Meet the horse and rider teams claiming 2020 NRCHA Regional Championships.
96 Outstanding Accomplishment
The NRCHA Merit Award Program recognizes outstanding equine performers at all competition levels.
CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS
104 Celebration of Champions Show Schedule
106 Spiffed Up Stockyards
A revitalized Fort Worth Stockyards invites visitors to the historic area.
112 Houses Divided
For years, the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman has seen family members battle it out.
114 Past World’s Greatest Horseman Champions
FEATURES
120 Industry Insider: Premier Picks
More than location, sites that host the NRCHA premier events must meet several criteria.
128 How-To: Achieve All-Star Affiliate Status
Like-minded competitors enthusiastic about reined cow horse can create an approved affiliate that benefits their interest by following the advice of these successful cow horse groups.
Empty Saddles
Quotable
From the Judge’s Chair
NRCHyA News 22 Trade Secrets
MEMBERROUNDUP
24 Behind the Buckle
26 Know the Pro: Matt Schlegal
32 Notable Non Pro: Mike Miller
40 Meet Gary and Kathy Ewell
48 Faces of the NRCHA
INEVERY ISSUE
4 From the Executive Director 8 NRCHA President’s Letter 138 Dennis Moreland’s Tack Tips
NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Program 146 NRCHA Member Forms
Top Rider Lists
NRCHA Committee Directory
Affiliate List
Suspended List
NRCHA Approved Events
On the cover:
John Swales and Metallic Cat Rose captured the 2020 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman title, a second event win for Swales (page 112). Photo by Primo Morales.
ON TO THE NEW YEAR
Happy New Year! I suspect I can speak for many of us when I say that stepping out of 2020 and into 2021 was a mighty good feeling. The past year brought immense challenges with impacts that were felt globally. For those in our National Reined Cow Horse Association family who felt those impacts close to home, please accept our sincere wishes for a better year ahead. Even with its challenges, 2020 revealed some amazing positives for the equine industry. Time and time again our sales reported higher averages and recordsetting prices. Entries at shows across the western disciplines exploded. Participation at NRCHA premier events was at an all-time high. I think this shows that when the going gets tough, we get tougher. We know what’s important to us, and we invest in it.
Now, as we move into 2021, we have every reason to be optimistic about the year ahead. We’ll have the chance to see many of the great snaffle bit horses return to the pen for our derbies. We’ll watch with interest as the horses that went through the 2-year-old sale make their debut as futurity prospects. And we’ll also have the chance to kick off the year with one of our most important events—the Celebration of Champions.
Our NRCHA family is made up of members from across the United States and beyond our borders in Canada and eighteen other international countries. Throughout the year you compete in events supported by NRCHA’s 30 affiliates, and by doing so earn the right to ride for a World Champion title at the Celebration of Champions. In so many ways, those of you who join us in Fort Worth in February are champions already, and we look forward to cheering you on as you chase down this big goal!
And of course, adding to the excitement will be the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, presented by DT Horses and Hashtags, where our most talented riders will compete across four events on the best bridle horses in the world. Don’t miss your chance to join us at the finals to see who will earn the coveted title of the 2021 World’s Greatest Horseman!
I hope you each welcome the New Year with enthusiasm and gratitude, and I’ll be excited to see you in Fort Worth soon!
Best wishes,
Volume 26, Number 1
Official Publication of the National Reined Cow Horse Association
Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC
Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114
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.
Dr. Anna Morrison
PREMIER PERKS
Welcome 2021! It sure feels good to say that phrase. To ring in the New Year, lets talk premier event perks. The NRCHA Board of Directors realizes the 2020 show season was difficult for show managers at all levels–local and national. My hat is off to everyone who worked tirelessly to produce a horse show in 2020.
We have made a few exciting changes to the 2021 premier event line up. First, we have selected two new elite venues. The Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, will remain in Memphis, Tennessee; and the Jack and Phoebe Cook Memorial Derby, presented by DT Horses, will be hosted in Scottsdale, Arizona. Both of these venues accommodate the growth our association has experienced in recent years.
In addition to finding venues that can handle our growth, we have also added extra days on nearly every premier event. Please be sure to check the show online and mark your calendars.
The good news is not over yet. The NRCHA Board has added over $100,000 to the 2021 premier events. The increased added money has been dispersed among various shows and classes. The DT Horses and Hashtags World’s
Greatest Horseman added money has increased to $100,000. The NRCHA Stakes and Derby Open divisions now have $100,000 added each and our Non Pro Limited exhibitors have a chance to ride for two $10,000-added purses! Yes, you read that right:$10,000 added is up for grabs in the Non Pro Limited horse show class at the Derby and at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®.
To those who have considered coming to a premier event, but have been held back by intimidation or feel you are not competitive enough, I hate to break it to you, but you’re wrong. I am personally inviting you to come to your first premier event this year! You and your horse are good enough and you do belong there with us. I promise you it will be a welcoming, fun and enjoyable experience.
Sincerely,
Corey Cushing
Corey Cushing, NRCHA president
EMPTY SADDLES
Doug Carpenter left big boots to fill.
When it came to picking a champion prospect, Doug Carpenter had the magic touch. The cow horse industry joined the many other horsemen who mourned when Carpenter, 64, passed away in November. The Sulphur, Oklahoma, horseman died of complications from COVID-19. Yet, his legacy will continue on in the many horses and owners he touched over the years.
Growing up in Rhode Island, Carpenter always wanted to work with horses. He started in the Western pleasure industry, winning a Junior Western Pleasure World Championship in 1981, before moving on to train and trade reining horses in 1992. He was the buying or selling agent for several top performers, including 1992 National Reining Horse Association Futurity Champion Boomernic.
QUOTABLE
It is an incredible honor to receive this letter from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s representative. Our reined cow horses are the ultimate triathletes who perform at an exceptionally high level for all of us. To have our sport recognized for its slow, methodical process of training is greatly appreciated. Ensuring the health and longevity of our horses is important to the success of the Western performance horse industry. We will continue to take steps forward in making this world a better place for our equine friends and athletes.”—NRCHA President Corey Cushing
The letter from Michael Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse for the Queen of England, was a welcome compliment when it arrived at the National Reined Cow Horse Association offices. “Good wishes” from Her Majesty and NRCHA to the trainers, owners and exhibitors working in the best interest of their horse.
In the reined cow horse industry, Carpenter was known for his touch on 2003 National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion Chics Magic Potion and 2007 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Light N Fine.
Carpenter was a friend to many and a trusted source for horse sales, known for encouraging and befriending up-andcoming horsemen. He formed Doug Carpenter Enterprises, brokering deals on Western performance horses as well as Thoroughbred prospects. He is survived by his wife, Gwen, and two daughters.
Doug Carpenter helped many horsemen and owners get a leg up in the industry.
Sorrel Stallion High Brow Cat x Lenas O Lady
Sorrel Stallion Smart Lil Ricochet x Autumn Boon
Sorrel Stallion
Stylish x Tari Chick Gay
Bay Stallion
Brow Cat x Uno Del Rey
Chestnut Stallion
Brow Cat X Sofie Rey By Dual Rey
Red Roan Stallion Shining Spark x Cattilion
Sorrel Stallion High Brow Cat x Scarlet Dance
2011 Bay Stallion Shiners Nickle x Pocos Nu Diamond
1991 Sorrel Stallion Smart Little Lena x Miss Quixote San 2013 Chestnut Stallion Metallic Cat x Playboys Mom
Sorrel Stallion
Brow Cat x Sugar N Dulce
Sorrel Stallion Pretty Boy Cat x Purdy Aristocrat
Sorrel Stallion
Olena x Smart Peppy
Chestnut Stallion High Brow Hickory x Smart Little Kitty
Chestnut Stallion Coys Bonanza x Mananas Rosa 1999 Sorrel Stallion Smart Little Lena x Quejanamia
1999 Chestnut Stallion High Brow Cat x Shes Pretty Smooth
Chestnut Stallion High Brow Hickory x Smart Little Kitty
1997 Chestnut Stallion Jae Bar Fletch x Royal Blue Dually
FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR
With the Covid-19 pandemic still in the unpredictable stage, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Judges Committee decided to delay the 2020 judge’s recertification requirement for one year. If you were required to recertify in year 2020 to stay approved, you now have 2021 to fulfill the requirement.If you are required to attend an educational seminar in 2021, that requirement remains the same. The grace period for judges that need to attend a seminar in 2021 is March 2022. We are tentatively planning on a Judges seminar after the NRCHA Derby in June or early July.It will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This seminar will be for judge applicants as well as education for our current Judges. We will keep everyone advised when things get further along.In the mean timefor judges that need tune ups before they go judge a show, we have available a link with 12 cow horse runs on it.It shows the run, the scorecard, and explains how and why they were scored what they were. The link will be available through the NRCHA office.This should prove to be a good tune up and learning tool for our judges.
THE VALUE OF CONSISTENCY WHEN JUDGING COW HORSES
Nobody talks about an actual value for consistency when judging any discipline that I know of, yet consistency in a run is so important. It shows a horse that is willing and comfortable with its
job and this should be acknowledged somewhere on the scoresheet.The “Eye Appeal” box could be a valid place to acknowledge the consistency of a run. The other side of the coin is the run that has some good to excellent maneuvers but also has some average maneuvers. This horse probably does some things better than the consistent horse but he probably does some things not as well.The better works are more consistent from the start to the finish and should receive more credit for their expertise.
I had a conversation with Sandy Collier about the value of consistency as it pertains to judging.She thought about our conversation and then sent me a letter with her thoughts.I think it has a lot of food for thought for passionate judges and needs sharing.
I quote from her, “I think what you said about the importance of consistency is very true and the end product of good judging is consistency which relies on a number of factors: Consistency in your penalties; whatever you call an A or a L, etc., must be kept consistent and applied the same to every horse.
“Not allowing personal prejudice or opinions carry more weight in your score than the facts of the run call for.
“Focus throughout the day requires mental discipline as well as steady blood sugar and sufficient rest.
“Weighing the credits and penalties of the run in a run that goes up and down throughout, is a very important skill. This requires the soft skill knowl-
edge. It’s a ‘soft skill’ meaning it’s not cut and dry but requires knowledge of the sport and experience of seeing how those situations get handled by more experienced judges. Knowing how much weight occurrences should carry that are not specific penalties (like a cutter coming up the pen) or credits. How much is that worth good or bad? How much negative weight to give an occurrence in an otherwise excellent run?”
Well said, Sandy!
Our scorecards are not meant to make all the scores come out the same, but rather to help the judges get the score in the right category. The variance in scores is usually personal opinion within those categories and is acceptable.
A “good judge” is able to combine all of these skills and arrive at a fair and correct score more consistently than a less experienced one.Exhibitors learn to trust a good judge, that they’ll get a fair score that is an accurate reflection of the facts of the run.
This is made easier by today’s cards where everything is recorded, but weighing out the intangible pros and cons of the run require the knowledge that only comes with hours in the chair and judging major events where you can talk with other judges and there is a monitor who can help clarify different situations as they come up.
Until Next Time,
Bill Enk NRCHA Director of Judges
NEWS FROM THE NRCHyA
In spite of a challenging year, the youth members rose to the top of their game.
The year 2020 appeared to be a year of struggles for many youth associations, but not for the National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association. In February of 2020, at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, the 2020 NRCHyA officers were elected to serve the youth for 2020. During the show, youth sold raffle tickets for a Shannon Lawlor painting that was generously donated by the artist to raise funds for the NRCHA.
During the COVID shutdown between March and May, the NRCHyA conducted business via conference call. During this time the NRCHyA conducted video conference calls, which allowed officers to see each other instead of only hearing each other. The NRCHyA planned future events during the lockdowns that would occur in the summer and fall/winter.
After the lockdown in the summertime, many youth clinics were organized and conducted. One of those clinics was the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association’s Annual Free Youth Clinic that occurred in Purcell, Oklahoma. Top reined cow horse trainers donated their time to coach over sixty aspiring kids!
For the second year in a row, the NRCHyA organized the NRCHyA Stallion Breeding Auction, which featured over a dozen premier reined cow horse stallions. We would like to thank each of the owners for their donation that helps grow the youth industry.
The NRCHyA raised over $33,000 from thirteen breedings. We would like to thank Todd Crawford, Allison Walker, Jeremy Barwick, Jeff Oswood and the entire team at Western Bloodstock for arranging and promoting this exceptional fundraiser.
As the year comes to an end, we look back on a year that had many differences compared to other years, but the NRCHyA and the NRCHA as a whole continued to grow and prosper. We are looking forward to what 2021 will bring us!
Ben Self NRCHyA Reporter
The Cavaliers, created by Canadian artist Shannon Lawler, brought funds to the NRCHA through a raffle.
Bettin Yer Smart
TRADE SECRETS
Erin Taormino focuses on communication when teaching collection to cow horses.
By Kate Bradley Byars
One thing no horseman wants to feel while riding one-handed in a bridle or using both hands to steer a snaffle bitter is the horse bracing against the bit. For Erin Taormino, achieving softness in the horse’s face is a direct result of communicating collection that goes from its face to its shoulder, and then its feet.
“Collection for me in the cow horse is a little different than what you necessarily want in other disciplines,” said
the trainer from Lipan, Texas. “To me, collection means that my horse’s face is—most importantly—connected to its feet. In the cow horse, as fast as we get things done, when I move my hands, the horse has to have a connection to their feet and their shoulders. The horse needs to take [the pressure] and not brace or push through it, but it also means their mouth is connected to their feet, so my hands connect through the face to how fast their feet are moving.”
Taormino starts communicating to the horse at a young age that lifting her hands means to soften in the face, lift the shoulder and back, and drive underneath to collect. With a younger horse, or one not used to being collected, she uses her feet to help communicate the goal. But, ultimately, she doesn’t want to have to use her feet to achieve collection in the show pen.
“The end result for me when I close my hands on my show horses is not to have to rely on hands and feet together; I want the horse to be soft and respect my hands without having to go through their bellies,” she said. “For me, this is [the response I want from] all my horses from a snaffle bit to a bridle.”
Understanding how to ask for softness through the bridle reins isn’t a simple task for all riders. One common issue Taormino sees riders have when trying to collect a horse using rein pressure is they don’t know when to release.
“If someone takes hold, a lot of time they do not know when to release, so then the rider is hanging on the horse. It becomes a steady pull,” she explained. “Pretty quick, the horse gets numb to the actual meaning of what taking hold of them is, and then they get pushy. For lack of better words, the horse is getting hung on, so the pull means nothing.”
A conscious rider is one that pays attention to how the horse responds to
Loping circles or preparing to make a fence turn, Erin Taormino wants her horse’s to be soft in the face and responsive when she cues it to collect up and soften.
every pull and kick, she said. Paying attention sounds easy enough, but lack of attention creates issues like a horse that braces against a rider’s hand.
“Don’t just take hold of a horse. Be conscious of when the horse gives and that you are actually releasing them,” said Taormino. “Sometimes what we think we do and what we actually do is very different. You have to pay attention.
“It isn’t always the horse at fault. Make sure you are doing your job before you blame them. Ninety percent of the time, it is rider error.”
She said riders need a clear indicator of their goal that the horse understands. For her, lifting up on the reins should result in the horse making changes in its entire body. Then, she releases that hold.
—Erin Taormino
We aren’t going through the motions to put a horse’s head down for the pretty factor, but rather, we are achieving functionality through their face.
“I want to feel my horse soften through the body, not just put its head to its chest,” she explained. “The stride should soften to where it feels like the horse is almost reaching [deeper underneath itself]—not slowing down, but the stride and body softens. When you feel that, release your pressure through the hand. You don’t have to throw the bridle reins away.”
A younger horse may need to be recollected every few strides, but an older horse may only need reminding every
circle or two. It’s a learning process for both horse and rider, but one that Taormino says is important, especially when showing a reined cow horse.
“The importance of collection is to make sure that our horses are respecting our hands and we are able to keep a connection from the horse’s face to shoulders to feet,” she said. “We aren’t going through the motions to put a horse’s head down for the pretty factor, but rather, we are achieving functionality through their face.”
BEHIND THE BUCKLE
Compiled by Kate Bradley Byars
Jake Telford is an NRCHA Million Dollar Rider but his everyday belt buckle reminds him of a regional win.
For cow horse riders, the most prestigious win is from the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®. Idaho trainer and NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Jake Telford has that buckle from his 2015 win aboard Starlight Kisses (Shady Lil Starlight x Kiss My Shiny Lips x Shining Spark) and wears it at premier cow horse events, but on a daily basis, his go-to buckle is a regional claim to fame.
“I won the Jordan Valley Big Loop, which probably isn’t significant to a lot of people, but around here, it is a big deal,” said Telford. “It is small and fits good, and that’s also one reason why I wear it.”
The “Big Loop” is held in Jordan Valley, Oregon, and horsemen of all kinds— ranchers, trainers and rodeo competitors—work to earn the win. Telford rode his family’s trusted 16-year-old gray gelding, Stanley, for the horse-roping win. The competition ties to the same kind of Vaquero influence that reined cow horse harkened from in the beginning.
“The Big Loop is a horse roping competition and you have to use a 22-foot loop that they measure out,” said Telford. “I’m probably the only guy with a [champion] Snaffle Bit Futurity buckle and a Jordan Valley Big Loop buckle.”
NRCHA & EVENT SPONSORS
KNOW THE PRO
North Dakota-based Matt Schlegel trains cow horses for competition—he also uses them on the ranch.
By Abigail Boatwright
Matt Schlegel was born to ride. With his dad Michael training horses on their ranch in Bowdon, North Dakota, Schlegel was horseback from his earliest memories. He started his first colt when he was 9 years old, and has just never quit.
Schlegel has two sisters and a brother, and all used to ride as kids. Today, Schlegel and his brother, Cody, are the ones still in the saddle—even though Cody’s off at college, while the boy’s dad has transitioned from training to ranching.
Growing up, Schlegel started colts for all sorts of disciplines. He’s shown reiners, cow horses and cutters, and rodeoed in high school. But after high school, he had to give college a go, per his parents’ request.
“I went for one year, and decided that I’d just rather ride horses all the time,” Schlegel said. “And that’s what I’ve done ever since.”
In 2009, 19-year-old Schlegel hung his shingle for Schlegel Cowhorses, starting colts at first and then showing horses for customers in cow horse competition.
“It took a while before anybody sent me one that they were willing to let me go show on, and rightfully, the first one they did send me, I didn’t do a good job on,” Schlegel joked. “But they’re still really good customers. They’ve hung with me, and we do a little better now than we did then.”
Schlegel, his wife Jessica and their 3-year-old son, Owen, live on the property where he grew up, where the original barn that his dad built is located. About 20 miles down the road, Schlegel’s parents live on another part of the ranch.
His background working with horses to be ridden in various disciplines gives Schlegel a unique perspective, and his location offers horses in training a chance to learn new skills.
“As a product of the situation, we get to do a lot of different things with our horses, and get them outside, use them for ranch work, and just make a well-
rounded, happy horse,” Schlegel said. Schlegel won the Limited Open Bridle regional championship on Top Gun Whiskey (Paddys Irish Whiskey x Cowgun x Playgun) in 2018. And in 2020, Schlegel and Donna Maston’s 2016 bay roan mare A Metallic Valentine (Metallic Cat x Lil Blue Agave x Duals Blue Boon) won the North Central RCHA Spring Spectacular Open Level 1 Derby title, contributing to his $15,000 in reined cow horse earnings.
Schlegel noted that of all the horses he’s ridden, A Metallic Valentine means a lot to him, and his cow work run with her at the 2019 NRCHA Snaffle Bit
Matt Schlegel and his wife, Jessica, have a 3-year-old son, Owen.
Futurity®, where they scored a 216.5, has been a career high note.
“She’s been really good for me,” Schlegel said.
Cow horse is Schlegel’s discipline of choice mainly because of how versatile the horses become with the training necessary for the event.
“Our reined cow horses live on a ranch, and they fit the ranch work just as well as they do the show pen,” Schlegel said. “Basically, they’re just really fancy ranch horses, and that’s really cool. But my favorite thing about reined cow horses is once they’re trained, even if they’re not a high-end show prospect, they’re going to be a super nice horse, whether you’ve going to trail ride on them, or rope on them, or ranch on them.”
AQReined Cow Horse News: What is the most rewarding part of training horses for you?
Matt Schlegel: Getting to spend every day working with horses and trying to make them better, and when all is said and done, you’ve been able to make a horse that many people haven’t had the opportunity to ride—one that is just so well-rounded, nice and good at its job.
Which show pen is your favorite to compete in, and why?
I would have to say the show pen in Rapid City, South Dakota, is probably my favorite. It’s the closest one to where I live, and it’s a neat place where I know everybody there. It’s a hometown type of thing.
What does it mean to you to be able to participate in reined cow horse competition?
It’s pretty neat to get the opportunity to ride such nice horses and be around such nice people.
If you could ride one cow horse living or dead, which one would it be, and why?
That’s hard to say. I really like A Metallic Valentine. She’s been good to me, and I think she’s going to continue to be, so I [want to] stick with her!
What do you like to do when you’re not training horses?
I like to go to some brandings, and ride horses there.
If you weren’t a horse trainer, what would your career be?
I guess I would probably have to go work in the oil field. I’m probably not qualified to do anything else!
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Ride the horse you have, and don’t try to make them something they’re not. Don’t overdo it, let them do what they do well, and don’t try to force them into something they don’t really have the aptitude for.
With ranchland to ride on, Schlegel utilizes real world opportunities to train reined cow horses.
NOTABLE NON PRO
For more than 35 years, husband-and-wife team Mike and Tara Miller have produced high-caliber cow horses that they also use on the family’s sixth-generation ranch in Big Piney, Wyoming.
By Jennifer Denison
Alifelong horseman, Robert M. “Mike” Miller has spent nearly every day of his life in the saddle, whether it was working cattle on his family’s cattle operation, Miller Land & Livestock, in Big Piney, Wyoming, competing in saddle bronc riding or training reined cow horses. For most of that time his wife of 46 years, Tara, also a Wyoming native and an accomplished horsewoman, has been horseback by his side. She’s also competed in National Reined Cow Horse Association events as a Non Pro, and helps cowboy on the ranch and works with their horses. While the couple has a lifetime of experience with horses, they didn’t enter the cow horse world until the 1980s.
“My wife and I went to the [NRCHA] Snaffle Bit Futurity® for the first time [as spectators] in 1979,” recalled Mike Miller. “After watching it, it really peaked my interest and made me want to do it.”
When the Millers returned home, they started reading books and watching training videos by top reined cow horse competitors and going to clinics to gain knowledge and experience.
“We did whatever we could to get knowledge,” he explained. “We live so far away from everything that we had to seek out information and try to figure things out on our own through a lot of trial and error.”
The couple’s persistence and dedication has paid off. Mike has garnered several Non Pro and Open championships, and has earned more than $1,122,000 in NRCHA competition, most of which was won on horses he and Tara raised.
HERITAGE WITH HORSES
A fourth-generation Wyoming rancher, Miller’s focus has always been on maintaining and expanding the ranch for his sons—Wes and Will—and now grandchildren. Established in 1895 by his great-grandmother and –grandfa-
ther, James and Millie Mickelson, the ranch is home to approximately 2,000 cow-calf pairs, 1,800 yearlings, 20 to 25 broodmares, and several horses.
Designated an American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Heritage Breeder in 2020, Miller Land & Livestock has raised Quarter Horses for more than 75 years. The foundation for these horses started much earlier, however. Miller’s great-grandfather bred horses for the U.S. Army Remount Service in the early 1900s. His grandparents had a large broodmare band, and, when the American
Aboard Kitty Hawks Goodtime, Mike Miller made the 2020 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Finals, earning $4,164.96.
Quarter Horse Association formed in 1940, his grandmother, Mildred, selected some of her best mares—decedents of her husband’s favorite Remount stallion, Zeb—to be registered. Today, the Millers breed 20 to 25 broodmares bearing the bloodlines of Hancock, as well as contemporary stallions they’ve owned: Mr Canada Dry, Colonels Oak and Playboys Buck Fever.
