2023 November/December RCHN

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

VOLUME 28, NO. 6

Fourth Time’s a Charm

Corey Cushing raised the roof riding ReysmHigh to win his fourth NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Championship by just onehalf point.

COMPLETE SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® COVERAGE

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2023 RUN FOR A MILLION

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SHEILA VARIAN HONORED

NRCHA.COM

W HAT TO LOOK FOR

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

ONLINE Unable to watch the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro and Open Finals?

Watch Online with RideTV.

Stallion Stakes

April 4–13, 2024 Las Vegas, Nevada

Western Derby

May 29–June 8, 2024 Scottsdale, Arizona

2024 RULE BOOK

Hackamore Classic

Be sure to view, download and review the 2024 Rule Book before you head to the show pen! Find it at www.nrcha.com/ rule-book/.

July 22–28, 2024 Tulsa, Oklahoma

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

Volume 28, Number 6

Official Publication of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Published by Morris Equine Group a division of MCC Magazines, LLC

NRCHA 256 North Hwy 377 | Pilot Point, TX 76258 | Phone: 940-488-1500 | Fax: 940-488-1499 | info@nrcha.com | www.NRCHA.com NRCHA OFFICERS & DIRECTORS President: Boyd Rice | Vice President: Paul Bailey | Secretary: Todd Crawford | Treasurer: Trey Neal Executive Director: Emily Konkel | Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney | Account Manager: Kasydi Valentine Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary | Programs Manager: Tara Carter | Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek | Youth & Recognition Coordinator: Bailey Carter | Director of Judges: Bill Enk Official NRCHA Photographer: Primo Morales | Official NRCHA Videographer: Equine Promotion

REINED COW HORSE NEWS Vice President: John Lunn | Editor: Jennifer Paulson | Managing Editor: Jennifer Denison Production Manager: Sherry Brown | Art Director: Susan Sampson Advertising Sales: Savanah Allen, 817-569-7106, savanah.allen@cowboypublishing.com Sales Customer Service Manager: Diana Buettner, 817-569-7114, diana.buettner@morris.com Advertising, Fax 817-737-9633

Reined Cow Horse News (ISSN 23803975) is published six times a year by Cowboy Publishing Group. Known office of publication: 2112 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

All contents are copyright of the National Reined Cow Horse Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior written permission from the NRCHA. Opinions expressed in articles and advertising in Reined Cow Horse News do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the NRCHA or its officers and members. Accuracy of material is the sole responsibility of the authors. Unsolicited materials are submitted at the sender’s risk and the NRCHA accepts no responsibility for them. Please address all submissions to: Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258. Subscription rate is $25 a year. Periodical postage paid at Pilot Point, Texas, 76258 and additional mailing offices.

USPS number, 024-906. Postmaster: Send address changes to Reined Cow Horse News, 256 North Hwy 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258.

2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | VOLUME 28, NUMBER 6

FEATURES

COURTESY OF THE VARIAN FAMILY AND COW PALACE

74 62

Big Runs, Big Checks The 2023 Run for a Million saw more spotlights on cow horses.

By Jennifer Paulson

70

Million Dollar Sire:

Stevie Rey Von Stevie Rey Von adds another accolade as the youngest NRCHA Million Dollar Sire.

By Megan Arszman

74

Honoring a Cowgirl Cow Palace featured the accomplishments of Sheila Varian.

By Allison Keaney, Ph.D.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 5

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

DEPARTMENTS EVENT COVERAGE 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat

the Executive 10 From Director

12 From the Judge’s Chair 16 From the NRCHYA 146 Wellness Column 148 From the Foundation

80 Open Futurity 90 Non Pro Futurity 104 Milestones Recognized 114 Rodear Dogs 120 Cowboy Class 126 Horse Show Headliners 136 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sales

CIRCLE UP PRIMO MORALES

20 NRCHA News

90 140

American Rope Horse Futurity Association

MEMBER ROUNDUP the Pro: 34 Know Gusti Buerger Non Pro: 42 Notable Myles Brown Assistant: 52 Admirable Garrett Cooper of NRCHA: 58 Faces Jordan Tierney

MEMBER RESOURCES

COURTESY OF GARRETT COOPER

52

154 Affiliate List 155 Suspended Member List 159

6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

NRCHA Sanctioned Events

WALTENBERRY

Committee 152 NRCHA Director

On the Cover:

62

ReysmHigh and Corey Cushing topped the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, marking Cushing’s fourth time earning the title. Photo by Primo Morales

Thank You Sellers & Buyers!

For Making

Reysmhigh

Your FOUNDATION

2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity OPEN CHAMPION! Owner Heather Vatcher Rider Corey Cushing

Cash Trades 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION! Owner Wendy Buehler Rider Sarah Dawson

Selling Horses that Go the Distance!

BREAKS ALL RECORDS!

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H

igh Selling Yearling Filly

Black Magic Woman $180,000 Seller Southern Ranches Buyer Lucinda Rose David

H

igh Selling Yearling Stallions

Highly Hazardous $150,000

Seller Beechfork Ranch Buyer Griffin The House Marshall

Is Rockn $140,000

Seller Teton Ridge Buyer Eduardo Elizondo

Unprecedented Sale Results!

Overall Average $32,855 Top 10 Average $121,000 Top 20 Average $104,950 Top 100 Average $49,135 12 Sold for $100,000+

See the Complete Results at

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CALLIE BOEVERS

Emily Konkel, NRCHA Executive Director

“TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK” might be a cliché, but it’s a fact when discussing our major events like the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat. As NRCHA’s executive director, I get the honor of seeing this at every level of competition in our sport, within families that share a love of cow horses, and between our members, board of directors and staff.

Putting on a major event requires collaboration between NRCHA’s staff and the board of directors.

Our board works together to set forth a strategy to move our association and sport forward, to make our events the best in the industry, and to set high standards for our horses and riders. NRCHA’s staff and show contractors then come together to execute that vision and ensure we’re all working toward the same end goal.

Competing in major events takes teamwork to another level. Our families have to support each other through high and low times, good cows and bad ones.

Kids pitch in to care for each other and help with the finishing touches on the horses; parents prepare the horses and ensure the kids have what they need to succeed.

The team concept is especially relevant in training barns. Head trainers lean on their assistants and expect them to push toward the same goals together. Even separate, competing barns work together in many aspects of our sport, from being turnback help to catch-riding a horse in a clutch moment.

Finally, our sponsors of all levels are also part of our team as they support our events and riders. They believe strongly enough in our vision and goals to offer their shoulders to carry some of the load and pitch in where they can to make our events next-level productions.

We must remember this isn’t a one-time phenomenon that only happened at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. NRCHA and its teammates produce, compete in, cover and promote many events every year. We’re all committed to maintaining and building the momentum from the Snaffle Bit Futurity® as we approach our next major event and every one after that. Together, as a team, we’re unstoppable.

—Emily Konkel

10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

FROM THE JUDGE’S CHAIR

T

o be a good judge, you really have to want to do it, not just for the money but for the challenge of getting the horses in each class placed in the correct order all day long. It’s difficult; it takes focus and commitment. Having a good knowledge of the event is essential, and having participated in it is even better yet.

Attending judging seminars are helpful to all judges and judges-to-be. They educate you on how to mark your scorecards correctly, how to value credit-earning situations, and how penalties are recorded and reviewed. In general, most new judges are quick to penalize and need more confidence when it comes to awarding credit. This situation makes it hard to separate runs. The answer to this dilemma is to learn about credit and how to apply it when the exhibitor has earned it.

It seems like the higher the potential score, the more critical we get for fear of scoring it too high and not being able to back it up. Judging experience and confidence in your scoring evaluations take care of that in the long run. With the depth and quality of the horses that are showing today, the only way to get the better end of them separated is to use the upper end of the scoring scale. The challenge is to be not overly generous, but if they earn a big score, award it. A few years back at the Derby in Paso Robles, Doug Williamson had a huge cow work. All the judges scored it 77s.

Afterward, two judges told me their score sheets told them it was a 78 run, but they were afraid their score would be too high and would get thrown out.

Sometimes, the crowd and the reputation of a rider or a horse have some influence on the score, but in this case, he earned the big score. It doesn’t happen very often, but if the score sheet told me it deserved a score of 78, that’s probably what the score should have been.

There are three things judges have to do to be considered a really good judge. 1) You have to be prepared.

Read the rulebook on the plane or the night before— there’s always something that you’re glad you got reminded of. 2) Be consistent. Exhibitors like to know what you’re looking for in credit situations, and you

12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

reward it consistently every time. 3) Be determined to “get it right.” Getting the horses placed correctly is one of the keys to judging longevity. It doesn’t matter who is showing or how much the horse has won; the question is, how did they work that day compared to the rest of the class? People are more knowledgeable now and know if the judge is influenced or will stand up for what’s right. As Bill Brewer from AQHA always says, “Do the right thing.” It will pay off in the long run.

There are two things that will expose a judge to warranted criticism. 1) Marking a horse too high because of the reputation of the horse or rider. The reason people win a lot is, in general, because they are real good, but that doesn’t mean every horse works good every time. Score them what they earn that day; that’s the key. 2) Under-marking a horse that makes something very hard look easy. This is where knowledge comes in. You have to recognize how hard something is to accomplish and what the horse has to do to make it look easy. Being a true horse person with knowledge and experience is helpful in both situations.

CORRECTION The August/September issue of “From the Judge’s Chair” about separating works was edited incorrectly. The final paragraph should read as follows.

“Two maneuvers are helpful in separating runs: fenceturn form and circling-up location. To accomplish a + fence turn, the entry must be accurate, the turn itself must have controlled form and the exit must be in control of the cow. On occasion, the horse reads a cow so well that the entry is almost perfect, the horse melts into the ground on the turn and exits right where he’s supposed to be. That’s a ++ turn. Usually this only happens on the first turn, but it should be recognized and rewarded. If you don’t know how a horse could do a maneuver any better, that’s a ++ in the cow work. For circling up, some exhibitors manage to circle in an open part of the arena, away from the fences and the end of the arena. This is very hard to do consistently, but if accomplished, it shows position and control and a good finish to the work.”

Bill Enk, NRCHA Director of Judges

“

GETING THE HORSES PLACED CORRECTLY IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO JUDGING LONGEVITY.” —Bill Enk

KIMESRANCH.COM

FROM THE

D

uring the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, the NRCHYA hosted some great fundraisers filled with good times. The duck cutting was a hit! It was fun for the kids, and our hardworking youths raised $1,500. The adults also had fun in the action as they vied for a one-of-a-kind Randy Paul bit. Thank you Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch for donating $800 to the youth and $200 to the winner.

Congratulations to the winner of the adult duck cutting: Brent Boevers. Thanks Dustin and Hope Mills for providing the ducks. NRCHYA appreciates the amazing support!

Bet He Sparks also provided prizes for our spectacular lead line, duck cutting, buckaroo and stick horse classes. Edsall Performance Horses and Cushing Performance Horses were big supporters in the Cow Horsin’ Around class. Davis Boots provided boots for the winner of the boot race. Thank you Abrian Bass for bringing the zoo animals; the kids enjoyed them.

Lastly, thank you Streakin B Art for spending time with our youth and showing them your painting techniques as they created their masterpieces. We might have some future artists among our young cow horse riders!

NRCYA is so grateful to have our cow horse family come together to support our youth—thank you!

—Lilly Gilson, reporter

16 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Top left: Who doesn’t love a boot race, especially when a new pair of boots is on the line for the winner?

Top right: NRCHA professionals Corey Cushing (pictured) and Clayton Edsall served as turnback help in the duck cutting event, which continues to draw a big crowd for bigger laughs.

Middle: Josey Butler, the artist behind Streakin B Art, hosted aspiring artists for a painting session, offering kids encouragement and tips for their masterpieces.

Left: The costume leadline class drew young riders in a variety of creative costumes.

CIRCLE UP NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

Keep COW HORSE Connected PRIMO MORALES

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 19

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MORE MILESTONES CROSSED

Above: Sparking Train, shown here with NRCHA Hall of Famer Don Murphy, had offspring cross $500,000 in earnings during the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Below: Kit Kat Sugar joined the elite Million Dollar Sire club, thanks to the success of his offspring at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity CAROLYN SEMANCIK

20 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

BY KC MONTGOMERY, COURTESY OF AQHA

F

ollowing the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, presented by Metallic Cat, more notable milestones were reached by our legendary horses and riders. NRCHA congratulates Sparking Train, Kit Kat Sugar and Shawn Hays on reaching new levels of excellence.

Sparking Train, a 1998 mare by Shining Spark and out of Sister Train, crossed $500,000 in offspring earnings, thanks to the performance of Bet He Sparks in the Open Bridle. Bet He Sparks and Clayton Edsall tied for sixth place, earning $4,036.50 to push his dam over the $500,000 mark.

The mare, owned by Jose Milare Garcia, also produced Metallic Train, a 2013 mare with more than $181,000 in earnings; Sparking Metallic, a 2014 mare with more than $58,000 in earnings; and One Sparking Time, a 2015 mare with more than $30,000 in earnings.

Kit Kat Sugar, a 2008 stallion by High Brow Cat and out of Sugar N Dulce, joined the NRCHA Million Dollar Sire club with the conclusion of the Open Finals.

In the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® Finals, Rein N Kats, owned by Wayne Miranda and ridden by Russell Probert, landed sixth, earning $45,000, while Clint Kat Sugar, owned by Janet Handtmann and ridden by Justin Wright, finished in 11th place, earning $20,000.

In the Intermediate/Limited Open finals, Anne Marie Albert’s Margareytaville, ridden by Kyle Noyce, finished just outside of the top 20 in the Intermediate Open, earning $3,000, and Some Mora Sugar, ridden by Jaton Lord, placed 12th in the Limited Open, earning $2,000.

Kit Kat Sugar, owned by XIT Ranch, also sired Scooter Kat, a 2015 stallion who holds the record as NRCHA’s all-time leading money earner with more than $510,000 in lifetime earnings; Play Rey Sugar Baby, a 2016 mare with more than $46,000 in earnings; and Dualin for Kit Kats, a 2016 gelding with more than $41,000 in earnings.

After earning his third-place finish in the Open Futurity Finals and his reserve champion title in the Intermediate Open, Shawn Hays joined the elite group

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

of Million Dollar Riders. Hays rode Angela Massey’s Paint It Blak, a 2020 gelding by CR Gotcha Covered and out of Herbs Lady, and the pair marked a composite score of 659 (H:214.5/R:223/C:222.5). In the Intermediate Open Finals, Hays and Justa Swinging Ruby, a 2020 mare by Bet Hesa Cat and out of Justa Swinging Jewel, placed 15th for owner Greene Springs Cattle Co. Over the course of the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, Hays raked in a total of $117,000 in lifetime earnings.

Hays, of Weatherford, Texas, earned his first NRCHA check in 2004. Since then, he’s earned money on 74 horses with Angela Massey’s MoonShineAndTwoAdvil as one of his most influential partners, helping Hays earn over $170,000 of his lifetime earnings.

Congratulations to Shawn Hays and the connection of Sparking Train and Kit Kat Sugar on achieving these titles. These individuals will be recognized at the 2024 Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions slated for February 11–24, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas.

For more information about these milestones, visit nrcha.com/nrcha-million-dollar-club.

Shawn Hays earned his first NRCHA check in 2004 and made it into the Million Dollar Riders club after a sensational NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®

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

Industry & Facility Partners

22 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

NATIONAL REINED COW HORSE ASSOCIATION

Meet Our NRCHA Members COURTESY OF GUSTI BUERGER

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 33

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

COURTESY OF GUSTI BUERGER, BY CAROLYN SEMANCIK

KNOW THE PRO From cattle-ranching roots to the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Finals, Gusti Buerger has earned her stripes as a reined cow horse pro.

BY KAYCIE TIMM

G

rowing up on a ranch in western Colorado gave Gusti Buerger an early start on horseback. Although her parents focused on raising cattle, Buerger’s early propensity for horses kept her attention trained on ranch horses.

Buerger first experienced the show pen as a budding equestrian through 4-H. Although she showed every animal she could, the equine competitions quickly became her favorite. A clinic hosted by Sherri Gilkerson introduced Buerger to the reined cow horse discipline, and she knew she’d found her passion.

After chatting with Gilkerson at the clinic about the similarities in their horses, Buerger started taking lessons and helping at Gilkerson’s facility to work off the fee. Eventually, she purchased one of Gilkerson’s mares, Cute N Cashy—the first horse Buerger showed in a reined cow horse competition.

“I showed her in the youth and had some success,” she recalled. “Then, TJ Good showed her in the World’s Greatest [Horseman] as an older horse, and she made the finals. I was pretty much addicted after that.”

As she neared the completion of high school and turned 18, Buerger planned to start working full time at Gilkerson’s barn. Tragically, Gilkerson passed away after a horse accident before Buerger had a chance to join her mentor’s team.

“It was very hard,” Buerger shared. “She was one of my best friends and a mentor, so that was really devastating. TJ and Ashley Good were really good friends with Sherri, too, so it was comforting to have them.”

34 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

When Good offered Buerger a spot on his team, Buerger took the opportunity.

“I knew Sherry wouldn’t want anybody to quit,” she recalled. “I still think about Sherry all the time.”

After working with Good for three years, Buerger moved on to Annie Reynolds’ barn in 2010, where she continued perfecting her skills. After that, she worked with cutting horses for several years, until she took a position with Corey Cushing in 2018 and returned to the reined cow horse circuit. In 2020, she went back to working with Reynolds and found success that took her to the Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Finals.

“When I made the open futurity finals in 2020, that was a huge moment,” Buerger shared. “I’m not usually a very emotional person, and I got very emotional. It’s one of those things where, in the back of your head, you want to do it, but when it actually happened, I couldn’t believe it. It was pretty incredible.”

In 2021, Buerger took a position at Home Ranch in Clark, Colorado, where she was tasked with building a reined cow horse program. In addition to performance prospects, Buerger led the ranch to acquire Magicality, a 2010 stallion that Buerger rode to the 2021 NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman™ Finals. With a proven stud ready to stand, Buerger has launched a reined cow horse breeding program at Home Ranch.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Buerger said of her time at Home Ranch. “We’re still building, but it’s been pretty amazing to see it all come together in such a short amount of time. I’m so thankful to Home Ranch for the opportunity to develop a program with them.”

NRCHA pro Gusti Buerger tapped into her love of horses early in life and is a top contender at major events today.

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

Reined Cow Horse News: What’s your goal as an NRCHA pro?

Gusti Buerger: To win the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. Obviously, a lot has to work out for that to happen, but that’s the goal.

Even if I never win the futurity, I hope my idols and peers respect me as a horseman at the end of the day.

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

GB: There are so many good ones. Corey [Cushing], Justin Wright, Sarah Dawson— they’re phenomenal horse trainers and showmen. Ron Ralls is awesome, too. You have to admire them. They do an outstanding job. There are so many people who have so much knowledge about how to get a horse there and how to keep them good.

I look up to Annie Reynolds, and I’m so thankful for the opportunities she gave me.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the knowledge I gained from working with her.

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

GB: Magicality. I would love to show him again. He’s such an honest horse. You know he’s going to do exactly what you expect him to do. There are no tricks; he’s just there. He’s so physical and so cowy, and if you set him upright, he’s going to do his job.

GB: I’m looking for good breeding that’s been proven. That helps as far as sales. I also look for a horse with a good neck, withers, and is really balanced.

I want a horse that looks like it’s built to do all three of the events. You can buy one that’s super cowy, but maybe it can’t lope that well. Many cutters cross over into reined cow horse, but certain horses are amazing at cutting but couldn’t do the cow horse because they aren’t made to lope

36 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

RCHN: Share a piece of advice you’d give to a fellow pro or competitor.

GB: I think the best thing is to stay positive. It’s easy to get down and feel like you can’t do it. Even if you get discouraged, you have to stay positive and keep building. There’s always another horse show.

It’s a tough event, so you can’t get down because that won’t help.

RCHN: Who helps you make the magic happen?

GB: You have to have support to succeed in this industry. My boyfriend, Dean Almog, is a huge part of my program and an amazing supporter. I have an incredible family and friend group, too, that help me through it.

Q A with NRCHA Pro Gusti Buerger

Buerger’s advice for all cow horse competitors: stay positive.

“It’s easy to get down and feel like you can’t do it,” she said. “Even if you get discouraged, you have to stay positive and keep building.”

COURTESY OF GUSTI BUERGER

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

around or run and stop. I try to look for a well-balanced horse with some natural draw on a cow.

