All About Cutting

JANET WESTFALL COLLECTS $16,300 IN SOUTH POINT NON-PRO DERBY AND CLASSIC/CHALLENGE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
March 2, 2010 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The past few days have been an exciting time for Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif. The wife of trainer Russ Westfall won the South Point Non-Pro Classic/Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 27, and finished second in the Non-Pro Derby, collecting $16,300. Then on Monday, March 1, Janet and Russ closed on their horse facility in Weatherford, Texas, selling the 28 acres to Lindy Burch.

NON-PRO & AMATEUR CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif., rode Lil Dusty Lola to the championship of the South Point Non-Pro Classic/Challenge.
Photo by Midge Ames

With the aged events of the South Point Winter Show being held at the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Feb. 23-27, Westfall captured the finals of the 5/6-Year-Old Classic/Challenge division riding Lil Dusty Lola, with a final’s score of 224. This was a full 10 points above her 214 score in the second go-round where the pair squeaked into the finals with the last qualifying score of 430. The leader going into the finals was David Booth, Acton, Calif., riding Crossing Red River, scoring a 435, while the first go-round was won by Teri Paradis, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, riding Lil Scoot N Peppy to a 219 score. The second go was won by Debbie Day riding Scootin With Style and a 220 score.

The 5-year-old red roan daughter of CD Royal (the Westfall’s stallion) out of the great mare Smart Like Dusty by Smart Little Lena, was bred by Carlos and Kathleen Fandino, Acton, Calif. Smart Like Dusty is a daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Lil Star Dusty by Grays Starlight with $175,952.62 in lifetime earnings.

Russ has trained for the Fandinos for over 20 years and they purchased the mare from them in August, after he had ridden her to close to $63,500 – including the Reserve Championship of the 2009 Mebane Ranch Festival Open Cutting Derby. After they purchased her, Janet rode her to a third in the El Rancho Non-Pro Cutting Derby and eighth in the PCCHA Fall Non-Pro Stakes. The mare now has lifetime earnings topping $72,400.

Canadian Teri Paradis rode Lil Scoot N Peppy to the Reserve Championship of the Non-Pro Classic Challenge. Teri is shown with her husband Jim.
Kurtz photo

Reserve in the Non-Pro Derby was Lil Scoot N Peppy, owned by Jim and Teri Paradis and ridden by Teri. The pair scored a 220 in the finals and picked up $8,750 after also winning the first go-round. The couple call Canada home; however, they spend the winters riding cutting horses in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Reserve title was especially special to Teri, 47, because she had major back surgery in 2008. Jim, an oil field mud supplier, also competes regularly in cutting completion.

Lil Scoot N Peppy is a 6-year-old daughter of Smart Lil Scoot out of Bonito Peppy by Peppy San Badger and following her reserve title has over $43,850 in lifetime earnings. Her largest paycheck of $5,263.24 came from the 007 Calgary Stampede Wrangler Open Cutting Futurity where she was a finalist. That same year she won the Canadian Supreme Non-Pro Cutting Futurity. During 2009, she was Reserve Champion of the NCHA Western Nationals $3,000 Novice Division besides placing in the finals of several major Canadian events.

David Booth, Acton, Calif., with his mother Liz. David left the South Point with close to $18,500, while Liz won the Amateur Non-Pro Classic/Challenge.
Kurtz Photo

The Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Gelding Finals and $250,000 Ltd. Rider championships went to 21-year-old David Booth riding Crossing Red River, a 6-year-old son of Hes A Peptospoonful out of Smarts Love County by Smart Little Lena, owned by his parents Roger and Liz Booth. Booth also finished third in the Non-Pro Finals, picking up a total of $10,636 after also finishing second in the go-rounds. Booth also finished third in the Non-Pro Derby riding Blu Rey, a son of Meradas Blue Sue out of Bingos Nurse by Dual Rey, plus they won the Derby Ltd. Rider and Gelding Finals, collecting an additional $7,832. Altogether, David left the South Point with close to $18,500.

David has been cutting for the past 7 years, while his mom and dad, Roger and Liz Booth, have been cutting since the early 1980’s. They got out of cutting, and then got back into it seven years ago – this time cutting as a family.
David is currently going to Junior College in Valencia, striving for a business degree. Roger and Liz own a grading and excavating company, working for several movie stars in Beverly Hills.
Click here for Classic Non-Pro results>>

The Amateur Non-Pro Classic/Challenge finals were won by David’s mother. Liz scored a 220 riding Smart Michealangelo, a 5-year-old son of Doc O Wena out of Smart Masterpiece by Smart Little Lena. The win gave him over $42,240 in lifetime earnings. His biggest paycheck of $8,509.50 came from a Co-Reserve Championship of the 2009 PCCHA Fall Stakes $200,000 Limited Non-Pro. The pair were also finalists in the 2009 NCHA Amateur Derby.

Susan Lucchesi, Florence, Mont., was Reserve Champion of the Amateur Non-Pro Classic/Challenge riding Sweet Jesus.
Kurtz photo

The Reserve Amateur title went to Susan Lucchesi, 35, Florence, Mont., riding Sweet Jesus, a 5-year-old daughter of Sweet Lil Pepto out of Genuine Jean by Genuine Peppy. The $1,600 paycheck gave the mare lifetime earnings of $5,840. Susan, who trains with Brian Anderson, the Reserve Champion of the Open Classic/Challenge, has been cutting for six years and is a healthcare consultant. She said her husband is not involved in cutting – or horses – his hobby is white-water kayaking.

Gina McDonald, Ketchum, Idaho won the Senior Classic/Challenge Amateur Finals riding Something Powerful to a $1,200 paycheck.
Click here for Classic Amateur resuilts>>

NON-PRO & AMATEUR DERBY:

Jill Long, Gardnerville, Nev., won the Non-Pro Derby riding Spook Somebody.
Photo by Midge Ames

Jill Long, Gardnerville, Nev., loves cutting last in the draw and she also loves Corriente cattle, which is a good thing because the second go-round of the 11-entry Non-Pro Derby, which determined a “pencil” (adding the first and second go-round together and paying the total of the two go-rounds) finals, featured all Corriente cattle – and Jill drew last.

“That’s what we use at home,” said Jill about the Corriente cattle following her win. “We love them but I was glad I drew last because sometimes the deeper you are in the draw in them, the more settled they get and it’s a better place to be. I’m used to being last. I’d rather be last than first any day - even if it isn’t Corrientes. It’s just a more comfortable place for me because the herd is more settled.

Jill rode Spook Somebody, nicknamed “Spook,” to a 217, winning the second go-round and the “pencil” finals. The pair picked up a total of $9,250 after earning $8,000 in the pencil finals, $750 for winning the second go-round and $500 for second in the first go-round which had been won by George Thiel, Minden, Nev., riding Gatos Bonita.

Jill and her husband of 11 years, trainer Tom Long, bought Spook, a gelding by Somebody Smart out of Smart Little Spook by Grays Starlight, from their good customer Rees and Nicole Freeman of the Grouse Butte Ranch LLC, Roseburg, Ore., last September.
“Tom came to me one day up in Oregon and said I made a deal with Rees and I bought that gelding (Spook Somebody) so you’d have something to show before you showed in Fort Worth (at the NCHA Futurity),” said Jill. “I said, ‘Oh OK’ but. I didn’t know I was getting another horse but he likes to have me mounted.”

Since then, the couple have both had success with Spook Somebody, with Tom finishing 10th in the 2009 South Point Open Cutting Futurity and Jill placing seventh in the PCCHA Non-Pro Fall Futurity. Jill won a total of $9,250 after placing second in the first go for $500 and winning the second go-round with a 217 for an additional $750. The pair won $8,000 for having the highest combined score of 431 following the two go-rounds.

Coming into the South Point show, the gelding had won around $12,000 according to Jill. The paycheck put the gelding at over $21,250 in lifetime earnings. She has been winning money on the gelding at the weekend shows in the small aged events but this is the first major aged event for the gelding. Plans are to enter him in the PCCHA Futurity if they can get a slot.

“He’s an honest horse with a cool personality,” said Jill. “He’s got an awesome stop – and he stops hard every time. But he’s not very big – in fact, he’s little. Actually I like big, broad-bodied horses but I fit this horse good. I normally don’t fit little horses but I think I fit him good because he stops hard.”

Jill Long and her husband trainer Tom Long.
Kurtz photo

Jill’s last big win was the 2007 PCCHA Non-Pro Derby riding their 7-year-old stallion Cats Gotta Diamond . “He’s been injured but we will start showing him again in March,” said Jill. He’s won about $150,000. He’s my baby – but they’re all my babies. They’re all out of Diamond J Starlight, our daughter of Grays Starlight, and we have a hard time selling them.

Jill, who is closing in on $490,000 in lifetime earnings, has almost earned enough to qualify for the Non-Pro the Hall of Fame. “I would sure like to make that this year; I’ve had that goal for the last three years, but every year, my horses get hurt, so I hope I get there. I’m very close.”

Jill emphasizes that it’s not an easy job to be a trainer’s wife. “We don’t get the good horses most of the time because we don’t have enough money to buy good horses. And you work all day; work hard and when it’s your turn to show, you’re worn out. It’s not easy, but I like doing what we do. I love being in the position I’m in.”

Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif., with her husband trainer Russ Westfall.
Kurtz photo

The Reserve title and $7,300, which included a $500 check for second in the second go-round, went to Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif., who also won the championship of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge riding Lil Dusty Lola. This time she was riding Sunday Belles, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of the great mare Kadee Lena Belle by CD Olena.

Sunday Belles was bred by the Church Family Trust of Las Vegas, Nev., and sold to Jean (Candy) Jones, Lakeside, Calif., as a yearling. Her dam, Kadee Lena Belle, a daughter of CD Olena out of Hickorys Cash Lady by Doc’s Hickory, was ridden by Russ for close to $98,000 before being retired. The Westfalls purchased the mare from Candy, who was one of their customers, who decided to sell her because she couldn’t afford to send her to the shows once she was trained.

The Westfalls purchased Sunday Belles, a beautiful sorrel mare with a coon tail, a blaze on her face and four white socks, as a 3-year-old in August 2009,. Prior to the South Point show, Janet showed her in the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity at Fort Worth and was second in first go-round. The pair made it to the semifinals and was only a half point out of making the Finals on her. This is only the mare’s second show and will head to her next show with $12,300 in lifetime earnings.

“She fits me good and I like her. Russ trained her and I’m the only one who has ever ridden her.” She will be showing her in the 4-year-old events, including the PCCHA Derby next week. She is also entered in the NCHA Super Stakes.