When the Millers decided to commit to raising and showing cow horses in the 1980s, they bought Mr Canada Dry (Dry Doc x Sullivans Fancy x Red Sullivan) from Canadian cutter Gary Cunningham. They started breeding the stallion as a 3-year-old and showing him in cutting and then cow horse. By 1987 he was taking cow horse competition seriously and looking for new horses. Colonels Oak (Colonel Flip x Leslie Ann Oak x Docs Oak) was the Miller’s next notable stallion, and his bloodlines still flow through the broodmare band.
The horse that really put the Millers on the cow horse map, however, was Playboys Buck Fever (Freckles Playboy x Tsarina Chexanic x Reminic). The buckskin stallion came to the Millers through destiny.
“Tara was looking through the
Quarter Horse Journal one night and they were having a raffle for a breeding to Freckles Playboy,” said Miller. “She said, ‘I’m going to enter, we’re going to win a breeding to Freckles Playboy, and we’re going to raise a buckskin stud.’“
In the spring of 1999, the Millers welcomed the buckskin colt, and in 2002 Miller started showing him. In his career, “Buck Fever” won more than $62,000, according to Equi-Stat, in different events. He also earned the NRCHA’s prestigious Supreme Reined Cow Horse status. As a sire, his offspring have won more than $375,000 and produced two NRCHA Supreme Reined Cow Horses, both bred and trained by the Millers.
“He was really mellow as a colt and stayed that way,” said Miller, who trained and showed the horse for six years. “He was really trainable and showable—you didn’t hardly have to warm him up, and most of his colts are
The Miller’s horse program has a solid show record, but their main use is working cattle in all kinds of weather on the family’s Wyoming ranch, as seen in this series of images.
the same way. He was almost too easy.”
Though he died five years ago, Buck Fever’s legacy is found in his competitive colts.
RAISED FOR WORK
The majority of the horses the Millers have shown are ones they’ve raised and trained on the ranch, which encompasses more than 115,000 deeded and leased acres on which to make good horses. Throughout their training they’re exposed to different degrees of ranch work suitable for their age, development and training.
“When we start them as long yearlings we don’t ride them much,” said Miller. “We just want to get them so we can get on and off of them, can turn them around both directions and slow them down.”
Once the colts learn those basics, they’re turned out to pasture to mature for a year. The next summer, Miller
brings in the horses and starts riding them lightly around cattle. Then, in the fall of their 2-year-old years, he gradually starts doing more ranch work on them. By the time they’re 3– and 4-year-old they’re moving cattle, dragging calves to the fire at brandings and sorting cattle in the meadow and brush.
Miller realizes that there’s risk involved in doing ranch work on his show horses. But evaluates the tasks he has to do and considers which horses have the skill, size and experience to do the job.
“We do quite a bit of ranch work on our show horses,” he explained. “Working cattle really frees them up. It seems like some horses get to where they’re not moving around too good in the arena at some point in their training, and if we go out and do ranch work on them it frees them up mentally and physically, gets them broke and keeps them happy.
“I know the horses enjoy getting out and working cattle, but don’t get me wrong, a person also has to get in the arena and get a lot of stuff done,” he said. “There comes a time when you need to get into the arena and get some fine-tuning done. You have to find a balance.”
The Millers have a 100-by-100-foot
year. Off years, he shows the horses in Derby events.
Last August, Miller showed Saturdaynightfever67 (Playboys Buck Fever x Streak Of Flick x A Streak Of Fling), a horse bred to be a barrel racing prospect for Tara to start, to second place in the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the fall, at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic, in Fort Worth, Texas, he tied for fourth in the Non Pro and placed second in the Intermediate Non Pro on the 4-year-old filly.
“I’ve had people say that my horses have a fresh look about them and aren’t as mechanical. I’d have a hard time getting my horses broke if I was limited as to where I could ride them.”
When he’s out moving cattle, Miller said he “checks all of my buttons” on a horse by practicing maneuvers and getting it locked onto a cow.
“I try to mix things up the best I can while keeping the horse freed up,” he explained. “When you’re cowboying, a horse tends to get strung out and down in the front end because you’re traveling so far. Every once in a while, I try to collect them and get them right again.”
Even though he prefers to be out riding and working cattle in the open, Miller also knows the importance of arena work.
indoor arena they use for training, especially during the long, cold Wyoming winters.
“It’s real good for cutting and riding circles, but you can’t take anything down the fence,” said Miller. “I try to fit [arena] training in where I can. There are times I can work it into the day, and other times I’m so tired by the end of the day but still get on a colt.”
RANCH TO ARENA
Their remote location and the responsibilities of ranching often prevent the Millers from being able to compete at many events, but Miller makes time for roping with his grandsons and doing other horse activities, including skijoring. Lately Miller said he tries to have a Futurity colt ready every other
The Millers are excited about their latest stallion, Good Times Too (One Time Pepto x Cats Good Intentions x High Brow Cat). Miller showed a 3-year-old daughter of the stallion last year and was impressed with her performance. Kitty Hawks Goodtime (Good Times Too x Kitty Hawk Pep x Mister Dual Pep) placed fifth in the Intermediate Non Pro at the NRHA Stallion Stakes’ Pre-Futurity, and then 13th in the Non Pro at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals.
With a solid work program to provide the ranch with good horses, the Millers venture into the reined cow horse show pen isn’t so much as an extra perk as it is a way to assess their progress.
“My motivation [for showing] is to get judged so I can see if I’m getting anything done with my horses,” he said. “You might think you have the best horse in the world and are doing everything right, and then you enter up and see that you’ve forgotten a few things. Mostly, though, I enjoy making and riding good horses.”
PRIMO MORALES
Riding SaturdayNightFever67, Miller has earned more than $38,000, showing at NRCHA premier events as well as regional shows.
MEET GARY AND KATHY EWELL
Though Gary and Kathy Ewell’s business makes it difficult for them to compete, their horses and their beloved trainer have kept this reined cow horse couple on the map.
By Kristin Pitzer
If you were to ask Gary and Kathy Ewell to talk about themselves, the pair would likely tell you there isn’t much to say. The couple, who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been riding reined cow horses for years, but they don’t like to brag about their accomplishments.
When it comes to their trainer, Brady Weaver, and his family, though, Kathy lights up, and even Gary can’t help but mention a few words about the Utah-based horseman who keeps them involved in reined cow horse.
GROWING A PASSION
Gary was first to get into reined cow horses. His owner record begins with Fresnos Misty Lady90 (Docs Hangin Tree x Fresnos Lady Miss x Pavo De Peppy), who was shown by Kelly Freeman at the 1995 Utah Reined Cow Horse Association’s Snaffle Bit Futurity. Gary posted his first paycheck at the same show a few years later in 2005, riding Senbar Hangin to fourth in a hackamore class.
“Oh, I love him!” Kathy said about TJ Dual Mate. She’s excited to start showing him in 2021.
“I had a few young horses and did the reined cow horse, and when I’d come to a problem, I’d send them to Bob Robinson,” Gary said of his early
years. “Brady worked for Bob, so he helped me out a little bit with the horses. When he went up to Idaho, I sent a horse up to him to ride as a reined cow horse. That’s how I got started, I guess. I was riding horses, but I didn’t know anything about them.”
When Kathy met Gary 16 years ago during a trail ride, she didn’t know
anything about reined cow horse, either. She’d owned horses before, but she primarily did barrel racing and pole bending.
“And then I met Gary and Brady, and the rest is history,” Kathy said.
The Ewells, who have four children between the two of them and five grandchildren, both have accumulated Non Pro level checks from the cow horse pen since then. After Gary started his grading and excavation business 15 years ago, though, they had to devote more time to the company and less to riding. Weaver took over showing their horses for the most part in 2005, racking up a few checks each year with Little Two Nic (Two Nic x Daina Dawn Oak x Little Lena Doc) and Pepto Double Time (Peptotime x Daina Dawn Oak x Little Lena Doc).
“They’ve been the best that you could ride for,” Weaver said of the Ewells.
“They kind of just let me do what I need to do. If I have a suggestion for them on something we need to try, they’re really receptive. It’s made it easy working for them.”
Things picked up for the Ewells in
2015 when they added SJR Reygun (Dual Rey x Playguns King Badger x Playgun) to their herd. The 2012 mare, which was bred by San Juan Ranch, has been a real boon to their program.
“She’s been great,” Weaver said. “She’s a huge stopper, has a lot of cow, just does everything good. She kind of takes care of herself. You don’t have to make her do things; she just does them.”
Weaver and the mare won the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes Open and Intermediate Open in 2017, collecting a total of $47,883.05 for the titles. They added another big payday at the Hackamore Classic when they placed third in the Open and Reserve in the Intermediate Open, helping to make 2017 the Ewells’ most lucrative year to date with total earnings of $72,412.93. The pair also
won the NRCHA Open Two Rein Reserve World Champion title in 2019.
Weaver and SJR Reygun took a shot at the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman in 2020 but missed the finals by a half-point. The mare also became a mother in 2020 with two babies on the ground—one by Metallic Cat and one by Metallic Rebel. She is expecting a second Metallic Cat in 2021.
“We’re excited about her crop,” Kathy said. “We’re anxious to see what happens, and then we’ve got some other breedings we’re checking into.”
Another horse that has helped step up the Ewells’ program is TJ Dual Mate (TR Dual Rey x Animate x Smart Mate), or “Goose,” who they purchased in 2014. Though he was intended to be Kathy’s bridle horse, the gelding and Weaver have collected quite a few checks together.
“It’s probably more fun to watch him [Brady] ride. He doesn’t make as many mistakes,” Kathy said with a laugh. “I like the aspect of competition, but watching him win and ride our horses is awesome.”
ONE BIG FAMILY
The Ewells were adamant that a big part of their success stems from the trust they’ve placed in Weaver, who is honest and caring in return. To Kathy, an added bonus is that he comes with a great family.
“You couldn’t ask for a whole family that is any better than theirs in taking care of the horses,” Kathy said. “Brady knows what to feel for and just takes such good care of all of ours. I don’t know what any of us that show would do without Megan, his wife. She keeps Brady on point and keeps us all in the loop as far as when to show. She’s calm and reassuring. It really helps your confidence.”
In addition to Brady and Megan, Kathy also mentioned all of the Weaver children—Braelynn, 17; Dee, 16; Elsie, 13; and Gracie, 10. Gary joked that Kathy is their adopted grandmother, even letting Braelynn ride and show Goose while she was out of commission with first pneumonia and then a broken ankle.
“Braelynn’s the oldest. I’ve traveled with her when we show, and she usually stays with me. We do girly things, and she’s the best kind of help,” Kathy said. “Dee’s the boy. He will come over and ask if you need help if he sees you struggling with something. Before the pandemic, Elsie and I were able to go do girly things, too, and I had a lot of fun with her. And then the youngest one is Gracie, and she’s just the cutest little thing, but she stays close to home with her mom.”
Braelynn will show Goose at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions
Gary Ewell has owned cow horses for at least 25 years, and Kathy got into the sport after marrying Gary.
The Ewells adore the Weavers’ kids, so when Braelynn Weaver needed a good horse to go down the fence on, Kathy let the high schooler ride her bridle horse, TJ Dual Mate. The pair qualified for the 2021 NRCHA Celebration of Champions.
in February 2021, after which Kathy hopes to take over the gelding’s reins. Gary also plans to compete more in the future, and Weaver and SJR Reygun will again try for the World’s Greatest Horseman title.
Between raising SJR Reygun’s babies and having more opportunities to get in the show pen again next year, Kathy and Gary have a lot they’re looking forward to in the future. They may be humble when it comes to talking about themselves, but like most horse people, their love for their trainer, their sport and their horses still shines through.
“Horses are the nucleus, aren’t they?” Kathy said. “We love horses, and they are my passion. Gary makes it so that I have a good one to ride or a good one to show. We truly are blessed, especially in this day and age.”
SJRReygun, pictured with trainer Brady Weaver, has been a great mare for the Ewells, and they are excited for the future of her first babies, born in 2020.
KATE BRADLEY BYARS
FACES OF THE NRCHA
Most all reined cow horse competitors recognize Chris Jeter’s smiling face behind the back gate at a premier event.
Being involved in just about every aspect of the horse industry helps when you’re managing a premier reined cow horse show. Chris Jeter, the show manager for the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Celebration of Champions, Stallion Stakes, Derby and Snaffle Bit Futurity®, has certainly covered a wide range of equine disciplines. The Perrin, Texas, horseman has trained, shown and judged horses in most Western performance events, from rail classes to ranch horse and roping competitions.
Raised in the West Texas towns of Midland and Odessa, he spent many days working on local ranches and began showing in American Quarter Horse Association shows at age 11. After graduating from Texas Tech University in 1986, he worked as an assistant for a Western pleasure and all-around trainer. About a year later he started his own business, training and showing in everything from Western pleasure to trail to reining. Based in the North Texas area, he also found success selling horses, particularly to horse show enthusiasts in Europe. He also began judging shows early in his career and has judged world championship shows for the American Paint Horse Association, the Stock Horse of Texas and AQHA. Several years ago he added show management to his résumé, working first for the Arizona Sun Circuit Quarter Horse Show, and then NRCHA’s premier events. Whether it’s coordinating cattle, monitoring ground conditions or setting up practice pens, Jeter says is equally enjoyable and challenging.
Interview and photograph by Ross Hecox
Reined Cow Horse News: How would you describe your role as show manager at NRCHA events?
Chris Jeter: I tell everyone my job is to make bologna. You [as an exhibitor] don’t necessarily need to know what goes into every little detail, but at the end of the day you have something to eat. Our goal is to make sure that the cattle are as good as they can be, the ground is as good as it can be, and safety is paramount. Bill Enk, the director of judges, said it best: “At the best horse show, no one knows who the show manager is, and no one remembers who the judges are.” That’s because the show should be about the exhibitor.
RCHN: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Jeter: We have the fewest number of employees when we run a show [compared to other associations]. But the beauty is, whatever job needs to be done gets done. If we’re short-handed in the back, the ladies in the office will get on a horse and come work back there. And if the ladies need help, I might jam up every computer they have, but I’ll go there. Or the cow guys will come help. There is no job that’s above anybody, and there’s no job below anybody. Our motto is, “There is no drama.” If you’re causing drama, you need to be working somewhere else. We tease and pick at each other, but we’re very protective of each other. And the exhibitors are protective of us, too. The way we work together is hard to find. It’s just amazing. It’s still the funnest group of people to be around.
RCHN: You have more experience as a trainer and showman in other segments of the horse industry. What draws you to cow horse competition?
Jeter: It’s the greatest group of horsemen I’ve ever worked with, and it’s exciting to be around it all. I love the cow horse. I quit training for the public years ago, but I still like to train a few of my own horses and sell them. This is a group of people that I can sit and watch, learn from and talk to. It makes me a better judge. It makes me a better trainer. We’re such a tight-knit group, and it’s a fun group of people to work with.
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TOP OF THE CLASS
Meet the horse and rider teams claiming 2020 NRCHARegional Championships.
CANADIANREGION
Open Bridle
LETS GO HIGHER / CLINT SWALES
National Reined Cow Horse Association members pursue coveted NRCHA Regional Championships as they compete throughout the season at national shows as well as their local affiliate level. Earning a Regional Championship in one of NRCHA’s eight geographic regions in 2020 was uniquely challenging, but true to form, reined cow horse competitors remained tenacious. Meet your Regional Champions in each of the 15 horse show classes.
Limited Open Bridle POWDER RIVERS PRIZE / SHANNON COWLES
While Cowles says the biggest challenge of 2020 was “wondering and waiting to see if we were going to be able to show,” she was able to exhibit the 2012 gelding’s talent nonetheless.
“I don’t have one memorable moment, just having fun. That’s what I love about the cow horse,” Cowles said.
The traits she appreciates most about Powder
Powder Rivers Prize (Smokums Prize x No Freckle To Powder x Powder River Playboy), owned by Access 2 Capital, Inc., was shown by Shannon Cowles of Rollyview, Alberta, to the top of the Canadian Region Limited Open Bridle standings.
Rivers Prize is that he is “fast and very cowy.”
Clint Swales piloted Shannon Wolfe’s Lets Go Higher (High Sign Nugget x Ima Little Prescript x Ima Little Lena) to the Canadian Region Open Bridle title.
Bart Holowath and Smart Lookin Nurse (WR This Cats Smart x NurseWare x Dual Rey), owned by Bart and Terri Holowath, earned the Canadian Region Non Pro Bridle title.
Intermediate Non Pro Bridle FARRAH ROBERTS / COASTING THE STARS
Farrah Roberts and her 2012 gelding Coasting The Stars (Shady Lil Starlight x She Is Inwhizable x West Coast Whiz) took the Canadian Region Intermediate Non Pro Bridle championship home to Strathmore, Alberta. It was a banner year for Roberts who says her biggest challenge was learning to trust her horse to do his job.
“He is so athletic. ‘James’ is able to keep up with any cow. It doesn’t matter how fast it is. He’s so smooth it doesn’t even feel like we are going fast,” Robers said, adding that she couldn’t isolate one single show pen memory in 2020 because all were special.
“I loved spending time with my horse show friends and meeting new horse show friends. When the world was going sideways, showing James made things feel somewhat normal.”
Roberts showed James in the bridle for the first time in 2020, but both she and her NRCHA professional husband Cody McArthur had both shown him previously in derby competition. When not working hard at a horse show, the 41-year-old stay-at-home mom stays busy homeschooling her boys.
Novice Non Pro Bridle
JONATHAN MORRISON / PURE LATIGO
High River, Alberta, showman Jonathan Morrison rode the 2003 gelding Pure Latigo (Rated PG x Kims Lady Doc x Kims Pica Pride), owned by Robyn and Jonathan Morrison, to the top of the Canadian Region Novice Non Pro Bridle standings.
The rancher, farmer and feedlot operator has been showing Pure Latigo for the past two years. He says making the finals at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions in the Novice Non Pro and Non Pro Bridle classes was the highlight of his 2020 show season. Despite the fact that it was hard to find shows to attend amidst COVID restrictions, Morrison still enjoyed much success during the year.
Morrison says Pure Latigo’s most special physical talent is, “He is very gritty on a cow and loves his job.
Open Hackamore
SUGARHOWYOUGETSOFLY / CAYLEY R. WILSON
SugarHowYouGetSoFly (Kit Kat Sugar x El Sauz Doll x Peptoboonsmal), ridden by Cayley Wilson for owner Michelle Brune, earned the Canadian Region Open Hackamore title.
Limited Open Hackamore
DFN SPOOKY CAT / T YLER D. DARROCH
Non Pro Hackamore
CL AY TON HINES / WANNA TALK MONEY
DFN Spooky Cat (Spooks Delta Dude x Omega Kitty x High Brow Cat) ridden by Tyler Darroch for owner Noreen Fenske, earned the title of Limited Open Hackamore Champion in the Canadian Region. The 2015 gelding was bred and raised by Fenske, who has a small herd of commercial cattle and raises APHA registered horses in Jedburgh, Saskatchewan.
“He has been with his trainer, Tyler Darroch since August of his 2-year-old year when he was started under saddle. Tyler has done an exceptional job with him,” Fenske said.
Two epic fence runs at back-to-back shows were the highlight of Fenske’s 2020 show season.
“At the Cow Town Derby and NARCHC Futurity/Derby show, ‘Larry’ drew super intense, tough, fast cows,” she said. “To watch him handle both of them in style and have the crowd behind him was about as awesome as it gets for me as his owner and breeder. At the NARCHC show he was last draw of the night at almost midnight and he had the crowd roaring, it was awesome.”
“He is very physical and can handle whatever cow he gets down the fence,” said Darroch of Larry’s most special physical talent.
Youth Cow Horse RYAN GREY / YOR DRY NOON
Clayton Hines and his horse Wanna Talk Money (Wanna Winna Prize x Talkin Peppy Merada x Meradas Money Talks) topped the Non Pro Hackamore in the Canadian Region.
Open Two Rein
LHR REY C TIME / CAYLEY R. WILSON
The 2014 stallion LHRRey C Time (One Time Pepto x Rey Jay Play x Dual Rey), owned by Fred and Kerri Wein of Abbotsford, British Columbia, was shown by NRCHA professional Cayley Wilson to the Canadian Region Open Two Rein title.
Kerri Wein says her most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 came during the Cowtown Derby when LHRRey C Time made one of his best rein and fence work runs in the Two Rein Spectacular.
Despite limited travel to major events due to border closures in 2020, LHRRey C Time was able to showcase his talent in Canada and win the regional championship.
“He is a really good mover,” Wein said. “He makes all the maneuvers look easy.”
Non Pro Two Rein
SUZON SCHAAL / A MOREREY
Suzon Schaal rode her horse A More Rey (Reys From Heaven x EMF Fancy Clipper x Doc O Dude) to the Canadian Region Non Pro Two Rein title.
Ryan Grey and YOR Dry Noon (YOR High Noon x YOR High N Dry x YOR High Noon) secured the Canadian Region Youth Cow Horse title in 2020. Grey, 18, has shown the 12-year-old gelding YOR Dry Noon, owned by his dad Aaron Grey, for the past five years. Having the opportunity to attend NRCHA events in 2020 was a highlight for Grey.
“Back in March, I was sure there would be no horse show season,” Grey said. “As it worked out, we got a full show season with all Canadian clubs having NRCHA events. A big shout out to all the committees that made it happen.
“Working hard to keep myself and my horse improving from show to show was my biggest challenge,” Grey said. “My horse’s most special physical talent is his grittiness to go after a cow. He is a super fence horse for me.”
Youth Limited
KATE WEDDERBURN / JACS CL ASSYBOY
Kate Wedderburn rode Kristy Wedderburn’s horse Jacs Classy Boy (Jacs Main Sail x Skys Flashy Rose x Wrangler Skye Pine) to the Canadian Region Youth Limited championship.
INTERNATIONAL REGION
Open Bridle CATS GOT FRECKLES / SAMUELE POLI BARBERIS
Cats Got Freckles (WR This Cats Smart x Playboys Girl x Freckles Playboy), ridden by Samuele Poli Barberis for owner Luca Terzi, won the International Region Open Bridle championship.
Limited Open Bridle CICO LIGHT / MICHELE DESIMONE
Cico Light (Bingo Starlight x CJ Cinca Jac x Jacs Lil Pine) was ridden by Michele DeSimone for owner Rosatelli Gianpiero to the International Region Limited Open Bridle championship.
Andrea Popp rode her 2007 stallion Sugars Smartest Lena (Honky Tonk Player x Sugars Doc Tari x Jodies Doc Tair) to the top of the Non Pro and Novice Non Pro Bridle divisions in the International Region. Popp, who lives in Vienna, works as a payroll clerk when not showing horses. Popp and her husband are the breeders of Sugars Smartest Lena.
“We owned his mother,” Popp said. “My husband trained him. He shows him very successfully at reined cow horse shows as well. He is really good down the fence. He is also an excellent stopper and turner.”
Popp says her favorite aspect of showing Sugars Smartest Lena is the thrill of going down the fence, which she was thankful to get to do in 2020.
“The biggest challenge for us in Europe was knowing if we could go to the big NRCHA show in Italy because of COVID-19. But it worked out and we made it, and it was great.”
INTERNATIONAL REGION
Non Pro Hackamore
PETER TRIXNER / CR TUFF BOON PICKENS
Peter Trixner rode CR Tuff Boon Pickens (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meox x Peptoboonsmal) to the International Region Non Pro Hackamore championship.
Open Two Rein EPIC RUSH / ANDREA SANFELICI
Epic Rush (Big Chex To Cash x Rush N Cat x Little Rush) was ridden by Andrea Sanfelici for Georgia Girardello to the International Region Open Two Rein championship.
