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MATT GAINES IS “COUNTIN CHECKS” IN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE

By Glory Ann Kurtz

March 23, 2007 – Abilene, Texas

Cory Pounds

Coming into the Bonanza Cutting, Cats Quixote Jack, a son of High Brow Cat out of Oh Cay With Me by Oh Cay Quixote, owned by Andy and Karen Beckstein, Uniondale, Ind., had only been shown twice, winning over $43,362; however, he had never won a championship.

The Bonanza Cutting changed all that, with the stallion, ridden by Kory Pounds, Newport Coast, Calif., winning the top score of 224.5 in the 20-horse finals. The pair earned $25,005.95, making the 4-year-old’s total earnings $68,367.95. Cats Quixote Jack’s prior earnings included $40,362 from the NCHA Open Futurity and a $3,000 paycheck from the South Point Winter Championship Derby.

The Bonanza Cutting, celebrating their 25th anniversary, was held March 13-21 in Abilene, Texas. With $109,000 in added money, the event included a Derby for 4-year-olds, sired by Bonanza-subscribed stallions, and 5/6-Year-Old division, which was Open to any horse. Open, Non-Pro, Amateur classes were held, with gelding awards given within the Open finals.

Winston Hansma

The Reserve championship of the 4-Year-Old Division was split, with Winston Hansma, Weatherford, Texas, riding CD Peptofilly, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of CD Fillylena by CD Olena, owned by David Anderson, Calgary, Alb., Canada, winning the most money. John Wold, Argyle, Texas, rode Starcat Merada, a son of High Brow Cat out of Merada Lena by Freckles Merada, owned by the Furst Ranch, Bartonville, Texas, also scoring a 219 in the finals.  Hansma took home $19,739.46, after placing second in a go-round while Wold took home $18,739.46. Both horses were chalking up their first paydays.

Also taking home his first lifetime paycheck was Scootin N Bermuda, a son of Smart Lil Scoot out of Playin In Bermuda by Playgun. Owned by Howard Sutton, Oil City, La., and ridden by Mackie Hursh, Colorado City, Texas, the pair won $1,890 for being the leading gelding. Go-round winners included BSR Cat, a High Brow Cat out of Cinderella Starlight by Grays Starlight, owned by Bob Kingsley, Weatherford, Texas, and ridden by Matt Gaines and Ristos Fair Lady, a daughter of Smart Aristocrat out of Cat N Gail by High Brow Cat, owned by Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, and ridden by their new Australian trainer Aaron Wheatley.

Mark Pearson

The championship of the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Division was split between Mark Pearson, Spearman, Texas, riding Clifford Rey, and Skip Queen, Weatherford, Texas, riding Dual Badge. Both scored a 218 in the finals, however, Pearson won the first go-round and finished second in the second go-round, plus the gelding award, taking home a $14,362.29 total paycheck. Queen pocketed $11,632.29, after he won the second go-round.

Skip Queen

Clifford Rey is sired by Dual Rey out of Flo Little Lena by Smart Little Lena, while Dual Badge is sired by Playboys Badge out of Dualin by Dual Pep. The go-rounds were a dual between the two horses as Clifford Rey won the first go-round, while Dual Badge captured the honors in the second go.

Judy and George Manor

Amateur Judy Manor, Millsap, Texas, had come close, but she had never won an aged-event championship until she showed in the finals of the $50,000 Amateur at the Bonanza Cutting. Riding Little Leos Starlite, a son of Soula Jule Star out of Little Leos Hickory by Smart Little Lena, Manor scored a 218 in the finals, winning a clear-cut victory and a $3,395.10 paycheck. The first go-round had been won by Ray Baldwin of Waco Bend Ranch, Fort Worth, Texas, riding CD Boonsmal, a son of CD Olena out of Poosmal by Peptoboonsmal, while Manor finished second. However, in the finals, the places switched with Baldwin taking second and the $2,656.07 check.

With $16,600 in aged-event earnings to date, Little Leos Starlite had been ridden by Manor at the South Point Winter Championship Amateur Derby, tying for the championship. However, the pair lost a work-off and had to be content with the reserve title. They also placed in the Amateur Division of the 2006 NCHA Futurity, placed sixth at Augusta in the $100,000 Amateur and split third and fourth at the Abilene Spectacular in the $50,000 Amateur. CD Boonsmal now has a grand total of $92,326 in aged-event earnings, which includes the championship of the 2006 South Point Open Futurity.

5/6-Year-Old Division

Matt Gaines

Matt Gaines was definitely counting his checks at the Bonanza, winning the first go-round and the finals on Im Countin Checks, a 5-year-old stallion by Smart Lil Ricochet out of Autumn Boon by Dual Pep, owned by Tommy Manion, Inc., Aubrey, Texas. The pair took home a total of $21,587.47, giving the stallion over $283,221 in lifetime earnings. The pair’s largest checks came for a third in the 2006 NCHA Futurity and the Reserve Championship title at the 2006 Breeders Invitational Derby.

The Reserve title and $15,135.94 went to Lil Lady Playmaker, a 6-year-old daughter of Smart Lil Paradign out of Lady Playmaker by Freckles Playboy, ridden by Brett Davis. Owned by Jeffrey Fuquay, Jefferson, Texas, the mare has current earnings of over $36,338, and the Bonanza check was the largest and also was her first championship.

The champion gelding was Cats Royal Jewel, a 5-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of Lenas Jewelette by Doc O’Lena, owned by Robert and Connie Rust, Gordon, Texas, ridden by Robert. The second go-round was won by Sean Flynn riding Neat Little Cat, a stallion by High Brow Cat out of Neat little may by Smart Little Lena, owned by Jim and Judy Spaulding, Rocky Ford, Colo.