$226,293+LTE

Standing at Brazos Valley Stallion Station Owned by Jamie Hill | Trained by Jaime Snider Photography by Scootem N Shootem | Photography+Ad Design by Mega Equine Marketing

Congratulations to these Top Performers at the

NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity and Horse Show

BET HESA CAT (High Brow Cat - Bet Yer Blue Boons, by Freckles Playboy)

LTE: $272,151

AN NRCHA & NCHA LEADING SIRE NCHA OPEN WORLD CHAMPION SCR SHOES TO FILL

(Bet Hesa Cat - PRF One Time Candi, by One Time Pepto)

Non Pro Futurity Finalist, Gelding Division Champion

Owned by Sarco Creek Ranch • Shown by Parke S. Greeson Bred by Sarco Creek Ranch

BET SHESA PLAYMATE

(Bet Hesa Cat - Very Smart Playmate, by Very Smart Remedy)

Non Pro Hackamore Reserve Champion Owned by Preston Williams • Shown by Garrell Reilly Bred by Yellow Creek Ranch

JUSTA SWINGING RUBY

BET HES CATTY

HESA TWISTED BET

(Bet Hesa Cat - Justa Swinging Jewel, by Justa Swinging Peppy)

(Bet Hesa Cat - Lindaboonsmal, by Peptoboonsmal)

(Bet Hesa Cat - R A B Twistin Dodger, by Little Twistin Juan)

Owned by Greene Springs Cattle Co. • Shown by Shawn D. Hays Bred by Greene Springs Cattle Co.

Owned by Jon Barlow • Shown by Tucker Smith • Bred by Jon Barlow

Owned by R.A. Brown Ranch • Shown by Lanham W. & Josey Brown • Bred by Landy Warren

Intermediate Open Futurity Finalist

UNOS SMART CAT

(Bet Hesa Cat - Unos Peppy Star, by Smart Pep Uno)

Limited Open Futurity Finalist, $7,500 Limited - 8th

HESA WEE BET

(Bet Hesa Cat - Wee Quejana Gal, by Quejanaisalena)

Non Pro Bridle, Inter. & Limited Non Pro Boxing Champion

BET HE SPARKS

Limited Non Pro Futurity - 3rd, $7,500 Limited - 5th

Non Pro Two Rein Reserve Champion, Non Pro Bridle - Split 8th

SOME SWEET BETTINCAT

MARTINIS BET 15

(Bet Hesa Cat - Flo N Blu Boon, by Pretty Boy Boon)

Inter. Non Pro Bridle Reserve Champion, Non Pro Bridle - 5th

Shown by Clayton M. Edsall • Bred by Beverly L. Servi

Owned by Rusty & Martha Ruby • Shown by Rusty R. Ruby Bred by Rusty & Martha Ruby (Bet Hesa Cat - Some Kinda Sweety, by Sweet Lil Pepto)

Select Non Pro Bridle Champion Owned by Stephen D. Black hown by Jennifer G. Black Bred by Larry W. Crowell

Owned by Debbie R. Crafton • Shown by Debbie R. Crafton Bred by Molly Mae Mirassou (Bet Hesa Cat - Dual Martini, by Dual Rey)

(Bet Hesa Cat - Sparking Train, by Shining Spark)

Open Bridle - Split 6th

Shown by Clayton M. Edsall • Bred by Garth & Amanda Gardiner

BET HES BLU

Open Hackamore - 7th

Fee: $4,000 + Chute Fee

Owned by Birgit Self • Shown by Birgit Self Bred by James L. Eakin

Transported Cooled Semen Available

BOON TOO SUEN (Peptoboonsmal - Meradas Little Sue, by Freckles Merada)

LTE: $263,009

NCHA WORLD CHAMPION STALLION NCHA & AQHA WORLD CHAMPION SIRE BOMB DIGGITY BOON (Boon Too Suen - Miss Meow, by High Brow Cat)

Open Futurity Finalist, Sale Inc. Reserve Champion, Gelding Division - 3rd Owned by Jonathan Yarbrough Shown by Ben Baldus Bred by SDP Buffalo Ranch

Perfect Outcross for Hight Brow Cat Daughters!

SUENS LITTLE CAT

(Boon Too Suen - Cant Track This Cat, by High Brow Cat)

Youth Reserve Co-Champion Owned/Shown by Laney Fjelstad Bred by Jeremy Barwick & M.R. Austin

Fee: $3,000 + Chute Fee Transported Cooled Semen Available

$2,500 + chute fee if paid by 12/31/23 Purchase one breeding to BOON TOO SUEN and receive a complementary breeding to CATTALOU!

BAMACAT

NCHA WORLD CHAMPION STALLION

(High Brow Cat - MH San Tules Dually, by San Tule Freckles)

LTE: $352,857 Transported Cooled Semen Available

BAMA MONTANA

BAMACATS COURAGE

EARNED $17,500

(Bamacat - Playguns Courage, by Playgun)

(Bamacat - Short Candy, by Shorty Lena)

Limited Open Futurity Top 10, $7,500 Limited - Split 3rd

Open Heading Futurity Finalist, Intermediate - 3rd, Limited Champion

Owned by Chuck Terro • Shown by Jonathan D. Hawthorne Bred by H.B. Bartlett D.V.M

Owned by Slick Robison • Shown by Jordan Allyn Bred by Kelly Schaar

Consider these Rising Stars in 2024!

QUAHADI (Bet Hesa Cat – Ginnin Attraction,

by Tanquery Gin)

AQHA Reserve World Champion Sr Working Cow Horse & VRH Jr Ranch Reining Horse

BET SMART CAT EARNED $20,000

(Bet Hesa Cat - Smart Chics R Lucky, by Elans Play N It Cool)

Open Heading Futurity - 5th

Owned by Quentin Hall Horses • Shown by Andy Holcomb Bred by Quentin Hall

DF BET HESA LEGEND EARNED $10,000

(Bet Hesa Cat - Gunna Be A Legend, by Little Lenas Legend)

Open Heeling Futurity - 7th

25 Championships/Reserve Championships 3-Time World’s Greatest Horseman Finalist First Foals are 3-Year-Olds in 2024!

Owned by Patrick Gideon • Shown by Billie Jack Saebens Bred by Dixon Flowers Quarter Horses

SADDLING AT SUNRISE (WR This Cats Smart - Sunshine Ingredient,

by Mr Sun O Lena)

Fee: $1,350 + Chute Fee Transported Cooled Semen Available

KREYZY HORSE (Dual Rey - Shes Twice As Smooth, by Smooth As A Cat)

ARHFA World Championships

including

Fee: $2,000 + Chute Fee

LTE: $151,440

Multiple Performers Shined at the

LTE: $189,253

LTE: $108,529

11-TIME Reined Cow Horse Open Champion or Reserve Champion

5-TIME NRCHA CHAMPION OR RESERVE CHAMPION 2023 Hackamore Classic Open Bridle Spectacular Champion 2023 Stallion Stakes Open Bridle Spectacular Co-Reserve Champion 2023 World’s Greatest Horseman Finalist

Fee: $2,000 + Chute Fee

Fee: $1,350 + Chute Fee

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(806) 596-4424 www.6666ranch.com

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///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

NOTABLE NON PRO

A strong heritage and bold vision for the future meet in Stinnett, Texas, with rancher Myles Brown.

BY JESSICA LASH

H

42 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

PRIMO MORALES

orses run deep in Myles Brown’s roots.

A fifth-generation rancher and the middle of seven children, Brown spent his childhood working on his family’s Rob A. Brown Ranch in Stinnett, Texas. With a strong passion for cutting-edge genetics in both Angus cattle and Quarter Horses, the ranch has kept the family busy, and many of Brown’s early memories were born on horseback.

“My dad didn’t hire a lot of help early on,” Brown shared. “When he had to do work on the ranch, my siblings and I were the help. From a young age, we jumped in where we could. We spent a lot of time horseback learning to be cowboys and cowgirls.”

Those early horseback miles spent working the family’s ranch developed Brown’s appreciation for the value of a good ranch horse and laid the foundation for what he would one day seek in his own horses—both in the performance pen and the breeding shed.

When he was 19 years old, Brown’s father entered him in the inaugural Ranching Heritage Challenge at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas, on a home-trained 6-year-old gelding named Eddie Rocks RAB (Hesa Eddie Hancock x Smooth Hearted Rock x Smooth At Heart), and it ignited a new passion.

“I didn’t really understand leads or any of the fancy stuff,” Brown recalled with a laugh. “I knew a lot about being on a horse just from my experiences on the ranch, but I didn’t know much about the finer points of horse training. I competed in junior high and high school rodeo, but this was different. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.”

FROM DREAMING TO DOING After high school graduation, Brown decided not to attend college.

“I was really the only one in my family—including my extended relatives—who didn’t go,” Brown shared.

“I think my grandparents were probably a little bit concerned. They were asking, ‘What are you going to do now?’ I knew I wanted to be involved in ranching, but I also loved training horses. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.”

Ultimately, Brown opted to spend the summer interning with Colorado-based trainer Kyle Trahern, who introduced the Texas native to the skills he needed to excel in the reined cow horse arena. In 2015, Brown flew to Reno, Nevada, to watch the NRCHA Snaffle Bit

Myles Brown credits the 2014 mare Miss Scarlets Cat (Metallic Cat x Bee Miss Scarlet x Lenas Busy Bee), shown here at the 2018 Hackamore Classic, for helping him find a foothold in reined cow horse events.

$248,000+ LTE EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT $2 0 0 0 + CH U TE F EE - 6 PA NEL N/N

WHEN BOOKED AND PAID BEFORE 2024

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP Futurity®. Enamored with the experience, he returned home and began preparing a homebred filly named Eddies Lacy RAB (Hesa Eddie Hancock x Shesa Eddie X Lady x Flying X 6) for the 2016 Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

“That experience taught me a lot about how to approach showing,” Brown shared. “She got through the reining and the herd work fine, but when I went to go down the fence, I tried to mark a 225 instead of just going in, working my cow and being clean. I learned that the desire to win doesn’t necessarily make you a winner. It taught me to be more thoughtful about how I approach showing because training and showing are two different things, and very few people can excel at both. It made me more intelligent about my decisions in the show pen.”

Since 2016, Brown has worked to develop a breeding and training program that produces tough, gritty horses known for their ability to handle any job on the ranch as adeptly as they can cut a cow or run down the fence. He’s missed qualifying for the Snaffle Bit Futurity® Finals on only one horse since 2017.

In 2017, he won the Level 1 Open and Limited Open classes and qualified for the open finals aboard the 2014 mare Miss Scarlets Cat (Metallic Cat x Bee Miss

Scarlet x Lenas Busy Bee)—a mare Myles credits with helping put his name on the map.

“She really did a lot for me as far as giving me the confidence to go show and do well,” Brown said.

In 2021, Brown clinched the win at the Hackamore Classic on 2017 stallion Red Holly Time (Hickory Holly Time x Very Red Remedy x Very Smart Remedy). He has also won the SRCHA pre-futurity three out of the seven years he’s entered. As Brown’s success in the reined cow horse pen has grown, so has his appreciation of the sport.

“I love the level of competition and the horsemanship required to compete [in reined cow horse],” Brown shared. “It’s a good mix of speed and cowboy, but it also requires a really well-broke horse.”

As much as Brown enjoys his horses, he’s quick to confess that the people involved in the industry are also part of the draw.

“I’m not saying everyone involved in NRCHA is a rancher or farmer, but it attracts that type of person,” Brown explained. “People in our industry have a respect for tradition and a connection to how things have been done in the past. We try to take our time preparing our horses. We ask a lot of them, but we ask it in a way where they should be happy, useful horses for the rest of their lives. That’s the goal—when they’re 20 years old, we want to see well-rounded horses still showing the next generation the ropes.”

FUTURE-FOCUSED Breeding Quarter Horses has been an integral part of the Brown family’s ranch since the formation of the American Quarter Horse Association in 1940. Brown’s great-grandfather, R.A. Brown Sr., was a founding

COURTESY OF JAYLEE HALL BROWN

ANNA BONNET

44 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Left: Brown lives with his wife, Jaylee Hall Brown, on his family’s Rob A. Brown Ranch—a part of the historic R.A. Brown Ranch in Stinnett, Texas.

Below: Working futurity colts out on his ranch helps Brown keep his colts enthusiastic about arena work.

A once-in-a-lifetime horse with an offer

e s u f e r t you can’ $36.5 Million Sire

offspring with $2,214,404.74 in Reined Cow Horse earnings

2024 Incentive Purchase 1 breeding for $2500 and get a 2nd breeding for half price.

PHOTO BY ROSS HECOX

It’s indisputable.

Sire Record

Smooth As A Cat is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and we have the facts to back up that claim. His accomplishments are

• Offspring earning $36.5 Million

UNMATCHED. Show Record

• NCHA Horse of the Year earning in excess of $500,000 • NCHA Hall of Fame Horse

• The ONLY NCHA Horse of the Year to sire 2 OPEN Horses of the Year • $2.2 Million Sire of Reined Cow Horse offspring • The MOST AFFORDABLE sire on the NCHA and NRCHA lists of top sires

2024 STUD FEE

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

Est. 1979

940.686.2246 website: www.manionranch.com Family owned. Operated by Kyle Manion.

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

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP member of the association, and his grandfather, Rob Brown, was elected AQHA President in 1995. Recognized as both a Best of the Remuda and a Ranching Heritage Breeder, the family’s primary focus is traditionally ranch-bred horses that embody willing dispositions and a propensity toward soundness and longevity. But as Brown’s journey into the reined cow horse industry has progressed, he’s introduced new genetics into the herd.

“What it takes to be a good ranch horse is different from what it takes to be a good performance horse, but there are things both share—good conformation, good feet and bone and a good disposition are a big start in the right direction on a ranch horse or a performance horse,” Brown shared.

Steeped in tradition and heritage, the Brown family has long-held ideals about the horses they produce.

But Brown challenges some of those ideals, introducing performance stallions into the genetic pool.

“Some of the horses I show go back to horses that have been in our family’s bloodlines since the 1940s or earlier,” Brown shared. “That’s a fun piece of the breeding puzzle for me—bettering our genetics while still preserving our heritage. It’s taken some time for

“

We try to take our time preparing our horses.

We ask a lot of them, but we ask it in a way where they should be happy, useful horses for the rest of their lives.”

my family to get on board with introducing new genetics because they were a little more cautious than I was.

I saw talented, quick-footed horses with their ears forward all the time, and that was it—I was all in.”

As Brown looks toward the future, he hopes to continue showing in NRCHA events and selling his homebred, -raised and -trained horses as valuable additions to ranchers and competitors alike.

“My goal is to embrace our heritage while looking to the future,” Brown shared. “I’m striving to breed an all-around versatile horse, but I want them to be able to cut, to be able to run down the fence and to have that bright expression. I’m constantly asking, ‘How can we make this cross better?’ I love the industry, I’m passionate about it, and I want our genetics to bring something meaningful to it.”

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

Event Sponsors

46 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

—Myles Brown

The Kit Kat Sugar Bonus was within reach for these TWO NRCHA SBF Futurity Finalists!

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LTE: $93,778

NRCHA Open Futurity - 6th NRCHA Intermediate Open Futurity - 3rd Owned by Wayne A. Miranda • Shown by Russell A. Probert Bred by Aaron L. Cook

CLINT KAT SUGAR

(Kit Kat Sugar - Cut N Klass, by Light N Lena)

LTE: $62,212

NRCHA Open Futurity Finalist and Gelding Division Champion

Owned by Janet L. Handtmann Shown by Justin T. Wright Bred by Janet L. Handtmann

Congratulations to all of the Connections!

AN NRCHA MILLION DOLLAR SIRE

2023 PERFORMER EARNINGS: $1,550,000 | AVERAGE EARNINGS PER MONEY-EARNER: $30,568 2023 QDATA #5 REINED COW HORSE LEADING SIRE, #12 CUTTING HORSE LEADING SIRE, #5 TIE-DOWN ROPING LEADING SIRE, TOP 20 ALL EVENTS LEADING SIRE

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///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

COURTESY OF GARRETT COOPER

ADMIRABLE ASSISTANTS: GARRETT COOPER During his lifetime with horses, Garrett Cooper, current assistant to Ben Baldus, is living his childhood dreams.

BY PAIGE BRANDON

A

fter growing up watching the stars of old Westerns—Roy Rogers rearing on Trigger, John Wayne fighting the bad guys and Clint Eastwood drawing his pistols—Garrett Cooper knew he wanted to be a cowboy. Not long after he graduated high school, the Pennsylvania native packed up and moved west to start the life he always dreamed about.

Cooper’s now father-in-law owned Miracle Mountain Ranch, a summer camp in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania, where Cooper rode for the first time. Cooper spent his summers in high school with Jonathan Hines, a Western pleasure and all-around trainer in Albany, Georgia. He moved there for a year after graduating.

Then he moved to Decatur, Texas, to work for cutting horse trainer Richard Johnson.

“I don’t think there was one pivotal moment for me,” he said about his start with horses. “It was a progression over the years. We didn’t have any cattle or anything. We had horses around, and I rode a bunch.

Ever since I can remember, I thought of moving out West to work for those ranches, ride horses and cowboy. It was always on the forefront of my mind and something I wanted to chase.”

Cooper fondly recalls December 3, 2012, as the day he started work at the Waggoner Ranch in Vernon, Texas, trademarked “largest ranch under one fence.”

52 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“It was a fulfilling part of my dream come true,” he said with a smile. “When the job opportunity came up, I was hook, line and sinker.”

LEARNING THE ROPES It was a transitional period for Cooper, going from a public training barn to a working ranch, let alone one of the largest cow-calf operations in the United States.

“When I moved to Waggoner’s, we started colts,” he recalled. “But aside from that, it’s an operating cattle ranch. There are other tasks, jobs and obligations. Up until I took the job with Richard in Decatur, I hadn’t been around cattle much and never worked cattle before that point.”

Life on the ranch taught Cooper many new skills, including roping horseback and competing in the show pen.

“I still remember she wore an 84 [brand] on her shoulder,” he recalled about the mare he showed. “I started riding her when I first got there; she was a coming 3-year-old at the time. I got her far enough along that they were willing to let me start showing her in some of the Ranch Horse Association of America shows.”

Garrett Cooper and his wife, Hannah, and their kids embrace the Western lifestyle in Gainesville, Texas.

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

LIVING THE DREAM Some of that wisdom includes a quote Cooper keeps in the back of his mind: “Better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today.” He heard it in a sermon six years ago and applied it to his life in and out of the saddle.

“This horse isn’t where I want him to be, but he’s better than he was yesterday, and if I do my job and don’t mess anything up, he’ll be better tomorrow than he is today,” he explained. “That’s the same thing in our life, too. By God’s grace, we continue to make ourselves better and the best version of ourselves that we can be. I’m not the trainer, I’m not the husband and I’m not the person I want to be, but I feel I’m better than I was each day. If the Lord blesses another day tomorrow, I’ll try to be better tomorrow than I am today.”

That mentality drives his passion for all aspects of training.

54 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

KAYCIE TIMM

He’ll never forget that 3-year-old that ignited his passion, but another horse fanned the flame. After the ranch sold in 2015, Cooper took two years off from horses and focused on the hunting side of the estate.

“I didn’t touch a horse for two years,” he reminisced.

“The first horse that I swung a leg back on was a Waggoner-bred and -raised colt called Want To Be A Pepto.

He was a Peptoboonsmal. He was a pivotal horse for me because I was coming back into the horse industry. He was originally intended just to be a ranch horse or a using horse. He ended up being way more than that. He was more horse than I was hand for. I didn’t do that horse justice, but he was a monumental horse for me—letting me go and have that much exposure and experience showing [in NRCHA events].”

Cooper lived for almost 10 years at the Waggoner Ranch and started his family there. He married his wife, Hannah, two years into working there. The couple currently has two sons and a daughter. It’s also where he met NRCHA professional Ben Baldus, his current employer. They worked together for three years before Baldus moved out on his own. The duo kept in touch, and when Baldus had an opening at his barn in 2021 in Gainesville, he offered Cooper the position.

“He has a solid view of folks who work for him,” Cooper said about working with Baldus. “I’ve had the opportunity to go down the road a little bit more and go to some of these other shows. The people have been the most rewarding part of it—getting to know some of my heroes in the industry I’ve watched and studied through the years. I get to know them and work alongside them and try to gain some of their knowledge and wisdom.”