The Westfalls will be closing on their Texas ranch on Monday, March 1, and will be moving back to their Los Olivos, Calif., ranch. NCHA Hall of Famer Lindy Burch has purchased the Westfall’s Texas ranch. It is rather ironic, as when Burch had her place for sale in Weatherford, the Westfalls were interested in buying it. However, when their California ranch didn’t sell, they decided to sell the Texas ranch and return to California. (See complete article in “Late Breaking News.)
Click here for Non-Pro Derby results>>

AMATEUR DERBY:

C H DeHaan, Scottsdale, Ariz., rode Red Feathers Merada to the championship of the Amateur Derby.
Photo by Midge Ames

Even though there were only five entries in the Amateur Derby, the quality of horses and riders was outstanding. Taking home the $1,684 first-place paycheck for a 218 score was C. H. DeHaan, 55, Scottsdale, Ariz., riding Red Feathers Merada, a daughter of Cats Red Feather out of Meradas Baby by Meradas Money Talks to a career-best 218. The win was a first in an aged event for both DeHaan and Red Feathers Merada.

Red Feathers Merada was bred and raised by Dale Stallkamp, Blue Earth, Minn., and purchased by DeHaan in January of her 3-year-old year. “What really attracted me to her in the first place was that she was sired by Cats Red Feather, and I really like him. He’s built real well – he’s sturdy – and as you can tell, I need something sturdy to carry me around. She’s very strong and can move me around pretty good.”

Nicknamed “Roxanne” by a loper, the mare was trained by Dell Bell, who at that time was training out of Al Dunning’s barn. DeHaan, a businessman involved mostly in healthcare-related businesses, was raised on a cattle ranch in the middle of Kansas, lives only 12 miles from Dunning.

“This is my third show that I rode her in,” said DeHaan. “I showed her last weekend a couple of days in the Derby at the South Point weekend show and we did good. Al showed her a couple of times also but he didn’t want to show her in the Open Derby because we didn’t want to overdo her since she was so young. He’ll show her some this year.

DeHaan got involved in riding cutting horses when he was real young but once he entered college, he quit. However, he started back in the horse business in the early 1990s when his daughter, Megan, was showing reining horses. “I enjoyed the reining because I could be with her,” said DeHaan. Then when Megan went to college in 2001, DeHaan sold all the reining horses and bought a crippled cutting horse.

“I enjoyed cutting so I went out to Al’s place. I had a reining saddle and I tried to have him let me ride with him. He said, ‘No I don’t think so – we have all the amateurs and non-pros that we need.’

“But I brought out my one-legged cutting horse and Al let me put the reining saddle on him. When we got through with that first lesson, I had clumps of hair all over . When we got through, he said, ‘OK, I’ll help you.’

“For an amateur, I’ve been a little bit successful and had a lot of fun. I have lots of buckles – but no trophy saddles. This has been my biggest win as a cutter – and hopefully it’s not my last.: Plans for DeHaan include going to Paso Robles and then probably Carol Ward’s El Rancho show.

Everyone seems to ask DeHaan what his real first name is. The truth is that his name on his birth certificate is “CH” DeHaan, He was named after his two grandfathers: Charles and Howard DeHaan. However, because of 9/11 he can’t have initials on his driver’s license so they made him put two full names on his driver’s license. His driver’s license says Charles Howard DeHaan, while his birth certificate says CH DeHaan.

Angel Pinuelas, Jr., of Scottsdale, Ariz., was the Reserve Champion in the Derby riding Right Of Rey.
Kurtz photo

Reserve Amateur was Angel Pinuelas, Jr., 54, also of Scottsdale, Ariz., earning $1,322 for a 215 he scored aboard Right Of Rey, a Dual Rey gelding out of Smart Little Rey by Smart Little Lena that he bred, raised and trained himself.

Pinuelas also has previously competed in the reining and reined cow horse events, although he prefers cutting. “I always liked the cow work the best,” said Pinuelas, and I just couldn’t compete successfully in the “down the fence” division.
Click here for Amateur Derby results>>

PHIL HANSON WINS OPEN FUTURITY RIDING LHR SMOOTH JANIE MAY OWNED BY SHERRY CHAMBERLAIN’S LAZY H RANCH

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 20, 2010 – Alvarado, Texas

Phil Hanson won the Bonanza Cutting 4-Year-Old Division riding Sherry Chamberlain's LHR Smooth Jamie May.

When the NCHA Finals moved from Amarillo, Texas, last year, the dates for the event opened up and Paul Crumpler’s Bonanza Cutting quickly moved into the dates and out of Abilene. The move was definitely a good one since the show’s entries were up 15 percent, showing increases in all divisions: Open, Non-Pro and Amateur in both the 4-Year-Old and 5/6-Year-Old competitions. However, according to competitors, with several problems, including no heat, the facilities left something to be desired. The show will more than likely not be held in the same facility next year.

However, Phil Hanson, riding for Sherry Chamberlain’s Lazy H Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, wasn’t complaining, as he rode LHR Smooth Jamie May to the championship of the 4-Year-Old Open Futurity and a $30,172.66 paycheck. The daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of Just Scarlet by Smart Lil Ricochet, was bred by Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas, and purchased by Chamberlain as a 2-year-old after she had been started by Scott Johnston, who trains out of the Slate River Ranch in Weatherford. However, Hanson and the mare didn’t have any luck during their first outing at the NCHA Open Futurity, not making it past the second go. However, this time the pair pulled off a win with a 219, earning the largest paycheck at the Bonanza Cutting held Feb. 12-20 in Alvarado, Texas.

The Reserve title and $23,818.13 for their 217 score went to TLC Cantinero, a gelding by Smart Little Lena out of Cats Barmaid Chick by High Brow Cat, owned by Rob and Carrie Tiemann, Pflugerville, Texas, and ridden by Ryon Emerton. The paycheck gave the gelding lifetime earnings of $41,688 and was the highest he had placed.

Spookys Smarty Rey and Gary Gonsalves captured the 5/6-Year-Old Open with the highest score of the entire event – a 227, earning $18,714.12. The 5-year-old gelding by Dual Rey out of Spookys Smarty Pants by Smart Aristocrat is owned by Tom Bailey’s Iron Rose Ranch, Carbondale, Colo. Altogether the gelding picked up over $22,000, including winning the gelding award and go-round money. The gelding currently has over $32,000 in lifetime earnings, including being a finalist at the Mebane Ranch Festival in the Open and Gelding divisions; the El Rancho Open Cutting Futurity and the PCCHA Fall Open Gelding Stakes.

The Reserve title went to Dont Look Twice, a 5-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Tapt Twice by Dual Pep, owned by Waco Bend Ranch and ridden by Phil Rapp. The pair scored a 221.5, earning over $16,200. The pair won the 4-Year-Old Open at the 2009 Bonanza and now have over $328,000 in lifetime earnings, including championships of the 2009 West Texas Open Derby, El Rancho Open Derby, Augusta Open Futurity, Big Country Open Derby, PCCHA Fall Open Stakes and co-champion of the 2010 Augusta Open Challenge.

NON-PRO:
Chad Bushaw, a financial advisor from Weatherford, Texas, won the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro division riding Twisting Playdough, a daughter of Freckles Fancy Twist by Badgers Playdough by Playdox. The pair scored a 220.5 for close to a $14,000 paycheck. Previously the pair was semifinalists at the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity and finished fifth at the 2010 Abilene Cutting Non-Pro Derby. Bushaw bred and raised the mare, which currently has over $25,400 in lifetime earnings.

Bushaw also picked up close to $30,000 in the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro finishing third on Snow Rey, fourth on Meradas Crown and seventh on Reylena Moon.

The Reserve title was a three-way split with a 216 score between Smart Little Macho and Wes Smith, DeLeon, Texas; Toy Engine and Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, and Shes Twice As Smooth and Jennifer Foland, also from Weatherford.

Smart Little Macho, a son of Macho Little Lena out of Haidas Cibola by Haidas Little Pep, has no previous earnings; Toy Engine, a daughter of Playgun out of Cool The Engines by Smart Little Lena, had close to $62,000 coming into the Alvarado event and Shes Twice As Smooth, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of Dually Lil Pep by Dual Pep with over $32,835 in lifetime earnings coming into the Non-Pro division. Ridden by Tatum Rice, she was Reserve Champion of the Limited Open Division of the 2009 NCHA Futurity and a semifinalist in the Open Division. The pair also earned $1,825 for 10th place in the Open division at the Bonanza.

The 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro Champion was Sam Good, Mansfield, Texas, riding Lean On Rey, a 5-year-old son of Dual Rey out of Smartlittlelenastoy by Smart Little Lena, to a 223 and a close to $18,000 paycheck. The stallion currently has close to $85,000 in lifetime earnings, with his largest paycheck coming from a 9th-place tie in the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes. Ridden by Tag Rice, he was also a semifinalist in the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity and made numerous other Open and Non-Pro finals during 2009.

Reserve Champion with a 221 score was Julie Wrigley, Weatherford, Texas, riding Pretty Katz, a 5-year-old son of Pretty Boy Cat out of Aristo Katz by Smart Aristocrat. Wrigley picked up over $14,358 in the Non-Pro Division after her trainer R. L. Chartier finished in a fifth-0place tie in the Open Division, for $7,953. Pretty Katz now has over $228,000 in lifetime earnings, including a check for $22,251 for a fifth-place tie in the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

AMATEUR:
Renee Lord, Granbury, Texas, won the $50,000 4-Year-Old Amateur riding Zanolenas Cat, a daughter of Cats Merada out of Zanolena Day by Smart Zanolena. Her over $3,500 paycheck upped the mare’s earnings to over $15,500, including a fifth-place in the 2009 West Texas Open Futurity and 10th in the Brazos Bash Open Futurity.

Reserve went to Kathleen Moore, Madill, Okla., riding Sarenadual, daughter of Dual Pep out of Sarenalena by Smart Little Lena. Their over $2,700 paycheck upped the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $13,000, including a third place in the Amateur Futurity at the 2010 Futurity at Tunica and a paycheck in the Bonanza Open division ridden by James Payne. The pair also placed in the 2009 NCHA Amateur Futurity.

Laura Landers, Weatherford, Texas, captured the championship of the 5/6-Year-Old Amateur riding Smooth An Boon, a 5-year-old gelding by Smooth As A Cat out of Lil Autumn Splendor by CD Olena. The geldings close to $3,700 paycheck upped his lifetime earnings close to $64,600 – all won in Non-Pro Competition - including his largest paycheck of $26,090 for the Reserve Champion of the Non-Pro Derby at the 2009 Breeders Invitational, ridden by her previous owner Kellie Earnheart. The pair also picked up $2,509 in the Non-Pro Sire/Dam Incentive at the Breeder’s Invitational.

Reserve Champion of the 5/6-Year-Old Amateur was Stephen Dees, Schulenberg, Texas, riding Hildas Pussy Cat, a 5-year-old daughter of That Sly Cat out of Hildas Toy by Squeak Toy. The pair picked up close to $3,100, the largest check of their career together. Previously they were finalists at the Brazos Bash Amateur Derby.