Paula Wood, Stephenville, Texas, rode Donas Cool Cat, her 6-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Sweet Peppy Again by Peppy San Badger, to the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro title with her 223 finals score. The mare currently has earnings of $125,455, which includes the championship of the Non-Pro 2006 NCHA Finals. The pair won $14,518.76 at the Bonanza, which included a second place in the second go-round.

Winning the first go-round and taking the Reserve title was Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, riding Reytilda, her 6-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Lost The Farm by Doc’s Hickory. The pair has now won over $125,138, which includes the Reserve Non-Pro title at the 2007 Augusta Futurity 5&6/year-old Non-Pro.

The gelding champion was CD Hombre, a son of CD Olena out of Hickory Prescription by Doc’s Hickory, owned and ridden by Skip Queen, Weatherford, Texas. The pair also finished fifth in the finals, for a total paycheck of $8,649.40.  The gelding has now won over $140,800, including a 9/10th split in the Non-Pro of the 2005 NCHA Futurity.

Marty Prellwitz, Weatherford, Texas, won the $50,000 Amateur division of the 5/6-Year-Old division riding Kathys Jewel, a 6-year-old daughter of Dualin Jewels out of Kathleen Dry by Dry Doc. The mare scored a 217, for $3,649.38, and now has lifetime earnings over $39,000. This was the pair’s first championship.

The Reserve title went to Paul McGeehee, Lipan, Texas, riding Macs Dry Betsy, a 6-year-old daughter of Quixote Mac out of Betsy Dry Doc by Dry Doc. The pair scored a 216.5 and took home their first aged-event paycheck of $2,959.56.

IT’S A “LONG” DAY AT PASO ROBLES

TOM AND JILL LONG WIN DERBY TITLES

March 19, 2007, Paso Robles, Calif.

Tom Long

One day after his wife, Jill, won the non-pro Division of the Pacific Coast Cutting Horse Association (PCCHA) Derby, Tom Long, Gardnerville, Nev., wrapped up the Open Derby title riding Purely Gorgeous, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Purely Smart by Smart Little Lena. The pair took home $13,336 for their 219 finals score. Jill rode Cats Gotta Diamond, a son of High Brow Cat out of Diamond J Starlight by Grays Starlight, winning $4,555 for their 217 finals score.

The event, held March 10-17, 2007 at the Paso Robles Events Center, Paso Robles, Calif., featured over 800 entries from several states. It not only included aged events, with a variety of divisions, but also a Ranch Invitational Cutting and an Invitational Celebrity Stick Horse Cutting. The PCCHA has moved its two 2007 signature shows to Paso Robles. The second event will take place in late October.

Derby:

Tom drew up first in the finals, admitting that was usually not a good draw. However, he had to agree the draw turned out for the best. “Today it worked just the opposite,” said Tom. “I knew this mare could make a run and she did. It was a tough class.”

Purely Gorgeous is owned by Coy Sanders’ Cutter Ridge Ranch LLC, also from Gardnerville.

But Jill had a much bigger problem than Tom, as during the preliminary competition, she suffered an injury that left her with five stitches and two black eyes. As she was leaving the arena, her horse kicked out at another horse while she was removing his protective leg boots. The blow caught Jill right between her eyes.

Although someone else had to warm up her horse for the finals, Jill said “It all turned out fine. He’s just a really, really good horse. If I get my cows cut, he will always do his job. I’ve waited a long time to show another really great horse like him.”

Classic/Challenge:

Tim Smith

Tim Smith, Temecula, Calif., rode four horses in the 16-horse Open Classic/Challenge Finals, earning four of the top-five cumulative scores in the preliminaries. Smith also carried the highest cumulative score of 444 going into the final round on Fancy Frostina, as the pair had won both go-rounds, then  scored a 227 to win the championship. The 6-year-old daughter of Smart little Lena out of SPL Altisimo by Sugar Pep Leo is owned by Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas.

“This mare works really good in this arena,” said Smith, who won the Wine Country Derby in this arena last fall. “And she’s better on tough cows, which these were today. If things are too easy, her mind will wander. Smith claims the run was one of the hardest runs of his career and the win put Fancy Frostina’s lifetime earnings over the $100,000 mark.

Dana Heinrich

The Non-Pro Challenge championship was won by Dana Heinrich, Fresno, Calif., on her bay mare Precious Lil Pearl, sired by Travalena out of Docs Precious Pepy by Peppy San Badger. The pair turned in an exciting run that earned them a big score of 224 and a $7,356 paycheck.

“I cut the three cows my trainer (Scott Weis) told me to cut and it worked out just right,” said Dana. “She was just incredible. She’s a really good mare. I didn’t get to show her as a 3-year-old. But when I brought her from Texas to California in the middle of her 4-year-old year, we really started to come together.”

Heinrich who still owns the mare’s mother raised the 5-year-old mare. Precious Lil Pearl is named after Dana’s late mother-in-law, Pearl. “She was really a special person,” said Dana, “and this is a very special horse to me.”

Other classes:

7-UP:

Dave Costello

The Open 7-Up class, held for horses 7 years of age and over, was won by Flos Jewel, a 7-year-old daughter of Mr Peponita Flo out of Fletchs Jewel by Lenas Jewel Bars, owned by Whitney’s Wild Oak Ranch, Exeter, Calif., ridden by David Costello.The gelding award went to Colonels First Pic, a 1992 gelding by Just Plain Colonel out of Dual Pic by Dual Doc, owned by Time and Diane Smith, ridden by Tim.

John Kratzer

John Kratzer, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., rode Catlight, an 8-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat out of Smart Starlight by Smart Little Lena, owned by John and his wife, Kara, to the Non-Pro 7-Up Finals. Diane Smith rode Colonels First Pic to the gelding award.

