2021 May/June RCHN

SEEING STARS

TODD BERGEN and SMARTLY STARSTRUCK return to the arena to capture the Open Bridle Spectacular in style in Las Vegas!

STALLION STAKES

58 Winning Material

Hazardouz Material and Erin Taormino had some bad luck during the stallion’s early years of competing, but their persistence paid off at the 2021 Stallion Stakes with an Open win.

70 A Perfect Partnership

With only a few weeks together under their belts, Hope Mills and A Gritty Kitty rode away with the NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non Pro win.

80 Starstruck at the Spectacular

Smartly Starstruck claimed the coveted Open Bridle Spectacular win with NRCHA $2 Million Rider Todd Bergen.

98 Top of the Class

Horse show class champions from the Stallions Stakes.

Hazardouz Materials and Erin Taormino put it all together to claim the Open Champion title at the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes.

FEATURES

112 High Stakes

For more than two decades the NRCHA Stallion Stakes has delivered memorable achievements thanks to dynamic horse and rider partnerships.

118 The Pursuit of Success

Our 2021 NRCHA top riders share their thoughts on what it means to be successful in reined cow horse.

124 On the Mend

Choosing methods of rehabilitation for your injured horse doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

From the Judge’s Chair

From the NRCHYA

Empty Stalls

NRCHA News

Trade Secrets

MEMBER

ROUNDUP

32 Behind the Buckle

Know the Pro: Callee Miller

Notable Non Pro: Sylvia Bate

Meet Jim Gauthier

Faces of the NRCHA

From the Executive Director

Dennis Moreland’s Tack Tips

Suspended Member List

NRCHA Sanctioned Events

the cover: Todd Bergen piloted Smartly Starstruck, owned by McSpyder Ranch, to a clear victory in the Open Bridle Spectacular (page 58).

A NEW SEASON

Spring is my favorite season. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy them all, but spring always feels so energizing. It’s a season of new beginnings, new opportunities. Everything seems bright and fresh, from the wildflowers that flourish, to the new foals and calves that test their legs in green pastures. It’s a season that invites you to enjoy the moment and feel excited about what’s ahead at the same time. There’s a lot in this moment to enjoy. What a spectacular couple of weeks we just spent in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Stallion Stakes. The amazing team at Michael Gaughan’s South Point Arena and Equestrian Center made our reined cow horse family feel at home as we held the largest National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes ever.

Over the course of nine packed show days we cheered on a record-breaking field of 4- and 5-year-olds that showcased the remarkable athleticism and talent of our subscribed stallions. In the end, it came down to a thrilling Finals where Erin Taormino, aboard Linda Mars’ Hazardouz Materials, sired by Metallic Cat, bested their competitors to take home the $43,786.40 purse plus prizes.

As we reflect on the excitement of the Stakes, we also look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead to showcase our cow horse athletes: the DT Horses Western Derby in June and the Eastern Derby presented by MARS Equestrian™ in July. Not only will we see our remarkable 4- and 5-year-olds return to the arena in the Limited Aged Events, but we will also highlight our horse show classes through the $10,000-added Non Pro Limited class in Scottsdale, Arizona, and focus on the Non Pro experience, featuring social and educational opportunities in Cordova, Tennessee, as we invite new participants to our premier event.

So, take a moment to open the windows, welcome spring and stop to smell the roses … or bluebonnets. And then get your calendars out and mark the dates to join us in Scottsdale and Cordova. Opportunities abound!

Best wishes, and we’ll see you at the Derbies!

Volume 26, Number 3

Official Publication of the

National Reined Cow Horse Association

Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC

NRCHA

256 North Hwy 377 | Pilot Point, TX 76258

Phone: 940-488-1500 | Fax: 940-488-1499

info@nrcha.com | www.NRCHA.com

NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS:

President: Corey Cushing

Vice President: Paul Bailey

Secretary: Frank Prisco

Treasurer: Trey Neal

NRCHA Foundation: MJ Isakson

NRCHA STAFF

Executive Director: Dr. Anna Morrison

Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel

Communications Manager: Kate Bradley Byars

Program Manager: Elizabeth Ellis

Accounting & Sponsor Contract Manager: Kim Lindsey

Membership/Affiliate Shows Manager: Barbara Nahlik

Director of Judges: Bill Enk

Official NRCHA Photographer: Primo Morales

Official NRCHA Videographer: Equine Promotion

REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Vice President: John Lunn

Editor: Kate Bradley Byars

Managing Editor: Jennifer Denison

Production Manager: Sherry Brown

Art Director: Susan Sampson

Advertising Sales

Shawn McCoy, 817-929-859/ shawn.mccoy@morris.com

Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114/ diana.buettner@morris.com

Advertising, Fax 817-737-9633

Reined Cow Horse News (ISSN 23803975) is published six times a year by Cowboy Publishing Group. Known office of publication: 2112 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107. All contents are copyright of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the NRCHA. Opinions expressed in articles and advertising in Reined Cow Horse News do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the NRCHA or its officers and members. Accuracy of material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk and the NRCHA accepts no responsibility for them. Please address all submissions to: Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258. Subscription rate is $25 a year. Periodical postage paid at Pilot Point, Texas, 76258 and additional mailing offices. USPS number, 024-906. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258.

– THE OFFICIAL BOOT OF THE NRCHA –

THE SPIRIT OF SUCCESS

Everyone measures success with a different measuring stick. For some, it is whether you win or lose. For others, it is whether you achieve a goal, no matter how you wind up in the placings. For me, as president of our National Reined Cow Horse Association, success is measured in the positivity and spirit in our members.

The 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes was a record-breaking show in entries. To me, that shows we are successfully growing. It is exciting, not only as NRCHA president but also as a competitor, that we build every show.

Corey Cushing, NRCHA president

The spirit of this show felt fresh and new. From the Farnam Arena that let us spread out more to ride, to the fun of seeing the new nametags on our show managers, Chris Jeter and Morgan Tweedy, it’s growth that comes with our past success. Next year, it can be even bigger and better and even more successful!

The energy, the positivity, the want to and drive—it just gets better. From all disciplines I’ve heard that our Stakes Finals and our entire show made an impression. We are exciting! We are fun! It makes us successful.

Measuring success by how you place in the class is a double-edged sword. As professionals, our livelihoods somewhat depend on where we place on clients’ horses. Making the finals is hard at every premier event because we are growing, our horses are evolving and our competition is getting tougher. The one thing that stays the same is our camaraderie and the spirit of our cow horse family.

It only makes me work harder, because as our industry evolves and changes, a strong competitor has to keep driving forward. I am still hungry. When I come home, I’m not mad the judges didn’t mark me better; instead, I am working harder to do better at the next show. The quality of horses keeps getting better and our owners are supportive, so I want to work as hard as I can to be one of those class winners next time, and feel that success.

People are hungry to be part of our NRCHA. There are really nice horses and exceptional horses and more great horses coming, and with that comes riders who want to be great. Everyone wants to be part of the reined cow horse.

I always say the stars are always within reach, and the better you prepare yourself the closer those stars are, but in our industry, the stars are all around us. We are all striving to be better, bring our stars closer and achieve a higher level of success.

If you need a boost to keep reaching for your stars, I want you to check out Ben Lionel Scott’s YouTube video, “Focus on You Every Day,” from 2021.

See you in Scottsdale,

Corey Cushing

2020 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® OWNERS FUND DONORS

Larry

Kevin

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

Hat 6 Ranch / Walter & Jocelyn Greeman

Hooray Ranch / Eric & Wendy Dunn

Matthews Cutting Horses

& Sydney Knight

Kit & Charlie Moncrief / Moncrief Quarter Horses

Kit Kat Sugar / Barbara Allsup

& Kathy Barker

Meteles Cat

Shiney Outlaw / Cannon Quarter Horses

Oswood Stallion Station

Roxanne Koepsell Performance Horses

San Juan Ranch / Santa Cruz Animal Health

Shining CD Light / Ophir Creek Stables LLC

Silveira Produce Sales Inc.

Stuart Ranch WR This Cats Smart

FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR

Learn to understand and assess one-point penalties for better scoring.

One year (a long time ago), during the finals of the reined work at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, a rider’s horse changed leads in the front two strides before it changed leads behind.The three judges on the rider’s left side view assessed a one-point lead change penalty, but the two judges on the rider’s right side were more directly in front of the horse and didn’t see the lead penalty.Consequently, one of the judge’s scores missed the lead penalty counted on the five-judgesystem (throw out the high and low scores). The rider with the missed lead ended up third by a half of a point and earned something like $40,000.Fourth place paid $25,000. Themissed lead actually cost the fourth-place rider $15,000!

This example shows that one-point penalties can be just as important as a major two-, three- or five-point reviewable penalty. The key for the judges is focus and knowledge of the one-point penalty rules for our three disciplines.

Defining the most common one-point penalties and attempting to make them clearer is the object of this article. A good rule of thumb: a judge is duty-bound to call all penalties. If a penalty occurs, call it. If a judge must ask himself if something was a penalty, the benefit goes to the rider.

Note: Something must have happened for a penalty to be considered. In this situation, where a penalty is not clear, a reduction in run content could be warranted.

Let’s discuss the herd work penalties. The two most common penalties in the herd work are: “A” (miss) losing working advantage and “C” working out of position. A miss is defined as:a response of the horse to the action of the cow being worked, resulting in a loss of working advantage or being out of position.Loss of working advantage is defined as when a horse goes by a cow to the degree that he loses its position to maintain control of the cow.There are varying degrees of loss of control of the animal being worked. For example, the horse is just a little late responding to the cow during the turn, but immediately assumes a working advantage.

As a judge, it’s important to note penalties accurately.

In this case a one-point penalty might not clearly reflect what happened, probably a slight reduction in run content (in the control box) would more accurately balance what happened. If the horse regains working advantage within two strides, using run content is recommended. Beyond two strides, a one-point penalty is probably warranted. There is also such a thing as a “two-point miss,” which is an extreme loss of working advantage. This is recorded as a one-point A and a minus in the control box.

Working out of position is the position of the horse in relation to the cow being worked, being consistently either too short or too long in working to control the cow.Staying even on both sides while working a cow is a basic covenant for credit in herd work.If the horse is consistently short on one side and long on the other, a working out of position penalty is probably warranted. If this situation is brief before the rider evens up on the cow, either the control box or the eye appeal box could reflect what happened accurately.

As a judge, it is important not to call “phantom” penalties. These are perceived penalties that the video fails to support. Call the penalties if they are obvious, use the run content to get the score accurate if a perceived penalty cannot be successfully defended.

TO BE CONTINUED … .

Until Next Time,

Bill Enk NRCHA Director of Judges

FROM THE NRCHYA

By Tylor Todd

Hi!My name is Tylor Todd and I am the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Youth Association reporter. I am a 17-year-old senior from Rexford, Kansas. I fell in love with reined cow horse when I was 7, after watching my sister start to show in it. Ever since then, I was hooked on it! I show my gelding, Mr Stylish Cat, aka “Boyd,” in the Youth and Non Pro bridle classes. I love the camaraderie between all of the youth competitors, and I am so excited to be your 2021 Youth reporter!

This year at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, the youth were buzzing with activities throughout the show. The annual Youth meeting was held on February 19th. All youth members were invited to the meeting and to participate in the voting of new officers for the NRCHYA. In addition to voting in new officers, motivational speaker Kyle Scheele came to speak about the importance and impact of one person in someone’s life. Kyle also spoke about his own life experiences, and told the audience about the power and influence one person can have in someone else’s life.

This year the youth also did a canned food drive. Youth members would bring in canned food items and, in exchange, get their stalls reimbursed. The canned food items totaled 721 pounds, and the number of cans the Youth members brought in were matched by

Uncle Ben’s Original Rice by MARS Equestrian™. We would like to thank MARS Equestrian™ for matching the number of cans brought in!

Lastly, a silent auction was held to benefit the NRCHYA. Items were made by the youth members to showcase their talents outside of the show pen. In total, the silent action raised nearly $4,000.

The NRCHYA has some great activities planned for this year and we would all like to thank our advisors— Elizabeth Ellis, Sarah Clymer and Todd Crawford—for guiding us this year!

///// MEET YOUR 2021 NRCHYA OFFICERS

President: Tucker Gillespie

Vice President: Ben Self

Secretary: Breanne Farris

Treasurer: Caden Allen

Reporter: Tylor Todd

Northeast: Hailey Saffert

Southeast: Isabelle Gonzales

North Central: Tatum Olson

South Central: Cutter McLaughlin

Southwest: Ali Norcutt

Northwest: Landon Luce

Canadian: Tyree Swales

Junior Officers: Isabelle Scheffel, Boyd Wilson and Chet Gorrell

NRCHYA Reporter Tylor Todd

EMPTY STALLS

Three champion reined cow horses have passed on.

Most of us see a notable reined cow horse under the bright arena lights, and much is the case for three talented reined cow horses laid to rest this year.

The flashy palomino mare Sheza Shinette (Shining Spark x Chicks And Chex x Smart Chic Olena) caught the eyes of those who watched her show. She also won her share of titles on the way to garnering $47,5050 in National Reined Cow Horse Association earnings. Today, her offspring continue that winning tradition, though she was laid to rest on April 7.

Owned by Nancy Crawford’s Holy Cow Performance Horses, “Norma Jean” as she was known outside the arena, earned a NRCHA Certificate of Ability and Superior Cow Horse award in 2003. She retired from the arena in 2005, after earning the 2001 Ladies Champion NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® title and the 2002 American Quarter Horse Association Junior Working Cow Horse World Champion title with Sandy Collier in the saddle.

As of April 7, Sheza Shinette had produced 21 NRCHA earners of $600,869.30. Of those, two have earned more than $100,000: Hes Shinettes CD (sired by CD Olena) with $184,006.18 and Heza Diamond Spark (sired by Diamond J Star) with $116,946.37. Once A Von A Time (sired by Von Reminic) was another notable son with more than $76,000 in earnings. In 2010, the NRCHA honored Sheza Shinette with the AQHA Leading Dam award. At the time of her passing, she was the second-highest producing mare in the NRCHA.

Sonita Lena Rey spent much of his show career as a stallion. When he was gelded, the sorrel truly showed his versatility, carrying NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing to the 2019 World’s Greatest Horseman title. Owned by Sheri Jamieson, Sonita Lena Rey (Dual Rey x Sonita Lena Chick x Smart Chic Olena) earned $120,385.04 in the NRCHA. Along with the World’s Greatest Horseman title, “Cinco” won the 2018 Open Bridle at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, the 2015 NRCHA Derby Intermediate Open title and numerous top finishes in NRCHA premier events. On February 27, the gelding was laid to rest.

At the time of her passing, Sheza Shinette was the second-highest producing mare in NRCHA history.

NRCHA trainer Corey Cushing rode Sonita Lena Rey to some of his biggest NRCHA titles.

On April 10, Shiners Lil Nickle (Shiners Nickle x Little Lena Long Legs x Smart Lil Lena), a buckskin stallion bred by Michelle Cannon, was laid to rest following renal failure. The NRCHA earner of $97,777.48 started his career by making the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finals with Zane Davis. In the two rein, Clayton Edsall rode him to the 2017 NRCHA Reserve World Champion title. In 2019, Katherine De Haan, DVM, took the reins, riding the stallion to the 2019 Intermediate Non Pro Bridle World Champion, Novice Non Pro Bridle Reserve World Champion, and to the National Champion title in both the Novice Non Pro Bridle and Non Pro Bridle. In 2020, the duo won the Non Pro Bridle Reserve National Championship.

The NRCHA offers condolences to Sheza Shinette’s, Sonita Lena Rey’s and Shiners Lil Nickle’s connections.

Shiners Lil Nickle impacted the lives of multiple reined cow horse trainers and owners before finding his final home with

NRCHA EXTENDS SPECIAL QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS FOR 2022 CELEBRATION OF CHAMPIONS

In 2020, with so many National Reined Cow Horse Association members impacted by the COVID19 travel restrictions, the Board of Directors allowed for special qualifying requirements for competitors at the 2021 Celebration of Champions World Show. During their March 2021 meeting, the Board voted to extend those special requirements through the 2021 year for the 2022 Celebration of Champions.

In order to be eligible to compete in the NRCHA World Show that is scheduled for February 10-19, 2022, exhibitors must have shown in three NRCHAsanctioned shows and/or complete the year-end standings of their NRCHA Region in the top 20.

Many states have loosened travel restrictions and limitations on gatherings for events, but many barriers remain, such as the closed border between the U.S. and Canada. Extending the special qualifying requirements allows for more NRCHA members to potentially compete at the 2022 event.

At the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, the NRCHA World Championship Show features the top horses and riders from each of the association’s eight geographic regions competing for World Championship titles in fifteen exciting events. In addition, the event includes the DT Horses-, Hashtags- and Western Bloodstocksponsored World’s Greatest Horseman, where one horse, one rider, in one bridle compete for one very impressive title. The NRCHA Celebration of Champions also includes the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby for 4- and 5-year-old cow horses.

For more information, visit www.NRCHA.com/celebration-ofchampions/.

Kat De Haan in Idaho.

ADDED MONEY INCREASES FOR NON PRO LIMITED CLASSES AT THE DT HORSES WESTERN DERBY

Non Pro Limited competitors at the DT Horses Western Derby in Scottsdale, Arizona, will ride for more money than ever during the June 2-13, 2021, event. The National Reined Cow Horse Association Board of Directors voted to add money to the Non Pro Limited Derby and the Non Pro Limited horse show class at the premier event.

This year, $10,000 is added to the ever-growing and popular Non Pro Limited class. Riders will compete in rein work and box a cow in this introductory class to the reined cow horse.

While Non Pro Limited riders do not have restrictions in earnings for the

boxing, they cannot have earned more than $750 in a down-the-fence class.

In the Derby, the Non Pro Limited will see an increase of $1,000 from last year’s purse to a total of $3,000 added money. In the Non Pro Limited, riders can show 4-, 5- or 6-year-old horses in the snaffle bit. The Derby includes a herd work, rein work and cow work portion to award a composite score winner in the Non Pro Limited.

The newly named Western Derby will be held at WestWorld of Scottsdale for the second year, with DT Horses Inc. supporting the event as the title sponsor for the first of its three-year commitment.

With a full slate of horse show classes, the DT Horses Western Derby is set to be another huge event, especially with the $100,000 added money to the Open 4- and 5-year-old Derby. The CD Survivor Open Bridle Spectacular, sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses, includes $25,000 in added money to the top bridle horse at the event. Furthermore, $25,000 is added to the Non Pro Derby, in addition to the money previously stated in the Non Pro Limited. The increase was voted on by the NRCHA Board of Directors last year.

For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit www. NRCHA.com.

TRADE SECRETS

Prepping a reined cow horse for a non-professional pilot alters how Brad Barkemeyer readies the horses in his program.

By Kate Bradley Byars

Brad Barkemeyer’s Scottsdale, Arizona, barn is full of Opencaliber horses in addition to those that he shows and shares with Non Pro level owners. For Barkemeyer, keeping a Non Pro horse in show shape and competing at the rider’s level is not new. He started his career training under Al Dunning’s guidance and preparing cutting horses.

Today, Barkemeyer’s clients hold their own in the Non Pro level classes at National Reined Cow Horse Association premier events. And when the trainer is in the saddle, he also takes his share of added-money checks home. For Barkemeyer, preparing a show horse for one of his Non Pro clients is a challenge that offers him a big reward.

“It’s one thing to be able to train and show a horse that needs to be disciplined for one rider, but to have him perform at his best with various riders’ abilities really highlights the horse’s trainability,” he said. “It’s a luxury to have Open-caliber horses to show in Open classes, but the importance of having the involvement of our Non Pro clients participating with success ensures that our industry will continue to grow and thrive.”