Non Pro Limited
ROSATELLI GIANPIERO / CICO LIGHT
Rosatelli Gianpiero rode her horse Cico Light (Bingo Starlight x CJ Cinca Jac) to the International Region Non Pro Limited championship.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Open
Bridle
REMEDY ON THE BAY / EJ LAUBSCHER
Remedy On The Bay (Very Smart Remedy x Starlight On The Bay x High Brow Cat), ridden by EJ Laubscher for owner Mildy Roberts, earned the North Central Region’s Open Bridle title.
$1,000 Non Pro Limited ADER VALERIO / HOLLYWOOD PEPITO
Ader Valerio and his 2013 gelding Hollywood Pepito (Peptos Lil Bingo x Jacs Little Nugget x Jacs Little Pine) took top honors in the $1,000 Non Pro Limited in NRCHA’s International Region. Valerio has been partnered with Hollywood Pepito for the past four years and says his most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 was attending the European Reined Cow Horse Association NRCHA Autumn Show.
“In all the shows in which I have participated he has always helped me to read the cow,” Valerio said.
“Learning to ride my horse in romal reins after years spent riding two-handed and being able to win the NRCHA Regional Championship were my two biggest challenges of the 2020 show season,” Valerio said.
Valerio, 46, lives in the Italian city of Villanova Canavese.
Limited Open Bridle I SURELY NITA CAT / LAUSANNE HILLMUTH
I Surely Nita Cat (Surely A Pepto x Nitas Cat x Nitas Wood) was ridden by Lausanne Hillmuth for owner Linda Pratt to the Limited Open Bridle championship in the North Central Region.
Non
Pro Bridle &
Youth
Cow
Horse SHELBY TEMPLE / HL TWISTIN PLAYBOY
Shelby Temple and her horse HL Twistin Playboy (Freckles Fancy Twist x Playful Rosie x Freckles Playboy) topped the Non Pro Bridle standings in the North Central Region. They also earned the Youth Cow Horse championship.
Intermediate & Novice Non Pro Bridle
PARIS STARN / GIVEN YA GOOSEBUMPS
Paris Starn and Given Ya Goosebumps (Starlight Captain x Missy Dual Master x Dual Peppy) earned top honors in the North Central Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Bridle divisions.
Limited Open Hackamore
RUSTIC METAL / ETHAN R. WALKER
Open Hackamore HESA DUAL BET / MATT KOCH
Hesa Dual Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x RJJ Miss Viagra Pep x Dual Pep), a 2016 stallion owned by Kent and Judy Blough of Wilsall, Montana, was ridden by Matt Koch to the top of the North Central Region Open Hackamore standings.
“Getting to show with the Yellowstone banner up at the [Snaffle Bit] Futurity and my horse not spooking at it was my most memorable show moment of 2020,” joked Koch, who added that the biggest challenge of the season was finding regional shows to go to in light of virus-related shutdowns.
“He is a pretty mover in both the reined work and cow events,” Koch said of Hesa Dual Bet.
Rustic Metal (Metallic Cat x Getta Mister x Mister Dual Pep), a 2015 stallion owned by S&W Performance Horses, has been in Ethan Walker’s program since the rope and reined cow horse trainer started him as a 2-year-old. Walker, of Ludell, Kansas, says one highlight of his 2020 show season was making a solid fence run in Fort Worth during the NRCHA Hackamore Classic.
“Everything getting moved and rescheduled was challenging,” he said. “Once we did start going it was one show right after another for two or three months.”
In that relatively short time period Walker was able to showcase Rustic Metal’s talents.
“He is strong and physical in his stops,” Walker said. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s reined work, roping, or fence work; when he goes to the ground he stays there.”
Open Two Rein SWEETHEARTS LEGACY / EJ L AUBSCHER
NRCHA Professional EJ Laubscher showed Sweethearts Legacy (Cats Moonshine x A Docs Sweetheart x A Docs Special) for owner Peggy Cummings to the top of the North Central Region’s Open Two Rein standings. Peggy and her husband Wendell raised the 2014 gelding they call “Prince” from an orphan at their ranch in Sedalia, Colorado.
“Prince is his nickname, since he is so charming,” Peggy said. “At 12 days old, we lost Prince’s dam, A Docs Sweetheart (APHA). A big thanks goes to the veterinary team and interns at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins who helped us save him.”
The Cummings’ most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 came during the South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association Road to Texas horse show, which was held in September in Rapid City, where Laubscher and Prince scored a 149 down the fence.
“Just watching him go down the fence after a cow is amazing for this once weak and sick foal,” Peggy said. “He is fearless and so talented in his fence work. He loves it.”
Peggy, who is the owner and president of the Literary Research Company, says the most challenging aspect of the 2020 show season was keeping up with schedule changes.
Non Pro Hackamore JECCAR. OSTRANDER / BOXO PALO CHIC
Rancher Jecca R. Ostrander and her mare Boxo Palo Chic (Palo Duro Cat x Freckles O Chic x Smart Chic Olena), owned by BOXO Quarter Horses, Gordon, Nebraska, are the North Central Region’s Non Pro Hackamore champions.
“She is a 4-year-old and I showed her at the Snaffle Bit Futurity,” Ostrander said. “We spent the past year getting better together.”
Ostrander’s most memorable NRCHA show of 2020 was the Sagebrush Slide held in Douglas, Wyoming, over the Fourth of July. “On that particular day, the show ran long and the fence work was running into the evening. My run was nearly made in the dark, but we had no problems with the cow. She is really gritty and always wants to beat the cow.”
Ostrander’s main challenge with “Bella” is encouraging her to be patient.
“She is so very cowy and loves her job. She has matured into a tremendous fence horse,” Ostrander said, adding that the mare has a huge stop. “She shows that not only in her reined work, but down the fence as well. She has a huge heart and enormous try when it comes to a cow.”
Non Pro Two Rein
CONRAD T. SWANSON / METALLIC HEART
Conrad Swanson showed his 2014 mare Metallic Heart (Metallic Cat x Ms Mimosa x Freckles Playboy) to the North Central Region Non Pro Two Rein title. Swanson, 67, lives in Wellington, Colorado, and has shown Metallic Heart for the past two years. The most memorable aspect for him of the 2020 season was gaining opportunities to show amidst COVID-19 related restrictions and concerns.
“I’m president of the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association. Planning and putting on shows during 2020, particularly as circumstances changed, was challenging,” Swanson said. “I appreciated the efforts of the CRCABoard of Directors, our executive director, our volunteers, our sponsors, and our open and non-pro participants in making 2020 as good as could be expected.”
He says Metallic Heart’s best talent and biggest curse is that she is a classic “over achiever.” Swanson, a retired attorney, is owner and operator of a cow/calf operation.
Non Pro Limited
MICHAEL TRACY / ONE SMOKIN TAZ
Michael Tracy, of Fort Lupton, Colorado, and his 2009 gelding One Smokin Taz (Pepto Taz x Smokin Smarty Pants x Smart Mate) teamed up three years ago. Tracy’s most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 is winning the NRCHANational Championship. Tracy, who works as a senior wireless engineer, says his biggest challenge of 2020 was making it to the shows that were allowed to be held. When he was able to attend shows, Tracy says his horse’s fantastic stops helped him achieve success.
Youth Limited L ANEY E. FJELSTAD / MINI MES MERCEDES
The team of Mini Mes Mercedes (Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Mini Olenas Command) and Laney Fjelstad culminated their successful 2020 season winning the North Central Region Youth Limited title.
Mini Mes Mercedes, owned and formerly shown by Laney’s sister Addison Fjelstad, is a 2006 gelding that Laney says is very intense on a cow. Laney has shown Mini Mes Mercedes for the past two years.
“Winning the Youth Limited at the Snaffle Bit Futurity horse show this year was the highlight of my show season,” said the Scales Mound, Illinois, teen. “Finding shows to go to was my biggest challenge.”
$5,000 Non Pro Limited KENDRA SHAW / PAY DAY DUAL REY
Kendra Shaw, Hager City, Wisconsin, and her 2013 gelding Pay Day Dual Rey (Dual Rey x JustaPepto x Peptoboonsmal) won the first NRCHANon Pro Limited Spectacular of her show career at the North Central Reined Cow Horse Association show in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. That show was a highlight for the North Central Region $5,000 Non Pro Limited champion.
“It felt really good to put everything together: herd work, reined work and the cow work,” Shaw said.
While the June show was her season highlight, Shaw’s biggest challenge of the show season was improving her skills.
“Between learning the maneuvers, the cow work and schooling your horse, it can be overwhelming at times. I love the challenge, but it is very humbling,” she said. “Raymond is a phenomenal lead changer. He works his cow with style too; I feel very privileged to own him.”
Shaw, who has been partnered with Pay Day Dual Rey for the past year and a half, works as Chief Operating Officer at Western Wisconsin Health.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
continued
$1,000 Non Pro Limited
KELLI NOELLE BUCKLEY / NVR ANOTHER LUCKYHIT
Kelli Buckley rode Connie Buckley’s NVRAnother LuckyHit (Pale Face Dunnit x What A Lucky Hit x Hit The Lights) to the top of the $1,000 Non Pro Limited standings in the North Central Region. Buckley and the 2013 gelding she calls “Chunk” teamed up in 2018.
“He was born and raised a reiner, as was I. In 2019, we transitioned over to learning cow horse and absolutely love it.”
Buckley’s most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 was a rainy day run at the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association Mountain High in Estes Park. “That show was pretty memorable. Plus, it’s hard to beat showing in the beautiful Rocky Mountains,” Buckley said.
“This sport is humbling to say the least and every person that made their name on the NRCHA year-end regional standings deserves a big congratulations,” Buckley said.
Buckley, who works in marketing, says her gelding’s mile-long stops make him a horse that others readily notice in the show pen—that, and his flowing mane have earned him the nickname “Fabio” among their reined cow horse peers.
NORTHEASTERNREGION
Open Bridle
MARK SIGLER / ITS TIME TO
SMOKUM
Winning the Open Bridle title in the Northeastern Region was the 2013 stallion Its Time To Smokum (One Time Pepto x Smokum Chicy x Smart Chic Olena), ridden by Mark Sigler for the Dominic Conicelli Estate.
Limited Open Bridle
K AREN BLACK / WANTS TWO BA CAT
Wants Two BA Cat (Star Bert Gray x Two BBlue Baditude x Blu Quachita Hancock), ridden by Karen Black for owner Dina Mazzola, earned the Limited Open Bridle title in the Northeastern Region.
Novice Non Pro Bridle
Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Bridle
JAMES ROTH / KICK UP THE LIGHTS
James Roth rode Kick Up The Lights (CD Lights x Kickback Nic x Nic It In The Bud) to the title of Northeastern Region Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Champion.
LISA F. SYKES / I INHERITED SMARTS
Lisa Sykes and her 2005 mare I Inherited Smarts (Bodee Boonsmal x Smart Heritage x Smart Little Lena) made their second full show season together count. Sykes, 57, of Sarasota, Florida, just started going down the fence this year.
“We really started to trust each other this year,” Sykes said, “When we started to get more consistent it showed, especially at New York’s Cowgirl Classic Bridle Spectacular.”
Sykes cites the greatest challenge of her season as the tough competition she faced from fellow non pros. “That being said, they were also my biggest cheerleaders. In New York and Pennsylvania we have a very supportive group. If I don’t do well one of my friends does, which is just as good.” Sykes says I Inherited Smarts (Boonie) is talented in all aspects of reined cow horse competition, but particularly circling a cow.
“There are so many people to thank for our success this year. Jay and Rhonda Holmes at Triple J have given us a new home to train out of, which has been an amazing experience. I thank all my New York family for their support and of course my family for encouraging me to keep riding,” she said.
Open Hackamore
REYS PRECIOUS STAR / MARK SIGLER
Reys Precious Star (Reys Star Cat x Tazanic x Nic It In The Bud), ridden by Mark Sigler for the Dominic Conicelli Estate, earned the Open Hackamore title in the Northeastern Region.
Limited Open Hackamore THIS CATS BOSS / REBECCA LIPK A
This Cats Boss (WR This Cats Smart x Boss Woody x CD Lights) ridden by Rebecca Lipka for Elizabeth Piccone earned the Northeastern Region Limited Open Hackamore title.
Non Pro Hackamore
WENDY KUHN / THIS SENORITAS SMART
Wendy Kuhn rode her horse This Senoritas Smart (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Senorita x Shining Spark) to the Northeastern Region Non Pro Hackamore title.
Open Two Rein SOME SWEET BETTINCAT / MARK SIGLER
Some Sweet BettinCat (Bet Hesa Cat x Some Kinda Sweety x Sweet Lil Pepto), ridden by Mark Sigler for Stephen Black, topped the Open Two Rein standings in the Northeastern Region.
Youth Limited
SYLVIA SPEELMAN / SWEET DEPOSIT CHEX
Non Pro Two Rein Champion LIA J. SAVAS / METALLIC NICKEL
Lia Savas, of Central Islip, New York, has shown her 2014 gelding Metallic Nickel (Metallic Cat x Nickel N Dime Smart x Smart Little Lena) through each phase of reined cow horse competition.
“I bought ‘Nickel’ as a 2-year-old and showed him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, the derbies, and now in the two rein,” Savas said, adding that Nickel’s cow sense makes him particularly fun to show. “He’s great on fast cows down the fence and can easily maintain position and stay close on them.”
Savas’ most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 came during the 2020 Snaffle Bit Futurity when she won the Non Pro Two Rein class.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she exclaimed.
Sylvia Speelman and her 2011 mare Sweet Deposit Chex (Night Deposit Chex x Shes A Sweet Peppy x Peppy San Royal Lad) became a team in 2020. The 15-year-old student from
The East Berlin, Pennsylvania, youth had to start showing Sweet Deposit Chex in June after the gelding she had been showing was injured. Speelman met the challenge head on and finished the show season with her highest score and most memorable show moment of 2020.
“During my last show I scored my best with a 141, that was my most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020. This mare always works hard when you believe in her,” Speelman said.
Non Pro Limited & $5,000 Non Pro Limited JILL FLINT / CHAMP SUNSHINE
Jill Flint, of Newark, Ohio, and her 2014 mare Champ Sunshine (PA Oh Cay Champ x Jazzys Baby Bob x Bob Acres Reward) earned dual titles in the Northeastern Region, winning both the Non Pro and $5,000 Non Pro Limited.
Flint, who is the Senior Vice President of Veto Pro Pac, has been partnered with Champ Sunshine for the past two years. The show memory that stands out for her most from 2020 was winning a Don Rich Saddle.
“Going into the final New York Reined Cow Horse Association show of the season, we were sitting second overall for the non pro limited high-point award. We had a great score and ended up winning the year-end high point award, which was a Don Rich saddle.” Flint, who comes from a Hunter Under Saddle background, says that with no arena or flat ground on her property, her biggest challenge has been coming up with creative ways to keep her horse show ready.
$1,000 Non Pro Limited ERIN KEYS / SHESSHOOTINFORGOLD
Erin Keys and her 2015 mare ShesShootinForGold (PRF Spoonful Of Gold x Gunners Easter Lilly x Colonels Smoking Gun) enjoyed their first full show season together in 2020. The veterinarian from Oxford, Pennsylvania, says the highlight of her season was building show-pen confidence while gaining the skills needed to perform at her best.
“Sometime mid-year, I consistently had enough confidence in mine and my mare’s ability to be able to consume more than just a cracker and a little ginger ale prior to showing. This was a huge testament to the development of my confidence in the show pen,” she admitted.
Beyond gaining confidence, Keys says she had to work hard to perfect ShesShootinForGold’s lead changes. She credits her coach and trainer Mark Sigler for his help.
“I can confidently say we can reliably change leads the majority of the time now,” Keys said, adding that ShootinForGold’s stop is her best attribute.
NORTHWEST REGION
Open Bridle SINFULLY SMART CAT / WADE REANEY
Sinfully Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Style x Docs Stylish Oak), a 2013 gelding ridden by Wade Reaney for owner Karen Olson, enjoyed a successful 2020 season that culminated with earning the Northwest Region Open Bridle title. Sinfully Smart Cat, aka “Taco,” his owner Karen Olson and trainer Wade Reaney have worked together since 2017.
“Our most memorable NRCHA moment was, without a doubt, the 2020 Celebration of Champions,” Olson said. “Taco and Wade made the Open Two Rein finals. Waiting as they counted down the placings after completion of the finals and seeing they were the last ones called and named the Open Two Rein World Champions was a heart-pounding experience.”
Olson says their biggest challenge of 2020 was not having as many opportunities to attend shows due to cancellations.
Olson, who farms organic alfalfa, oats and barley, says Taco’s best talent is his ability to read the cows and react.
“You’d better be hanging on,” she said.
Limited Open Bridle SALUTE MAJOR BOONS / TAYLOR ADAMS & MARCHA DUVENAGE
Salute Major Boons (Boons Millennium x QR Reminicing x Reminic) was ridden by Taylor Adams as well as Marcha Duvenage for owner Manitou Materials to the top of the Northwest Region Limited Open Bridle standings.
Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Bridle KATHERINE GRACE DEHAAN / SHINERS LIL NICKLE
Kat De Haan, DVM, and her 2011 stallion Shiners Lil Nickle (Shiners Nickle x Lil Lena Long Legs x Smart Little Lena) doubled up on championships in the Northwest Region, topping both the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro divisions.
De Haan, an equine veterinarian from Caldwell, Idaho, has been showing Shiners Lil Nickle for just over two years.
“Winning the Intermediate Non Pro World Championship was my most memorable show moment of 2020,” De Haan said.
“Scheduling, riding, and training around my work schedule is the biggest challenge, but he is incredibly talented and has been very consistent, winning checks at every show we entered,” De Haan said.
Dualin For Kit Kats
2020
2020
Keltic Cat
Shown
Kit Caboodle
2020 Alberta RCHA Derby Amateur Reserve CHAM pION
2020 Alberta RCHA Cowtown Derby Np CHAM pION
Shown & Owned by Mary Baks
Kit Kat Safari
2020 Alberta RCHA Cowtown 2-Rein Open CHAM pION
Shown & Owned by Iaian Durrell
KK Sugar Twist
2020 Idaho RCHA Derby Ltd Np Finalist
Shown by Joel Jewett
Owned by White Tail Ranch
Scooter Kat
2020 NRCHA Stakes Open CHAM pION
Shown
Play Rey Sugar Baby
2020 NRCHA Stakes Novice Horse Open Finalist
2020 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Np Finalist
Shown by Tammy Hays
Owned by Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays
Reydas Sugar Cat
2020 Alberta RCHA Cowtown Derby 7500LTD Open CHAM pION
Shown & Owned by Sarah Wolfs
Some Kinda Kit Kat
2020 Alberta RCHA Futurity Open CHAM pION
2020 Alberta RCHA Cowtown Futurity Open Finalist
2020 Idaho RCHA Futurity Open Finalist
Shown & Owned by Cayley Wilson
Stylin Kat
2020 Southwest RCHA pre-Futurity Open Finalist & Texas Bred Incentive Open Finalist
2020 NRCHA Futurity Np 3rd place
Shown by Tammy Hays
Owned by Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays
Sugarhowyougetsofly 2020 Canada Up On The Coast Open Derby Money Earner
2020 Alberta RCHA Derby Open Finalist & Novice Open CHAM pION
2020 Alberta RCHA Cowtown Derby Reserve CHAM pION
Shown by Cayley Wilson
Owned by Michelle Brune
NORTHWEST REGION continued
Novice Non Pro Bridle
HEATHER TIEL-NELSON / GUITAR TOWN
After experiencing a discouraging 2019 show season, 2020 went far better for Heather Tiel-Nelson, who rode her 2010 mare Guitar Town (Smart Little Pepinic x Whose Your Papa x Poppa Chex) to the top of the Northwest Region Novice Non Pro standings.
Tiel-Nelson purchased Guitar Town, aka “Waylon,” in 2013 at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno and has advanced her through her derby years into the bridle. With help from NRCHA Professionals Wade Reaney and Dan Roeser, as well as her husband Montgomery, Tiel-Nelson says Waylon has become, “the quintessential show horse, with a whole lot of grit, heart and talent.”
“Two significant highlights of 2020 included winning the Novice Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Non Pro classes at the Utah Reined Cow Horse Association, as well as the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro classes in Reno. I’m thrilled to have won the Novice Non Pro Bridle, placed reserve in the Non Pro Bridle and fourth in the Intermediate for the Northwest Region,” TielNelson said.
Tiel-Nelson, of Twin Falls, Idaho, works as a Public Affairs Specialist for the Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management.
Tiel-Nelson shifted from boxing to fence classes in 2017 and says Waylon gives her the confidence to do so. “She’s one of those special ones and I’m humbled to be her person,” Tiel-Nelson said.
Open Hackamore XTRA SHINERS AFFAIRS / DAN ROESER
Xtra Shiners Affairs (Shiners Voodoo Dr x A Lasting Attraction x Peptoboonsmal), ridden by NRCHA Hall of Famer Dan Roeser for owner Rich and Jodi Charrier of Nampa, Idaho, earned the Open Hackamore Northwest Regional Championship.
Roeser, of Marsing, Idaho, appreciates the Charriers for having faith in his training program and says the highlight of his 2020 season with the 2015 mare was winning the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Open Hackamore class at their June event. He says the biggest challenge he faced in 2020 was, like many others, having enough shows to go to.
“She is a beautiful mover, always consistent and tries hard,” added Roeser of what makes Xtra Shiners Affairs a winner.
Limited Open Hackamore COLONELSLITTLE CINCO / JARED K. ASHCRAFT & MICHAEL N. VIPHAM
Non Pro Hackamore Champion
CAROLYN MEADOR / CATS SURVIVAL
Carolyn Meador, of Star, Idaho, rode her 2015 stallion Cats Survival (Cats Merada x Survival Tactics x CD Survivor) to the Northwest Region Non Pro Hackamore title. Cats Survival, aka “Sully,” is a NRCHA Sale graduate, purchased by Meador as a long yearling more than four years ago.
Meador says her most memorable NRCHA show of 2020 was the Celebration of Champions where she placed fifth in the Non Pro Hackamore. “Sully was a 147 in the preliminaries on our fence run to get us in the finals. I’m looking forward to going back,” she said.
Ironically, the biggest challenge faced by Meador in the 2020 season was working hard to perfect her timing down the fence.
“My horse can be fantastic in the reined work, but I struggled to put a complete run together because of rider errors in the cow work. Finally, I got it dialed at the end of the season.” Meador works as a Trade Compliance Manager for Scentsy.
Open Two Rein STILL GET JEALOUS / NICK DOWERS
The 2016 mare ColonelsLittle Cinco (Wimpys LittleColonel x Tuf NBusy Laru x Tuf NBusy), owned by Beverly Rees, was ridden by both Jared Ashcraft and Michael Vipham en route to earning the title of Northwest Region Limited Open Hackamore champion.
“’Cinco’ was bred and raised on our ranch in Elk, Washington,” Rees said. “We were blessed to have found Jared of Ashcraft Performance Horses in 2018 when their amazing partnership began.”
Rees says that every NRCHA show pen moment was memorable in 2020 because she was able to watch her mare, bred for reining, excel in the fence work as well as the reined work.
“We feel that ColonelsLittle Cinco is very gifted with her work down the fence. She’s gritty and gets stronger every time she moves a cow down the fence,” Rees said.
The biggest challenge faced by the owner/rider/horse team in 2020 was meeting the rigorous physical demands of reined cow horse competition.
“This is a very demanding sport, and we are grateful to Michael Vipham for being Cinco’s catch rider at the Idaho [Reined Cow Horse Association] show,” Rees said, who owns Terry’s Truck Center in the Spokane Valley and Rees Family Belgians.
Still Get Jealous (One Time Pepto x ARC Cat Her Please x Chic Please), ridden by Nick Dowers for owner Trigg Marquiss, earned the Northwest Region Open Two Rein title.