The 7-Up Non-Pro Senior was Chip Hanly, Minden, Nev., riding Buddie Hallmark, a 7-year-old gelding by SR Hallmarked out of Ciegil Badger Girl by Peppy San Badger, while Margot Hazell, Livermore, Calif., rode Somebodys Gold, a 1999 palomino gelding by Somebody Smart out of Docs Yellow Hanky by Docs Hanky Pankey, to the $50,000 Amateur and Amateur Gelding 7-Up finals. The Senior Amateur finals was taken by Ulrich Rachner, Kilauea, Hawaii, riding Luminosa Dunny, a 1994 dun daughter of Parkman Bar out of Lumi Doc by Doc’s Prescription.

Derby: Playin The Spoons, a gelding by Hes A Peptospoonful out of Playin Cube by Freckles Playboy, owned by Dave and Lani Miller, Lincoln, Calif., and ridden by Brad Vaughn won the Open Derby Gelding title as well as being Reserve Champion of the Open Derby.

The Non-Pro Derby $200,000 Ltd. Finals was won by Norm Nelson’s Norin Inc., Gonzales, Calif., riding Cee D Fly, a bay gelded son of CD Royal out of Genuine Fly Cee by Genuine Jeep. The Non-Pro Derby Gelding Finals was won by Tom Mertle, Windsor, Calif., riding Hesa Holly Oakie, a 4-year-old gray gelding by Lenas Telesis out of Docs Holly Oakie by Doc’s Oak. The pair was also Reserve Champions of the Non-Pro Derby.

The Derby $50,000 Amateur finals was won by Clarence Williams, Vacaville, Calif., riding Moras Spoonfull, a daughter of Hes A Peptospoonful out of Miss Hickory Pep by Doc’s Hickory.  And Alex Penovaroff, Hilo, Hawaii, rode Misters Lil Pep, a daughter of Mister Dual Pep out of intensive Lil Laura by SR Intensive, to the $50,000 Amateur Senior title.

The $50,000 Amateur Gelding title went to Julie Christensen, Burbank, Calif., riding Pimp My Roan, a son of folks Montaluc out of Peptos Sugar by Peptoboonsmal.

Classic/Challenge: Mr Lizzy, a 5-year-old sorrel gelding by Lizzys Gotta Player out of Stylish Sharon by Docs Stylish Oak, owned by Greg  Reyes, Saratoga, Calif., was ridden by Andrew Coates to the Reserve title in the Open Classic/Challenge. The pair also won the Open Classic Challenge Gelding Finals.

The Non-Pro Classic/Challenge Senior Finals was won by Harry Rogers, Poway, Calif., riding Whittle Lano Lana, a 5-year-old daughter of Doc O Wena out of Little Lano Lena by Smart Little Lena. The pair was also Reserve Champions of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge Finals.

The Non-Pro Classic/Challenge $200,000 Ltd. Finals was taken by Roni Tanner, Salinas, Calif., riding Boo Lou Cat, a 5-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of Smile Ima Lena by Doc O’Lena. The Non-Pro Classic/Challenge $200,000 Ltd. Senior Finals was won by Monte Lamb, San Miguel, Calif., riding Just As Smart, a 5-year-old gelding by Ill Be Smart out of Hi Lida Star by Grays Starlight. The pair also won the $200,000 Ltd. Gelding finals.

The Classic/Challenge $50,000 Amateur Finals was won by Jim Bob Kaufmann, Roseburg, Ore., riding Trona Commander, a 6-year-old daughter of Little Trona out of Peppy Commander by Hesa Commander.

Purina $100,000 Amateur Series: The Purina $100,000 Amateur Series was taken by Kristen Finch, Ojai, Calif., riding Silver Colt, a 9-year-old gray gelding by Smart Little Pistol out of Montanas Lady by Montana Doc.

The eight-day event was sponsored by the Golden Hills Auto Center, owned by Mark Borjon and Fred Roy.

“There have been several of us that have been committed to bring (cutting) shows here to Paso for years,” said Borjon. “We’re thrilled that the PCCHA made the decision to bring their shows here.”

Tim Smith, who won the Open Classic Challenge, agreed, saying, “The town has really been behind the event this week; there’s so much to do here. All in all, this would make a good home for the PCCHA shows. I’m excited about it.”

Cathy Cook, Executive Director of the PCCHA agreed. “The city of Paso Robles has given this event tremendous support,” said Cook. “Mayor Frank Meachum and City Manager Jim App have gone above and beyond and are truly fantastic.”

Cook also expressed her appreciation to Mike Rawitser and the show committee for taking care of every last detail, making the show a success.

RONNIE RICE CAPTURES SOUTH POINT DERBY RIDING MISS CAT OLENA

J. B. MCLAMB WINS CLASSIC/CHALLENGE ON PEPTO RIO PLAYBOY

By Glory Ann Kurtz

March 5, 2007 – Las Vegas, Nev.

The facilities were the great, the horses were outstanding and the event was one of a kind. Where else could entrants and spectators never have to leave a facility and even watch the action on a plasma television screen in their hotel room.

The 16th annual South Point Winter Championships held Feb. 20-March 3 at Michael and Paula Gaughan’s South Point Casino & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas had $171,700 in added money and a total payout of $689,207. The event was held with the MillionHeir Classic, which had a total purse of $1,886,460, making the total payout for the 12 days a whopping $2,575,667.

The event was not the best one for Paula Gaughan and her daughter, Katie, as both of them missed most of the show for health reasons. Paula had two bulging discs in her back and was confined to a wheel chair; however, she directed the show from her room in the hotel. Katie was hospitalized with a kidney stone only days before the event but still managed to show her horse in the go-rounds.

The largest division, with 409 total entries, was the 4-year-old Derby, which paid out $367,367. The largest paycheck was paid to Ronnie Rice who rode Miss Cat Olena for Jim and Laura Bilbrey, Conyers, Ga. The pair scored a 220.5 in the finals of the 157-entry Open Derby and collected $25,000 for his final win.