“I enjoy the 2-year-olds because you see so much progress so fast. I remember that at Waggoner. You’re starting a 2-year-old that had only been handled as a yearling and then kicked out onto a 10,000-acre pasture. Within an hour, you can have your hands on them; you can have them saddled and ready to swing a leg over off for the first time. But I do enjoy showing horses. I’m in competition with myself and am trying to get better every time I step into the show pen. Having the variety that we do in the cow horse is intriguing to me. I like the challenge of that.

“I’m of the minority that’s fortunate enough to get to do what they love for work,” he continues. “People say, ‘If you do what you love for work, you won’t work a day in your life.’ If you’re fortunate enough to get to do what you love, you work hard at it and want it.

It’s what sparks a desire to keep getting better because that’s what you want to be the very best at.”

Cooper took home the Level One Open Tres Osos Derby title this year at the 2023 Celebration of Champions on Dirty Looks (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat), owned by Ty M. Smith.

He hopes to continue having a horse at each premier event in the next year and will continue to work with the thought in his mind to improve each day.

“I’m fortunate to have a roster of horses that are far better hands than me, so I’m just going to stay out of their way and hope I can do them some good,” he concludes.

From the ranch to the arena, Cooper appreciates all his horses and what they’ve taught him along the way.

LTE: $203,508

(Metallic Cat - Lil Bit Reckless, by CD Royal)

AN ACCOMPLISHED PERFORMER

His first foals arrived in 2023 and they are exceptional!

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+ Chute Fee Cooled & Frozen Semen Available

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FOALS HAVE EARNED MORE THAN $18,000,000!

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(High Brow Cat - The Smart Look, by Smart Little Lena)

Congratulations to these Performers at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity KITTY WILKINS

( R his Cats Smart - iss ella lue, by rettin)

Intermediate Non Pro Futurity Champion and Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion Owned/Bred by Tom & Carmen Buckingham Shown by Carmen Buckingham pictured left

Also Congratulations to these Performers NRCHA SBF CLASSES CAT WALKS INTO A BAR

( R his Cats Smart - Sue C Shiner, by Shining S ark)

Non Pro Bridle Reserve Champion, Intermediate Champion, Youth Reserve Co-Champion Owned/Shown by Landri Lisac • Bred by Garth & Amanda Gardiner

SMART LADIES SPARKLE Open Bridle Finalist Shown by Matt J. Koch Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC

how!

Also at the s

PR A SMART CHICK Open Two Rein - Split 6th

SHES REYS CAT Open Hackamore - Split 8th

THIS CATS FOREVER Non Pro Bridle - 6th

SADDLING AT SUNRISE Open Bridle - 9th

CATS NU SHINE Open Hackamore Finalist

SIXES SMART CAT Cowboy Class - 5th

Shown by Brandon C. Buttars Bred by Mark & Debra Pieper

Shown by Boyd J. Rice Bred by Burnett Ranches LLC

Shown by Clifton J. Shopbell Bred by Gregg La tte

Shown by icholas S. Dowers Bred by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC

Shown by Cutter W. McLaughlin Bred by Garth & Amanda Gardiner

Shown by Dusty Burson Bred by Burnett Ranches LLC

THREE XS THE MAGIC Earned $18,000!

ARHFA 4YO Open Heading Futurity Reserve Champion, Open Heading Futurity Finalist Owned by Lacy & Wyatt Bourdet • Shown by Andy Holcomb • Bred by Dan & Linda MacEdo

Fee: Private Treaty + Chute Fee Frozen/ICSI to Approved Mares

Owned by

Complete Stallion Roster listing available online at www.6666ranch.com!

Burnett Ranches, LLC • P.O. Box 130 • Guthrie, TX 79236 (806) 596-4424 • www.6666ranch.com

///////// MEMBER ROUNDUP

FACES OF NRCHA

Jordan Tierney uses her ranching upbringing and marketing skills from being rodeo royalty to elevate NRCHA’s partnerships to new levels.

RCHN: How did you learn about cow horse and NRCHA? JT: I’ve always known about cow horse; we have some family friends from Wyoming who trained cow horses. My first introduction to the NRCHA was from Jodi and Rich Charrier when they hosted me at their home as Miss Rodeo America, and I got to ride their daughter’s horse, Deuce, who she showed in the reined cow horse.

RCHN: What excites you about working for the association?

JT: I’m most excited to learn more about the sport and industry as a whole because I truly believe it will keep growing! We have such a great team in the office, and I appreciate everyone’s patience with me as I figure it all out! What excites me most is how everyone is focused on working together to bring new ideas to help grow the cow horse industry.

COURTESY OF JORDAN TIERNEY

Growing up in Oral, South Dakota, on her family’s cattle ranch, Jordan Tierney spent a lot of time riding Quarter Horses and competing in roping and barrel racing. She parlayed her junior rodeos to collegiate ones when she attended Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. She then moved to the world of rodeo queens after graduation, earning the 2020 Miss Rodeo America title. Along with the title came the opportunity to travel the country representing the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association through 2021.

That experience as a high-profile rodeo queen allowed Tierney to develop comfort and ease when meeting new people, connecting urban and rural worlds, and learning to interact with people from all backgrounds and experiences.

“Although the rodeo and horse show worlds are different, I find similarities in the two, mainly in the people,” Tierney shared. “Cow horse people are the salt of the Earth, and I really want to see the sport grow to new heights.”

Now serving as NRCHA’s Director of Sponsorship and Outreach, Tierney can do that.

“I’ll always have a deep love for the horse, which I attribute to my parents instilling in me,” she said. “I’ve been so blessed in my life to watch the highs and lows of raising and training horses. From deciding which bloodlines would make a good cross to seeing that animal athlete excel in the rodeo arena, there’s nothing better. I recently decided to get into the breeding business. I have two fillies out of two very special mares, so currently, I am waiting for them to grow up so I can move them to Texas!”

58 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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

JT: I am most looking forward to the Celebration of Champions and watching the World’s Greatest Horseman in person.

That’s such a cool event, and I’m excited for the opportunity to play a small part in it.

C O N G R AT U L AT E S

TEAM:TR athlete

Corey Cushing 2023 NRCHA OPEN SNAFFFLE BIT FUTURITY

CHAMPION RIDING REYSMHIGH OWNED BY HEATHER VATCHER

TETONRIDGE.COM

COREY CUSHING & REYSMHIGH

AK

BIG Runs, BIG

Checks The 2023 Run for a Million saw more spotlights on cow horses.

Here are their stories.

By JENNIFER PAULSON Photos by WALTENBERRY

62 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

COW HORSES took three times the spotlight at the 2023 Run for a Million in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 18 at the South Point Equestrian Center. In addition to the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge and the $30,000 Cowboy Invitational, which debuted last year, this year’s event included youth riders in the Youth Working Cow Horse Championship.

The electricity in the arena during each event came from not only the passionate families and fans of the riders and horses, but also from newcomers to the sport of reined cow horse, giving them a solid glimpse into why reined cow horse events have some of the hottest tickets in the business.

Scooter Kat and Justin Wright continued their winning ways in Vegas, winning the $200,000 Cow Horse Challenge and pushing the stallion over $500,000 in lifetime earnings.

$200,000 COW HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS Horse/Rider/Composite Score/Owner/Earnings

1) Scooter Kat; Justin T. Wright; 451.50; Eric M. Freitas; $55,000 2) Call Me Mitch; Phillip Ralls; 448.50; Estelle Roitblat Living Trust; $28,000 3) Kreyzy Horse; Kelby Phillips; 447.50; Bosque Ranch Performance; $25,000 4T) Peptos Stylin Time; Abbie Phillips; 442.50; Kelby and/or Abbie Phillips; $15,000 4T) Bet He Sparks; Clayton Edsall; 442.50; K & L Phillips LLC; $15,000 6) MoonshineAndTwoAdvil; Shawn Hays; 441; Angela R. Massey; $12,000 7) Annies Smart Cat; Lance Johnston; 438.50; Rocking BS Ranch; $10,000 8) CD Highlights; Randy J. Paul; 437.50; Linda S. Katz; $9,000 9) Sprinkld Confetticat; Shane Steffen; 435.50; Julia Jaspen; $8,000 10) Tabasque O; Ron Ralls; 434; Richard Bell; $7,000 11T) Smart Chic An Tari; Sarah Dawson; 433; Aaron Ranch; $4,250 11T) Shine Smarter; Christopher C. Dawson; 433; Linda A. Mars; $4,250 13) Back In The Blue; Lee C. Deacon; 424; Ken & Renee Jones; $2,500 14) Bet Hesa Boon; Tyler Merrill; 415.50; Beverly Servi; $2,500 15) Quahadi; Boyd Rice; 220; Burnett Ranches LLC; $2,500

$500K and Counting The $55,000 winner check from the Cow Horse Challenge put perennial champion Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) over the $500,000 in NRCHA lifetime earnings threshold.

The pair marked a composite 451.5 (R: 223/C: 225.5), topping the class by three points. The milestone break came in one of the horse’s favorite pens.

“The horse has always liked that pen,” shared owner Eric Freitas. “He’s won a lot there and is really good in that pen. Justin (Wright, Scooter Kat’s longtime partner) said he schooled really well, and it showed. It was so cool to see the stands full and how much the crowd was into it. It was really exciting, because, except in Fort Worth (at the Snaffle Bit Futurity® and World’s Greatest Horseman™), we don’t get to show in front of crowds like that.”

Freitas believes the partnership between the horse and Wright makes them such a formidable pair at major events.

“From Day 1, they’ve just been magical together,” Freitas said. “I don’t believe anyone else in the business hasn’t really shown that horse but Justin, and I’ve never seen Justin get along with another horse in this way. They’re on the same page, and they just click. They manage to stay out of trouble—it really is a combination of the two together. The horse is right there with Justin; they’re never late; they’re always right with the cow.”

Freitas credits cutting-edge, big-purse events with allowing cow horses to reach earnings of more than a half-million dollars in a relatively short time.

“As a stallion owner, events like the Run for a Million and the American Performance Horseman give us a chance at a lot of publicity and a lot of money,” he said.

“These big paydays bring out the toughest competition, so it says a lot about our horses that compete in these big events. It makes reaching $500,000 in earnings a little more attainable, but it’s still certainly not an easy thing to do. These are the best bridle horses out there.”

Wright echoes Freitas’ feelings about these big events and what an incredible opportunity they are.

“To win this is awesome,” Wright said after his win.

“The class of horses here is incredible. We’re riding against the greatest horsemen and horsewomen, and to finish on top feels incredible. There’s no feeling like it.”

“

From Day 1, they’ve just been magical together.”

—Eric Freitas

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 63

From Ranch to Arena Cowboy Zach Ozborn has plenty of experience at his job on New Mexico’s Bogle Ranch and in ranch horse events, such as Stock Horse of Texas competitions. But the Cowboy Invitational at the Run for a Million was the first time he’d competed in an event like that, on that large of a stage. He and Steel Core Cat (Metallic Cat x Playin Nurse x Playgun), a 6-year-old Quarter Horse, came to Vegas to test their mettle, besting the field by a whopping seven points.

“I use this horse on the ranch,” Ozborn said. “I didn’t know I’d be showing [at the Run for a Million] until shortly before the event. We’d been roping a lot, so we had to go back to working on our cow horse to prepare.”

Once they got to the event, it was about what Ozborn expected: lots of people, professional and loud.

“My horse was really good,” he said. “Nothing gets him worked up very much, even with how loud it was in the arena. It didn’t bother him a bit.”

Drawing the final position, Ozborn could see how the other entrants fared and knew it would come down to the cow work for him to win.

“I was thankful to go last,” he shared. “We ran a condensed pattern. I’d been praying for a certain type of cow for a month before the show, and we drew a good one. We went five licks each way, and then we went with her. She ran good, and our first turn was good. She popped off the fence a little, and our second turn was getting close to the marker. We turned maybe a stride ahead of the marker, and then we went to rope her. We’ve been roping a bunch, so

64 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

$30,000 COWBOY INVITATIONAL Horse/Rider/Composite Score/Owner/Earnings

1) Steel Core Cat; Zach Ozborn; 442; Bogle Brothers; $7,500 2) CR Tuff Be Greyt; Hegan Lamb; 435; Tongue River Ranch LTD; $6,000 3) Olenas Nu Shine; Cade Herring; 426.50; Wagonhound Land & Livestock Co.; $3,600 4) Sixes Smart Cat; Dusty Burson; 426; Burnett Ranches LLC; $2,700 5) Ima Wynna RAB; RA Brown; 421.00; Rob A. Brown; $2,400 6) Coronel Del Rancho; LeeRoy Montalvo; 408.50; King Ranch Inc.; $2,100 7) Goodluck Catt; Clint Jones; 403; Pitchfork Cattle Operations; $1,800 8) SJR Diamond Motion; Grant Mitchell; 398; Singleton Ranches; $1,500 9) Seven S Crazy Horse; Clay Forst; 395.50; Terry Stuart Forst; $1,200 10) Nabisco Roan; Cody Gonsalves; 390; Holy Cow Performance Horses TX; $1,200 11) Ideliable Style; Benjamin Lard; 211.50; XIT Ranch; $900

I felt confident about that. He eased up there, rated and roped her.”

The pair earned a final score of 442 and took home $7,500 for their effort. Having never competed in an event like this, Ozborn encourages anyone eligible for the Cowboy Class to give it a shot. His experience leading up to the show and at the event has made him a fan.

“Just go for it,” he advised. “And don’t be afraid to ask for help. I rode with Trevor Carter quite a bit, and he was a great teacher. All those riders in the Cow Horse Challenge were great at the event. They were so helpful. I asked questions, and they were more than happy to help.”

Ozborn planned to show Steel Core Cat at the Cowboy Class at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, too.

Steel Core Cat and Bogle Ranches cowboy Zach Ozborn took the Cowboy Invitational title in Vegas, earning $7,500 and marking a 442 composite.

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Second String, First Place Sometimes, things don’t go as planned. But sometimes Plan B turns out to be a winner anyway.

When youth rider Sierra Telford envisioned her trip to Vegas, she planned to ride a different horse in the Youth Working Cow Horse Championships. When that horse became sore, she had to go to her backup: her breakaway mount.

Roan Olena Oak (Olena Oak x Starlight Sailor x Topsail Cody) came to the Telford ranch as a barrel horse. He went away for some tie-down roping training, and Sierra had been taking the 8-year-old Quarter Horse to some amateur rodeos and high school rodeos, so Sierra was quite familiar with her mount.

“The game plan was to get through the reined work and show off in the fence,” she said with a laugh. “We had a week to get him ready.”

With the help of her dad, Jake Telford, and NRCHA professional Nick Dowers, Sierra felt prepared to do her best. They stayed clean in the reined work, marking a 212, and then had a blistering fence work, scoring a 226.5.

“He’s so willing to please,” Sierra shared. “That makes him so adaptable. He loves his job.”

66 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

“

He’s so willing to please.

That makes him so adaptable.

He loves his job.” —Sierra Telford

Spotlighting the future of cow horse, Sierra Telford and Roan Olena Oak stayed clean in the reined work and marked a massive 226.5 down the fence to win the Youth Working Cow Horse Challenge.

YOUTH WORKING COW HORSE CHALLENGE Horse/Rider/Composite Score/Owner/Earnings

1) Roan Olena Oak; Sierra Telford; 438.50; Jessica Telford; $5,000 2) Soulas Hickory Star; Tylie Norcutt; 434.50; Darrel Norcutt 3) TRR Lucky Playgun; Quincy Probst; 432.50; Redgie Probst 4) CR Tiny Tuff; Broc Schwartzkopf; 430.50; Madison Fantaskey 5) Sweet Like That; Tatum Olson; 422; Jamie or Mica Olson 6) Moonstruck One Time; Collin Kaplan; 402.50; Allan Kaplan 7) Billys Blaze; Henry Birdwell; 200; Pitchfork Cattle Operations

FAITH SKINNER PHOTOGRAPHY

NRCHA MILLION DOLLAR SIRE:

Stevie Rey Von Stevie Rey Von adds another accolade as the youngest NRCHA Million Dollar Sire.

O

By MEGAN ARSZMAN

CCASIONALLY, a horse comes along that gets more than just cow tails wagging; he gets tongues wagging.

There’s a red roan stallion that has hit the record books in two very physically demanding disciplines.

His impact is felt in the cutting and reined cow horse industries, and his influence will continue to grow.

You may know him as the only living stallion to be a National Cutting Horse Association Open Futurity Champion sired by an NCHA Open Futurity Champion

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that has sired an NCHA Open Futurity Champion. But most likely, you know him as the sire of the 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion, Tornado Jonez: Stevie Rey Von (Metallic Cat x Miss Ella Rey x Dual Rey). Stevie Rey Von sired the futurity champion and the reserve futurity champion, Vince Von—both in his first foal crop as an NRCHA sire.

That’s a pretty big splash to make as a freshman NRCHA sire. But the waves keep growing as “Stevie” crossed the NRCHA Million Dollar Sire mark as the youngest stallion to earn that status. Before Stevie, the

This fall, Stevie Rey Von became NRCHA’s youngest and newest Million Dollar Sire at age 11. Previously, Hickory Holly Time was the youngest to cross the milestone at age 12.

Right: Stevie Rey Von sired the 2022 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Champion, Tornado Jonez, ridden

by Lee Deacon.

PRIMO M ORALES FAITH SKINNER PHOTOGRAPHY

youngest was Hickory Holly Time, age 12, when he crossed as the youngest in 2022. By September, when the mark was crossed, Stevie was 11.

“With his looks as a red roan, being a son of Metallic Cat and a futurity champion, we felt that the reined cow horse world would give him a shot,” said Alvin Fults, owner of Stevie Rey Von, with his wife, Becky.

“And they did, and we’re so appreciative of that. We’re so grateful that so many wanted to take a shot at him so early. Being that young of a sire, you don’t really know, and it’s a chance these mare owners take.

Every embryo is valuable, so to use one on a stallion that’s not proven in the discipline, we’re very appreciative of him.”

In 2022, Stevie Rey Von was the leading stallion at the NCHA Futurity and NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

The only other horse to do so? His sire, Metallic Cat, is the current all-time money-leading sire in NRCHA. Not only does his superstar sire provide a lot to Stevie Rey Von’s background, but so does his dam, Miss Ella Ray (by Dual Rey).

“We loved his bloodline,” Fults said of purchasing Stevie Rey Von. “Naturally, we owned Metallic Cat, so when we had the opportunity to get a son of Metallic Cat to stand, we loved that. I loved Stevie’s mother; she was everything to me, and I couldn’t wait to get a baby out of the combination of the two, and sure enough, here comes Stevie.”

The Fults purchased the red roan stallion in 2018.

He retired sound and now stands at Beau Galyean Stallion Services in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We knew with Stevie how fast he was, and we thought he’d make a great cow horse because of his foot speed,” Fults shared. “We thought he’d fit well.

Just watching him in the pasture, watching him move out there, he just moves fast—he’s not lethargic, he doesn’t do anything slowly, whether he’s in the arena or the pasture. You always hope it will work out that way, and it has.”

And it seems he’s passing along his cow sense, speed and intelligence to his progeny.

“When it comes together, it’s a beautiful thing,” Fults said. “Genetics are very hard to outguess. We try, we all try, but when it hits, it’s a beautiful thing to witness.”

While the Fultses have seen this meteoric rise with his sire, they hope it’ll be replicated with Stevie Rey Von, only in his own way.

“He’s forging his own path, and it’ll be exciting to see how far that path goes,” Fults said.

He may just be doing that, after siring Open Futurity Champions in both cutting and reined cow horse, hitting the Million Dollar Sire mark at a young age for both disciplines and still having many years ahead to see where that path leads.

“Stevie Rey Von foals have it all: the look, the speed and the ability to excel in all three events,” says Lee Deacon, rider of Tornado Jonez. “But in saying all that, the most impressive thing to me is their desire.”

“There are a lot of exceptional stallions out there and a lot of exceptional performance horse stallions out there,” said Shella Langford with Beau Galyean Stallion Services. “But it doesn’t matter what arena he’s in. He has foals doing well in reining, roping, reined cow horse and cutting. This just can’t be a fluke.”

Above: “We loved his bloodline,” said owner Alvin Fults. “Naturally, we owned Metallic Cat, so when we had the opportunity to get a son of Metallic Cat to stand, we loved that. I loved Stevie’s mother; she was everything to me, and I couldn’t wait to get a baby out of the combination of the two, and sure enough, here comes Stevie.”