NORTHWEST REGION
Non Pro Two Rein K AROLYN K. HERRIGSTAD / ST YLIN THE SUN
Karolyn K. Herrigstad rode her 2014 mare Stylin The Sun (Stylin Cat x Aftercloudsunshine x Peptoboonsmal) to the top of the Northwest Region Non Pro Two Rein standings. Herrigstad, of Anacortes, Washington, has been partnered with Stylin The Sun for the past three years.
“Showing in Idaho and being the last horse in the pen at midnight and pulling off the win was my most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020,” Herrigstad said. “’Norma Jean’ is so cowy and I just love herd work on her.”
When not enjoying her time competing in the NRCHA , Herrigstad works as an office manager.
Youth
Limited
PRYCE PERRY / DOC O NITRO
Pryce Perry and Doc O Nitro (Nitro Dual Doc x Lenas Bay Ann x Doc Olena), owned by RK Perry, topped the Northwest Region Youth Limited.
Non Pro Limited
RUTH JACKSON / MASTER OF THE SEAS
Youth Cow Horse L ANDON LUCE / HOLLYWOOD SHINES
Sixteen-year-old Landon Luce rode Hollywood Shines (Doing It Shiney x Brennas Kitten x Brennas Kid), owned by Andrea Luce, to the Northwest Region Youth Cow Horse crown.
Luce, of La Center, Washington, was gifted the 2006 gelding called “Smudge” as a birthday present in February of 2019.
“I thank Don Murphy and Desiree Holt for finding Smudge for me,” Luce said. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am now, and for that I am thankful every day.”
Luce was challenged by finding shows to attend in 2020.
“I remember in March and April when COVID first hit, just thinking about showing and counting down the days until I could get back in the show pen with my amazing horse,” he said.
Thankfully, those show pen dreams materialized and Luce was able to enjoy his favorite part of showing Smudge, which is going down the fence.
“I showed him for the first time, along with my first reined cow horse show in April of 2019,” Landon said. “My most memorable show moment of 2020 would definitely be showing at the NRCHA Stakes and getting a reserve championship in the Youth Cow Horse. I owe it all to Smudge.”
Ruth Jackson and her 2012 gelding Master Of The Seas (Yellow Roan Of Texas x Sugar Babe Taffy x Master Remedy) just completed their fifth show season together. Jackson, a rancher from Riddle, Idaho, says her most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 came at the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity in November.
“We scored a personal best in the reined work to qualify for the Non Pro Limited Saddle Shootout and then had a personal best boxing score to win the saddle,” she said, adding that the horse she calls “Russell” can always be counted on for big stops.
“My biggest struggle this year has been my spins,” Jackson said. “I would get good going left, then the right turnaround would fall apart. Finally, at the last show in November, it all held together.”
COURTESY
ANDREA
LUCE
COURTESY KAROLYN HERRIGSTAD
NORTHWEST REGION
$5,000 Non Pro Limited RYLEE MCGEHEE / HOBBY NIC
Fourteen-year-old Rylee McGehee and Hobby Nic (Reminic x Ms Quarterly Dividen x Hobby Doc) teamed up two years ago when McGehee purchased the 20-year-old gelding she calls “Martin” from Dana Upson.
“I’m thankful she shared him with me so I could grow as a rider thanks to an amazing horse,” McGehee said, adding that the 2020 season was full of surprises.
“I enjoyed traveling to shows that I haven’t been to before and competing. One of my most memorable moments was at the Magic Valley Reined Cow Horse Show in Filer, Idaho. My best friend, Jayden Janson, and I were both competing in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited and tied scores, which resulted in us doing a box off. We did rock, paper, scissors to see who went first and were cheering each other on. We were both our best as competitors and friends,” said the Nampa, Idaho, teen.
McGehee’s biggest challenge has been trying to contain Martin’s energy.
“I’m thankful for my trainer, Dan Roeser, who teaches and encourages me,” she said, adding “Martin gives me his all every time, sometimes even more than I ask for. The fact that he is still athletic at his age is amazing to me. Martin is just an incredible horse.”
The gracious youth competitor expressed appreciation to her grandparents for their support. “They have been to Texas, Oregon, Montana, plus all our local shows with me. Family is the most important thing to me, and I love knowing they are there,” she said.
$1,000 Non Pro Limited JENNIFER BLAKE / LENAS TWIST OF SUGAR
Winning the Northwest Region $1,000 Non Pro Limited was Jennifer Blake riding Lenas Twist Of Sugar (Dun It With A Twist x Sugar Lena Hickory x Cody Hickory).
SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
Open Bridle
HIGH STRESSIN CAT / NICK DOWERS
Limited Open Bridle BOURBONN BRANCH / LEANNE E. JETTON
High Stressin Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Playguns Melody x Playgun), ridden by Nick Dowers for owner Clinton Marshall, earned the South Central Region Open Bridle title.
Non Pro Bridle AMY BAILEY / ELECTRA TUFF
Amy Bailey and her 2012 gelding Electra Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x Electras Boots x Doc O Boots) teamed up for the title of South Central Region Non Pro Bridle Champion. Electra Tuff, owned by Amy and her husband Paul Bailey of Sparta, Tennessee, has been Amy’s mount for the past four years.
Her most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 happened in Hamilton, Texas, in May when Bailey won the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular at the Heritage Classic.
“The cow came off of the fence and we made a big open field turn. I didn’t get too aggressive or overreact. I just thought through the process and ‘Woodrow’ was very responsive. It felt so amazing for us to operate together as one,” she said.
Bailey fought back from major hurdles on her way to earning the 2020 title.
“My biggest challenge was overcoming both the physical pain and the mental fear of showing for the first time after I was involved in a horse accident,” she said.
Leanne Jetton, of Stephenville, Texas, rode her horse Bourbon N Branch (Paddys Irish Whiskey x Miss Cee Lena x Mr Sun O Lena) to the Limited Open Bridle championship in the NRCHA’s South Central Region. Jetton purchased “Bourbon” in 2016 and says the 2008 gelding has a heart of gold.
“In June of 2019 we went to our first reined cow horse show together and through 2020 he carried me to my first major NRCHA events, making many memorable moments. This year has taught me a lot and I couldn’t be prouder of how he performed,” she said.
Jetton tackled the challenge of 2020 schedule changes by getting to all the shows she could with “Bourbon” once events were going.
“We made the decision to go to everything we could since we weren’t sure about other events being canceled, which helped Bourbon win the region,” Jetton said, adding, “Whether I’m roping breakaway, heeling or going down the fence, he’s right there for me every time and adjusts to other events easily. He’s always been so much fun because he reads a cow really well, he loves to run but will always stop effortlessly.”
Intermediate Non Pro Bridle LANNIE-JO LISAC / LOOKSLIKELUCKTOME
Lannie-Jo Lisac and LooksLikeLuckToMe (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep) teamed up to earn the title of South Central Region Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Champion. The 17-year-old began riding the 2013 mare three years ago. Of their 2020 show moments, winning the NRCHA Non Pro Two Rein World Champion title was a standout.
“This was the first year that I had her home with me most of the show season,” Lannie-Jo said. “We didn’t get a chance to practice on cows very much, but it was fun at the same time. She always gives me 100 percent; she is so fun to ride.”
Novice Non Pro Bridle
ALLYSON TAPIE / JJ CAT O LENA
Allyson Tapie, a middle school math teacher from Perrin, Texas, has owned the 2012 mare JJ Cat O Lena (Bet Hesa Cat x Christa Lena Hickory x Docs Hickory) for three years. Tapie’s most memorable moment of the 2020 show season came during the Snaffle Bit Futurity.
“Walking down the tunnel into the [Will Rogers] Coliseum I had the right amount of excitement, nerves and intensity. JJ Cat O Lena, aka ‘Lacey,’ was with me through the reined work and was spot on going down the fence,” said Tapie. “We ended up third (145 rein/147 cow) and it felt like we had won it. It took a long time for the adrenaline to wear off after that run,” she recounted.”
Achieving her goals in 2020 has come as the result of learning to rate and read cows better at speed going down the fence.
Tapie says Lacey achieves winning performances thanks to her heart and try.
“Lacey is a war horse,” Tapie said. “She knows her job and has patiently allowed me to learn mine. If I focus on my job, she can and will do hers. Lacey is the reason we had the successes we did this year; I could not have done it without her.”
Open Hackamore MC COWHAMMER / TREVOR CARTER
MC Cowhammer (Metallic Cat x GunSmart Gay x Playgun) and Trevor Carter earned the South Central Region Open Hackamore championship. Bogle Brothers, LLC are the breeders and owners of MC Cowhammer.
Limited Open Hackamore
SMART WITH CHICKS / ALEX ALVES
The 2016 stallion Smart With Chicks (Smart Chic Olena x Shining Donna x Shining Spark), owned by A&S Performances Horses, LLC, was ridden by Grandview, Texas, trainer Alex Alves to the top of the South Central Region Limited Open Hackamore standings.
“I started ‘Chance’ as a 2-year-old in February 2018 and have had him in my show string since,” Alves said. “This was our first full year competing in Texas and I had a lot of nerves to get out of the way.”
Alves says Smart With Chicks improved his performances in 2020, which factored into their strong finish this season.
“This year Chance really built my confidence in the show pen. At the Heritage Days Classic Derby in Hamilton, Texas, we had a poor herd work, but the horse really stepped up his game for the reined work and then even more with a massive fence run to win the derby.”
Alves says the horse’s biggest strength is handling tough cattle down the fence.
“I know that every time I go down the fence he’s going to be right there stride for stride. He never backs down and just gets stronger. He’s kind of a freak of nature that way.”
2014 Red Roan Stallion
5 Panel N/N
Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking Train
LTE $112,274, PE $467,857 by Shining Spark
Owned by:
Kathryn & Layn Phillips
Standing at:
808 Ranch | Clements, CA
For more information:
Edsall Performance Horses
[406] 925-0786
2020 NRCHA Derby Two Rein Spectacular Champion
2019 NRCHA Open Derby Champion
2019 NRCHA Open Hackamore Classic Champion
2018 NRCHA Open Derby Res. Champion
2018 NRCHA Int. Open Derby Champion
2017 NSHA RCH Int. Open Futurity Champion
2017 NRCHA Futurity 2YO Open Sale Incentive Champion
2018 NRCHA Celebration of Champions Open Derby, 3rd
2017 NSHA RCH Open Futurity, 4th
2018 NRCHA Int. Open Stakes, 3rd
2018 NRCHA Open Stakes, 10th
TRAINED & SHOWN BY CLAYTON EDSALL
SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
Non Pro Hackamore
PARKE GREESON / SCR BETTHISTIME
Open Two Rein REYZINETTE / CHRIS DAWSON
Non Pro Two Rein CUTTER MCL AUGHLIN / WR THIS CATS SPORTY
Parke Greeson rode SCRBetThisTime (Bet Hesa Cat x Prf One Time Candi x One Time Pepto), owned by the Sarco Creek Ranch, to the Non Pro Hackamore title in the South Central Region.
Reyzinette (Dual Rey x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark), ridden by Chris Dawson for Holy Cow Performance Horses TX, LLC, earned the South Central Region Open Two Rein championship.
Cutter McLaughlin rode WR This Cats Sporty (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney N Sporty x Shining Spark), owned by Jay and Wendy McLaughlin, to the South Central Region Non Pro Two Rein championship.
Cutter McLaughlin rode DT Whiskey Shine (Paddys Irish Whiskey x Smart Shinealo x Smart Shiner), owned by Jay and Wendy McLaughlin, to the South Central Region Youth Cow Horse championship.
SOUTHCENTRAL REGION
Youth Limited
JUBILEE K. STRINGFELLOW / JILLS L AST BET
Seventeen-year-old Jubilee Stringfellow and her 2014 mare Jills Last Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Shiners Diamond Jill x Shining Spark) are the South Central Region Youth Limited champions. The Calera, Oklahoma, youth rider purchased “Jill” in December 2019. The team competed in their first show together in March 2020. Stringfellow’s most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 was earning reserve honors in the Youth Limited class held at the 2020 Snaffle Bit Futurity.
“Cow horse competition is new to me so putting all the different components together has been my biggest challenge,” she said.
$5,000 Non Pro Limited KELLY WARNER / METALLIC PEARL
Non Pro Limited
JULIEA . GIBBONS / UNOS BLUE LIGHTENING
Julie Gibbons, Highlandvillle, Missouri, and her 2014 gelding Unos Blue Lightening (Uno What Time It Is x Miss Vibrant Chex x Nu Chex To Cash) have been a competitive team for the past three years.
“From the day he was born, I knew he was the one I was waiting for by Uno What Time It Is,” Gibbons said.
Gibbons’ most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 was winning the beginning fence work at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas, aboard Unos Blue Lightening.
“This was Blue’s first season in the bridle, and I was expecting it to be a year of transition, but he did great under this crazy year’s circumstances,” Gibbons said. “He loves his job, just like his sire Uno What Time It Is did.”
Kelly Warner rode Metallic Pearl (Metallic Cat x Precious Lil Pearl x Travalena), owned by Mike or Kelly Warner, to the South Central Region $5,000 Non Pro Limited championship.
$1,000 Non Pro Limited
MICHELLE REED / ROBERT REYFORD
Michelle Reed and Robert Reyford (Rock Star Rey R 7 x Miss Wheelin Swinger x Justa Swinging Peppy), owned by Lee and Michelle Reed, earned the South Central Region $1,000 Non Pro Limited title.
A season highlight for Reed was scoring the first 73.5 cow work aboard the 2012 gelding called “Bob” that she’s owned since 2018. Although Bob is 8 years old, Reed says he hadn’t been hauled much or shown previously.
“Knowing that, I set myself and Bob some goals this year and hit the road. This turned out to be a struggle for Bob mentally because he had to be seasoned as if he were a young horse. With patience, persistence and lots of help from my trainer, we worked it out and accomplished more than we thought we would,” she said.
Reed, who lives in Poolville, Texas, where she works as a realtor added, “Bob likes celebrating a victory by sharing a cold one.”
SOUTHEASTERNREGION
Open Bridle & Limited Open Bridle
SIXES SANJOLENA / JONATHAN D. HAWTHORNE
Sixes Sanjolena (Sanjo Starlight x Four Six Heaven x Seven From Heaven), a 2013 gelding ridden by Jonathan Hawthorne, of Slaughter, Louisiana, topped the Southeastern Region Open Bridle standings. Owners Marc and Bettye Ann Browning knew Sixes Sanjolena was special from the start.
“When he was a baby and as a colt he had extreme athletic ability,” Bettye Ann said. “We sent him to our trainer, Jon Hawthorne, two years ago since we felt he had show potential. Jon and ‘Smoke’ have been a team since then and Jon gets all the credit for making him the horse he is today.”
The NRCHAEastern Derby was their most memorable show of 2020.
“It was Smoke’s first time showing at an NRCHA premier event. It was an amazing experience and to walk away as Limited Open Reserve Circuit Champion was extra special.”
“He’s very feely and quick, and I like to go fast, sometimes faster than I really need to. The more I slow down, the better he gets. I have learned so much from showing him,” Hawthorne said.
The Browning’s have a small commercial cow calf operation and raise performance bred Quarter Horses in Ethel, Louisiana.
Non Pro Bridle DILLON COX / BLT SMART LITTLE REY
Dillon Cox rode BLT Smart Little Rey (ARC Little Rey x Haidas Addition x Haidas Little Pep), owned by Circle C Ranch, to the Southeastern Region Non Pro Bridle championship.
Cox, 19, works as a ranch hand on his family’s feedlot in Pleasant Plains, Arkansas. He says the most memorable experience of his 2020 season was winning the reserve championship of the prestigious NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman riding the horse he calls “Wally.”
My biggest challenge is keeping both myself and Wally focused. We both get a little excited,” Cox said, adding, “Wally is a great all-around horse. He really loves what he does, and he gives each event all he’s got.”
Intermediate Non Pro Bridle ALLYSN LIGHT / THE FRESNO FOX
Allysn Light and her 2006 gelding The Fresno Fox (Heart Of A Fox x Oaks Jewel Doll x Doc Jewel Bars) earned the title of 2020 Southeastern Region Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Champion. Light has enjoyed her partnership with The Fresno Fox for the past seven years.
“I think most everyone can agree all of 2020 was memorable considering a lot of shows were uncertain if they would be held at all,” Light said. “All of us faced an unprecedented year.”
Aside from The Fresno Fox’s outstanding ability as a performance horse, Light jokes that he also excels as “a pear eater.”
Light, of Oxford, North Carolina, is owner and vice president of Contractors Unlimited, Inc.
SOUTHEASTERNREGION
Novice Non Pro Bridle
HORACE THERIOT / LITTLE ANNIES SMART
Horace Theriot and his 2012 mare Little Annies Smart (JM Peptomania x Nikes Lil Lena x Smart Zan Lena) earned the Southeastern Region Novice Non Pro Bridle title. Theriot, a retired school bus driver from Lafayette, Louisiana, has owned Little Annies Smart since 2013.
Open Hackamore & Limited Open Hackamore JEREMY COX / HYPNOTIC HANGTEN
The 2015 gelding Hypnotic Hangten (Hang Ten Surprize x Chiquitas Valentine x Starlights Wrangler), ridden by Jeremy Cox for owner Altman Performance Horses, topped the Southeastern Region Open Hackamore standings. Lisa Altman of Altman Performance Horses, Dover, Arkansas, says the most memorable NRCHA show moment for Hypnotic Hangten can be isolated to one winning fence run.
“Having Jeremy wave off the whistle for a new cow and score a winning fence run was unforgettable,” she said. “Hypnotic’s biggest challenge has been getting him to relax on the cow. Once he learned to relax and rate, he’s a natural.”
Besides tracking and turning tough cows, Altman says Hypnotic Hangten’s intelligence and big stops help him excel.
Altman is a retired business owner who has been active in NRCHA for the past two years.
Non Pro Hackamore
DILLON COX / TIMEFORLIGHTENING
Dillon Cox added the Non Pro Hackamore title to his list of 2020 Southeastern Region accomplishments riding Circle C Ranch’s 2016 gelding TimeForLightening (One Time Pepto x SDP Gretchens Kitty x Hydrive Cat). Cox teamed up with TimeForLightening three years ago and says the highlight of 2020 for him was making the non pro finals at the NRCHA Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona.
When asked about TimeForLightening’s most special physical talent, Cox says hands down, it’s his ability to work tough cattle down the fence.
“‘Lieutenant Dan’ has always been a big fence horse,” Cox said. “He was the highest scoring non pro horse down the fence at the Snaffle Bit Futurity as a 3-year-old and has always been very consistent putting us right where we need to be. If we ever get a little behind in the herd work or reining, don’t count us out till we go down the fence.”
Open Two Rein THISCATLUVSCHICS / SANDRA K. JOHNSON
Non Pro Two Rein
DAKOTA COX / METALLIC DUAL PEP
Sixteen-year-old Dakota Cox and Metallic Dual Pep (Metallic Cat x Playgirls Miss Grace x Mister Dual Pep), owned by Circle C Ranch, teamed up to win the Southeastern Region Non Pro Two Rein. Cox, of Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, has been showing Metallic Dual Pep for just over a year.
“My most memorable show moment of 2020 was marking a 152 down the fence in the Two Rein Spectacular at the NRCHA Eastern Derby,” Cox said. “He is a beast of a fence horse!”
Cox says his biggest challenge was getting “Timber” showready for the NRCHA World Greatest Youth Horseman before moving on to experience a phenomenal season in the two rein.
Thiscatluvschics, a 2012 gelding ridden by Sandy Johnson for owner Paige Farr of Sarasota, Florida, earned the Southeastern Region Open Two Rein title. Farr has owned Thiscatluvschics (Metallic Cat x Smokum Chicy x Smart Chic Olena) for the past five years.
“Thiscatluvschics has consistently matured and improved in every event this year including herd work, fence work and reined work,” Farr said. “He also excels in steer stopping, ranch riding and ranch trail.”
While it proved a challenge to find shows that hadn’t been cancelled due to the pandemic this season, Farr says Thiscatluvschics made up for it at the shows where his quick moves and cow sense prevailed.
Youth Cow Horse ISABELLE L. GONZALEZ / SPOOKYS ROAN ROLEX
Isabelle Gonzalez and her horse Spookys Roan Rolex (One Time Pepto x San Starlight x Grays Starlight) got started as a team in April 2019 when her family purchased the 2009 gelding. On her journey to securing the Youth Cow Horse title in NRCHA’s Southeast Region, Gonzalez’ most memorable moment was marking a 74.5 down the fence after experiencing some struggles during the summer months.
“My biggest challenge this year was to get with my horse and to slow down and be patient down the fence,” Gonzalez said. “’Rolex’ is a machine down the fence, but an absolute sweetheart who will let you do anything.”
The 16-year-old high school sophomore from Lafayette, Louisiana, thanked her trainers Johnny Boudreaux and Ben Baldus for supporting her all year.
“I would also like to thank Mr. Larry Westmoreland for creating the SRCH Alliance and my parents for letting me show there.”
SOUTHEASTERNREGION
Youth Limited
KADE VINYARD / L ANEYS HICK
Kade Vinyard rode his 24-year-old gelding Laneys Hick (Docs Hickory x Laney Doc x Doc Quixote) to the top of the Southeastern Region Youth Limited standings. The Tickfaw, Louisiana, high school student has been showing Laneys Hick for the past three years.
“My greatest moment this year was securing the Regional Championship at the final show of this year,” Vinyard said.
He added that Laneys Hick’s special talent is holding tough cattle.
$5,000 Non Pro Limited
DOLORES CAIN / IMA ST YLISH BABE
Dolores Cain rode her 2013 mare Ima Stylish Babe (Mr Playinstylish x Little Bayou Babe x Smart Little Lena) to the title of $5,000 Non Pro Limited Champion in the Southeastern Region. Cain, of Somerville, Tennessee, is happy that she’s retired and able to spend more time with her horse.
“My husband Tom and I bought ‘Babe’ in 2016 as a 3-year-old,” Cain said. “I didn’t get to start showing her until 2018. We began to hit our stride together in 2019 under the guidance of Zeke Entz with our cow work and Sam Schaffauser with our reined work.”
Cain’s most memorable show moment of 2020 came during the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby where she won the $5,000 Non Pro Limited one day, and the Select Non Pro Limited circuit award.
“My biggest challenge is that I typically go to a show without either of my trainers there to coach me since they show in the NCHA and NRHA ,” Cain said. “I have to prepare my horse myself, run my pattern and work my cow without any coaching. It forces me to be a better rider. I have to think for myself, focus on correctness, stay penalty-free and read the cow.”
Cain says Babe’s special physical talent is her stop.
“She can just fold up and stop with that cow and make it look pretty every time.”
Non Pro Limited
JILL FLINT / CHAMP SUNSHINE
See Northeastern Region
$1,000 Non Pro Limited
ELIZABETH WAGUESPACK GAGNET / SMART TINSEL CHIC
Liz Gagnet, DVM, of Sunset, Louisiana, rode her 2009 mare Smart Tinsel Chic (Tinsel Nic x Smart Chic Aleena x Smart Chic Olena) to the title of Southeastern Region $1,000 Non Pro Limited Champion. Gagnet experienced a banner year in 2020, attending her first NRCHA premier event in her first year of NRCHA competition.
“Getting to show at the NRCHAEastern Derby was an incredible experience,” Gagnet said. “I’m so glad we got to do the Eastern Derby in spite of all the cancellations and changes in 2020.”
“Smart Tinsel Chic got hurt at the end of 2017 right before we were going to start showing in the NRCHA ,” Gagnet said. “I focused on showing another horse and gave “Diva” two years off. When I decided to start showing her, it was like she had never had time off and was right where we left off in training. I spent the first part of the year getting her back into shape, but she was solid all year and was happy to be back to work and showing.”
Gagnet says Smart Tinsel Chic is solid in all her maneuvers.
“She will stop big and correct every time. She loves to show and is always there when I need her to step up.”
