,” Crawford said. “They’re the ones who produce them.”

SUCCESS IN THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL

Glenn, Crawford and Gardiner all agree that the best broodmare genetics still

SMART CRACKIN CHIC SMART CHC OLENA SMART CRACKIN CHIC

SMART LITTLE LENA

{ GAY SUGAR CHIC

{ KWACKIN

DUAL PEP

{ CRACKIN

PRIMO MORALES

SCR Crackalackin (a 2016 mare by Metallic Cat) took Todd Crawford to the 2020 NRCHA Eastern Derby Open Derby Champion title and added more than $26,000 to Smart Crackin Chic’s produce earnings, which are in excess of NRCHA earnings of $81,000.

OLENA { DOC SMART PEPPY BAR KING { GAY CHICY LITTLE SAN BADGER { PEPPY MISS DUAL DOC LITTLE LENA { SMART LYNX MELODY

SMART CRACKIN CHIC, by Smart Chic Olena, and out of Kwackin by Dual Pep, the 2006 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion, is another mare whose daughters are in Nancy Crawford’s broodmare band based on the family’s multi-generational strength in cutting.

Kwackin’s direct mare line threads through her producing dam, Crackin (by Smart Little Lena); her granddam, Lynx Melody (by Docs Lynx), the 1979 National Cutting Horse Association Open Derby Champion who is in both the NCHA and American Quarter Horse Halls of Fame; to the family’s “taproot” mare, Trona (by Leon Bars).

have to come in the right individual. “[A great broodmare] has got to be a mare with the right bone, the right hoof and the right heart to produce those great babies,” Glenn said, regardless of what her pedigree says.

And people look for different characteristics, Crawford added, weighing some things differently than others. “[Picking a broodmare] is very individual,” Crawford said. “I’ve picked horses that have things that other people would have passed up. I’ve had mares with long backs, and I’ve had mares with necks that people said were too short, but it never bothered them in the arena.

“You have to look at the whole package and how she moves. I go more by what they themselves have done, before putting them into the broodmare band.”

Gardiner wants a broodmare to have “everything that goes into what strikes your eye as an equine enthusiast.” Simply put, she’s pretty.

“They have to have the eye appeal— all-encompassing quality, refinement, muscling and balance,” he said. “When we raise our horses, we want them to

Nancy Crawford points to SHEZA SHINETTE as a “monumental” mare in her breeding program. A 1998 mare

by Shining Spark and out of Chicks And Chex by Smart Chic Olena, she was the 2002 American Quarter Horse Association Junior Reining World Champion with Sandy Collier, and also made the Open Finals at the 2001 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit and National Reining Horse Association futurities. The success of her produce has put her third on the NRCHA all-time leading dam list by foal performance earnings.

SHEZA SHINETTE

SHEZA SHINETTE

{ DIAMONDS SPARKLE

{ CHICKS AND CHEX

SMART CHIC OLENA

{ SKIPIT CHEX

BAR { DOC GAY BARS GEN DIAMOND DUDE { MR PLLYANNA ROSE LITTLE LENA { SMART GAY SUGAR CHIC FRITZ { KING SUPER MAID

COURTESY OF NANCY CRAWFORD

SHINING SPARK

GENUINE DOC

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 147

///////// INDUSTRY INSIGHT

MAGICAL LENA

MAGICAL LENA NRCHA ARCHIVES

Annie Reynolds showed her mother’s mare, Magical Lena, who earned more than $152,000 in reined cow horse, before seeing the mare produce offspring who have earned in excess NRCHA earnings of $567,000.

have that eye appeal and refinement.

Combine that with a solid pedigree, and a show record if she’s got one, that just adds even more value.”

Some people “get caught up in color,” he added, but that’s never been a factor for him, pointing out that “some of our best horses were bays,” including Hes Wright On (Lenas Wright On x Shesa Lota Nic x Reminic) and Soule Jule Forever (Soula Jule Star x Forever Sparkled x Shining Spark).

“You want to look at what horses are doing well in the show pen, and look at who is winning with what,” Crawford said, pointing out that watching horseman Todd Crawford’s success with Smart Crackin Chic led her to buy the mare’s daughters.