The 5/6-year-old Classic/Challenge had a total of 362 entries vying for $80,800 in added money and a total purse of $321,840. The 117-entry Open Classic/Challenge champion was J.B. McLamb riding Pepto Rio Playboy for the Brewer Ranch, Weatherford, Texas. The pair scored a whopping 226 in the finals, collecting an $18,000 paycheck.  Matt Gaines, Weatherford, Texas, took the Reserve title in both divisions, riding Lenas Affair to the Derby check and Im Countin Checks for the Classic/Challenge paycheck. Altogether, Matt went home with over $52,000.

Open Derby

Miss Cat Olena, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Thief O Hearts by Peppy San Badger, failed to pick up a check in the two prior go-rounds, however, their win in the finals gave the mare her first championship, with total earnings to date of $27,000. The pair had previously earned $2,000 at the Memphis Open Futurity.

Ronnie Rice rode Miss Cat Olena to the South Point Open Derby Championship

Going into the clean slate finals on top was the Reserve Champion Lenas Affair, a daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Haidas Connection by Haidas Little Pep, ridden by Matt Gaines and owned by Carroll Baggett’s Carrolls Cutting Horses, Turkey, N.C. The pair had scored a 217.5 in the first go and a 219 in the second go for a total of 436.5. However, their 219 score in the finals, gave them the Reserve title.

The mare now has over $33,560 in lifetime earnings, as they finished seventh at the Abilene Spectacular Derby and were Reserve in the $10,000 Novice Horse division. Third place and the gelding title went to CD Graceful Dual, ridden by Clint Allen and owned by Dave and Georgia Husby, Weatherford, Texas.

The first go had been won by LHR Smart Time, a Smart Little Lena stallion out of Times Oak by Doc’s Oak ridden by Phil Hanson and owned by the Lazy H Ranch of Thorp, Weatherford, Texas, with a 220 score.  The pair also won the Open Derby $10,000 Ltd. Horse division. The second go had been won by Play Dually, a stallion by Docs Haida Playboy out of Dees Dually by Dual Pep, ridden by Neil Roger, owned by the Driggers/Rogers Partnership with a 221.5. Gaines and Lenas Affair finished second in the finals, picking up a $21,000 paycheck for the Reserve Championship.

Open Classic/Challenge

Winner of the South Point Open Classic / Challenge was J.B. McLamb riding Pepto Rio Playboy. He is shown with his wife Ginny.

Pepto Rio Playboy, a 6-year-old stallion by Peptoboonsmal out of Barbi Freckles Rio by Freckles Playboy, bred and raised by Tim Brewer, failed to place in either go-round and after two go-rounds had an accumulated total score of 436.5.  The win was especially notable for Brewer, as it was his first time at an aged event since the loss of his wife a couple of years ago. Pepto Rio Playboy has now earned a whopping $96,446.50 and his $18,000 paycheck was the second largest of his career, only topped by the $23,347 he earned in the 2004 NCHA Futurity.

Leading the two go rounds was DMAC Snoop Dog, a 5/6-year-old gelding by CD Olena out of Graciela Dual by Dual Pep, ridden by Gary Gonsalves and owned by Stacy and David McDavid, Fort Worth, Texas, with a 444 total. The pair had won the first go-round with a 224 and was second in the second go with a 220. Winner of the second go, and straight from a win at the Augusta Classic/Challenge was Woody Be Tuff, a 6-year-old stallion by Nitas Wood out of Tuffs Junie by Tuff Lena, owned by Lana Jill Peacock, Wichita Falls, Texas, and ridden by Austin Shepard. The pair scored a 222 for second in the first go and a 220.5,winning the second go.

Matt Gaines was Reserve Champion in both the Open Derby and Open Classic Challenge riding Lenas Affair and Im Countin Checks.

Matt Gaines and Im Countin Checks rebounded in the finals, after not picking up a check in the go-rounds, scoring a 224 for the $15,000 Reserve check. Im Countin Check is, a 5-year-old stallion by Smart Lil Ricochet out of Autumn Boon by Dual Pep, bred by Karen Freeman, Clarksville, Tenn., and owned by Tommy Manion Inc., Aubrey, Texas. The stallion has lifetime earnings of over $261,630, after placing third in the 2005 NCHA Futurity and earning the Reserve title at the 2006 Breeders Invitational Derby. The Gelding title went to Credible Cat owned by Lazy H Ranch of Thorp, Weatherford, Texas, ridden by Phil Hanson, Prineville, Ore., and Weatherford.

Non-Pro Derby

Tim Barry rode Set Em Up Mate to the Non-Pro Derby title.

The 65-entry Non-Pro Derby was won by Tim Barry, a livestock company owner from Byron, Ill., riding Set Em Up Mate, a Smart Mate gelding out of Hickory Durazno by Doc’s Hickory, that he purchased from Pat Fitzgerald.

  The pair took home the $11,000 first-place paycheck for their finals score of 215, giving them lifetime earnings to date of $23,000. The pair also won the Gelding award. Reserve Champion was Julie Hansma, Weatherford, Texas, riding Flo And Tell, a Soula Jule Star gelding out of Sandy Bonelli’s great mare Shakin Flo by Mr Peponita Flo. The pair had previously earned money at the 2006 NCHA Futurity and 2007 Abilene Spectacular and Augusta.

Julie and Paul Hansma at awards party.

Go-round winners were Bill Lacy, Crested Butte, Colo., riding Ariel Rey and Stacie McDavid, Fort Worth, Texas, riding DMAC Sterling Spoon.

Amateur Derby

Ty Moore, 15, won a work-off for the Amateur Derby title.