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PHOTOGRAPHY

HONORING A COWGIRL A special event held at the iconic Cow Palace featured the accomplishments of the late Sheila Varian.

T 74 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

By ALLISON KEANEY, PH.D. Photos Courtesy of the Varian Family and Cow Palace

HE COW PALACE PRESENTED “WOMEN OF RODEO,” an evening honoring the cowgirl on October 14 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. This program spotlighted women competing in barrel racing, breakaway roping and bronc riding, with performances by the Grand National Drill Team Competition winners and professional trick rider Madison MacDonald-Thomas.

Sheila Varian and Rontenza topped the 1961 Cow Palace’s reined cow horse event at age 24.

The evening featured a tribute to the late Sheila Varian, the incredible horsewoman who became the 1961 Reined Cow Horse Champion at the Cow Palace at age 24. Varian grew up in rural Central California and was drawn to traditional vaquero horsemanship practices, focusing on developing a fine-tuned harmony between horse and rider. She added gentleness as the ingredient to nurture true partnerships with her horses.

This approach led her and the Arabian mare Rontenza to victory. Despite the roaring crowd, blinding lights and a fall, the 5-year-old mare never lost sight of her cow and where it needed to go.

“Rontenza knew what to do, and I was along for the ride,” Varian recalled about the feat.

Winning this event in the male-dominated cow horse world of the 1960s was a triumph. Varian was the first woman and amateur to win the competition, and Rontenza was the first Arabian horse to win the title. Guests attending the “Women of Rodeo” program saw the beautiful saddle presented to Varian for her win, her trophy, belt buckle and Ronteza’s bridle, all displayed in a concourse at the Cow Palace, graciously on loan from Varian Arabians. Additionally, the event showcased some beautiful Varian Arabians from the bloodline that Varian herself carefully and personally bred. Varian received many other titles and awards and, in 2003, was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

Alongside Varian, the exhibit honors women in rodeo. It benefits the Teal Foundation, a Bay Area organization that supports ovarian cancer research and those diagnosed with the disease. Varian succumbed to ovarian cancer in 2016.

The Cow Palace is a historic agricultural and entertainment venue in Daly City, and home of the Grand National Rodeo and Jr. Livestock Exhibition, celebrating its 75th year in 2023.

Top: The display at the Cow Palace features Rontenza’s saddle and bridle.

Above: Along with other awards, Varian and Rontenza received this blanket for their victory at the Cow Palace.

Left: "Rontenza knew what to do, and I was along for the ride,” Varian recalled about her Cow Palace win.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

T

HE GREATEST DAY

ReysmHigh and Corey Cushing’s Open Championship at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, was an experience the stallion’s owner will never forget.

BY KRISTIN PITZER | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

T

wo days before the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, held October 6–21, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, Jayne Vatcher and her best friend of 30 years, Grace Velazco, were at the airport waiting to board a plane bound for an African safari. The trip was a bucket-list item for Velazco, who was battling Stage 4 breast cancer. Vatcher knew she wouldn’t get to watch her horse, ReysmHigh, and trainer Corey Cushing compete. Her husband, Scott, dropped everything to go to the Will Rogers Complex in Vatcher’s place the night of the Open Finals.

However, when it came time to board the plane, Velazco was too sick to go. They drove instead to a cabin on Big Bear Lake in California, lit a fire and watched online together as Cushing rode ReysmHigh, by the late Dual Smart Rey and out of the High Brow Cat mare Prowlin High, to the Open championship by one-half point with a composite score of 662.5 (H: 221.5/R: 220.5/C: 220.5).

“We got to watch the finals together holding hands,” said Vatcher, who owns Cre8ive Event Rentals in Tempe, Arizona. “We experienced one of the greatest days of my life and the last days of hers. She passed away two days later. She knew nothing about horses, but her smile lit up the room watching Scott’s and my dreams become a reality.”

Cushing and ReysmHigh banked $200,000 for the title, plus $22,386 for winning the Open Sale Incentive and another $26,657 for the Brazos Valley Stallion Station Super Stallion Incentive. For Vatcher, though, the night wasn’t about the money. What meant the most to her was getting to experience the moment with Velazco, a memory she’ll cherish forever.

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2023 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® OPEN TOP 10 Fort Worth, Texas October 6–October 21, 2023 (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Score/Money)

1. ReysmHigh; Corey Cushing; 20S (Dual Smart Rey x Prowlin High x High Brow Cat); Heather Vatcher; 662.5 (H: 221.5/R: 220.5/C: 220.5); $200,000 2. Cash Trades; Sarah Dawson; 20G (Reyzin The Cash x Smooth Peanutbutter x Smooth As A Cat); Wendy Buehler; 662 (H: 219/R: 220.5/C: 222.5); $100,000 3. Paint It Blak; Shawn Hays; 20G (CR Gotcha Covered x Herbs Lady x Grays Starlight); Angela Massey; 659 (H: 214.5/R: 222/C: 222.5); $80,000 4. Gunna Wanna; Corey Cushing; 20M (Gunnatrashya x Chics Vintage Flare x Smart Chic Olena); Jeremy Barwick; 658 (H: 215.5/R: 223/C: 219.5); $65,000 5. The Cash Train; Clayton Edsall; 20M (Reyzin The Cash x Metallic Train x Metallic Cat); Beverly Servi; 656.5 (H: 219.5/R: 219.5/C: 217.5); $50,000 6. Rein N Kats; Russell Probert; 20M (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey); Wayne Miranda; 656 (H: 218.5/R: 219.5/C: 218); $45,000 7. Venom Boonsmal; Sarah Dawson; 20S (Peptoboonsmal x A Black Widow x High Brow Cat); Aaron Ranch; 655.5 (H: 217.5/R: 218/C: 220); $37,000 8. Rebel Wth A Cause; Sarah Dawson; 20M (Metallic Rebel x Dainty Little Step x Wimpys Little Step); Brooke Wharton; 654 (H: 219/R: 215.5/C: 219.5); $30,000 9. Talkin Shmack; Justin Wright; 20G (Smooth Talkin Style x Bobs Smart Rey x Dual Rey); Adan Banuelos; 652.5 (H: 217/R: 216.5/C: 219); $23,000 10. Hip Hip Rebel Rey; Cayley Wilson/Kelby Phillips; 20S (Metallic Rebel x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey); Kathy Gentry; 652 (H: 216/R: 217.5/C: 218.5); $23,000

With a 662.5, ReysmHigh and Corey Cushing bested a field of 32 finalists to win the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® title for owner Jayne Vatcher. The pair also topped the Open Sale Incentive in the prelims.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Cash Trades (Reyzin The Cash x Smooth Peanutbutter x Smooth As A Cat) and Sarah Dawson clinched the Open Reserve Championship with a 662 (H: 219/R: 220.5/C: 222.5). The 2020 gelding collected $100,000 for owner Wendy Buehler.

“I texted Corey, ‘Thank you for giving me the best gift ever,’” Vatcher said. “Everything came together that night. I truly feel God had a plan. Being with my friend, Scott experiencing it in person, winning the ring donated by Sami Fine Jewelry, owned by my other best friend, Stephenie Bjorkman, and watching Corey and ‘Preacher’ come through the gate as the champions are things I’ll never forget.”

The win was Cushing’s fourth Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open title, and it didn’t come easily. Cushing made the Open Finals with five

horses, one of which, Gunna Wanna, also cracked the Open Finals’ top five. Cushing credited his team, especially his wife, Kristen, for helping him prepare each one for their turn in the spotlight. ReysmHigh did his part and some, even topping the herd work during the finals.

Preacher first caught Cushing’s eye as a colt at the 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sales. Even though he was standing in his stall, something about the stallion, consigned by breeders Wes and Lindy Ashlock, drew Cushing to him.

“Maybe it was the way he looked at me that day,” Cushing recalled of first meeting the horse. “He was a handful in the beginning. He’s very willing to do whatever you ask; however, you have to give him a way out and show him there’s a release. I treated him like that his whole 2- and 3-yearold years. I can’t thank him enough for all his efforts and always striving to give me more than he probably had in the tank.”

Cushing added that he felt blessed to get his fourth Snaffle Bit Futurity® title and said he couldn’t do it without his family, clients, horses and sponsors.

“I can't thank them enough for trusting me and my program,” Cushing said. “There isn't one there that ever questions where I’m going and what I’m doing or what my plan and goal is. Thank you to everyone for all the support and care.”

INTERMEDIATE OPEN Since SJR Diamonds Bonnie arrived in Veronica “Ronnie” Swales’ barn as a 2-yearold, Swales knew the mare had potential.

That hunch was proven at the Snaffle Bit Futurity® when the duo secured the Intermediate Open Championship with a composite 659 (H: 219/R: 216/C: 224) and collected $40,000 for owner San Juan Ranch.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION INTERMEDIATE OPEN CHAMPION

SJR Diamonds Bonnie carried Veronica Swales to her first big title after scoring a composite 659 to take home the Intermediate Open Championship for owner San Juan Ranch.

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Piloted by Shawn Hays, 2020 gelding Paint It Blak (CR Gotcha Covered x Herbs Lady x Grays Starlight) captured the Intermediate Open Reserve Championship with a 659 (H: 214.5/R: 222/C: 222.5). The duo garnered $30,000 for owner Angela Massey.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® Throughout the finals, SJR Diamonds Bonnie handled each element easily, but she shined in the fence work. Her 224 won the Intermediate Open and would have been the second-highest cow work score in the Open had she and Swales made the Open Finals.

“She always showed that she wanted to be a fence horse right from the get-go,” Swales said. “At the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, it didn’t matter what she had for a cow. In the prelims, the cow really tried her down the fence but died off in the circles, and she was like, ‘Oh, no big deal.’ Then, in the finals, the cow tried her through the whole thing, letting her show off what she can do.”

Brenda Stephenson, who co-owns San Juan Ranch and UltraCruz Animal Health Supplements with her husband, John, said the mare (CD Diamond x Missin Reylena x Dual Rey) has always been a big runner that wasn’t afraid of anything.

“This horse just has this grit,” Stephenson said. “She loves to run, and she loves the cows. CD Diamond was very good on the fence, too, and then the mother is a Dual Rey, so I think she picked up some of the herd from her. She's not a quiet horse by any means, but she's a very,

LIMITED OPEN CHAMPION

very good horse.”

Swales, who also made the Open Finals on Raquel Ray, thanked her husband, Clay Volmer, and brother, John Swales, for their support. She also thanked the Stephensons for letting her ride SJR Diamonds Bonnie and trusting her decisions throughout the mare’s training.

84 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

SOMETHING, THEY HAVE TO MAKE A LOT OF SACRIFICES." —Andrea Fappani

LIMITED OPEN He’s a National Reining Horse Association $8 Million Dollar Rider and four-time NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open Champion.

Now, after riding Lectrifyn Metallic (Metallic Cat x Lectrifyn Royalty x One Time Royalty) to a composite 650 (H: 219.5/R: 218/C: 212.5), Andrea Fappani can add a new accomplishment to his extensive résumé: 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Open Championship, along with a berth in the Intermediate Open and Open inals for a $37,833 payday.

Fappani, who’s been riding cow horses for two years, initially got into the sport looking for a new challenge. He approached longtime client Tim Anderson, an NRHA Million Dollar Owner, to see if he wanted to add a cow horse to his herd. Anderson supported the idea.

At his first NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, NRHA $8 Million Rider Andrea Fappani rode Lectrifyn Metallic to the Limited Open Championship with a 650 for firsttime cow horse owner Tim Anderson.

“EVERYBODY WHO’S SUCCESSFUL AT

Because of his strong reining background, Fappani started looking for a horse that could teach him how to work a cow naturally. He found Kathleen Sullivan-bred Lectrifyn Metallic, who was at the time with cutter Adan Banuelos, and thought the stallion fit the bill.

“I felt he had a great foundation,” Fappani said. “Even early on, he felt like a horse that did the cow horse the way I would want a reiner to do. He just felt fit me. My main goal was not to be the reining guy who shows up and tries to win the reining at the cow horse event and then is really bad at the other two events. I really wanted to do the bare minimum in the reining to get me by but concentrate the first few years on the cow part of it.”

LIMITED OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION

Cassandra Davis’ 2020 stallion Blue Light District (High Brow Cat x Savannah Blue Rey x Dual Rey) carried Daxon Buttars to a composite 637.5 (H: 214/R: 206/C: 217.5), taking home the Limited Open Reserve Championship and a check worth $15,000.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

LEVEL 1 OPEN RESERVE CHAMPION LEVEL 1 OPEN CHAMPION

Ole Dan and his owner, Lilla Bell, won the Level 1 Open with their composite 649 (H: 218/R: 220.5/C: 210.5).

Fappani relied on several cutting and cow horse trainers to help him improve his cow work and thanked them for letting him send videos to critique. Juggling the cow horse on top of his reining career hasn’t been easy, but it’s something he’s enjoyed— even if it means waking up extra early every morning to work his cow horses before his normal day starts.

“Everybody who’s successful at something, they have to make a lot of sacrifices,” Fappani said. “I enjoy working hard if it’s something that’s really fun to do, like I am right now with the cow horse. It makes me want to get out of bed and get to work even more.”

LEVEL 1 OPEN From the moment Lilla Bell first rode Ole Dan (Thomas E Hughes x SDP Debbys Dream x Dual Rey), she knew he was special. The gelding, bred by Don and Kathy Boone, was good-minded, loped nicely and responded to pressure well. Buying him herself was a little bit of a risk, but it all paid off when she and the horse won the Level 1 Open Championship, which came with a $16,000 paycheck.

“He’s been pretty easy and solid,” said Bell, of Nipomo, California. “He picked it

86 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

A 648.5 (H: 215/R: 217.5/C: 216) composite secured the Level 1 Open Reserve Championship for Fancy Love (Gringo Love x Kit Kat Jerrie x Kit Kat Sugar) and Kelsey Thomas. The 2020 mare, a homebred belonging to Thomas’ husband, Buddy, collected $12,000.

all up pretty naturally; I just kind of had to show him what to do. I think that’s why I liked him when I tried him. He just wanted to pick it all up super easily.”

Bell and Ole Dan also made the Intermediate and Limited Open finals, where they placed 19th and 11th, respectively, for another $5,500. They missed Bell’s biggest goal, the Open Finals, by only 3.5 points, but Bell was still proud of Ole Dan’s hard work during the prelims. The duo tied to win the Level 1 Open reined work and had the second-highest score in the herd work. While the fence work didn’t go as planned, their overall score of 649 (H: 218/R: 220.5/C: 210.5) was still enough to keep them in the lead by one-half point.

“He wanted to be good, but like they say, it always comes down to the fence work, and anything can happen,” Bell said. “It just didn't all work out as well as I’d hoped.”

Bell, 22, was grateful to receive validation of the gut feeling she once had about Ole Dan. She looked forward to showing him in the derbies next year and said she’s excited to have him in her string.

“He has so much personality and character,” Bell said. “He’s more like a pet. He always wants to be with you and wants to please you. I love him—he’s special.”

///// MEET

Since 2019, Metallic Cat has served as the presenting sponsor of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. Owned by Rocking P Ranch, of Weatherford, Texas, the red roan stallion’s show career amassed $637,711 in lifetime earnings and several championship titles, including 2008 National Cutting Horse Association Open Futurity Champion and 2009 Breeder’s Invitational Open Derby Champion. Following an impressive career in the cutting pen, Metallic Cat (High Brow Cat x Chers Shadow x Peptoboonsmal), affectionately known as “Denver,” has become one of the industry’s most influential and successful sires. He’s an NRCHA Six Million Dollar Sire, and his influence can be seen in every corner of the reined cow horse sport.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

LADIES CHAMPION

OPEN CHROME CASH CHAMPION

GELDING INCENTIVE HIGH SCORE

OPEN MARE INCENTIVE

Sarah Dawson and 2020 stallion Venom Boonsmal (Peptoboonsmal x A Black Widow x High Brow Cat) scored a 658.5 (H: 217.5/R: 222/C: 219) during the prelims to win the Ladies Incentive for owner Aaron Ranch.

First place in the Open Gelding Incentive, presented by Shining Spark and Eric and Wendy Dunn, went to 2020 gelding Clint Kat Sugar (Kit Kat Sugar x Cut N Klass x Light N Lena) and Justin Wright, who accumulated a composite score of 657 (H: 214.5/R: 221/C: 221.5) and banked a check worth $6,462 for owner/breeder Janet Handtmann.

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San In My Shorts (Sannman x Purrrfect x WR This Cats Smart) and Clayton Edsall were the Open Chrome Cash Incentive winners with their 659.5 (H: 222/R: 222/C: 215.5). The 2020 stallion collected $1,480 for owner Diamond 4D Performance Horses LLC.

Gunna Wanna (Gunnatrashya x Chics Vintage Flare x Smart Chic Olena) and Corey Cushing topped the Mare Incentive, sponsored by East West Equine, with a 658 (H: 215.5/R: 223/C: 219.5). The 2020 mare collected $5,000 for owner Jeremy Barwick.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

C

ONSISTENCY PAYS

Lanham Brown and RAB Miss Blue Bayou mark 218s across the board in the finals to earn the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Championship.

BY JADE CURRID | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

D

eftly turning wily cows down the fence and smoothly running and sliding across the stage of the 2023 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, R.A. Brown Ranch Horse Manager Lanham Brown and his equine partner RAB Miss Blue Bayou (Once in a Blu Boon x This Shiney Miss x WR This Cats Smart) captured the exhilarating whoops, hollers, whistles and resounding applause of an elated crowd of cow horse enthusiasts.

It was just another day at the office for the sixth-generation cowboy and Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team Alumni and the R.A. Brown Ranch home-bred 2020 mare, known as “Regina,” when they bested 57 entries overall to claim the Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Championship title with a 654 composite (H: 218/R: 218/C: 218) to collect a $40,000 paycheck.

“There are a lot of good horses and capable riders in the finals to win it, so I’m just blessed to be the one that got it done,” Brown humbly stated.

Brown and Regina rode in strong with a determined focus to win the Non Pro Futurity preliminaries with a 653 composite (H: 214.5/R: 220.5/C: 218) as a precursor to their next great feat. In the finals, with a slight lead going into their fence run against fierce competitors, Brown and Regina had no cushion for error and had to showcase their absolute best efforts in the arena.

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2023 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® NON PRO TOP 10 Fort Worth, Texas October 6–October 21, 2023 (Rider/Horse/Pedigree/Score/Money)

1. Lanham W. Brown; RAB Miss Blue Bayou; 20M (Once in a Blu Boon x This Shiney Miss x WR This Cats Smart); R.A. Brown Ranch; 654 (H: 218/R: 218/C: 218); $40,000 2. Carmen Buckingham; Kitty Wilkins; 20M (WR This Cats Smart x Miss Bella Blue x Feature); Tom and Carmen Buckingham; 646.5 (H: 216/R: 217.5/C: 213); $25,000 3. Debbie R. Crafton; Reyv on Cat; 20G (Stevie Rey Von x Boonscat x Peptoboonsmal); Debbie R. Crafton; 645.5 (H: 213/R: 218.5/C: 214); $20,000 4. Amelia A. Wakley; Rey Kicked Back; 20M (Dual Smart Ray x Kickback Nic x Nic It In The Bud); Amelia A. Wakley and Joseph Wakley; 644.5 (H: 215.5/R: 213.5/C: 215.5); $15,000 5. Tammy Jo Hays; Call Me Batman; 20G (Call Me Mitch x Nic A Shiner x Smart Shiner); Tammy Jo Hays; 639 (H: 207/R: 212/C: 220); $10,000 6. Tricia Gilson; The Pep Talk; 20G (Smooth Talkin Style x Peptos J LO x Peppy Oakmundanza); Tracer S. Gilson; 638 (H: 217/R: 208/C: 213); $8,000 7. Debbie R. Crafton; Believe Im Smart; 20G (Dont Stopp Believin x One Smart Long Legs x Playgun); Debbie R. Crafton; 635.5 (H: 211/R: 220/C: 204.5); $6,500 8. Abbie Phillips; Stone Kold Stevie; 20S (Stevie Rey Von x Lil Puma x High Brow Cat); Abbie Phillips; 632.5 (H: 212/R: 213.5/C: 207); $5,000

Lanham Brown and RAB Miss Blue Bayou (Once in a Blu Boon x This Shiney Miss x WR This Cats Smart) topped the charts to capture the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Championship, besting a tough class of riders and 3-year-old cow horses with a 654 composite (H: 218/R: 218/C: 218) to collect a $40,000 paycheck.

