Working Cowhorse
Hackamore Classic Non-Pro Champions Crowned
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| Tammy Jo Hays guided Two Kitties to the Non-Pro Hackamore Classic Championship. |
Non-Pro Champion: Tammy Jo Hays and Two Kitties
Tammy Jo Hays won her second consecutive National Reined Cow Horse Association Premier Event title when she piloted Two Kitties (Smooth As A Cat x SR Jaguar x Doc O'Lena) to the Hackamore Classic Non-Pro Championship Friday, May 3 in Pueblo, Colo., barely a month after claiming the NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro win in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"I'm speechless. It hasn't even sunk in that I won the Stakes, and then to win this too - I have to thank God, every time. Things like this don't happen without God's intervention," she said.
Hays, Nocona, Texas, and the 4-year-old mare she owns in partnership with her father, Walter Greeman, scored a 430 composite (141 herd/143 rein/146 fence). They took home a check for $2,827, a Gist buckle, a custom sheet from Classic Equine, a pair of boots from Rios of Mercedes, and a cooler and gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
May 14, 2013, 01:39
Working Cowhorse
Chris Dawson Sweeps Top Two Placings In Hackamore Classic Open
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| A Spoonful O Sugar, owned by Cryin Coyote Ranch, wins the NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open with Chris Dawson in the saddle. |
Chris Dawson's charmed show season continued at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic in Pueblo, Colo., when he won the Open Championship aboard Cryin Coyote Ranch's A Spoonful O Sugar (Hes A Peptospoonful x Poco Smokum Oak x Smokum Oak) and took the Reserve Championship aboard his own horse, Travelin Jonez (Smart Chic Olena x Travelin With Sass x Travalena).
"This is officially a lucky shirt. It's not going anywhere," Dawson said, when asked about his vivid pink shirt - the same one he wore to the winners' circle at the NRCHA Celebration of Champions Derby and the NRCHA Stakes earlier this year. At the Derby, Dawson was first and second on the same two horses in reverse order, and he won the Stakes Championship on Travelin Jonez.
Dawson, Jacksboro, Texas, has often said either Travelin Jonez or A Spoonful O Sugar has the ability to win on any given day, and was happy to deliver the good news to Danny and Sherri Rumph of Cryin Coyote Ranch.
May 14, 2013, 01:34
Working Cowhorse
Hackamore Classic Champions: Open Novice Horse and Level 1 Limited Open
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| Smart Time Tucker, owned by David and Barbara Archer, won the Hackamore Classic Open Novice Horse Championship with Lyn Anderson in the saddle. |
He has been a bit of a late bloomer, but Smart Time Tucker (Somebody Smart x Smoke Time Tuck x Doc Tom Tucker), a 5-year-old gelding shown by Lyn Anderson and owned by David and Barbara Archer, came into his own to win the NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open Novice Horse Championship Saturday, May 4 in Pueblo, Colo.
Anderson, Madera, Calif., guided "Will" to a composite 431 score (143.5 herd/142.5 rein/145 cow) to win the Novice Horse title. It paid $2,915, including go-round money, and came with a Gist buckle and custom sheet from Classic Equine. Smart Time Tucker also tied for 11th place in the Hackamore Classic Open, collecting another $1,995.
"He's still a little immature, but he feels good in the hackamore. That's why I entered him in the Open and the Novice," Anderson said. "The Novice is a really good place for a horse that is just a little bit behind, or not quite up to the Open standard. A horse like him would stay home if he didn't have someplace to show where he could be competitive."
The 5-year-old gelding turned in three solid performances in all phases of competition in Pueblo.
May 14, 2013, 01:26
Working Cowhorse
Todd Bergen Rides Smart Luck to NRCHA Stakes Open Bridle Championship
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| NRCHA Stakes Open Bridle Spectacular Champions Todd Bergen and Smart Luck, owned by Cable Creek Ranch. |
The reined cow horse world's finest athletes, the bridle horses, claimed the spotlight Friday night at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev., as riders chased the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Bridle Spectacular Championship.
The grueling three-event test, herd work, rein work and cow work, drew 28 dynamic performers who left nothing on the table as they spun, slid and chased testy cattle down the fence.