In order to have the caliber of horses to compete in the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open and that can also match his non-professional clients’

are an area

in competition.

riding experience, Barkemeyer tests horses based on each client’s preferences on guiding and motivating a horse.

“One of the things I need to know as a trainer is how far a horse can be pushed or how many miscues it will tolerate while attempting to perform the basic maneuvers,” he said.

Aside from athletic ability, Barkemeyer focuses on riding his clients’ horses in a way that doesn’t depend on perfect timing. A Non Pro that has a full-time job or is in school doesn’t have

the hours in the saddle an Open rider does when preparing for a horse show.

“If I am stopping, I might pull on the reins out of time and ask him to stop,” he said. “I want that horse to know they will have someone up there that won’t be perfect all of the time. They get used to specific cues, so I try to push different buttons.”

Rundowns are one maneuver that displays a rider’s weakness and how well the horse can tolerate imperfect timing.

Rundowns

Brad Barkemeyer focuses on when prepping a horse he also shows for a Non Pro owner to ride

KATE

“I often ask the horse to go a little faster and give them more freedom than most of my Non Pro riders. Non Pro riders are usually hesitant to utilize that additional speed, even though they know that is what they need to do it. And, the horse needs that freedom to do its job well,” said Barkemeyer.

“That goes back to having a horse that will tolerate having the button pushed the wrong way or tolerate being held back,” he continued. “The horse that tolerates going slower will be best suited for a Non Pro or Youth that wants a horse that only listens to them and doesn’t do their job on their own.”

An older bridle horse that enters Barkemeyer’s program could have experience with riders of all levels. However, when trainer and client share a younger horse that is aimed at limited aged events things can get sticky.

“You need a different kind of horse and you need a lot more patience as a trainer,” Barkemeyer said. “When a horse is young and impressionable, every day and every ride is important, whether at home or at a practice show.

“The majority of the time we are riding two-handed in a snaffle or hackamore; I have to be careful not to overcollect a horse with too much frame. In that case, the Non Pro often can mimic that to where the horse feels comfortable. If I am really having that horse drive from behind, be collected and change speeds in a circle on a light rein, that is more difficult for Non Pros to do with the same confidence and feel. I have to be careful not to have the horse over-sensitive.”

Barkemeyer is aware of how important the client’s experience is at the horse show, and that feeds into how

involved the client will stay in the reined cow horse industry.

The practice night before the show has a big impact on how he prepares horse and client for the show day.

“The main point [of a practice session] is to be positive and find the balance of what the horse and rider need to find the confidence in each other to perform their best,” explained Barkemeyer. “Let the rider deal with the issues at hand.

I’ve never been the guy to just jump on a horse to fix it. I want that rider to work through the process of what it feels like when it is not working and figure out how to respond. It can end up in tears! It can mean we school again at 3 a.m. But those are defining moments where we can shed a little light on a bad situation and turn it into a positive learning experience if I do my job properly.”

CALLING ALL NON PRO MEMBERS

Join us at the Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, July 10-17, in Cordova, Tennessee, for a special Non Pro focused show. It can be daunting to dip a toe into the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s premier events, but our Eastern Derby is just the place to jump right in!

The second annual premier event east of the Mississippi River will offer a full slate of horse show classes in addition to a Derby, but we are adding special events for our exhibitors. Time with our NRCHA professionals for questions—and answers—as well as social gatherings are in the works. Stay tuned to our event page for up-to-date information.

We want you to ride with NRCHA at the Eastern Derby! Visit www.nrcha.com/nrcha-eastern-derby/ to stay up to date.

BEHIND THE BUCKLE

For NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion Nick Dowers, it’s not about the size of the buckle but rather the meaning behind it.

By Kelsey Pecsek Hruska Photos by Kate Bradley Byars

When 2013 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion Nick Dowers rides into an arena, spectators may expect to see one of a variety of buckles the accomplished horseman has won in the reined cow horse arena. Instead, something a little more modest catches their eyes.

The small gold and silver buckle Dowers sports most often means just as much to him as the one he earned for his Futurity win. Received as the gold Kit Carson Award in Nevada for the first place 2019 non-typical mule deer, the buckle represents a culmination of the avid hunter’s extensive conservation efforts on the land he loves at home in Nevada.

kill scored an incredible 2412/8 on the Boone and Crockett Club scale, likely ranking the buck in more than one record book.

“For him to be the biggest one for the year is pretty awesome,” Dowers said of the buck he nicknamed “Shredder.” “I think he’s going to fall in the top 20 of all time in the state of Nevada, too. That’s really cool because there’s probably been millions of deer tags in history.”

Dowers said he is getting a full-body mount of his once-in-a-lifetime buck, but what makes his Kit Carson buckle so special is that he bagged Shredder on a property he leases that he’s worked hard to restore.

“My passions are hunting and wildlife and horses,” Dowers said. “In a lot of ways, winning that buckle is like winning the futurity of the hunting world. It’s like the [Snaffle Bit] Futurity buckle; not many people have them, so I’m pretty fortunate. We hunted 14 days in a row for that thing, and I’m proud of the work that went into getting it.”

Nevada issued 16,868 mule deer tags for the 2019-2020 season. Dowers’

“I love the conservation aspect of hunting,” he said. “Where I run my cows is where I killed the buck. That ranch sat vacant for a long time, so a lot of the springs weren’t operable and a lot of them weren’t making water anymore when I took the lease. Even on my days off, I like to go out and work on the springs to help develop the waters for the habitat. It’s really cool to see the deer bounce back and start to use the springs they haven’t used in years.”

Lte $485,293

Hiss My Grits • 2019 Mare Sold at the 2020 NCHA Futurity Sale

Wagon

2019 Black Stallion

KNOW THE PRO

Idaho-based trainer Callee Miller didn’t start out intending to train reined cow horses, but ever since trying out the sport 11 years ago she’s been hooked.

By Kristin Pitzer

Callee Miller has always enjoyed the Western lifestyle. Her dad rodeoed and trained rope horses, and while still in high school she started training horses herself.

Originally from central Oregon, Miller studied accounting at Lamar Community College in Southern Colorado. She paid her way through school by working for cutting horse trainers and learning from instructors like J.J. Rydberg, who trained cutters and tie-down roping horses. Though

she enjoyed her accounting classes, Miller soon discovered that her passion was training horses and she changed career paths.

Miller dabbled in reining and cutting and worked for other trainers, including Chet Burrows, Cody Duvall and Doug Milholland before starting her own business in 2003. For the first few years, she mostly rode colts and general horses, but then she was given a cow horse as payment for a training bill. Intrigued by the sport, she went to her

local affiliate to try the discipline.

“Lo and behold, I was on the board within a year, and I’m still on that board!” Miller said.

Eleven years later, Miller is still hooked on cow horses. She still uses Rydberg’s philosophy in her program and credited Duvall for influencing her colt-starting methods. With nearly $40,000 in lifetime earnings, Miller appreciates the versatility of reined cow horses, the camaraderie of the people and the history behind the sport.

Miller rode SBF Smart Lil Boon, owned by Dave and Rebecca King, to the Limited Open Reserve Championship at the 2020 Utah Reined Cow Horse Association Derby.

HESA DUAL BET

LTE: $114,254 (RJJ Miss Viagra Pep, by Dual Pep) Open - 6th

Owned by Kent Blough • Shown by Matt J. Koch Bred by Wilderness Stables & Tack Ltd

SEVEN S HESA CAT

LTE: $31,615 (Seven S Shady Cat, by Cj Sugar Lena)

Open Bridle Spectacular - 7th

Owned by Madeline A. Horton • Shown by Erin L. Taormino Bred by Terry Stuart Forst

BET HEZA PLAYBOY

LTE: $4,585 (High Style Cavio, by Docs Stylish Oak)

Limited Non-Pro - 5/6th

Owned & Shown by Elizabeth Poor Bred by Carolyn Reynolds

BET SHEBE PLAYIN

LTE: $11,926 (Bob Playin, by Bobs Freckle)

Intermediate Open Top 15

PLAIN CATTY

LTE: $190,349 (Miss Plain Plain, by Just Plain Colonel)

AQHA Senior - 9th

Owned by Kalpowar Quarter Horses • Shown by Jake Gorrell Bred by Kevin G Cantrelle

BOONLIGHT ROAN BAR

LTE: $55,167 (Cat Boonlight Jewels, by Boonlight Dancer)

Owned by Jillian Smith • Shown by Dale E. Clearwater Bred by Equistar Enterprises Ltd

HEZA ROWDY CAT

LTE: $21,473

(Dear Little Boon Bar, by Boon Bar)

Select Limited Non-Pro - 5th & Limited Non-Pro Spectacular - 8th

Owned & Shown by Becky Stockett Bred by Frank Kahl

Novice Horse Open Champion and Open Top 15

Owned by Kim Basterrechea

Shown by Clayton M. Edsall Bred by Clyde Wilmott

ILL BET CHA

LTE: $16,531

(Kiss Me A Little, by Smart Little Pepinic)

Int. Open Bridle Champion and Open Bridle Reserve Champion

Owned by Riley Valin

Shown by Sarah Lyn Kennedy Bred by Ward Ranch

Owned by

Reined Cow Horse News: When you travel to a show, do you have a favorite restaurant?

I don’t like eating in restaurants! I like to prepare and take my stuff with me, because I don’t like going anywhere else. I kind of like being at a horse show and not having to leave, to be quite honest. I’m not a picky eater by any means, but I am a eat-and-go kind of person, so just having my stuff with me, I enjoy that better on the road. To stop what I’m doing to go eat some dinner just drives me crazy.

What makes you smile every day?

Q

AI’m just blessed to be able to get up every morning, walk out the door onto a piece of property that me and my husband [Jack] own, and be able to do exactly what I said I was going to do when I was 5 years old. I probably didn’t know that I was going to be a cow horse trainer, but I’ve had the horse passion my entire life, and I always wanted to be a trainer, even though my mom thought I was crazy. That makes me smile probably the most. Having a really good set of people, clients and friends, and the close connections that I have in the industry—those are probably the biggest things.

What would you do if you didn’t train horses?

I went to school to be an accountant, but I couldn’t sit in an office. It helps me in my business, and I do some consulting on the side with more financial advising than I do accounting, but it’s still something that I’m passionate about. I think it’s one of the biggest things I see in the industry—you might be a really good trainer, but you also have to be a really good business person and manage some stuff so that you don’t end up at the end of your career having nothing. I wish there were more opportunities for younger trainers coming in to have some tools to help them make more financial decisions that help them in the long run of their careers.

What would be the theme song for your life?

Probably AC/DC’s “Who Made Who.” I’m always questioning what comes first and what’s going to happen next!

If you could ride any cow horse, living or deceased, in the show pen, which horse would you pick and why?

It would probably be Travelin Jonez. Just listening to Chris [Dawson] and his stories about that horse, he seems like the horse that I started out on. It would be awesome to feel the power and cow sense he had. That horse always seemed like he was a high energy horse, and I love high energy horses. Trying to get high energy directed into a positive way has always been a challenge that I love about a horse. He looked like he was a lot of fun down the fence.

with NRCHA Pro Callee Miller

SMART SHINEY PLAYBOY

LTE: $108,235 (Sinful Playgirl, by Freckles Playboy) Open - 4th

Owned by Clinton Marshall • Shown by Nicholas S. Dowers Bred by Cowan Select Horses, LLC

CAT WALKS INTO A BAR

LTE: $30,410 (Sue C Shiner, by Shining Spark) Limited Non-Pro Spectacular Champion, Limited Non-Pro - 5th & Youth Bridle Spectacular - 5th

Owned by Landri Lisac • Shown by Lannie-Jo Lisac and Landri Lisac • Bred by Garth & Amanda Gardiner

ANNIES SMART CAT

LTE: $47,598 (Shiney Nu Annie, by Shining Spark) Open Top 15

Owned by Rocking BS Ranch • Shown by Lance B. Johnston Bred by Wagonhound Land &, Livestock

SMART LADIES SPARKLE

LTE: $40,661 (Shiners Diamond Lady, by Shining Spark) Open Two-Rein Spectacular - 4th

WR THIS CATS SPORTY

Owned by Myra J Koch • Shown by Matt J. Koch Bred by Wagonhound Land &, Livestock

SINFULLY SMART CAT

LTE: $61,616 (Sinful Style, by Docs Stylish Oak) Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion & Open Bridle Spectacular - 8th

Owned by Karen B. Olson • Shown by Wade J. Reaney Bred by Cowan Select Horses, LLC

WR HOTSHOT

LTE: $47,767 (Sunspot Flo, by Mr Peponita Flo) Open Two-Rein Spectacular - 6th

Owned by Cayley Wilson Perform Hrs Inc. • Shown by Cayley R. Wilson • Bred by Matthews Cutting Horses, LLC

LTE: $10,759 (Shiney N Sporty, by Shining Spark) Youth Cow Horse Co-Reserve Champion & Youth Bridle Spectacular - 3rd

Owned by Jay & Wendy McLaughlin • Shown by Cutter W. McLaughlin • Bred by Salt Fork Cattle Co.

SHINE SMARTER

LTE: $186,572 (Shiney Tari, by Shining Spark) Open Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion

Owned by Linda A. Mars • Shown by Sarah L. Dawson Bred by Carol Rose and Richard M. Bell

SMOKIN SMART CAT

LTE: $75,524 (She Smokes Smart, by Senors Lil Brudder) Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular - 4th Owned & Bred by David & Barbara Archer Shown by Lyn Anderson

SMART SHINEY PLAYBOY

Also Congratulations to GRACEFUL

SMART CAT

LTE: $72,398 (Gracielights, by CD Lights)

CRCHA Paso Robles Spring Derby Open Champion NRCHA Open Stakes - 8th

Owned & Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock • Shown by Justin T. Wright

Pictured right ©Doubleshot Darlin Photography

NOTABLE NON PRO

Sylvia Bate prioritizes longevity in her reined cow horses while she enjoys competing in European events.

By Abigail Boatwright

Sylvia Bate pushes a cow out from a pen aboard her chestnut mare Justa Shiningsparkle (Sharp Dressed Shiner x Justa Little Slipper x Slip Down Lena), and begins to work the bovine in her arena near the barn and upstairs apartment that she shares with her partner, trainer Patrick Sattler. The setup is organized and efficient and could be mistaken for a small ranch in the United States. Their home in Sinsheim, Germany, however, has more ancient castles than the average American ranch. Whether they’re speaking German or English, this couple is serious about reined cow horse, and they’ve built a life around that passion.

Bate did not come from a horse family, but about 30 years ago when she was in her 20s, she discovered horses and began trail riding in the nearby countryside. Her friend rode jumpers, so she dove into the English style of riding. She particularly enjoyed crosscountry—a three-discipline event where horse-and-rider teams do dressage, cross-country courses and show jumping. Variety is the spice of life, and Bate thrives on it.

GERMANENGINEERING

After being mentored by Jake Gorrell of California, he began training reined cow horses.

“I am a pure cow horse rider now, and we also do the versatility because

I think it’s really good for the horse’s mind,” Sattler said.

Sattler introduced Bate to cow horse. She was instantly intrigued and immediately switched to the event.

In the early 2000s, Bate met Sattler at the barn where she was riding. Sattler used to be a professional motocross rider before he discovered reining horses. Sylvia Bate loves the versatility of reined cow horse. She’s riding

Justa Little Slipper here.

Stylish - Tari Chick Gay, by Doc Tari)

+

MR COMIN IN HOT

(Lil Sally Cat, by High Brow Cat)

Open Bridle Champion & AQHA Senior Champion

Owned and Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief

Shown by Luke Jones

MR STYLISH CAT

(Lil Sally Cat, by High Brow Cat)

MR STYLISH CAT

Int. Non-Pro Bridle Champion, Youth Cow Horse Co-Reserve Champion, Non-Pro Bridle - 3rd, Youth Bridle Spectacular - 4th & Non-Pro Bridle Specatcular - 6th

Owned and Shown by Tylor R. Todd

Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief

STYLISH LIL BOON

(ShesaLittleRedBoon, by Peptoboonsmal)

AQHA Junior Reserve Champion

Owned and Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief

Shown by Ben Baldus

PLAYIN MOTOWN

(Mo Flo, by Mr Peponita Flo) Youth Cow Horse Champion & Youth Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion

Owned and Shown by Catelyn M. Walker Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief/Lee Tennison

PLAYIN WITH CHER

(Bella Cher, by Peptoboonsmal)

STYLISH LIL BOON

(Jae Bar Fletch - Royal Blue Dually, by Dual Pep)

Earner of $235,852

NCHA Open Futurity Champion

FEE: $2,000

Transported Cooled & Frozen Semen Available

APHA Chrome Cash Open Reserve Champion

Owned by William E. Lewis • Shown by Ben Baldus

Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief

KEEPIN MY STYLE

(Stylish Elans Chic, by Docs Stylish Oak)

Lim. Non-Pro Spectacular - 9th, Select Lim. Non-Pro - 7th & Limited Non-Pro (HS) - 9th

Owned by H. Oliver or Kelly M. Dixon

Shown by Kelly M. Dixon

Bred by Kit & Charlie Moncrief

PLAYIN MOTOWN

“I love that I am always learning and my horse has to do three things,” Bate said. “We’re not just training the same thing every time—that’s boring. I like having a horse that has to be good at everything—reined work, herd work and, of course, going down the fence. It’s very powerful riding, and I fell in love with it right away.”

Sattler says his first impression of Bate—and the best way to describe her—is the same.

“She’s little, blonde and really tough,” Sattler said with a smile. “The first time I met her, she owned two stallions. She’d go to the English shows with these two stallions, alone. That was really tough. I was really impressed.”

Bate and Sattler have been a couple for 15 years. Both care for the breeding stock, while Sattler trains their horses and clients’ horses, and Bate manages and organizes the business. She’s a natural at management, as her day job is serving as chief secretary for the luxury-car brand Porsche.

Living in an apartment over the barn, Bate loves being so close to their horses.

“I can look out one window and see our pastures. I can look out of my living room and take a look into our indoor arena,” Bate said. “It’s great.”

SHIPPED FROM THE STATES

Bate found her first good reined cow horse in 2010 through Gorrell, an NRCHA professional from Hanford, California, and the 2017 NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® champion.

“I wanted a horse I could learn on,” Bate said. “Patrick brought over three horses for me to see, and my mare, [2006] Justa Little Slipper, was one of them. He bought her, and flew her over [to Germany]. She was 4 years old then.”

Both Bate and Sattler showed Justa Little Slipper, also known as “Schluepfer.” Bate showed her to win two American Quarter Horse Association European Championship titles in Amateur Working Cow Horse.

Bate also loves competing in ranch horse versatility with her cow horses. The addition of events like ranch trail, ranch riding and conformation class goes well with the skills her horses already have, keeping them fresh with their ever-changing jobs. In 2016, she won the AQHA High Point International Working Cow Horse, AQHA High Point Working Cow Horse Germany and AQHA High Point International Versatility.

Finding cattle to work in south

Germany is a challenge for the couple. There are more cattle in the northern part of the country, but in their area, they turn to Zebu cattle. Built like Brahman cattle, this Asian breed has distinctive horns and a much different personality than American beef cattle.

“They’re wilder and shyer compared to some of the other breeds,” Bate said. “It can be challenging working with them. But you can use them a lot. And you can put them out in the pasture and they’re fresh again.”

In 2015, Schluepfer produced a mare by German reining stallion Sharp Dressed Shiner named Justa Shiningsparkle, also known as “Spargel.” Schluepfer is currently expecting her second foal, this one by cutting sire Mas Quiero (Mister Dual Pep x What A Chickasha x Doctor What). Once Schluepfer has foaled and is back in shape, Bate plans to show the mare at the major equine event Americana later this year.