9. Amy Leonard; Too Hottish ToHandle; 20G (SF Hottish Lumi Cat x Hot Little Bobcat x Neat Little Cat); Amy Leonard; 630.5 (H: 216/R: 205.5/C: 209); $4,500 10. Sophia T. Buttars; Rebell Force; 20S (Metallic Rebel x Spoonful of Seahorse x Hes a Peptospoonsful); Sophia Flinders Buttars; 630 (H: 214/R: 214.5/C: 201.5); $4,500

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® “I hadn’t worked that mare down the fence since the preliminary run,” Brown said. “I was just trying to save my horse because those cattle have been awfully strong. I went in there, and I didn’t necessarily have a plan. I was just going to do my best work with whatever cow we drew and not be reserved or second-guess—just go make the best run I could on that cow.”

Sure enough, Brown drew a challenging cow that allowed him and Regina to demonstrate their prowess in the pen.

“After watching the video, I could’ve maybe boxed another time or two down on that end, but I was in a good spot,” Brown recalled. “That mare was hooked in there, and I felt like I was in a good position to go ahead and go down the wall. The first turn was alright, and then on the second turn, the cow didn’t really seem like it wanted to head. I kicked my mare out there a stride or two by. There was a little bit of a rider error, but we looped the cow for a good third turn, circled it in the middle and it all worked out.”

Despite the outcome, Brown admitted the nice-moving bay mare wasn’t his initial pick out of their program for his Non Pro Futurity mount.

“I thought I had a couple of other ones that seemed to have more ability as 2-yearolds that I was a little bit more excited about,” Brown revealed. “She was in the same program, but I didn’t put a whole lot of emphasis on her. This spring, she just kept getting better and kind of rose to the top and was on my side and tried hard for me. She’s really cowy and has a lot of stop and try.”

Lanham said there are so many individuals who’ve helped him along the journey to his monumental win that it would be hard to list them all.

“That’s what’s so neat about this cow horse deal is that everyone is willing to help you at any time, but I want to thank my family, first of all, for giving me the opportunities and the horses to compete on,” Brown said. “As far as people who’ve helped me with training, there have been a bunch. I need to thank my herd help at this show: Parke Greeson, Jordan Williams, Russell Probert and Kelby Phillips. All four of those guys have helped me along the

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way, and not just with herd help, plus Matt Koch and Don and Nelle Murphy. They’ve been there to answer any questions I have at any time. They’ve been a major help.”

Through his perspective as R.A. Brown Ranch Horse manager, Brown can easily relate how good ranch horses and reined cow horses align.

“I can take those colts as young horses, and whenever we have any ranch work to do, I like to expose them to some of it,” Brown said. “I try not to get too carried away or wild on those colts that I intend to show, but I sure think it is good to use them some.”

A horse in his program that doesn’t seem to be cut out as a show horse by the end of its 2-year-old year will make a nice ranch gelding for one of his crew members.

“The crossover works really well because we need something strong and cow-smart and has plenty of run, and I think that aligns with both the ranch horse and the reined cow horse, so it works really well,” Brown said.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO Carmen Buckingham of Bruneau, Idaho, added to her extensive résumé of achievements by besting a field of 38 entries in the Intermediate Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity® with a 646.5 composite (H: 2156/R: 217.5/C: 213) aboard 2020 mare Kitty Wilkins (WR This Cats Smart x Miss Bella Blue x Feature), owned by her and her husband, Tom Buckingham. The

horse-and-rider pair achieved the impressive feat of placing second overall in the Non Pro Championship finals.

“We went to a few smaller futurities and then came to this one, and it’s just built up, and it’s gone really well,” Buckingham said.

Kitty Wilkins being a home-bred and -trained mare has made her championship win that much more special.

“Just the fact that we know her and raised her—that’s pretty amazing in itself,” Buckingham shared. “But she was kind of a wild little colt when she was born.”

The Buckinghams halter-broke the spirited filly and future champion as early as possible.

“She settled back down,” Buckingham said. “She’s been really easy to train and really fun. She’s super athletic. I’ve been excited the whole time because she just feels really good.”

Although the pair has faced some challenges, Buckingham is pleased with how far they have come.

“She was kind of challenging this summer,” Buckingham revealed. “We showed her a few times and had some challenges, but she was always good on a cow and in the herd work and the fence work, so I had confidence in those two events. She’s coming along in the reining, and I was super happy with her. I was extremely happy with how she showed in the reining. She just felt like all of our hard work had paid off.”

Buckingham embarked on her horsemanship journey at an early age.

Carmen Buckingham and Kitty Wilkins (WR This Cats Smart x Miss Bella Blue x Frettin) won the Snaffle Bit Futurity® Intermediate Non Pro title and earned the Reserve Champion title in the Non Pro Futurity with a 646.5 composite (H: 216/R: 217.5/C: 213).

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® “I grew up on a ranch and learned how to ride when I was just a little kid and did 4-H and then got into a lot of ranching and roping and stuff,” Buckingham shared.

“Then I started doing some ranch rodeos and team roping and had some success in those things, and I really loved a welltrained horse. When I met my husband, he taught me a lot about the cow horse stuff.

I took to it, and here we are.”

It’s easy for Buckingham to relate how ranching can develop desired traits in a reined cow horse.

“I think a lot of sweaty saddle pads don’t hurt them at all,” she said. “Just learning how to do a day’s work makes a good horse, as well as having different jobs. They don’t get bored with one job when you use them on the ranch and brand on them and rope on them and stuff, too. I think it keeps them fresher and keeps their minds good.”

Buckingham considers her husband one of her greatest supporters.

“Most of the credit goes to my husband,” she said. “He’s awesome, and he helps me all the way. He showed horses in the past, and he loves this sport and supports me 100%. He gives me advice and helps me in my training.”

Buckingham has her sights set on larger goals on the horizon.

“I would really like to win the non pro,” she said. “I was second in it this year. We’re hoping to find a good 2-year-old. We have a nice one in the sale, and we might just keep him and take him home for next year.”

LIMITED NON PRO Erin Heim of Luxemburg, Wisconsin, claimed the Limited Non Pro Championship with a 645 composite (H: 215/R: 209/C: 221) aboard Armed For Sure (PG Heavily Armed x Mettilda x Metallic Cat), owned by her and her husband, Kurt Heim, and bred by Dan Churchill. Heim well surpassed her goal of making finals this year, which marks her fifth attempt to do so.

“We are kind of addicted to the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, and we plan on it every year,” Heim shared. “We raise, breed and buy horses for that purpose. It’s an amazing feeling because it’s been a long time coming. I’d not made the finals in my last four attempts, so to finally make finals and

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Erin Heim and Armed For Sure (PG Heavily Armed x Mettilda x Metallic Cat) broke Heim into her first Snaffle Bit Futurity® finals and earned the Limited Non Pro Championship with a 645 composite (H: 215/R: 209/C: 221).

then win it, besides, felt great.”

Her 2020 mare acts like a seasoned mount despite only being a 3-year-old.

“Anything that involves a cow with this mare, I feel like she has my back,” Heim related. “We had solid runs in the prelims— not huge scores, but just good solid runs.”

Heim entered the world of reined cow horses in 2010.

“A good friend of ours, Paul Wilinski, with whom we used to team pen, was in cow horse, and he had horses with Ken Wold in California,” Heim shared. “Paul had talked me into doing a cow horse clinic, so the rest was kind of history.”

Shortly afterward, the Heims bought a 3-year-old mare that made the Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Finals in 2011, further igniting their passion for the event.

“I showed her through her derby and bridle years and had a lot of success with her, but then we retired her around 2016,” Heim said. “I’ve kind of had a lull since then as far as making finals and putting some of those big runs together and stuff like that.”

Heim credits her husband with not only being her greatest supporter but the one with the more pronounced Snaffle Bit Futurity® addiction as well. He resolves to do whatever it takes for them to make it to the event every year.

“It’s kind of his vacation every year, and he’s never weakened from the fact that I showed in it four other times and had not

made finals—that never deterred him or anything like that,” Heim said. “He’s always there cheering me on and supporting me and helping me find the next horse and stuff like that.”

Heim also credits her trainers Ryan and Sam Gallentine for their role in her success.

“We’ve been with Ryan for seven years or so now, and he’s an eternal optimist,” she said. “He’s always pushing me to find the next horse, improve every time I enter the show pen and improve my riding between practice sessions. He’s always cheering me on and talking me through every run. He’s there when you walk out of the pen and has been a huge support system to me.”

Heim’s monumental win is also bittersweet as it brings up cherished memories of one of her truly great champions, her dad, who recently passed away after being diagnosed with cancer on August 15.

“We lost him 20 days later on September 4,” Heim said. “With all that happening, I missed the last couple of pre-futurities and didn’t even know I’d be able to show in the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. While he wasn’t involved in horses, he taught me to never give up on dreams no matter what’s thrown at you.”

LEVEL 1 NON PRO Fifteen-year-old Alamosa, Colorado, horseman Caden Allen rode Tuff Chic (Woody Be Tuff x Smart Crackin Chic x Smart Chic

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

At just 15 years old, Caden Allen piloted Tuff Chic (Woody Be Tuff x Smart Crackin Chic x Smart Chic Olena) to earn the Level 1 Non Pro Championship with a 638.5 composite (H: 215/R: 209.5/C: 214).

Olena), owned by his father, NRCHA professional Blue Allen, and bred by Singleton Ranches, to victory, claiming the Level 1 Non Pro Championship with a 638.5 composite (H: 215/R: 209.5/C: 214).

“I was pretty happy with what we did,” Allen said. “Tuff Chic is real good. My dad trained her from when she was a 2-yearold. Dad didn’t want to show her anymore, so I got to. She’s just a really good horse, and we enjoy each other. I think we get along pretty good.”

Going into his first futurity, Allen mainly focused on enjoying the experience. Winning a championship title made it all that much more special.

“I didn’t have a game plan,” Allen admitted. “I was just going to have some fun, I guess. It was my first futurity, so I really wasn’t expecting much. My dad trains some cow horses, so I’ve always been around it.

I’ve shown a little bit since I was 6 or so, and we bought some cows. We run some cows in Southern Colorado, and that’s about all we do.”

Allen expressed gratitude for those who’ve helped him along his horsemanship journey, which has led to his championship win.

“My dad and mom have really helped me out a lot,” Allen said. “Jeb Stoltzfus has

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really helped me, and just all of my parents’ customers—they’ve supported us. We had a good time.”

Allen’s future goals include showing in the NRCHA open division when he is older.

“I want to train some horses and keep doing what we’re trying to do,” he said.

Allen shared sage words of wisdom for others his age who might want to try their hands at reined cow horse events.

“Just go watch everybody who knows what they’re doing and try to find some advice from everybody,” he said.

NON PRO BOXING AND LEVEL 1 NON PRO BOXING Jaylee Brown’s debut in the Snaffle Bit Futurity® arena was memorable, and not just because it was her first.

Aboard 2020 gelding Hinge (Rollz Royce x Cat Never Lose x High Brow Cat), owned and bred by Larry Hall Cutting Horses, LLC, she remained unmatched. The dynamic horse-and-rider pair gracefully and swiftly anticipated the move of each cow they drew from start to finish.

Brown and Hinge owned the stage, scoring the standout herd score of 219.5 in the Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Championship and besting the field with a 642.5 composite. The duo continued their momentum,

emerging as Snaffle Bit Futurity® Non Pro Boxing Champions.

“It feels really good to go in there and have it all come together, especially for my first Snaffle Bit Futurity®,” Brown said. “My horse really took care of me, and it was a really cool experience.”

Brown’s parents bred and raised Hinge, and she and her husband, Myles Brown, halter-broke him together. Myles also started Hinge as a 2-year-old. However, Hinge missed out on training for most of his 2-year-old year due to an osteochondritis dissecan surgery.

“He was a lot greener than a bunch of these horses he showed against,” Brown said. “But I think that just proves right there how good of a horse he is to catch up and have to change riders on such short notice. I think it says a lot about the horse.”

Only two weeks before the Snaffle Bit Futurity®, it was determined that Brown would be his rider.

“I didn’t have much time to think of a game plan other than just to try to go and make it a good experience and have some fun,” Brown shared. “I really wanted to make the finals for my first Snaffle Bit Futurity®, and I got to do that, and it was just really special for sure.”

Brown, who grew up in the cutting horse industry, showed her first horse at age 7.

“I’ve always really liked the cow horse since I went to my very first show,” she shared. “I married Myles, and he was more into the cow horse deal, and he really got me into it. It’s been a really cool experience to learn two other events. Reining is a hard event. It’s very intimidating—there are a lot of maneuvers, and it’s a lot different than the cutting.”

Brown finds all of the behind-the-scenes work that she and Myles pour into their livelihood rewarding.

“I get to do what I love with who I love every single day, and that’s pretty cool to me,” Brown said.

Brown expressed beautiful gratitude for those closest to her, whom she would like to thank for their support.

“For sure, my husband—I mean, he’s my No. 1; I couldn’t do without him,” Brown shared. “I know that’s pretty cliché, but it is the truth. I love working alongside him,

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

Jaylee Brown and Hinge (Rollz Royce x Cat Never Lose x High Brow Cat) showed up in a big way for her first Snaffle Bit Futurity®, winning both the Non Pro Boxing and Level 1 Boxing titles.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO FUTURITY RESERVE CHAMPION

Amelia A. Wakley and Rey Kicked Back (Dual Smart Ray x Kickback Nic x Nic It In The Bud) claimed the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve title with a 644.5 (H: 215.5/R: 213.5/C: 215.5), earning $15,000. The 2020 mare is owned and bred by Wakley and Joseph Wakley.

98 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

and I love learning from him. He’s not only my husband, but he’s my coach, too. It’s a cool relationship. I thank my mother and father for letting me show this horse. They’ve dedicated a lot of their time and effort to me showing horses. It’s really special that they’ve set aside that just for me. It’s really special, and it’s fun to get to do this with the whole family.”

As someone helping carry on a tremendous ranching legacy, Brown effortlessly provides the parallel between ranching and making a good reined cow horse.

“We ride these horses a lot in these pastures,” Brown said. “They know where their feet are, which is good, especially for Myles as he goes down the fence. I think they’re smart about the situations they put themselves in just from being ranched on. I also think it helps their mindset to have a job outside the arena, whether gathering cattle or mares, getting calves drug on them or simply just riding them in the pasture.”

Brown’s goals include continuing to show Hinge, especially at the Tres Osos Derby held during the upcoming February 2024 NRCHA Celebration of Champions.

“I’d really like to keep showing him and keep trying to get into that cow horse pen and just get a little more comfortable there,” Brown said. “I think that horse will be the best horse for me to do that on just because we’ve always gone in there, and we’ve done good together. I feel like he’s a pretty good teammate.”

LIMITED NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION & CHROME CASH RESERVE CHAMPION

Amy Leonard and the 2020 gelding Too Hottish ToHandle (SF Hottish Lumi Cat x Hot Little Bobcat x Neat Little Cat), owned by herself and bred by Linda M. Fielhaber, scored a 630.5 (H: 216/R: 205.5/C: 209) and earned $4,500. With a 635.5 composite (H: 213/R: 210.5/C: 212), the duo also emerged as Chrome Cash Reserve Champions and won an additional $640 out of a purse total of $1,600.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

LEVEL 1 NON PRO RESERVE CHAMPION

NON PRO GELDING INCENTIVE HIGH SCORE

NON PRO SALE INCENTIVE HIGH SCORE

CHROME CASH CHAMPION

Waylon T. Wilder and Codi (CD Diamond x Arc Its Go Time x One Time Pepto) scored a 636.5 (H: 207/R: 212.5/C: 217), earning $6,000. The 2020 mare is owned

by Waylon T. Wilder and bred by San Juan Ranch.

Debbie R. Crafton piloted the 2020 gelding Reyv On Cat (Stevie Rey Von x Boonscat x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Crafton and bred by Kit and Charlie Moncrief, to a 639 (H: 210/R: 214.5/C: 214.5) in the Non Pro Futurity prelims, earning the Non Pro Sale Incentive check for $9,594.

100 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Parke Greeson and SCR Shoes to Fill (Bet Hesa Cat x PRF One Time Candi x One Time Pepto) scored a 648 (H: 214/R: 216/C: 218), winning the Gelding Incentive.

The 2020 gelding is owned and bred by Sarco Creek Ranch.

Kyle J. Birkenfield and the 2020 gelding Rebelate (Metallic Rebel x Bowmans Fancy Mate x Smart Mate), owned by Birkenfield and bred by Beechfork Ranch, scored a 638.5 (H: 215/R: 211/C: 212.5), earning a $960 check as the Chrome Cash Champion.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

SELECT NON PRO FUTURITY CHAMPION Guy Salisbury and Boons Metallic Rey (Magneticat x Boons Lila Lena x Scootin Boon) earned a 574 (H: 206/R: 185/C: 183), collecting the Select Non Pro Futurity title. The 2020 gelding is owned by Camille Salisbury and bred

by Tylor or Kristin Heeley.

NON PRO BOXING FUTURITY RESERVE CHAMPION

Lucinda Rose David and 2020 mare Josslynnn (High Brow Cat x JoJo Boon x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Lucinda Rose David and bred by Anderson Cattle Company, scored a 642.5 (H: 214.5/R: 210/C: 218) to win $6,500.

2023 SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®OWNERS INCENTIVE FUND Thank you to these supporters contributing to the added money purse for the 2023 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity®!

Best Kept Secret Ranch Hartwood Farms BMW Quarter Horses Larry & Kathy Barker Stuart Ranch Hooray / Eric & Wendy Dunn Gardiner Quarter Horse Carol Rose

Matthews Cutting Horses Bet He Sparks Bet Hesa Cat Syndicate Brazos Valley Stallion Station Dual Smart Rey / Strawn Valley Ranch D Lazy K Ranch Hat 6 Ranch Call Me Mitch

102 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Ann Matthews Honeysuckle Rose Boutique Woodglen Investments Red Arrow Ranch LLC Steve and Lori Roseberry

Double F Ranch / Roy & Sherri Fisher Moncrief Quarter Horses / Kit and Charlie Moncrief Fults Ranch

War Ponies, Elite Paint Cowhorses

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

S

ETTING THE BARS

PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

IT TAKES THOSE FROM ALL CORNERS OF NRCHA—owners, riders, trainers, staff and horses—to make every NRCHA event memorable, including at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. Throughout the event, NRCHA honored some of its key contributors with special awards, shared here.

NEW TRIPLE CROWN INCENTIVE ANNOUNCED In NRCHA competition, only one rider has won the Open Hackamore, the Open Bridle and the Snaffle Bit Futurity® in the same year at the prestigious event. Bobby Ingersoll achieved this in 1975 when he won the Snaffle Bit Futurity® on Hankey Pankey, owned by Strain Ranches; the Open Bridle on Burnt Girl, owned by Stain Ranches; and the Open Hackamore on D’Or Sugar Spice, owned by Don Calegari.

In honor of this feat, NRHCA launched the Triple Crown Incentive, which will be awarded to a rider who wins the Open Hackamore, Open Bridle and Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® in the same year.

NRCHA has added $30,000, bolstering the purse from the automatic entry fee for horses competing in the Open Bridle, Open Hackamore and Open Snaffle Bit Futurity®. The purse will be carried forward for each year there’s not a winner.

Deidra Pitts, MARS Equestrian, received the 2023 NRCHA President’s Award.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD Each year, an individual is selected to receive the NRCHA President’s Award. This is presented to someone whose passion and dedication to the reined cow horse industry are unmatched.

This year, NRCHA is proud to present Deidra Pitts of MARS™ EQUESTRIAN with the NRCHA President’s Award.

Pitts first came into the reined cow horse industry more than eight years ago, and since then, Deidra and her family have truly become part of the cow horse family. We are honored to have her as part of our industry.

104 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Bobby Ingersoll is the only NRCHA professional to achieve the Triple Crown title. Going forward, an incentive will be added to sweeten the pot for open riders who attempt this feat.

Milestones At the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, the organization honored members and horses that raise the bar by setting new milestones.

MILLION DOLLAR RIDERS’ CLUB Every year, the Million Dollar Riders’ club grows as riders add to their earnings, reaching their first million and building their status with further millionaire milestones. NRCHA began recognizing the Million Dollar Rider Club in 2006 and has accumulated more than 25 riders since its inception. Teddy Robinson was the first NRCHA rider to surpass one million in earnings, and Todd Crawford was the first to earn two million. Ten years after Crawford became the first Two Million Dollar Rider, NRCHA welcomed the first Three Million Dollar Rider, Corey Cushing.