“There’s such a wide array of things that have to go right in the breeding business,” Gardiner added, beyond picking the right mare and deciding what stallion to breed her to. “A lot of other things go into it. Including a lot of luck and having amazing customers who buy prospects

148 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

LITTLE LENAS LEGEND

{ DOX ELEGANT GIRL

SWAYBACK MAGIC

TINK { EARLY POCO BELLE 9

{

OLENA { DOC SMART PEPPY SAN BADGER { PEPPY ELEGANT DOC JOE { TINKY EARLY GAL BELL 9 { LEO POCO SHIRLIN

The 1995 mare MAGICAL LENA, by Little Lenas Legend, and out of Swayback Magic,

by Early Tink, earned a spot in the National Reined Cow HOrse Assocation Hall of Fame as a performer and a producer. Her titles include 1998 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion, 2000 NRCHA Non Pro Derby Champion and reserve in the 2001 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman.

As a broodmare, she’s fourth on the NRCHA all-time leading dam list by foal performance earnings. Her producing daughters include Very Smart Sweetheart, a 2008 mare by Very Smart Remedy, who is ninth on the 2020 NRCHA Top Dam list by produce performance earnings.

and then get them into the right hands with trainers.”

SUCCESS IN THE PEN

SMART LITTLE LENA

“It’s a sturdy, strong horse with a lot of strength and stamina that’s required for the cow horse,” Glenn pointed out.

“They’re not just in there for a couple of minutes. They have to do three different events, run up and down the fence, and work really hard. The event requires a really brave horse with a lot of heart.”

Gardiner believes that is what makes the reined cow horse so unique.

“They don’t have to be great at each event,” he said. “We’ve been in the situation where we’ve had horses that couldn’t mark a 218 out of the herd if they drew three puppy dogs and stood there and stared at them. But if they’d mark a 215, we’d still have a chance because they could rein and go down the fence.

He continued, “To me, that’s what makes the competition so great in the cow horse: You can’t put all your eggs in one basket.”

And that logic follows in breeding for a reined cow horse, he added: “If you’ve got the strong reining background and you combine that with a strong cutting background, in my opinion, you’ve got a perfect reined cow horse.”

Gardiner also offered this perspective on raising reined cow horses within the bigger picture of breeding in the Western performance industry.

“I’m not going to say the cow horse industry has had a huge impact on the Western breeding industry just because the numbers aren’t there,” he said. “I still think we are a relatively small faction of the equine breeding business.

“But I’d say we’ve done a better job of breeding horses that are going to make an impact on the [Western] industry [as a whole]. I do think that, as breeders in cow horse, we’ve done a good job of increasing the quality of the kind of horses we’re raising.”

And it takes paying attention to that bottom side, weaving strengths brought in from both sides of a pedigree.

///////// NOTABLE NON PROS

PROFESSION

By Larri Jo Starkey

COURTESY CARISA KIMBRO

150 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

AL PATRIOTS Two NRCHA Non Pro competitors schedule their riding time around their military commitments.

E

very reined cow horse Non Pro competitor with a full-time job knows the challenge of scheduling riding time around families, work and occasional sleep. Texan Carisa Kimbro and Californian Corie Brock are two Non Pros who incorporate service to their country into their schedules as members of the National Guard.

Despite their individual passion for the same reined cow horse sport, horses often come third in their lives after their full-time jobs and military careers.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 151

///////// NOTABLE NON PROS COURTESY OF CARISA KIMBRO

CHOOSING THE MILITARY

Her deployments have taken her around the world, but what centers Corrie Brock is her horse and her family, Kristopher Moore.

COURTESY OF CORRIE BROCK

152 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Whether it’s deployment to help fight fires at home or to assist on an overseas mission, training time takes on a new meaning for Non Pro riders like Corrie Brock and Carisa Kimbro, seen here piloting a Chinook assisting with 2015 Austin, Texas, fire-fighting efforts.

COURTESY OF CORRIE BROCK

Kimbro was a longtime 4-H and FFA member with good grades but not a lot of scholarships. She saw the military as an opportunity to go to Texas A&M University.

“I enlisted in the Texas Army National Guard in 1996 to help with college tuition and commissioned as an Army Aviation Officer through the ROTC program at Texas A&M through the Corps of Cadets,” she said.

Kimbro earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s in agricultural business.

“I finished grad school and two months later went to Army flight school,” Kimbro said. “I was at flight school for a year and came back and started applying for jobs.”