SOUTHWEST REGION
Open
Bridle
SMOKIN SMART CAT / LYNANDERSON
The 2013 mare Smokin Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x She Smokes Smart x Senors Lil Brudder), owned by David and Barbara Archer of Clovis, California, earned the title of Open Bridle Champion in the Southwest Region.
Smokin Smart Cat’s trainer Lyn Anderson says her highlight of 2020 was winning the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Derby in June with the mare.
“She wants to please, so the biggest challenge is keeping ‘Emma’ from out-thinking me,” Anderson said.
Anderson says Smokin Smart Cat’s ability to read a cow and maintain total control are her biggest strengths.
“She is as relaxed as she can be while dominating a hard-running cow. I just try to stay out of her way,” Anderson said.
Limited Open Bridle REMEDY TO SHINE / TRESHA GELTNER
Remedy To Shine (Very Smart Remedy x Shirley Shine x Shining Spark), ridden by Tresha Geltner for Judith Adkison, earned the title of Limited Open Bridle Champion in the Southwest Region.
Non Pro Bridle CHANDLER DADDINO / MISTER PBR
Chandler Daddino, Clovis, California, and her 2013 gelding Mister PBR (Mister Smart Remedy x Shes A Daisy x Smart Little Pepinic) finished the 2020 season as Non Pro Bridle Champions in the Southwest Region.
Daddino, who works for her family’s businesses, CJ Farms and Chazmat Concrete Construction, has been partnered with Mister PBR since 2016.
“I got him as a derby horse,” she said. “My show highlight of 2020 was traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, for the NRCHA Derby and placing really well in the Non Pro Bridle.”
Daddino says “Corban” is fun to show because he is a powerhouse performer down the fence, which is also her favorite aspect of reined cow horse competition.
“Corban is so smart down the fence and is in tune with every cow we get. I can always rely on him to get to the right spot, rate his cow and make a great fence run,” she said.
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• LTE $500,037.51 • Sire of offspring earning $30 Million
• NCHA Horse of the Year • NCHA Hall of Fame Horse
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• Sire of 15 NCHA World Champions •Sire of 10 AQHA World Champions
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• NRCHA Million Dollar Sire
• Sire of the All-Time NCHA Arena Record Holder for Highest Score in the Will Rogers Coliseum
• Sire of the Highest Selling Cutting Horse Gelding ever sold at public auction
• A #1 Sire of money earners at the NCHA Futurity
SOUTHWEST REGION continued
Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Champion
CHRISTA D. HAMPTON / SMART TIME TUCKER
Christa Hampton and her 2008 gelding, Smart Time Tucker (Somebody Smart x Smoke Time Tuck x Doc Tom Tucker), have a been a team for the past three and a half years. She considers Smart Time Tucker’s winning attributes to be his speed and intensity about a cow.
“He really shines when he gets to go wide open,” she said.
Those traits proved useful when Hampton and “Willy” teamed up to win the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Bridle class at the NRCHA Derby, which Hampton says “was the coolest experience ever.”
Hampton, 42, hails from Scottsdale, Arizona, where she is owner and designer at San Juan Homes. She is also a mother of two. Hampton jokes that her biggest challenge of the 2020 show season was, “making sure my chaps will still fit after COVID lockdowns.”
Novice Non Pro Bridle
RUTH NORING / MISTER OLENA CHIC
California, and her
Dual Pep x April Olena x Smart Chic Olena) have been a team for the past three years.
Noring says her most memorable NRCHA show experience of 2020 was also a teachable moment.
“I finished my right turn and went directly into circling the cow, skipping my left turn and not realizing until afterward that I had incurred a 5-point penalty,” she said.
Noring, who works in the small business she owns with her husband, says perfecting her timing in the fence work was a challenge she worked hard to conquer in 2020. Mister Olena Chic’s ability to execute difficult maneuvers is a special talent that has helped her achieve her goals.
Open Hackamore RJ PIANO MAN / JESUS “CHUY” ROMAN
Limited Open Hackamore HEART SHAPED BOX / WILSON McCRAY
Ruth Noring, of Laguna Beach,
2010 stallion Mister Olena Chic (Mister
RJ Piano Man (Half Time Report x Petite Olena x Smart Little Lena), ridden by Jesus Roman for owner Rocking J Ranch, Inc., earned the Southwest Region Open Hackamore title.
Non Pro Hackamore
SARAH J. BRADLEY / RRREY TO ST YLISH
Sarah J. Bradley and her 2016 mare RR Rey To Stylish (Stylish Rey Gay x Miss Reys Hickory x Dual Rey) are the Southwest Region’s Non Pro Hackamore champions.
Bradley, of Ramona, California, works as Director Space Planning for Petco. She has owned RR Rey To Stylish for the past two years and ventured into NRCHA competition at the start of 2020. Bradley’s most memorable show moment of 2020 occurred during the NRCHA Stallion Stakes.
“Winning the Non Pro Hackamore championship at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes this year was by far the most memorable. It was my first win at a major event,” she said.
Bradley’s most challenging moment was missing the NRCHA Derby.
“Early in the year I had to bring my horse home for a few months, which put us a little behind,” she said. “We missed the NRCHA Derby, which was disappointing, but the little break ended up working out for us. She came back strong once we started showing again in July.”
Bradley credits RR Rey To Stylish for being “very smart on a cow and gritty down the fence.”
The 2016 mare Heart Shaped Box (Smart Boons x Rica Olena x CD Olena), owned by Aileen McCray and ridden by Wilson McCray, took top honors in the Southwest Region Limited Open Hackamore home to Scottsdale, Arizona. The McCray’s have owned Heart Shaped Box since she was a yearling and say the attribute that benefits her most in reined cow horse competition is her dynamic stop.
Open Two Rein SHINING CD LIGHT / COREY CUSHING
Shining CD Light (CD Lights x Jennys Spark x Shining Spark), ridden by Corey Cushing for Ophir Creek Stables, LLC, earned the Southwest Region Open Two Rein title.
Their most memorable NRCHA show moment of 2020 was winning the Limited Open Hackamore at the Snaffle Bit Futurity. Wilson says his biggest challenge of the show season was “trying to keep the owner off the horse, but what’s the classic saying, ‘happy wife, happy life.’”
Aileen works as an office administrator for Oklahoma Equine Hospital and Wilson is assistant trainer at Corey Cushing Performance Horses.
Non Pro Two Rein
LISA FONDEN / RJ WHERES MY SOCK
Lisa Fonden rode her horse RJ Wheres My Sock (Half Time Report x Petite Olena x Smart Little Lena) to the Southwest Region Non Pro Two Rein title.
SOUTHWEST REGION
Youth
Cow Horse
CATELYN WALKER / PL AYIN MOTOWN
Catelyn Walker rode her 2013 gelding Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) to the Southwest Region Youth Cow Horse championship.
Youth Limited
CALEB CUSHING / GOOD TIME
Caleb Cushing rode Corey and Kristen Cushing’s 2011 gelding Good Time (One Time Pepto x Dual Nurse x Dual Pep ) to the Southwest Region Youth Limited championship.
Non Pro Limited & $5,000 Non Pro Limited HEATHER VATCHER / SIPPINBOONS FARM
Heather Vatcher and her 2012 gelding Sippin Boons Farm (Smart Boons x Peppy Nicolena x Nic It In The Bud) have been paired up since February 2019.
“We had a great show year in 2020 all the way around, however, our most memorable moment was the NRCHA Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas when we won our first bronze in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited,” Vatcher said.
Vatcher says the wins she experiences with “Ricky Bobby” are particularly rewarding since it was a big challenge for them to mesh as a team.
“He was an open horse and I just started with reined cow horses two and a half years ago. He has been so great at teaching me. He is extremely athletic and talented. He knows his job and wants to do his best every time we compete,” she said.
Vatcher, of Rio Verde, Arizona, owns a special event company with her husband called Cre8ive Event Rentals.
$1,000 Non Pro Limited AMY DIENER / MJG GOTTA DRY GUN
Amy Diener and her 2008 gelding MJG Gotta Dry Gun (Dun It Gotta Gun x Dock And Dry x Dry Doc) topped the Southwest Region $1,000 Non Pro Limited standings.
O UTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT
The NRCHA Merit Award Program recognizes outstanding equine performers at all competition levels.
By definition, merit is “the quality of being particularly good or worthy, especially so as to deserve praise or reward.” The National Reined Cow Horse Merit Award Program recognizes those equines that have performed at a consistent level of excellence in the reined cow horse discipline. Using their show record, which encompasses an entire career rather than single major event titles, as criteria enables the horse to earn distinction by winning smaller checks at regional and national competition across the country. The NRCHA Merit Award Program is a testament to the longevity of those stalwart athletes whose owners and/or trainers can depend on them to bring home a win.
With more than $144,000 in earnings, trainer Zane Davis and Bet Hes Black rode to a Supreme Reined Cow Horse award.
CERTIFICATE OF ABILITY
The Certificate of Ability is the first award for which a money-earning reined cow horse can qualify. A horse will be certified after winning a total of $500 in any NRCHA class or combination of classes. It is the intention of the NRCHA that the Certificate of Ability be available to a large number of horses that demonstrate proficiency in cow horse competition. Earnings from Category 2 Special Events are not counted toward this award.
CERTIFICATE OF ABILITY 2020
AddaTuddy Merada Nic / owned by Tracy L. Thede
All Star Smart Doc / owned by Heidi G.Olson
Bet Hes Black / owned by C Ranches Inc.
Boxo Heavens Blue / owned by Jecca R. Ostrander
Boxo Valentines Cat / owned by BOXO Quarter Horses
Cadescat / owned by Lisa M. Nelson
Cash Master T / owned by Scott and Darnell Trueblood
CatsLittleSweetheart / owned by Peggy A. Cummings
Chexn Out The Ladys / owned by Corey J. Bender
Docs Painted Colonel / owned by Peggy A. Cummings
Docs Prescription Hi / owned by Collin Stochmanski
Given Ya Goosebumps / owned by Paris M. Starn
Guitar Town / owned by Heather Tiel-Nelson
GunnaCeeDiamonds / owned by Scott and Darnell Trueblood
High Stressin Cat / owned by Clinton J. Marshall
Its Time To Smokum / owned by Dominic L. Conicelli Estate
Jojo Tari / owned by Lavert Avent
LooksLikeLuckToMe / owned by Timothy and Katherine Miller
Metallic Mollie / owned by Robert P. O Callaghan
Metallic Pearl / owned by Mike or Kelly Warner
Metallic Wizard / owned by Stan Rowlan
Oak Ill Be / owned by San Juan Ranch
Old School Smarts / owned by Thomas & Suzanne Gowan
Opus Cat Olena / owned by BOXO Quarter Horses
Paddysstarlightchic / owned by Jeffrey or Lynne Heyer
Pure Latigo / owned by Robyn & Jonathan Morrison
RL Styling Rey / owned by Gary W or Tracy L Thede
Santiago Time / owned by Clinton J. Marshall
SBF Smart Lil Boon / owned by David and Rebecca King
Shiners Darby / owned by Chris Cox
Shiners Rojo / owned by Amanda Dingley
Shiney Nickel / owned by Gianna S. Hansen
Sinfully Smart Cat / owned by Karen B. Olson
SJR Diamond Rey / owned by San Juan Ranch
SJR Smart Dancer / owned by Rebecca Sternadel
SJR Smooth Caddy / owned by Stan Rowlan
SJR Smooth Lil Oak / owned by Janie Dvorak-Compton
SJR Smooth Rio / owned by San Juan Ranch
SJR Stylish Marilyn / owned by San Juan Ranch
Smart N Tuckered Out / owned by Sharon L Michelucci
Stylish N Stars / owned by Michael T. Garrett
Sweethearts Legacy / owned by Peggy A. Cummings
Twice Freckle / owned by Patsie Degges-Jones
SUPERIOR COW HORSE
A horse that has earned $10,000 in any NRCHA class or combination of classes or events may receive the Superior Cow Horse award. All earnings from reined cow horse snaffle bit events can be added to the hackamore and bridle winnings to total $10,000 in order to receive this award. The NRCHA believes that any horse that wins $10,000 in a single class or combination of classes and events is certainly considered a Superior Cow Horse and should be recognized. Earnings from Non Pro Limited, $5,000 Non Pro Limited, $1,000 Non Pro Limited, Youth Limited and Category 2 Special Events are not counted toward this award.
SUPERIOR REINED COW HORSES OF 2020
AddaTuddy Merada Nic / owned by Tracy L. Thede
All Star Smart Doc / owned by Heidi G.Olson
Bet Hes Black / owned by C Ranches Inc.
Boxo Heavens Blue / owned by Jecca R. Ostrander
Boxo Valentines Cat / owned by BOXO Quarter Horses
Cadescat / owned by Lisa M. Nelson
Cash Master T / owned by Scott and Darnell Trueblood
Chexn Out The Ladys / owned by Corey J. Bender
Given Ya Goosebumps / owned by Paris M. Starn
Guitar Town / owned by Heather Tiel-Nelson
High Stressin Cat / owned by Clinton J. Marshall
Its Time To Smokum / owned by Dominic L. Conicelli Estate
Jojo Tari / owned by Lavert Avent
LooksLikeLuckToMe / owned by Timothy and Katherine Miller
Metallic Wizard / owned by Stan Rowlan
Oak Ill Be / owned by San Juan Ranch
Opus Cat Olena / owned by BOXO Quarter Horses
Paddysstarlightchic / owned by Jeffrey or Lynne Heyer
Pure Latigo / owned by Robyn & Jonathan Morrison
RL Styling Rey / owned by Gary W or Tracy L Thede
Santiago Time / owned by Clinton J. Marshall
Shiners Rojo / owned by Amanda Dingley
Shiney Nickel / owned by Gianna S. Hansen
Sinfully Smart Cat / owned by Karen B. Olson
SJR Diamond Rey / owned by San Juan Ranch
SJR Smart Dancer / owned by Rebecca Sternadel
SJR Smooth Caddy / owned by Stan Rowlan
SJR Smooth Rio / owned by San Juan Ranch
SJR Stylish Marilyn / owned by San Juan Ranch
Smart N Tuckered Out / owned by Sharon L Michelucci
Stylish N Stars / owned by Michael T. Garrett
Sweethearts Legacy / owned by Peggy A. Cummings
AddaTuddy Merada Nic, owned by Tracy Thede, achieved a Certificate of Ability and also a Superior Reined Cow Horse award in 2020.
NON PRO LIMITED ACHIEVEMENT OF 2020
NON PRO LIMITED ACHIEVEMENT
The Non Pro Limited Achievement award was first presented by the NRCHA Board in 2019. It recognized the value Non Pro Limited horses and riders contribute to the Association, and in return, added a new award to the long-standing program. Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited riders meeting criteria can receive the Non Pro Limited Achievement Award, a new level specifically designed for horses that excel in the Limited or “boxing” classes. To qualify, the horse must have earned a minimum $15,000 with a minimum of $1,000 in Limited Aged Events, such as Derbies or Futurities. This money can be earned in either fence class or boxing classes. A minimum of $10,000 must be earned in Horse Show Category 1 Limited or “boxing” classes, including monies earned in the Select and 13 and Under divisions. Monies earned in Category 2 classes will not count towards the award.
SUPREME REINED COW HORSE
The Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award is reserved for the unique individual that has shown and won money in all divisions and garnered a total of $25,000 in earnings. A horse must meet the following criteria:
a. The horse must have been shown in approved Limited Age Events (LAE) and earned at least $1,000 in these events. The horse must have been shown in the hackamore and have earned at least $1,000 in this event. Money earned at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic limited age event may count toward either LAE money or hackamore money, so long as it is counted only once. Up to $20,000 of
any monies won at these two types of events can be applied to the total earnings required.
b. The horse must win a total of $25,000. After considering the totals earned from Limited Age Events and the hackamore, with the limitations previously stated, the remaining balance must be won in the bridle division.
c. Money earned in the Non Pro Limited, $5,000 Non Pro Limited, $1,000 Non Pro Limited and Youth Limited classes does not count toward the Supreme Reined Cow Horse Award.
d. To fulfill the hackamore requirement, earnings must come from NRCHA Horse Show Hackamore classes or
David Beckett and Cuttin Wright Up earned a Non Pro Limited Achievement award in 2020, the second year the association presented the accolades to Non Pro Limited riders.
(Playin Stylish - Tari Chick Gay, by Doc Tari)
Hackamore Classic LAE money can count toward either LAE money or hackamore money, so long as it is counted only once.
e. Money earned in the two-rein class will count as bridle earnings for the merit award program.
f. Foals of 2000 and prior will be grandfathered into this program and are not required to have won the $1,000 in Limited Age Events and hackamore, but still must win a total of $25,000.
As of January 1, 2002, earnings which count toward the Merit Awards are all NRCHA Approved horse shows, LAE and Category 1 Special Events.
Merit Award applications are available on the NRCHA web site: nrcha.com/ nrcha-merit-awards-program/.
THE SUPREME REINED COW HORSES OF 2020
Bet Hes Black/2014 Stallion
(Bet Hesa Cat X Soula Jule Forever X Soula Jule Star)
Earnings: $144,727.80
Owner(s): C Ranches Inc.
Rider(s): Zane Davis
High Stressin Cat/2013 Stallion
(WR This Cats Smart X Playguns Melody X Playgun)
Earnings: $121,612.45
Owner(s): Clinton J. Marshall
Rider(s): Todd Bergen, Nick Dowers
Opus Cat Olena/2014 Stallion
(WR This Cats Smart X Opus Chic X Smart Chic Olena)
Earnings: $116,782.32
Owner(s): BOXO Quarter Horses
Rider(s): Clay Volmer, Matt Koch
Chexn Out The Ladys/2010 Gelding
(Im Countin Checks X No Lady Wood X Zack T Wood)
Earnings: $64,101.34
Owner(s): Corey J. Bender
Rider(s): Parke S. Greeson, Brad L. Lund, Corey J. Bender
Sinfully Smart Cat/2013 Stallion
(WR This Cats Smart X Sinful Style X Docs Stylish Oak)
Earnings: $55,369.67
Owner(s): Karen B. Olson
Rider(s): John Branger, Wade Reaney
LooksLikeLuckToMe/2013 Mare
(Smart Boons X Dual Lookin Pep X Dual Pep )
Earnings: $51,673.29
Owner(s): Timothy and Katherine Miller
Rider(s): Les Oswald, Todd Crawford, Lannie-Jo Lisac
Santiago Time/2014 Stallion
(One Time Pepto X Reymanising X Dual Rey)
Earnings: $48,156.67
Owner(s): Clinton J. Marshall
Rider(s): Nick Dowers
Stylish N Stars/2012 Stallion
(Stylish Rey Gay X RS Stars N Boonlight X Boonlight Dancer)
Earnings: $34,233.06
Owner(s): Michael T. Garrett
Rider(s): Jim Spence, Terrell Garrett
Its Time To Smokum/2013 Stallion
(One Time Pepto X Smokum Chicy X Smart Chic Olena)
Earnings: $34,894.32
Owner(s): Dominic L. Conicelli Estate
Rider(s): Mark Sigler
Reyzinette/2014 Gelding
(Dual Rey X Sheza Shinette X Shining Spark)
Earnings: $30,661.70
Owner(s): Holy Cow Perf. Horses TX LLC
Rider(s): Phillip Ralls, Philip Rivas, Chris Dawson
Sweethearts Legacy/2014 Gelding
(Cats Moonshine X A Docs Sweetheart X A Docs Special)
Earnings: $27,609.82
Owner(s): Peggy A. Cummings
Rider(s): EJ Laubscher
SJR Smart Dancer/2013 Gelding
(WR This Cats Smart X Like A Sundance X Like A Diamond)
Earnings: $27,541.56
Owner(s): Rebecca Sternadel
Rider(s): Rebecca Sternadel
Given Ya Goosebumps/2010 Stallion
(Starlight Captain X Missy Dual Master X Dual Peppy)
Earnings: $26,508.36
Owner(s): Paris M. Starn
Rider(s): Brandon Staebler, Bruce Pinkerton, Michael Helsen, Jake Pancost, Paris Starn
Shiners Rojo/2005 Stallion
(Shining Spark X Little Lena Lady X Smart Little Lena)
Earnings: $25,423.80
Owner(s): Amanda Dingley
Rider(s): Boyd Rice, Jay McLaughlin, Bob Avila, Jessica Steffien, Ken Wold
Jojo Tari/2009 Mare
(Little Polo Joe X Tari Acre X Bob Acre Doc)
Earnings: $25,272.19
Owner(s): Lavert Avent
Rider(s): Lavert Avent, Maisen Avent
Smart N Tuckered Out/2011 Mare
(One Smart Response X Shes Tuckered Out X RC Command)
Earnings: $25,211.85
Owner(s): Sharon Michelucci
Rider(s): Jerry Beukelman, Mallory Holland Valdez
///// HOW TO APPLY
To apply for the Merit Award Program, complete the application and submit a one-time application fee of $50.00 to the NRCHA Office by November 15 of the award year. All applicants are eligible for all levels of the Merit Award Program upon completion of each requirement. The NRCHA office calculates the applied horse’s show records and automatically processes the awards when each level is achieved.
Will Rogers Memorial Center
3401 W. Lancaster Avenue Fort Worth, Texas 76107
TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 9
8 AM Coliseum LAE Herd Work: Non Pro Limited
LAE Herd Work: Non Pro / Amt Divisions
WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 10
8 AM Coliseum LAE Herd Work: All Open Divisions (Day 1)
8 AM John Justin Arena Finals: Youth Limited Finals: Youth Cow Horse Finals: Limited Open Hackamore Finals: Open Bridle 1 PMJustin Sale Arena General Membership Meeting 3 PMJustin Sale Arena Youth Meeting
7:30 PMRound Up Inn Year End Awards Banquet++
SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 20
8 AM Coliseum Special: NHSRA Reined Cow Horse Challenge
1 PM Justin Justin Arena MARS Equestrian™ World’s Greatest Youth HorsemanHerd Work
DT Horses / Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman Finals: Herd Work
5 PM Coliseum
8:30 AM Coliseum
Preliminaries: Non Pro Bridle**
Preliminaries: Non Pro Hackamore
** Select classes are offered and run concurrent with only one corresponding preliminary based on exhibitor choice.
DT Horses / Hashtags World’s Greatest Horseman Finals: Rein Work / Steer Stopping / Cow Work
++ Gatherings are tentative pending CDC guidleines and COVID-19 status.
Compiled by KATE BRADLEY BYARS
The historic Fort Worth, Texas, Stockyards are well documented. Even visitors who haven’t set foot on the iconic brickyard roads can list off a few iconic sites like Billy Bob’s Texas, Finchers Western Wear and the Coliseum that still holds rodeos. Now, though, a redesigned Mule Alley, and new retail and dining tenants welcome folks in to the revitalized, spiffed up and lively Stockyards.
Among the new attractions is the Hotel Drover, an Autograph CollectionMarriott hotel, which opens in 2021 with a rustic-luxe design that offers Texasstyle ambiance blended with craft cocktails, fire pits and a music stage.
Others include restaurants to tickle the taste buds of the young and old, like the iconic H3 Steakhouse and the new Biscuit Bar. Throwback eatery Horseshoe Hill Cafe makes way for the new Provender Hall in Mule Alley to bring a new twist on old favorites.
The Stockyards aren’t exactly what longtime visitors remember; they’re better. Look at the new offerings, mixed with classic favorites, and make plans for your visit to Fort Worth for the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions in February.
Brighter lights are not the only thing drawing visitors back to the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards.
AUSTIN JAMES
TICKLE THE TASTE BUDS
The Stockyards offers up a wide variety of eating establishments for the young and old. In a hurry? Don’t worry you can nab a Shake Shack burger to go or swing by Chef Tim Love’s Love Shack for an out-of-this-world hot dog on the fly. Sit down at one of the barbecue joints or steakhouses, like Riscky’s Steakhouse, for a full sit-down meal. Now, from the far western corner to the eastern edge of the cattle pens, choosing where to grab a bite to eat may be the hardest decision you make!