Million Dollar Riders When Ken Wold rode Brother Jackson into the John Justin Arena on February 20, 2023, for the Open Bridle Finals at the Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions, he knew he’d ride out the newest NRCHA Million Dollar Rider. The Wilton, California, began showing cow horses in 1971. Wold cut his teeth on the California Reined Cow Horse Association, earning titles at the famed San Francisco Cow Palace and competing against other legends of the sport. He served two terms as NRCHA president and was inducted into the NRCHA Hall of Fame in 2008.

Luke Jones of Allerton, Iowa, crossed the million-dollar mark at the South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association Road to Texas show at the end of August. Jones was just $1,500 shy of the milestone going into the event. After winning both the Futurity and Derby events, Jones brought his lifetime earnings to $1,009,932.79. Jones first began his career as a professional in the roping pen, and he quickly found success in the reined cow horse industry. He made his first Snaffle Bit Futurity® Limited Open Finals in 2007. Since then, he has been a multiple finalist in the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® and the World’s Greatest Horseman, along with qualifying for The Run For A Million in 2022, placing fifth, and winning multiple AQHA World Championships in working cow horse.

NRCHA Million Dollar Rider: Ken Wold

NRCHA Million Dollar Rider: Luke Jones

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NRCHA Million Dollar Rider: John Swales

MILLION DOLLAR SIRES NRCHA event purses continue to grow, which means the sport’s top stallions continue accumulating offspring earnings that support their status in the Western performance industry. This year, NRCHA added two stallions to the million-dollar ranks.

Million Dollar Sire: Once In A Blu Boon Once In A Blu Boon has sired earners of $1,012,068.72 that launched him into the Million Dollar Sire Club in 2022. The 2008 stallion (Peptoboonsmal x Autumn Boon x Dual Pep) was bred by Bill Freeman and is managed by his widow, Jill Freeman. Only two months after the roan stallion was born, the first National Cutting Horse Association Triple Crown-winning trainer passed away.

“He’s everything Bill bred him to be,” Jill said. “My husband loved riding Smart Little Lenas and High Brow Cats, but he saw the need for an outcross on those bloodlines, and he acquired Autumn Boon as a broodmare. He decided to roll the dice and breed Autumn Boon to Peptoboonsmal because he was such a fan of the Little Peppy bloodline and how it crossed on [Smart Little Lena] and High Brow Cat. He felt if you could concentrate that Royal Blue Boon line and have a stud, you’d have a sire. That is exactly what happened.”

The stallion is a performer in his own right, with NCHA professional James Payne piloting him to many championships.

Throughout “Blu’s” career, the stallion claimed the 2014 American Quarter Horse Association Senior Cutting World Champion title and 14 NCHA championships from 2011 to 2014. He retired from competition in 2015.

Blu’s reined cow horse offspring have continued his winning ways, with 2019 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion Here Comes The Boon (out of Stay Outta My Shorts), a 2016 stallion, earning $237,502.46. His second-highest earning offspring is 2019 stallion Nothing But Blu (out of CC Cat), owned by Alicia Bolls, with $116,439.14 and a large portion of that coming from the 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity Intermediate Open Reserve Champion

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Milestones

John Swales of Millarville, Alberta, Canada, also found success that final weekend of August at the Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, Derby and Horse Show. He earned more than $14,000 throughout the show, catapulting his lifetime earnings to $1,004,831.06. Growing up in the horse and cattle industries, Swales has been immersed in the Western industry since a young age. In the late 1990s, he began training professionally and has become no stranger to the winner’s circle. Earning titles both throughout Canada and the U.S., Swales is a nine-time Calgary Stampede Open Bridle Champion, an NRCHA Open and Intermediate Open Snaffle Bit Futurity® finalist and a two-time World’s Greatest Horseman Champion.

Elayna Freeman accepted the recognition for Once In A Blu Boon becoming an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire.

check. 2017 red roan stallion Tee Boone (out of Skeets My Bro) has $90,994.56 in earnings, the third-highest for Once In A Blu Boon’s cow horse offspring, aided by the 2022 Hackamore Classic Open Champion win with Jay McLaughlin aboard for owners J.T. “Trey” and Sandra Neal.

“While he started with a desire to breed an outcross for cutting horses, Bill’s end product with Once in a Blu Boon reaches a wider audience in cow horse,” Jill added. “With Once In A Blu Boon being double-bred Little Peppy, he has the size for both cow-focused events in NRCHA, the athleticism, mindset and disposition.”

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® Million Dollar Sire: Hickory Holly Time Hickory Holly Time saw his offspring catapult him into the NRCHA’s Million Dollar Sire Club during the end of the 2022 show season.

An NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Champion and an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Champion under trainer Kelby Phillips, Hickory Holly Time’s offspring put him over the million-dollar earnings mark with $1,050,009.72 in reined cow horse earnings. The 2010 roan stallion (One Time Pepto x Hickorys Holly Cee x Docs Hickory) was bred by Arcese Quarter Horses and is owned by DT Horses.

With the record on Hickory Holly Times’ top earners, the stallion produces offspring capable of following him to the winner’s circle. The DT Horses-owned and Phillips-trained 2016 stallion Nineteen Ten (out of Lil Miss Shiney Chex) is Hickory Holly Time’s highest-earning offspring with $160,480.42 and the 2019 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Reserve Champion title.

“Hickory Holly Time was the horse that got me started,” Phillips acknowledged. “Even as a 2-year-old, he was unbelievable; so trainable, wanted to stop and was athletic. I think he has passed that on to his colts—they are cowy and want to stop.

With the Co-Reserve Champion and Intermediate Non Pro Champion wins at the 2022 Snaffle Bit Futurity, Dollar Signs (out of Wright About Now), owned by Sophia Buttars, is the stud’s second-highest earner with $73,281.95. The 2022 Non Pro Futurity Champion, Biscuits R Smokin (out of IC The Biscuits), is the stallion’s fourth-highest earning offspring.

In both the cow horse and roping arenas, Hickory Holly Time’s offspring have made a splash. The stallion stands at Oswood Stallion Station, where Brock Malson says everyone there is grateful to be part of Hickory Holly Time’s journey.

“It’s very exciting!” Malson said. “Hickory Holly Time was a phenomenal show horse, and when it was time for him to move to the next part of his career as a sire, we all had high expectations for him. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him not only meet those expectations but surpass them.”

Owner DT Horses could not attend, but Hickory Holly Time was recognized as a new NRCHA Million Dollar Sire during the Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

108 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Million Dollar Sire: Stevie Rey Von Stevie Rey Von’s prowess as a competitor and a sire raises the bar as he becomes an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire. Read more about “Stevie,” owned by Alvin and Becky Fults, on page 70.

Alvin and Becky Fults, Ashley Galyean, Tara Sanginere and Brianna Pike accepted the recognition for Stevie Rey Von becoming an NRCHA Million Dollar Sire.

Milestones

Two Million Dollar Sire: CD Lights

Winston Hansma, Mica Chartier, and Ryan Motes accepted the recognition for CD Lights becoming an NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

Two Million Dollar Sire: Bet Hesa Cat

Three Million Dollar Sire: Dual Rey

Five Million Dollar Sire: WR This Cats Smart

Kyle Manion accepted the recognition for Smooth As A Cat becoming an NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire.

Justin Cunningham and Debbie Roberts accepted the recognition for Dual Rey becoming an NRCHA Three Million Dollar Sire.

110 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Dr. Nathan Canaday and Eric Van Reet of the 6666 Ranch accepted the recognition for Bet Hesa Cat becoming an NRCHA Two Million Dollar Sire.

Dustin Ewing, Jennifer Ewing and their daughter, Kendrie, accepted the recognition for WR This Cats Smart becoming an NRCHA Five Million Dollar Sire.

Milestones

Two Million Dollar Sire: Smooth As A Cat

Six Million Dollar Sire: Metallic Cat

Sherri Patton accepted the recognition for Metallic Cat becoming the first NRCHA Six Million Dollar Sire.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® NRCHA LEADING DAMS In the second year of recognizing NRCHA’s leading dams, milestones continue to be broken.

NRCHA $500,000 Dam: Miss Hickory Hill

Tom Holt accepted the recognition for Miss Hickory Hill surpassing $500,000 in NRCHA offspring earnings.

Aaron Cook accepted the recognition for Scooters Daisy Dukes surpassing $750,000 in NRCHA offspring earnings.

112 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Cresha and Nelson Aaron accepted the recognition for Shiney Tari surpassing $750,000 in NRCHA offspring earnings.

NRCHA $750,000 Dam: Sheza Shinette

The owner of Holy Cow Performance Horses wasn’t on hand to accept the recognition, but Sheza Shinette was recognized as a $750,000 dam at the Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

Milestones

NRCHA $750,000 Dam: Scooters Daisy Dukes

NRCHA $750,000 Dam: Shiney Tari

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

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AN'S BEST FRIEND

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAYCIE TIMM

Stockmen showcased their best cow horses and cow dogs in the 2023 MARS EQUESTRIAN™ National Finals Rodear.

Open champions Tommy Blessing and Henry guide their cattle through a serpentine of barrels on the course.

D

ogs are a common sight at most horse shows, but at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat, a special group of dogs showed off their skills during the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ National Finals Rodear. The event showcases the stock savvy of working dogs as they aid horse-and-rider teams in guiding a group of cattle through a series of obstacles. Teams are timed and scored to determine which horse, rider and dog trio efficiently moves cattle through challenges replicating a ranching environment.

114 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Unlike other types of cow-dog competitions, the National Finals Rodear simulates real experiences that working stock dogs encounter on the ranch using obstacles like cones, portable pens and stock trailers. Each challenge requires teamwork between the horse and rider and the dog to maneuver the cattle and master the obstacle effectively. Judges focus on both the dog’s performance and the handler’s stockmanship, scoring based on how the dog maneuvers the cattle and how each rider directs their dog from horseback.

The event requires a cow horse and cow dog with superior stock

Tommy Blessing and Henry earned 133 points with a total time of 8 minutes, 44 seconds to claim the Open championship.

sense, aligning it well with the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®. With the added element of a cow dog and a unique pattern, the combination of cow horse and Rodear unites skilled riders from various backgrounds focusing on working cattle.

This year’s event attracted some of the best teams in the nation who showed their skill on a pattern in the John Justin Arena.

Topping the Open class, sposored by Oswood Stallion Station, Tommy Blessing and his dog, Henry, kept the cattle moving through each obstacle, earning 133 out of 135 points available from the judges. They sorted the cattle in 2 minutes, 50 seconds and completed the pattern in 5 minutes, 54 seconds, for a total time of 8 minutes, 44 seconds.

In the Stockman class, Layton Henry and Indi scored 133 points, sorting the cattle in 1 minute, 3 seconds and completing the pattern in 6 minutes, 5 seconds for a total time of 7 minutes, 8 seconds. That combined time and score earned the pair first place.

In the Green Dog class, Logan Cotton and KB Bruno sorted their cattle in just 33 seconds and finished the pattern in 6 minutes, 17 seconds for a total time of 6 minutes, 50 seconds. The pair marked a 133 to take first in the division.

Layton Henry and Indi scored 133 points with a total time of 7 minutes, 8 seconds to win the championship in the Stockman class.

Logan Cotton and KB Bruno marked a 133 with a time of 6 minutes, 50 seconds to take first in the Green Dog division.

Below: Green Dog champions Logan Cotton and KB Bruno show their ability to hold cattle in a temporary pen.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 115

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118 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

C

OWBOY UP

STORY BY KAYCIE TIMM | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

Orren Koontz and Metallic Big Swing of the Durrett Cattle Company claim a welldeserved victory in the Cowboy Class at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

T

his year marked Orren Koontz’s fourth time competing in the Cowboy Class, but he brought home the win this time.

The Durrett Cattle Company cowboy and Metallic Big Swing took championship honors with a composite score of 434 (R: 142.5/C: 144/S: 147.5) at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®, presented by Metallic Cat. “It’s evaded me three times,” he said. “It was nice to finally get it done.”

Koontz spends his days horseback at the Durrett Cattle Company’s New Mexico facility, so cowboy trades are commonplace for him. However, riding into the

120 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Metallic Big Swing and Orren Koontz topped the Cowboy Class at the 2023 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® with a 434 composite.

Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum isn’t just another day on the ranch.

“The pressure here is a lot different than doing it at home when no one’s watching,” he explained. “It’s pretty intimidating to be in this arena, knowing the scores and the things that have happened here.”

And the cowboys vying for the win at this year's event all brought their A-game.

“These guys are tough,” Koontz said of his competitors. “They all ride a horse all the time, they all work cows all the time and most of them rope all the time.”

However, the seasoned cowboy came prepared with a new strategy. Rather than shooting for a good

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

average without worrying about topping each of the three events, as he had done previously, Koontz aimed for the highest mark every time he entered the pen.

“This year, I tried to win every event,” he explained.

“You have to keep running at it.”

“That’s what it comes down to: going down the fence,” Koontz said. “It doesn’t matter how good you are. If the cow doesn’t play by the rules, you can’t get anything done. I don’t know that I was any better than anybody else, but I outdrew them that day.”

FROM THE RANCH TO THE SHOW PEN

THE COWBOY WAY

Koontz’s foray into the reined cow horse world began with an invitation to compete in the inaugural Cowboy Class. After attending a clinic with NRCHA professional Darren Miller, Koontz entered that first competition and has been part of almost every Cowboy Class since.

“It’s nice to compete with people you’re somewhat equal to on this stage, with good cattle, good ground and a good setup,” Koontz explained. “You just can’t make those kinds of runs in an old roping arena somewhere. [NRCHA] sets it up to make your horse look his best.”

Koontz planned to enter a bridle horse this year, but a stifle injury forced him to switch gears 10 days before the competition. After quick preparation, he brought two 4-year-old horses to Fort Worth: gelding Metallic Big Swing and mare DT Hickorys Sedona. Koontz and the mare marked the high score in the cow work portion of the Cowboy Class, but when the mare met with bad luck in the roping, Koontz counted on the 2019 gelding by Big Swing and out of Miss Metallic to bring home the win.

“I’ve had him since he was a 2-year-old, and he’s always pulled through for me,” Koontz revealed. “He’s been my favorite for a long time. He can do more bigtime stuff than any horse I’ve ever ridden.”

With several years of experience and good horses underneath him, Koontz knew the last factor in his success would be the cattle—and his draws served him well.

When he’s not competing, Koontz cowboys and trains horses for the Durrett Cattle Company.

“We run the cow-calf operation,” he shared. “I take care of the Paradise and the Wine Cup divisions. It’s two different ranches, so I cover a lot of country and try to get as many horses ridden in my spare time as I can.”

Above: Exxpedia and Since joining the Durrett team six years ago, Koontz Tyler Avent earned has aided in expanding the ranch’s equine program to the reserve champion title with a 432 cominclude a successful reined cow horse breeding proposite (R: 143.5/C: gram. Koontz focuses on producing and training com141/R: 147.5). petitive horses that can earn money in the show pen, bolster the ranch’s broodmare band or find new riders who take them to the next level of competition.

In addition to his employer, COMPETITIVE COWBOYS Koontz expressed gratitude to The Cowboy Class held during the NRCHA his family for supporting his Snaffle Bit Futurity® gives working cowboys endeavors. From his wife and a chance to compete using the skills they use children, who stayed home at the every day on the ranch. ranch to take care of Koontz’s This unique class is open only to cowboys daily duties, to his oldest daughwho’ve earned less than $15,000 from NRCHA ter, who traveled with her dad events other than the Cowboy Class and who to help prepare horses, the coware currently employed by ranching or liveboy credited his family for givstock operations. Each cowboy showcases his ing him the opportunity to win. horse in three areas: reined work, cow work “I couldn’t do half of what and modified steer stopping; the highest composite score wins the class.

I do without all of them,” he revealed.

122 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Left: “That's what it comes down to: going down the fence,” Koontz said.

“It doesn't matter how good you are. If the cow doesn’t play by the rules, you can’t get anything done.

I don’t know that I was any better than anybody else, but I outdrew them that day.”

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H

OR SE SHOW HIGHLIGHTS COMPILED BY CALLIE BOEVERS | PHOTOS BY PRIMO MORALES

OPEN AND INTERMEDIATE OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION A Starlights Magnum (Magnum With A Dream x Shiny Starlight x Grays Starlight) and Kyle Trahern clinched the Open Bridle championship with a 443 (R: 219.5/C: 223.5) and the Intermediate Open Bridle championship with a 296.5 (R: 147.5/C: 149). The 2017 gelding collected $14,420 for owner Kyle Trahern.

OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Kit Kat Jerrie (Kit Kat Sugar x Jerries Dual Legacy x Smart Little Jerrie) and Kelsey L. Thomas clinched the Limited Open Bridle championship with a 287 (R: 143.5/C: 143.5). The 2015 mare collected $2,240 for owner Buddy Thomas.

INTERMEDIATE OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

Fancy Wasn’t My Name (One Time Pepto x Cyndi Cat x WR This Cats Smart) and Ben Baldus clinched the Open Hackamore championship with a 442 (R: 218/C: 224). The 2019 mare collected $14,380 for owners Travis and Rene David.

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LIMITED OPEN BRIDLE CHAMPION

Kit Kat Paddy Whack (Kit Kat Sugar x Maliblu Barbie x Smart Boons) and Wade Meador clinched the Intermediate Open Hackamore championship with a 294.5 (R: 146/C: 148.5).

The 2019 mare collected $2,200 for owner Clyde Metzler.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® LIMITED OPEN HACKAMORE CHAMPION

OPEN TWO REIN CHAMPION

Dirty Look (Woody Be Tuff x Sucha Smartlookn Cat x High Brow Cat) and Garrett Cooper clinched the Limited Open Hackamore championship with a 288 (R: 144/C: 144).

The 2019 stallion collected $2,240 for owner Ty Smith.

NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Ricato Suave (Metallic Cat x Hip Hip Sue Rey x Dual Rey) and Clay Volmer clinched the Open Two Rein championship with a 294 (R: 145.5/C: 148.5). The 2017 stallion collected $5,950 for owners Shaleah Hester and Madeliene Fountain.

INTERMEDIATE NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

Lanham W. Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x RAB Twistin Dodger x Little Twisted Juan) clinched the Non Pro Bridle championship with a 294 (R: 145.5/C: 148.5). The 2016 gelding collected $4,850 and is owned

by R A Brown Ranch.

Landri Lisac and Cat Walks Into A Bar (WR This Cats Smart x Sue C Shiner x Shining Spark) clinched the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle championship with a 292 (R: 145/C: 147).

The 2014 gelding collected $2,415 and is owned by Landri Lisac.

LEVEL 1 NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

SELECT NON PRO BRIDLE CHAMPION

R A Brown II and Ima Wynna RAB (PG Shogun x Right On Eddie RAB x Right On Tivio) clinched the Level 1 Non Pro Bridle championship with a 286.5 (R: 141.5/C: 145).

The 2012 gelding collected $1,635.20 and is owned by Rob A Brown.

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Jennifer Black and Some Sweet Bettincat (Bet Hesa Cat x Some Kinda Sweety x Sweet Lil Pepto) clinched the Select Non Pro Bridle championship with a 278.5 (R: 141/C: 137.5). The 2014 gelding collected $800 and is owned

by Stephen D. Black.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® NON PRO HACKAMORE CHAMPION

NON PRO TWO REIN CHAMPION

Hope Mills and Jule Smart Rey (Dual Smart Rey x Soula Jule Forever x Soula Jule Star) clinched the Non Pro Hackamore championship with a 292.5 (R: 147.5/C: 145).

The 2018 gelding collected $2,990 and is owned by Shawna Miller.

Tylor Todd and VooDoo Whiskey (Shiners VooDoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) clinched the Non Pro Two Rein championship with a 288.5 (R: 144.5/C: 144).

The 2017 gelding collected $1875 and is owned by Tylor Todd.

NON PRO, YOUTH & YOUTH 13 & UNDER BOXING CHAMPION DJ Crafton and Doctor Spark (Very Smart Remedy x Magic Sparkles x Shining Spark) clinched the Non Pro Boxing championship with a 292.5 (R: 146/C: 146.5). The 2013 gelding collected $5,501 total and is owned by Debbie Crafton.

INTERMEDIATE & LIMITED NON PRO BOXING CHAMPION Josey Brown and Hesa Twisted Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x RAB Twistin Dodger x Little Twisted Juan) clinched the Intermediate Non Pro Boxing championship with a 288.5 (R: 143/C: 145.5).