The show featured 505 total entries in the Open, Non-Pro and Amateur Divisions of the event, up 72 (15%) from 2009 when it was held at Abilene. The largest increase of 26 came in the Open 4-Year-Old and the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro.
For full results click here>>

SOUTH POINT SHOW OFFERS FREE ROOMS, FREE STALLS, FREE DINNERS AND FREE GAS AND GIFT CARDS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 28, 2010 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The South Point Winter Championship show, which includes four days of NCHA Open show events and nine days of aged-event classes, held Feb. 19-March 3, has been spiced up with freebies, including free rooms, stalls, dinner and gas and gift cards.

Originally the event advertised $126,000 in added money; however, with the added classes, the added money has jumped to $140,000. Also, show producer Paula Gaughan has announced that 1) ALL trainers who show at least three of the four days at the weekend show (Feb. 19-22) will get one free room for four nights; (2) ALL trainers who show in the aged event show will get one free room for nine nights and one free stall; 3) ANY trainer who shows all four days at the weekend show and shows in the aged event gets dinner for six at the Primarily Prime or Baja Miguels; 4) Plus there will be a bonus for a throw of the dice for all non-pros and amateurs at the aged event for free dinners at Primarily Prime, Silverado, Baja Miguels and Don Vitos restaurants – as well as gas and gift cards; 5) ALSO, the trainer from the farthest away at the aged event and the trainer with the most stalls at the weekend show AND the trainer with the most stalls at the aged event AND the trainer with the most open entries at the aged event also get the “Bonus throw.”

The weekend classes (Feb. 19-22) will included $750 added in seven classes for a $408 total fee. Classes include the Open, Non-Pro, $10,000 Novice, $15,000 Novice NP, $3,000 Novice, $5,000 Novice NP and the $50,000 Amateur. Five other jackpotted classes, with no added money, will be held, including the $2,000 Rider, $10,000 Amateur, $20,000 Non-Pro, Youth Scholarship and a $1,500 Novice horse.

Aged-event classes include a $30,000 added Open Derby and Classic/Challenge ($1,420 entry fee) , $25,000 added Non-Pro Derby and Classic/Challenge($1,320 added in each). Within the Derby will be a $10,000 Ltd. Class with $10,000 added (Entry fee $1,090). If an entry is already entered in the Open Derby, the fee is $600.

A $50,000 Amateur class will also be held in the Derby and Classic/Challenge with $3,000 in added money and a $590 entry fee. A 55-and-older Senior Classic will be held within the Classic/Challenge Amateur with a $370 entry fee. Gelding classes will be held winin all Open and Non-Pro divisions, with a $370 entry fee, as well as a $250,000 ltd. Non-Pro within all non-pro divisions, with $370 entry fee.

Also new will be Any-age Open Horse and Non-Pro classes with $1,000 added and a $535 entry fee and a Pro-Am with $6,000 added and a $970 entry fee.
For more information and entry blanks, click here>>

PAUL HANSMA RIDES REYMINATE TO ABILENE SPECTACULAR 4-YEAR-OLD OPEN TITLE; THIRD CUTTING AND BOYD RICE TOP 5/6-YEAR-OLD

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 7, 2010

Paul Hansma rode Reyminate to the championship of the Abilene Spectacular 4-Year-Old Open division with a 226 score.

A whopping 226 score gave Paul Hansma and Reyminate the $25,000 championship paycheck of the 4-Year-Old Open Division of the Abilene Spectacular held Jan. 2-13 in Abilene, Texas. In fact, Dual Rey offspring took the top three spots in the division.Third Cutting, the 2008 NCHA Derby and Super Stakes Champion, ridden by Boyd Rice to a 227, won the Open 5/6-Year-Old division.

4-YEAR-OLD OPEN:
Hansma, the winner of the 1996 NCHA Open Futurity riding Playboy McCrae, rode Reyminate, a stallion sired by Dual Rey out of Amanda Stargun by Playgun, owned by Dub and Christy Leeth, Cleburne, Texas, won both go-rounds of the 124-entry 4-Year-Old Open competition prior to winning the finals. The pair had previously qualified for the semifinals of the 2009 NCHA Futurity.

Following close behind with a 225 was a Dual Rey daughte, Short Of Reymarkable, out of Shortish by Shorty Lena, owned by a new owner Roger Turner, Midland, Texas, and ridden by Dave Stewart. The pair won a $15,000 paycheck plus $2,875 for topping the $10,000 Novice Horse division. Stewart and the mare had qualified to the second go-round of the 2009 NCHA Open Futurity.

Third was Matt Gaines riding Special Nu Baby, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Nu I Wood by Zack T Wood, for Gary and Shannon Barker, Madill, Okla, winning $8,500. The pair had been finalists in the 2009 NCHA Open Futurity, winning $61,510 in Fort Worth.

T. J. Good, riding Trick Pepto, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Tricka Lena by Poco San Lena, owned by Jackson Land & Cattle, Jackson, Wyo., won the 4-Year-Old Limited, scoring 437.5 following two go-rounds of competition and taking home a $1,500 paycheck. Reserve went to Casey T. Carson, riding Swingins Lucky Mate, a gelding by Smart Mate out of Sweet Swingin Melody by Peppy Boy 895, for Dan Churchill, Moline, Ill, winning $1,000.

A total of $61,000 was paid out in Stallion Incentive paychecks, with the first-place check of $12,250 going to Lindy Burch of the Oxbow Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, for Way Better Bet by Bet On Me 498. Second and a 10,250 check went to Toy Engine, owned by Phil and Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, ridden by Phil.

5/6-YEAR-OLD OPEN:

Boyd Rice and Third Cutting topped the 5/6-Year-Old Open division at the Abilene Spectacular.

Third Cutting, a stallion sired by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas, took home a $12,000 paycheck for their win of the 91-entry 5/6-Year-Old Open. The pair had previously won over $307,000, tying for eighth in the 2008 NCHA Futurity, then won the NCHA Super STakes and Derby. They tied for fifth in last year's Abilene Spectacular 4-Year-Old Division.

The Reserve title went to Playin N Fancy Smart, a 6-year-old daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Playin N Fancy Peppy by Freckles Playboy, with over $270,000 in lifetime earnings, and owned by the Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, was ridden by Kory Pounds to a 222.5. The pair collected an $8,500 paycheck. Third, scoring a 221.5 for a $7,500 check was Dont Look Twice, onwed by the Waco Bend Ranch, Fort Worth, Texas, ridden by Phil Rapp.

The Limited Open was won by J. D. Roberts who rode Tequiero CD, a daughter of CD Olena out of Tequiero Peppy by Peppy San Badger, owned by Stanley and Taryn Morris, Abilene, Texas, to a 432.5 in the two go-rounds. The pair collected $1,750.

The event continues today with the first go-round of the 4-Year-Old Non-Pro. All the finals for the Amateur and Non-Pro will be held Monday, Jan. 11. The show was shortened from its original schedule of completing on Wednesday, Jan. 13 as entries were down substantially from last year when there were 211 (compared to this year's 124) in the 4-year-old Open and 139 (compared to this year's 91) in the 5/6-Year-Old Open.
Click here for schedule, draws and results>>

HANSMA RIDES REYMINATE TO 4YO OPEN LEAD AT ABILENE SPECTACULAR

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Jan. 4, 2010

Paul Hansma, Weatherford, won the first go-round of the 4-Year-Old Open following the first day of the Abilene Spectacular. Hansma is riding Reyminate, owned by Dub and Christy Leeth.

After the first two days of competition at the Abilene Spectacular, held Jan. 2-3 in Abilene, Texas, Paul Hansma holds the lead in the 124-entry 4-Year-Old Open riding Reyminate, a stallion sired by Dual Rey out of Amanda Stargun by Playgun, owned by Dub and Christy Leeth, Cleburne, Texas. The pair, who sent to the semifinals in the 2009 NCHA Futurity, scored a 221.

Following close behind with a 220 is Wesley Galyean riding Rascal Cats, a son of High Brow Cat out of Keena Pep by Dual Pep, for Billy Martin, Millsap, Texas. The pair also made the semifinals of the 2009 Futurity. Third, scoring a 219, was a tie between Trick Pepto, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Tricka Lena by Poco San Lena, owned by Jackson Land & Cattle, Jackson, Wyo., ridden by T. J. Good; Pretty Fletch, a son of Pretty Boy Fletch out of Abigail Fletch by Jae Bar Fletch, owned by Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, ridden by Clint Allen, and Smart Moria Boon, a stallion by Peptoboonsmal out of Smart Moria by Smart Little Lena, owned by Ralph Gray, Argyle, Texas, ridden by Clint Allen..

With 124 entries, the Open 4-Year-Old division guarantees $25,000 to the Champion. The event continues today with the first group of the 91-entry 5/6-Year-Old Open. The second go-rounds will take place Tuesday through Thursday, with the finals being held Friday, Jan. 8.

KELLE EARNHEART TAKES FIRST NCHA NON-PRO FUTURITY TITLE; DUAL REY SWEEPS SIRE CHARTS

Article by Glory Ann Kurtz – photos by Robert Eubanks
Dec. 15, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Tony Piggott rode Alice Walton's stallion Rockin W to the championship of this year's NCHA Open Futurity, taking home $265,946.
Photo by Robert Eubanks

This year’s NCHA Futurity, held Nov. 21-Dec. 13 at Fort Worth’s Will Rogers coliseum, may have been cutting’s top-paying and highest-profiled event, attracting nearly 1,900 Open, Non-Pro and Amateur entries vying for a total payout or more than $4 million – but it was also the industry’s Cinderella story.

The NCHA Open Futurity Championship and accompanying $265,946 paycheck was a first for Wal-Mart heiress Alice Walton, Millsap, Texas, who has been in the industry for years. The rider was Australian-born Tony Piggott, 37, who is a Limited Open rider who, although he was Walton’s in-house trainer, was catch riding for trainer Gary Gonsalves and had only ridden the stallion Rockin W for a couple of weeks prior to the Futurity after a two-month layoff due to a bruised coffin bone. The paycheck was more than double Piggott’s previous career earnings of $115,000.

The stallion was home-bred by Walton, sired by Linda Holmes’ Dual Rey out of one of Walton’s favorite mares - Boon San Kitty, a High Brow Cat daughter out of Boon San Sally by Boon Bar. Nicknamed “Miss Piggy,” she was the winner of $555,504 and the 2004 NCHA Horse Of The Year title. The stallion’s 229 score in the finals tied that of Royal Fletch, who holds the all-time Futurity record for his 2000 performance with Kathy Daughn aboard.