“I think it’ll be the last time I show her, because I want to have another baby out of her next year,” Bate said. “She’s 16 now, but she’s still perfect. I can take her out right now and ride her and she’s just as awesome.”

In 2019, 4-year-old Spargel and

Justa Little Slipper has been Sylvia Bate’s trusty cow horse companion for 10 years and counting. Bate has won two AQHA European World Championships in Amateur Working Cow Horse, among other awards with the horse.

Sattler were crowned the 2019 German Champion Chip (EWU) Junior Cow Horse Champion, and they also won the European Reined Cow Horse Association’s Pre-Derby Champion title in 2019.

INTERCONTINENTAL COW HORSE COMMUNIT Y

Most cow horse shows in Europe are held in Italy, said Bate, although she and Sattler also go to shows in the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. The couple doesn’t attend every show, but they’re strategic about giving their horses opportunities to compete.

Sattler and Bate make the trip to the United States to attend NRCHA events—their last was the World’s Greatest Horseman in 2020—and Bate has enjoyed making connections within the association.

“It feels like a family when I go to the States and visit the girls in the [NRCHA] office,” Bate said. “Going to the shows and seeing everyone is like a family you’re coming home to.”

Last year, Sattler had planned to show Spargel, but the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all of the cow horse shows in Europe. Bate has a half-brother to Spargel named Sharp Dressed Badger by the same sire, and she plans to start showing him after he’s done training on cattle.

Two years ago, Bate retired Hungarybred, 17-year-old gelding, Smart Old Fox (Smartin Off x Nita Freckle x Colonel Freckles), nicknamed “Foexle,” that carried her to an NRCHA European Region Champion Non Pro Bridle title in 2015. She’s enjoyed their career together, and now he has a well-deserved position in the pasture.

“From my two senior horses I learned a lot,” Bate said.

Longevity is extremely important to Bate and Sattler.

“We don’t do too much when they’re too young, we don’t start them too early,” Bate said.

Bate and Sattler aim to create good senior bridle horses—a category in which they currently don’t see a deep pool at European competitions. Their goal is to have horses that can compete in events like the World’s Greatest Horseman.

“We like to take care of our young horses,” Bate said. “Patrick has some horses for his customers, and the mare Shooters Little Sun [nicknamed “Pueppi”] is 17 now. She’s had fence scores of 76 and 77 with American judges—not just German ones. And you have to have a good horse to go down the fence and get those big scores. We’re so proud of this mare, because that’s what we’re working for. Young horses trained well, safely, so they become good old horses.”

Patrick Sattler introduced Bate to reined cow horse 15 years ago.

Boon San Spoon

$171,207

onsignments

HOT MIMOSA

mosa, by Freckles Playboy). Dam Earner of $177,404PE $291,574 HOT MONEY Talks Smart, by Smart Mate). Dam Earner of $7,571 -

the Earners of $764,457 & out of Boon San Kitty Lte $565,504 Lte $244,725

Stylish Baby Doll Lte $

2020 red roan mare (Metallic Cat x TF Smartlittle Linda, by Smart Little Lena). Dam

2020 sorrel stallion (Metallic Cat x Cinca De Maya, by Dual Rey). Dam Earner of $107,750

Rey Jay Play, by Dual Rey). Dam Earner of $215,177PE $222,861

x Ms Mimosa, by Freckles Playboy). Dam Earner of $177,404 - PE $291,574

METALLIC MONEY TALKS tallic Cat x Money Talks Smart, by Smart Mate). Dam Earner of $7,571 - PE $604,772

METALLIC MONEYS Money Talks Smart, by Smart Mate). Dam Earner of $7,571 - PE $604,772

METALLIC MS Mimosa, by Freckles Playboy). Dam Earner of $177,404 - PE $291,574

METALLIC N BOON Cat x Boon San Baby, by Boon San). Dam Earner of $244,725 - PE $27,784

Cat x One Sallycat, by One Time Pepto). Dam Earner of

METALLIC PEPTACULARS

Cat x Peptacular, by Peptoboonsmal). Dam Earner of

2020 sorrel mare (Metallic Cat x Pinkys Little Sue, by Peptoboonsmal). Dam Earner of $63,361 - PE $118,287 & 1/2 sister to earners of

2020 sorrel stallion (Metallic Cat x Reycine, by High Brow CD). Dam Earner of $2,481 - PE $9,864 & 1/2 sister to earners of $569,173

2020 red roan stallion (Metallic Cat x Rockin Sallycat, by Rockin W). Dam Earner of $125,033 - PE $50,597

METALLIC TIZZY 2020 sorrel mare (Metallic Cat x CR Tuff Tizzy, by Woody Be Tuff). Dam 1/2 sister to earners of $741,893

METALLIC WIPPLASH 2020 red roan mare (Metallic Cat x Wipplash, by Dual Smart Rey). Dam 1/2 sister to earners of $321,797

METALLIC SPOON SAN 2020 red roan stallion (Metallic Cat x Boon San Spoon, by Hes A Peptospoonful). Dam Earner of $171,207 - PE $26,042 & 1/2 sister to earners of $764,457 METALLIC TF 2020 red roan stallion (Metallic Cat x TF Smartlittle Linda, by Smart Little Lena). Dam Earner of $139,036 - PE $306,693

METALLICACULAR 2020 red roan stallion (Metallic Cat x Peptacular, by Peptoboonsmal). Dam Earner of $110,362 - PE $342,711

PENDING 2020 red roan mare (Metallic Cat x Playguns Star, by Playgun). Dam Earner of $116,517 - PE $373,552

ROCKIN METALLIC CATS 2020 sorrel stallion (Metallic Cat x Rockin Sallycat, by Rockin W). Dam Earner of $125,033 - PE $50,597

MEET JIM GAUTHIER

Jim Gauthier’s purchase of Jennys Spark inspired a love of reined cow horses that has motivated him to carry the sport into the southeastern United States and beyond.

By Allison Armstrong Rehnborg

For Jim Gauthier, the best part of owning, showing and breeding reined cow horses is the sense of community and camaraderie he has found within the National Reined Cow Horse Association. The reined cow horse enthusiast from Lafayette, Louisiana, may have come to his favorite sport later in life, but that has not stopped him from making a name for himself as a horseman, NRCHA member and owner of Jennys Spark (Shining Spark x Jenny Montana x Doc’s Hickory).

Gauthier originally purchased the 2006 palomino mare at the 2011 Reno Snaffle Bit Performance Horse Sale, hoping he’d found the perfect mount for his show career with the Louisiana Stock Horse Association (LaSH). He ended up finding a horse that could do all of that—and much more. Fast forward 10 years, and Gauthier and “Jenny” have won many awards together in stock horse and reined cow horse competition.

world and, at every show, he brings a taste of Louisiana cuisine with him. From boudin to crawfish etouffee, there’s always something delicious bubbling at Gauthier’s trailer or stalls for anyone who happens to stop by.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Gauthier said. “I didn’t expect to be doing what I’m doing now, but I’ve been fortunate to meet the right people. There is a whole group of reined cow horse guys that are all great people to be around. They welcome you and they listen to you. It’s been fun, and my goal is to keep going.”

Gauthier’s enthusiasm for reined cow horses has also led him to become a passionate advocate for the sport in Louisiana.

During her show career, Jenny competed in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition twice—both times under the expert hand of three-time World’s Greatest Horseman Champion Russell

Dilday. She was also an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open finalist in 2009 and an NRCHA Hackamore finalist in 2010 under Ken Wold. As a result of Gauthier’s thoughtful planning, Jenny has become a top-earning dam in the NRCHA. As of April 1, her offspring have earned a total of $196,266. Through it all, Gauthier has become a mainstay in the reined cow horse

“We’ve elevated our game by inviting carded reined cow horse judges to judge at our LaSH shows,” Gauthier said. “We’ve got kids now in our group who show in both stock horse and reined cow horse, and about a dozen of them were in the finals this year in Fort Worth. One of our members, Larry Westmoreland, has also started the Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance, which means we’ve

Russell Dilday, left, and Ben Baldus, far right, have helped Jim Gauthier succeed in the NRCHA . The men are also close friends.

KATE

BRADLEY BYARS

got an affiliate in Louisiana now. It all stemmed from just a few people here working in that direction, and from having a horse like Jenny. People would see her and ask me, ‘Where did you get that horse from?’ ”

According to NRCHA trainer Ben Baldus of Gainesville, Texas, Gauthier’s dedication to growing the reined cow horse industry in the southeast is a natural extension of the man’s generosity.

“I think what always impresses me the most about Jim is how much he wants to do what’s best for everyone,” Baldus said. “He wants to grow the sport by encouraging trainers and bringing young trainers to the clinics to encourage people in the southeast. He’s always doing his best for the association and doing his best for everyone else, too. He’s very giving and generous like that.”

IN THE BLOOD

Growing up in Lafayette in a family of eight children, Gauthier inherited the horse and farm gene from his father. He recalls how his father would go feed the family cows before and after work each day.

“Dad had a place in the country for his cattle, and we ended up having a

horse there, too. Of all my sisters and brothers, I was the only one who got into horses,” Gauthier said. “Then of course, like most people, I worked most of my life.”

In 1979, Gauthier and two of his brothers founded Gauthier Homes in Lafayette, Louisiana, selling manufactured residential homes. In 1989, they added recreational vehicles to their inventory and created a second business called Gauthiers’ RV Center. In 2003, the RV business relocated to its current location in Scott, Louisiana. Around that same time, Gauthier decided to start riding horses again.

“Once my kids were grown and out of college, I got back into horses. I wanted to find something else to do besides hunting and fishing, which can take up all your time here, too,” Gauthier explained.

He bought his first horse in the early 2000s and enjoyed trail riding and sorting before he discovered LaSH and learned he had a penchant for stock horse competition. By then, he’d purchased Shine On Poco Flo (Shine On

Flo x Pocos Dainty Miss x Poco Bains Robin), a red dun gelding who became his main stock horse mount. He built a barn on his family property—the same property where his dad once kept cattle. Although his wife, Jane, also dabbled in riding, she discovered her own passion and talent for painting still life, flowers and landscapes. Eventually, Gauthier built his wife an art studio at their home.

“We’ve been married 45 years, and she likes living where we are, so this way, we can stay there, and I can go to the barn whenever I want,” Gauthier said with a laugh. “I go there every day to feed in the morning and the evening. That’s what my dad did when I was growing up. I’m kind of a throwback to my dad in that respect, just with horses, instead of cattle.”

Equipped with a barn and the right horse, Gauthier set about learning the ropes of showing in stock horse classes.

“Like most people getting started, I thought I could ride, but once you start, you realize how much you don’t know,” Gauthier said. “ ‘Poco’ was the ideal horse for someone just getting

Left: Jim competed on Jenny, who was 15, at the NRCHA Dom Conicelli Memorial Eastern Derby, presented by MARS Equestrian™, in 2020.

Above: Family is important to Gauthier. Bottom row, left to right: Son Jonathan, grandson Louis, granddaughters Evelyn and Nora. Top row, left to right: daughter-in-law Aleice, daughter Julie, wife Jane and Gauthier.

started and wanting to learn. We’d do trail and pleasure, and get our butts kicked. Then we’d go home and practice. Eventually, Poco and I started winning many awards at all levels in LaSH. Later on, after I acquired Jennys Spark, I decided to retire him. I sent him to a friend in Texas who enjoys using Poco on a ranch.”

HORSE AUCTION FEVER

Ready to find his next mount, Gauthier and his friend, Johnny Boudreaux, headed out to Reno, Nevada, in 2011 for the Snaffle Bit Performance Horse Sale.

“I’d already picked a couple of horses out for myself, and one of them was this palomino mare being sold by Ken Wold for a friend of his named Joe Putnam,” Gauthier recalled. “I got on that horse, and in about two steps, I realized I was out of my league. She had more buttons and controls than I knew what to do with, but I kept riding her.”

As soon as Gauthier dismounted, a friend of Johnny’s, Harry Nakoa, advised him that he’d better buy that horse.

“Harry told me she was a daughter of Shining Spark, and that they’re some of the best broodmares out there,” Gauthier remembered. “Well, I wasn’t looking to breed, but I was the only one who had tried that horse out with Ken. So, at the sale, I started bidding. And then someone started bidding against me. The price keeps climbing, and it gets to $25,000, which was about $5,000 more than I planned to spend. That was the first time in my life I’ve bid on anything at all. But I threw up my hand one more time and went to $25,500. And I got her! I’ll tell you, that was one of the smarter moves I ever made in my life. That was Jennys Spark.”

Gauthier hauled Jenny’s first foal, Shining CD Light, to Reno, Nevada, from Louisiana. Shining CD Light became the highest seller of the 2015 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale, bringing a final bid of $100,000. Also pictured (left to right): Russell Keegan, Johnny Boudreaux, Tiann Keegan and Gauthier, who purchased a full sister to Shining CD Light two years later.

Although he didn’t know it at the time, buying Jennys Spark was Gauthier’s introduction to a whole new world of showing and breeding reined cow horses. Not long after, he met NRCHA trainer Russell Dilday of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, at a reined cow horse clinic in Purcell, Oklahoma. That meeting led to Dilday riding Jenny in the 2015 and 2016 World’s Greatest Horseman competitions.

“That was a fantastic experience,” Gauthier said. “It got me really excited, and it was probably around that same time that I was thinking about starting to breed Jenny.”

Breeding Jenny wasn’t a decision that Gauthier made lightly. A natural planner, Gauthier began carefully researching which crosses on daughters of Shining Spark were having the most success in competitions. He also monitored sale trends to see which yearlings were selling well. He decided her first foal would be by CD Lights (CD Olena x Delight Of My Life x Grays Starlight). Named Shining CD Light,

that foal became the highest seller at the 2015 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sale, bringing a final bid of $100,000. Shining CD Light has since had a successful show career and recently competed in the World’s Greatest Horseman competition, ridden by Corey Cushing.

Jennys Spark’s second foal, Metallic Cajun, was born the same year. Sired by Metallic Cat (Highbrow Cat x Chers Shadow x Peptoboonsmal), the stallion was a 2017 Futurity finalist, shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Zane Davis at both the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas.

Gauthier has continued to make strategic decisions about crosses with Jenny, and every offspring shown has become a money-earner. In addition to his work as a breeder, Gauthier has continued to promote the reined cow horse industry in Louisiana by bringing NRCHA professionals and judges to the Bayou State. For Dilday, who often trains and rides for Gauthier, the Louisiana native’s success comes as no surprise.

“Jim is a phenomenal study on everything, and he does all his research,” Dilday said. “He is such a huge fan of the cow horse and he wants the industry to grow, too. That’s also why LaSH has become such a wonderful place for people to get started when there are few other places for them to go. It’s not easy to start a club so far east where few people have cow horses, and Jim and everyone down there has done a phenomenal job.

“Jim will do the extra work to make things go well,” Dilday continued, “and he loves the cow horse so much that he wants it to grow and spread.”

STEPHANIE DUQUETTE

FACES OF THE NRCHA

Interview and photograph by Kate Bradley Byars

Bill Enk began his horse career as a trainer, but today he’s best known for leading cow horse judges.

As Director of Judges, Bill Enk spends his time scoring more reined cow horse runs than making one himself. However, that was not always the case. The native Californian aspired to be a horse trainer when he developed a deep love for horses.

“I’ve always had a love for horses. Genetically, I came with it,” Enk said.

“My brother has never liked horses; he’s a car guy. My grandfather was a farmer in Wisconsin, and he used horses on the farm. We’d always go back in the summer. He had the gene, my mom had the gene and I got it, that affection for horses. My whole life has been fashioned around horses.”

At age 7, after school, Enk rode his bike to a local stable in Long Beach, California, and saddled horses the stable rented for rides. He then was able to ride himself on Friday nights. His family moved close to Los Alamitos Racetrack in Los Alamitos, California, and Enk soon found himself riding five miles by bike at 4 a.m. before school to hot walk racehorses, clean stalls and occasionally gallop a horse. At the racetrack he met Ronnie Richards, an NRCHA Hall of Fame trainer, who kickstarted Enk down the cow horse trail.

Following his service in the U.S. Army, Enk worked for Richards and became involved in horse judging.

“At that time, the American Horse Shows Association was the big deal. I got a card with them. I’ve judged everything, 4-H, you name it,” Enk said. “I learned to judge at the bottom, and that is how you learn to be a judge, when you can place a class with no really good ones. Then, I got the reined cow horse card.”

It’s been quite the evolution for Enk from junior judging to his current position. He has judged the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show, Road to the Horse and many other premier events. Today, the horseman, from Paso Robles, California, oversees the NRCHA’s five-judge system, and he also developed the association’s current score sheets.

Reined Cow Horse News: How does someone become director of judges?

Bill Enk: I didn’t start out to be director of judges; I am a horse trainer. But it is hard to do both a lot. Pretty soon, it took over! I found out I have a passion for it. I have a passion for the teaching, more than I ever thought. My mom was a schoolteacher and I must have got it for her. I enjoy the camaraderie of the Judge’s Room and the making it better, like talking through a run or coming up with score sheets that make more sense. Stuff like that piqued my interest. And here I am. It’s been a good, fun run and I am not done.

RCHN: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Enk: I enjoy the locker room, like they say in sports. I like the team of judges and seeing them come together. When I’m explaining a rule interpretation, I like to see them learn and be interested. I want them to succeed. The scores come together and we get it right [by judging] the finals, that is what I really enjoy.

RCHN: What is the biggest challenge facing a horse show judge today?

Enk: To be able to put the outside influences aside and rely on the team and the process. The other challenge is to make sure you rely on the facts and document your facts in the run, then it allows for the opinion. You can’t have an opinion on the run that isn’t documented by facts. You have to put all your friendships and prejudices and the crowd noise aside. That is very, very hard but the better judges can do that. One of the reasons why [the NRCHA] is growing and we are successful is because the judging is fair. If you have a good run, you get a good score and then let the chips fall where they may.

RCHN: Why does the NRCHA uses a five-judge system?

Enk: The five-judge [system] takes the three scores in the middle, which is really what the run is worth and they are usually real close together. The high and low [scores] are tossed out. The middle is where the run really lies for content and score. There is a lot of difference between a 71 and a 74. With a four judge, you only throw out the low, then one person dictates the judging. One person can taint the judging, but you can’t do that with the five judges. It takes care of ensuring we have a fair score.

Bill Enk serves as NRCHA’s director of judges.

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.

PulseVet’s technology is the trusted source in regenerative veterinary medicine for veterinary partners across the globe. As the authority on shockwave, PulseVet provides only clinically tested and proven solutions and understands the importance of bringing on the best products and services to the industry. PulseVet is uncompromising when the health of animals is at stake. For more information visit www.pulsevet.com.

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 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.

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 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.

INNING WMATERIAL

Hazardouz Material and Erin Taormino had some bad luck during the stallion’s early years of competing, but their persistence paid off at the 2021 Stallion Stakes with an Open win.

By Kristin Pitzer

Photos by Primo Morales

After winning the Intermediate Open at the rescheduled 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes, Hazardouz Material and Erin Taormino stepped up in 2021 to nab the Open win and $43,786.40.