The 2016 gelding collected $1,899.85 total and is owned

by R A Brown Ranch.

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® SELECT NON PRO BOXING, BOX DRIVE & SELECT BOX DRIVE CHAMPION

Cheryl Chown and Xtra Short Trick (Shiners VooDoo Dr x Short And Royal x Short Oak) clinched the Select Non Pro Boxing championship with a 288.5 (R: 144.5/C: 144).

The 2013 gelding collected $450 and is owned by Robert and Cheryl Chown. The duo also collected the Box Drive Championship with a 291.5 (R: 143.5/C: 148) to earn $1,704.

YOUTH COW HORSE CHAMPION

YOUTH COW HORSE 13 & UNDER CHAMPION

Baily Shopbell and Shes Playin Rey (TR Dual Rey x Playin Acre x Playin Stylish) clinched the Youth Cow Horse championship with a 289.5 (R: 144.5/C: 145). The 2010 mare collected $1,675 and is owned by Gregg Lafitte.

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Taylor Allen and Dual N Tomcat (Tomcat Chex x Dual N Mary x Dual Rey) clinched the Youth Cow Horse 13 & under championship with a 285 (R: 140.5/C: 144.5).

The 2013 gelding is owned by Taylor Allen.

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® SALES OVER THE TOP The two-day sale achieved an overall average of $32,855.

PROVIDED BY WESTERN BLOODSTOCK

Southern Ranches (Solo Select Horses, Agent) consigned Black Magic Woman, a 2022 mare, and she sold for $180,000 to Chance David of Joaquin, Texas.

T

the two-day 2023 Western Bloodstock NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Sales, held October 20-21, 2023, parlayed a positive horse market into record sales during the marquee event for reined cow horses.

Twelve horses sold for $100,000 or more, and 15 consigned horses brought $95,000 or more.

Saturday’s Select Yearling Sale Session II posted an average of $33,672, while Friday’s Performance Horse and 2-Year-Old Session claimed an all-time-high

134 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

average of $50,706. The overall average for all sessions was $32,855.

Black Magic Woman, consigned by Southern Ranches (Solo Select Horses, Agent), was the sale’s overall high seller. Purchased for $180,000 by Chance David of Joaquin, Texas, the 2022 black Shining Spark daughter is out of Carrera Cat, by Metallic Cat, the dam of Holly Cat Carrera, which has lifetime earnings of $56,835, multiple champion titles in NRCHA Open competition, and a full sister to The Countess, which

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY® has lifetime earnings of $79,000 and is an NCHA Super Stakes Open finalist.

Southern Ranches also consigned Shiny Train, a red roan Metallic Cat yearling filly that brought $97,000 from Gina Roidopoulos of Dallas, Texas.

The House Is Rockn, a 2022 red roan colt by Stevie Rey Von, commanded $140,000, the sale’s second-highest price. Consigned by Teton Ridge, The House Is Rockn sold to Eduardo Elizondo of Laredo, Texas, who also purchased the sale’s high-selling broodmare, Call Her Hilda 17, for $110,000 on Friday.

The House Is Rockn is out of Soula Jule Forever, lifetime earnings $34,751, and multiple Open NRCHA and RCHA champion title-holder and the dam of 14 money earners, including NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open Reserve champions Jule Smart Rey and Bet Hes Black.

High Cats Shine was Saturday’s third-highest seller at $125,000. Consigned by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC and purchased by William McElligott of Lafayette, Louisiana, the sorrel yearling filly by WR This Cats Smart is a full sister, out of Shining Madonna, to 4-year-old Cabanna Boy, lifetime earnings of $126,370, NRCHA Western Open Derby and National Stock Horse Associaton RCH Open Futurity champion.

Unprecedented Sale Results Overall Average: $32,855 Top-10 Average: $121,000 Top-20 Average: $104,950 Top-100 Average: $49,135 High-Selling Yearling: $180,000 (record) High-Selling Broodmare: $110,000 (record) High-Selling 2-Year-Old: $100,000 (record) 2-Year-Old Average: $51,154 (record)

On Friday, Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC also consigned the WR This Cats Smart yearling son Melodys Smart Rey, purchased by Lita West for $105,000, that day’s second-highest price.

Saturday’s Chappell-White Partnership Absolute Dispersal Sale Session realized $100,000 for Sporty Metallic 18. The bay roan Metallic Cat daughter sold, with an embryo by Shiners Voodoo Dr, to Michael Cannon of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Teton Ridge consigned House Is Rockn, a 2022 colt that sold for $140,000 to Eduardo Elizondo of Laredo, Texas.

136 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

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///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

R

OPING THE WINS

STORY BY KAYCIE TIMM PHOTOS BY SCOOTEMNSHOOTEM

The American Rope Horse Futurity Association World Championship returned for its seventh year of partnership with the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

F

or the seventh consecutive year, the American Rope Horse Futurity Association partnered with NRHCA to host the ARHFA World Championship in the John Justin Arena during the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

With an additional day of competition, the 2023 ARHFA World Championship brought a record number of entries during the four-day show held October 18–21.

“Everything went great,” shared ARHFA founder Jay Wadhams. “We have a good staff working for us now, which is awesome.”

Wadhams and his wife, Lindsay, started the

140 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

association to instigate growth in the rope horse industry, and their 2023 event proves they’re accomplishing that goal. Now, they’ve grown from an initial $230,000 payout to this year’s $930,000, plus prizes including a horse trailer, trophy saddles and more. When Wadhams founded ARHFA, it was the only association dedicated to futurity-aged roping horses, but he doesn’t take credit for the idea.

“Rope horse futurities have been around a long time,” Wadhams shared. “The first one I ever went to was in Omaha, Nebraska. I always remembered those.

All I did was bring them back from the dead.”

When the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® moved to

Sevens Star Glo and Cade Rice claimed the Open Futurity Heeling championship for owner Marshall Wier with a total score of 938.89.

Fort Worth, a partnership with ARHFA came naturally for Wadhams, who recognized the crossover in bloodlines between reined cow horses and roping horses.

“It works really good, because a lot of cow horses are great in the roping,” Wadhams explained. There are a lot of cow horse studs that have offspring earning money in the roping now. People are starting to breed to those studs for rope horses, too.”

With a growing payout and increasingly competitive entries, the ARHFA World Championship allows both experienced ropers and people who are new to the industry an opportunity not only to compete but also find their next horse.

“The roping world is so big now, and people want good horses,” he said. “This is a good place to buy a prospect and try to pay for part of him as you’re training him.”

Above: A Painted Sunshine and Tate Kirchenschlager celebrate their Open Futurity Heading win with a victory lap.

Middle: In the Open Futurity Heading, A Painted Sunshine and Tate Kirchenschlager earned a total score of a 928.21 to win champion honors for owner Riley Weehler.

Bottom: Treston Brazile and Woody Be Spotted, owned

by Relentless Remuda, took home the Non Pro Heeling champion title with a total score of 691.05.

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 141

Zycosan®

///////// 2023 NRCHA SNAFFLE BIT FUTURITY®

(pentosan polysulfate sodium injection) 250 mg/mL For intramuscular use in horses only.

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

DESCRIPTION: Zycosan contains pentosan polysulfate sodium, a semi-synthetic polysulfated xylan.

It is a pale yellow to brownish yellow, clear, sterile solution.

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

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium or any of the inactive ingredients in Zycosan should not receive Zycosan. Do not use Zycosan concurrently with other anticoagulant drugs. Do not use in horses with clotting disorders or within 24 hours of surgical procedures (see Warnings and Precautions).

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS: User Safety Warnings: Not for use in humans.

Keep out of reach of children. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a weak anticoagulant.

Caution should be used when administering Zycosan if you are taking an anticoagulant.

In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical attention. If product comes into contact with skin, rinse skin thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if needed. To obtain a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472.

Animal Safety Warnings and Precautions: Zycosan has been shown to prolong coagulation parameters up to 24 hours after injection, therefore caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities (see Target Animal Safety). Due to the anticoagulant effects, this drug may exacerbate Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH).

The concurrent use of NSAIDs with Zycosan has not been evaluated. Due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan and known anticoagulant effects of some NSAIDs, caution should be used if NSAIDs are concurrently administered.

Horses concurrently treated with Zycosan and NSAIDs should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding (e.g., petechiae, ecchymosis, or epistaxis). The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. Pigmentary changes in the retina (pigmentary maculopathy) have been reported in human patients following long-term oral use of pentosan polysulfate sodium. It is not known if a similar finding occurs in horses. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses.

Other Warnings: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption.

ADVERSE REACTIONS: Injection site reactions were the most frequently reported adverse reactions in the field study. Injection site reactions were associated with clinicopathology changes in some cases. Other adverse reactions reported in more than one horse were prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT)), lethargy, behavior changes, and colic.

To report suspected adverse events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Dechra at (866) 933-2472 . For additional information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS or online at http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.

STORAGE CONDITIONS: Store at room temperature 68-77°F (20-25°C), with excursions to 59-86°F (15-30°C).

MANUFACTURED FOR: Dechra Veterinary Products 7015 College Boulevard, Suite 525 Overland Park, KS 66211 USA Approved by FDA under NADA # 141-559 Zycosan is a trademark of Dechra Limited.

R 01 2023

142 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Equine athletes from varying bloodlines aren’t the only beneficial crossover Wadhams has witnessed. ARHFA has also created opportunities for ropers and horsemen from different backgrounds to come together and improve. Because the format combines both a time and scores from judges, it offers a unique avenue to showcase both the horse’s agility and training as well as the rider’s roping skill.

“This is still a horse show,” Wadhams explained. “You can’t just win it with your rope; you have to be riding a good horse, too. Some of our jackpot and rodeo cowboys have become better horse trainers, and some of our horse trainers have become better ropers because they’re all intermixing. A lot of friendships have developed through helping each other.”

Since founding ARHFA, Wadhams has had a front row seat to watch the roping industry blossom, and he’s played an active role by promoting ARHFA. “The horse business is crazy right now, which is a good thing,” he shares. “I’ve had guys tell me that the 4-year-olds are doing what 5- and 6-year-old horses were doing seven years ago. The horses are just getting better. It’s exciting.”

Owner/rider Will Jones and Roho Diamond marked a total score of 692.4 to claim the Non Pro Heading championship.

2023 ARHFA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS Open Futurity Heading: A Painted Sunshine (Second Painted Sign x Freckles Handle), and Tate Kirchenschlager of Stephenville, Texas, earned a total score of a 928.21 to win $25,000 as the Open Futurity Heading Champions. A Painted Sunshine is owned by Riley Weehler of Blockton, Iowa.

Open Futurity Heeling: Sevens Star Glo (CSR Dual Glo x Sevens Tootsie Time) and Cade Rice of Lipan, Texas, marked a total score of 938.89 to take home $30,000 as the Open Futurity Heeling Champions.

The 2017 stallion is owned by Marshall Wier of Lipan, Texas.

Non Pro Heading: Owner/rider Will Jones and Roho Diamond (Roho Concho x Listo Diamon) earned a total score of 692.4 to claim the Non Pro Heading Championship and an $8,295 check.

Non Pro Heeling: Treston Brazile of Decatur, Texas, and Woody Be Spotted (Nitas Wood x Lily O Lena), owned by Relentless Remuda, took the Non Pro Heeling Champion title and $6,765 with a total score of 691.05.

Break free

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

To learn more about Zycosan®, please scan the QR code or visit go.dechra-us.com/zycosan 24-hour Veterinary Technical Support available: (866) 933-2472 Nonurgent Technical Support available: support@dechra.com Important Satefy Information As with all drugs, side effects may occur. For intramuscular use in horses only. Not for use in humans. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is a weak anticoagulant. Caution should be used when administering Zycosan if you are taking an anticoagulant. In case of accidental self-injection, seek immediate medical attention. If product comes into contact with skin, rinse skin thoroughly with water and seek medical attention if needed. Horses with hypersensitivity to pentosan polysulfate sodium should not receive Zycosan. Do not use Zycosan concurrently with other anticoagulant drugs. Do not use in horses with clotting disorders or within 24 hours of surgical procedures. Caution should be used when administering this drug before or after strenuous activities. Caution should be used when NSAIDS are administered concurrently due to the anticoagulant effects of Zycosan. If Zycosan and NSAIDS are used concurrently, horses should be monitored for hemorrhage or other clinical signs of abnormal bleeding. The safe use of Zycosan has not been evaluated in breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. The safety of long-term repeat use of Zycosan has not been evaluated. The most frequently reported adverse reactions are injection site reactions, prolongation of coagulation parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT). Refer to the prescribing information for complete details or visit www.dechra-us.com.

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

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JOINT LUBRICATION:

GREASE VERSUS OIL

BY JOE CARTER, DVM

I

n terms of sports medicine for your horse, I can’t think of anything more important than joint health.

For the purpose of this article, I’ll boil it down to one subject: joint fluid. I’m not saying cartilage, bones and ligaments aren’t important. All I’m saying is day in, day out, joint fluid and low-grade joint inflammation called synovitis have the greatest impacts on your horse’s performance.

Let’s begin with normal joint function. As joints do their job, they go through a daily wear-and-repair cycle. Every day there is wear; every day there is repair.

This is normal and makes sense. It’s kind of like tread on a tire; it wears away with every mile. But joints are better than a tire, because they can repair themselves— at least as long as you don’t “wear tread” faster than the joint can repair in an average day.

When talking specifically about joint fluid, a better analogy might be engine oil. You change your engine oil every three months or 3,000 miles, which means if you put 3,000 miles on your car in one month, you change its oil after a month. The catch is engines don’t make their own oil.

This daily wear-and-repair cycle applies to joint fluid.

The joints wear and repair every day using and replenishing joint fluid. Joint fluid lubricates the horse’s joints, keeping them from getting sticky and instead easily gliding in motion and keeping them from getting sore. Every day, a horse uses joint fluid, and every day the horse replaces joint fluid. The wheels start to come off, so to speak, when a horse uses more joint fluid than it can replace in a day.

146 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

This has relevant application, particularly to our 3-year-olds. It’s very common to, as I like to say, put 3,000 miles on a 3-year-old in a month as we’re getting it ready for the Snaffle Bit Futurity®. At that rate of riding, horses use up joint fluid faster than they can replenish it. Most of the time, the affected joints are the ones stressed the most while working on one particular maneuver.

If you’re stopping a lot, it’s the hock joints. If you’re circling a lot, it’s the coffin joints. If you’re flagging and changing leads, it’s the stifle joints. The joint that needs help is usually the one taking the brunt of the work.

Normal joint fluid is thick and slippery, like grease.

Grease has a high molecular weight (remember that phrase). With lots of riding, the joint fluid in the high-motion joints thins out and is more like oil. Oil is half the molecular weight of grease. With more riding and no help replenishing joint fluid, it thins further to be like water. In worst cases, a joint becomes dry.

Of all the hyaluronate products available, Hyvisc is my choice because it’s the highest molecular weight hyaluronate on the market, meaning you get more bang for the buck.

It’s very common to have your Western performance horse’s joints injected; it’s a healthy natural way of settling down joint inflammation. If you’re having trouble with a certain maneuver, have your horse examined by your local veterinarian. If the vet determines that a joint needs to be injected, ask about using a high molecular weight joint fluid replacement product.

Joe Carter, DVM Oklahoma Equine Hospital Official NRCHA Veterinarian

“

THE WHEELS START TO

COME OFF, SO TO SPEAK, WHEN A HORSE USES MORE JOINT FLUID THAN IT CAN REPLACE IN A DAY.” —Joe Carter, DVM

FROM THE

I

f you watched any part of the 2023 Snaffle Bit Futurity®, whether from home or in person, you likely noticed many activities centered on our youth members. The NRCHA Foundation is working to restructure its current tenets to allow for our fundraising dollars to have a broader reach within our industry, such as historical preservation and a crisis fund, while also looking forward to helping our younger members achieve their goals through scholarships. NRCHA Foundation chairperson Chelsea Edsall and her fellow board members (see list below), along with committee members such as Zan Peat were front and center during the Snaffle Bit Futurity® to bring visibility to the Foundation’s efforts and promote involvement in creating opportunities for youth riders.

“We wanted to get our youth members excited and involved in our fundraising efforts,” Edsall shared. “We wanted to get them out in front of the membership and interacting with the folks who support our scholarship fundraising activities. We’re very focused on expanding the NRCHYA scholarship program.

We want to continue the scholarships we’ve previously offered, but also offer more opportunities to earn scholarships based on activities within cow horse and outside the arena. We also look forward to raising funds for our crisis fund and working with the Owners Committee to enhance that effort.”

Chelsea Edsall, NRCHA Foundation chairperson

NRCHA Foundation Board Chelsea Edsall, Chairperson Paul Bailey Todd Crawford Kristen Cushing Linda McMahon

148 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Trey Neal Kathryn Phillips Boyd Rice Bracy Weaver Zan Peat, committee member

NRCHA Foundation Subcommittees Scholarships Cowboy Crisis Fund Event Planning Fundraising Historic Preservation and Hall of Fame Banquet

First of its kind.

Still one of a kind.

After 30 years, Adequan® i.m. (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is still the only FDA-Approved 1, 2 equine intramuscular PSGAG joint treatment available. And still the only one proven to:

Reduce inflammation Restore synovial joint lubrication Repair joint cartilage Reverse the disease process Adequan® i.m. actually treats degenerative joint disease, and not just the signs.

Ask your veterinarian if Adequan® i.m. is the right choice for your horse. Learn more at adequan.com.

www.adequan.com BRIEF SUMMARY: Prior to use please consult the product insert, a summary of which follows: CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: Adequan® i.m. is recommended for the intramuscular treatment of non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal and hock joints in horses. CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are no known contraindications to the use of intramuscular Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan. WARNINGS: Do not use in horses intended for human consumption. Not for use in humans. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children. PRECAUTIONS: The safe use of Adequan® i.m. in horses used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating mares has not been evaluated. For customer care, or to obtain product information, visit www.adequan.com. To report an adverse event please contact American Regent, Inc. at 1-888-354-4857 or email pv@americanregent.com.

Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.adequan.com.

1 Adequan® i.m. Package Insert, Rev 1/19.

2 Burba DJ, Collier MA, DeBault LE, Hanson-Painton O, Thompson HC, Holder CL: In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondral defect model. J Equine Vet Sci 1993; 13: 696-703.