Michael Cooper, the Reserve Champion of the Open Futurity riding Yadacat, is shown with the gelding's owner Darol Rodrock.
Photo by Robert Eubanks

The Reserve title of the 28-horse finals went to Yadacat (High Brow Cat x Rio CD Yadayadayada x CD Olena), a gelding owned by Darol Rodrock, 65, a real estate developer and Amateur cutter from Bucyrus, Kan., who came from the ranks of riding pleasure horses and has only been involved in the cutting industry since 2006. The gelding’s rider, Michael Cooper, 33, is Rodrock’s resident trainer, but has only been training for him since August and although he has over $600,000 in lifetime earnings, has only made the NCHA Futurity finals once before – in 2007, when he placed 25th.

Matt Miller, Poolville, Texas, who just a year ago gave up his non-pro card, finished third riding Smooth Going Cat, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat owned by Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas, who also owns the mare’s sire.

Missing from this year’s Open Finals was all-time leading rider Phil Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, who has earned over $6 million in his career and missed the finals by a point and a half, as well as two leading Aussie trainers: Roger Wagner, Weatherford, Texas, last year’s third leading rider, who recently started training for Jon Winkelried after his former employer, Jim Vangilder, dispersed his cutting operation, and John Mitchell, last year’s fourth leading rider who rides for the Slate River Ranch, Weatherford. Wagner missed the finals by a half point aboard Dualin Blue, a horse Winkelried purchased at Vangilder’s sale while Mitchell missed the 215 cut-off score by four points.

Gonsalves, Millsap, Texas, 12th in the 2008 leading rider standings, failed to make the finals or semifinals after choosing to ride two other horses, rather than the Champion Rockin W when the stallion had to be laid off. Also missing from the finals was Beau Galyean, who rode Metallic Cat to last year’s Futurity Championship. Galyean scored a 210 in the semis.

The Champion was not sired by the industry’s leading sire High Brow Cat, who had six offspring in the finals, but by Dual Rey, the industry’s second leading sire, who also had the most entries in the finals – with seven and also topped the Non-Pro and Amateur finals with number of entries. Up-and-coming sire Smooth As A Cat, a High Brow Cat son, had five out of his third foal crop in the finals and Peptoboonsmal, the industry’s third leading sire had three in the finals. Seven other sires had one offspring in the finals, including Spots Hot, the 2004 NCHA Open Futurity Champion, whose first colt crop of 14 foals hit the cutting arena this year. Others included Peeka Pep and That Sly Cat, whose second foal crop hit the arena this year; Abrakadabracre, Cats Merada, Mecom Blue and Mr Peppys Freckles.

The John Deere Limited Open Division was won by native Australian Geoffrey Sheehan, 24,riding JoJo Boon (Peptoboonsmal x Bambi Freckles x Freckles Playboy) for John and Hope Mitchell, Weatherford, Texas. The pair scored a 222 taking home $23,766. Geoffrey, from New South Wales, is the trainer for Arlis Justice, Hope Mitchell's father. Two days before the win, the Mitchells sold Jojo Boon to Steve and Michelle Anderson, Weatherford, Texas.

'Reserve went to Tatum Rice riding Shes Twice As Smooth (Smooth As A Cat x Dually Lil Pep) for William and Lisa Hefley, Little Rock, Ark. The mare, trained by Tag Rice, scored a 220, winning $21,010.Tatum A couple of months ago, Rice turned pro, following his brother, Tarin, father Boyd, grandfather Sonny, uncle Ronnie and cousin Tag.

NON-PRO:

Kelle Earnheart, Weatherford, Texas, won the Non-Pro Futurity riding Badgers Perscription, winning $50,735. Her father Pat Earnheart, who had a lung transplant in October, was watching outside in the bus. She is shown with her mother Teresa.
Photo by Robert Eubanks

Going from fearing her father would die - to winning the Non-Pro Futurity, Kelle Earnheart’s story is also Cinderella-like. Kelle, 24, Weatherford, Texas, won the Non-Pro Futurity, scoring a 218 in the finals riding Badgers Perscription, a daughter of Reys Dual Badger out of An Apple A Day by Doc’s Prescription, a mare she had purchased the end of October from Darren Simpkins, who rode her sire to the 2006 NCHA Horse Of The Year and over $313,500. This was one of 20 offspring from the stallion’s first foal crop.

Kelle’s NCHA Hall of Fame father, Pat Earnheart, who had a lung transplant on Oct. 15, was watching on a television in the family’s bus in the parking lot of Will Rogers Coliseum. He had made a brief appearance on Sunday night when he was inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame, while her mother, Teresa, accompanied Kelle to receive her awards.

Kelle took home a $50,735 paycheck – but it definitely wasn’t her first. She has been riding since she was 4 and won the NCHA Junior Youth World Championships in 1998 and 1999 – and then headed to the limited-age arena. When she was 15, she became the youngest rider to win a major NCHA limited-age event when she topped the Non-Pro division of the 2000 Derby. Last year she was the industry’s fifth leading Non-Pro, earning $188,465. She has lifetime earnings of over $850,000 and in 2008, she was inducted into the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame. Kelle graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in insurance risk and works for an equine insurance agency.

Dustin Adams was the Reserve Non-Pro Champion riding Doctress Orders. He is shown with his wife Deena.
Photo by Robert Eubanks

The Reserve Non-Pro was Dustin Adams, 29, Dublin, Texas, who on his 10th trip to the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, rode a home-raised mare, Doctress Orders (Dual Rey x Boonsmal Doctress x Peptoboonsmal). Dustin and his wife, Deena, own the mare Boonsmal Doctress, which Dustin says is the best horse he’s ever had, and is out of a Freckles Merada, and won close to $217,000 in the cutting pen. Dustin, who runs the Western States Ranches in Dublin, is the son of Wes Adams, a Las Vegas contractor, who started the MillionHeir Cutting program.

Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, the wife of Phil Rapp and the industry’s leading non-pro rider, finished third riding Toy Engine, a daughter of Playgun out of Cool The Engines by Smart Little Lena.

Eighteen sires were represented in the 26-horse Non-Pro finals, with Dual Rey, who also topped the Open and Non-Pro list of sires, leading with four entries. High Brow Cat had three while Playgun and Peptoboonsmal both had two. Two sires saw their first offspring hit the cutting arena this year and included Reys Dual Badger, who sired the champion from a crop of 20, and Dualin Boon, who sired Tama Boon that Jason McClure rode to a tie for 14th.

The other 11 sires represented by one offspring in the finals included Smart Lil Scoot, Pepto Taz, Bobs Freckle, Boonlight Dancer, Zack T Wood, Chula Dual, Smart Little Lena, Hes A Peptospoonful, Wise Play, Sweet Lil Pepto and Boonsmal Cee Lena.

The Limited Non-Pro was won by Ashley Snider riding Bobs A Player (Bobs Freckle x Taqitas Playgirl), owned by Jaime and Ashley Snider, to a 218, winning $14,409. Ashley is the daughter of trainer Greg Smith. Jaime is also a trainer. The Reserve title went to Jack Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, riding Purdy Play (Play Ball x Purdy Aristocrat), owned by Jack and his wife Susan. The pair scored a 216, winning $14,022.

AMATEUR:
Experiencing their first NCHA Amateur championships were two contestants who tied with 217s. Jamie Goertz, Bastrop, Texas, rode Desires Prissy Cat, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Desire Some Freckles by Freckles Playboy. She had gotten the mare as a Christmas present a year ago from her mom, who purchased her from the breeder, Rockin 5 Ranch, Fairhope, Ala. However, the mare suffered from colic late on Thursday, with trainer Eddie Flynn staying with her all night; however, the mare pulled through and was healthy enough to make Friday night’s finals.

Jamie is the daughter of Jo Goetz-Hague, who purchased Pet Squirrel for $400,000 at James Vangilder’s Rock Creek Ranch Dispersal Sale in October. The mare had won over $385,00 under trainer Roger Wagner.

Desire Some Freckles, a 1995 mare who earned over $210,000 during her career, was a semifinalist in the 1998 Futurity ridden by Sam Shepard. She has produced eight foals who have won close to a half million, with her top money earner being Desires Little Rex, a 2004 Smart Little Lena stallion owned by Jerry Durant and ridden by Bubba Matlock to the Reserve title at the 2007 NCHA Open Futurity and the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes, and has lifetime earnings of close to $281,000.

Kim Ziegelgruber, 41, Edmond, Okla., a PRCA roper, ironically traded a rope horse for Mates Special Boy in July 2008.The gelding is sired by Smart Mate out of Hickorys Special Gal by Doc’s Hickory. He too, has a harrowing story in that earlier this year the gelding suffered a severe case of founder and almost died. Ziegelgruber, who has been riding cutting horses since the 1980s, felt the horse’s big heart is what saved him.

Twenty-three sires were represented in the 33 Amateur finalists, including Dual Rey – who led all the divisions with the number of finalists – having four. Dual Pep and Cat Ichi, who is seeing his first colt crop of 141 in the cutting arena, each had three and High Brow Cat, Smart Little Lena and Playgun each had two. Having one each are Smart Mate, Chula Dual, Son Of Oak, Peptos Stylish Oak, first-year sire Dualin Boon, The Colonels Hickory, Downtown Cat, Kit Dual, Playdox, Peptotime, Cats Red Feather, Peeka Pep, Docs Christmas, Hes A Peptospoonful, Abilene Acre, Playin Stylish and Travalena.

Sires with their first foal crop competing in the cutting arena include Cat Ichi with three of his 141 foals making the Amateur finals and Dualin Boon, who had one in the Non-Pro Finals and one in the Amateur. Several finalists came from extremely small foal crops including Son Of Oak, with one of 10 foals from his third crop making the Amateur finals; The Colonels Hickory, one foal from his third crop of six foals; Docs Christmas, one of seven foals from his 13th crop and Abilene Acre with one of eight foals from his fifth crop making the finals.
Click here for full results>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 7, 2009

Matt and Megan Miller are a talented couple! Matt is tied for the top score following two go-rounds of the NCHA Open Futurity, while Megan is tied for the second high score in the Non-Pro division.

The two go-rounds of the Open and Non-Pro divisions of the NCHA Futurity, held Saturday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Dec. 13, are now history.

OPEN:
Leading the Open following two go-rounds are two Matts riding two mares - with each scoring a total of 436.5: Matt Budge riding ARC Ruby Playgunia (Playgun x Ruby Bagonia x Peppy San Badger) for Terry Green's Jackpot Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, has tied with Matt Miller riding Smooth Going Cat (Smooth As A Cat x Dually Lil Pep x Dual Pep) for Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas.

Next comes a three-way tie at 436 between Craig Thompson riding the stallion Lena Peptolena (Peptoboonsmal x Lenas Lucinda x Doc O'Lena) for the Beechfork Ranch, Millington, Tenn.; Lee Francois riding the mare Reys Desire (Dual Rey x Playguns Desire x Playgun), owned by H. B. Bartlett DVM, Pike Road, Ala., and Tony Piggott, a Limited rider on the stallion Rockin W (Dual Rey x Boon San Kitty x High Brow Cat) for Alice Walton's Rocking W Ranch, Millsap, Texas.