She discovered her studies in business, plus her time in flight school, made her a fit at Bell Helicopter in Hurst, Texas, where she has worked for 15 years. As a lieutenant colonel, she’s the Battalion Commander for the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion, which when not deployed in support of combat operations, provides the state of Texas with UH-60 Blackhawk and CH-47 Chinook assets, maintenance, ground support and air traffic control.

“It’s been a busy year, we’ve supported COVID testing teams, continued border security operations, a tropical storm, a winter storm and continued to train,” said Kimbro, who lives in Burleson, Texas. “It’s like nothing I’ve seen before.

At the end of the day, the domestic mission is what keeps me in. The wildfires, the floods—it’s Texans serving Texans.

That’s the part that I love.”

Like Kimbro, Brock initially saw military service as a means to an end.

“When I came into the military back in 2000, the idea of going medical was

PRIMO MORALES

“We basically are the conduit for the deployment and activation of soldiers getting medically ready to go overseas. We’re the gatekeepers for their medical readiness.”—Corrie Brock

Deployed to Afghanistan in 2015 to 2016, Brock took some time to get back into the cow horse groove. However, she and Shined Wright were clicking when the duo picked up the Non Pro Limited Spectacular win at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada.

PRIMO MORALES

appealing because it would transfer to the civilian side,” she said. “Then as it grew, and I’ve been in for so long, it’s more [about] serving my country. There’s a different level of what I wanted to do 21 years ago versus. why I do it now.”

Brock is a member of the California Army National Guard stationed in Sacramento, working for the military police brigade as a medical liaison.

“We basically are the conduit for the deployment and activation of soldiers getting medically ready to go overseas,” she said. “We’re the gatekeepers for their medical readiness.”

FINDING COW HORSE

Brock made a splash at the Stallion Stakes.

Brock didn’t grow up in a cow horse family, but that didn’t stop her desire to ride, compete and enjoy horses.

“Back in 2000, I was stationed in Louisiana, and I drove around looking for a horse to buy,” she said. “I found a little horse and he kept me company all through my time in Louisiana. I decided from watching others doing cow horse that it was something I wanted to try.”

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 153

///////// NOTABLE NON PROS

DIFFERENT GOALS

154 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

PRIMO MORALES

For Brock and Kimbro, cow horse can’t be about their personal goals. An unexpected deployment can mean their horses are no longer in training—or that a trainer is now riding the horse while the Non Pro is away. When the rider returns home, there’s an adjustment period.

“It is definitely not like riding a bike, no, no, no,” Brock said. “It takes a while to get your skill set back. I lose feel; I lose it all. Then it takes me a good while to come back and get that feel again and push myself and get my body where it needs to be. I want to say when I got back

from my last deployment, it took a good year to get back into the swing of things.”

When Brock was deployed to Afghanistan for nine months, she watched “Scooter” foal out her first foal via a livestream. When she returned to the United States, it took her at least nine months to get back in the groove on her current show horse, Shined Wright (Lenas Wright On x Shiney And Dressy x Shining Spark). Taking lessons at least once a month were a big part of the relearning process.

Brock is a self-described “lifetime boxer” who’s waiting to see what happens in California this year before she makes plans to compete herself. To date, she’s won nearly $20,000 in NRCHA earnings.

“I have my 3-year-old and he is paid up for [the Snaffle Bit Futurity in] Fort Worth,” Brock said. “He’s by Hickory Holly Time and out of Dual Rey Mi, who is by Olena Oak. He’s kinda an in-yourpocket kind of horse, super kind, and we’ll see what happens with him, but so far, so good.”

Both Brock and Kimbro have goals that fit their ambitions and abilities, all the while recognizing that their time might not be their own.

In February of 2020, Kimbro bought her new show horse, Red Hotz (Sweet Lil Pepto x Doc NA Box x Bob Acre Doc), trained and shown by NRCHA professional Jordan Williams with the goal of becoming more competitive in her transition from box-drive-box classes to Non Pro. After winning the AQHA Level 1 Amateur Cowhorse at the AQHA World Championship Show in 2020, her goal for the Eastern Derby is to be in the Top 5 of the Non Pro Two Rein.

Brock recognizes that wins are special and shouldn’t be taken for granted. “[Shined Wright] has won a lot of

COURTESY OF CARISA KIMBRO

So, she took him to a trainer.