All trademarks are the property of American Regent, Inc. © 2022, American Regent, Inc. PP-AI-US-0373 (v2.0) 05/2022

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Boyd Rice ■ Vice President: Paul Bailey ■ Secretary: Todd Crawford ■ Treasurer: Trey Neal Executive Committee Members: Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Ben Baldus, Dr. Joe Carter Board Members: Diane Edwards, Amanda Gardiner, Lance Johnston, Jay McLaughlin, Dan Roeser, Jon Roeser, Beverly Servi, Jake Telford, Cayley Wilson

COMMITTEE DIRECTORY

STAFF

AFFILIATES

OWNERS

Executive Director: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com

PROFESSIONALS

Director of Communications & Media: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com

RULES

Director of Sponsorship & Outreach: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com

Chairperson: Jay McLaughlin jaymclaughlinperformancehorses@gmail.com 417-861-6963

ANIMAL WELFARE

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

ETHICS

Chairperson: Trey Neal trey@treyneal.com

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

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

HALL OF FAME

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

HORSE SALES

Chairperson: Todd Crawford Toddcrawford333@gmail.com

JUDGES

Chairperson: Abrian Bass harris.abrian@gmail.com | 817-517-3006 Chairperson: Cayley Wilson cayleyrwilson@gmail.com | 604-300-0401 Chairperson: Dan Roeser roeserstables@gmail.com | 208-841-2052

SHOWS

Co-Chairperson: Ben Baldus ben@baldushorsemanship.com | 940-923-7255 Co-Chairperson: Todd Bergen tbergenhorses@gmail.com | 541-778-0980

SPONSORSHIP

Chairperson: Jordan Tierney jordan@nrcha.com | 940-488-1495

STALLION SERVICE AUCTION

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

Chairperson: Lance Johnston jphperformancehorses@gmail.com | 805-550-8387 Director of Judges: Bill Enk enk.bill@gmail.com

STRATEGIC PLANNING

NRCHA FOUNDATION

Chairperson: Sarah Clymer Shubrick3@gmail.com | 719-330-1932

Chairperson: Chelsea Edsall edsallhorses@hotmail.com | 209-603-8968

NON PRO

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

152 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Chairperson: Emily Konkel emily@nrcha.com | 940-488-1500

YOUTH

MARKETING

Chairperson: Callie Boevers callie@nrcha.com | 940-488-1491

Accounting Manager: Kasydi Valentine kasydi@nrcha.com Premier Event Manager: Tina McCleary tina@nrcha.com Programs Manager: Tara Carter tara@nrcha.com Membership Coordinator: Ashley Valor ashley@nrcha.com Shows Coordinator: Taylor Meek taylor@nrcha.com Youth & Recognition Coordinator: Bailey Carter bailey@nrcha.com

406 451 9311

AFFILIATE LISTING Current as of November 1, 2023

Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association

European Reined Cow Horse Association

Krystal Meade 330, 205 Quarry Park Blvd SE Calgary, AB T2C 3E7 CANADA Phone: 403-991-4617 Email: info@cowhorse.ca Website: cowhorse.ca

Augusto De Fazio via Natalia Ginzburg 1 - 11015 Ivrea (TO) ITALY Phone: +(39) 338 8860657 Email: ercha@hotmail.it Website: ercha.org

Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association

Gem State Stock Horse Association

Jeffry Heyer Phone: 508-221-1358 Email: jrhyer@comcast.net Website: azrcha.com

Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association Jennifer Black 1600 Mapledale Rd Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Phone: 717-433-5357 Email: ARCHASecretary.2022@gmail.com Website: atlanticRCHA.com

California Reined Cow Horse Association Murray Thompson 15169 Road 223 Porterville, CA 93257 Phone: 209-201-8975 Email: califcowhorse@gmail.com Website: californiacowhorse.com

Central Montana Reined Cow Horse Association Judy Blough

Callee Miller 301 Market Rd Caldwell ID 83607 Phone: 541-519-4748 Email: Cowhorse22@gmail.com Website: gemstatestockhorse.com

Gulf Coast Cow Horse Association Paul Kaskey 6329 Old Court St. North Port, FL 34291 Phone: 941-256-4760 Email: paulkaskey@aol.com Website: gulfcoastcowhorse.com

Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Laura Kiracofe P.O. Box 1375 Caldwell, ID 83606 Phone: 208-409-5656 Email: laurakiracofe@yahoo.com Website: idahoreinedcowhorse.com

Magic Valley RCHA

Website: cmrcha.com

Kaycie Keller 638 North Rd Jerome, ID 83338 Phone: 208-329-0499 Email: kkayc_13@yahoo.com Website: mvrcha.com

Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association

Mid State Cow Horse Association

P.O. Box 413 Wilsall, MT 59086 Phone: 409-223-3690 Email: info@cmrcha@gmail.com

Emily Parry PO Box 88 Trinidad, CO 81082 Phone: 970-520-1069 Email: coloradocowhorse@gmail.com Website: coloradoreinedcowhorse.com

154 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS

Sharon Michelucci 2500 Adobe Rd Paso Robles CA 9344 Phone: 805-835-5014 Email: info@midstatecowhorseassociation.com Website: midstatecowhorseassociation.com

Montana Reined Cow Horse Futurity, Inc Margaret Ore PO Box 1604 East Helena, MT 59635 Phone: 406-227-7019 Email: more@mt.net Website: montanareinedcowhorse.com

Nevada Reined Cow Horse Association Robyn Englert Phone: 702-768-3224 Email: rocketdog2333@yahoo.com Website: nvrcha.org

New York Reined Cow Horse Association Jacob Partridge 996 Flickner Rd. Arkport, N.Y. 14807 Phone: 585-738-1057 Email: jpartridge996@gmail.com Website: newyorkrcha.com

North Central Reined Cow Horse Association Jim Wilson 2409 25th Ave Rice Lake, WI 54868 Phone: 641-420-0440 Email: wilson@myomnitel.com Website: ncrcha.com

Northeastern Reined Cowhorse Alliance Mary Jo MacDonnell 22546 Grey Rd 16 Chatsworth, ON N0H 1G0 CANADA Phone: 519-794-2027 Email: Maryjomacdonnell@gmail.com Website: nercha.ca

Northern Alberta Reined Cow Horse Club Shawna Husted 27245 TWP 350 Red Deer County, AB T4G 0M4 Phone: 403-875-1369 Email: nabreinedcowhorseclub@gmail.com

Northwest Reined Cow Horse Association Debbie Pilgoret P.O. Box 302 Newburg, OR 97132 Phone: 503-318-7339 Email: nwreinedcowhorse@gmail.com Website: nwrcha.com

AFFILIATE LISTING Current as of November 1, 2023

Panhandle Reined Cow Horse Association Lane Arnold PO Box 1053 Canyon, TX 79015 Phone: 806-341-0941 Email: panhandlecowhorse@gmail.com Website: panhandlecowhorse.com

South Texas Reined Cow Horse Association Tina McCleary 1111 E Poe Prairie Rd Millsap, TX 76066 Phone: 979-218-0633 Email: southtexasrcha@gmail.com Website: strcha.org

Southeastern Reined Cow Horse Association Rachel Cobb 104 Murphy Hill Rd Belton, SC 29627 Phone: 864-276-9678 Email: southeastcowhorse@gmail.com Website: southeasternrcha.com

Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Gay Lenz 11587 Hunt Lane Guthrie, OK 73044 Phone: 405-818-7556 Email: glenz@glenzenterprises.com Website: srcha.org

Swedish Reined Cow Horse Association Silvio Wirth Kyrkbyn Backagarden 1 SE-512 62 Mardaklev., Sweden Phone: +46 70 676 7642 Email: styrelsen@srcha.eu Website: srcha.eu

Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association Roy Rich Phone: 951-529-6258 Email: socalrcha@aol.com Website: ltht@airenetworks.com

Team Professional Italia Western Show A.S.D. Eveline Besozzi Via Ottaviano 42, Roma, Rome ITALY 192 Phone: +39 347 26 22 783 Email: eveline.besozzi@gmail.com Website: westernshow.it

Utah Reined Cow Horse Association Morgan Miller 3185 W 15200 N Collinston, UT 84306 Phone: 435-279-7529 Email: utahcowhorse@gmail.com Website: urcha.com

Volunteer Ranch Horse Association

Rachael Snow 4807 Shadecrest Dr. Nashville, TN 37211 Phone: 615-405-5219 Email: volunteerranchhorseassociation@gmail.com Website: volrha.com

Southern Reined Cow Horse Alliance Debra Motichek Phone: 985-373-8347 Email: srcowha@gmail.com Website: www.srchala.com

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

Agricultural Foundation, Fresno, CA Desert Spring Ranch, Queen Creek, AZ Keetch Ranch, Waddell, AZ Del Rey Paint & Qtr Horses/Aneka Schelbeck, Cotton Wood, CA Bynum Farms/Blair Bynum, Palm City, FL Donnie Boyd, Sarasota, FL Robyn Bush, Visalia, CA Marcy Campbell, Creston, CA Pompeo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY Riccardo Capezzone, Castrocielo 03030, ITALY

A finance charge of 1.5% per month (18% APR) will be added to all past due amounts. Membership privileges shall be suspended on accounts greater than 90 days past due and this information will be published in Reined Cow Horse News. There will be a membership reinstatement fee of $75.

Current as of November 1, 2023

Cody Christensen, Heber City, UT

Bridgette Lanham, Eastover, SC

Don Stockman, Dayton, TX

Tom Daughetee, Kemmerer, WY

Thera Myers, Oxnard, CA

Kinsey Dodson, Cleburne, TX

Shad DeGiorgis, El Dorado Hills, CA

Steed Training/ Rick Steed, Okeechobee, FL

Oasis Ranch/Pete & Marilyn Bowling Purcell, OK

Jill Serena, Castaic, CA

Roy Hockensmith, Frankfort, KY

Vernon Smith, Santa Maria, CA

Brian & Cynthia Holthouse, San Juan Bautista, CA

Laura Delfino, Martinez, CA Pat Faitz, Lakeland, FL Robert Frobose, Modesto, CA Miguel Gonzalez, Miami, FL

Dream Cross/Susan Ray, TX Lazy T Shamrock Ranch/ Terry Malarkey, Star, ID

Rita F. Ward, Canyon, TX

Babcock Ranch/Jim Babcock, Sanger, TX Brandon Johnson, Nebraska City, NE

Elizabeth Winkle, Sarasota, FL

Chris Anderson Marietta, OK

Darren Roberts, Kent, NY

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 155

SHOW SCHEDULE

LAE = Limited Aged Event, HS = Horse Show

as of November 1, 2023

Date

Show

Type of event

Location

Affiliate

Secretary

Phone

Email

Nov 29–Dec 3

NCRCHA December 2023 Show

HS, LAE, cat. 1, cat.2

Winona, MN

North Central RCHA

Jennifer Schueller

641-590-1041

jenschueller21@gmail.com

Nov 30–Dec 3

AzRCHA Dorn Parkinson Memorial

HS, cat.1

Queen Creek, AZ

Arizona RCHA

Heidi Lane

623-869-8037

azqhainfo@gmail.com

Dec 15–17

Futurity Western Show Cremona 2023 HS, LAE

Cremona, Italy

Team Professional

Besozzi Eveline

(39347) 262-2783

eveline.besozzi@gmail.com

Italia Western Show A.S.D. Jan 6

National Western Stock Show

HS, cat 2

Denver, CO

Jan 13–14

Northern California RCHA #1 - 2024

HS, cat.1

Corning, CA

Northern California RCHA

Kelsey Nichols-Rhyne 661-889-8059

knichols06@yahoo.com

Laura Norman

559-760-2769

laura.saddleup@gmail.com

580-276-0761

baldnshiney@hotmail.com

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Jan 14–15

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

HS, cat.1

Fort Worth, TX

Nelle Murphy

Jan 20–25

Black Hills Stock Show

HS, cat.1

Rapid City, SD

Ashley Kanaman

Apr 19–21

ARCHA Dust Off The Rust

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

May 24–26

ARCHA Mike Carone Classic

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

June 21–23

ARCHA Quaker Challenge

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Aug 16–18

ARCHA Summer Shootout

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Sept 13–15

ARCHA The Green Showdown

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

Oct 31–Nov 3

ARCHA Code West Classic

HS, cat.1

Dillsburg, PA

Atlantic RCHA

Cindy Pfeifer

585-749-1764

cindypfeifer59@gmail.com

ADVERTISERS INDEX ADVERTISER ..................................................................PAGE # 6666 RANCH .................................................................... 38/39 ALVIN FULTS ............................................................................65 AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION .....................151 AMERICAN REGENT ANIMAL HEALTH ...............................149 BIMEDA USA..........................................................................129 BLOOMER TRAILERS.............................................................124 BOB’S CUSTOM SADDLES ......................................................72 CANNON RANCH QUARTER HORSES..................................117 CAROL ROSE QUARTER HORSES ....................................30/31 CEI COMMUNICATIONS .......................................................145 CLASSIC EQUINE......................................................................78 COWTRAC SYSTEMS .............................................................. 85 CR RANCHWEAR LLC ............................................................. 89 DANIEL J PEREZ ......................................................................35 DECHRA VETERINARY PRODUCTS ..................................... 137 ECOPLANET ONE HEALTH.................................................... 153 ELEVEN BAR RANCH LLC ....................................................... 51 ESTELLE ROITBLAT ESTATE ......................................................7 GHOSTWOOD DISTILLING CO. ............................................109 GIL SIQUEIROS ........................................................................93 GIST SILVERSMITHS INC ...................................................... IBC HASHTAG VENTURES LP ..................................................24/25 HAY CHIX ...............................................................................143 HOLY COW PERFORMANCE HORSES .................................. 99 HOME RANCH PERFORMANCE HORSES ............................131

This index is provided as a service.

The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

IRON ROSE RANCH.................................................................73 JAMIE HILL CUTTING HORSES ..............................................37 JEFF SMITH’S CUSTOM SADDLES ....................................... 125 K&L PHILLIPS, LLC...................................................................43 KALPOWAR QUARTER HORSES ............................................55 KIMES RANCH ....................................................................14/15 LOS JABONCILLOS RANCH.................................................... 83 MANION RANCH .....................................................................45 MARKEL INSURANCE ........................................................... 116 MARS EQUESTRIAN ................................................................ 41 MARTIN SADDLERY ..............................................................139 MATTHEWS CUTTING HORSES LLC ............................... 28/29 MED-VET PHARMACEUTICALS..............................................59 METALLIC REBEL .....................................................................18 MILLER INTERNATIONAL .........................................................3 MONCRIEF QUARTER HORSES .............................................67 NOBLE PANELS AND GATES ................................................. BC NUTRENA FEED DIVISION ...................................................107 OKLAHOMA EQUINE HOSPITAL.......................................... 135 OLERICH, JILL ..........................................................................32 OSWOOD STALLION STATION .........................................26/27 PLANTATION FARMS .............................................................. 13 PLATINUM PERFORMANCE, INC ......................................... 40 PULSE VETERINARY TECHNOLOGIES, LLC ..........................113 QUARTER HORSE NEWS ......................................................138 RAFTER P CONSTRUCTION.................................................. 133

RED ARROW RANCH ............................................................103 REDTAIL RANCH PERFORMANCE HORSES, LLC..................97 RICATO SUAVE LLC...................................................................11 RIOS OF MERCEDES .................................................................4 ROBERTSON RANCHES ..........................................................87 ROCKING BS RANCH .........................................................21,23 ROCKING P RANCH ............................................................IFC-1 ROLLZ ROYCE .......................................................................... 17 SAMI FINE JEWELRY.............................................................150 SAN JUAN RANCH / SANTA CRUZ ...................................... 101 SCOOTER KAT PARTNERS .................................................... 127 SERVI, BEVERLY.......................................................................79 SHANNON LAWLOR EQUINE ART ......................................144 SHORTY’S CABOY HATTERY ..................................................47 SJ RANCH ................................................................................ 111 SKYBAND RANCH, LLC ......................................................... 123 STRAWN VALLEY RANCH ...................................................... 95 THE SADDLE HOUSE............................................................. 119 TORNADO JONEZ COFFEE ................................................... 147 TR9 RANCH...........................................................50, 53, 60/61 TRES OSOS PERFORMANCE HORSES/ MISS ELLIE LLC .................................................................68/69 WAGONHOUND LAND AND LIVESTOCK .......................56/57 WESTERN BLOODSTOCK..................................................... 8/9 WESTERN LEGACY CO. ..........................................................121 XIT RANCH........................................................................48/49

REINED COW HORSE NEWS | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 159

1. Publication Title

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) 2. Publication N umber

R e in e d C o w H o r s e N e w s

3 . Filing Date

2380-_3975

11/13/2023

4. Issue Frequency

5. N umber of Issues Published A nnually

6is s u e s a n n u a lly

6

13 . Publication Title

$ 25.00

a. Total N umber of Copies (N et pr ess r un ) (1) Mailed Outside- County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3 541 (Include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’ s proof copies, and ex change copies)

Telephone (I n cl ud e ar ea cod e)

( 94 0) 4 88- 14 91

8. Complete Mailing A ddress of H eadquarters or G eneral Business Office of Publisher (N ot pr i n t er )

M C C M a g a z in e s - C u s to m P u b lis h in g 2112 M o n t g o m e r y S t r e e t , F o r t W o r t h , T e x a s 76107

b. Paid Circulation (B y M ai l an d O ut si d e t h e M ai l )

J o h n L u n n – M C C M a g a z in e s 2112 M o n t g o m e r y S t r e e t , F o r t W o r t h , T e x a s 76107 Editor (N ame an d compl et e mai l i n g ad d r ess)

J e n n ife r P a u ls e n – N a tio n a l R e in e d C o w H o r s e A s s o c ia tio n 256 N . H i g h w a y 377, P i l o t P o i n t , T e x a s 76107 Managing Editor (N ame an d compl et e mai l i n g ad d r ess)

N A 10. Owner (D o n ot l eav e b l an k . I f t h e pub l i cat i on i s own ed b y a cor por at i on , gi v e t h e n ame an d ad d r ess of t h e cor por at i on i mmed i at el y fol l owed b y t h e n ames an d ad d r esses of al l st ock h ol d er s own i n g or h ol d i n g 1 per cen t or mor e of t h e t ot al amoun t of st ock . I f n ot own ed b y a cor por at i on , gi v e t h e n ames an d ad d r esses of t h e i n d i v i d ual own er s. I f own ed b y a par t n er sh i p or ot h er un i n cor por at ed fi r m, gi v e i t s n ame an d ad d r ess as wel l as t h ose of each i n d i v i d ual own er . I f t h e pub l i cat i on i s pub l i sh ed b y a n on pr ofi t or gan i z at i on , gi v e i t s n ame an d ad d r ess.)

Full Name Complete Mailing Address

256 N . H i g h w a y 377, P i l o t P o i n t , T e x a s 76107

(2)

Mailed In- County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3 541 (I n cl ud e pai d d i st r i b ut i on ab ov e n omi n al r at e, ad v er t i ser ’ s pr oof copi es, an d ex ch an ge copi es)

(3 )

Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street V endors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside U SPS®

(4)

Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the U SPS (e.g., First- Class Mail® )

2993

3581

c. Total Paid Distribution [ S um of 1 5 b (1 ), (2 ), (3), an d (4)]

2993

3581

d. Free or (1) Free or N ominal R ate Outside- County Copies included on PS Form 3 541 N ominal R ate Distribution (2) Free or N ominal R ate In- County Copies Included on PS Form 3 541 (B y M ai l an d Free or N ominal R ate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the U SPS O ut si d e (3 ) (e.g., First- Class Mail) t h e M ai l )

80

78

9 . Full N ames and Complete Mailing A ddresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor (D o n ot l eav e b l an k ) Publisher (N ame an d compl et e mai l i n g ad d r ess)

N a tio n a l R e in e d C o w H o r s e A s s o c ia tio n

Average No. Copies No. Copies of Single Each Issue During Issue Published Preceding 12 Months Nearest to Filing Date

6. A nnual Subscription Price

C a llie B o e v e r s

N a tio n a l R e in e d C o w H o r s e A s s o c ia tio n 256 N . H i g h w a y 377, P i l o t P o i n t , T e x a s 76107

11/13/2023

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation

Contact Person

7. Complete Mailing A ddress of K nown Office of Publication (N ot pr i n t er ) (S t r eet , ci t y , coun t y , st at e, an d Z I P+ 4 ® )

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below

R e in e d C o w H o r s e N e w s

(4)

Free or N ominal R ate Distribution Outside the Mail (C ar r i er s or ot h er mean s)

e. Total Free or N ominal R ate Distribution (S um of 1 5 d (1 ), (2 ), (3) an d (4))

80

78

f. Total Distribution (S um of 1 5 c an d 1 5 e)

3037

3659

h. Total (S um of 1 5 f an d g)

3037

3659

i. Percent Paid (1 5 c d i v i d ed b y 1 5 f t i mes 1 0 0 )

98.6%

97.9%

g. Copies not Distributed (S ee I n st r uct i on s t o Pub l i sh er s # 4 (page # 3))

11. K nown Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security H olders Owning or H olding 1 Percent or More of Total A mount of Bonds, Mortgages, or N one Other Securities. If none, check box Full Name

* If you are claiming electronic copies, go to line 16 on page 3 . If you are not claiming electronic copies, sk ip to line 17 on page 3 .

Complete Mailing Address

1 . Ta tatus (F or compl et i on b y n on pr ofi t or gan i z at i on s aut h or i z ed t o mai l at n on pr ofi t r at es) (C h eck on e) The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organiz ation and the ex empt status for federal income tax purposes: H as N ot Changed During Preceding 12 Months H as Changed During Preceding 12 Months (Pub l i sh er must sub mi t ex pl an at i on of ch an ge wi t h t h i s st at emen t ) PS Form 3526, July 2014 [ Page 1 of 4 (see i n st r uct i on s page 4)]

PSN : 753 0- 01- 000- 9 9 3 1

PRIVACY NOTICE: See our privacy policy on www.usps.com.

PS Form 3526, July 2014 (Page 2 of 4)

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) 16. Electronic Copy Circulation

Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months

No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date

2993

3581

c. Total Print Distribution (Line 15f) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

3037

3659

d. Percent Paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies) (16b divided by 16c Í 100)

98.6%

97.9%

a. Paid Electronic Copies b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price.

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement is required. Will be printed

Publication not required.

12/1/23 in the ________________________ issue of this publication.

18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner

Date

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

160 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023 | REINED COW HORSE NEWS