The 39-entry Amateur Derby Champion was determined by a work-off between 15-year-old Ty Moore, Madill, Okla., riding Hey Georgy Girl, a daughter of Wild Thing DNA out of Miss Sarah Solano by Doc’s Solano, and Judy Manor, Millsap, Texas, riding Little Leos Starlite, a gelding by Soula Jule Star out of Little Leos Hickory by Smart Little Lena. Both scored a 216. In the exciting work-off, Moore scored the 218 winning score and Manor scored a 215.

Judy Manor, Reserve Champion of the Amateur Derby, shown with her trainer Gary Ray.

Hey Georgy Girl has now won over $46,541. Moore is the son of Craig and Frieda Warren who were at Las Vegas to cheer him on. He said that the family got involved in cutting through his father’s friend Bradley Rogers. Even though Manor had to be content with second, she said it was the best she has ever done in aged-event competition. She gives a lot of credit to her trainer Gary Ray for helping her make the finals at every aged event she has entered, including the NCHA Futurity, Abilene, Augusta and now the South Point event. Judy and her husband, George, run the Double Eagle Cutting Horse Association, which has events at the Salt Creek arena in Boyd, Texas.

Derby Limited Rider

Kaitlyn Larson, 17, champion of the $250,000 Limited Rider class, shown with her father Billy Martin.

The Derby $250,000 Limited Rider Champion was Kaitlyn Larson, 17, Millsap, Texas, riding Honey Bee Time, a daughter of Peptotiime out of Quixote Honey that she purchased from Julie Wrigley. Clint Allen showed the mare in the Open derbies at the Brazos Bash and at the South Point, making the finals both times. Kaitlyn, who is fresh off a win of the Amateur at Augusta, was experiencing her first non-pro competition, after graduating out of the Amateur. The daughter of non-pro cutter Billy Martin is planning on attending college this fall and work toward a business degree. She then plans to work toward an advertising and marketing degree.

Classic/Challenge Non-Pro

Lana Jill Peacock won the Classic/Challenge Non-Pro riding her stallion Woody Be Tuff.

The Classic/Challenge 80-entry Non-Pro was taken by Lana Jill Peacock, 25, Wichita Falls, Texas, riding Woody Be Tuff. The pair scored a whopping 227 for the win. Peacock, who is self-employed and moved to Wichita Falls from Georgia to be closer to her trainer, Don Crumpler, has had a lot of success. The stallion won the 2007 Augusta 5/6-Year-Old Open with Austin Shepard in the saddle, scoring a 226 and taking home his largest paycheck of $26,746. He also won the 2005 NCHA $10,000 Novice Horse and $3,000 Novice Horse titles at the 2005 NCHA World Finals. The stallion has current earnings of over $205,865,

Christy Leeth was Reserve Champion of the Classic/Challenge Non-Pro riding Patrick La Dual.

Reserve champion was Christy Leeth, Cleburne, Texas, riding Patrick La Dual, a 6-year-old son of CD Olena out of Patty La Dual by Dual Pep. The gelding has lifetime earnings of $102,114 after also picking up the Gelding title.

Elizabeth Brumbaugh rode MH Quixote Plays to the Limited Rider title.

Elizabeth Brumbaugh, a Texas A&M college student from Weatherford, Texas, won the $250,000 Limited Rider award riding MH Quixote Plays, the mare that Austin rode to the MillionHeir 5-year-old championship and the $68,000 paycheck. Elizabeth, a freshman at Texas A&M University is a business major, taking 18 hours this semester. The National Honor Society student flew back to College Station, Texas, for classes on Wednesday and Thursday.

Classic/Challenge Amateur

John Kratzer was the Classic/Challenge Amateur champion.

John Kratzer, who owns a San Diego real estate firm, rode Frecklesareinstyle, a 5-year-old daughter of Docs Stylish Oak out of I Know A Secret by Freckles Playboy, to the 68-entry Amateur championship with a 221 score. Kratzer, 44, claims that his wife, Kara, got him involved in cutting horses when they lived in Rockwall, Texas. “She thought I was a workaholic and needed something else to do,” said Kratzer. “I think now she regrets the day she encouraged me to do this.”

Kratzer got hooked on cutting in Texas but in 1998, when his business partner, Jon Morris, owner of the San Diego Padres, moved to San Diego, he also moved. His trainer is Tim Smith, whom he calls “the best in the business.” He has shown on a limited basis in aged events and also finished in the 4-year-old finals riding Waterloo Boon sired by Hes A Peptospoonful.

Jennell Presnell and David Booth split the Amateur Reserve title.

The Reserve Amateur title was split between David Booth, Acton, Calif., riding Flip My Chula, a 6-year-old daughter of Chula Dual out of Flips Playmate by Colonel Flip, and Jennell Presnell of Rusty Spur Quarter Horses, Orange, Calif., riding Tap Dancing Cat, a 6-year-old High Brow Cat gelding out of Hickorys Golden Flo by Mr Peponita Flo.

AUSTIN SHEPARD WINS FOURTH OPEN TITLE AT EASTERN NATIONALS

VAN GAL TAKES HOME TRAILER FOR HIGHEST SCORE

March 21, 2007 – Jackson, Miss.

Austin and Stacy Shepard

Austin Shepard, straight from a big win at the lucrative MillionHeir Classic and South Point Winter Championships in Las Vegas, Nev., showed he can also ride Open horses by winning the Open division of the NCHA Eastern Nationals. It was his fourth Open title at the 28th event held in Jackson, Miss.

The event held March 6-17 is held annually for horses and riders who qualified during NCHA weekend shows and featured record entries and over $350,000 in prize money, plus the one-year’s use of a trailer going to the highest-scoring horse during the 12-day event.