“I thought he was trained, but now that I’m learning more about cow horse, he definitely wasn’t trained,” she said with a laugh. “Every cow— I’d lose it. I couldn’t keep it contained and the challenge got me addicted.”

With “Buddy” as her gateway horse, Brock soon acquired a mare named Jerrys SmartLilScoot (Pauli Uno x Rock A Bye Rum x Rum Squall) from California NRCHA Hall of Fame member Benny Guitron. The mare knew her business, and Brock started learning what cow horse is supposed to be about.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with her, and she has a baby right now by Brother Jackson,” Brock said. “We’re excited about that. She’s just been a good, nice, kind mare. She has a little bit of NRCHA earnings and AQHA titles, so we’ve had a lot of fun with her. She’s 17, coming 18, so being a mother is all she does [now].”

Kimbro found reined cow horse through her involvement in Stock Horse of Texas.

“It’s a gateway for many people to get into reined cow horse, and it certainly was that way for me,” she said.

“There’s a checklist for everything on an aircraft, so I put that [process] in the rest of my life to make sure I don’t forget details.”—Carisa Kimbro things and has made me very happy,” she said. “And I’ve had a lot of great times riding him, so that’s all that matters. He’s really a great horse and really quirky and super fun to ride. Always keeps me honest and takes care of me— he definitely takes care of me.”

Brock also relies on her current trainer, Ron Emmons, who trained Shined Wright, for lessons and for as much goal setting as she’s able to do while deployed.

PRIMO MORALES

Large photo: Kimbro, of Hurst, Texas, is a lieutenant colonel and serves as the Battalion Commander for the 2-149th General Support Aviation Battalion.

Left and above photo: Since purchasing Red Hotz when he was in the snaffle, Kimbro has progressed to showing the horse in the two rein with the help of trainer Wade Meador.

Kimbro’s famed spreadsheets keep her on track.

“Just because I have so much going on all the time, I’m really calendar-focused and have lots of lists,” she said. “I’m not particularly organized, but I can make sure I go down a checklist, like on an aircraft. There’s a checklist for everything

on an aircraft, so I put that [process] in the rest of my life to make sure I don’t forget details.”

When she started learning cow horse, she took a few lessons from NRCHA Hall of Fame trainer Don Murphy.

“Don would [coach], I’d stop for a moment and write something down on an index card, shove it back in my coat pocket and then keep riding,” she recalled. “At the end [of the lesson] I would have to reconcile what I thought he said to what he meant. I remember him chuckling at the process, but I was so new and I didn’t know it at the time, but I was getting a graduate-level education.”

These days, Kimbro rides with Oklahoma-based NRCHA professional Wade Meador, and she still takes notes.

“I’ve got scorecards back [to the beginning],” she said. “I’ve got an Excel sheet with all my scores on it so I can see the trends. I can see where my gremlins are on a run-in pattern versus a lopein pattern. At the end of the day, that score means something, and trends mean something.”

While spreadsheets and notes on index cards help, they aren’t the only reason she’s able to stay organized, she said, making time for cow horse among her other responsibilities.

“I have friends who made me realize that I have to schedule my own time and not feel guilty about it,” she said. “While that’s a struggle, I think that’s what allows me to keep priorities. If I didn’t go and make lesson appointments or put more shows on my calendar, I would allow myself to say I’m too tired or I’m too busy. I have to do this.”

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 155

///////// DENNIS MORELAND’S TACK TIPS

TACKLE THE TWO-REIN Wade Meador discusses three legal ways to hold the two-rein.

A

156 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

COURTESY OF DENNIS MORELAND TACK

re you considering taking up two-rein training and showing but aren’t sure if you’re holding the mecate and romals in an efficient and legal way? Dennis Moreland asked Wade Meador of Wade Meador Performance Horses, in Marietta Oklahoma, to explain three ways to hold both reins.

A two-rein outfit is made up of a small diameter hackamore (bosalita) with mecate and a bridle with romal reins.

When showing, the outfit must abide by rules 5.2, 5.4 and 5.5 of the 2021 NRCHA Rule Book.* With a two-rein you hold the mecate and the romal reins together in one hand and use them together. By doing this, your horse feels and understands your hackamore cues while learning to respond to the bridle.