It took a 429.5 to advance to the semifinals scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12 and the top 25 plus ties will compete in the finals, Sunday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. The first finals of the event - the John Deere Division of the Open (Limited Open riders), will be held Tues., Dec. 8. The Limited Non-Pro semifinals and finals will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9, with the Finals starting at 6:30 p.m.

NON-PRO:
In the Non-Pro Division, Dean Holden, an Australian transplant to Marietta, Okla., riding the stallion Willys The Boss (CD Lights x Willy N Tivio Babe x Doc N Willy), owned by Holden and Charra Clark, topped the Non-Pro Division, scoring a 435 following two go-rounds.

Next, scoring a combined score of 432 are Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding the mare, The Doctress Orders (Dual Rey x Boonsmal Doctress x Peptoboonsmal), owned by Dustin and his wife Deena; Kelle Earnheart, Weatherford, Texas, riding Badgers Perscription (Reys Dual Badger x An Apple A Day), and Megan Miller, Poolville, Texas, riding Falcon Feather (Cats Red FEather x Docs Miss N Dinero).

It took a 422 to advance to the Non-Pro semifinals which is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 10 following the Amateur semifinals, which begins at 8 a.m. The finals will be held Friday, Dec. 11 following the Amateur finals, which begins at 4 p.m.. The Limited Non-Pro semifinals and finals will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 - with the finals starting at 6:30 p.m.

AMATEUR:
The Amateur competition is in full swing, with Gail Holmes, Fort Worth, Texas, topping the list of entries riding Havanna Lights (CD Lights x Stylish Play Lena) to a 216. She is followed by Luke Barnhart, Hesston, Kan., riding Firecracker Bright (Smart Little Lena x Daintys Cat) to a 215.5. Third is split three ways between Constance Jaeggi from Switzerland riding two horses to a 214: Kool Arista Cat (Cats Merada x Play Kool Gristocrat) and Mamaws Little Pepto (Hes A Peptospoonful x Josie Chickory)and Jacqueline Young, Dallas, Texas, riding Spiccoli (Smart Lil Ricochet x Stylish Lil Jubie)

The first go-round of the Amateur continues through Tuesday morning, Dec. 8. The semifinals will be held at 8 a.m., Thursday Dec. 10 and the finals Friday, Dec. 11 at 4 p.m.
Click here for complete schedule & results>>

FUTURITY SALES:
TUESDAY, DEC. 8
The NCHA Futurity Sales start on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 9 a.m. with 217 consignments of the NCHA Mid-Futurity Sales, which will include two sessions. The first session will be in the Watt arena, followed by the second session in the John Justina Arena.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, the Sale of 2-Year-Olds by Select Sires, featuring 178 entries shown on cattle, will sell in the Watt arena. (The Limited Non-Pro semi-finals will start at 8 a.m., followed by the finals at 6:30 p.m.)

THURSDAY, DEC. 10
The Preferred Breeders Sale (Session 1) containing 238 head, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, starting at 9 a.m. in the John Justin Sale Arena. (The Amateur and Non-Pro semifinals will also be held that day starting at 8 a.m. The World Finals Part will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Round-Up Inn)

FRIDAY, DEC. 11
The second session of the Preferred Breeders Sale, featuring 199 head, will sell at 9 a.m. in the John Justin Sale arena. The sale will be preceeded by the Horsemen For Christ Stallion Service Auction, featuring donated breedings to Autumn Acre, Cats Merada, Cat Ichi, CD Lights, CD Olena, Hes A Peptospoonful, High Brow CD, Its Just About Me, Metallic Cat, Nitas Wood, One Time Pepto, Power Proof, Quejanaisalena, Spots Hot, Third Cutting and Widows Freckles. That will be followed by private stud fees offered for the 2010 breeding season, including a High Brow Cat breeding consigned by H&H Cutting Horses, a Cats Red Feather breeding consigned by Jackk and Susan Waggoner, and two 2010 breedings to Bet On Me 498 consigned by John Maddox. Additional breedings will also be offered. (The Amatur and Non-Pro Finals will follow at 4 p.m.)

SATURDAY, DEC. 12:
The Invitational Yearling Sale, featuring 94 head, will be held Saturday, Dec. 12, starting at 5 p.m. in the John Justin Sale Arena. The sale will be broadcast live on RFD-TV. (The Open semifinals that stars at 8 a.m. should be over by sale time)

SUNDAY, DEC. 13:
The Select Seasoned Cutting Horse Sale, consisting of 101 head, will take place at 9 a.m. in the Watt Arena, on Sunday, Dec. 13. (The Open finals will be held at 6 p.m.)

DAN HANSEN RIDES PLAY CORN TO A 219 AND TOPS THE NCHA NON-PRO FUTURITY FIRST GO-ROUND

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Dec. 3, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, topped the first go-round of the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity riding Play Corn to a 219.

For Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, it all started with Bobcorn , a winning mare by Bob Acre Doc, owned by him and his wife, Karen. While her first two colts were money earners, her third and fourth colts were ridden by Dan in the first go-round of the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity which ended tonight, following four go-rounds in which 382 entries competed. Play Corn, a daughter of Playgun, won the go-round, scoring a 219, while KD Sweet Corn by Dual Pep, also ridden by Dan, made the second go-round, scoring a respectable 212.

Coming in second were two non-pros – Stephanie Haymes, Los Olivos, Calif., riding Im Catman (High Brow Cat x Cowstruck) and Jason McClure, Hayesville, N.C., riding Tama Boon (Dualin Boon x Playboy Tamalena) to a 218 score.

Dan, who shows in both aged events and weekend competition, rode Bobcorn to the Reserve title of the 2003 NCHA Non-Pro Limited Derby and the 2007 NCHA $10,000 Novice Non-Pro World Finals. Showing their uncanny versatility, both Dan and Karen (a former barrel racer) qualified for and showed in the Non-Pro World Championship Finals held on Saturday night, Nov. 25 in the Watt arena, with Dan finishing seventh in the Finals riding Neversey and 10th for the year, winning $33,049.67. Dan was the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion riding Woody Be Lucky, Neversey and Bobin Hood. He finished fourth in 2008. Karen rode Woody Be Lucky to 13th place in the finals and 14th for the 2009 year, earning $27,618.98.

Bobcorn had two geldings, Cuttin Corn and Pepcorn, who were both money earners, then 2006 multiple-embryos KD Sweet Corn by Dual Pep and Play Corn by Playgun. According to Hansen, Phil Rapp, was the one who suggested he breed Bobcorn to Playgun, a leading sire, sired by Freckles Playboy and out of Miss Silver Pistol, who ironically was the Non-Pro Champion of the 1985 NCHA Futurity with Wes Shahan in the saddle. Playgun, is a 1992 gray stallion owned by Dick and Brenda Pieper, Marietta, Okla.

The second go-round of the Non-Pro starts tomorrow (Friday) morning at 7 a.m. With a 194 being the cut-off score, 230 horses will compete. The top 60 plus ties will go to the semifinals, which will take place Thursday, Dec. 10 and the top 25 plus ties will qualify for the Friday, Dec. 11 Non-Pro Finals.

LIMITED NON-PRO:
Five Limited Non-Pro riders tied for the top spot of the 75 horses that qualified for the semifinals, which will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The five riders each scored a 216 – with a 209 being the cut-off score for the 226 entries.

Scoring a 216 were Julie Jarma, Prosper, Texas, riding Ichi Magic (Cat Ichi x San Jose Hickory); David McDavid, Fort Worth, Texas, riding DMAC Matador (Hes A Peptospoonful x Smart Little Swap); Robin Merrill, Purcell, Okla., riding Miss Tazwood (Pepto Taz x Miss Echo Wood); Shannon Rust, Gordon, Texas, riding Chigga Digga (Chula Dual x SR Pretty Playboy) and Isidro Sigala, Weatherford, Texas, riding Sofie Rey (Dual Rey x Safari Fever).
Click here for full results>>

Article by Glory Ann Kurtz - photos by Jim Arnold
Nov. 27, 2009

Andrew Waters shown riding Son Ofa Sanjo, owned by Lee Holsey. The pair won the Open Derby.
Photo by Jim Arnold

Australian trainers winning major events in the United States is nothing new – in fact since the 1970s when the first wave appeared in the United States cutting arenas, five have been inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame. Even though Australian Andrew Waters, 33, Crockett, Texas, has been in the US for 10 years, he is just now making a name for himself. With the drive and work ethic he has, you’ll be hearing more of him in the future.

At the Texas Futurity, held Nov. 5-7 in Waco, Texas, Waters was the high money earner, taking home close to $11,000 after winning the Open Derby and taking the Reserve title in the Open Classic/Challenge. He also finished third in the Ltd. Open Derby and first and third in the Ltd. Open Classic. Although this wasn’t his first aged event – it was definitely his best – so far.

Riding Son Ofa Sanjo, a son of Sanjo Starlight out of Parkmans Starlight by Parkman Bar, owned by Lee Holsey, Lovelady, Texas, Waters won the Open Derby with a 219 scored at the Texas Cutting Open Derby, taking home the $5,467.22 first-place paycheck. Trained by Waters, Son Ofa Sanjo also finished third in the $100,000 Ltd. Open Derby. He had been shown on a very limited basis; however, just prior to the Texas Futurity, the pair were finalists in the Southern Open Cutting Derby and finished third in the Limited Open Division. Finishing second with a 216 was Tim McCloud, Buffalo, Texas, riding Gypsy By Starlight owned by Ken and Marcia Hanson, Temple, Texas.

Tim McCloud won the Open Classic at the Texas Futurity riding Peppy Petites Choice and was Reserve Champion of the Open Derby riding Gypsy By Starlight.
Photo by Jim Arnold

McCloud topped the Open Classic with a 224 riding Peppy Petites Choice, owned by J. B. and Patricia Davis, Buffalo, Texas; however, Waters and San Jos Smarty, trained by Roy Carter and also owned by Holsey, finished second with a 221, earning $3,809.54. He also won the Limited Open on him and finished third riding Peptos Stylish Sue for Holsey.

San Jos Smarty, a son of Smart Lil Scoot out of San Jose Freckles by San Jo Lena, has lifetime earnings of $29,100, including a Reserve Champion of the Texas Classic Open and the championship of the 2007 State of Missouri CHA Open Derby.