2021 NRCHA STALLION STAKES OPEN TOP 10

Las Vegas, NV – March 26–April 3, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money

1. Hazardouz Material; Erin Taormino; (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); Linda Mars; 666.5 (H:218.5/R:224/C:224); $43,786.40

2. Saddling At Sunrise; Kelby Phillips; (WR This Cats Smart x Sunshine Ingredient x Mr Sun O Lena); Burnett Ranches LLC; 666 (H:219/R:221.5/C:225.5); $32,263.66

3. SarahTrashya; Kelby Phillips; (GunnaTrashYa x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark); DT Horses LLC; 662 (H:218.5/ R:222.5/C:221); $26,502.29

4. Smart Shiney Playboy; Nick Dowers; (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Playgirl x Freckles Playboy); Clinton Marshall; 661 (H:221/R:223/C:217); $20,740.92

5. SnapDragons; Zane Davis; (GunnaTrashYa x CatNaps x High Brow Cat); Shane Law; 659.5 (H:215.5/R:221/C:223); $16,131.83

6. Hesa Dual Bet; Matt Koch; (Bet Hesa Cat x RJJ Miss Viagra Pep x Dual Pep); Kent Blough; 659 (H:214/ R:220.5/C:224.5); $13,827.28

7. Smart Chic An Tari; Sarah Dawson; (Smart Chic Olena x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark); Aaron Ranch; 657.5 (H:219.5/ R:218.5/C:219.5); $11,522.74

8. Graceful Smart Cat; Justin Wright; (WR This Cats Smart x Gracielights x CD Lights); Wagonhound Land & Livestock; 657 (H:222/R:219/C:216); $9,218.19

9. Me And Mrs Jonez; Chris Dawson; (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart); Wendy Buehler; 655.5 (H:216/R:219/C:220.5); $6,913.64

10 (tie). Cee Me Travelin; Sarah Dawson; (Hickory Holly Time x Travelin With Sass x Travalena); Stephen Roseberry; 655 (H:217.5/R:218.5/C:219); $6,337.51

10 (tie). One Time Up North; Cayley Wilson; (One Time Pepto x Our Special Kitten x High Brow Cat); Up North Performance Horses; 655 (H:218/R:220/C:217); $6,337.51

HThe pair entered the herd work finals as the last duo in set three, and that position made Taormino nervous. Though the cattle had been working well, she knew once she got into the middle of them, they could be tricky.

azardouz Material and Erin Taormino had been through the ringer by the time they arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes, held March 26-April 3 at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. As a 3-year-old, the roan stallion’s bid for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® title was spoiled after he stumbled and broke gait, and at the NRCHA Derby the next year, he tripped down the fence and nearly wrecked. Although the pair did clinch the Intermediate Open title at the 2020 Stallion Stakes, but otherwise, circumstances seemed to continually deny their quest for the limelight.

“I knew if I cut him decent cows, he was absolutely going to be there for me, and he was,” Taormino said. “Two of my cattle were reruns, but they were really good. He actually felt more dialed in in the finals than he did in the prelims.”

The duo’s 218.5 landed them ninth going into the rein work. Because of the run-in pattern, Taormino schooled “Skeeter” the night before on galloping through the gate. They were second in the draw, which wasn’t Taormino’s favorite so she came up with a plan.

“I didn’t love that draw because it’s so early and everybody that’s in those finals is going to be running for it,” Taormino said. “My mindset going into the finals

said. “I just went in there with the mindset of watch your cow and let him work, and that’s what I did.”

Taormino and Skeeter’s 224 down the fence resulted in a 666.5 composite score, and the pair nabbed the Championship by half a point. Taormino was thrilled for Mars, who she said has been a supportive owner even through the bobbles they had earlier in the stallion’s career.

“I appreciate all that Linda does for me and for believing in my program, believing in this horse,” said Taormino.

The Stallion Stakes title proved how much Skeeter has progressed since Taormino got him into her program as a late 2-year-old. The 2016 stallion, bred by Taylor Carbo, was started by Travis Stewart, and Taormino said he’s always been athletic. As he’s matured, he’s gotten even stronger and able to utilize his talent, she said.

“He’s got a lot of heart, and for him to get this, it means the world to me. I feel like he really deserves it. He’s been a really good horse from the start.”—Erin Taormino

The duo’s luck finally turned around at the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes when Taormino piloted Hazardouz Material (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) to a composite of 666.5 (H:218.5/R:224/C:224). The pair secured the Open Championship and a check worth $43,786.40 for owner Linda Mars.

“He’s got a lot of heart, and for him to get this, it means the world to me,” Taormino said. “I feel like he really deserves it. He’s been a really good horse from the start.”

rein work was give them something to mark, and make them mark me. I ran him pretty darn hard, and I honest-togoodness could not have asked him to be any better.”

Their 224 was the high score in the Open rein work, putting them in a good position going into the cow work. Taormino was confident in Skeeter’s abilities down the fence; she just hoped they would draw a cow that would allow him the opportunity to show what he could do.

“I have a lot of faith in that horse. He’s just been so consistent and so good that I knew if I drew a good cow, he would be there, and he was spot on,” Taormino

Some of that talent obviously stems from Skeeter’s dam, Scooters Daisy Dukes (Dual Smart Rey x Scooters Playmate x Freckles Playboy), who also produced 2020 Open Champion Scooter Kat (sired by Kit Kat Sugar), ridden by Justin Lawrence and owned by Eric Freitas. The half-brothers weren’t alone in contributing to her dam record at the show, though, as their younger halfsister, A Gritty Kitty (sired by Chiquita Cat), who was also trained by Taormino, won the Non Pro with owner Hope Mills.

Taormino thanked her crew for their help, especially her husband, Anthony, and Sarah Sheridan, who works for her.

“My husband is kind of my rock, and with our little one, I don’t know how I would do it without him,” Taormino said. “[He and Sheridan] keep everything going behind the scenes when I’m showing. It’s definitely a team effort.”

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Saddling At Sunrise (WR This Cats Smart x Sunshine Ingredient x Mr Sun O Lena) carried Kelby Phillips to the Open Reserve Championship with a 666 (H:219/ R:221.5/C:225.5), netting $32,263.66 for owner Burnett Ranches LLC.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION

With a composite score of 655 (H:214/R:219.5/C:221.5), One Ata Time (One Time Pepto x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) and Ryan Gallentine nabbed the Intermediate Open title for owner Steve Mattson, worth $13,379.18.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Ken and Renee Jones’ stallion Back In The Blue (Metallic Cat x Shinin Melody x Peppys Boy 895) and Tyson Benson scored a 655 (H:219/R:218/C:218) for the Intermediate Open Reserve Championship and $9,506.26.

LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

Desires Sweet Pepto (Sweet Lil Pepto x Desires Lil Scoot x Scootin Boon), ridden by Veronica Swales, scored a 648 (H:215.5/R:216/C:216.5) for the Limited Open Championship. Owner Robin Morrison banked $5,377.28.

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Tripp Townsend rode his stallion TRR Lucky Brazos (Pepcid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun) to a score of 644.5 (H:212/R:215.5/C:217) for the Limited Open Reserve title and $4,225.

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Taking home the Level 1 Limited Open Reserve Championship for owner Erica McNaney was SJR Sparkin Metal (Metallic Cat x CD Sparkle x CD Olena), who scored a 645 (H:218/ R:214.5/C:212.5) with Cody McNaney. The pair banked $2,902.68.

LEVEL 1 LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

HQ Wilma Gotta Kitty (Meteles Cat x Wilma Gotta Gun x Spooks Gotta Gun) and Sarah Murphey rode to a 649 (H:215/R:214/C:220) for the Level 1 Limited Open Championship, earning $3,694.32 for owner Reid Hockenson.

OPEN NOVICE HORSE CHAMPION

Clayton Edsall rode Kim Basterrechea’s Heza Rowdy Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Dear Little Boon Bar x Boon Bar) to a 661 (H:221.5/R:215/C:224.5) for the Open Novice Horse Championship, worth $6,313.32.

$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 be 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 3/1/2021)

$2,000 ADDED

NRCHA Celebration of Champions

February 11–20, Fort Worth, TX

Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch

NRCHA Stakes

March 26–April 3, Las Vegas, NV

$2,000 ADDED

NRCHA Derby

June 2–12, Scottsdale, AZ

Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch

$7,500 ADDED

APHA World Show

July 2–3, 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

$2,000 ADDED

NRCHA Eastern Derby

July 10–17, Cordova, TN

Sponsored by War Ponies – Elite Paint Cowhorses

$2,000 ADDED

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity October 8–23, Fort Worth, TX

Sponsored by McSpyder Ranch

OPEN NOVICE HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION

Wendy Buehler’s mare Me And Mrs Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter x WR This Cats Smart), piloted by Chris Dawson, scored a 660 (H:217.5/R:220/C:222.5) for the Open Novice Horse Reserve title and $4,984.20.

NRCHA & EVENT SPONSORS

PERFECT APARTNERSHIP

With only a few weeks together, Hope Mills and A Gritty Kitty rode away with the NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non Pro win.

By Kristin Pitzer

Photos by Primo Morales

Hope Mills and A Gritty Kitty navigated to the Stallion Stakes Non Pro win with a 653.5 composite.

Las Vegas, NV – March 26–April 3, 2021 Horse/Rider/Pedigree/Owner/Score/Money

1. A Gritty Kitty; Hope Mills; (Chiquita Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); HM Horses; 653.5 (H:217/ R:216.5/C:220); $8,207.55

2. Dual Smarty; Julia Winders; (Dual Smart Rey x Cats Gabriella Acre x Cats Merada); Julia Winders; 648 (H:217.5/ R:218.5/C:212); $6,566.04

3. Play Rey Sugar Baby; Tammy Jo Hays; (Kit Kat Sugar x Lil Play Rey x Reys Dual Badger); Walter Greeman & Tammy Hays; 646 (H:217/R:218/C:211); $5,129.72

4. Shiney Nickel; Gianna Hansen; (Smart Boons x Nic A Shiner x Smart Shiner); Gianna Hansen; 645 (H:214/ R:215/C:216); $4,103.78

5. Dualin Alittle Time; Debbie Crafton; (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep); Debbie Crafton; 643.5 (H:212/R:217/C:214.5); $3,283.02

6. One Time Frosty Nic; Toni Hagen Heath; (One Time Pepto x Hollywood Frosty Nic x Hollywood Vintage); Daniel Heath; 637.5 (H:214/R:214/C:209.5); $2,872.64

7. Seven S Reyzor; Brent Ratliff; (Dual Smart Rey x Seven S Stylish Page x Peptos Blue Oak); Brent Ratliff; 636 (H:212/ R:208.5/C:215.5); $2,462.27

8. CR Tuff Guns N Roses; Abbie Phillips; (Woody Be Tuff x Gypsy Rose Rey x Dual Rey); Abbie Phillips; 635 (H:215.5/ R:218.5/C:201); $2,051.89

9. Miss Regan Street; Tammy Johnston; (Cee Mr Hickory x Miss Bourbon Street x Pep Bar Deck); Trystin Johnston; 633 (H:213/R:213/C:207); $1,641.51

10 (tie). Time To Lay It Down; Landon Luce; (One Time Pepto x Katies Kitty x High Brow Cat); Andrea Luce; 624.5 (H:198/R:212/C:214.5); $1,333.73

10 (tie). Smooth Cat Player 17; Carrie Volmer; (Smooth As A Cat x Lizzys Lil Playgirl x Lizzys Gotta Player); Carrie Volmer; 624.5 (H:212/R:209.5/C:203); $1,333.73

preliminaries and the finals. I wanted to see what she would give me the second time.”

In the herd work finals, Mills was determined to not make the same mistakes from the prelims. She aimed to keep things clean and show the judges Kitty’s potential, as the herd work is the mare’s favorite. The pair scored a 217, which was second highest overall.

Hope Mills and A Gritty Kitty weren’t well acquainted when they entered the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, but by the time the Non Pro Finals rolled around on April 3, there was no doubt the pair was in sync. Thirteen teams vied for their share of the $41,037.75 purse, and after the dust settled Mills and the mare, who she’d only owned since February, came out on top, winning the title and a $8,207.55 check.

As they progressed to the rein work, Mills and the mare were met with a new challenge. The pattern called for a run in, which Mills had never practiced with Kitty before.

“I was like, ‘Oh, boy!’ ” Mills said with a laugh. “I just got this mare, so I don’t know everything about her. I just kind of went out there and showed her.

along, it was still going,” Mills said. “I was like, ‘Oh man, Kitty, you’ve got to keep going!’ Everything lined up for us perfectly.”

The pair scored a 220 down the fence, the highest cow work score. Their composite of 653.5 topped the reserve champions by 5 1/2 points.

It was a great accomplishment for so little time together since Mills purchased Kitty a little more than a month prior. She found the 2017 Aaron Cook-bred mare through Lipan, Texas, NRCHA professional Erin Taormino, who trained her as a 3-year-old. The mare is a half-sister to Stakes Open winner Hazardouz Material.

In the short time they’ve been together, Mills has seen Kitty only get better, giving her confidence in their future together.

“I feel like every time we make a run, we have places to build. I don’t feel like I’ve maxed her potential. I’m super excited for the show year because I feel like she still hasn’t given me her all yet.”—Hope Mills

For Mills, just making the finals was a success in itself. She and A Gritty Kitty (Chiquita Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) had a few bobbles in the preliminary herd work and barely secured a finals position as the last hole. Though she could have nitpicked those issues during the days leading up to the finals, Mills instead gave “Kitty” some time to rest.

“She’s a bit on the lazy side, so I tried to not do too much with her,” said Mills, of Burneyville, Oklahoma. “I didn’t want to blow out too much air between the

“She’s not a huge fan of speed,” Mills added. “She likes to be a little bit on the slow side because she’s a little on the lazier side.”

The mare stopped and backed up well, but seemed a little tired during her circles. Still, the 216.5 the team marked kept them in the running for the title.

She was a little worn out after the rein work, but Kitty stepped up to bat in the fence finals. She and Mills had a good run going, but when they went to circle their cow, it surprised them with a burst of energy.

“I thought I had kind of run the air out of it, but by the time my circles came

“I feel like every time we make a run, we have places to build. I don’t feel like I’ve maxed her potential,” Mills said. “I’m super excited for the show year because I feel like she still hasn’t given me her all yet. I feel like this year will be very interesting—if I can keep my husband off of her, that is.”

Joking aside, Mills thanked her husband, Dustin, who is a trainer, for his support, along with her parents, Dan and Shawna Miller, for giving her the opportunities to dedicate her life to reined cow horse. She also mentioned Taormino for helping her find Kitty.

“She has given me the opportunity on this mare, and she actually trained my 3-year-old that I won the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit] Futurity on, too, so she’s been a big part of my career,” Mills said.

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.

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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.

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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.

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION, INTERMEDIATE NON PRO CHAMPION

Julia Winders rode her stallion Dual Smarty (Dual Smart Rey x Cats Gabriella Acre x Cats Merada) to a 648 (H:217.5/R:218.5/C:212) for Non Pro Reserve and Intermediate Non Pro Championship honors, banking $10,196.30.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

With a 646 (H:217/R:218/C:211), Tammy Jo Hays and Play Rey Sugar Baby (Kit Kat Sugar x Lil Play Rey x Reys Dual Badger), co-owned by Hays and Walter Greeman, took home the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Championship and a check worth $2,841.08.

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NOVICE NON PRO CHAMPION

Gianna Hansen piloted her mare Shiney Nickel (Smart Boons x Nic A Shiner x Smart Shiner) to a composite of 645 (H:214/R:215/C:216) for the Novice Non Pro Championship. The duo collected $1,578.38.

NOVICE NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

With a 639 composite (H:212/R:211.5/C:215.5), Danielle Quinn and Whenever Wherever (Smart Luck x Travalen Easter x Travalena), owned by D&S Performance Horses, secured the Novice Non Pro Reserve title and a check for $1,262.70.

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AMATEUR CHAMPION

Landon Luce and Time To Lay It Down (One Time Pepto x Katies Kitty x High Brow Cat), owned by Andrea Luce, took home the Amateur Championship with a score of 645 (H:215.5/R:212/C:217.5), worth $1,296.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Denille LePlatt and her mare Hannas Metallic Rey (Metallic Cat x Reyhanna x Dual Rey) scored a 657 (H:218/R:217/C:222) for the Non Pro Limited Championship and $3,412.80.

AMATEUR RESERVE CHAMPION

The Amateur Reserve Championship and $1,036.80 went to Justine Munns and her stallion The Lena Look (Light N Lena x Look The Look x High Brow Cat) after the duo scored a 637.5 (H:214/R:216/C:207.5).

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Smooth Cat Voo (Smooth As A Cat x Voodoo Chic x Smart Chic Olena) carried her owner, Calley Satriana, to the Non Pro Limited Reserve title with a 654 (H:215/ R:217/C:222), garnering $2,730.24.

TARSTRUCK AT THE SPECTACULAR S

Smartly Starstruck claimed the coveted Open Bridle Spectacular win with NRCHA $2 Million Rider Todd Bergen.

By Bonnie Wheatley

Equine superstars stole the spotlight March 26-April 3 at South Point Arena Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes. Shining brightest amongst the bridle horse entries was Smartly Starstruck, owned by Linda McMahon’s McSpyder Ranch, and expertly ridden by Oregon trainer Todd Bergen to claim the coveted Open Bridle Spectacular crown and $10,320.

On the heels of having had to scratch his entry from the DT Horses and Hashtags’ World’s Greatest Horseman competition in February, the win was rewarding for Bergen. The NRCHA Million Dollar Rider spent February on forced hiatus, rather than in Fort Worth, Texas, due to a herniated disc in his back.

“I’d spent all last fall and winter getting him [Smartly Starstruck] ready for the World’s Greatest, so it was disappointing to have to miss it,” said Bergen.

“He got some time off while I recouped, but he got right back where he needed to be and my help kept him ready while I was out.”

Battling back strong for the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Bridle Spectacular validated Bergen’s belief in Smartly Starstruck, a horse he describes as “the whole package.” Smartly Starstruck (Very Smart Remedy x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight) embodied that description when he marked a 221.5 out of the herd and followed it up with an outstanding 223 in the rein work. Bergen and Smartly Starstruck actually tied with Sarah Dawson, riding Shine Smarter, for the top composite of 667; however, Bergen’s 222.5 down the fence was the tiebreaker that secured the Open Bridle Spectacular victory.

“He’s a talented horse, he’s very good minded,” said Bergen. “He’s been in my program the whole time during his career, and he’s always been a horse that’s stayed solid and performed well on a

consistent basis. He can go out and mark big scores in all three events and you can count on him to do that consistently, which is what you need to have to be successful at these big bridle spectaculars.”

For a guy who’s won about everything there is to win, the Eagle Point, Oregon, horseman says there’s still no greater thrill than winning an NRCHA premier event title.

“Anytime you’re in that kind of company like we have at these major NRCHA events, I don’t care how many titles you’ve won, it’s the best in the nation there—the best horses, the best riders,” he said. “It’s a lot of work to compete and have success at that level so it’s always a proud accomplishment.”

Smartly Starstruck boasted NRCHA lifetime earnings of $76,725 prior to the Stakes. The 2012 stallion is an elite athlete that Bergen is proud to have in his training program.

“I’m thankful to Linda McMahon for her faith in our program and for trusting

Photos by Primo Morales

Smartly Starstruck (Very Smart Remedy x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight), ridden by Todd Bergen for owner McSpyder Ranch, put up a 667 composite (H:221.5/R:223/C:222.5) to earn $10,320.

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Sarah Dawson and Shine Smarter (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) were Open Bridle Spectacular reserve champions with a 667 to earn $8,256. Shine Smarter is owned by Linda Mars.

me with him,” said Bergen. “She’s always been a great owner and she gives me free rein to make the decisions.”

Bergen also thanks his family and dedicated team.

“It’s not just me, it’s definitely not just one person,” he said. “My wife Missy, my kids, my help—you can’t do this without good help. My daughter Halle and her cousin were able to be there helping me in Vegas, too, since it was spring break.”

Perrin, Texas, NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion

Sarah Dawson’s 221 cow work score on Shine Smarter (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) combined with a 225 out of the herd and 221 in the rein work to secure the reserve championship and a check for $8,256. Shine Smarter is owned by Linda Mars.

A team of polished veterans took the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular championship when Randy Paul rode Linda Katz’s 2007 gelding LenaLilToTheWright (Lenas Wright On x Shining Survivor x Shining Spark) to a cumulative score of 660 (H:219/R:222/C:219), clinching the win and $2,688.