Meador explained that regardless of which method you choose “the mecate lead needs to be secured to your saddle horn, tied with a saddle string or pulled through a belt loop to keep it handy, but it should be out of the way of the mecate rein and romals.”

“I want my romal reins on the outside of both my mecate rein and the tail. I want the mecate rein to be underneath and closest to my horse,” said Meador “Once I pick up the reins, I’m going to have my mecate rein in front of my romal rein.

In the [2021 NRCHA] Rule Book there’s no one way you have to hold the reins, it’s whatever works for you, but the reins must stay in one hand.”

One way to hold the reins is to place your top two fingers (index and middle finger) over the top of the off-side of the mecate and the bottom two fingers (ring and pinkie) over the top of the near side of the mecate (opposite if you ride righthanded). Next, put the romal in your hand under the mecate.

“When you hold the reins this way it gives you a wider area of rein to work with. When your horse needs help you can guide it in either direction,” said Wade. “Another way is to hold the mecate rein and romals is in a closed fist just as if you were going to go show in a bridle. You can adjust the length of your romals based on the horse and what it’s trained for and what’s it’s comfortable with.”

Putting both sides of the mecate rein between your middle and ring finger is a third way to hold the reins. With this method, your index and middle fingers are above the mecate and your ring and pinkie fingers are below it. Open your hand slightly to place the romals in your fist and hold them close-fisted.

A bridle horse that is trained through the snaffle, hackamore and two-rein stages is a true pleasure to ride. *2021 Rule Book-Official Handbook of the NRCHA National Reined Cow Horse Association Effective 11-16-20: page 22.

///// MEET DENNIS MORELAND

N

ational Reined Cow Horse Association member Dennis Moreland, owner of Dennis Moreland Tack in Weatherford, Texas, has been making quality working and show tack since 1976. Dennis Moreland Tack is a full-line manufacturer of quality handmade tack..

Visit www.dmtack.com or call 817-312-5305 to see how Dennis can help you with your tack needs.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Corey Cushing Vice President: Paul Bailey Secretary: Todd Crawford Treasurer: Trey Neal Executive Committee: Todd Bergen, Joe Carter, Boyd Rice Frank Prisco Diane Edwards Amanda Gardiner Dan Roeser Jon Roeser Jake Telford Cayley Wilson

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY AFFILIATES

Chairperson: Frank Prisco archapresident@gmail.com 631-478-7022

ANIMAL WELFARE

Chairperson: Dr. Joe Carter, DVM jcarterdvm@aol.com • 405-288-6460

ETHICS

Chairperson: Bill Tointon billtointon@msn.com • 303-530-2443

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Paul Bailey paulb@cb-trucking.com • 931-260-3909

HALL OF FAME

JUDGES

RULES

Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com

SHOWS

Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Chairperson: MJ Isakson mj@nrchaf.com

NOMINATING

Chairperson: Jon Roeser tanyaroeser@yahoo.com

NON PRO

Chairperson: Diane Edwards Diane2bph@outlook.com • 206-390-0715

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com 208-841-2052

OWNERS

HORSE SALES

PROFESSIONALS

Chairperson: Todd Crawford toddcrawford333@gmail.com

Chairperson: Linda McMahon maclin@earthlink.net • 415-269-5563 Chairperson: Cayley Wilson cayleyrwilson@gmail.com • 604-300-0401

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com • 208-841-2052 Co-Chairperson: Todd Bergen tbergenhorses@gmail.com 541-778-0980 Co-Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

SPONSORSHIP

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

STALLION SERVICE AUCTION

Chairperson: Garth Gardiner gardinergarth@gmail.com • 620-635-5632

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

YOUTH

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer shubrick3@gmail.com • 719-330-1932

STAFF Executive Director: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com

Programs Manager: Elizabeth Ellis elizabeth@nrcha.com

Communications Manager: Kate Byars kate@nrcha.com

Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

Membership & Affiliate Show Manager: Taylor Todd • taylor@nrcha.com

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 157

AFFILIATE LISTING Current as of August 1, 2021

Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association

European Reined Cow Horse Association

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity, Inc

Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association

Gem State Stock Horse Association

Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association

Terri Holowath 250, 200 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary AB T2C 5E3 CANADA Phone: 403-652-8206 Email: info@cowhorse.ca Website: www.cowhorse.ca

Bronwyn McCormick 28150 N Alma School Pkwy Ste 103-520 Scottsdale, AZ 85262 Phone: 480-510-0974 Email: info@azrcha.com Website: www.azrcha.com