Try a bite at these new spots:
1. BISCUIT BAR
In Mule Alley, the Biscuit Bar serves fast casual food with Southern flair. Order the family a biscuit sandwich and cold brew coffee in the morning or grab some tots and a craft cocktail late at night, it is all available here!
Thebiscuit.bar; 128 E. Exchange #640
2.
PROVENDER HALL
An upscale-casual American grill and smokehouse, Provender Hall offers tried-and-true burgers, barbecue with unique dishes like smoked trout dip and gumbo at this sit-down eatery. Provenderhall.com; 112 E. Exchange Avenue
3. THE RAILCAR
In 2020, The Railcar opened its doors to provide Stockyards visitors with coffee, spirits and tidbits. Partnering with Texas Cattle Dog Rescue, part of The Railcar’s proceeds help our furry friends. Therailcar.com; 112 W. Exchange Avenue
4. TRAILBOSS BURGERS
From the Risky’s Steakhouse group comes a new burger “joint” that provides visitors with a good burger— even buffalo burgers—and a great view of the Fort Worth Herd making the cattle drive. Risckys.com/trailbossburgers; 140 E. Exchange Avenue
5. Coming
soon: SECOND RODEO BREWING COMPANY
A backyard bar with chef-made food, the soon-to-open (as of December) Second Rodeo Brewing Company will have live music and outdoor games as side items to its brewed-in-house beer and food pairings. 112 E. Exchange Avenue
One of many new places to eat and drink in the spruced-up Mule Alley, the Biscuit Bar is open early and late.
Above photos: Mule Alley lights up at night when shoppers can pop in at stores like the pop-up Kimes Ranch, the King Ranch Store and the APHA’s headquarter store, the Paint Horse Barn. Up and down Exchange Avenue, buyers can take their pick of Western wear, jewelry, knife and tack stops to shop.
SHOP SAVVY
Give these shops a look:
1. PH BARN DOOR
The official American Paint Horse Association headquarters moved to the Stockyards in late 2019, making way for its store, PH Barn Door, to provide shoppers with household goods, horse-themed items and Western attire. Phbarndoor.com; 122 E. Exchange #420
2. KING RANCH
The King Ranch opened its third physical location, outside of Kingsville, Texas, in the redesigned Mule Alley. Now, obtaining the running-Wbranded goods is easier than ever, whether you’re looking for a gun sling, a jacket or something more refined. krsaddleshop.com; 128 E. Exchange #530
3. WRANGLER
No one does Western like Wrangler, and now the longstanding brand has a storefront in the Stockyards to sell classic styles and new designs. It’s one of three Wrangler retail stores in the country! Wrangler.com; 121 E. Exchange Avenue
STAY IN ST YLE
In addition to the current hotels located in the Stockyards—the Hyatt Place and Courtyard by Marriott—overnight visitors have a brand new option for booking, the Hotel Drover. A Marriott property, the Hotel Drover blends Texas style with luxury accommodations, making a true destination location close to the historic landmark.
Named to honor the cattle drovers that helped shape the Stockyards’ National Historic District, the hotel is scheduled to open in early 2021. It features 12,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as 200 rooms. From whiskey tastings to s’mores kits available to use over the hotel’s fire pits, the hotel is pulling out all the stops.
“Hotel Drover pays homage to the Stockyards’ National Historic District in Fort Worth and harnesses the true spirit of the drover to create a new legacy for the Stockyards,” said General Manager Kristin Assad. “Hotel Drover is so much more than just a place to rest your head at the end of the day. We are building a place where simple pleasures and one-of-a-kind experiences blend effortlessly to become special memories.”
The hotel anchors Mule Alley, even providing rooms that have balconies looking over the alley and down on Marine Creek. The pool, music stage, outdoor games and even bunkhouse-style rooms are a welcome respite after a long day of horse showing.
For more information on Fort Worth, check out visitfortworth.com.
A rustic-luxe blend, the Hotel Drover opens its doors in 2021 to welcome Stockyards visitors to its uniquely designed hotel that mixes outdoor living and Texas style.
HOUSES DIVIDED
For years, the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman has seen family members battle it out for the coveted title.
By Kate Bradley Byars
While the MARS Equestrian™ World’s Greatest Youth Horseman has allowed a good number of children of National Reined Cow Horse Association professionals to compete in the same four-event challenge as their parents, the tradition of family rivalries in the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman, presented by DT Horses / Hashtags, goes back much farther.
In fact, of the 199 contestants to enter the event since its inception in 1999, there are 35 entries that are related in some way shape or form. Father and son trainers Bob Avila and B.J. Avila, and brothers Randy and Jimmie Paul, haven’t competed against each other in the same year, but they’ve entered the event multiple times.
Father-son pair Jay and Cutter McLaughlin both competed in the World’s Greatest Horseman before there was a Youth division for Cutter to enter. In 2017, the now 17-year-old youth earned the money for his entry to the prestigious event. He and gelding CD Dee Vee Dee had a cheering section but none louder than his father.
“The only way [Cutter] can show in Non Pro or Open is if he provides his own entry fee; I pay for all the Youth. He worked
and got the money for it,” Jay recalled. “I actually thought he was going to make the finals—he marked higher than me down the fence—but he missed his steer in the steer stopping. It would be easier if I could show for him so I wouldn’t have to go through the anguish! If he wins, I win. He breathes it, sleeps it, eats it and drinks it, he loves horse showing.”
Two pairs of spouses have gone head-to-head in the event: Ron and Patty Ralls in 2007, and Kelby and Abbie Phillips in both 2018 and 2019.
For Abbie, the practice leading up to the event was fun, but the competitive nature of she and her husband was very real.
“It was on my bucket list—I love roping, it was four events and on my bucket list,” Abbie said. “We practiced together every day. There’s a lot of competitiveness between us but we are always rooting for each other, too. It never got mean but we definitely got very competitive about coming for each other. It was a lot of fun!”
Now, with the inclusion of the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman event, several professionals and their children both sport the telltale back number of an entrant. Take a look at these statistics, and see what family members or spouses you can spot competing against each other in the 2021 event.
In 2017, Cutter McLaughlin entered the event aboard his trusted gelding, and his father, Jay, was not only his coach, but also his competition.
On Bed Head Cat, Abbie Phillips not only made the World’s Greatest Horseman finals, she gave all the professionals a run for their money, including her husband, Kelby.
In 2020, John Swales and Metallic Cat Rose won the title, besting a field of entries that included Swales’ siblings, Veronica and Clint.
PAST WORLD’S GREATEST HORSEMAN CHAMPIONS
In oducing the
HORNS
The Texas Dally horn is roper-friendly and tall enough to go down the fence or cut on. Or choose from our #21, DL or Cutter OD horns.
Front end height
Choose the height of your front end: 8”, 8 1/2” or 9” tall.
NEXT-GEN COWHORSE
Newly designed close-contact skirts combine with a 2 3/4” cantle and a Texas Dally horn for our newest generation of cowhorse saddle.
seat savvy
start with THE FOUNDATION
Our di erent bar styles give us the ability to fit a wide range of horses.
fender design
Though we have multiple fender designs, we often use the Ft. Worth (pictured), KR or Avila. Make sure you have the correct fender length for optimal leg position.
Choice of seat style—Texas Cutter, DL or California—and seat padding including slick seat or single padded.
Cantle height
Choose between a 2 3/4” (pictured), 3”, 3 1/4” or 3 1/2” cantle height.
B20-294
skirt & cut-up
Our new Weatherford skirt pattern features a large, close-contact cut-up.
BREEDER DIRECTORY NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION
Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch of Tucson, Arizona, was founded by the Rogers family in 2005, starting out with just two personal horses. Since then, Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch has grown into a full service facility, breeding and showing some of the best Quarter Horses the industry has to offer.
Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch also maintains an rganic Alfalfa operation and they raise ertified Organic Black Angus Beef. Learn more about them on the web at www.RogersHSR.com.
Manion Ranch and Smooth As A Cat are proud to team up with the NRCHA. Already producing NRCHA offspring earnings in e cess of illion dollars (as of 01/01/20) and named an NRCHA elite sire is only the tipping point of what is yet to transpire for this stallion who has NCHA lifetime earnings in excess of $500,000. He was an NCHA Horse Of The Year, is an NCHA Hall of Fame Horse; he also won multiple NCHA ha pionships and was a inalist ti es ooth As A Cat is the only Horse Of The Year to sire two NCHA Open Horses Of the Year.
Smooth As A Cat has been ranked 4th or higher of NCHA leading sires for 9 consecutive years. Smooth As A Cat’s offspring have won in excess of $28.8 million dollars and he has sired champions and money earners out of mares by 40 + plus different bloodlines and the list of accomplishments goes on. Smooth As A Cat stands at Weatherford Equine Breeding Center.
Western Bloodstock is the trusted name in performance horse sales, and is proud to produce and manage this year s ational eined ow orse Association naf e Bit Futurity Sales®! Visit them on the web at www. WesternBloodstock.net.
Metallic Cat (High Brow Cat x Chers Shadow x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Rocking P Ranch, is a $40 Million Dollar Sire. “Denver” was also crowned National Cutting Horse Association Open Horse of the Year, 2016
A resh an ire of the ear the A Sire of the Year, and NRCHA Leading Sire from 2017 e is the second highest oney earning stallion in the history of the NCHA. His latest milestone is becoming an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire, with more than illion in cow horse offspring earnings or ore information on Metallic Cat, visit metalliccat.com.
uffalo anch here the lite Are ound For nearly 50 years, SDP Buffalo Ranch has paved a path of success in the horse industry. We know what it takes to be successful in breeding and performance at the highest levels. SDP Buffalo Ranch is all about the people. They are really in the people business, horses are just the product. SDP Buffalo Ranch are committed to excellence in stallion service, horsemanship and customer relations. Your success is their success! We offer full service Equine Reproductive services. See their stallion line up at http://www.SDPBuffaloRanch.com
BadBoonaRising, owned Plantation Farms LLC, is sired by Million Dollar Sire nce n A lu oon and out of Show i itty by igh row at n ad oona ising captured the National Cutting Horse Association Open Futurity reserve championship title, under the guidance of Adan Banuelos. The 2015 stallion has gone on to beco e a ultiple ti e finalist and daho A pen erby ha pion earning ore than BadBoonaRising stands to the public at Brazos Valley Stallion Station, in Stephenville, Texas. For more information, visit badboonarising.com and follow him on Facebook.
Here Comes The oon nce n A lue Boon X Stay Outta My Shorts, by Shorty Lena) is a bay roan stallion owned by oc ing anch n 2019, Here Comes The Boon captured the coveted title of A naf e it uturity pen nter ediate Open Champion, under the guidance of Lance Johnston. That same year this duo also topped the leader board and clai ed the A re uturity pen nter ediate pen ha pionship ow with earnings over $229,000, this 4 year old is just coming into his stride ere o es he oon stands at acific rest Equine, Exeter, California. For more information, visit herecomestheboon.com, follow him on Facebook or call rent teward at
Brother Jackson (Peptoboonsmal x hes cing nthe at x High Brow Cat) is a 2009 AQHA Sorrel Stallion with multiple titles to his credit including 2017 CD Memorial Bridle Spectacular Champion. Dan Perez owns the stallion that has earnings of more than $140,000, he also has more than 100 AQHA points. He is trained and shown by Ken Wold and stands at Wolds’ Training Stables & Stallion Services in Wilton, California.
Holy Cow Performance Horses LLC, with locations in Santa Ynez, California, and Weatherford, Texas, has become a leading breeder and owner of reined cow horses, reining horses, and cutting horses. Breeding, raising and showing quality performance Quarter orses is a passion at oly ow dedicated to raising quality performers that are world class in their respective fields oly ow is ho e to so e of the finest brood ares in the industry including top reined cow horse producer Sheza Shinette. Their sponsorship and support of the NRCHA includes the $25,000 added to the Open Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes, $25,000 added to the CD Survivor Memorial Open Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Derby and $25,000 added to the Open Bridle class at the NRCHA naf e it uturity
Learn more about Holy Cow Performance Horses at www.HolyCowPerformanceHorses.com.
Hickory Holly Time is a 2010 red roan stallion sired by One Time Pepto and out of Hickorys Holly Cee owned by DT Horses with LTE well over $225,000. His achievements span all the NRCHA disciplines naf e it A nter ediate Open Futurity Champion, 2014 NRCHA Open Derby Champion, Hackamore – 2015 NRCHA Open Hackamore Champion and now Bridle, 2018 World’s Greatest Horseman Champion. He is tested as 5 Panel N/N and is currently standing at Oswood Stallion Station. Visit him on the web at http://oswoodstallionstation.com/ hickoryhollytime, or on Facebook HickoryHollyTime or at www.dthorses.com/stallions.
The skill and experience of Jeremy Barwick, Dr. Charlie Buchanan and staff make Brazos Valley Stallion Station in Stephenville, Texas, unique among breeding and performance horse establishments, and a vital center for horse owners, competitors and breeders. Find them on the web at http://www.brazosvalleystallionstation.com
Time For The Diamond (One Time Pepto x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish), owned by Triple D Ranches, is the A naf e it uturity ha pion Trained and shown by NRCHA Professional Nick Dowers, Time For The Diamond has career earnings of nearly $150,000. Time For The Diamond stands at Oswood Stallion Station in Weatherford, Texas. For more information, visit www.NickDowers.com.
tevie ey on etallic at iss lla ey ual ey owned by ults anch L has in lifeti e earnings. This sire’s outstanding pedigree matches his moves in the show pen. At the 2018 NCHA Super Stakes, “Stevie” set an arena record-breaking score of 231 to win the class; along with many other championship titles, including the 2015 NCHA Open Futurity. Stevie’s first foal crop arrived in and they are definitely looking the part. For more information on Stevie follow him on Facebook or visit steviereyvon.com.
ey in he ash ual ey Spookys Cash x Miss N Cash), owned by ron ose anch won six open championship titles throughout his show career. The most impressive wins were earning back-toback championship crowns at the 2015 and 2016 National utting orse Association erby ey in he ash is a ultiple ti e li ited aged event finalist bringing his lifetime earnings to $278,766. The 2011 sorrel stallion s first li ited foal crop will hit the show pen in the fall of 2020. They all have promising futures, carrying the positive traits of their sire.
Bet He Sparks (Bet Hesa Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark) is a 2014 stallion owned by Kathryn & Layn hillips is any titles include A pen Derby Champion and 2019 Open Hackamore Classic Champion. Trained and shown by Clayton Edsall, Bet He par s has earned ore than in the A and NCHA. “Sparky” is versatile and talented in and out of the show pen e will be standing at anch in 2021. He is genetic tested as 5 Panel N/N. For more information, follow Bet He Sparks on Facebook.
oll oyce has captured the horse industry’s attention in the show pen like no other, with the captivating and charismatic way he moves through the pen oyce has ultiple championship titles to his name, including back-to-back wins in the big pen at Fort Worth.
The 2014 sorrel stallion by Dual art ey and out of how i itty by High Brow Cat, is now starting his transition from the show pen to the breeding barn after earning oyce s first foal crop has now hit the ground, showing the same quality he possessed as a weanling. For more information on this amazing stallion go to beaugalyean.com/rollz-royce and follow him on Facebook.
Kit Kat Sugar (High Brow Cat x Sugar N Dulce x Smart Lil icochet has lifeti e earnings of $240,903. He earned six limited aged event championships and was named the 2012 National Cutting Horse Association Horse of the Year as a 4-yearold. “Skeet” has passed on his athleticism, style and character to his offspring, who have already amassed more than $1.8 million in the cutting and cow horse arenas.
“Skeet” is owned by Barbara Allsup and stands at Brazos Valley Stallion Station in Stephenville, Texas. For more information on Kit Kat Sugar, follow him on Facebook or visit www.weatherfordequine.com.
etallic ebel etallic Cat x Sweet Abra x Abrakadabracre) is owned by Tom and Lisa Guinn, and trained by NCHA Multi-Million ollar ider eau alyean ebel s accomplishments include 2017 NCHA Open Horse of the Year, NCHA World Champion stallion, 13 aged event championships, three reserve championship titles and is a 33-time event finalist accu ulating over in lifeti e earnings. As he transitions from the show pen to the breeding barn this sire s first offspring arriving in are displaying not only his tremendous character, but also his incredible confir ation or ore infor ation visit metallicrebel.com and follow him on Facebook.
Smooth Talkin Style (Smooth As A Cat x Stylish Play Lena x Docs Stylish Oak),
owned by Holmes and Hill, was a force to be reckoned with in the show pen, claiming numerous coveted titles including National Cutting Horse Association pen orse of the ear A pen uturity eserve Champion, Super Stakes Open Co-Champion and Breeders Invitational Champion. Stylish Play Lena, his dam, has produced more than $1.9 million dollars in earnings, with a staggering $95,000 average earnings per offspring. Smooth Talkin Style is Stylish Play Lena’s leading stallion offspring with earnings in excess of $305,284. According the NCHA, “Talker” is a record setting Open Horse of the Year, accumulating more than 700 points in less than 9 months of showing; thus, securing the coveted title of Horse of the Year by August of his 4-year-old year. Smooth Talkin Style retired to the breeding barn, completely sound, at the end of his year old year his sire s first foal crop arrived in and are set to hit the show pen in 2020! Smooth Talkin Style is 5-panel genetic tested as N/N. Follow Talker on Facebook/Instagram @SmoothTalkinStyle, and visit him at www.smoothtalkinstyle.com.
Moncrief Quarter Horses, owned by Charlie and Kit Moncrief, is home to NCHA Futurity Open ha pion oyal letch and ultiple ti e A A and A World Champion Mr Playinstylish. Based in Aledo, Texas, Moncrief Quarter Horses are breeders and owners of elite cutting, reined cow horse and ranch horses. The iconic Moncrief program offers well-bred yearling and 2-year-old prospects, and seasoned cutting and cow horses for sale at all times. Follow Mr Playinstylish on Facebook or visit moncriefquarterhorses.com
Legendary Quarter Horses and superior Black Angus cattle are hallmarks of the “Four Sixes,” a historic Texas ranch that is part of urnett anches LL he ranch stands some of the most well-respected Quarter Horse stallions in the industry, with elite broodmares that produce superior individuals for work and racing.
Hashtags (Metallic Cat x ual ey ag has lifeti e earnings of $478,571. A 2018 NCHA Open World Champion and World Champion Stallion trained and shown by atu ice ashtag s first foal crop arrived in ashtags is ust a great individual said ice “He makes it easy! Mind, heart, cow sense and strength.” The stallion is owned by Hashtag Ventures LP and standing at Brazos Valley Stallion Station in Stephenville, TX. For more information on Hashtags, follow him on Facebook or visit www.brazosvalleystallionstation.com.
Owned by Beverly Servi, BET HESA BOON (Bet Hesa Cat x Flo N Blu Boon x Pretty Boy Boon) is a 2014 homozygous roan with LTE of $62,940 dollars. His outstanding pedigree and demeanor match his impressive conformation and performance record oon was a finalist at every pre iere A Derby event, and is a two-time National Stock Horse Association Derby Champion. Cow horse, cutting, reining, ranch versatility – he can do it all! Boon is six-panel N/N genetic tested. Add a little Boon to your breeding program! He’s guaranteed roan! Look for Boon in the show pen with Clayton Edsall and check him out on Facebook, www.808ranch.com or at Oswood Stallion Station.
Matthews Cutting Horses, ownerd and operated by Jeffrey and Sheri Matthews, is the ho e of A $3 Million Dollar Sire One Time Pepto (Peptoboonsmal x One Time Soon x Smart Little Lena).
Matthews Cutting Horses is well known for superior performance horse bloodlines. The Matthews breeding program is built on extraordinary pedigrees and e ceptional perfor ances is first foals ca e of show age in 2010, an in 2014 One Time Pepto was the No. 1 A ire n he was the leading sire of A naf e it uturity ale horses ne i e epto s performing foals have earned more than $17 million in all disciplines. Learn more about One Time Pepto at www.onetimepepto.com.
Ticking the boxes off with multiple arenas, ample stalls, cattle handling facilities and warm-up areas, WestWorld of Scottsdale is the newest site of an NRCHA premier event: the NRCHA Derby.
Compiled by the NRCHA staff
PREMIER PICKS
More than location, sites that host the NRCHA premier events must meet several criteria.
Annually, the National Reined Cow Horse Association produces five premier events that showcase limited aged event horses and include a slate of horse show classes. These are the Celebration of Champions in February, the Stallion Stakes in March, the Jack and Phoebe Cook Memorial Derby in June, the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby in July, and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® and Hackamore Classic in October. As the association grows in members across the country, the NRCHA continues to be on the hunt for the best facilities that can accommodate the varied needs of these large premier events.
When the association began, the reined cow horse was centered on the far west coast, but today, members reach from Florida to New York, from Canada to south Texas, and throughout all states bordering California. It’s truly a national association that must meet its members’ needs.
With that in mind, the NRCHA took on the mantle of adding the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby in 2020, the first premier event to be hosted east of the Mississippi River. The challenge facing large events in 2020 caused the NRCHA to not only plan one new premier event, but to plan the Eastern Derby and Derby in multiple locations so an educated decision could be made on where to hold these two premier events while also meeting local and state COVID-19 guidelines. After much deliberation, it was confirmed that for 2020 WestWorld of Scottsdale would host the Derby, and Cordova, Tennessee, would be the site of the Eastern Derby.
With hundreds of horse show facilities around the country, it would seem like planning an event that utilizes at lease 700 stalls and has multiple areas is simple. Not always the case when cattle are tossed in the mix. Here is what it takes to accommodate the NRCHA entries at any given premier event.
BY THE NUMBERS
When the NRCHA requests proposals from facilities that may bid to host one of the large premier events, it simply must tick off several boxes to be in the running.
ARENAS
• Main show arena that is at least 120 feet by 250 feet
• Secondary show arena that is of similar size
• Practice pen at least 80 feet by 160 feet
• Additional loping areas/warm-up areas
LODGING
• At least 700 temporary or permanent stalls
• At least 60 RV spaces, with a minimum of 25 full-service hook ups
CATTLE
• Facilities to hold 1,000-1,500 head of cattle at one time
• Receiving, unloading and loading equipment and panels
NECESSITIES
• At least one on-site concession/food service option
• High-speed internet service
• Sound system and lighting; video board
• Parking for all exhibitors, spectators, workers, staff and sponsors
This is the bare minimum needed for consideration by the NRCHA to host one of the premier events, and it is just to host such a large group of horses and riders. The AgriCenter International ShowPlace
Arena in Cordova, Tennessee, was the second choice to host the Eastern Derby. It took some late nights to keep the practice pen running and temporary pens for the cattle, but the event saw great success when it could have easily been canceled. Such was also the case for the Derby. When it became apparent that the Paso Robles, California, show was not going to be permitted because of the pandemic, NRCHA Executive Administrator Kelley Hartraft planned the event at multiple
Top: When an NRCHA event is in town for a week, 10 days or longer, contestants and vendors reap the benefits of a good area for shopping.
Above: An indoor show pen with plenty of seating and a roomy concourse helps a facility make the grade with the NRCHA , like WestWorld of Scottsdale.
Right: When a facility has ample equipment to keep show pen dirt in great shape, that makes an impression. Here, in Fort Worth, Texas, multiple drags help speed the time between sets.
facilities, including considering the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma. In the end, the attendees were able to have a break from the Arizona heat at the June Derby because of the climatecontrolled, multi-arena, multi-barn WestWorld facility. It is situations like this that occur behind the scenes that keep the association rolling and exhibitors showing.
THENITT Y GRITT Y
In recent years, the NRCHA has provided exhibitors that show at one of the premier events with exceptional quality facilities that are usually climate controlled and offers amenities to both spectators and riders. The little things that aren’t always
obviously noticeable make a show special for attendees.