Holsey also picked up a paycheck but in the Non-Pro Classic Finals riding Peptos Stylish Sue, a 5-year-old daughter of Peptos Stylish Oak out of Bancita Sue Olena by Mr Freckles Olena, which he purchased at the 2008 NCHA Futurity Sale from Barry Syra for $225,000. Trained by Boyd Rice, the mare had been a finalist in the 2007 NCHA Open Futurity, winning $80,203, and won the 2008 NCHA Open Derby for an additional $75,000. She currently has lifetime earnings of $188,948.80.

ANDREW WATERS:

Andrew Waters, who hails from Wingham, Australia, has been in the United States for 10 years, working under some of the greats - including The Hansma brothers, Ronnie Rice and Brad Mitchell.
Photo by Jim Arnold

Waters, 33 and single, came to the United States from Wingham, Australia, located about four hours north of Sydney or 2 ½ hours east of Tamworth, for those who have been to the Australian Futurity. He graduated from college with a degree in horse management. The Aussie horseman had won several camp-drafting titles, broke and trained Polo ponies and working under one of Australia’s great young horsemen Mark Palmer, his experiences had just whetted his appetite.

“I always looked up to the American horse trainers,” said Waters. “As a kid I always heard of the great trainers in the United States, like the Dorrance brothers, Ray Hunt and Matlock Rose. I looked up to those guys and I wanted to come to the United States and better myself.”

In 1999 that dream came true. “I had no plans of staying over here,” said Waters. “But I was lucky enough to get a job at the Bar H Ranche through another Aussie boy over here. They were looking for someone to start colts at the ranch in Tennessee. “Then when the first two years were up on my Visa, I planned to go home. But then suddenly I had the opportunity to work for Brad Mitchell – and that’s why I came back over.” Waters worked for Mitchell for four years.

Later he was offered a position to work for Ronnie Rice. “I’d have been crazy not to take that position – to work for someone like Ronnie,” said Waters, who worked for Rice for three years. Asked how he came to work for Lee Holsey, where he has worked for the past two years, Waters said that Roy Carter had been riding horses for Lee when Lee decided he wanted someone to ride horses out of his place full time. Ronnie had also trained horses for Lee in the past, and when this opportunity came for me to work for Lee, that was a good omen for me – because Lee knew that I’d also worked for Ronnie.”

“It’s been a dream 10 years to work for the people I’ve worked for. I haven’t had huge or great opportunities, but the ones I’ve had, I’ve tried to take them and see what happens. It all takes time. I’m sure not in a big rush to be a super star overnight – that part doesn’t really bother me. I just want to prove to myself that I can do this and enjoy it as I do it.”

As of Nov. 14, 2009, NCHA shows that Waters has $28,175 in lifetime earnings – with $23,618 in qualifying money at the beginning of 2009. He has had little chance to show in aged events, even though when he worked for Ronnie, he showed in the NCHA Futurity. “My showing was limited because the customers preferred Ronnie to show their horses – not his apprentice,” said Waters. “And that’s fine – I understand that. I had to pay my dues and when I got opportunities, I took them – and it’s all falling into place.”

Even though Waters has showed in a few other aged events, including last year’s NCHA Derby and a couple of other smaller aged events, the Texas Futurity has been his best. He worked up to it by making the finals at the Southern Futurity in Jackson, Miss., just a week before the Waco show. Son Ofa Sanjo had only been shown about 15 times before coming to Waco.

As I was talking to Waters, he politely asked if he could call me back. He was at the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City and he was about to show a Senior Horse. I checked the results later and saw that he had finished fifth in the AQHA Senior World Show Finals riding A Hillbilly Cat for a friend, Sherry Graham, Canyon, Texas. Ronnie Rice had trained the High Brow Cat gelding for Jim Bilbrey, who sold him to a California owner that Gavin Jordan trained and showed horses for. Sherry later bought the gelding.

But Waters doesn’t take his experience lightly. “I always just watch people as they work and I learn something from them. You can never stop learning; you can learn something from everybody.
And he doesn’t take his breaks for granted either. “I’ve been lucky along the way,” said Waters. “I was lucky to learn a lot from Ronnie. He’s pretty much the one who taught me about training cutting horses. He was a great mentor to work from.

To me, it was quite evident – that the harder that Waters worked, the luckier he became.

THE REST OF THE STORY:
Besides Tim McCloud, another multiple winner was Amateur Gay Karhan, Blanco, Texas. Gay won the $50,000 Amateur Futurity riding her and her husband, Jim’s home-grown mare KR Goodnight Irene, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Fletchs Amigo by Jae Bar Fletch.

Gay, who has over $47,000 in lifetime earnings, also won the Amateur Class with a 220, beating out 35 other entries for an $1,813.20 paycheck, riding Kadabra Jess, a 5-year-old gelding by Abrakadabracre out of Quixote Jessie by Holidoc. With $52,041 in lifetime earnings, the gelding won the 2007 Texas Amateur Futurity and split the Open title. His largest paycheck of $10,500 came from the Reserve Championship of the 2007 West Texas Open Futurity. The Karhans purchased the gelding in January 2006 from the breeders, Wayne and Carolann Hodges, Weatherford, Texas.

The Reserve Championship in the $50,000 Amateur Classic went to the Karhan's 20-year-old daughter, Casey Karhan, riding Blue Butter Beans, a 5-year-old son of Mecom Blue out of Precious Liza Lena by Smart Little Lena. The Karhans purchased Blue Butter Beans in August 2005 from the breeders, Wichita Ranch, Brenham, Texas."I think I'll put her on my h orses since she seems to get checks all the time," said Jim, who has over $37,500 in lifetime earnings, while Casey has over $14,000. The couple also have a son, Colby, attending LSU Law School and just doesn't have time to compete anymore.

The Karhans, who have been involved in the “world of cutting” for the past 11 years as Amateur riders, own Fantastic Cat (nicknamed Shrek), a 2002 son of High Brow Cat out of Marmosets Playgirl by Freckles Playboy. Marmosets Playgirl is out of the great mare Doc’s Marmoset, the 1973 NCHA Futurity Champion with Tom Lyons in the saddle.

Fantastic Cat, 7, has close to $100,000 in lifetime earnings, including being a semifinalist in the 2005 NCHA Open Futurity, ridden by David Stewart. The pair also finished 6th at the 2006 Abilene Spectacular, made the semifinals at the 2006 NCHA Super Stakes and finished 8th in the 2006 Breeders Invitational. During 2008, trainer Clay Johnson has had a lot of success on the stallion and they plan to promote him by going to some of the bigger shows this year. His oldest foals are weanlings..

Robert Fuentes, Brenham, Texas, won the Texas Futurity Open Futurity riding Dolls Starlight (P), a Paint daughter of Sting N Starlight by Grays Starlight.
Photo by Jim Arnold

The Open Futurity Champion was Dolls Starlight, a Paint daughter of Sting N Starlight (P), a Grays Starlight son, and out of Playguns Doll by Playgun, owned by Randermann Quarter Horses of Brenham, ridden by Robert Fuentes, Brenham, Texas, who was experiencing his first aged-event win.

Ron Davis rode Blazin Chili to the championship of the Non-Pro Futurity.
Photo by Jim Arnold

Ron Davis, Morgan Mill, Texas, won the Non-Pro Futurity riding Blazin Chili to a 429 following two go-rounds. The championship was determined from the two go-round total.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 24, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas

Elizabeth Queen topped all scores at the NCHA World Finals, scoring a 230 on Sister CD in the first go-round of the Non-Pro Finals.

Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., rode Thomas E Hughes, a High Brow Cat stallion owned by Don and Kathy Boone, Columbia, Texas, to a whopping 229, winning the first go-round of the NCHA World Finals, held Tuesday, Nov. 24, in Fort Worth, Texas, during the NCHA Futurity. The only one to outscore the pair was Elizabeth Queen riding Sister CD to a 230 - winning the first go-round of the Non-Pro.

The event includes four go-rounds and a non-working finals for the top 15 Open and Non-Pro horses in the nation. The Open horse and Non-Pro rider with the largest amount of year-end earnings following the show will be named the World Champions. Each go-round, held Nov. 24, 25, 27 and 28 in the Watt Arena of Will Rogers Memorial Complex, and the non-working finals will pay eight places, with first place paying $6,410.

OPEN DIVISION:
With close to $307,400 in lifetime earnings, Thomas E Hughes came into the Open finals in second place with $63,661 in 2009 earnings - and left the finals still in second place with $70,071 in earnings. Shepard has lifetime earnings of over $3.8 million.

With Dual Rey Me topping the standings going into the finals with $74,425, he remained at the head of the class after finishing third and taking home a $3,846 paycheck for a 224. The Dual Pep gelding has year-end earnings totaled $78,270.88 after the first go-round. The two-time World Champion is sired by Dual Pep, and owned by Jeremy and his wife Candace, Stephenville,Texas.

Finishing second with a 226.5 was Stylish Curly (Docs Stylish Oak) owned by Katherine Macmillan Tanner, Lexington, Okla., ridden by Curly Tully. Stylish Curly came into the finals in 7th place with $27,963 in earnings. The $5,128 paycheck increased his earnings to $33,091 - which is still 7th. He has $142,650 in lifetime earnings, while Tully has won over $1.6 million.

Fourth place went to Hick Chicaroo (Doc's Hickory), owned by the Latigo Canyon Ranch LLC of Santa Ynez, Calif., and ridden by Scott Weis to a 221 and a $3,077 paycheck - which left them in 11th place. Cats Dual Olena (High Brow Cat) owned by Jarrett and Shannon Callahan of McConnells, Texas, ridden by Eddie Braxton to a 220.5 was fifth, winning $2,564. The amount left the pair in 13th place. Sixth, with a 218.5, was Cats Royal Jewel (High Brow Cat), owned by Robert and Connie Rust, Gordon, Texas, and ridden by Robert. The $2,051 paycheck gave them $34,273.92 for the year, and left them in sixth place for the year.

Seventh and eighth, scoring a 218, was a split between Neat Little Cat, owned by Jim and Judy Spaulding, Millsap, Texas, and ridden by Scott McClurg, and Tronas Chex, owned by Dale & Erin Robbins, Opelika, Ala., and ridden by Dale. Both picked up $1,282 paychecks. Neat Little Cat remained in third place for the year while Tronas Chex remained in 12th place.

NON-PRO:
The highest score of the evening, a 230, went to Non-Pro Elizabeth Queen and her great CD Olena gelding Sister CD, owned by Elizabeth and her husband Skip. The pair were leading going into the finals with $72,730 and the $6,410 paycheck gave them a bigger margin for their $79,140.

The Reserve title in the Non-Pro went to Paula Wood, Stephenville, Texas, riding Donas Cool Cat (High Brow Cat) to a 226. The pair came into the finals with $36,558 and their $5,128 paycheck gave them $41,686 and third place for the year. Fourth went to Wade Rust, Gordon, Texas, riding Aljerita Annie (Smart Little Jerry) to a 221.5, taking home $3,077. The pair are in 7th place for the year.