Augusto De Fazio via Natalia Ginzburg 1 - 11015 Ivrea (TO) ITALY Phone: +(39) 338 8860657 Email: ercha@hotmail.it Website: www.ercha.org

Callee Miller 301 Market Rd Caldwell ID 83607 541-519-4748 Cowhorse22@gmail.com Website: www.gemstatestockhorse.com

Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association

Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association

Lia Savas 53 Deerpath Rd Central Islip, NY 11722 Phone: 631-766-0155 Email: LiaARCHA@gmail.com Website: www.atlanticRCHA.com

Andres Sanchez 10227 Pittman Rd Sarasota, FL 34240 Phone: 561-248-1437 Email: andresGCCHA@gmail.com Website: www.gulfcoastcowhorse.com

Australian Reined Cow Horse Association

Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association

Jay Gordon 359 Duri-Dungowan Rd Tamworth, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA 2340 Phone: +61 490 915094 Email: archa@outlook.com.au Website: www.cowhorseaustralia.com

Paxton Deal 509 S 2nd St Homedale, ID 83628 Phone: 208-880-9066 Email: paxtondeal@gmail.com Website: www.idahoreinedcowhorse.com

California Reined Cow Horse Association

Italian Reined Cow Horse Association

Margaret Ore PO Box 1604 East Helena, MT 59635 Phone: 406-227-7019 Email: more@mt.net Website: www.montanareinedcowhorse.com Aubree Englert 6600 W Rome Blvd as e as Phone: 702-290-4231 Email: aubree.rcha@gmail.com Website: www.nvrcha.org

New York Reined Cow Horse Association Lesa Didas 206 Main St Hornell, NY 14843 Phone: 843-441-0618 Email: lisasykes@yahoo.com Website: www.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: www.ncrcha.com

Northeastern Reined Cowhorse Alliance

Stacy Duesterhaus 15169 Road 223 Porterville, CA 93257 Phone: 559-999-8146 Email: califcowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.californiacowhorse.com

aura u fino ercellino ia rilloni 22100 Como ITALY Phone: +39 347 26 22 783 Email: segreteria.ircha@gmail.com Website https nrchaofitaly.com

Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association

Magic Valley RCHA

Northwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Mid State Cow Horse Association

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association

Jill Roberts 1521 Parr Creek Ln Lewistown, MT 59457 Phone: 406-538-7564 Email: vjroberts@hughes.net Website: www.cmrcha.com

Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association

MJ Anderson PO Box 88 Trinidad, CO 81082 Phone: 719-963-4770 Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.coloradoreinedcowhorse.com 158 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Nikki Francis 3644 N 3300 E Kimberly ID 83341 Phone: 208-539-5410 Email: vpnikki@gmail.com Website: www.intermountaincircuit.org Sharon Michelucci 2500 Adobe Rd Paso Robles CA 9344 Phone: 805-835-5014 Email: info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com Website: www.midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Mary Baks 13 Maple Hill Rd RR #2 Wal erton O C D Phone: 519-881-8684 Email: info@walkertonequine.ca Website: www.nercha.ca Diane Edwards PO Box 260 Maple alley W Phone: 206-390-0715 Email: diane2bph@outlook.com Website: www.nwrcha.com

Lane Arnold PO Box 1053 Canyon, TX 79015 Phone: 806-341-0941 Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.panhandlecowhorse.com

AFFILIATE LISTING South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance

South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association

Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association

Swedish Reined Cow Horse Association

Deb Brown PO Box 655 Buffalo, SD 57720 Phone: 605-797-4514 Email: nphorses@sdplains.com Website: www.sdrcha.com

Tina McCleary 5290 Hearne Rd Bryan, TX 77808 Phone: 979-218-0633 Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: www.strcha.org

Shelley Schaffer 33175 Temecula Pkwy Ste A, 754 Temecula, CA 92592 Phone: 858-722-5995 Email: smal4joy@gmail.com Website: www.scrcha.com

Larry Westmoreland PO Box 143 Tickfaw, LA 70466 Phone: 985-320-5058 Email: larry.westwindtc@gmail.com Website: www.srchala.com

Utah Reined Cow Horse Association Nikki Francis 3644 N. 3300 E. Kimberly, ID 83341 Phone: 208-539-5410 Email: vpnikki@gmail.com Website:www.urcha.org