Open:

Shepard, Summerville, Ala., was a catch rider and rode Smart Pistolero for Josh Hamilton, Maben, Miss., for the first time the day before the finals. The 9-year-old stallion by Playgun and Shepard scored a 221 finals score. He won the event in 2002 on Widows Freckles, in 2003 on Uno Dos Seventyseven and last year on Widows Intentions. Roy Carter had originally been scheduled to ride the stallion. Steve Colclasure took the reserve title on Stylishs Good Son, an 8-year-old gelding by Docs Stylish Oak, owned by Corbe Anderson, Shawnee, Okla.

Non-Pro:

Joe Wright, Lamar, Miss., rode Little Street Smart by Smart Little Jerry to the Non-Pro title, with a 219 finals run. Wright owns and operates JW Truck and Trailer in Mount Pleasant, Miss. The reserve title went to Jessica Fields, 22, Bowling Green, Ky., riding MK Kitty Lena, a daughter of CD Olena. Jessica recently finished training to become a massage therapist.

$50,000  Amateur:

Nicholas von Gal, 23, Ramer, Ala., not only won the $50,000 Amateur finals, but also went home with the one-year’s use of a deluxe three-horse slant-load horse trailer compliments of Wayne Hodges Trailer, for posting the highest score — a  225. Von Gal, who ironically is a trailer dealer out of Montgomery, Ala., was experiencing his first Eastern Nationals Championship. He was riding Dual Bunny Miss, a daughter of Mister Dual Pep that he had laid off for six months following colic surgery. The Reserve title in the $50,000 Amateur went to Missy Rosenberg, Covington, La., riding Pepto Jack.

$20,000 Non-Pro:

Lauren Minshall, 16, Hillsburgh, Ontario, Canada, the Senior Youth Champion from 2006, won the $20,000 Non-Pro title riding Suggies Travelin, a daughter of Travalena that she had only showed one time before and is owned by her father Shawn Minshall.  The Reserve title went to Curt Rhodes, the owner of a construction company in Labelle, Fla., riding Smart Ginnin Wood.

$3,000 Novice Non-Pro & Youth classes:

Lee Garner, Batesville, Miss., made it a family affair when he won the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro title riding Tex San Sierra by Horseplayin, and his grandson, Levi Garner, 13, won the Junior Youth championship riding SS Pretty Boy, a son of Rositas Peppy San. The reserve junior youth title went to Nicole Knowles, Springfield, Tenn., riding Prince Is My Name.

Garner, who has hosted cutting events at his facility in Batesville, Miss., for more than 15 years, was experiencing his fourth Eastern National title. A member of the Non-Pro Hall of Fame, Garner is also a former NCHA Non-Pro World Champion and NCHA Non-Pro Futurity Champion. Tim May, Saltillo, Miss., was reserve on Iza Be Oakie Dokie, a son of Smart Little Pistol.

The Senior Youth champion was A. J. Summerford, 19, Okeechobee, Fla., riding Daisys Money by Count Hickory. Katlyn Entz, 15, the daughter of trainer Zeke Entz, Collierville, Tenn., was the Senior Youth reserve champion riding Smart Lil Jewel. Katlyn was last year’s Junior Youth Champion.

$3,000 Novice Horse:

Robert Rust, Gordon, Texas, rode he and his wife’s horse, Cats Royal Jewel, to the $3,000 Novice Horse championship with 223 points.  The 5-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat gave Rust his second $3,000 Novice title. Reserve went to Joey Carrol, riding Smart Merada (DNA) for Marion and Terry Lovelance, Raymond, Miss.

$10,000 Novice Non-Pro:

Alisa McCleary, Collierville, Tenn., rode Little Rey Dual by Dual Pep to her second NCHA Eastern Championships title with a 218 finals score. She won the Non-Pro title in 1997. The Reserve title also went Amanda Dawn Holden, Stapleton, Ala., riding Casberlena, a 9-year-old son of High Brow Cat that Shepard rode to the 2004 $10,000 Novice title.

$10,000 Novice Horse:

Lil Lady Playmaker, ridden by Brett Davis for Jeffrey and Dawn Fuquay, Jefferson, Texas, and Leadfreepeperoni, ridden by Zeke Entz for Tami and Dave Rocke, Lovington, Ill., were co-champions of the $10,000 Novice Horse class. Both scored 216 points in the finals and it was the second $10,000 Novice championship for both riders. Fuquay owns Blackburn Syrup Company, maker of syrups for the Waffle House restaurant chain. Lil Lady Playmaker is sired by Smart Lil Paradign. Leadfreepeperoni, a 7-year-old son of Peptoboonsmal out of a Doc’s Hickory mare, was Rocke’s team penning horse for three years before being trained by Entz.

$10,000 Amateur:

Instant Clayton, ridden by youth rider Kay Alisa Parker,  Cleveland, Ga., won the $10,000 Amateur title with a 218 finals score. Reserve, with a 216, went to Greg Trawick, Malvern, Ala., riding Safaris Little Lori.

$2,000 Limit Rider:

Jennifer Vaught, 17, Fruitland Park, Fla., was riding a borrowed horse in the Eastern Championships, after her horse Smart Hickory died following her run at the 2006 World Finals in Amarillo. Jody Coxwell offered her Ote Be Smart and the pair scored a 217 for the win. Vaught, who has been cutting for over a year, also qualified for the Senior Youth Finals. The Reserve title went to Jordan Thompson, 10, Crossville, Tenn., scoring 216.5 on Cats Rascal.

Several $2,000 riders disappointed:

Several $2,000 riders, however, were unable to compete in the show when there was a mix-up in the show schedule. When they received their notices in the mail, they were excited, scheduled their vacations, made arrangements for their horses and pets at home, and some made airline reservations. With it being one of the classes with the larges number of entries (111), they wrote checks for their $500 entry fee and $100 stall fee and counted the days.