Julie Hansma, Weatherford, Texas, rode Al Poocino to fifth place, earning $2,564. Owned by Paul and Julie Hansma, Al Poocino currently has $30,312.66 in year-end earnings, good enough for eighth place.

Multiple Non-Pro Champion Joe Howard Williamson, Archer City, Texas, rode NutN Buta Houndog to a 218.5 and $2,051 paycheck, boosting his year-end earnings to $37,678.75, good enough for fifth place for the year.

Seventh and eighth was split three ways between Mary Jo Milner, Southlake, Texas, riding Show Biz Ben, Karen Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, riding Woody Be Lucky and Karen's husband, Dan, riding Neverey. All three socred a 215 and won $855. Mary Jo, who was in second place going into the finals, retained her position - as did Karen for 13th place and Dan for 14th.
Click here for complete results of 1st go>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 9, 2009 – Ogden, Utah

Kade Smith, 20, Cedar City, Utah, won the finals of the Utah Non-Pro Classic-Challenge, winning $3,015.The event is up 18 percent over 2008 entries.

Have we turned the corner with the downward trend in limited aged events? With a lot of shows showing decreases in entries, current shows are showing an upward trend – at least in the West. The South Point show was up dramatically, followed by the PCCHA show which was up from last year. Most recently, the Utah CHA/Marker Futurity & Aged Event, held in Ogden, Utah, Nov. 3-7, continued that upward trend.

Entries in every major division were up or at least even with last year’s entries, totaling 242 compared to 206 in 2008 – an increase of 18 percent. The Open Futurity grew by 16 entries, which was the most of any division, with 68 Open Futurity entries, compared to 52 in 2008 – a whopping 31 percent increase.

The Open Derby increased by eight entries, while the Open Classic/Challenge was two entries higher than last year. Increases were not quite as dramatic in the Non-Pro and Amateur divisions, with the Non-Pro Futurity remaining at 13 entries. The Derby was up six entries while the Classic Challenge and Uncola up two more entries each.

While these numbers are not dramatic – they are consistent. And in today’s economy, that’s a win – win!

OPEN FUTURITY:
Incredicat, a daughter of High Brow Cougar out of Incredi Babe by Mr Peponita Flo, owned by Bob Clyde, Mount Pleasant, Utah, and ridden by Tim Denton, Sterling, Utah, scored a 150 and claimed the $7,257.75 first-place paycheck from the 68-entry Open Futurity. (Last year’s Open Futurity champion took home $5,892.50). The mare was bred by Trinity Compress Real Estate, Lubbock, Texas, and purchased by Clyde in February 2006. Prior to the Utah event, the mare had tied for fifth in the PCCHA Fall Open Futurity, winning $12,513.33. According to NCHA records, Denton has over $690,241 in lifetime earnings to his credit.

The Reserve title and $5,705.76 paycheck went to Freckles Smart Cat, a son of WR This Cats Smart out of Freckles Gin Fizz by Over Pass, bred and owned by Shannon Rahlves, Truckee, Calif., and ridden by Dan Manning, Wickenburg, Ariz. The pair’s 146 score also won the Open Gelding finals for an additional $611.10. Freckles Smart Cat had previous NCHA earnings of only $853.51 going into the event. Manning has lifetime earnings of close to $105,000.

However, the big story in the futurity was the relatively unknown trainer, Andy Christensen, West Point, Utah, with less than $35,000 in NCHA earnings. Christensen placed two horses in the Open Futurity Finals, took the top two spots in the $100,000 Limited Finals and finished sixth in the Gelding division. Christensen also picked up a $1,197.27 paycheck for the Reserve title in the $10,000 Ltd. Open Derby – for a total take-home paycheck of $6,071.84 – increasing his lifetime earnings by 18 percent.

He rode Dollys Elegance, a daughter of TR Dual Rey out of Boonsmal Doll by Peptoboonsmal, owned by Richard Mendenhall, Alpine, Utah, and Sly Fly (DNA), owned by Marla and Dave Hughes, Salem, Utah, for the Championship and Reserve in the Ltd. Finals.

OPEN DERBY:
Smart Anna Doc, a daughter of Smart Little Jerry out of Anna Lee Doc by Son Ofa Doc, owned by Kathi and Dwight Fisher, Denver, Colo., ridden by Kenneth Platt, Lupton, Colo., won the 45-entry Open Derby finals, collecting $4,021.82 for their 148 total score. The mare had previous earnings of $24,077, including being a finalist in the Open and Limited Open in the 2008 Utah event. Platt had NCHA earnings of $161,500 prior to the event.

Brian Anderson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, had a great show, earning close to $10,800. He rode Sweet Jesus, a daughter of Sweet Lil Pepto out of Genuine Jean by Genuine Peppy, owned by Susan Lucchesi, Florence, Mont., to the Reserve Championship of the Derby for a $3,283.93 paycheck. He was also Reserve in the Open Classic/Challenge and also placed seventh and ninth in the finals. He had previous lifetime NCHA earnings of $365,286.

The $10,000 Limited finals of the Derby was won by Little Cash Cat, a son of High Brow Cat out of Dox Irish Rap by Miss N Cash, owned by Sandra Figge, Ketchum, Idaho, ridden by Scott Martin, Bellevue, Idaho. The 147 finals score netted the mare $1,465.45 and increased her lifetime earnings to $3,904.60. She previously had been shown mainly at NCHA weekend shows and split fourth in the Mebane Ranch Festival Derby Open Gelding. Martin has earned over $1,136,000 in NCHA lifetime earnings.

OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

Gavin Jordan, Wilton, Calif., won the 36-entry Open Classic/Challenge riding Peppy Calienta for Margot Hazell.

In the 36-entry Open Classic/Challenge, it was Peppy Calienta, a daughter of Catalano out of Call Me Cali Olena by Doc O’Lena, owned by Margot Hazell, Livermore, Calif., ridden by Gavin Jordan, Wilton, Calif., that scored the winning run of 146, collecting $3,619.61. The mare had previous lifetime earnings of $1,455.38, which included a large amount of weekend NCHA earnings. Jordan has won over $1,167,000 in NCHA earnings.

Brian Anderson probably had one of the best shows of his career, taking his second Reserve championship title in the Classic/Challenge. He rode Quite A Boon, a son of Peptoboonsmal out of the great mare Meradas Little Sue by Freckles Merada, owned by Frank and Belinda Vandersloot, Idaho Falls, Idaho, to a 145 and a $3,022.19 paycheck riding Pretty Steady Lena for Georgina MacDonald to a sixth-place tie, earning $1,537.55 and Pinkys Little Sue, also owned by the Vandersloots, to an eight-place tie for an additional $1,305.71. Quite A Boon had $53,197.67 in lifetime earnings coming into the show, including her largest paycheck of $6,355.87 for the Reserve Championship of the 2006 Utah CHA Open Futurity.

Blazin Cattin, owned by Bob and Ann Hulden, Union, Ore., ridden by Diehl Hiner, won the nine-entry Open Gelding Finals. Blazin Cattin, a 5-year-old son of Cattin out of Salena Starlight by Grays Starlight, with previous lifetime earnings topping $9,800 also finished Reserve in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge finals, plus won the Gelding and $100,000 Ltd. divisions for $3,512.67 – taking home a total of $3,949.17.

Jason Taylor rode One Wheeled Scooter (Smart Lil Scoot x Times One x Son O Sugar) to the $100,000 Ltd. Finals.

NON-PRO FUTURITY:
In the 13-entry Non-Pro Futurity competition, it was Brett Neff, Spanish Fork, Utah, riding Chris Leboon, a gelding by Lots Of Acres out of Boons YO Birdie by Boon Bar that swept the 13-entry Futurity competition, with their 145 winning the Non-Pro Futurity Finals, as well as the Gelding and $100,000 Ltd. Finals. Altogether, they picked up $4,251.34. The gelding previously won the Idaho Non-Pro Futurity as well as the Gelding division. Neff had previous NCHA lifetime earnings of $35,456.

The Reserve title went to Marla Hughes, Salem, Utah, riding Sly Fly, a DNA-registered gelding by That Sly Cat out of Flying F Candyflex, an Australian-bred mare sired by Docs Spinifex. The pair also was Reserve in the Non-Pro Gelding finals and the $100,000 Ltd. Finals for a total of $3,373.63. Andy Christensen had also ridden the gelding to $2,248.98 in the Open Futurity – for a grand total of over $5,622. Prior to the Utah event, the gelding had been Reserve at the Wyoming CHA Non-Pro Futurity and won the $50,000 Amateur.

NON-PRO DERBY
In the 8-entry Non-Pro Derby, offspring of Peptos Stylish Oak swept the division. Stylapep, a daughter of Peptos Stylish Oak out of Peppymint O Lena by Peppymint Dry, owned and ridden by Leslie Bakey, Elk Grove, Calif., won the Non-Pro Finals, as well as the $100,000 Ltd., division with a 146, earning $2,952.27.

Stylin Dude, a gelding by Peptos Stylish Oak out of Little Madera Lena by Smart Little Lena, owned and ridden by Wayne Cechettini, Sloughhouse, Calif., finished third in the Non-Pro Finals and won the Non-Pro Gelding Finals, for a total take-home check of $2,085.25. Ridden by Michael Bakey, the gelding also finished fifth in the Open Derby for an additional $1,808.17.

Bratty Cat Rita (High Brow Cat x Litten Lena x Peppy San Badger), owned and ridden by Jerry Ward of the North Ridge Ranch in Pierre, S.D., was Reserve Champion of the Non-Pro Derby, taking home $2,169.56.

NON-PRO CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
Kade Smith, 20, Cedar City, Utah, son of top trainer Greg Smith, won the finals of the 32-entry Classic/Challenge Non-Pro class riding Blue Boon Bob, a 6-year-old son of Blue Bayou Boon by Bob Acre Playgirl by Bob Acre Doc, scoring a 150 and taking home a $3,015.03 paycheck. Blue Boon Bob had $9,155 in lifetime earnings going into the event, which included paychecks from the Championship of the 2009 Big Sky Non-Pro Cutting Classic, fourth in the Idaho Non-Pro Classic and second in the Gelding Division and the championship of the $200 Limited Non-Pro Rider. Kade had $135,153 in NCHA lifetime earnings prior to his Utah win.

Blazin Cattin, a 5-year-old son of Cattin out of Salena Starlight by Grays Starlight, finished Reserve and won the Non-Pro Gelding and $100,000 Ltd. Finals, Owned and ridden by Bob Hulden, Union, Ore., the pair took home a total of $3,512.67 plus won $436.50 for winning the Open Classic/Challenge Finals – for a total of $3,949.17.

