Cutting
Jake Telford and Shady Lil Starlight Win Open Bridle Sweepstakes at 2009
By Savannah Howell
Apr 27, 2009, 10:46

Jake Telford has ridden Shady Lil Starlight to win major titles in Open Hackamore and Open Two Rein competition. On Saturday, April 25, at the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic, the Caldwell, Idaho, trainer piloted the 7-year-old stallion to his first bridle earnings, winning the Open Bridle Sweepstakes.

The pair had actually competed a few weeks earlier for the first time in the bridle, but Telford admitted that pilot error had kept them out of contention for a win. "I really over-showed him this last time. I had several mistakes then," he explained. "Today I just told myself to relax, and he was really good."

In the rein work, the pair marked a 149.5, and followed that with an
impressive 152 in the cow work for a 301.5 total. The win netted a check for
$5,460, adding to the stallions already impressive career earnings of
$40,000.

"I wish I knew what made him such a consistent winner," Telford said
modestly of the Grays Starlight stallion, owned by Holy Cow Performance
Horses. "If I could figure that out, I'd be a millionaire training horses."

Reigning NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman Champions Russell Dilday
and Topsails Rien Maker took Reserve honors, marking a 147 in the rein work
and 148 in the cow work for a 295 total. The accomplished trainer and his
successful stallion, who he owns in partnership with Kevin Cantrelle,
collected $4,368. Topsails Rien Maker is by Topsail Cody and out of Jameen
Gay.

In the Limited Open division, Ty Rohrbaugh rode Peppys Prize Freckle
to top honors, earning $1,500 for Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch. The 21-year-old
trainer, who works for Kevin and Karen Stallings, was quick to say that
riding the 13-year-old gelding has improved his showing. "He's been around
the block, and he knows what he's doing," said Rohrbaugh. "He's teaching me
a lot and I'm grateful that I get to ride him."

The judges awarded Rohrbaugh and Peppys Prize Freckle a score of
139.5, and in the cow work they received a 139. "He felt really good in the
rein work. There was one stop that he got a little stuck in the ground, but
it was ok. In the cow work he was a little strong, but he had a huge second
turn and circled up better than he ever has," Rohrbaugh noted.

The Limited Open Reserve title winner was Becky Holman riding her
horse, Saturday Night Dual. Holman and Dual earned a 275 total, collected
$900.

The NRCHA Hackamore Classic is held at the Paso Robles Event Center
in Paso Robles, California. The Hackamore Classic, one of the association's
premier events, runs thru April 26.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, celebrating its 60th Anniversary
in 2009, 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 John Deere,
Adequan(r), Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist
Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse
News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel/Resort, Fort Dodge
West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and
EQUIOXX, and the Silver Legacy Hotel, 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

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