Class Winner: ARC rider and owner: Cheryl Lyn Smith- Non Pro Limited. Photo: Kat Rodgers

Ride Like Sherri was the slogan, and competitors from all over the west stepped up to the challenge. Sherri Gilkerson was one of the most respected riders and trainers in the reined cow horse world. She lived by the idea of being the best that you can be, no matter what the situation. The SCRCHA and the AzRCHA came together May 15-17, 2009 at the Casner Ranch in Temecula, CA to produce their annual show in Sherri’s honor.

Carolyn Hammond Awards: Open Bridle: Bob Avila on Docs Soula. Photo: Kat Rodgers

For the third year, the entry numbers haven’t changed much, which is phenomenal in this economy. “I think that Sherri’s looking down on us, and that’s why this show does so well,’ Dema Paul mentioned. ‘Sherri was a smart rider and exhibitor with an extreme amount of talent. I think that the adopted slogan means something to each competitor. Everyone wears their patch with pride.” Laura Edwards of Temecula, CA came up with the Ride Like Sheri patch idea and has created a new one each year.

The show payout was over $61,000 and the largest class, open hackamore, paid out over $11,000. “It was probably one of the best shows that we’ve had,’ Marc Gilkerson noted. ‘It was fun, relaxed with no stress and a great BBQ. There were lots of new comers that said they’d be back next year and bring even more horses.”

Class Winner: Brother White: owner and rider: Dana Avila- Novice Non Pro Bridle . Photo: Kat Rodgers

Docs Soula (Soula Jule Star x Docs Hickory Nut) made quite the impression at his first Open Bridle Spectacular. “I’m fortunate to have another good one,’ rider Bob Avila of Temecula, CA claimed. ‘He’s already won $150,000 and he has a great future ahead of him.” The winning duo took home the Bronze Boots Traveling Trophy, $3,664 and a Bob’s Custom Saddle donated by Cow Dog Saddles.

“In the herd work, the cattle were really good. Which was a good thing. I was running around helping everyone else and ended up just jumping on him before going in to show him.” The pair scored 73 for their efforts. “In the rein work, he went where I wanted to go and did what I wanted to do. It was a smooth and free run.” They scored a 72. “The ground was a little hard for him in the cow work. When we went down the arena, we went to the ground so hard on the first turn he almost had trouble getting back.” A 72 was given for the cow work.

Carolyn Hammond Awards: Non Pro Bridle: Dema Paul on Primos Bob Acre. Photo: Kat Rodgers

“This is his first year in the bridle, he’s made the transition really well. I think in the next few years I’ll get a lot done with this cool little stallion.”

“The Non Pro Bridle was tougher than the open, looking at the scores. To top it off, the top five winners were all women. Sherri would have loved it. Sherri was definitely looking down and smiling.” Marc Gilkerson said of his class. “It’s fun telling the guys that I was beaten by five tough women.”

Dema Paul, Cave Creek, AZ, and Primos Bob Acre (Teninas First x Bob Acre Angelena) have been the only winners of the Non Pro Bridle championship in the three years that the show has been held. This year the AZRCHA added the Trainer's Saddle for the Non Pro Bridle Champion. The Bob's Custom Saddle, Kevin Stallings model, was donated by funds provided by trainers. Dema also earned $2,550 for the win.

Class Winner: Doc Soula: Bob Avila Owner: Docs Soula Partners. Photo: Kat Rodgers

“My vet once told me that horses are like a bar of soap. Some are like hard bars and last while others are soft and used up quickly. He’s a hard bar and has been going pretty good for quite awhile. I’ve never had a horse like him before and probably never will again. I just have to enjoy him while I can.

I’m working my way into being the bionic woman. In November my shoulder was repaired and then in February my hip was replaced. I’d only been riding for three weeks before the show and my horse had been off for six months. I worked a cow on him once and schooled him once in the dry work at home. He doesn’t forget anything, he’s so cow smart.

In the herd work all I have to do is get by the cow and he stops and turns it. Every time I do it, he just does it. You can’t give me credit for this you have to give the horse the credit (the 74 score).

We did our standard 72 run in the rein work. It’s always the same, hang in there and make up for it in the cow work. I didn’t know if we were in shape to show in the great big arena. The little tiny brahmas were tough. We did one turn each way and out to the center. He did it again. He carried me through it.”

Carolyn Hammond Award: Jim Paul Sr. Photo: Kat Rodgers

“This was my very first bridle spectacular,’ Novice Non Pro Bridle champion and Non Pro Bridle Reserve champion, Dana Avila stated. ‘I knew that I had Brother White (Smart Little Lena x White On Right) and would have been a fool not to show him just because I was leery of the herd work. I decided to jump into the pool, but didn’t know that it would be quite so deep. I figured since the show was close to home it wouldn’t be such a leap. When we got here I realized that there were some great competitors that I was up against and I wondered what I’d gotten myself into.

Walking into the cutting pen I was pretty nervous, but I had some great help in the herd work. Jim Paul was fabulous.’ The pair scored a 72.

‘The rein work is my comfort zone. I’d been showing ‘Preacher’ in reining since I got him. My biggest hurdle when I started riding cow horse was that I was so worried about the cow that I didn’t pay attention to my reining. I made some really dumb mistakes, so I had to really make myself pay attention to the rein work. Now I really enjoy it. It’s the one thing that I have control over.’ Dana and ‘Preacher’ comfortably scored a 73 in the rein work.

Class Winner: Lil Time to Smoke: Lyn Anderson: Owner: Kathryn Schaefer. Photo: Kat Rodgers

‘The pen was huge and I was concerned because it was hot out. In
the rein work ‘Preacher’ was a little fresh on me, because I couldn’t lope him down. On our fence run the cow was wide open all the way. He stumbled a little bit on the first turn. He jumped out of it and was good to go. He takes such good care of me. Every time I call on him, he answers 100%. He has such a great attitude and so much physical ability. He’s an awesome horse. If I ever have one half as good as him in the future, I’ll be really lucky.” Their combined efforts earned a 73 in the cow work and $3,475 for their wins.