Wade Reaney and Sinfully Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Style x Docs Stylish Oak) finished as reserve champions of the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular. The 2013 gelding earned $2,112 for owner Karen Olsen with a composite 657 (H:214/R:218.5/C:224.5).

INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION

Randy Paul rode Linda Katz’s 2007 gelding LenaLilToTheWright (Lenas Wright On x Shining Survivor x Shining Spark) to a cumulative score of 660 (H:219/R:222/C:219) to clinch the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular win and $2,688.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Wade Reaney and Sinfully Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Style x Docs Stylish Oak) were reserve champions in the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular. The 2013 gelding earned $2,112 for owner Karen Olsen with a composite 657 (H:214/R:218.5/C:224.5).

NON PRO BRIDLE SPECTACULAR

Besting the 36-entry, $10,000-added Non Pro Bridle Spectacular was the rock-solid team of Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark), owned by Cutter’s parents, Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.

“Winning the World’s Greatest Youth Horseman and then coming to the Stakes and winning the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular—getting those two titles back-to-back is pretty awesome, having the horsepower to do that is so much fun,” the young horseman said.

Cutter considers himself blessed to have the opportunity to show CD Dee Vee Dee, a Supreme Reined Cow Horse whose NRCHA lifetime earnings totaled $263,380 prior to the Stakes.

“It’s awesome for me to have the chance to show a horse of his caliber, it’s fun and a really great opportunity,” he said.

Cutter and “DVD” teamed up for a 148 out of the herd, 144.5 in the rein work and punctuated their win with a 148.5 on the cow for a composite 441 to edge reserve champion, Addison Fjelstad. The Non Pro Bridle Spectacular win came with a $5,024 payday, plus Cutter banked another $2,200 for topping the Non Pro Bridle horse show class.

“I had a great show on DVD. The herd and fence were his strongest events in Vegas. I had a couple of rider errors in the reining,” he said humbly.

Cutter is a junior in high school and when asked what he enjoys doing at home in Clarendon, Texas, when he and his family aren’t showing horses, Cutter says he never tires of riding and working horses. McLaughlin and DVD seem to be birds of a feather since the stalwart gelding hates missing a horse show.

“He loves going to horse shows,” Cutter said. “He really hates getting left at home in a stall if he doesn’t get to go.”

At 16 years young, DVD’s love for

Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark), owned by Jay and Wendy McLaughlin, dominated the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular with a composite 441 (H:148/R:144.5/C:148.5) to earn $5,024, plus another $2,200 in the Non Pro Bridle horse class.

his job is nothing short of admirable.

Cutter says he and his family will pick and choose the bigger events in which to showcase the great gelding this year in order to help preserve his longevity.

Beyond his appreciation for his horse, Cutter says he is fortunate to have a great support team behind him.

“I’m thankful for my parents, my brother, my grandparents and my girlfriend, Tylor Todd, and her family for all

their support,” Cutter said. “Also, Todd Bergen, Corey Cushing, my dad Jay, and Tyler Merrill for helping me in the herd work. I’m very grateful to have everyone’s help.”

Riding her 2006 gelding Mini Mes Mercedes (Mini Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Olenas Command), Addison Fjelstad put up a 439.5 (H:147/R:144.5/ C:148) and earned $4,019 in the Non Pro Spectacular as reserve champion.

NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

Addison Fjelstad and Mini Mes Mercedes (Mini Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Olenas Command) posted a 439.5 (H:147/R:144.5/C:148) to earn $4,019 in the Non Pro Spectacular as reserve champions.

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Ruth Jackson and her 2012 gelding Master Of The Seas (Yellow Roan Of Texas x Sugar Babe Taffy x Master Remedy) rode to the Reserve Champion Non Pro Limited title with a composite 428.5 (H:145/R:141/C:142.5). She earned $3,152.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Landri Lisac rode her 2014 gelding Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) to the Non Pro Limited Spectacular Champion title with a composite 431.5 (H:143/R:143/C:145.5), which earned her $3,940.

YOUTH BRIDLE SPECTACULAR

Trail Townsend and TRR Lucky Playgun (Pepcid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun) took the title of Youth Bridle Spectacular Champion home to Earth, Texas, after marking a massive 150 down the fence to seal the win with a 437 (H:142/R:145). TRR Lucky Playgun is a 2009 gray gelding owned by Trail’s dad, Tripp Townsend. He was bred by the Tongue River Ranch, which is headquartered in Paducah, Texas.

“I got lucky,” the understated home-schooled high school junior said. “He felt great in the herd work to start it off with and we marked a 142, which I wasn’t disappointed with. Then he was really good in the rein work and the cow work was one of the best I think we’ve had.”

Trail says he made it a point to relax and not put too much pressure on himself, an approach he feels paid off at the Stakes.

“I’d been fighting my head, so I just told myself before the fence work, ‘just go show, learn to have fun,’ and it paid off,” he said. “The cow was fast but I knew he could handle it, I wasn’t scared about that because I always have a lot of confidence in him, but not necessarily always a lot of confidence in myself trying to show off his talents, so I just made a point to relax.”

YOUTH CHAMPION

Trail Townsend and TRR Lucky Playgun (Pepcid x TRR Ms Lucky Gun x Playgun) took the Youth Bridle Spectacular Champion title with a 437 (H:142/R:145/C:150) to earn $450.

YOUTH RESERVE CHAMPION

Youth Bridle Spectacular Reserve Champion Catelyn Walker and her 2013 gelding Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) marked a 436.5 (H:144/ R:146.5/C:146) and earned $375.

“I just told myself before the fence work, ‘just go show, learn to have fun,’ and it paid off.”

–Trail Townsend

Showing reined cow horses is something Trail loves to do and he says while he’s not sure if he will pursue training as a profession or not, he does plan to ride and show for as long as he can. Trail has a snaffle bitter that will keep him busy this summer. He is also taking some college classes and tentatively plans to attend Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. While he’s not sure what his long-range career plans are, Trail says he is interested in politics, as well as optometry.

YOUTH LIMITED CHAMPION

Riding 2006 gelding Mini Mes Mercedes (Mini Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Olenas Command), owned by her sister Addison Fjelstad, Laney Fjelstand won the Youth Limited Spectacular Champion title with a composite 436.5 (H:145/ R:144.5/C:147), which earned $520.

Trail says he enjoyed showing at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center for the first time, adding that it’s now a close second behind Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas, as his favorite venue.

“I’m thankful to my parents for hauling me and keeping good horses for me to show,” he said. “And I’m thankful for all my friends. They come to the back gate to cheer and they’re always there to support me. It helps a lot.”

Trail was rewarded $450 for winning the $1,000-added Youth Bridle Spectacular by a half-point over reserve champion Catelyn Walker. Catelyn and her 2013 gelding Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) marked a 436.5 and earned $375.

YOUTH LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Caroline Buchanan rode 2010 gelding A Time For Jazz (One Time Pepto x Starlight And Jazz x Greys Starlight), owned by her mom Anne Buchanan, to a 434.5 (H:145/R:145.5/C:144), winning reserve and $390.

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 licensed veterinarian.

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.

TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Erin Taormino perfectly bookended an amazing 10-day run in Las Vegas with dual championships. She kicked off the week by dominating the Open Two Rein Spectacular aboard Im So Stunning, then ended the show with Open Stallion Stakes victory aboard Hazardouz Material.

“It’s the kind of thing that’s hard to wrap my head around,” Taormino said. “I say it’s the most humbling thing, because the Two Rein Spectacular was absolutely a stacked field of horses and riders, so to win that and then winning the Open Stakes—what can you say? I’ve got an incredible group of horses and the

Im So Stunning (Metallic Cat x Absolutely Stunning x Smart Little Lena), owned by Jennifer Ostenson and ridden by Erin Taormino, won the Open Two Rein Spectacular thanks in part to a big 223 down the fence. Their high composite of 662 (H:221/R:218) paid $5,520, plus another $2,144 for winning second in the concurrent Open Two Rein class.

owners who trust me with them are just fabulous people, all of them. Even the horses that it wasn’t their day to make the finals, those owners understand and we appreciate them all so much.”

Im So Stunning, sired by Metallic Cat and out of the Smart Little Lena daughter Absolutely Stunning, is owned by accomplished Non Pro competitor Jennifer Ostenson, of Longmont, Colorado, and was purchased out of T.J. Good’s program as a 2-year-old. Taormino says she intentionally did not over-prepare the 2015 gelding and was glad for it when he stepped up to tame a tough cow and earn a 223 down the fence.

The duo’s 662 composite (H:221/R:218) topped the 33-horse field and paid $5,520, plus another $2,144 for winning second in the concurrent Open Two Rein class.

“With the rein and fence work together, I tried to prepare him in such a way to leave a little bit extra in the tank,” Taormino said. “In the fence work that cow came out and was fast and kind of moved into him. He handled it great.”

Taormino is thankful to have her friends and family as enthusiastic supporters, No. 1 among them her husband, Anthony.

“He is 120 percent my rock and I could not do what I do without him,” she said. “I feel like with my sponsors I’m backed by a very great group of people that stay supportive through everything. Because of COVID my family back in Canada couldn’t come down, but they watched the live webcast from home. I just feel like I have the best cheering group.”

With a young family and full stable of elite cow horses to care for, Taormino expressed her thanks to Sara Sheridan and Carson-Rose Canter for the roles they play.

“Sara is a young lady that we’re very fortunate to have involved in our program; that girl comes to work every day

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Open Two Rein Reserve Champion Stylish In Socks (Metallic Cat x Stylish In Stockings x Peptoboonsmal) was ridden by Clayton Edsall for owner Beverly Servi to a 660.5 (H:223/R:215/C:222.5) to earn $4,320.

with a smile on her face and she has so much talent and ambition, we’re very fortunate to have her with us,” Taormino said. “Carson-Rose Canter was recommended to us by a friend and we couldn’t do what we do without her. Westley [my son] loves her too; she’s come through for us time and again.”

As for the Taormino’s son, he loves the horse show lifestyle as much as they do.

“He loves the horses, loves to ride and his most common phrase is, ‘I want to go fast,’ And he does, quite often,” she said. Just like mom.

The Open Two Rein Spectacular Reserve Champion was Stylish In Socks (Metallic Cat x Stylish In Stockings x Peptoboonsmal), ridden by Clayton Edsall for owner Beverly Servi to a 660.5 (H:223/R:215/C:222.5) for earnings of $4,320.

NON PRO TWO REIN SPECTACULAR

Accomplished NRCHA Non Pro competitor Katherine De Haan, DVM, “Kat,” claimed the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular title riding the home-raised

2015 gelding Smooth Dera Max (Smooth As A Cat x Dera Dually x Dual Pep), owned and bred by her father, Harry De Haan.

“It was very special for me and my family to win it on a horse we raised,” De Haan said. “We showed his older brother, Dera Cat. My dad called me when I was in vet school to tell me he had bought the dam of Dera Cat in foal to Smooth As A Cat, which ended up being Smooth Dera Max.”

De Haan says that although Smooth Dera Max hasn’t been in the bridle long, she was confident in his abilities, adding that the gelding earned the Stallion Stakes Level 1 Open winwith NRCHA professional Matt Frederick back in 2019.

“I knew I had the horse to do it. He’s a little bit reactive and you have to be sensitive to that,” she said. “Dan Roeser helps me, and I say he’s the ‘Bridle Master;’ he’s taught me so much.”

De Haan’s composite 431 (H:143.5/ R:142/C:145.5) earned her $2,760, plus another $1,365 as champion of the Non Pro Two Rein horse show class for a total

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Kat De Haan and Smooth Dera Max put up a 431 composite (H:143.5/R:142/C:145.5) to bank $2,760 as the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular champions, plus another $1,365 for winning the Non Pro Two Rein class. Harry De Haan is the owner of Smooth Dera Max.

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular was Debbie Crafton aboard Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep), a 2015 stallion, who earned $2,208 for their composite 430.5 (H:143.5/R:143/C:144). The pair also placed second in the Non Pro Two Rein, earning another $1,138.

of $4,125. Despite losing her stirrup in the midst of her second fence turn, De Haan wasn’t rattled.

“I think being an equine vet helps me in the show pen because in my job I encounter stressful situations, but you have to keep your wits about you and not get frazzled. I just held on as hard as I could and kicked,” she said, adding that “Max” stopped huge during the rein work and exhibited his extreme cow smarts down the fence to gain the win.

“My parents were able to be there, which was great,” she said. “My dad is always at the back gate encouraging me, and my mom, Susan, is so supportive. She’s always in the stands sending me text updates and cheering me on. My sister, Jennifer Cummins, went with me and helped; it was great to have my family there.”

De Haan is thankful for clients at home in Nampa, Idaho, who understand when she leaves to show.

“I’m also grateful to have the horses I do,” she added. “I’ve had a number of great bridle horses and they always try 100 percent. Showing these horses is something I know is a luxury and I’m so thankful I get the opportunity to participate [in cow horse events].”

De Haan looks forward to showing Smooth Dera Max more in the two rein, and his 3-year-old full brother, which De Haan recently aquired as a Futurity prospect.

The reserve title in the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular went to Debbie Crafton aboard Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep), a 2015 stallion, who earned $2,208 for their composite 430.5

ERIN TAORMINO

This NRCHA Reserve Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion recognizes the power of nutrition. She’s been a Platinum client since 2008. The nutrition supporting Erin’s

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OP OF THE CLASS T

Compiled by Bonnie Wheatley

Photos by Primo Morales

During the 2021 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes, held March 26-April 3 at South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, a full slate of championships were awarded.

OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION & INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Mr Comin In Hot (Mr Playinstylish x Lil Sally Cat x High Brow Cat), ridden by Luke Jones for Kit and Charlie Moncrief, scored a 295.5 (R:145.5/C:150) to earn $2,688 as the Open Bridle Champion.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve in the Intermediate Open Bridle was Prize Winning Gal (Smokums Prize x Ill Be A Winning Gal x Ill Be Smart), ridden by Wyatt Fisher for owners Jayson and Teresa Fisher, to a 291.5 (R:144.5/C:147), which was worth $475.

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Open Bridle reserve champion was Ill Bet Cha (Bet Hesa Cat x Kiss Me A Little x Smart Little Pepinic), ridden by Sarah Lyn Kennedy for owner Riley Valin, to a 294 (R:144/C:150). The Intermediate Open Bridle win paid $570, and reserve in the Open Bridle added $2,112 to Ill Bet Cha’s earnings.

Lisa Kittel and her 2013 mare Lucky Lil Lena Dr (Autumnator x Smoky Lucky Lena Dr x Mr Smoky Lena) scored the Limited Open Bridle win and $1,725 thanks to a 288 (R:143/C:145).

MARTIN PERFORMANCE

Erin Taormino

LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Moms Attractive CD (Moms Stilish Cat x Attractive Wipeout x CD Olena) and owner-rider Alanna Starkovich earned Limited Open Bridle reserve honors and $1,380 thanks to a 286 (R:143/C:143).

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION & YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady x Shining Spark), ridden by Matt Koch for owner Myra Koch, scored a 441 (R:217/C:224) to earn the Open Two Rein championship and $2,680.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Tylor Todd rode her 2011 gelding Mr Stylish Cat (Mr Playinstylish x Lil Sally Cat x High Brow Cat) to a 292 (R:145.5/C:147.5) to take the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle title and a check for $1,629. Todd and Mr Stylish Cat marked a 290 (R:146.5/C:143.5) for coreserve in the Youth Cow Horse to earn $124.

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For the second year in a row, Chandler Daddino and her 2013 gelding Mister PBR (Mister Smart Remedy x Shes A Daisy x Smart Little Pepinic) won reserve with a 290 (R:144.5/C:145.5) to earn $1,303.

NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION —TIE

Mike Lundy and his 2013 mare Cee

These Guns (Colonels Smoking Gun x Dun It In The Bay x Starlights Wrangler) won the Novice Non Pro Bridle title with a 288 (R:143.5/C:144.5) to earn $1,554.

Tying for reserve in the Novice Non Pro Bridle class was all-around cowgirl Ali Norcutt riding Soulas Hickory Star (Soula Jule Star x Turn Liz Loose x Docs Hickory), owned by her dad, Darrel Norcutt. Norcutt scored a 287 (R:144/C:143), which was worth $1,087.

NOVICE NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION —TIE

Lucky Cee Blair (Dun It Gotta Gun x Cee Blair Lady x Blair Cee) and Kate Buchanan tied for Reserve Novice Non Pro Bridle with a 287 (R:147 /C:140 ). The 2007 gelding is owned by Caroline Buchanan, who earned $1,087.

Paul Wilinski rode his 2013 gelding Smooth Santanna (Smooth As A Cat x Smart Mariah x Smart Little Lena) to a 286.5 (R:142/C:144.5) to earn $280.

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Pam Myers rode Stylish Cat N Jazz (Tin Top Kat x Cattys Dual Jazz x Dual Jazz) to a composite score of 280.5 (R:140/C:140.5), which earned her $210 for reserve in the Select Non Pro Bridle.

Star Chromed Cat (RS Cats Starlight x Peptos Play Reba x Peptos Playboy) was ridden to a composite 294.5 (R:145.5/C:149) by Brad Barkemeyer for owners Larry and Karen Lommen. They were rewarded with a $2,250 paycheck. The Intermediate Open Hackamore win paid $540.

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE & INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

SJR Smooth Lil Oak (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Little Oak x Shining Spark) and Kyle Noyce were reserve with a 294.5 (R:146/C:148.5) to earn $1,875 for owner Janie Dvorak-Compton. The Intermediate Open Hackamore placing paid $450.

RN Wood Be Royalty (Woody Be Tuff x Royalty Cat x High Brow Cat), ridden by Dallie Lawrence for owners Justin and Kelcie Lawrence, took the Limited Open Hackamore win thanks to a 281.5 (R:143/C:138.5), which was worth $1,250.

LIMITED

OPEN HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION

Dominating the top two holes in the Limited Open Hackamore, Dallie Lawrence rode Mike and Connie Todd’s 2016 mare A Spoonful Of Denver (Metallic Cat x A Spoonful Short x Hes A Peptospoonful) to reserve with a 280 (R:140.5/C:139.5), which paid $625.

Winning the Non Pro Hackamore championship was Brittany Factor riding Nickles Playgirl (Shiners Nickle x SDP Driven With Mom x Hydrive Cat), owned by Factor Performance Horses. Factor’s score of 285 (R:142/C:143) earned her $1,292.

PRO HACKAMORE RESERVE CHAMPION NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION

YOUTH COW HORSE RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE

Paris Starn rode her 2016 gelding Lil Dusty Dual Rey (Dual Rey x Lil Dusty Lola x CD Royal) to reserve and $969 with a 284.5 (R:142/C:142.5).

Cutter McLaughlin and WR This Cats Sporty (WR This Cats Smart x Shiney N Sporty x Shining Spark) marked a 290 (R:141.5/C:148.5) to earn reserve in the Youth Cow Horse and $124 for his parents, owners Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.

NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE & $5,000 NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Shelby Sorenson earned the Non Pro Limited Championship aboard her 2015 gelding Smokin Masterpiece (Spark Master x Love To Boom x Boomernic) with a 293 (R:145/C:148) to earn $1,500.

Elise M. Mason rode Sheza Haillion (Shine Like Hail x Sheza Playgun Too x Playgun) to a 290.5 (R:144.5/C:146) to share reserve honors in the Non Pro Limited and pocket $1,088. Mason also won the $5,000 Non Pro Limited for another $794.

NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION — TIE & SELECT NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Nicki Marmelzat and her 2014 mare Quintallic Cat (Metallic Cat x Quintana Cassy x Don Quintana) were reserve in the Non Pro Limited and first in the Non Pro Limited Select with a 290.5 (R:145/ C:145.5) to earn $1,088, plus another $438.

$5,000 NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

Daniel Perez and Red Carpet Style (CD Lights x Stylish N Shiney x Shining Spark) were reserve in the Non Pro Limited Select with a 287 (R:144/C:143) to earn $350.

$1,000 NON PRO LIMITED CHAMPION

Lanette Frye rode Over A Barrell (Nic It In The Bud x Katie Gun x John Gun) to reserve in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited with a 287 (R:141.5/C:145.5) to earn $635.

Earning the championship and $413 was Alexandra Vipham riding Uno Im Wright (Hes Wright On x Uno What Weeno x Smart Little Uno) to a 290.5 (R:145/C: 145.5).

$1,000 NON PRO LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION

YOUTH LIMITED CHAMPION & YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Reserve was Danielle Holzer-Burkitt riding Watch My Bud (Nic It In The Bud x Watch Me Stylin x Playin Stylish) to a 285 (R:143/C:142) to earn $330.

LooksLikeLuckToMe (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep ), owned by Timothy and Katherine Miller, was ridden by Landri Lisac to a 293 (R:144/C:149) for the win in the Youth Limited, which earned $203. Lisac also won the Youth Limited 13 & Under.

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

BEGINNING FENCE WORK CHAMPION

Jill Flint rode Champ Sunshine (PA Oh Cay Champ x Jazzys Baby Bob x Bob Acres Reward) to a 287 for first in the Beginning Fence Work class and $788.

The following winners are also listed and pictured in the Stallion Stakes Spectacular event coverage.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Cutter McLaughlin and CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark) claimed the Non Pro Bridle championship with a convincing 293 (R:144.5/C:.5) to take the win and earn $2,200. CD Dee Vee Dee is owned by Cutter’s parents, Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.

NON PRO BRIDLE RESERVE CHAMPION

Addison Fjelstad and Mini Mes Mercedes (Mini Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Olenas Command) earned $1,760 with a 292.5 (R:145.5/C:148).

OPEN TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Im So Stunning (Metallic Cat x Absolutely Stunning x Smart Little Lena), ridden by Erin Taormino for owner Jennifer Ostenson, scored a 441 (R:218/C:223) to take reserve honors and $2,144.

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Kat De Haan and Smooth Dera Max put up a 287.5 composite (R:142/C:145.5) to bank $1,365 for winning the Non Pro Two Rein horse show class. Harry De Haan is the owner of Smooth Dera Max.

NON PRO TWO REIN RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve in the Non Pro Two Rein class was Debbie Crafton aboard Metallic Flame (Metallic Cat x Scooby Dooby Dual x Dual Pep) with a 287 (R:143/C:144) to earn $1,138.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

Youth Cow Horse Champion Catelyn Walker and her 2013 gelding Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) marked a 292.5 (R:146.5/C:146) and earned $375.

YOUTH LIMITED RESERVE CHAMPION & YOUTH LIMITED 13 & UNDER RESERVE CHAMPION

Reserve was Laney Fjelstad riding Addison Fjelstad’s 2006 gelding Mini Mes Mercedes (Mini Me Merada x Spooks Hickory x Olenas Command) to earn $162 with a 291.5 (R:144.5/C:147). Fjelstad was also second in the Youth Limited 13 & Under.

BEGINNING FENCE WORK RESERVE CHAMPION

Landri Lisac rode Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) to a 284 to earn $656.

ASSOCIATION

BREEDER DIRECTORY NATIONAL

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 a i Alfalfa e ati a t e aise e tifie Organic Black Angus Beef. Learn more about them on the web at www.RogersHSR.com.

e t e t a il Strawn Valley Ranch, Dual Smart Rey is a top NCHA and NRCHA sire with over 8 Million lla s i ffs i ea i s Dual Smart Rey is sired by AQHA Hall of Fame Stallion Dual Rey, who has well over $41 million in offspring earnings in both the NCHA and NRCHA and out of The Smart Look, who remains Equistat 5th Top Producing Broodmare with over $1.8 Million in produce earnings including top NRCHA sire WR This Cats Smart. Exclusively trained and shown by Phil Rapp, “Lloyd” as e is affe ti atel as a se i fi alist i the 2005 NCHA Futurity Open, followed in 2006 by the Jr Cutting Horse Open Championship at the AQHA World Show, the 2006 Bonanza Open Champion, 2006 NCHA Super Stakes Open Champion, 2007 Abilene Spectacular Reserve Champion, and 2007 Augusta Futurity Open Classic Reserve Champion, just to name a few. Dual Smart Rey and Strawn Valley Ranch are proud to be sponsors of the NRCHA in 2021.

Metallics MVP, owned by Wolf Livestock, is a 2015 red roan stallion by $40 Million Dollar Sire Metallic Cat and out of the phenomenal mare, My Lizzy Babe. Metallics MVP is the 2020 Arbuckle Mountain Futurity Open Classic Champion, 2020 Abilene Open Classic Champion, 2019 Ike Reserve Derby Champion and the 2019 PCCHA Fall Open Derby Stakes Reserve Champion. At 14.3-hh, and with all the bone you could ask for in one, he is extremely strong and eye catching in the arena. MVP is in training with Beau Galyean and stands at Beau Galyean Stallion Station. Follow us on a e at l i est etalli s

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 NCHA Freshman Sire of the Year, 2017-2020 the NCHA Sire of the Year, and NRCHA Leading Sire from 2017 -2020. He is the second highest money-earning stallion in the history of the NCHA. His latest milestone is becoming an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire, with more than $3 million in cow horse offspring earnings. For more information on Metallic Cat, visit metalliccat.com.

SDP Buffalo RanchWhere the Elite Are Found… 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 s ess is t ei s ess e ffe f ll se i e i e Reproductive services. See their stallion line up at tt ffal a

BadBoonaRising, owned Plantation Farms LLC, is sired by Million Dollar Sire Once In A Blu Boon and out of Show

Biz Kitty, by High Brow Cat. In 2018, BadBoonaRising captured the National Cutting Horse Association Open Futurity reserve championship title, under the guidance of Adan Banuelos. The 2015 stallion has gone on to e e a lti le ti e fi alist a a A Open Derby Champion, earning more than $343,000. BadBoonaRising stands to the public at Brazos Valley Stallion Station, in Stephenville, Texas. For more information, visit badboonarising.com and follow him on Facebook.

Western Bloodstock is the trusted name in performance horse sales, and is proud to produce and manage this year’s National Reined Cow se Ass iati af e it t it ales isit them on the web at www.WesternBloodstock.net.

Here Comes The Boon (Once In A Blue Boon X Stay Outta My Shorts, by Shorty Lena) is a bay roan stallion owned by Rocking BS Ranch. In 2019, Here Comes The a t e t e ete title f A af e it Futurity Open & Intermediate Open Champion, under the guidance of Lance Johnston. That same year this duo also topped the leader board and claimed the NSHA Pre-Futurity Open & Intermediate Open Championship. Now with earnings over $229,916, this 4 year old is just coming into his stride. Here Comes The Boon stands at a ifi est i e ete alif ia e information, visit herecomestheboon.com, follow him on Facebook or call Brent Steward at 702-498-3810.

Brother Jackson (Peptoboonsmal x Shes Icing Onthe Cat 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 Horses is a passion at Holy Cow - dedicated to raising quality performers that are world class in their es e ti e fiel s l is e t s e f t e fi est a es i t e i st i l i t ei e 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 af e it t it

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 is i li es af e it A te e iate Open Futurity Champion, 2014 NRCHA Open Derby Champion, Hackamore – 2015 NRCHA Open Hackamore Champion and now Bridle, 2018 World’s Greatest se a a i e is teste as a el a is currently standing at Oswood Stallion Station. Visit i t e e at tt s stalli stati hickoryhollytime, or on Facebook HickoryHollyTime or at t ses stalli s

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 tt a s alle stalli stati

Time For The Diamond (One Time Pepto x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish), owned by Triple D Ranches, is t e A af e it t it a i

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.

te ie e etalli at iss lla e al e e lts a L as $420,903 in lifetime 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 t it te ie s fi st f al a i e i a t e a e efi itel l i t e a t e i f ati Stevie follow him on Facebook or visit steviereyvon.com.

e i e as al e Spookys Cash x Miss N Cash), e se a six open championship titles throughout his show career. The most impressive wins were earning back-toback championship crowns at the 2015 and 2016 National tti se Ass iati e e i e as is a lti le ti e li ite a e e e t fi alist i i his lifetime earnings to $278,766. The 2011 sorrel stalli s fi st li ite f al ill it t e s e i 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 Phillips. His a titles i l e A e e a i and 2019 Open Hackamore Classic Champion. Trained and shown by Clayton Edsall, Bet He Sparks has earned e t a i t e A a A a is versatile and talented in and out of the show pen. e ill e sta i at a i e is e eti tested as 5 Panel N/N. For more information, follow Bet He Sparks on Facebook.

(Metallic Cat x Heavens Little Angel x Smart Little Lena) is a 2016 liver chestnut stallion with several championships earned in his career. His conformation, expression, talent and gorgeous color turn heads wherever he goes. Cow horse, cutting, reining, roping, ranch versatility —he can do it all! He is 5 panel N/N negative, and sure to make babies that are as pretty and talented as he is. Check him out on Facebook.

ll e as a t e t e se industry’s attention in the show pen like no other, with the captivating and charismatic way he moves through the e e as lti le a i s i titles to his name, including back-toback wins in the big pen at Fort Worth. The 2014 sorrel stallion by Dual a t e a t f i itt by High Brow Cat, is now starting his transition from the show pen to the breeding barn, after ea i e s fi st f al as it t e 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 i et as lifeti e ea i s f $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.

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 e se f t e ea A e t it ese e 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 ea l ea is si e s fi st f al a i e i 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.

etalli e el etalli Cat x Sweet Abra x Abrakadabracre) is owned by Tom and Lisa Guinn, and trained by NCHA Multi-Million lla i e ea al ea e el 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 e e t fi alist a lati e i lifeti e earnings. As he transitions from the show pen to the ee i a t is si e s fi st ffs i a i i i are displaying not only his tremendous character, but als is i e i le fi ati e i f ati visit metallicrebel.com and follow him on Facebook.

Moncrief Quarter Horses, owned by Charlie and Kit Moncrief, is home to NCHA Futurity Open a i al let a lti le ti e A A a 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 a t at is a t f ett a es LL e a 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 al e a as lifeti e earnings of $478,571. A 2018 NCHA Open World Champion and World Champion Stallion trained a s at i e as ta s fi st f al a i e i as ta s is st a eat i i i al sai i e “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 e as a fi alist at e e e ie e 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 t e e f 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 e ti al e f a es is fi st f als a e f s age in 2010, an in 2014 One Time Pepto was the No. 1 A i e e as t e lea i si e f A af e it t it ale ses e i e e t s performing foals have earned more than $17 million in all disciplines. Learn more about One Time Pepto at www.onetimepepto.com.

HIGH STAKES

For more than two decades the NRCHA Stallion Stakes has delivered memorable achievements thanks to dynamic horse and rider partnerships.

By Bonnie Wheatley

Since its inception more than two decades ago, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes and its accompanying NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program have enhanced the business of owning and breeding NRCHA Stallion Stakes-eligible horses. The first NRCHA Stallion Stakes was held in the spring of 2000 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and through venue and date changes, the Stakes program has grown and maintained success.

“There were some smaller stallion stakes programs that had been developed through reined cow horse clubs and smaller associations, but when the NRCHA decided to create its own subscribed stallion program the goal was to help provide more incentive for breeders and stallion owners,” said Dan Roeser, an NRCHA Hall of Fame inductee who has served several terms on the NRCHA board of directors through the years. “It’s grown to be very strong and it’s a big part of the reined cow horse industry. The [NRCHA] Stallion Stakes program is a very attractive incentive to owners and breeders.”

Subscribed stallion owners pay a fee every year, and their 4- and 5-year-old horses are the only horses eligible to show at the Stakes. Typically held in the spring, the event is one of five NRCHA premier events and has grown to annually award payouts of approximately $300,000. Stakes entries are shown in a snaffle bit or hackamore, competing in herd work, rein work and cow work. Besides paying lucrative checks to the Stakes winners, the NRCHA also presents a monetary award to the nominator of the Stakes champion’s sire in each division.

“Once it started gaining popularity, which took a few years, it’s been a really good program for the association,” Roeser said. “I think one big benefit of the Stallion Stakes program is that it’s drawn some stallion owners from other areas. Some of the cutting stallion owners looked at it and got involved, and as a consequence, that has drawn more people to get involved with NRCHA.”

Roeser cites the prominent sire One Time Pepto (Peptoboonsmal x One Time Soon x Smart Little Lena) as an example of a stallion that crossed over from cutting to become just as prolific of a sire in

reined cow horse world as he was in the cutting arena.

The earliest Stallion Stakes shows were held in Arizona before relocating to Nampa, Idaho, and eventually to the event’s present-day home at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Nampa had a new facility that was an outstanding place to host a show,” Roeser recalled. “Plus, Nampa had great local support from so many people involved in the reined cow horse industry welcoming a show like the Stallion Stakes, so that was a big reason for the move from Arizona.”

Roeser worked to secure sponsors and awards, as well as on other aspects integral to the success of the Stallion Stakes in Nampa. Eventually, however, warmer springtime temperatures drew the Stakes back to Arizona where it was held for one year in Queen Creek before the temperature-controlled, all-inclusive South Point became an option.

“The Gaughan family [owners of South Point] are great supporters of the performance horse industry, as well as the entire Western lifestyle,” Roeser said. “It’s been an ideal location.”

The NRCHA Stallion Stakes Timeline

No. 1 — March 2000

Scottsdale, Arizona

Forty-nine Open and 23 Non Pro entrants participated in the inaugural event, which was then referred to as the Snaffle Bit Stakes. Tang N Tecate (Tangys Classy Peppy x Mandos Chex Appeal x Bueno Chex JR), ridden by Todd Crawford for owner Pam Crawford, left as the Stakes Open champions. Scores of 216.5 out of the herd, 223 in the reined work and 214.5 on the cow yielded a 654, which paid $30,000. The Stakes win was a prelude to great things to come for Tang N Tecate, who won the NRCHA River Front Farms Derby Open in 2001 to earn $50,000.

No. 2 — March 2001

Scottsdale, Arizona

The show returned to WestWorld Horse Park in Scottsdale, Arizona, and drew 57 Open entries and 33 Non Pros, plus added Limited Non Pro (not to be confused with Non Pro Limited), Limited Open and Amateur divisions. Nic It In The Bud (Reminic x Genuine Redbud x Genuine Doc), ridden by Todd Bergen for Arcese Quarter Horses USA, took the Stakes Open win and $30,000 with a 670 (H:220/R:227/C:223).

No. 4 — March 2003

Scottsdale, Arizona

Following the format of Snaffle Bit and Hackamore Stakes classes set in 2002, the 2003 event once again awarded a $20,000 paycheck to the Open Snaffle Bit Champion. Bob Avila became a back-to-back champion, this time riding Light N Fine (Grays Starlight x Lenas Fine Freckle x Doc Olena), owned by Rhodes River Ranch. Light N Fine went on to win the 2007 World’s Greatest Horseman with Avila. Dema Paul, riding Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First x Bob Acre Angelina x Bob Acre Doc), won the Non Pro Snaffle Bit Stakes with earnings of $8,536.

No. 3 — March 2002

Scottsdale, Arizona

According to NRCHA show records, the Snaffle Bit Stakes and Hackamore Stakes added a variety of divisions to the format in 2002, such as the $50,000 Non Pro Snaffle Bit and $50,000 Non Pro Hackamore. The largest check went to Stallion Stakes Open Champion Shine By The Bay (Shining Spark x Metermaid To Order x Doc Olena), ridden by Bob Avila for Schroeder and Gregg, with earnings of $20,000. Shine By The Bay later finished reserve at the 2008 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman with the late Robbie Schroeder.

No. 6 — 2005

Tucson, Arizona

Relocated from Scottsdale, Arizona, to the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona, the NRCHA Stakes was held March 30 through April 5, 2005. The Stakes found its home in Tucson for one year. Bob Avila took the Open Stakes win and $25,204 riding Chics Magic Potion (Smart Chic Olena x Remedys Magic Potion x Remedys Reply), owned by Kenneth Banks. Earning distinction from the start of his career to the end, Chics Magic Potion was the 2003 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion, earned $250,000 in the NRCHA and in 2016 was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame.

No. 7 — 2006

Nampa, Idaho

No. 5 — March 2004

Scottsdale, Arizona

Dema Paul and Primos Bob Acre returned to claim back-to-back Non Pro Snaffle Bit Stakes titles and $4,800. The 1999 gelding, owned by NRCHA Hall of Fame couple Jim and Dema Paul, earned $164,313 in his lifetime in the NRCHA. Todd Crawford returned to the Open Snaffle Bit Stakes winner’s circle riding The Love Man (Meradas Money Talks x Lovie Lena x Doc Olena), owned by Gary and Kathy Benton, to a 662.5 (H:218.5/R:220.5/C:223.5) worth $20,025.

Making the move to Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, the 2006 NRCHA Stakes concluded on April 2 with Todd Crawford riding Billy Rank Cogdell’s Im Smartly Colored (Color Me Smart x Martina Cee x Peppys Boy 895) to the $31,635 first-place payday. Atascadero, California, horsewoman Jo Anne Carollo won the Non Pro and $11,838 riding ARC Hollys Chicadee (Chic Please x Hickorys Holly Cee x Docs Hickory).

The NRCHA Stallion

No. 8 — 2007

Nampa, Idaho

A repeat win was in the cards for defending Non Pro Stakes champion Jo Anne Carollo with Repeat Plan (A Master Plan x Lenas Solana x Docs Hi Lena), owned and bred by Jo Anne and her husband, Jim. The win paid $11,800. CC Spin Cycle (Ray Gay Quixote x Lenas Peppy Cutter x Smart Peppy Lena), ridden by Corey Cushing for owner Cathy Corrigan Frank, earned $45,000 with a 656 (H:212/R:220/C:224) that topped both the Stakes Open and Intermediate Open.

No. 9 — 2008

Nampa, Idaho

The field of entries swelled to 96 in the Open, all taking aim at the $72,000 added money in Nampa. Tucker Robinson and Days anolena (Smart anolena x Chex Out This Day x Peppys Badger Chex), owned by Matt Day, won both the Stakes Open and Intermediate Open with a 656.5 to earn a combined $42,822. By all indications, the Stakes program continued its growth tra ectory with 196 entries across all divisions. Winning the $21,000-added Non Pro Futurity Stakes was Marc Bourdet riding CD Precious Peppy (CD Olena x Splash A Lil Cash x Nu Cash) to a 647.5 worth $12,317.

No. 12 — 2011

Nampa, Idaho

The $64,000-added Stallion Stakes Open champion, earning $27,683, was Smart Luck ( ery Smart Remedy x Gunna Be Lucky Gunna Smoke), ridden by Todd Bergen for Cable Creek Ranch LLC. In his lifetime, Smart Luck has $190,155 in NRCHA earnings. It was a good show for ery Smart Remedy, sire of the Open Stakes winner, as well as the Intermediate Open and Limited Open Champion Shiney And erySmart ( ery Smart Remedy x Shirley Shine x Shining Spark), ridden by Nick Dowers for Anne Reynolds. Also, noting the great broodmare power behind those champions, Reynolds’ Shirley Shine, out of Shirley McLain, went on to produce earners of $352,843 in the NRCHA. Gunna Be Lucky, also out of Shirley McLain, produced $247,469 in the NRCHA.

