Cutting
NCHA DERBY: PEPTOS STYLISH SUE AND BOYD RICE TOP THE NCHA OPEN DERBY, WHILE JUSTIN WHITE AND WILD HICKORY BOB WIN THE NON PRO
By KELLIE CARR, aqha.com
Aug 8, 2008, 11:00
|
Email this article
Printer friendly page
|
It was a night of firsts for Boyd Rice and Peptos Stylish Sue at the NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby finals on the evening of August 3, 2008. For Boyd, it was his first big championship in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum, despite having shown there since 1979. It was also a big night for the owners of Peptos Stylish Sue, Barry and Kim Syra of Veguita, New Mexico, as the horse is the first they have ever put in training with a professional.
“We thought she was a really special filly when we bought her,” Kim explained. “Boyd agreed to take her, and they have just clicked. And now here we are! This is like icing on the cake. Earlier this year, Boyd said, ‘We’re going to fool around and win one of these.’ And as things went along, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, tonight might be the night!’”
Boyd credits the horse’s incredible cow sense for the victory, as well as the cattle and luck of the draw – third in the first set of open finalists.
“The third cow, I wasn’t really going to cut it, but it stopped out there, so I went ahead and cut it,” Boyd said of his run. “It probably turned out to be the best cow we cut, but it was pretty aggressive.”
Indeed, as the flashy red roan mare worked, the crowd was behind Boyd in a big way. As he rode out of the show pen after the buzzer, nearly everyone waited to see what the score would be. The judges awarded Boyd and Peptos Stylish Sue, by Peptos Stylish Oak and out of Bancita Sue Olena by Mr Freckles Olena, a 224, easily putting the pair at the top of the leader board.
“I couldn’t breathe. Everyone told me I turned white, and I just started screaming,” Kim said.
Boyd had a long time to wait out the finals to see whether anyone could top him, and it didn’t take long for someone to step up to the plate. Working just two horses later was Kory Pounds on Playin N Fancy Smart by Smart Little Lena and out of Playin N Fancy Peppy by Freckles Playboy, owned by the Slate River Ranch. The pair also put together a fantastic run, and rode out with a 223 on the board.
“I’m just tickled to death to have a horse like that,” Kory said. “We did what we could, but Boyd had a real good run, too. I’m happy for him.”
Boyd couldn’t have been happier with the results of the night. Not only did he earn $75,000 for the Derby championship, he also earned a third-place check worth $33,457 for riding Sails Lil Solano, owned by Black Rock Ranch, LLC, of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho to a score of 218.5. Kory and Playin N Fancy Smart earned $36,773 for the Reserve Championship title.
NON PRO
In the non-pro finals, it was a big night for the 2007 non-pro Futurity champions Justin White and Wild Hickory Bob. The pair came back into the Will Rogers for another night of intense cutting competition after failing to qualify for the finals at the NCHA Super Stakes in April. This time, they were ready.
“I kind of choked out in the Super Stakes,” Justin explained. “It was my fault, but to come back and do good at the Derby on him, he just deserves it. I’m really happy for my horse.”
The pair competed near the end of the second set of non-pro finalists and easily topped the leader board with a 225, overtaking the previous leader, Jim Vangilder and Playin At The Mall.
“I’m just blessed to have such an exceptional horse,” Justin said after the competition. “Horses like that make things happen down here. When it comes down to it, he shines. He’s just a great horse. I’m fortunate to have him in my life. He’s made my career.”
Justin said he has every intention of keeping the horse and continuing to show him at more events down the road.
“He’s done a lot for me, and I want to do a lot for him, too,” Justin said.
Justin walked away with a check worth $17,774, while Vanguilder picked up $17,164 for reserve.
Top of Page
|