Gay Lenz 11587 Hunt Lane Guthrie, OK 73044 Phone: 405-818-7556 Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com Website: www.srcha.org Joakim Pettersson Astorp Gunnarsgarden 6 SE – 521 96 Falkoping SWEDEN Phone: +46 70 676 7642 Email: jipquarters@jipquarters.com Website: www.srcha.eu

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

Pompeo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Desert Spring Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ

Riccardo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Keetch Ranch, Waddell, AZ

Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT

Del Rey Paint & Qtr Horses/Aneka

Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY

Schelbeck, Cotton Wood, CA

Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA

Bynum Farms/Blair Bynum, Palm City, FL

aura Delfino Martine C

Donnie Boyd, Sarasota, FL

Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL

Robyn Bush, Visalia, CA

Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA

Marcy Campbell, Creston, CA

Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

finance char e o . per month ill 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 August 1, 2021 Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL Jill Serena, Castaic, CA Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID

Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL Don Stockman, Dayton, TX Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling Bill Anderson, Merino, CO Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX Darren Roberts, Kent, NY

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 159

SHOW SCHEDULE as of August 1, 2021

LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show

Date Aug 21-22

Show NYRCHA Northeast Cow Horse Extravaganza

Type of event

Location

Affiliate

Secretary

Phone

Email

HS/ Cat 1

Fonda, NY

New York RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

(585) 749-1764

ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Central Montana RCHA

Aug 21-22

Yellowstone Dog Days Rendezvous

HS/LAE/Cat 1

Silesia, MT

Aug 24-29

National Stock Horse Pre-Futurity

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Las Vegas, NV

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Montrose, CO

Colorado RCA

Reanna Dillman

(303) 895- 5256

info@horseshowpros.com

Shawn Martin

(623) 218-3879

shawnee71@msn.com

Keri Croft

(503) 701-3305

dkcroft4@frontier.com

Jennifer JJ Roemmich

(775) 397-2769

ecfbsecretary@gmail.com

Aug 26-29

West Slope Pre-Futurity

Aug 27-28

Nevada Stallion Stakes & Elko Co. NRCHA Show HS/LAE/Cat 1

Elko, NV

Sep 2-5

Road to Texas

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Rapid City, SD

South Dakota RCHA

Reanna Dillman

303-895-5256

info@horseshowpros.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1

Bryan, TX

South Texas RCHA

Tina McCleary

(979) 218- 0633

southtexasrcha@gmail.com

Sep 2-5

Labor Day Show & Futurity

Sep 5-11

Futurity + Derby + Nations Cup + Bridle Spectacular + Horse Show #6

HS/LAE/Cat 1

Augsburg, Germany

European RCHA

Otto De Fazio

(39338) 886-0657

ercha@hotmail.it

Sep 3-6

Colorado State Fair

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Pueblo, CO

Colorado RCA

Pamela Humphreys

(405) 509-0494

pamela.a.humphreys@gmail.com

Sep 10-12

Cow Horse Express

HS/ Cat 1

Amite City, LA

Southern RCH Alliance

Tina McCleary

(979) 218-0633

stillcreektina@gmail.com

Sep 11-12

September Classic

HS/ Cat 1

Temecula, CA

Southern California RCHA

Kelley Hartranft

(714) 267-5912

socalrcha@aol.com

(503) 701-3305

dkcroft4@frontier.com

Sep 11-12

NERCHA September Spectacular

HS/ Cat 1

Clinton, ON Canada

Northeastern RCH Alliance

Mary Jo MacDonnell

Sep 14-19

Mid America

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Douglas, WY

Colorado RCA

Keri Croft

maryjomacdonnell@gmail.com

Sept 18-19

Beat The Heat

HS/LAE/Cat 1

Cordova, TN

Volunteer Ranch Horse Asso.