“From the outside looking in, planning a premier event seems simple enough,” said Allison Walker, NRCHA communication manager. However, there are a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ details that are necessary to give our exhibitors the best premier event experience possible. Excellent execution is important to our team in every aspect of the association, and we expect the same execution and experience from our host venues.”
For example, at the NRCHA Stallion Stakes held at the South Point Equestrian Center, there is a designated area for NRCHA official veterinarian, Dr. Joe Carter, and other veterinary/horse health facilities immediately adjacent to both the NRCHA office and the stall area. Horse welfare is at the forefront of the NRCHA’s considerations for potential show sites.
Proposals for sites must include:
• a veterinarian and testing area
*Stall space, parking and storage area is needed for at least one official show veterinarian
• clearly outline whether bedding, feed and hay are sold on-site or by outside vendor
• security for the grounds/arenas/trade show area
Attendees at the rescheduled Stallion Stakes, which occurred in August at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, experienced not only the element of increased security due to COVID-19 restrictions, but also the hospitality shown by the employees at the South Point Hotel & Casino, which is adjacent to the arena.
“Another important aspect to consider is ease and cost of travel, not only for
staff, but for owners and riders as well,” Hartranft said. “Proximity to airports, hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions all play a role in the success of an event. We realize a lot of our owners and competitors view horse shows as vacation time spent with their friends and family from all over the country. We want to give them access to easy, costeffective travel and fun activities outside of the show pen. It’s important that our show schedules allow time for dinners and activities that help support the local economy.”
THAT EXTRA TOUCH
The sponsors help drive the NRCHA through the support of the association, both monetarily and through product. To encourage sponsor attendance to see how that support impacts exhibitors, the NRCHA requests at least three meeting rooms be available at premier event sites.
“We not only need multiple individual and secure rooms for offices, awards, judge’s room, media and storage, but also for banquets, receptions and meetings,” explained Walker.
Spectators may love watching the cow horses in the arena, but the extra thrill of shopping trade show spaces is one thing the NRCHA tries to add at big events. Approximately 3,000 feet of trade show
A minimum of 60 RV spots is a must-have for any facility to meet the needs for the growing number of entrants in the NRCHA events.
Two of the largest NRCHA events are held in Fort Worth, Texas, where the facility more than meets needs, similar to the Derby, located at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.
space for vendors should be available and listed in premier event proposals. When exhibitors attend the Celebration of Champions or the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas, they can shop the show concourse in both the Will Rogers Coliseum and the John Justin Arena, and the Brown-Lupton South hosts several rows of vendors.
“Having adequate space for our sponsors and vendors to showcase their product is so important to us,” said Emily Konkel, trade show coordinator. “Our membership and show attendees are always generous supporters of our trade shows. We have a great group of vendors and sponsors that provide excellent shopping that enhances the premier event experience.”
While the facility has strict numbers to hit, it is the other amenities it can offer the association’s members that can put
“We not only need multiple individual and secure rooms for offices, awards, judge’s room, media and storage, but also for banquets, receptions and meetings.”—Allison Walker
a proposal over the top. From advertising to adding table clothes at the event, the extras that are included mean a lot to the NRCHA staff that is watching the association’s bottom line.
A breakdown of every cost is required for a facility to submit a proposal. No dollar should go to waste hosting one of the main NRCHA events, but making it special for competitors is at the top of NRCHA’s goal list.
“Every aspect, from the finite details to the overall success, of a premier event is important to the NRCHA Board of Directors and staff,” said Walker. “We
pride ourselves on proper execution while being mindful of the membership’s investment in the association.
“We appreciate everyone who attends horse shows, at a premier or local level. We know there are countless other activities our members and sponsors can chose. We are grateful they chose to spend their precious time and hard-earned money with the NRCHA. If you have not been to a premier event before, just come try it one time. I promise you will not be disappointed in the experience and welcoming environment.”
SHOW DATES 2021
ACHIEVE ALL-STAR AFFILIATE STATUS
Like-minded competitors enthusiastic about reined cow horse can create an approved affiliate that benefits their interest by following the advice of these successful cow horse groups.
Compiled by Kate Bradley Byars
Hosting a cow horse show can sound so simple, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty of planning an event, and then making it legal with the National Reined Cow Horse Association, it can become downright daunting. Yet, more affiliates are joining the NRCHA each year as cow horse competitions spread across the U.S., Canada and overseas.
What are the benefits of becoming an NRCHA affiliate? Is it worth the time and effort? Three established NRCHA affiliates—Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association, New York Reined Cow Horse Association and the South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association—say yes, and here they list not only why, but how to go about accrediting your group.
At affiliate-level shows, everyone pitches in for the
success of the group, like the Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association board members working the gate at this show.
“Achieving affiliate status is definitely worth it to our members so that our shows are sanctioned by NRCHA,” said Tina McCleary, secretary of the South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association, a group of approximately 320 members that show near Bryan, Texas. “We are eligible for the affiliate sponsorship and youth sponsorships given by NRCHA by following the guidelines.”
From filling out forms to corralling volunteers, achieving affiliate status can take time. However, the benefits outweigh any headaches early on.
FROM THE NRCHA
Before a group of cow horse riders can vie for annual year-end awards through the NRCHA by riding in local shows, someone has to handle the paperwork. While that isn’t usually the most popular job, it is necessary.
Emily Konkel, NRCHA shows manager, works with members daily to ensure that shows are approved in their affiliate groups so that they count toward member goals. Affiliate members not only ride for their local group’s awards, but also:
◆ Regional Awards presented by the NRCHA
◆ Qualification points for the NRCHA Celebration of Champions World Championship Show
◆ Year-end points for NRCHA National Champion awards.
According to Konkel, the most common misconception she sees with cow horse groups that apply for affiliate status is that they think it will be harder than it is when it is actually quite simple.
“Brand new groups aren’t always 100 percent prepared with the required members,” Konkel said. “It is important for a new affiliate to keep in mind that their members don’t necessarily have to live in the state that the affiliate is located in. For example, a person may join the Michigan affiliate but live in New York.”
To apply to be an NRCHA affiliate, there are four must-haves:
1. 20 members with a current NRCHA membership
2. Provide a copy of affiliate constitution and bylaws
3. Provide a complete list of members by March 15 each year (minimum of 20)
4. Submit $100 annual Affiliate Fee
Achieving those four things and sending in an Affiliate Application Form is the first big step. Then, those groups can take advantage of the support NRCHA
extends through the following:
◆ NRCHA Foundation Youth
The NRCHA Foundation awards two individuals from each NRCHA affiliate with a scholarship—Youth Fence recipient receives $500; Youth Limited recipient receives $250.
◆ NRCHA Affiliate Sponsorship Program
To assist affiliates the NRCHA provides a $500 NRCHA Sponsorship to each affiliate if they meet the affiliate terms and conditions.
◆ NRCHA Affiliate of the Year
This award recognizes the affiliate that increases membership and show entries, is innovative at shows, and increases payout and other considerations with a $1,500 award. The runner-up receives $1,000.
With so much to gain from applying for affiliate status, members that band together in their local area can reap rewards from filing out the paperwork and sticking together.
In 2019, the New York Reined Cow Horse Association was presented with the NRCHAAffiliate of the Year award.
BAND TOGETHER
Like any group activity, it isn’t always simple for everyone to follow through with an idea. Here, affiliate secretaries and members from across the U.S. offer advice on how to get a group together, keep it together, and make a solid investment in the local cow horse industry by becoming an NRCHA affiliate.
For McCleary, local support got the ball rolling on their events.
“Talk to your local horse community and see if you have a need or the support for an affiliate in your area,” she said. “Build a board full of people who are doers and who have complimentary skill sets. Be organized by having all of your ducks in a row before you go public, like a website, show dates, an email and social media.
“Because if people are hungry for cow horse shows in the area, they will jump at a chance to show closer to home,” she contiued. “The small things can get overlooked, like providing show entry forms online and pre-entering. Yet those things help an affiliate run a show smoothly.”
Cindy Pfeifer, NYRCHA show secretary, recommends groups start small. Don’t use all the sponsor money for the first show’s prizes, she said.
“Keep entry fees to a minimum and payouts low [as] this will draw those interested in trying it without emptying their wallet,” she said. “Always keep your eye on the bottom line—listen to
your treasurer! It isn’t always an overnight success – it takes a lot of dedicated members who are willing to work hard both before, during and after shows.”
Take into consideration that the first show or two may be small and plan a facility accordingly.
“As a club, we started out in small facilities where we could afford to take a hit [if entries lacked],” said NYRCHA Show Manager and Vice President Lisa Sykes. “We didn’t over-commit ourselves on awards or money. We gradually built our selves up to a larger facility.”
Jacob Partridge, NYRCHA Green Rider director said, that with an established budget, trying new things or providing more awards is easier to take on for the affiliate. While the premier events can provide ideas to affiliates, don’t forget that it starts with the lower level riders.
“Be easily approachable,warm and inviting,” he suggested. “Cow horse can and is intimidating to many new comers. Achieving affiliate status is important to allow local riders an opportunity to get involved at a lower level and grow into the premier shows/events. It allows them to get their feet wet without the expense of traveling and higher entry fees.”
Amenities like RV hookups and safe stalling allow members near and far to attend an affiliate’s event. Awards,
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TAKE IT FROM THEM
An affiliate doesn’t have to have top trainers in the area competing to have success. Having 20 members or more spread over multiple divisions works just as well.
It is the experience provided to riders of all levels—including prizes and a positive atmosphere—that keeps entries up.
“When starting an affiliate it is so important to have a group of board members that work well together and are dedicated to putting in the long hours both at meetings planning the shows and running them,” said Joe Decker, NYRCHA president. “Focus on your entire membership from Green Riders to the Non Pro and Open levels. Giveeveryone a place to come show. Give back to your membership. The more successful your shows become the more you should give back in payouts andawards. Having affiliate status gives all your members a place to grow.”
Though two or three or four people may kick start the group that becomes an affiliate, they can grow to the size of the CRCA at 421 members in a short time.
Jim and Jill Cook, members of the CRCA, recognize the importance of working with all members.
“We think that as an affiliate you must provide as many opportunities to the membership as possible,” the Cooks said. “That can include, clinics, shows and social opportunities, with an emphasis of self improvement. The membership also has to feel like they are a part of the leadership. The membership has to work together to create success. An affiliate must also be willing to change and grow to fill the needs of the majority of the membership.”
Sometimes, the needs of the membership include having more fun. For the NYRCHA, a daily drawing for door prizes is one way to keep attendees energized.
AFFILIATE QUESTIONS?
things that make a big impact on members. Amenities and cattle are the most commonly discussed elements of any horse show!
“Make sure you have good cattle. Cattle are key to having a good successful show and getting people to come back,” emphasized Partridge.
“Despite the pandemic our club grew by 25 percent this year,” said Sykes. “We continued with [giving members a] weekend highpoint, roll of the dice [game], daily draws and high scoring fence and box run [award] for the weekend.”
From ensuring there is a concession stand on site to offering enough time in the arena for warm-ups, it is the little
An enthusiastic membership committed to the local events is key to an affiliate’s success. According to MJ Anderson, CRCA executive director, local shows do more than only support that area of the industry.
“Having a place to ride, show and be around other enthusiasts is very special,” she said. “Non Pros want their trainers to stay in business, and want a place locally to ready for the big shows, which is a goal to attend. Once the affiliate is established it is so worth it to call them your cow horse family!
With a focus on member involvement and opportunities to show, an affiliate that sticks to budget while providing top-notch experiences is sure to thrive in the NRCHA.
Fun events like the Chuck-A-Duck allows all affiliate members, regardless of age, to participate at the NYRCHA shows.
Whether a professional trainer on standby to assist in the herd work or youth members tasked with delivering shavings, all affiliate members want to feel they are a big part of the group’s success.
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION
CORPORATE PARTNERS
MARS Equestrian™ Sponsorship by Mars, Incorporated, is the link between our iconic brands and the equestrian community. For generations, Mars has celebrated a rich equestrian heritage, and through purposeful partnerships, MARS Equestrian™ is committed to the sport and building an enduring legacy. From world-class competitions across all equestrian disciplines, to stewarding the power of horses on society and sustainability, MARS Equestrian™ is dedicated to our purpose to improve the lives of horses, pets, and the people who love them.
As the official equine insurance company for the NRCHA, Markel has provided uninterrupted coverage for horses and horse-related risks for over four decades. Sharing your passion for horses and committed to the horse industry, Markel is an experienced company whose associates are horse people first and insurance people second. Their insurance products focus on protecting your horses, home, barn, tack and equipment. Whether you have one horse or an entire stable, board or train horses, Markel can fully protect you. Visit www. horseinsurance.com for more information on Markel’s products.
Platinum Performance is the Official Nutritional Supplement of the NRCHA! Platinum Performance, Inc. is the manufacturer of Platinum Performance Equine Wellness and Performance Formula, a comprehensive supplement rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, bioavailable trace minerals, amino acids and joint protective anti-inflammatory nutrients. This formula is designed to support the immune system, joints, bones, muscles, and provide sustained energy and enhanced performance. It is excellent for performance horses of all ages, broodmares, stallions and foals. Platinum Performance nutritional supplements were originally developed to decrease rehabilitation time after orthopedic surgeries, to speed bone growth and tissue healing, and reduce swelling complications. For more information, visit Platinum Performance at our website at www.PlatinumPerformance. com.
San Juan Ranch, a Division of Santa Cruz Animal Health, is rapidly becoming an industry leader in the distribution and development of Veterinary and Animal Health Care Products. As the official animal health and breeding supplier of the NRCHA, the company offers a wide range of products for the optimal care of performance horses, livestock and companion animals. The Animal Health product line includes a comprehensive, high-quality, affordable line of UltraCruz™Animal Health Supplements for horses, dogs and cats.
PEDIGREE® Food for Dogs. Everything we do is for the love of dogs. As the world’s largest dog food brand, our passion is to make the world a better place for dogs. We champion causes to help dogs find loving homes, and we are dedicated to understanding dogs’ needs to make sure every dog is fed well, because every dog deserves great nutrition. PEDIGREE® products include a wide variety of treats including DENTASTIX®, MARROBONE®, and JUMBONE®. PEDIGREE® brand is proud to be a corporate partner and the Official Pet Food of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. To find out more about PEDIGREE® brand visit www.pedigree.com.
Marty and Dustin Latta wanted to create a brand that creates custom items that are truly a legacy so that the items could be passed down from generation to generation. The Western Legacy Co. creates legacy items such as custom hats, custom boots, custom bags, custom belts and custom sports coats. All of our products are truly custom made with the best quality. We are proud to be a Texas legacy brand that is owned by a father and son duo. Legacies are earned, not bought.
Dennis Moreland of Dennis Moreland Tack started his hand made tack business when he was a young cowboy. He realized there was a need for safe, well made, functional horse tack to be readily available to horsemen & horsewomen. This is Dennis’s 41st anniversary in the handmade tack business! He works closely with professional trainers and horsemen to design and test his equipment for functionality, fit and durability. From bridles to cinches, horse bits to spurs, he works hard to make this the best tack you’ve ever ridden. You can find everything you need for your horse at www.DMTack.com.
The Saddle House is proud to offer the finest collection of quality cow horse saddles and gear. Our Saddle House Custom Saddles are all handcrafted in Texas from the finest materials and ridden by top hands all over the country. We offer an impressive selection of hackamores, romels reins, bits, chaps and leather goods from the top makers. Owner Adam Schwalm is an active cow horse competitor and knows what you need to succeed the show pen or the branding pen. Visit www.thesaddlehouse.com.
Team up with Classic Equine and PLAY TO WIN! Classic Equine is the official horse boot and saddle pad brand of the NRCHA, and there is a reason we are the standard equipment of performance champions. Just ask the professionals. Serious competitors care about their horse’s health and soundness. Classic Equine offers a variety of innovative and protective products including saddle pads, cinches, support boots and bell boots. All products are manufactured to the highest standards for quality and value. After all, the creation of a product line that satisfies the serious competitor’s high expectations of performance is what Classic Equine is all about. With input from many of today’s leading riders, each product is designed and tested for function, fit, durability and value. That is why when it comes to the horse’s protection and comfort for training and competition, champions prefer Classic Equine. For more information visit our website at www.classicequine.com or call 1-800-654-7864.
We at Martin Saddlery are dedicated to giving you the most fit, function and value in a saddle. Martin saddles are built by professionals, for professionals. Our saddles are designed to provide a better fit for your horse and specialized by discipline with the rider’s needs in mind. Each Martin saddle is hand-crafted and individually assembled by the finest of craftsmen. Often imitated, never matched. www.MartinSaddlery.com
Jeff Smith’s Custom Saddles offers you quality and affordable products you can count on. There specialized Cutting, Ranch Cutters, Cow Horse and Cowboy saddles are made with the finest Hermann Oak Leather and American made materials and workmanship by saddle makers with 36 years of custom western tack manufacturing. Go to www. JeffSmithsCustomSaddles.com to shop online, and to follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
DT Horses, “The Elite Brand,” owned and operated by Dean and Leslie Tuftin, is located in beautiful Bend, Oregon. They are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman. Already an established breeding and training program for world champion rope horses, DT Horses has strengthened its reined cow horse industry presence with the addition of NRCHA Champion Hickory Holly Time to its stallion roster in 2016. Under the guidance of DT Horses’ resident trainer, leading NRCHA Professional Kelby Phillips, the DT Horses program seeks out the best genetics in the performance horse industry, to create versatile champions for every arena. Find them on the web at www.DTHorses.com.
The Nutro Company is a leading manufacturer of natural pet food products sold exclusively at pet specialty stores, and the Official Pet Food food of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. The company has been making premium pet food for more than 80 years and is dedicated to quality, excellence and innovation in dog and cat nutrition offering healthful formulas for every pet’s life stage, activity level and size. The Nutro Company’s family of brands includes MAX® dog and cat food, NATURAL CHOICE® dog and cat food, and ULTRA™ food for dogs in addition to the GREENIES® brands, which include the #1 veterinary recommended pet specialty dental chews, and PILL POCKETS® and JOINT CARE® treats. For more information, please visit www.thenutrocompany.com and www.greenies.com.
For animals, health and happiness go hand in hand. Both are a result of the quality of care they get from owners raising them to be their best. And much of that comes from the quality nutrition they’re being fed. Our feed sustains the animals you care for. What’s inside them, literally, counts. That’s why our feed isn’t just grown—it’s crafted. Real science goes into putting the nutrients animals need into each Nutrena® feed product. Because, what’s inside the feed counts. Since 1921, we’ve been making Nutrena horse feeds that are specially developed to provide the right blend of nutrition and energy for your horses at every age and activity level. Whether you’re caring for working horses, hard keepers, or athletes, there’s a Nutrena horse feed that’s right for them. To find the right product that matches your horses’ needs, visit us at www.nutrenaworld.com.
Nutrena is proud to be the Official Equine Feed of AQHA, WPRA, and an AAEP Educational Partner as well as the Official Feed of the NRCHA. “What’s Inside Counts.”
American Paint Horse Association - Marked For Greatness! We inspire, nurture, promote and provide meaningful experiences to generations interested in preserving the versatile Paint Horse. The APHA is proud to be an alliance partner of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Learn more about the breed and the benefits of membership at www.APHA.com.
The NRCHA is happy to continue our partnership with Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. Shorty’s takes pride in creating custom hats, hand-made with dedication to the true tradition of the Western cowboy. The entire Shorty’s team stands by the value and tradition that defines the spirit of cowboys and cowgirls everywhere. They make cowboy hats the right way: from top-quality materials and loving care in every hat. Find them on the web at shortyshattery.com.
Complete oral care is important for your dog’s total body health and can add years to their lifespan. GREENIES™ Canine Dental Chews are proven to clean dogs’ teeth by fighting both plaque and tartar buildup, freshening breath, and maintaining healthier teeth and gums. Designed for daily treating, our dental chews are low in fat and nutritionally complete for adult dogs.
Don Rich Custom Saddles are specifically designed for use in the Western performance horse industry with an emphasis on reined cow horse, cutting, ranch horse, and reining events. Choose from our beautiful selection of saddles in stock, or place a custom order.
The American Quarter Horse Association, located in Amarillo, Texas, is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership organization. AQHA members share a passion for the American Quarter Horse and the vast lifestyle created by the world’s most popular horse. The AQHA is an alliance partner of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Explore the AQHA’s many resources on the web at www.AQHA.com.
Gist Silversmiths: Crafting a Legend Piece by Piece - Gist Silversmiths is proud of its partnership with the NRCHA as its “Official Silversmith”. For 40 years, Gist has been considered the industry leader in customized trophy and award buckles for champions of all disciplines. Gist Silversmiths believes there is no substitute for the finest in quality, superior craftsmanship and reliable service. Attention to detail is evident in each of their finely sculpted motifs and logos; quality enhanced by unique buckle designs. An award buckle is presented to commemorate a significant achievement and each recipient should be honored with a buckle reflecting the pride of a champion. For more information, visit the Gist Silversmiths website at www. gistsilversmiths.com.
Wear Cinch to Win! It’s the Official Clothing of the NRCHA! Lead...don’t follow and wear the choice of champions - Cinch jeans and shirts. When performance counts, the members of the NRCHA turn to Cinch jeans. Cinch is the brand of choice for some of the world’s best horse trainers like Bob Avila, Teddy Robinson and Todd Bergen. Why? Because Cinch jeans offer the kind of fit and comfort that allow riders to focus on the work at hand. Plus Cinch jeans and shirts always look good. You’ll find Cinch jeans and shirts at your favorite Western store or via catalog. Or, visit www. cinchjeans.com to find the retailer nearest you. “Cinch up” with Cinch jeans and shirts. Wear the choice of champions.
Bloomer is the “Official Horse Trailer” of the NRCHA. Bloomer Trailers has raised the bar in the horse trailer industry. “If you can dream it, we can build it,” is the company slogan. Bloomer offers the highest quality standards of any trailer manufacturer and backs it up with a 10 year structural warranty. For information, see your local Bloomer Trailer dealer or visit www.bloomertrailers.com.
Rios of Mercedes, the Official Boot of the National Reined Cow Horse Association, is one of the last truly handmade all leather boots produced in the United States. There is no secret to making top quality boots. All you need is the finest leather and true bootmakers with years of experience and the desire to be the best at their craft. Rios has remained true to its roots by making boots for folks who are involved in performance and working horses, raise livestock and in general make their living outdoors. Rios has never cheapened their product by taking shortcuts, lowering standards or chasing fashion trends. We make boots for people who know what a pair of boots is intended for: all day comfort whether horseback or afoot. Visit www. riosofmercedes.com to see some of the styles we offer through our retailers.
Bob’s Custom Saddles are ridden and endorsed by the best of the best in competitive Western riding sports today. Our superior craftsmanship and attention to detail have made our reining, barrel racing, cutting, roping, ranch, trail and show saddles the preferred choice of professional riders from around the world. Saddle up with us on the web at www.BobsCustomSaddles.com.
REIN STOPS
Learn the easy way to install these important pieces of equipment.
Rein stops are round pieces of thick leather or other stiff material with a slot in the center to put a rein through. They are placed on each rein just below the rein end or water loop when riding with a martingale.
Rein stops will help to keep you safe by preventing the rings on the martingale rein straps from getting lodged on the rein ends. If the rings become lodged the horse’s head will be trapped in an over-flexed position. It may panic and rear in an attempt to free itself from the pressure of the trapped rings holding its head.
A running martingale helps a horse learn how to carry its head to allow it to use its body to drive from behind with collection. A running martingale consists of a neck strap that loops around the base of the horse’s neck to hold the martingale in place. A safety strap runs from the top of the neck strap, under the swells of the saddle and up over the horn so the loop cannot slide forward on the neck. A chest strap runs from the base of the neck strap, through the front legs, and attaches to the cinch with a snap. Two straps with steel rings at the ends run from the chest upward. The reins are threaded through these rings.
Follow along on the guideline to see how to attach these inexpensive but important pieces of safety equipment on your split or continuous reins.