A familiar horse and rider pair topped the results sheet to claim the Championship - Smart Luck (Very Smart Remedy x Gunna Be Lucky), shown by leading NRCHA professional Todd Bergen, Eagle Point, Ore., for owner Cable Creek Ranch. They scored a total 659.5 on three events (218 herd/222.5 rein/219 cow) to earn $6,650, a CR Morrison Trophy and Gist buckle from the NRCHA, and a $50 gift certificate and cooler bag from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
It was only the second time for Smart Luck, a 7-year-old stallion, to show in the bridle. His first outing was in June 2012, at the NRCHA Derby, where he and Bergen won the Holy Cow Performance Horses Open Bridle Spectacular. The Championship in Las Vegas elevated Smart Luck's career earnings nearly to the $200,000 mark.
Apr 16, 2013, 02:50
Working Cowhorse
Tammy Hays Wins NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro Championship on Two Kitties
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| NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro Champion Tammy Hays with her husband, Open Stakes Finalist Shawn Hays, and Two Kitties (Smooth As A Cat x SR Jaguar). |
Tammy Jo Hays is an accomplished non-pro cow horse competitor with numerous titles on her resume, including the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby Non-Pro Championship and the 2012 NRCHA Futurity Intermediate Non-Pro Championship. But the NRCHA Stakes had not historically been kind to the Nocona, Texas, horsewoman; she had never qualified for the Non-Pro finals at this event.
Hays broke her Stakes curse with a vengeance in Las Vegas, Nev., when she rode her mare, Two Kitties (Smooth As A Cat x SR Jaguar) owned in partnership with her father, Walter Greeman, to the Stakes Non-Pro Championship with a total 646.5, earning $6,474. The title also came with a Bob's Custom Saddle, Gist buckle and CR Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA; a pair of boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes; and a $50 gift certificate and cooler bag sponsored by Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
"I'm thrilled! I'm blessed beyond my wildest dreams," Hays said. "I'm really proud of my horse."
The NRCHA Champion Sire Award, a $1,000 check and CR Morrison Trophy, goes to the Manion Ranch, who owns Two Kitties' sire, Smooth As A Cat, and enrolled him in the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program.
Apr 16, 2013, 02:47
Working Cowhorse
Shelly Franklin Wins NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship on A Dazzlin Prize
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| NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular Champion Shelly Franklin |
Shelly Franklin, Camarillo, Calif., shared some "girl time" with her mare, A Dazzlin Prize (Smokums Prize x Two B Dazzled) before they competed in the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular in Las Vegas, Nev.
"I went up to her this morning, and she looked at me and put her head in the middle of my chest. I laughed and then gave her a kiss on the head. We just have a good relationship," Franklin said.
Franklin's typical show nerves did not bother her much Friday as she rode "Mitzy" to a total 637.5 score (212 herd/216.5 rein/209 cow), winning the NRCHA Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship. The title came with a $3,420 check, a CR Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA, and a $50 gift certificate and cooler bag sponsored by Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
Apr 16, 2013, 02:45
Working Cowhorse
Horse Show Class Champions Crowned at NRCHA Stakes
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| Limited Open Bridle Champion Matt Kelly and his wife, Lisa. |
The headline event at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes in Las Vegas, Nev., is for the 4- and 5-year offspring of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions,but the Hackamore and Two Rein horses took center stage Thursday night at the South Point Equestrian Center, marking some big scores in the hunt for paychecks and trophies.
In the Limited Open Hackamore class, Surprized By Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Little Miraclena), owned and shown by Adam Bradley, worked his way to the Championship with a 266.5 (138.5 rein/218 cow), earning $1,375 and a CR Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA.
The Youth Bridle title went to Josh Valdez, Alamosa, Colo., riding Jac Be Light (Jac Daniels Neat x Spooky Lucy), with a 280 (140 rein/140 cow), earning $537.50, a CR Morrison Trophy, and a $50 gift certificate and cooler from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
The Youth Limited Champion was Kelsey Lynch, who piloted Dual Awhittle Doceye (Doc O Wena x Jackie Band), owned by Lauren Lynch, to a 279.5 (137 rein/142.5 cow), earning $240 and a CR Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA.