Lyn Anderson of Madera, CA rode her long time client’s (Kathryn Schaefer) fun little stallion, Lil Time To Smoke (Senors Lil Brudder x Smoke Time Tuck) to the Open Hackamore Championship and $3,372.

“We have a tendency to draw late and it’s not always pretty. The brahmas were quick little things. Jim Paul was my corner helper and he picked out some fresh cattle. My horse was very comfortable working the cows. He worked nice and pretty.’ The pretty work earned a herd score of 73.

Class Winner: Primos Bob Acre: Dema Paul Owner: Jim and Dema Paul. Photo: Kat Rodgers

‘In the big pen the reining pattern worked out well for this horse. He was able to build and stop without worrying about the fence. He was really comfortable in the reining and it was a fun arena to show in.’ A 74 score was given for their reining run.

‘In the cow work, the cattle were pretty fun as long as you didn’t box them too long. I think that’s what had most riders scared; they boxed too long and were left without a lot of cow. My horse was right on. He’s really stylish and rates really well. On the second circle the cow slowed down a little more than I would have liked, but it worked out really good.’ The run earned the highest score of the show, a 74.5.

The Open Two Rein champion, Shining Miss Lena (Shining Spark x Missy Lena), owned by Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch, and Kevin Stallings of Tucson, AZ took home $1,400 for their win. “She’s a really nice mare that has come into her own,’ Kevin said of the mare, ‘She was slow to mature, but she’s hit her stride.

The herd work has never been really her strong suit. We cut good cows. She was on and really awake. We didn’t make any mistakes and earned a 73.

She was very good in the reining. We could have run a little harder into the stops. But she did everything pretty.’ The pretty run earned a 72.

Class Winner: Shining Miss Lena: Kevin Stallings: Owner: Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch. Photo: Kat Rodgers

‘In the fence work she stepped up. She was awesome. We worked a tough cow that ran hard. She handled it well. We were never behind and had control of the cow. She stopped big and turned hard.’ A 73 was given for their work.

The Non Pro Limited championship went to Cheryl Smith of Ophir, CO and ARC Cash Only Please (Chic Please x Precious Lil Cash) along with $814.

“This horse is the greatest horse on a cow,’ Cheryl says of her five year old gelding. ‘He is so animated and cowy. This show is like my World Show. It gives us green horns a chance to work out of the herd. It’s also a way to honor Sherri. She is the sole reason I am in this event today. She rides with me in every ride. If it were not for her this win would not be possible. Winning it two years in a row was WOW!

‘Tracer’ worked the cow great. My herd help Jimmie Pual and Jim Sr. were my lifeline. They kept reminding me to leave Tracer alone and let him work. He locks on and I hold on.

Tracer was very willing to let me show him off on Saturday. The two of us had solid dry work. That is all I hope for because I know if I have a good cow that he will wow the judge in the boxing. Our cow was quick and Tracer likes them that way. He is so much fun on a cow I wish I had 10 more like him so I could keep showing again and again.” In the herd and cow work the pair scored the highest scores in the class, a 71 and a 73. The rein work was a respectful 70.5.

Just two weeks after the 2008 show Sherri's mom past away unexpectedly. It was a huge blow to anyone that had ever come in contact with her. Carolyn Hammond was everyone’s biggest supporter. She always there to give a positive word and cheer all on. To honor her memory, her family decided to give an award to an individual who has the same attitude as Carolyn, a person who supported everyone and was always there to give an encouraging word.

Marc Gilkerson created a beautiful spade bit for the award. The bit was also engraved on the inside of the shanks with flowers and the inscription, ‘In Memory of Carolyn Hammond’. “It was probably the best work I’ve ever done,’ Marc said of the bit. ‘We plan on giving the award every year.”

Jim Paul was the winner of what he calls the ‘good guy award’. “I try to help people when I can. It’s always nice to know that someone likes you. It’s wonderful to win this. Marc wants me to ride it (the award bit) but it’s pretty special and right now it’s on the mantel. Everything about Sherri is special to us. We were one of those lucky enough to know her. When I think of her I remember a quote that reminds me of her, ‘many are called but few are chosen’.”

The Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Spectacular is more than just another horse show. It’s a coming together of friends to honor a friend and horsewoman who embodied the epitome of sportsmanship. Two associations working harmoniously, blending their talents to produce a well run event at a beautiful facility. To top it off, the cattle and ground were good.

The Sherri Gilkerson Scholarships for 2009 were given to three very deserving NRCHYA members. Continued support was awarded to the two previous winners, Bryan Luark, Kayla Irby and for 2009 Kelsey Kenson was added. The scholarships are funded by the profits of the Spectacular and donations, another way the associations keep giving back.

AZRCHA President Mike Doud did an excellent job along with the Casner Refreshment Stand folks for cooking and providing a wonderful BBQ. “The dinner and award ceremony were great. Good food, and it didn’t last too long.”

“Without Linda Mars and Pedigree’s generous contributions and those of our other major sponsors it would be very difficult to put this show on.” Through these donations the SRCHA and AzRCHA were able to create the Pedigree Award, a crystal vase engraved with the horse, rider and owners names. It’s an award for the Open Bridle champions when they turn over the Bronze Boots Traveling Trophy so they have something to commemorate their win.

“We thank everyone for making this such a special event that everyone loves to attend and donate to. Check the Arizona web site; www.azrcha.com and the Southern California web site; www.scrcha.com for 2010 news and future 2009 events.”

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