1. Gather your rein stops.
2. Always check the size of the rings on the martingale to make sure they are smaller than the rein stops.
3. Remove the rein ends from your reins. It is a lot easier to attach rein stops at the bit end of the reins because the tail ends are heavier than the bit ends so the rein stops will not slide on the tail ends easily.
4. If you have a hammer handy, tap the rein ends to flatten them slightly. This makes attaching the rein stops easier, but it is not mandatary. Spread the slots slightly wider with needle nose pliers.
5. Slide each end of a piece of string (any heavy string including hay string will work) through the holes on the end of each rein.
6. Slide the end of the bottom string through the top hole in each rein so there are 2 string ends coming out of the top hole, 1 in each direction.
7. Lace both ends of the string on one rein through one rein stop and pull on the ends of the string while pushing the rein stop into position on the rein.
8. Attach the rein ends and you’re ready to ride.
Remember to always check that your rein stops are larger in diameter than your martingale’s rein rings. Rein stops are inexpensive and easy to install, can be left on the reins when you’re not using a martingale, and may prevent a serious accident.
///// MEET DENNIS MORELAND
member Dennis Moreland, owner of Dennis Moreland Tack, has been making quality working and show tack since 1976. Dennis Moreland Tack is a full line manufacturer of quality handmade tack and is here to help you! Visit www.dmtack.com or call 817-312-5305 to see how Dennis can help you with your tack needs.
COURTESY OF DENNIS MORELAND TACK
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CD Diamond (817) 599-4560XXXXXX
CD Lights (817) 599-0522XXXXXX
Compaq Player(605) 440-0663X
Cool N Hot (254-592-2016 XX
CR Gotcha Covered(254) 485-8280 X
Cruze Mode (931) 260-3909X
Desire Rey (940) 839-1969 XXXXX
Doc Seas Whiskey(855) 674-6773 X
Docs Soula (480) 563-1966XXXXX
Docs Stylish Oak X
Dont Stopp Believin(817) 599-4560 XXX
Dual R Smokin(817) 599-4560XXXXXX
Dual Rey (303) 956-1887XXXXX
Dual Reyish (254) 485-8280 XX
Dual Shot Doc (940) 902-1281X
Dual Smart Rey(254) 485-8280XXXXXX
Dual Spark X
Dualin Stargun(605) 787-4808 XXXXX
Dulces Little Light(209) 603-9710XXXXX
Freckled Leo Lena(503) 838-1500XXX
Funny B Bluemuchaman(903) 886-8836X
Genuine Masterpiece(307) 358-5439X XXXX
Good Times Too (307) 276-3478 XXXX
Gotta Go Get It X
Gunnatrashya (817) 559-4560XXXXXX
Gunners Special Nite(940) 381-0880X
as of January 1, 2021
Half Time Report (951) 529-6258XXXXX
Hallmarked Playboy(403) 652-1326XXX X
Halreycious (800) 278-0785XX
Hashtags (254) 485-8280 XXX
HD Continental Chex(817) 235-5530 XX
Heart Of A Fox (661) 301-9537X
Here Comes The Boon(805) 550-8387 X
Hes Wright On (806) 622-9787XXX X
Heza Shiney Kodo(805) 688-4241 X
Hick Chicaroo (805) 550-1424 X
Hickory Holly Time (817) 599-4560XXXXX
Hickorys Indian Pep(254) 485-8280 XXX
High Brow Cat (940) 748-2610XXXXX
High Brow CD (817) 560-0038XXX
High Brow Shiner(661) 706-7724XXXXX
High Cost of Metal(479) 979-4411 X
High Flyin Cat (559) 665-2908XX
Hired Gun (903) 564-7883 XXXX
Hottish (817) 599-4560XXXXX
Hydrive Cat (817) 560-0038XXXX
Im Countin Checks(817) 594-9181XXXXX
Ima Smoking Mister(940) 686-0820X
Its Time To Smokum (610) 633-0699 X
Jake Jacspin (620) 804-0718XXX
Jasons Peptolena(903) 227-0462XXXXXX
Juan Bad Cat (817) 594-9232X
Judge Boon (208) 861-0760XXXXX
Kit Kat Sugar (254) 485-8280XXXXX
Lena Spark (940) 668-6469X
Lil Catbaloo (817) 599-4560XXXXX
Lil Joe Cash (254) 744-9111XXXXXX
Lil Time To Smoke (559) 268-1115XXXXXX
Little Cielo (559) 999-8146XXXXX
Little Red Coupe(702) 596-4484XX
Lotta Stuff To Shine(559) 665-2908XXXXX
Matt Dillon Dun It(817) 279-8275X
MC CowHammer(254) 723-4983 X
Metalic Al (805) 350-2578 XXXX
Metallic Cat (254) 485-8280XXXXXX
Metallic Cattack(940) 733-8581 X
Metallic CD (541) 213-8518XXXXX
Metallic Echo (405) 288-6460 X
Metallic Malice(940) 733-8581 XXX
Metallic Masterpiece(307) 327-5550 XXXX
Metallic Rebel(817) 629-0611 XX
Metallic Red Cat XXXX
Meteles Cat (817) 599-4560XXXXXX
Moms Stilish Cat(208) 861-0760XXX
Moon Me Pepto(661)303-6015 XX
Mr Playinstylish(817) 594-9181XXXXXX
Mylanta Lena (805) 688-3673X
Nabisco Roan (805) 688-4241XX
Natural Bottom(855) 674-6773 XXXX
Nic It In The Bud(480) 563-1966XXXXX
Nics Black Diamond(805)688-3673XX X
No Guns Please(903) 816-3495XX
SUBSCRIBED STALLIONS
Northern Metallic(403) 870-9551 X
NRR Cat King Cole(817) 594-9181 X
Olena Oak (805) 610-8320XXXXX
Once A Von A Time(805) 688-4241XXX
Once In A Blu Boon(940) 536-9275XXXXX
One Fine Vintage (480) 273-7759XXXXXX
One Roan Peptos(817) 560-0038X
One Shiney Metallic(940) 839-1969 XX
One Smart Response(208) 841-2052XX
One Time Pepto (910) 596-2183XXXXXX
One Time Royalty (817) 599-4560XXXXXX
Paddys Irish Whiskey(806) 596-4424XX
Patroan (254) 485-8280 XXXX
Pepcid (806) 596-4641XXX
Peptoboonsmal XXXXXX
Peptos Duke (406) 434-5724XXXXX
PG Heavily Armed(817) 560-0038 X
Play Dual Rey (940) 637-2536XXX
Playboys Red Pepto XX
Playgun (806) 596-4424XXX
Playin Attraction(806) 596-4424X
PRF Spoonful Of Gold(817) 599-4560XX X
Purdy Boy Flash(901) 826-7297XXXX
Quahadi (855) 674-6773 X
Rascal Cats (805) 878-0391 X
RC Gay Bar Star Dust(602) 524-9047XX
Real Smooth Cat(916) 802-6668XXX
Red Hot Metal (208) 861-0760 XX
Rey Dual (800) 278-0785XX
Reynshine (660) 748-5844XXXXX
Reys Dual Badger(817) 599-4560X
Reyzin The Cash (817) 599-4560 XXXXX
RL Styling Rey (319) 239-6171 XX
Rockin W (855) 674-6773XXXXX
Rocky Mountain Blues(817) 992-8262 XX
Roo Star (254) 947-1292XX
Royal Fletch (817) 594-9181XXX XX
RS Cats Starlight(402) 689-9338 XX
Ruff Spook (940) 637-2536 X
Sannman (817) 560-0038 XXXX
SDP Blue Blood(303) 618-0749XXXX
SDP Hy Rey Bound(817) 560-0038 X
Shady Lil Starlight(805) 688-4241XXX
Shine Chic Shine(940) 637-2536X
Shine The Lights (208) 589-0870 X
Shiners Nickle(210) 381-3132XXXXXX
Shiners Voodoo Dr (405) 600-1990XXXXXX
Shiney Outlaw (210) 381-3132 XXX
Shining Cat (817) 594-9181 XXX
Shining Lil Nic (303) 915-6444XXXX
Sindicat (780) 817-0896X XX
Sixes Pick (806) 596-4424XXXXX
SJR Diamond Mist(817) 599-4560 X
Smart And Shiney(940) 465-1852XXXXX
Smart Boons (903) 564-7883XXXXX
Smart Chic Olena(940) 368-6999XXXX
Smart Lena Boon(575) 760-4104XX
Smart Little Pepinic(559) 897-8616X
Smart Luck (541) 601-9507XXXX
Smooth As A Cat(940) 686-2246XXXX
Smooth Talkin Style (254) 485-8280 XXXX
Solano Cat (940) 637-2536XXXXXX
Son Shining Rooster(806) 676-8566XXXXX
Sophisticated Catt(940) 665-7557XX
Spots Hot (254) 458-8280 XXX
Starlight Kat (208) 861-0760 XX
Step To The Light (805) 290-6544 XXX
Steppin On Sparks(919) 631-1058 X
Stevie Rey Von (806) 622-9787 XXXX
Stone Blue Valentine (903) 886-8836X
Stressolena (307) 358-5439XXX
Stunned (646) 912-0272 XXXXX
Stylin With Pepto(785) 479-6817 X
Stylish Rey Gay(580) 276-0761 X
Sushi Boss (308) 380-2244XXXXXX
Sweet Lil Pepto(817) 594-6900XXXXX
That CD Rocks(559) 897-8616X
The Boon (361) 675-4695XXXXX
The Reyl McCoy(361) 550-8924 X
Third Cutting (817) 560-0038XXX
This One Time (970) 846-5455XXXXX
Time For The Diamond(817) 599-4560XXXXX
Tomcat Chex (707) 678-8686XXX X
TR Dual Rey (817) 560-0038X X
Travelin Jonez (903) 564-7883XXXXX
Tru Grrit (970) 749-3322XXXXX
Uno What Time It Is(405) 344-6692XXXXXX
Very Smart Remedy(208) 366-2971XX
War Bird Dog (254) 485-8280 X Waresthecat (806) 596-4424XX
Western Time Zone (940) 682-4001X
Whizkey N Diamonds(405) 288-6460 X
Wimpys Little Step(405) 600-1990XXXXX
Woody Be Tuff (903) 563-7090XXXX
WR This Cats Smart(806) 596-4424XXXXX
Zezes Pepto Cat(940) 859-6587XXX
NRCHA STALLION SUBSCRIPTION RULES
1. By nomination of a foal crop, offspring of a subscribed stallion from the nominated foal crop are eligible to show in the NRCHA Stakes both as 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds. 6-year-olds are also eligible in the Non Pro Limited Division only.
2.Any stallion of any breed may be subscribed to the NRCHA Stakes program, subject to provisions as set forth in these rules and stipulated on the entry form.
3.Nominations must be postmarked and paid by February 1 of the following year for each calendar year to avoid paying the higher fee of the following year.
4.Nomination fees will be as follows:
a. Paid during the breeding year (the next year’s foal crop) - $1000
b. Weanling year - $1,250
c. Yearling year - $1,500
d. 2-year-old year - $1,750
e. 3-year-old year - $2,000 year oldyear o inationsreceivedbetween ebruary of the year oldyearandthefinalentrydeadline for that NRCHA Stakes event will be accepted at the rate of $3,000. 5-year-old and 6-year-old foal crops that have not been previously subscribed may also be paid in for $3,000.
6.All nominators of stallions must be members in good standing of the NRCHA.
7. In the event the stallion owner or syndicate manager chooses not to enroll the stallion, nominators may be persons other than the owner or syndicate manager of the stallion. In the event that the nominator is someone other than the owner or syndicate manager of the stallion, the nominator represents that they are authorized to nominate the stallion.
8.All subscription fees will be made payable to the NRCHA in US funds or its equivalent.
9.The added purse for the NRCHA Stakes will consist of not less than the total stallion nomination fees received less 20% for NRCHA administration. The remaining 80% will be divided between the Open and Non Pro divisions in accordance with NRCHA Board policy. The NRCHA shall have the right to supplement the added-money purse for the event, but shall be under no obligation to do so. A minimum of 5% of the total purse will be used for the Stallion Nominator Award as described below.
10.There shall be no refunds of the nomination fee paid for any reason, and the fee (less 20% for NRCHA administration as set forth above) will become part of the purse for the NRCHA Stakes.
11. In the event a subscribed stallion changes ownership, any previously paid foal crops will remain eligible under the new owner o inatorAwardswillbepaid to theoriginalno inatorunlessotherwisespecifiedinwriting to the A and signed by both the original nominator and the new owner.
12.Stallion Nominator Award: The nominator of the stallion siring the winners of the NRCHA Stakes will receive a monetary award as set by the NRCHA Board of Directors.
13.A list of subscribed stallions nominated to this program and their eligible foal crops will be posted on the NRCHA website, and will be available upon request from the NRCHA.
14.These rules are subject to change at any time by the NRCHA Board of Directors.
NOMINATION FEES
FOR EVERY EQUINEDISCIPLINE
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
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:
• 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.
SECTION
1
Horse Name:
Breed:
NRCHA STALLION SUBSCRIPTION CONTRACT
(Must be postmarked by February 1 – annually)
– HORSE INFORMATION
Registration #:
Year Foaled: Year of First Foal Crop:
Website:
SECTION 2 – OWNER INFORMATION
Owner Name: Address:
City / State / Zip:
Phone Number / Best Contact:
Email Address:
Display the above as contact information on the NRCHA website (only one is listed)
SECTION 3 – BREEDING INFORMATION / STANDING LOCATION
Standing At:
Address:
City / State / Zip:
Phone Number / Best Contact:
Website:
Display the above as contact information on the NRCHA website (only one is listed)
SECTION 4 – NOMINATION INFORMATION / PAYMENT
Name of Nominator (Will Receive Win Checks): Check 1
Same as Owner Other Person / Company:
Address:
City / State / Zip:
Phone Number / Best Contact:
Foal Crop Year(s):
Enclosed Check/Money Order Credit Card*
Credit Card Number:
Exp. Date: CVC:
$ Amount:
Billing Zip Code:
Payment is made to NRCHA in full on receipt of same by the nominator no later than February 1. Acceptance of payment by NRCHA is not to be considered approval of nomination until contract is complete and all rules are complied with. Traditional payment methods accepted are cash and check. *For your convenience, Visa and MasterCard are also accepted with a 3.5% convenience fee.
I accept this offer to make the above-named stallion eligible to participate in the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Program and agree to be bound by the conditions of the program.
Nominator Signature:
Printed Name:
Name:
Othername(s)shownunder:
NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION
Membership Application Valid from Nov. 16, 2020 - Nov 15, 2021
that
1 Year Open Membership - $75 ($65 before Jan 1)
3 Year Open Membership - $210 ($180 before Jan 1)
1 Year Non Pro Membership - $75 ($65 before Jan 1)
3 Year Non Pro Membership - $210 ($180 before Jan 1)
1 Year Owner Only Membership - $75 ($65 before Jan 1)
3 Year Owner Only Membership - $210 ($180 before Jan 1)
1 Year Youth Membership - $40
1 Year Youth w/Non Pro Membership - $75
1 Year Youth Upgrade to Non Pro - $35
1 Year Associate Membership - $35
Check here if you are a TRAINER and want to be listed as such in the online NRCHA Directory.
Please be sure to complete the Non Pro Declaration. A card will not be issued without it!
Youth who wish to compete in the Non Pro MUST complete a Non Pro Declaration. Memberships that DO NOT include subscription to
1 Year Canadian Membership - Add $10
Cow Horse News Lifetime Membership - $750 ($650 before Jan 1) Add Reined Cow Horse News to Lifetime - $25/year
International Membership - $75 Add Reined Cow Horse News to International - $85
the undersigned have read and understand the ational eined ow orse Association e bership eligibility category definitions understand that the full responsibility concerning y eligibility rests solely on e A its officers directors e ployees are not held responsible for the burden of proof for y eligibility hould be found not eligible for said division after co peting all oney pri es and points shall be forfeited and returned to the A office upon notification to e
Signature:
Date:
every
the undersigned have read and understand the ational eined ow orse Association on ro definitions and rules and will abide by the also understand that if there is a change in my status or eligibility that I must inform the National Reined Cow Horse Association within 30 days of that change. I understand that y on ro application will be reviewed by the on ro o ittee and ay be reviewed by the A oard of irectors and their decision shall be final
Signature:
Date:
NON PRO DECLARATION
Applicant Name (please print): ___________________________________________________ Occupation: _________________________________
Answering yes to any of the following questions does NOT automatically disqualify you from gaining Non Pro Status.
1)Within the last 5 years, have you for remuneration as defined in the A ruleboo done any of the following
a. Given lessons (in any equine related situations)
b iven clinics in any e uine related situations
c rained horses A or assisted in training horses A
f es to any of the above e plain and include dates s
2)Within the last 5 years, have you:
a hown a horse not owned by you or an i ediate fa ily e ber
(in any discipline / organization like HS Rodeo / SHTX, etc. – with or without remuneration)
b ad your entry fees paid for any horse regardless of owner by anyone who was
not an i ediate fa ily e ber
c ad any show e penses horse e penses paid directly or indirectly by anyone
who was not an i ediate fa ily e ber
f es to any of the above e plain and include dates s
3)Within the last 5 years have you:
a een e ployed as an intern for a horse trainer in any discipline
b articipated in a recogni ed intern sponsor progra such as A
f es to either list progra trainer na e and dates and e plain the structure of the progra
4)Are you currently:
a esiding on a horse training facility
b or ing for a horse training facility
c ublicly identified with horse trainer or horse training facility
(Examples: business owner, trainer spouse / significant other, etc.)
d articipating in an e uine science progra
e eceive onetary or non onetary re uneration directly or indirectly fro
A business that is involved in the e uine industry (Examples. Western Apparel, Equine Feed / Supplement Companies, Tack Stores, Horse Equipment Companies, Farm / Ranch Equipment Companies, Insurance Companies, etc.)
f es to any of the above e plain
o you have ore than in co bined down the fence earnings
(Please include earnings from any/all approved national/regional horse organizations like AQHA, APHA, ApHC, SHTX, Ranch Horse Versatility, etc.)
Top Riders for Open Eligibility in 2021
Top Riders for Non Pro Eligibility in 2021
in the
(above
and
MARTIN PERFORMANCE
Erin Taormino
Alvin & Becky Fults
Bet He Sparks / K & L Phillips
Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate
Brazos Valley Stallion Station
Carol Rose
Dual Smart Rey / Strawn Valley Ranch
Ellen & Larry Bell
Fulton Quien Sabe Ranches LP
Gardiner Quarter Horses
Kit
Larry
Meteles
Oswood
Roxanne
San
Shining CD
Silveira Produce Sales Inc.
Stuart
$16,700+ was paid out in CHROME CASH at NRCHA and APHA cow horse events in 2020!
Don’t miss out on your chance to participate in this class within a class at upcoming 2021 NRCHA & APHA events.
If your AQHA horse has as little as two inches of solid white hair in the qualifying area, you may eligible for APHA registration. APHA registration is all you need to enter the CHROME CASH class at participating events.
2021 CHROME CASH class participating events
(as of 12/15/2020)
$2,000 ADDED
Celebration of Champions
February 11–20, 2021, Fort Worth, TX
Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch
The Stakes
March 26–April 3, 2021, Las Vegas, NV
$2,000 ADDED
The Derby
June 2–12, 2021, Scottsdale, AZ Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch
$7,500 ADDED
The Chrome Cash Working Cow Horse Challenge
June 28–July 11, The APHA World Show, Fort Worth, TX
Enter the CHROME CASH class thru the NRCHA office. For more info on CHROME CASH events and how to register your horse, call Sunny Bates at 817-219-7985 or visit www.apha.com/programs/chromecash
The Eastern Derby July 10–17, 2021, Cordova, TN
$2,000 ADDED
The Snaffle Bit Futurity
October 8–23, 2021, Fort Worth, TX Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director: Dr. Anna Morrison President: Corey Cushing Vice President: Paul Bailey
Secretary: Frank Prisco Treasurer: Trey Neal Todd Bergen Joe Carter Todd Crawford Diane Edwards
Amanda Gardiner Darren Miller Boyd Rice Dan Roeser Jon Roeser Jake Telford Cayley Wilson
COMMITTEE DIRECTORY
AFFILIATES
Chairperson: Frank Prisco archapresident@gmail.com 631-478-7022
Lia Savas • indianheadranch@aol.com
Andres Sanchez • andresgccha@gmail.com
Roy Rich • roy_rich6@yahoo.com
Jim Wilson • wilson@myomnitel.com
Barb McCaughey mccaugheybarbara@gmail.com
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
Frank Prisco • archapresident@gmail.com
Trey Neal • trey@treyneal.com
Todd Bergen bergenperformancehorses@gmail.com
Boyd Rice • boydrice1965@gmail.com
HALL OF FAME
Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com 208-841-2052
Chairperson: Sarah Clymer shubrick3@gmail.com • 719-330-1932
Allison Walker • allison@nrcha.com
Todd Crawford • toddcrawford333@gmail.com
e Premier Performance Horse Stallion Guide since 1999
Equi-Stat and Quarter Horse News are proud to release the 2021 edition of Stallion Register, the most comprehensive resource for breeders, owners and trainers in the Western performance horse industry.
Be sure to visit the Online Stallion Directory at www.stallionregisterdirectory.com.
To order theprint publication, visit Shop.QuarterHorseNews.com or call 817-737-6397.
Alberta 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
Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association
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
Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association
Lia Savas
53 Deerpath Rd
Central Islip NY 11722
Phone: 631-766-0155
Email: LiaARCHA@gmail.com
Website: www.atlanticRCHA.com
Australian 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
California Reined Cow Horse Association
Stacy Duesterhaus 15169 Road 223 Porterville, CA 93257
NRCHA membership privileges will be suspended for the second offense of bad checks, per rule 1.1.6.2 and for non payment of debt to NRCHA Show Management or NRCHA Approved Show Management. Additionally, all amounts for advertising in the NRCHA publication, Reined Cow Horse News, are due and payable within 30 days of receipt.
Agricultural Foundation, Fresno, CA
Desert Spring Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ
Keetch Ranch, Waddell, AZ
Del Rey Paint & Qtr Horses/Aneka
Schelbeck, Cotton Wood, CA
Bynum Farms/Blair Bynum, Palm City, FL
Donnie Boyd, Sarasota, FL
Robyn Bush, Visalia, CA
Marcy Campbell, Creston, CA
Pompeo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY
Riccardo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY
Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT
Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY
Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA
Laura elfino artine A
Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL
Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA
Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL
A finance charge of per onth A will be added to all past due amounts. Membership privileges shall be suspended on accounts greater than 90 days past due and this information will be published in Reined Cow Horse News. There will be a membership reinstatement fee of $75.
May 15 - 16 Jimmy Flores Sr. Memorial HS/Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 socalrcha@aol.com
May 21 - 22 CRCHA Spring Spectacular & Horse Show #4 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com
May 27 - 31 Drought Buster HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Pueblo, CO Colorado RCA Allison Walker (937) 725-1423 crcaentries@yahoo.com
May 29 Mid State Cow Horse Association Show #1 HS/Cat 1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA Sharon Michelucci (805) 835-5014 info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com
Jun 26 CRCHA Horse Show #5 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com
Jul 24 CRCHA Horse Show #6 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com
Jul 31 - Aug 1 The Grant Berg Memorial HS/Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 socalrcha@aol.com
Aug 7 Mid State Cow Horse Association Show #2 HS/Cat 1 Paso Robles, CA Mid State CHA Sharon Michelucci (805) 835-5014 info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com
Aug 14 CRCHA Horse Show #7 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com
Aug 26 - 29 West Slope Pre-Futurity HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Montrose, CO Colorado RCA Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkroft@frontier.com
Sep 14 - 19 Mid America
Sep 11 - 12 September Classic HS/Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 socalrcha@aol.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
ADVERTISERS INDEX
Nov 12 - 14 CRCHA Horse Show #8 & #9 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com