Apr 16, 2013, 02:23
Working Cowhorse
Matt Koch Rides SDP Blue Blood to Stakes Intermediate Open Championship; Kelby Phillips and Shes Wright On claim Limited Open
As Matt Koch rode SDP Blue Blood (Laredo Blue x I Got Good Genes) in the NRCHA Stakes finals in Las Vegas, Nev., Saturday night, he followed the advice and encouragement of his friend, Chris Dawson - a wise choice, as Dawson ultimately won the Stakes Open Championship. Koch also finished in fine fashion, piloting SDP Blue Blood, owned by K & H Performance Horses, to a total 653 score (219 herd/216.5 rein/217.5 cow), good for the Stakes Intermediate Open Championship and a three-way tie for Reserve in the Open.
"Chris kept saying, 'It's the finals, just let it all hang out!' So, in the herd work, I cut my first cow and just put my hand down and cut one-handed, all three cows, and he was really good. Same thing in the rein work. I watched Chris go first, and he was wide-open and going, so we tried the same thing and it worked. We survived the cow work and ended up here! Chris has been here before, and I'm pretty new to it all, so I'm just listening and taking lessons," Koch said, smiling.
Apr 16, 2013, 02:22
Working Cowhorse
Chris Dawson Captures NRCHA Stakes Open Championship on Travelin Jonez
Chris Dawson, Jacksboro, Texas, claimed the NRCHA Stakes Open Championship Saturday night at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nev., aboard his own horse, Travelin Jonez (Smart Chic Olena x Travelin With Sass x Travalena). Dawson piloted the 5-year-old stallion to a 664.5 composite score (221 herd/218 rein/225.5).
"Everything just came together. It was unbelievable," Dawson said.
The Stakes win continued Dawson's hot streak which began in January in San Angelo, Texas, when he won the NRCHA Celebration of Champions Derby on Travelin Jonez, and also piloted A Spoonful O Sugar (Hes A Peptospoonful x Poco Smokum Oak), owned by Cryin Coyote Ranch, to the Reserve Championship.
Apr 2, 2013, 16:36
Working Cowhorse
Thank You to New NRCHA Non-Pro Limited Added Money Sponsors Gardiner Quarter Horses & Hes Wright On!
The National Reined Cow Horse Association will offer added money in several Non-Pro Limited divisions at its Premier Events in 2013, thanks to the generous support from Gardiner Quarter Horses, owned and operated by Garth and Amanda Gardiner. The Ashland, Kan., facility is also the home of the Gardiners' champion cow horse stallion Hes Wright On. The Non-Pro Limited Derby, Non-Pro Limited Futurity and Non-Pro Limited horse show class at NRCHA Premier Events all will benefit from the Gardiners' contribution.
The Non-Pro Limited Derby, a herd work, reined work and boxing division for Limited riders and their 4- and 5-year-old cow horses, debuted last year. Previously, the class paid on a jackpot-only basis. The Gardiner Quarter Horses/Hes Wright On sponsorship will add $1,000 in added money to the Non-Pro Limited Derby at the NRCHA Stakes, the Hackamore Classic and the Derby.
Mar 15, 2013, 00:43
Working Cowhorse
Important NRCHA Stakes Entry Deadline Reminder
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes is fast approaching. The show is coming up March 26 - 30, and will be held for the first time at the fabulous SouthPoint Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
To avoid a late fee, Stakes entries must have had a postmark of Friday, March 1, 2013.
This deadline applies to the Stakes Limited Age Event for enrolled 4- and 5-year old horses only. Exhibitors in the Stakes horse show classes have until FRIDAY, March 15, 2013 to submit their entries.
Mar 2, 2013, 11:55
Working Cowhorse
Reduced Entry Fees at 2013 Hackamore Classic
The National Reined Cow Horse Board of Directors has announced a reduction in entry fees for several divisions at the upcoming NRCHA Hackamore Classic May 1 - 5, 2013, in Pueblo, Colo. The Board approved the proposal at its regular meeting Friday, February 22 in Pilot Point, Texas.
The new fee structure will be:
Open: $1,200 (previously $1,400)
Intermediate Open: $300 (previously $450)
Limited Open: $300 (previously $450)
Non Pro: $900 (previously $1,200)
Amateur: $500 (previously $650)
Non Pro Limited: $500 (previously $650)
NRCHA Director and Treasurer Jerry Peters was the chief author of the new fee structure.