However, to their dismay, after the date for entries had closed and two weeks before the start of the show, they received notice that the class was no longer scheduled for Friday March 9 and Saturday, March 10, but had been moved a full week later to Friday, March 16 and Saturday, March 17, which was an extra day that had been added.

One disgruntled member is Steve Steiger from Ohio, who had prior commitments and couldn’t go to the event, claims he talked to Executive Director James Hooper and President Elect Bob Mayfield about the problem but was told “they didn’t know about it.”  He said that he was told that a letter had been sent out to those affected, explaining what happened. However, he says that he has yet to receive such a letter.

Steiger thinks the change could have been made earlier, when they realized the large number of entries coming in. However, Steiger claims that the association had kept entries open late and even extended the deadline because there weren’t enough entries coming in at the beginning. The big influx of entries came when show manager Dave Brian was at the NCHA Finals in Amarillo, when he “thought there was a mistake in the number of entries in the $2,000 class and didn’t have time to deal with it.”

“I think it was a knee-jerk reaction,” said Steiger, referring to the schedule change. “It was poor judgment on their part. I think it shows a lack of sensitivity to the members that it affected.” They did, however, agree to refund the entry fees already paid.

Asked what else they could have done, Steiger replied, “I think they should allow those who can’t make the event because of the date change, to show in the class next year.” However, Steiger has already had some feedback from NCHA committee members saying that would be impossible. If you have a comment on this problem, contact Steiger at smmsteiger@aol.com.smmsteiger@aol.com.

For full results from the Eastern Championships, go to NCHAcutting.com.

AUSTIN SHEPARD-TRAINED               HORSES DOMINATE MILLIONHEIR / SOUTH POINT EVENT

HORSES TRAINED BY SHEPARD EARN $424,376 OR 18 PERCENT  OF PURSE

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz

Austin and Stacy Shepard shown with their son Cade.

March 5, 2007 - Las Vegas, Nev.

It was the world’s largest cutting as far as added money and payout to the champion. It was the MillionHeir Classic held during the South Coast winter Championships held Feb. 20-March 3 in Las Vegas, Nev.

The event even surpassed the 2006 NCHA Futurity, where a record $1,002,365 was added and 1,652 entries competed. The winner of the NCHA Futurity took home $250,000. The MillionHeir Classic had 226 total entries, with $1.6 million in added money. The champion, Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., took home $309,949.91.

In fact, Austin and his wife, Stacy, won over $424,376 during the entire event, which was held at the South Point Hotel and Casino Equestrian Center, paid out a total combined purse of $2,575,667. The Shepards took home over 16 percent of that purse; however, horses ridden by Shepard and also ridden by their owners, earned a total of $468,181.55 or 18 percent of the total purse paid out during the 12-day event.

Shepard, 29,  won the largest MillionHeir Derby ever held, with 74 entries, riding San Tule Uno, a gelding sired by San Tule Freckles out of Smart Little Thunder by Smart Little Uno. The gelding was raised and owned by Mike Bowman, an equine veterinarian, and his wife, Libby, Simpsonville, Ky. Mike grew up on the race track with Thoroughbreds, but later got into cutting horses. The paycheck for Shepard’s Derby win totaled $309,949.91.  So much for a horse only being ridden in the Open or the Non-Pro, as Bowman also rode the gelding to the championship of the second go-round in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Derby, taking home an additional $8,877.67.

Shepard, the son of cutting horse trainer Sam Shepard, also won the MillionHeir Classic riding MH Quixote Plays, a 5-year-old daughter of Playboysalittlesmart out of Lula Quixote by Doc Quixote, owned by Elizabeth Brumbaugh, Fort Worth, Texas. The pair scored a 223 in the finals, taking home the $68,000 first-place purse. Elizabeth, an honors college student from Texas A&M, who flew back and forth several times between College Station, Texas, and Las  Vegas to compete in the event, purchased the mare as a 3-year-old in August 2005 from the mare’s breeder Wes Adams’ Western States Ranch, Dublin, Texas. Adams is the owner of the MillionHeir program.

Brumbaugh also rode the mare in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic, finishing sixth in the finals and in the South Point Classic/Challenge, finishing third and winning the $200,000 Ltd. Rider check for a total of $22,177.77.

Austin also took home a $5,500 paycheck in the South Point Classic/Challenge on Woody Be Tuff, a Nitas Wood gelding owned by Lana Jill Peacock, Wichita Falls, Texas, while she rode the gelding to the South Point Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Championship, taking home $12,750.

Shepard’s wife, Stacy, rode MH San Tules Dually, also sired by San Tule Freckles, to 10th in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Derby, taking home $34,426.21 and Hot N Smart to the South Point Derby finals, for an additional $6,500.

The MillionHeir event, a stallion program held with the South Point Derby/Classic Challenge at the South Point Equestrian Center, featured $1.6 million in added money and a $1,886,460 purse. Its  226 entries made it the largest since the program was created by Wes Adams, with a cool million plus go-round money added to the 4-year-old Open and Non-Pro. The 5-year-old Classic  had $300,000 in added money; the 6-year-old  Challenge Non-Pro had $180,000 in added money and the Amateur Challenge had $120,000.

MillionHeir Open Derby

Reserve Champion in the MillionHeir Open Derby was Jae Bars Tule, a mare also sired by San Tule Freckles out of the great mare Jae Bar Maisie by Docs Jack Sprat, owned and raised by Ron Knutson, Spokane, Wash. The mare was ridden by Matt Sargood, Acampo, Calif., to a 218, collecting a $69,949.91 paycheck after also winning the first go-round.

Third place went to The Belle O The Ball, a daughter of San Tule Freckles owned by Dustin and Deena Adams, ridden by Zachary Henning, Dublin, Texas, taking home $57,238.73, including go-round money. Fourth was Bill Riddle, Ringling, Okla., riding MH Toosmoothtolose, a Bodee  Boonsmal gelding owned by Nick and Gayle Karanges, Fort Worth, Texas, who pocketed the $62,924.87, including go-round money.