Katie Hutton

870-514-7074

kmhutton4@gmail.com

Sep 18-19

ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 9/10

HS

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

(585) 749-1764

ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Sep 22-26

2021 Arizona Fall Championship

HS/LAE

Scottsdale, AZ

Arizona RCHA

Shawn Martin

623-217-3879

emailmyentries@gmail.com

Sep 23-26

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Livingston, MT

Montana RCHA

Reanna Dillman

(303) 895-5256

info@horseshowpros.com

Sep 25- 26

Fall Into Autumn

HS/ Cat 1

Lubbock, TX

Panhandle RCHA

Nelle Murphy

(580) 276-0761

HS

ort Worth T

Oct

CH Sna e Bit uturity

Cat

CH

panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com in o nrcha.com

Oct 9 -10

Yahoo Buckaroo

HS/ Cat 1

Fonda, NY

New York RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

(585) 749-1764

ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Oct 27-31

Colorado Futurity

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2

Pueblo, CO

Colorado RCA

Keri Croft

(503) 701-3305

dkcroft4@frontier.com

Oct 30

Mid State Cow Horse Association Show #3

HS/ Cat 1

Paso Robles, CA

Mid State CHA

Sharon Michelucci

(805) 835-5014

info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Nov 5-7

ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 11/12/13

HS

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

(585) 749-1764

ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Nov 5-7

Autumn Show & Horse Show #7

HS/LAE

Travagliato, Italy

European RCHA

Otto De Fazio

(39338) 886-0657

ercha@hotmail.it

Nov 6 -7

November Show

HS/ Cat 1

New Roads, LA

Southern RCH Alliance

Tina McCleary

(979) 218-0633

stillcreektina@gmail.com

California RCHA

Nov 12-14

CRCHA Horse Show #8 & #9

HS/ Cat 1

Tulare, CA

Nov 13-14

VOLRHA Fall Finale

HS/ Cat 1

Murfreesboro, TN

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Laura Norman

(559) 760-2769

crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com

Katie Hutton

(870) 514-7074

kmhutton4@gmail.com

This index is provided as a service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

Advertiser Name..........................................................Page #

Docs Products Inc...............................................................11

Metallic Rebel ....................................................................13

Rollz Royce.........................................................................12

6666 Ranch ....................................................................19,21

Don Rich Saddlery ............................................................ 115

Miller International...............................................................3

Sami Fine Jewelry ............................................................ 149

Alvin Fults ............................................................................9

DT Horses LLC.................................................................... 6,7

Moncrief Quarter Horses.....................................................29

San Juan Ranch..................................................................45

American Paint Horse Association .................................... 117

Ecoplanet One Health .........................................................73

American Quarter Horse Association...................................99

Noble Panels And Gates......................................................BC

Servi, Beverly .....................................................................55

El Cid Land And Cattle Co.................................................. 121

Nutrena Feed Division ....................................................... 103

Shorty’s Caboy Hattery .......................................................63

Oklahoma Equine Hospital ................................................ 141

Show Pro Industries............................................................41

Plantation Farms ................................................................15

Stock Horse Of Texas ..........................................................57

Platinum Performance, Inc ............................................... 123

The Saddle House ...............................................................49

Pulse Veterinary Technologies, LLC................................... 113

Tom Balding Bits And Spurs................................................34

Quarter Horse News.......................................................... 137

Tommy Manion ...................................................................51

Rios Of Mercedes..................................................................5

Tres Osos Performance Horses ...........................................79

Billy Wolf ...........................................................................43 Bloomer Trailers .................................................................85 Bob’s Custom Saddles ...................................................... 107 Central Garden & Pet ..........................................................75 Classic Equine ....................................................................16 Cowtrac Systems................................................................91 CR Ranchwear LLC..............................................................71

Equine Equipment............................................................. 122 Ghostwood Distillery......................................................... 119 Gist Silversmiths Inc...........................................................89 Hashtag Ventures LP ......................................................30,31 Holmes & Hill .....................................................................17 Holy Cow Performance Horses............................................69

Curt ....................................................................................65

Iron Rose Ranch .................................................................39

Daniel J Perez................................................................... 101

K&L Phillips, LLC ................................................................33

Robertson Ranches.............................................................87

Triangle Sales.....................................................................37

Markel Insurance................................................................77

Rocking BS Ranch ..............................................................35

Triple D Ranches.................................................................47

Dechra Veterinary Products .............................................. 139

Mars Equestrian .................................................................94

Rocking P Ranch ............................................................IFC-1

Western Bloodstock .............................................22,23,26,27

Dennis Moreland Tack....................................................... 129

Martin Saddlery ..................................................................83

Roitblat, Estelle ................................................................ 131

Western Legacy Co. ...........................................................IBC

Dave Mize/Linda Mars.........................................................59

160 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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