Feb 27, 2013, 14:32
Working Cowhorse
NRCHA Unveils "Run To Reno" for Non-Pro and Youth Riders
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| Youth Bridle competitor Kelly Valdez and Smart Tic Tack make a scorching fence run. The new "Run To Reno" rewards the top cow work scores in all Non-Pro, Youth and Non-Pro Limited horse show classes at NRCHA Premier Events! |
"Run To Reno," an exciting new fence work and boxing-only competition for Non-Pro riders, joins the lineup at the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Premier Events in 2013!
"Run To Reno" is open to all Non-Pro and Youth riders who compete in any of the horse show class divisions - Bridle, Hackamore, Two Rein or Limited - at the NRCHA Stakes, Hackamore Classic Show #1, Derby or Snaffle Bit Futurity. At the Stakes, Hackamore Classic and Derby, riders with the top eight fence work scores and top eight boxing scores will be invited back for a special cow-work-only "Run To Reno" qualifying competition at these shows. There will be no additional fees for the top eight competitors to show in each qualifying event, and participation is optional.
When the qualifier is complete, the high-scoring run in each division - fence work and boxing - will receive a $500 payout, and the top four fence work and top four boxing riders will be invited to compete in the "Run To Reno Shootout" during the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada. The top four fence work and boxing scores in the Non-Pro and Youth horse show classes at the Snaffle Bit Futurity also will qualify for the "Run To Reno Shootout."
Feb 27, 2013, 14:24
Working Cowhorse
Entry Fees Shrink, Added Money Grows for Non-Pro Limited Derby & Futurity Divisions
Big news for Amateur and Non-Pro Limited Derby and Futurity competitors in 2013!
It will cost less to enter - and you could win a bigger check - at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, Hackamore Classic, Derby and Snaffle Bit Futurity.
For the first time, the Non-Pro Limited and Amateur divisions will offer added money! Previously, those classes paid on a jackpot basis. Thanks to generous sponsor support, $500 in added money will sweeten the pot for the Amateur Derby and $1,000 in the Non-Pro Limited Derby divisions at the Stakes, Hackamore Classic and Derby.
At the Snaffle Bit Futurity, the Amateur Futurity will feature $1,000 in added money, and the new Non-Pro Limited Futurity has $2,000 added.
Feb 26, 2013, 15:27
Working Cowhorse
Stuart Bozeman, Merada In Style 09 Sweep NRCHA Celebration of Champions Non Pro and Level 1 Limited Open Derby
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions Derby in San Angelo, Texas, exceeded Stuart Bozeman's wildest expectations. The Idalou, Texas, competitor made a clean sweep of the four Non Pro Derby divisions and also won the Level 1 Limited Open Championship - five titles in all.
In the Derby Non Pro, Bozeman, 30, piloted his 2009 gelding, Merada In Style 09 (Cats Merada x Stylish In White) to a 144 in the herd work and the rein work, to win both rounds in all the Non Pro and Amateur divisions. Then, he earned the high-scoring cow work, a 147.5, for a 435.5 composite.
Bozeman had to make another set of runs on "Squiggy" in the Level 1 Limited Open, where he once again topped the herd work round with a 142.5 and won the rein work with a 144. He had the second-high cow work score, a 139. His 425.5 won the Level 1 Championship.
Feb 8, 2013, 15:43
Working Cowhorse
Chris Dawson Wins Big at NRCHA Celebration of Champions Derby
Chris Dawson, Jacksboro, Texas, knew he had two good derby horses in Travelin Jonez (Smart Chic Olena x Travelin With Sass) and A Spoonful O Sugar (Hes A Peptospoonful x Poco Smokum Oak), and he proved it Sunday, Jan. 27 at the Celebration of Champions in San Angelo, Texas.
Dawson won the Celebration of Champions Derby Open title aboard his own horse, Travelin Jonez, with a total score of 440.5 (herd: 146/rein: 142.5/cow: 152). He also took the Reserve Championship on Cryin' Coyote Ranch's mare, A Spoonful O Sugar, with a 440 (herd: 147/rein: 145.5/cow: 147.5).
Dawson's combined paychecks totaled Sandy Jirkovsky and her son, Chris Dawson. Jirkovsky, a judge's scribe at the Celebration of Champions, nervously marked her son's winning Derby runs on Sunday.$16,615. He also won a pair of Gist buckles sponsored by Smart Boons and Kevin and Sydney Knight, monogrammed jackets from Gardiner Quarter Horses, and $50 gift certificates from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.