 MillionHeir Open Classic

The 33-entry MillionHeir Open 5-year-old Classic had $300,000 in added money, plus go-round monies, split between the Classic Open and Non-Pro. The first go-round was won by Bodees Destiny,a daughter of Bodee Boonsmal owned by Frank and Ora Diehl, Ruskin, Fla., ridden by Craig Morris. The leader after two go-rounds was Paul Hansma riding Our Little Dyno, sired by Little Dyno, last year’s MillionHeir Derby Champion, owned by Jeff and Margaret McCoy, Burke, S.D.

The Reserve Champion was  Sir Ellwood, a Bodee Boonsmal stallion owned by EE Ranches, Pilot Point, Texas, ridden by their  Guy Woods, scoring 219.5 for  $22,000. Third was Bodee Quixote, another Bodee Boonsmal stallion owned and ridden by Cara Barry, Jay, Okla., scoring 218 for an $18,387 check.

MillionHeir Non-Pro Derby

Tarin Rice took home $156,935.68

The MillionHeir 54-entry Non-Pro Derby title went to Tarin Rice, the teenage son of Boyd Rice, Spearman, Texas, riding MH Willing To Cut, a Peppys Lil Will gelding he bought from trainer Zack Henning. The pair won $156,935.68 and Tarin, who graduated from home school, has his eye on a 1975 Corvette. Reserve went to Nina Lundgren, Eltopia, Wash., who rode San Tules Star to a $55,548.54 paycheck. Third was Greg Coalson, Weatherford, Texas, riding Sids Sanolena to a $43,329.13 check.

MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic

Pat Fasano (right) and trainer Shannon Hall.

The MillionHeir 29-entry Non-Pro Classic champion was Pat Fasano , 54, Chicago, Ill, who recently retired from Motorola as Vice President/Sales. Fasano has had Playin On Hickory since he was a 3-year-old but claims this is the first time he got him showed, and received $50,000 for his efforts. The Reserve title was split three ways by Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding MH Bijous Bodee; Cole Benedict, Weatherford, Texas, riding MH Inasmartbodee and Bill Lacy, Crested Butte, Colo., riding MH The Competitor. Adams took home $16,756.43; Lacy, $24,374.76 and Benedict, $13,354.05 with go-round money.

MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge

Dustin Adams (right) shown with his father, Wes, and mother, Liz. Wes Adams created the lucrative MillionHeir program.

The MillionHeir 20-entry Non-Pro Challenge Champion was Dustin Adams riding the nine-month pregnant mare MH Lay Down Lady, taking home $71,666.67.  The great mare, raised by Dustin out of his first cutting mare, now has earnings topping $300,000. “We didn’t know she was pregnant until a week before this event,” said Adams, explaining how the mare had been bred to CD Olena and when it was thought she wasn’t pregnant, she was given a shot to come back into heat – which she never did. The Reserve Champion was rancher Wendell Reeder, 66, Clarksville, Texas, who is also in the gasoline business, riding Miss Smokin Garfield and collecting $23,333.33. Third was Dave Husby, Weaherford, Texas, riding MH Million Legacy.

MillionHeir Challenge $200,000 Amateur

Leon and Alexa Harrell with granddaughter Lexi, Kari and Charlie Eade and Robin and Lance Harrell.

The MillionHeir 16-entry $200,000 Challenge Amateur title went to Charlie Eade, 46, Yuma, Ariz., who was experiencing his first championship riding Million Oaks. The pair took home a whopping $51,600. Eade is part of the Galles Ranch/Harrell Cutting School and purchased the horse from Leon Harrell’s wife, Alexa. Six team members, who were part of the aged-event division of the school, entered the event. Eade, who imports and exports Mexican cattle, had a background in cutting horses, as his father was horseman Wes Eade, who rode with Don Dodge, Jimmy Bush and many other legends in the industry.

Cole Benedict and his wife, Crystal (left) both earned Reserve titles. They are shown with Cole’s parents Vicki and Chris Benedict, Weatherford, Texas.

Reserve was Crystal Benedict, wife of Cole Benedict, Weatherford, Texas, riding MH Rewarding Million to a $16,066.67 paycheck.  Third was Wendell Reeder riding Miss Smokin Garfield. Husband-and-wife Cole and Crystal Benedict both managed Reserve titles. Cole, a former roper, has lost 75 pounds since starting to cut. Asked how, he replied, “I quit eating so much,” saying that all his riding has kept him from eating so much.

The MillionHeir Program and Wes Adams

The MillionHeir program is a lucrative incentive program for offspring of stallions in Wes Adam’s MillionHeir breeding program. At first the stallions offered were bred in the purple, however, did not have performance earnings and were never shown. Later, some performing stallions were added to the program, which  will continue through 2011. However, Adams has discontinued breeding for eligible entrants in the program and the number of entries will go down following this year.

Adams who had surgery for a kidney stone  on Jan. 3, 2007, only to find through blood tests taken for the surgery, that  he had pancreatic cancer, said he is going to spend more time with his family. Luckily, the cancer was found soon enough and they removed his spleen and part of  his pancreas and Adams, a Las Vegas building contractor, is now cancer free, which is highly unusual for pancreatic cancer.

Even though the MillionHeir program was not supported by the industry like Adams had hoped it would be, he is looking at the program as being a glass half full rather than half empty, claiming he has met many great people in the industry and has received genuine “thank yous” from many cutters for sticking to his word and paying off the program as advertised.

“I think I have paved the way for other successful incentive programs to now come into the industry,” said Adams, referring to the industry’s reluctance to support the program due to several stallion programs that had preceded his and which did not pay off as planned.