No. 16 — 2015

Las Vegas, Nevada

The South Point Arena E uestrian Center welcomed 111 Stakes Open entries with Aaron Ranch’s Blind Sided (Peptoboonsmal x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark) coming out on top with a 668 (H:220/R:220.5/C:227.5) to earn $31,047 with rider Jay McLaughlin. egas was good to McLaughlin, who won the Open Bridle Spectacular riding CD Dee ee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark), owned by Jay and his wife, Wendy, to a 661 (H:219/R:220.5/C:221.5) for $5,460.

No. 13 — 2012

Queen Creek, Arizona In 2012, the Stallion Stakes relocated to Horseman’s Park and Event Center in Queen Creek, Arizona. Representing their reined cow horse legacy well, brothers Jon and Dan Roeser both cashed big checks. Jon rode Heart Of A Remedy (Heart Of A Fox x SPD Remedys Response x Smart Peppy Doc) for Sprig Haven Farms to a 665 (H:219/R:219/C:227) worth $25,188. Dan finished first in the $12,000-added Stallion Stakes Intermediate Open with Roosters Rozalena (Gallo Del Cielo x Rosezana Lena x Doc Olena) for Rush Creek Ranch LLC, to earn $5,746.

No. 17 — 2016

Las Vegas, Nevada

Corey Cushing took the 2016 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open win riding SJR Diamond Rey (Dual Rey x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark), a 2012 gelding bred and owned by San Juan Ranch. Cushing and Dugan earned the $36,452 paycheck by a 6.5-point margin, scoring 665.5 (H:219/R:221/C:225.5). The $3,500 sire award went to Linda Holmes on behalf of NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Dual Rey.

No. 20 — 2019

Las Vegas, Nevada

The dream team of Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) and Justin Wright bested 131 Open entries to earn $37,150. Scooter Kat’s owner, Eric Freitas, also won the Non Pro aboard CR Tu Tornado (Woody Be Tu x CR Shes Uh Secret x Peptoboonsmal) to earn $7,593.

No. 21 — 2020

Las Vegas, Nevada

In 2020—the year that turned the world on its ear—the Stallion Stakes stayed in Las egas, but was rescheduled from March amid CO ID-19 pandemic-related shutdowns to August 22-30. For 2020 only, the NRCHA Stakes included a 3-year-old Pre-Futurity, which drew 105 Open entries vying for a piece of the $10,800 added money. Winning the $57,600-added Open Stakes was Eric Freitas’s Scooter Kat ridden by Justin Wright to a 668.5 (H:223/R:224.5/C:221).

The return champions added $30,839 to their total earning, bringing their NRCHA lifetime earnings to $261,023.

Stakes Timeline

No. 10 — 2009

Nampa, Idaho

That CD Rocks (CD Lights x Shiney Tari x Shining Spark) became the highestearning Stallion Stakes horse in the history of the show up to that time when Ed Robertson rode him for owner Robbie Ann Humphreys to the top of both the Stakes Open and Intermediate Open for $55,358. Mike Miller rode Bucks Genuine Fever (Playboys Buck Fever x Nu And Genuine x Genuine Doc), owned by him and his wife, Tara, to the Non Pro win worth $10,650.

No. 14 — 2013

Las Vegas, Nevada

The NRCHA Stallion Stakes found a home in 2013 at South Arena & Equestrian Center, where it has remained an annual staple. The move yielded increased entries with 104 vying for the Stakes Open title. Coming out on top was the unstoppable team of Travelin Jonez (Smart Chic Olena x Travelin With Sass x Travalena) with owner and rider Chris Dawson. The 2008 stallion amassed a string of first-place finishes at the ma or derbies in 2013, which contributed significantly to his $187,786 in NRCHA lifetime earnings.

No. 11 — 2010

Nampa, Idaho

Cashing the biggest check to that point in his indelible career, CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark) was ridden by Ron Ralls for owners Shannon and Hershel Reid to the top of the Stallion Stakes Open with a 666 worth $29,250. Ralls won first, second and fourth in the Stakes Open division for $64,506. Ralls’ reserve honors came aboard Solano Cat, also owned by the Reids. Solano Cat (High Brow Cat x Smartest Solano x Smart Little Lena), now an earner of more than $108,271, was Patty Ralls’ 2021 DT Horses & Hashtags’ World’s Greatest Horseman mount.

No. 15 — 2014

Las Vegas, Nevada

For the second consecutive year, Tammy Jo Hays rode her 2009 mare, Two Kitties (Smooth As A Cat x Sr Jaguar x Doc O Lena), to a Stallion Stakes win in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2013 this team earned the Non Pro Stallion Stakes Derby title for $6,474, and added $7,114 in 2014 as the Stallion Stakes Non Pro champions. Todd Bergen rode This One Time (One Time Pepto x Katie Starlight Grays Starlight) to the Open win for owner Pam Bailey, earning $29,107. Bergen’s 228 down the fence cinched the win with a 664 (H:218/R:218).

No. 18 — 2017

Las Vegas, Nevada

An unforgettable 230-point fence run cinched both the Stallion Stakes Open and Intermediate Open titles for Brady Weaver riding SJR Reygun (Dual Rey x Playguns King Badger x Playgun) to a 662 (H:215/R:217) for owner Gary Ewell. With $74,000 added in the Open and $17,000 added in the Intermediate, SJR Reygun and Weaver banked $43,292. Dominating the Non Pro, Hope Miller rode Dare To Sioux (A Shiner Named Sioux x Tari Darlin x Taris Catalyst) to the top of the Stakes Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro divisions for total earnings of $13,534.

No. 22 — 2021

Las Vegas, Nevada

No. 19 — 2018

Las Vegas, Nevada

Metallic Train (Metallic Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark) and Clayton Edsall earned the 2018 Open and Intermediate Open Stallion Stakes wins. Edsall guided the 2013 mare to a 656.5 (H:215/R:214.5/C:227) for owner Beverly Vaughn to earn $46,309. Edsall had four horses in the Open and Intermediate finals and added more than $94,000.00 in Limited Aged Event earnings to his career tally at the Stakes.

The NRCHA Stallion Stakes returns to its traditional dates the end of March and its home at the South Point Hotel and Casino. The best 4- and 5-year-old horses sired by NRCHA subscribed stallions will gun for Stakes championships. The event also o ers a complete set of classes and several three-event spectaculars.

The Pursuit of

SUCCESS.

By Larri Jo Starkey

An Intermediate Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion and a World’s Greatest Horseman Champion, both aboard Hickory Holly Time (One Time Pepto x Hickorys Holly Cee x Doc’s Hickory), Kelby Phillips has $1,102,409.82 in NRCHA earnings (as of April 2, 2021). Phillips lives in Weatherford, Texas.

It’s easy to identify it—at least from the outside. But what does it look like to people who are grinding away, show after show? Do they feel successful?

Reined Cow Horse News asked some top-earning National Reined Cow Horse Association riders from 2020 to share their thoughts on success. Does success depend on finding the right horse? The right mentor? The right owners? A little luck? Is it defined by a certain amount in earnings? And how can a rider who doesn’t have success right now find it in the future? Let’s hear what top Open riders Corey Cushing, Kelby Phillips and Justin Wright have to say, along with Non Pro riders Toni Hagen Heath and Hope Mills.

Photos by Primo Morales

Success

Top NRCHA riders share their thoughts on what it means to be successful in reined cow horse.

You have to be proud of the product you showed up with.

—Justin Wright

RCHN: What does success mean to you? Is there a dollar amount or a specific title that you attach to the idea of success?

Corey: Personally, I think success is waking up every day and looking forward to the horses, the customers and the people who surround you. I’ve tried my best to be honest and do my best to bring out the best in each horse.

With NRCHA earnings of $2,568,007.40 (as of April 2, 2021), NRCHA President and Two Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing has claimed three Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® championships, including one riding SJR Diamond Mist (CD Diamond x Cat Mist x High Brow Cat, and two World’s Greatest Horseman titles on his résumé. Cushing trains in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Justin: I would say success is being satisfied with the job you’ve done with the horse you have when you show up at the horse show. You have to be proud of the product you showed up with. Deep down, we all know whether or not we’ve done the best job we can with that horse, or if we took shortcuts. The most satisfying feeling is knowing you’ve done the best you can on that specific horse.

Toni: My idea of success stems from way back in my college rodeo days. It’s about getting a check and being consistent. Did I do the best I could do that day with that horse in that situation? And did I get a check? I’ve never been first a lot, but I like being consistent.

Kelby: I don’t know if I can ever define success, because if I ever get settled with where I’m at, then I’m not going to be successful. Everything that I do, I still want to do better.

RCHN: When will you be able to say, “I am successful?”

Justin: I don’t have an answer for that. I think you can never get comfortable. I think you’re always trying to improve and satisfy yourself, because we can always do better.

Hope: I don’t know if I will ever be able to say that. There’s never a spot when you can say you’ve made it.

Toni: You never feel like you’ve totally got it, and that’s what keeps you going. You feel like you’re learning something new every time you school a horse, every time you work a horse, every time you show. I’m happy with what I’ve done, but I’m striving for more, always.

Kelby: To be the youngest million-dollar rider was one of my goals, but I can’t say since I reached that goal or won the World’s Greatest [Horseman] or the Snaffle Bit Futurity® or the Derby— that’s obviously being successful, but if I said I was successful, then I wouldn’t be progressing in my training.

Just keep going, no matter what.

—Hope Mills

Justin Wright, of Santa Maria, California, was an unstoppable force aboard Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) in the Derby-age events. He garnered multiple back-to-back titles that helped him earn $1,389,591.66 in the NRCHA (as of April 2, 2021).

Non Pro Hope (Miller) Mills, from Burneyville, Oklahoma, has to her credit $168,314.56 in NRCHA earnings (as of April 2, 2021), as well as numerous limited age event titles and the 2018 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Champion win aboard Seven S Pretty Smart (Dual Smart Rey x Lena Pretty Playboy x Freckles Playboy).

RCHN: Is success linked to a great mentor? A great set of horses? A great set of owners?

Corey: Yes, all of the above. I started in the summer of 1998 right after I graduated from high school, and I was working for John Slack and Todd Bergen. I was lucky to have them as part of my career— [cow horse trainers] Benny Guitron, Don Murphy, Cookie Banuelos—a big thanks to all of them for the time they spent with me. The quality time they spent with me to make me get better is something I can never give back to them, [so] I try to do my best to give back to trainers coming up.

Hope: There have been so many people, and I’ve been super lucky to have good horses back-to-back. Once you’ve had success, it makes you drive for more. It

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gives you the fire in your tummy you need to get there. Once you get it, you keep wanting that feeling.

Toni: I can attribute my overall tenacity and willingness to strive to do better to my mom and dad, growing up. They were hardworking ranchers, and we strived to do the best we could with what we had. They gave me the tools that I’ve used the rest of my life.

Kelby: It takes all of that, but there’s no way you can be successful without a great horse.

RCHN: Was there a time when you were close to calling it quits?

Justin: It crossed my mind a couple of times, but it was never close. It’s a complex industry and it’s hard on a guy’s ego. It takes everything you have in you

to be successful at it. You have to have a team behind you that wants it even more than you.

Hope: This is the life I’ve always wanted.

Kelby: What’s so tough about this sport is you have your ups and downs, and people from the outside see it as winning or losing [at a specific event]. We as trainers see our ups and downs every day in our training of horses. It’s so hard. I’ve never had a complete breaking point, but this thing is mentally tough.

RCHN: How do you keep up the dedication and drive to show at a high level?

Corey: This is no 9-to-5. You’re always on the clock. But I can promise you that every day, I think of a horse that’s in my program and how I could go about making it better, or watching someone work

Toni Hagen Heath, of La Grande, Oregon, has NRCHA earnings of $246,073.45 (as of April 2, 2021), and counts the 2020 NRCHA Derby Championship on Smokum Every Time (One Time Pepto x Smokums Dream x Smokums Prize) as one of her most recent premier event wins.

and think that might be a better way to work on my horse. There are long days and frustrating times, but I’m 41 years old and I’m still very, very hungry. I’m still chasing a dream.

Kelby: In my mind, I want to be the best trainer who has ever lived. I know that may not be possible, but that’s what I strive to do. I want people to say, “He was a horseman and thought about horses in everything he did.”

RCHN: What advice would you give someone new to the industry?

Kelby: It’s a long, tough road. There will be tons of ups and downs, but it’s very rewarding when you do good. Don’t let the bad times get you down, and don’t let the good times get you too high. You have to stay pretty level.

Justin: You can have success and still not be satisfied with the job you’re doing. Or vice versa: You can be satisfied with your work and maybe things didn’t turn out, but usually if you put your head down and keep pushing, things will work out in your favor.

Corey: First thing first, never stop learning. I’ll be the first person to ask anyone— if I’m watching them work a horse—and pick their brains. Times are consistently changing and if you’re not changing to keep with the new horses—horses are better and riders are better—it’s easy to get stuck in old ways. I look back at videos of the way I did things 10 years ago, and if I didn’t change, I’d be a once-was instead of still going and being competitive.

Hope: Just keep going, no matter what. You’ll get there eventually.

ON THE MEND

Choosing methods of rehabilitation for your injured horse doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

By Abigail Boatwright

WORK

with reined cow horses at a high level long enough, and you’re sure to encounter an injury of some kind. But there’s a lot of treatment methods available to help get horses back to full strength. What can you do to help your horse heal? And how can you keep your horse performing at its best while out on the road?

Joe Carter, DVM, is the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s official veterinarian, and in his years of experience treating cow horses, he’s found that most injuries tend to fall into one of two categories: soft tissue injuries and joints.

“The third might be the foot, but the foot has joints and soft tissue underneath a hoof capsule,” Carter said.

After a joint injury, most horses will spend time on stall rest or pasture turnout, said Carter.

“Different types of injuries require different levels of exercise,” Carter explained. “Typically, we’ll have two to six weeks of stall rest, depending on how much cartilage damage there is. That is something a surgeon might determine.”

Along with stall rest or pasture turnout, Carter often pairs other types of therapy, and says a rehabilitation facility can be helpful in bringing your horse back to health. Luckily, there are many types of therapy with various benefits, as well as varying price points.

Selecting one therapy that will offer a positive end result among the many offerings is often daunting. Here is a breakdown of therapy types from our experts.

1. REGENERATIVE THERAPIES

The most common regenerative therapies include injecting stem cells or plateletrich plasma into joints or tissue, as well as many types of therapies designed to stimulate healing.

“We are using regenerative therapies mainly with soft tissue injuries,” Carter said of his veterinary practice. “We see a huge benefit in tendon and suspensory injuries with stem cells.”

Regenerative therapy is thought to increase the speed and quality of healing, and Carter says the methods mentioned in this article have been proven to be very successful in that regard. Many types of therapy contribute to increased circula-

tion, which is particularly helpful for soft tissue injuries.

“Soft tissue injuries are the ones that are historically slow to heal,” Carter said. “Below the horse’s knees and hocks have very poor blood supply, which contributes to slower healing.”

Increased blood supply leads to faster healing.

“Blood supply is what carries away damaged tissue and brings in the healing cells and nutrients,” Carter said. “So, any treatment that involves improving the blood supply in the lower leg of the horse when you have an injury is definitely beneficial.”

Shockwave therapy like the PulseVet can alleviate pain, decrease healing time and improve the quality of healing, especially with soft tissue injuries.

2. SHOCKWAVE THERAPY

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy uses sound waves at the cellular level, encouraging several reactions throughout the horse’s body.

“It’s been proven to alleviate pain, to decrease healing time and improve the quality of the healing, especially with soft tissue injuries,” Carter said.

PulseVet Shock Wave is an electrohydraulic shock wave, which can recruit stem cells and positively regulate inflammatory proteins associated with osteoarthritis. It increases blood supply to the horse’s targeted area, stimulates the healing process and reducing inflammation.

“This non-invasive, proven treatment is helpful for healing soft tissue injuries such as tendon or suspensory injuries; however, it is also proven effective for a variety of conditions, including bone healing, back and neck pain, and osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease,” Trudy Gage, of PulseVet, said.

PulseVet’s technology has been documented in extensive animal and human research and clinical studies. The device

PulseVet shock wave therapy has been a complete game-changer in my program! Not only do I routinely advocate for it in my practice, I also utilize it on my own horses. I have no doubt it helped “Peso” in achieving our National and World NRCHA titles. I recommend PulseVet to all my performance horse clients!

Katherine DeHaan, DVM

– Owner of Equistride Veterinary Services, LLC

Caldwell, ID

is covered by equine and small animal insurance, and is sold and used exclusively by licensed veterinarians.

“Electrohydraulic technology, as used by PulseVet, creates a primary-focused shockwave, and this leads to much larger volumes of tissue being treated per shock [compared to other types of shockwave devices],” Gage said.

3. ELECTROMAGNETIC THERAPY

Electromagnetic therapy such as the P3 uses electromagnetic waves to improve circulation in the lower limbs, as well as treating muscle injuries, back injuries and back soreness. It’s also helpful for cutting down on soreness after an event.

“Like a massage it’ll make muscles subtly contract and relax, which releases and relieves tightness, and encourage circulation to move lactic acid buildup out into the bloodstream to be excreted, which can reduce muscle soreness,” Carter said.

4. MASSAGE

5. VIBRATING PL ATFORM

Massage is an ancient—yet still relevant—method of treatment that offers similar benefits as electromagnetic therapy, as well as increased stretching and flexibility for your horse. Carter advises looking for a licensed massage therapist to get the most scientifically proven treatments.

A TheraPlate is one brand of a vibrating platform that is relaxing for the horse, improves muscle soreness and encourages blood flow. Carter says it offers both mental and physical benefits.

Cassie Adams, owner of Fossil Creek Equine Center, says many of her facility’s cow horse clients enjoy TheraPlate treatment.

“The TheraPlate keeps them nice and relaxed, gets their blood flowing and gets everything moving along a little bit faster,” Adams said.

6. L ASER THERAPY

Laser therapy is photoelectric, meaning it employs light therapy. Carter says shockwave, electromagnetic and laser therapies are all ideal for soft tissue injuries, particularly on lower legs.

“Laser therapy increases blood flow and improve the quality of healing as well,” Carter said.

Equine massage can encourage circulation throughout your horse’s body, including its legs, as well as other benefits.

A vibrating platform like the TheraPlate can relax your horse both mentally and physically, while also boosting blood circulation.

7. COLD THERAPIES

Cold treatment on your horse’s legs and muscles can help relieve pain and inflammation. Carter says methods include ice boots, hosing cold water on limbs and the most effective—cold saltwater therapy.

“Cold saltwater therapy actually combines the benefits of salt water with cold, turbulation and oxygenation,” he explained. “The osmolarity of the salt in the water pulls fluid out of swollen tissue. The oxygen with the turbulators help keep the water around 35 degrees, which is colder than the temperature of a cold bucket of water would be.”

8. BLISTERS, SWEATS AND POULTICES

These old-fashioned remedies offer some of the same benefits as shockwave, electromagnetic and laser therapy: increased circulation.

“We’ve got other ways of doing it now that might be a little easier on the horse, but these methods have been effective for decades and decades of horse injuries,” Carter said.

The veterinarian often recommends alternating hot and cold therapy—icing in the morning or after some light exercise, and then putting the horse in a sweat or a poultice at night to pull swelling and soreness from the legs.

///// REHAB-TO-GO

Caring for your horse’s body at competition may not include every method possible, but there are many ways to improve your horse’s health away from home.

Dr. Joe Carter suggests any of the following:

• cold saltwater therapy (the preferred method of both Carter and Cassie Adams)

• poultices

• vibrating plates like the TheraPlate

Adams also recommends:

• laser therapy

• pulsing electromagnetic therapy (PEMF)

9. EXERCISERS

Once your horse can begin returning to exercise, Carter says several methods can help make movement easier and more controlled.

