Annie Reynolds Wins Non Pro Championship and Reserve Titles at Jack & Pheobe Cooke NRCHA Derby

In nearly every event at the 2012 National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack and Phoebe Cooke Derby in Paso Robles, Calif., there was a horse at or near the top of the results sheet with some connection to NRCHA Million-Dollar Rider Annie Reynolds. She won the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular on More Magic Please, a horse she raised. She raised the Open Bridle Spectacular Champion, Smart Luck, who is by her stallion, Very Smart Remedy. Reynolds is the breeder and owner of the Derby third-place horse, Very Shiney, also by Very Smart Remedy, and shown by Phillip Ralls. To top it all off, Reynolds won the Non Pro Derby Championship and Reserve Championship on two home-bred Very Smart Remedy daughters owned by her mother, Joyce Pearson.

"It's been a great show. I think this is the first time I've been first and second at the Derby, so that was a big thrill as well. It was fun to win the Bridle Spectacular and awesome to see Very Shiney do so well, and amazing to see Smart Luck continue to shine," the King Hill, Idaho, competitor said.

Smart As Sister is out of Teena Cash Flo by Nu Cash, and Smart Magic Trick is out of Magical Lena by Little Lenas Legend. Going into the fence work, Reynolds was leading the Non Pro Derby on Smart As Sister, but she ended up winning the Championship in a come-from-behind fence work triumph on Smart Magic Trick.

"In the fence work, we actually got a new cow. Our first cow was on the hook. Our second cow came out and it was on the hook, too but we changed its mind and were able to roll with it. it was really fast and my horse was just on it. We got two big turns on the fence and went to the center and circled. We ended up with a 222, and I was thrilled with that," Reynolds said.

She thanked her herd help, Todd Bergen, Ted Robinson, Jake Telford and Jon Roeser, and her assistant trainer, Ryan Thomas.

"Ryan is unequalled in his ability to stay on a lot of different things, and have two horses in the finals and have it all go smoothly," Reynolds said.

The Championship paid $7,244 and came with a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by Tammy Fink, a CowTrac system from CowTrac, a Gist Silversmiths buckle from NRCHA, ten pounds of UltraCruz Equine Wellness/Joint Care supplement from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, a pair of boots from Rios of Mercedes, and a C.R. Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA.

The NRCHA Derby was renamed the Jack and Phoebe Cooke NRCHA Derby on Saturday night during the Platinum Performance dinner. According to NRCHA Sponsor Committee Chairman, the change was made to honor the longtime benefactors and reined cow horse supporters for their commitment to the reined cow horse industry.

The Reserve Championship paid $5,669, and came with ten pounds of UltraCruz Equine Wellness/Joint Care supplement from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance Company, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, Merial products UlcerGard and EQUIOXX and Clinton Anderson's Downunder Horsemanship, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today's equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.