Feb 8, 2013, 14:57
Working Cowhorse
Mattie Neal Pilots Instantee to Non Pro Limited World Championship in San Angelo, Texas
Pilot Point, Texas, competitor scores a 435.5 to win $2,313 and Bob's Custom Saddle!
When Mattie Neal first started riding three years ago, she vowed she would never work a cow. "Never say never," as the saying goes - Neal won the National Reined Cow Horse Association Non Pro Limited World Championship at Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 30, scoring a 435.5 (220.5 rein/215 cow) aboard her gelding, Instantee (Tejons Peppy Doc x Suddenly Shiney).
The World Championship paid $2,313 and came with a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by NRCHA, a Gist custom buckle sponsored by Smart Boons and Kevin and Sydney Knight, a pair of boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes and a commemorative World Finals bandage bag from NRCHA.
"He had his head in the game today," Neal, 23, said of her gelding, Instantee, known around the barn as "Tyson."
Feb 7, 2013, 10:06
Working Cowhorse
Jake Telford Rides Nabisco Roan to Open Two Rein Championship
The Idaho Million-Dollar Rider wins $4,928 and a Bob's Custom Saddle
Million-Dollar Rider Jake Telford, Caldwell, Idaho, rode Nabisco Roan (Boonlight Dancer x Crackin), a 2006 stallion owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses, to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Two Rein World Championship with a score of 221.5 in the rein work and 223.5 in the cow work. The 445 composite garnered a $4,927 paycheck, a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by the NRCHA, a Gist buckle sponsored by Smart Boons and Kevin and Sydney Knight, a pair of boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes, a $50 gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies and a commemorative World Finals bandage bag from the NRCHA.
It was the latest in a long string of Open Two Rein victories for Telford and the roan stallion, who captured Championships in that division at every NRCHA Premiere Event in 2012.
Jan 31, 2013, 22:53
Working Cowhorse
Suzon Schaal & Genuine Brown Gal Win Intermediate Non Pro Bridle World Championship in San Angelo, Texas
Schaal scored a 429.5 for $2,490 and a Bob's Custom Saddle
Last to show and first on the results sheet - for the second year in a row, Suzon Schaal, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, won the National Reined Cow Horse Association Intermediate Non Pro Bridle World Championship aboard her mare, Genuine Brown Gal (Listo Pollito Lena x Genuine Emerald).
Schaal was the final entry in the set of 10 finalists at Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas. She piloted "Genna" to a 217.5 in the rein work and 212 in the cow work. The 429.5 composite earned the World Championship title and a check for $2,490. Schaal also won a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by the NRCHA, a Gist buckle sponsored by Smart Boons and Kevin and Sydney Knight, a pair of boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes and a commemorative World Finals bandage bag from the NRCHA.
"She seems to like it down here!" Schaal said, laughing. "We had the best rein work we've had all week, so I was really happy with that. She stopped hard and everything felt good. I was a little worried about the cow; it was a hard runner and things didn't go as planned. It didn't have a lot of respect, and when I went to turn it on the fence, it fell down."
Jan 31, 2013, 15:43
Working Cowhorse
Scott Trueblood, Just Plain Hip Win Non Pro Two Rein World Championship
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| Just Plain Hip with his owner/breeders, Darnell (left) and Scott Trueblood. |
Ducor, Calif., horseman scores a 420.5 to win $1,950 and a Bob's Custom Saddle!
It was the first time Scott Trueblood, Ducor, Calif., had shown at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions, and he made it a memorable trip, winning the Non Pro Two Rein World Championship title aboard Just Plain Hip (Hickorys Indian Pep x Miss Plain Plain), a 7-year-old gelding he raised and owns with his wife, Darnell.
Trueblood piloted "Indy" to scores of 209 in the rein work and 211.5 in the cow work. The 420.5 combined score was good for a $1,950 paycheck, a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by the NRCHA, a Gist buckle sponsored by Smart Boons and Kevin and Sydney Knight, a pair of boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes and a commemorative World Finals bandage bag from the NRCHA.
Jan 31, 2013, 12:22
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