“EuroXcisers and similar machines can jog horses in a controlled manner,”he pointed out. “Hand-walking and some other kinds of exercise like swimming in a pool or on a treadmill allow for complete non-weight on the horse’s joints and legs.”

An AquaTred water treadmill allows for 60 percent less weight on the horse’s legs, noted Carter.

Fossil Creek Equine Center has an AquaPacer underwater treadmill that can be filled with different levels of water and adjusts to move at varying speeds at varying speeds. Adams says it’s ideal for horses recovering from injury, as well as for conditioning a horse that needs less concussion on its joints, tendons and ligaments as it transitions back to work.

A portable cold-water spa allows for Dr. Carter to provide therapeutic help at many NRCHA events.

Once your horse can handle more strenuous exercise, you may turn to a machine that works the horse on the hard ground, with no rider for two to four weeks to build its cardiovascular conditioning and muscle and tendon strength.

“Next, they’ll typically enter a 30-day legging-up phase where there’s a rider on their back, doing a lot of walking, trotting and loping, building the horse’s strength up and moving them forward to be ready to resume regular training,” Carter said.

CAVEATS AND CONCERNS

Adams says if your horse has been seriously injured or out of work for a while, it may take longer for your horse to heal and gain condition.

As a warning, Carter cautions against turning out an injured horse to selfexercise without working with your veterinarian.

“It’s refreshing to their minds to get out of the stall, and it also tends to invigorate their joints,” he said. “But I have seen many times, a horse with a mild injury ruined when it got worse with uncontrolled exercise. We could see an injury like mild tendonitis turn into a bowed tendon with self-exercise, so you really need to have a good relationship with your veterinarian and make a plan for your individual horse.”

Carter recommends teaming up with your veterinarian and, if available, a rehabilitation facility, to discuss your goals and options available.

“Get an accurate diagnosis and a clear understanding of it, then work with your veterinarian to develop a game plan that will achieve your goals and make your horse healthy and happy,” Carter concluded.

///// MEET THE EXPERTS

JOE CARTER, DVM, founded and owns Oklahoma Equine Hospital, and he’s also the official veterinarian of the NRCHA. Oklahoma Equine Hospital has two locations, offers a variety of rehabilitation therapies, and clients are located all over Oklahoma, as well as parts of Texas. Carter specializes in horse show medicine and lameness. oklahomaequinehospital.com

CASSIE ADAMS is the owner and manager of Fossil Creek Equine Center in Boerne, Texas, a full-service rehabilitation facility. fossilcreekequine.com

TRUDY GAGE is the territory manager and client education coordinator for PulseVet. pulsevet.com

Swimming or a combination of water and treadmill are excellent ways to re-condition a healing horse.

NEATSFOOT OR OLIVE OIL?

Learn the proper way to care for your tack with these tips.

With big fence runs, deep stops and quick turns on a cow, it’s critical as cow horse riders to keep our tack in excellent condition. Tack that’s in good condition also helps to keep the communication between ourselves and our horses at top level. Even if it doesn’t break, dried and cracked leather does not give the same signal as well cared for leather.

It’s a great idea to check your tack for wear or damage before every ride. I recommend wiping it down with saddle soap after every ride. Strap goods, including bridles, should be hung properly where they have enough space to hang naturally.

If you haven’t used a piece of tack in a while it’s especially important to check it over carefully, apply saddle soap, oil it if dry, and make necessary repairs before use. Just like your horse, if you don’t ride it, your tack won’t perform as well as when it’s used continuously. You’ll also want to give all your tack a good deep cleaning every few months to help preserve it and keep it at its highest level of performance.

To properly deep clean and oil a piece of tack you’ll need saddle soap, neatsfoot oil or a substitute like olive oil, and a couple of pieces of sheepskin or clean cloth. I’m careful not to use products that will leave a film on leather.

Take the piece of tack completely apart. Check both the leather and hardware for wear, damage and dryness. Pay careful attention to the folds in the leather, and replace any parts that are worn, damaged or cracked.

Spray or rub saddle soap liberally onto your sheepskin or cloth. Rub each piece of leather until all dirt is removed. If there’s mold on the leather, remove it by rubbing the leather briskly with a mixture of one part mouthwash to two parts water. Let the leather dry before applying saddle soap.

After using saddle soap, if the leather is dry enough to need oil, wipe it down with a clean cloth. Liberally apply neatsfoot oil. Be sure to apply oil to the edges of the leather and inside any loops. Move keepers and apply oil to the leather underneath. Let the oil dry for an hour or two. The leather can be placed in a warm spot while drying, but avoid direct sunlight.

Buff off any excess oil off with a soft cloth. You can use a little bit of saddle soap on the cloth if you’d like. Replace any worn or damaged parts. Reassemble your tack and you’re ready to ride.

Saddle soap is a product made from mild soap, glycerin or lanoline (sebaceous gland wax of sheep) and often beeswax. Saddle soap is used to clean and protect leather. Neatsfoot oil is a fat rendered from the lower legs of cattle that doesn’t harden when cold. It is used to soften and condition leather.

///// MEET DENNIS MORELAND NRCHA

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 he 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.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Corey Cushing ❖ Vice President: Paul Bailey ❖

Secretary: Todd Crawford ❖ Treasurer: Trey Neal ❖ Executive Committee: Todd Bergen, Joe Carter, Boyd Rice ❖ Frank Prisco ❖ Diane Edwards ❖ Amanda Gardiner ❖ Dan Roeser ❖ Jon Roeser ❖ Jake Telford ❖ Cayley Wilson ❖

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY

AFFILIATES

Chairperson: Frank Prisco archapresident@gmail.com 631-478-7022

ANIMAL WELFARE

Chairperson: Dr. Joe Carter, DVM jcarterdvm@aol.com • 405-288-6460

ETHICS

Chairperson: Bill Tointon billtointon@msn.com • 303-530-2443

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chairperson: Paul Bailey paulb@cb-trucking.com • 931-260-3909

HALL OF FAME

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com 208-841-2052

HORSE SALES

Chairperson: Todd Crawford toddcrawford333@gmail.com

STAFF

Executive Director: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com

Communications Manager: Kate Byars kate@nrcha.com

JUDGES

Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Chairperson: MJ Isakson mj@nrchaf.com

NOMINATING

Chairperson: Jon Roeser tanyaroeser@yahoo.com

NON PRO

Chairperson: Diane Edwards Diane2bph@outlook.com • 206-390-0715

OWNERS

Chairperson: Linda McMahon maclin@earthlink.net • 415.269.5563

PROFESSIONALS

Chairperson: Cayley Wilson cayleyrwilson@gmail.com • 604-300-0401

RULES

Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com • 208-841-2052

SHOWS

Co-Chairperson: Todd Bergen tbergenhorses@gmail.com 541-778-0980

Co-Chairperson: Boyd Rice boydrice1965@gmail.com • 806-282-8113

SPONSORSHIP

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

STALLION SERVICE AUCTION

Chairperson: Garth Gardiner gardinergarth@gmail.com • 620-635-5632

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Chairperson: Anna Morrison anna@nrcha.com • 940-488-1495

YOUTH

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer shubrick3@gmail.com • 719-330-1932

Programs Manager: Elizabeth Ellis elizabeth@nrcha.com

Premier Event Manager: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

Accounting Manager: Kim Lindsey kim@nrcha.com

Membership & Affiliate Shows Manager: Barbara Nahlik • barbara@nrcha.com

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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

Phone: 559-999-8146

Email: califcowhorse@gmail.com Website: www.californiacowhorse.com

Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association

Jill Roberts

1521 Parr Creek Ln

Lewistown, MT 59457

Phone: 406-538-7564

Email: vjroberts@hughes.net

Website: www.cmrcha.com

Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association

MJ Anderson PO Box 88 Trinidad, CO 81082

Phone: 719-963-4770

Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com

Website: www.coloradoreinedcowhorse.com

AFFILIATE LISTING

Current as of April 1, 2021

European Reined Cow Horse Association

Augusto De Fazio

via Natalia Ginzburg

1 - 11015 Ivrea (TO) ITALY

Phone: +(39) 338 8860657

Email: ercha@hotmail.it

Website: www.ercha.org

Gem State Stock Horse Association

Callee Miller

301 Market Rd

Caldwell ID 83607

541-519-4748

Cowhorse22@gmail.com

Website: www.gemstatestockhorse.com

Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association

Andres Sanchez 10227 Pittman Rd

Sarasota, FL 34240

Phone: 561-248-1437

Email: andresGCCHA@gmail.com

Website: www.gulfcoastcowhorse.com

Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association

Paxton Deal

509 S 2nd St

Homedale, ID 83628

Phone: 208-880-9066

Email: paxtondeal@gmail.com

Website: www.idahoreinedcowhorse.com

Italian Reined Cow Horse Association

La a ffi e elli

ia ill i

22100 Como ITALY

Phone: +39 347 26 22 783

Email: segreteria.ircha@gmail.com

e site tt s a fital

Magic Valley RCHA

Nikki Francis

3644 N 3300 E

Kimberly ID 83341

Phone: 208-539-5410

Email: vpnikki@gmail.com

Website: www.intermountaincircuit.org

Mid State Cow Horse Association

Sharon Michelucci

2500 Adobe Rd

Paso Robles CA 9344

Phone: 805-835-5014

Email: info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Website: www.midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity, Inc

Margaret Ore PO Box 1604

East Helena, MT 59635

Phone: 406-227-7019

Email: more@mt.net

Website: www.montanareinedcowhorse.com

Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association

Aubree Englert 6600 W Rome Blvd

Las e as Phone: 702-290-4231

Email: aubree.rcha@gmail.com

Website: www.nvrcha.org

New York Reined Cow Horse Association

Lesa Didas 206 Main St Hornell, NY 14843

Phone: 843-441-0618

Email: lisasykes@yahoo.com

Website: www.newyorkrcha.com

North Central Reined Cow Horse Association

Jim Wilson 2409 25th Ave

Rice Lake, WI 54868

Phone: 641-420-0440

Email: wilson@myomnitel.com Website: www.ncrcha.com

Northeastern Reined Cowhorse Alliance

Mary Baks

13 Maple Hill Rd RR #2 al e t A A A Phone: 519-881-8684

Email: info@walkertonequine.ca Website: www.nercha.ca

Northwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Diane Edwards PO Box 260 a le alle A

Phone: 206-390-0715

Email: diane2bph@outlook.com Website: www.nwrcha.com

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association

Lane Arnold PO Box 1053 Canyon, TX 79015

Phone: 806-341-0941

Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

Website: www.panhandlecowhorse.com

South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association

Deb Brown PO Box 655 Buffalo, SD 57720

Phone: 605-797-4514

Email: nphorses@sdplains.com Website: www.sdrcha.com

South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association

Tina McCleary 5290 Hearne Rd Bryan, TX 77808

Phone: 979-218-0633

Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: www.strcha.org

Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association

Shelley Schaffer

33175 Temecula Pkwy Ste A, 754 Temecula, CA 92592

Phone: 858-722-5995

Email: smal4joy@gmail.com Website: www.scrcha.com

AFFILIATE LISTING

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance

Larry Westmoreland PO Box 143 Tickfaw, LA 70466

Phone: 985-320-5058

Email: larry.westwindtc@gmail.com Website: www.srchala.com

Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association

Gay Lenz

11587 Hunt Lane Guthrie, OK 73044

Phone: 405-818-7556

Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com

Website: www.srcha.org

Swedish Reined Cow Horse Association

Joakim Pettersson

Astorp Gunnarsgarden 6

SE – 521 96 Falkoping SWEDEN

Phone: +46 70 676 7642

Email: jipquarters@jipquarters.com

Website: www.srcha.eu

Utah Reined Cow Horse Association

Nikki Francis 3644 N. 3300 E.

Kimberly, ID 83341

Phone: 208-539-5410

Email: vpnikki@gmail.com Website:www.urcha.org

NRCHA Suspended List

NRCHA membership privileges will be suspended for the second offense of bad checks, per rule 1.1.6.2 and for non payment of debt to NRCHA Show Management or NRCHA Approved Show Management. Additionally, all amounts for advertising in the NRCHA publication, Reined Cow Horse News, are due and payable within 30 days of receipt.

Agricultural Foundation, Fresno, CA

Desert Spring Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ

Keetch Ranch, Waddell, AZ

Del Rey Paint & Qtr Horses/Aneka

Schelbeck, Cotton Wood, CA

Bynum Farms/Blair Bynum, Palm City, FL

Donnie Boyd, Sarasota, FL

Robyn Bush, Visalia, CA

Marcy Campbell, Creston, CA

Pompeo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Riccardo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT

Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY

Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA

La a elfi a ti e A

Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL

Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA

Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

A fi a e a e f e t A ill e a e t all ast due amounts. Membership privileges shall be suspended on accounts greater than 90 days past due and this information will be published in Reined Cow Horse News. There will be a membership reinstatement fee of $75.

Current as of April 1, 2021

Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX

Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE

Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC

Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA

Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL

Jill Serena, Castaic, CA

Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA

Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX

Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID

Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL

Don Stockman, Dayton, TX

Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX

Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling, Purcell, OK

Bill Anderson, Merino, CO

Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY

Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA

Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX

SHOW SCHEDULE

May 15 - 16 ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 3/4 HS

May 19 - 23 Drought Buster

May 22 NvRCHA Cow Horse Addiction #3

May 22 - 23 VOLRHA Salute the Troops

May 22 - 23 Cow Horse Boogie

May 22 - 23 Windy City Warm Up

May 22 - 23 The Twisted Wire Derby & Horse Shows

May 27 - 30 Cowtown Derby & Stockhorse Show

May 27 - 30 IRCHA Classic Derby & Horse Show

Jun 2 - 13 DT Horses Western Derby

Jun 3 - 5 Hackamore Classic & Horse Show #3

Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer 585-749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 McCook, NE Colorado RCA Allison Walker (937) 725-1423 crcaentries@yahoo.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

HS/Cat 1 Las Vegas, NV Nevada RCHA Aubree Englert (702) 290-4231 aubree.rcha@gmail.com

HS/Cat 1 Cordova, TN Katie Hutton (870) 514-7074 kmhutton4@gmail.com

HS/Cat 1 Amite City, LA Southern RCH Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

HS/Cat 1 Amarillo, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

HS/LAE Silesia, MT Central Montana RCHA Misty Castagno (435) 830-1440 mistycastagno@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Willow Creek, AB Canada Alberta RCHA Teri Clearwater (306) 544-7621 justaboutaranch@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Nampa, ID Idaho RCHA Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Scottsdale, AZ NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Worbis, Germany European RCHA Otto De Fazio (39338) 886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

Jun 5 - 6 Silver Spur Classic HS/Cat 1 Fonda, NY New York RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Jun 17 - 20 Dave Grashuis Memorial Spectacular & Derby

Jun 18 - 20 Sinsheim Open

Jun 5 - 6 NCRCHA June Cow Horse Event HS Winona, MN North Central RCHA Jennifer Fjelstad (641) 590-1041 jenfjelstad@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Winnemuca, NV Nevada RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-0512 kathy.saddleup@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Sinsheim, Germany Sylvia Bate (49160) 844-4813 sylvia.bate@web.de

Jun 19 - 20 River Classic HS/Cat 1 New Roads, LA Southern RCH Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

Jun 19 - 20 NERCHA Summer Showdown HS/Cat 1 Clinton, ON Canada Northeastern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Mary Jo MacDonnell (519) 270-3110 maryjomacdonnell@gmail.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 - 27 Cowboy State Classic

Jun 29 - Jul 4 Firecracker

Jul 8 - 11 GSSHA Cow Horse Derby, and All Around Bridle

Jul 8 - 11 Bridle Spectacular & Horse Show #4

Jul 9 - 11 Red Dirt Rendevous

Jul 10 - 17 NRCHA Eastern Derby

Jul 20 - 25 Ride of America

Jun 26 - 27 ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 5/6 HS Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer 585-749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Riverton, WY Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Douglas, WY Colorado RCA Allison Walker (937) 725-1423 crcaentries@yahoo.com

Jul 24 - 25 NYRCHA Cow Hand Classic

Jul 31 - Aug 1 The Grant Berg Memorial

Aug 6 - 8 Pre Futurity & Horse Show #5

Jun 26 CRCHA Horse Show #5 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com

Jul 2 - 3 Celebration Circuit - Western States HS/Cat 1 Las Vegas, NV Arizona RCHA Pamela Humphreys (405) 509-0494 pamela.a.humphreys@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Nampa, ID Gem State Stock Horse Association Nikki Francis (208) 539-5410 vpnikki@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Bitz, Germany European RCHA Otto De Fazio (39338) 886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Memphis, TN NRCHA (940) 488-1500 entries@nrcha.com

HS/Cat 1 Wenden, Germany European RCHA Wolfgang Ben Laves (172) 403-9160 wolfganglaves@aol.com

Aug 9 - 15 Pre Futurity & Horse Show

Aug 13 - 15 Summer Show

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Amarillo, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com

Jul 24 CRCHA Horse Show #6 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com

HS/Cat 1 Fonda, NY New York RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

HS/Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 socalrcha@aol.com

HS/LAE Travagliato, Italy European RCHA Otto De Fazio (39338) 886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

Aug 7 - 8 ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 7/8 HS Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Aug 14 - 15 Wind River Rendezvous

Aug 24 - 29 National Stock Horse Pre-Futurity

Aug 26 - 29 West Slope Pre-Futurity

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Fort Worth, TX Southwest RCHA Pamela Humphreys (405) 590-0494 entry@srcha.org

HS/Cat1/Cat 2 Hinckley, MN North Central RCHA Jennifer Fjelstad (641) 590-1014 jenfjelstad@gmail.com

Aug 14 CRCHA Horse Show #7 HS/Cat 1 Tulare, CA California RCHA

HS/LAE Riverton, WY

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Las Vegas, NV

Aug 27 - 28 Nevada Stallion Stakes & Elko Co. NRCHA Show

Sep 5 - 11 Futurity + Derby + Nations Cup + Bridle Spectacular + Horse Show #6

Sep 3 - 6 Colorado State Fair

Sep 10 - 12 Cow Horse Express

Sep 11 - 12 September Classic

Sep 14 - 19 Mid America

Sep 23 - 26 Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity

Reanna Dillman 303-895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

Aug 21 - 22 NYRCHA Northeast Cow Horse Extravaganza HS/Cat 1 Fonda, NY New York RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Shawn Martin (623) 218-3879 shawnee71@msn.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Montrose, CO Colorado RCA Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkroft@frontier.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

Laura Norman (559) 760-2769 crcha@saddle-upenterprises.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Elko, NV Jennifer JJ Roemmich (775) 397-2769 ecfbsecretary@gmail.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1 Augsburg, Germany European RCHA Otto De Fazio (39338) 886-0657 ercha@hotmail.it

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Pueblo, CO Colorado RCA Pamela Humphreys (405) 509-0494 pamela.a.humphreys@gmail.com

HS/Cat 1 Amite City, LA Southern RCH Alliance Tina McCleary (979) 218-0633 stillcreektina@gmail.com

HS/Cat 1 Temecula, CA Southern California RCHA Kelley Hartranft (714) 267-5912 socalrcha@aol.com

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Douglas, WY Colorado RCA Keri Croft (503) 701-3305 dkroft@frontier.com

Sep 18 - 19 ARCHA @ Diamond 7 Show 9/10 HS Dillsburg, PA Atlantic RCHA Cindy Pfeifer (585) 749-1764 ppfeifer@rochester.rr.com

Sep 25 - 26 Fall Into Autumn HS/Cat 1 Lubbock, TX Panhandle RCHA Nelle Murphy (580) 276-0761 panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com LAE = Limited Aged

HS/LAE/Cat 1/Cat 2 Livingston, MT Montana RCHA Reanna Dillman (303) 895-5256 info@horseshowpros.com

Dualin For Kit Kats