UNCOLA NON-PRO:
The 22-entry Uncola Non-Pro, Gelding and Ltd. Finals was won by Preston Skaar, Menan, Idaho, riding Stylish Windy, a 7-year-old gelding by TO Stylish Hickory out of Doc N Windy by Docs Amberjack, owned by Preston and his wife Darcy. The pair took home a total of $2,606.67. Reserve went to Tracy Hart, Winters, Calif., riding Easter Safari (Badger Safari x Rena S George x Doc S George) for $1,420.

AMATEUR DERBY-CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
Teresa Courrier, Sparks, Nev., won the 18-entry Derby Amateur Finals riding Dulces Lou Lena, a daughter of Dulces Smart Lena out of Miss Super Pak by Plumb Dry, to a 146 and an $1,807.12 paycheck. The mare came into the event with over $16,758 in lifetime earnings – while Teresa had NCHA earnings of $29,850 prior to the event.

Carly Chiarelli, Basalt, Colo., shown with her father Gene Chiarelli. Carly was the Amateur Classic/Challenge champion and placed Reserve in the Amateur Derby - riding half brothers. She has won over $131,000 in NCHA earnings.

Reserve went to Carly Chiarelli, Basalt, Colo., riding Meradas Peppy Cat, owned by Eugene Chiarelli, to the Reserve title, taking home $1,563.80. The son of Cats Merada out of Miss Pepi Ole by Peppy San Badger, had close to $50,000 in lifetime earnings coming into the Utah event – while Carly has earned over $131,000.

Carly also won the Amateur Classic/Challenge riding a half brother to Meradas Peppy Cat - Lil Peppys Advantage, a 6-year-old son of Hickorys Advantage out of Miss Pepi Ole by Peppy San Badger, also owned by her father Eugene. The gelding has lifetime earnings of close to $90,000 which includes his and Carly’s most recent – the Reserve title at the PCCHA Fall Non-Pro Classic and the championship of the $50,000 Amateur.

Jann Parker, Huntley, Mont., was Reserve in the Amateur Classic/Challenge plus she also placed in the Non-Pro. Jann and her husband Bill produce the Billings LIvestock Auction.

Reserve in the Amateur Classic/Challenge was Jann Parker riding Bearilyntocowtowncat, a 6-year-old gelding sired by High Brow Cat out of Smart Little Monroe by Smart Little Lena. The double-registered AQHA/APHA gelding won $1,300.87 plus an additional $1,858.60 for a sixth in the Classic/Challenge Non-Pro and 4th in the Gelding and Ltd divisions – for a total of $3,167.47. Jann, with close to $108,000 in NCHA earnings, and her husband, Bill,own the Parker Horse Company in Huntley, Mont., and they produce the popular Billings Livestock Horse Sale that holds monthly sales in Billings, Mont.
Click here for full results>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 2, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Dustin Adams won the PCCHA Non-Pro Futurity riding WSR Clays Freckles.

The PCCHA Futurity & Cutting Stakes, held Oct. 22-Nov. 1 in Paso Robles, Calif., came to a halt on Sunday, Nov. 1, with Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, finishing 1-2 in the Non-Pro Futurity. But his 217 winning run on WSR Clays Freckles, a gelding by San Tules Freckles out of Clays Little Peppy by Peppy San Badger was bittersweet as he was the great mare’s last foal before she died.

He also rode Palefaced Hickory, a daughter of Pale Face Jose out of Janas Little Hickory by Doc’s Hickory to the Reserve title, scoring a 216. Dustin collected $11,286 for first, $10,105 for second and another $3,021 for eighth on San Tules Choice – for a total of $24,412. Third place went to Chad Bushaw, Weatherford, Texas, riding Will You Play – the gelding he rode to the Non-Pro Futurity Gelding title a day earlier, adding $8,924 to his take-home pay.

FUTURITY:
WSR Clays Freckles was trained by Zack Henning, a resident trainer at Western States Ranches. Prior to the PCCHA Futurity, Dustin rode him to $12,771 in lifetime earnings, including a second at the Music City Non-Pro Futurity, third at the Brazos Bash and fifth at West Texas. Dustin currently has lifetime earnings of over $2.6 million.

Scott Weiss, Ojai, Calif., rode Smart Exactacat in a tie with Gavin Jordan riding Sting Cat Sting (P), for the Reserve title of the PCCHA Open Futurity. Both horses were sired by WR This Cats Smart.

Ironically, two horses sired by the same stallion, WR This Cats Smart, tied for the championship of the Open Futurity Gelding finals. Scott Weiss, Ojai, Calif., rode Smart Exactacat, a son of WR This Cats Smart out of Smart as Lindy by Smart Little Lena, for Julie Sandford, Orange, Calif., while Gavin Jordan, Wilton, Calif., rode a Paint gelding Sting Cat Sting (P), owned by Nicole Carson, also sired by WR This Cats Smart out of Stingers Sugar Bar (P) by LPLS Stinger (P). Both scored a 219 and took home $16,483 paychecks. Both riders declined a work-off and split the title.

Smart Exactacat previously won $6,512, which included a 19th at the Mebane Ranch Festival Open Futurity and during the PCCHA event, the pair also finished 17th in the Open Futurity for $4,512. Weis is a top West Coast trainer, winning over $3.3 million in lifetime earnings.

Gavin Jordan, Wilton, Calif., rode Sting Cat Sting (P) in a tie with Smart Exactacat for the Reserve title of the PCCHA Futurity.

Gavin Jordan, who has won close to $1.2 million, is also a top Open trainer, and not only tied for the championship of the event, but also finished third on Flites Riatea Doc Too for Bob and Mary Fish, El Dorado, Calif., and fourth on Pepto Salsa, owned by Phillip Johnson, Enumclaw, Wash., with his horses taking home over $31,414. Sting Cat Sting, previously earned $12,987.76, including a tie for the championship at the Echeta Ranch Open Futurity, 12th at the Mebane Ranch Festival Open Futurity and fifth in the Gelding division, as well as finishing 18th in the PCCHA Open Fall Futurity.

Darol Rodrock, a real estate developer from Usira, Kan., rode Cats Stevens to the Amateur Futurity title.

Darol Rodrock, Usira, Kan., won the Amateur Futurity finals aboard Cats Stevens, a gelding by High Brow Cat out of Meradas Oh Cay by Freckles Merada that he had just purchased from Billy Martin days earlier. Rodrock scored a 213 and took home $2,805. Rodrock, a real estate developer, was also rides pleasure horses, trains with Michael Cooper and has won close to $102,000 in lifetime earnings. Cats Stevens finished 20th in the PCCHA Fall Open Futurity and had $1,500 in NCHA earnings.

The Reserve was split between Brenda Higbee, Redmond, Ore., riding Feathers Real Desire and Jack Dawson, Spanish Springs, Nev., with both scoring a 207 and taking home $2,507.50.

CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

Bonnie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev. won the Non-Pro Classic Challenge riding Rubys Royal CD.

Bonnie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev., increased her over half million dollars in lifetime earnings by $6,868 when she rode Rubys Royal CD to a 222 and the championship of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge finals. The daughter of CD Royal out of Smart Little Ruby by Smart Little Lena, has now earned over $182,660.

Carly Chiarelli, Basalt, Colo., is only 14 by she's taking the Non-Pro and Amateur aged events by storm She was Reserve in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge and won the Amateur division. She also won the Junior Youth.

Reserve was Carly Chiarelli, a 14-year-old from Basalt, Colo., who has set the non-pro and amateur aged-events on their ear lately. Carly, who has only been showing cutting horses for about five years after originally showing hunter-jumpers, rode Lil Peppys Advantage, a gelding by Hickorys Advantage out of Miss Pepi Ole by Peppy San Badger, owned by her father, Eugene Chiarelli, to a 217 and $6,330. However, the pair also won the Amateur division, scoring a 218 and collecting $2,650. Chiarelli also rode Ray Baldwin’s great gelding CD Boonsmal to the championship of the Junior Youth cutting, scoring a whopping 221.

Lil Peppys Advantage has had an illustrious cutting career, winning over $89,200 since Eugene bought the mare from Dan Churchill, Moline, Ill., in foal to his stallion Hickorys Advantage. Last year, Carly won the Amateur 5/6-Year-Old title and the $200,000 Limited Non-Pro at the PCCHA Futurity. AT the Western Nationals, the pair took home the $50,000 Amateur win and more recently, they earned the Amateur 5/6-Year-Old title at the NCHA Summer Spectacular. According to the NCHA, Carly has lifetime earnings of over $129,000. The gelding is ridden in Open competition by trainer Tim Denton.

The Reserve in the $50,000 Amateur class went to Julie Clarke, Portland, Ore., riding Little Silver Belles, a 6-year-old daughter of Hes A Peptospoonful out of Kadee Lena Belle by CD Olena. The mare came into the event with over $189,941 in lifetime earnings. Coming into the event, Julie had close to $15,000 in lifetime earnings.

The $200,000 Limit Non-Pro Classic/Challenge was taken by Sam Nevis, Jr., Yuba City, Calif., riding Missin Starlena to a 221 and a $5,281 paycheck while the Reserve title went to Tara Gaines, Weatherford, Texas, riding Peptacular. Missin Starlena, a 5-year-old daughter of Pastels Smart Lena out of Missin Bunny by Miss N Cash, came into the event with close to $70,000 in lifetime earnings prior to her 221 score in the finals, winning $5,281. She amassed those earnings in 2007, even though she missed all of 2008 and 2009 until the PCCHA event, due to illness. Sam, who owns a farm supply business, has lifetime earnings over $106,300.

Peptacular is a 5-year-old daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of the great mare Miss Echo Wood by Doctor Wood. Coming into the event with over $50,400 in lifetime earnings, the mare scored a 217, taking home $4,946. Tara is the wife of trainer Matt Gaines.

CUTTING STAKES:

Gary Barker, a cattleman from Madill, Okla., won the Non-Pro Cutting Stakes riding Hoo Rey For Dreams, taking home the $14,521 first-place paycheck.

The Non-Pro Cutting Stakes, held for horses sired by stallions subscribed to the PCCHA Cutting Stakes, was won by Gary Barker, Madill, Okla., riding Hoo Rey For Dreams, a 4-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Dreams Of Oak by Docs Freckles Oak. The pair scored a 217, taking home the $14,521 first-place paycheck. Prior to the PCCHA Stakes, the mare had earnings of $76,163. He had purchased the mare on the advice of his trainer Matt Gaines from an Australian customer of Roger Wagner’s in June 2008. Matt rides the mare in Open classes. Gary, a cattleman, has lifetime earnings topping $138,500.

Reserve was split between Jimmy Kemp, Eastland, Texas, riding Pepto Boom and Chad Bushaw, Weatherford, Texas, riding Reylena Moon. Both scored a 216.5 and earned $12,425. Pepto Boom is a 4-year-old son of Peptoboonsmal out of Stylish Play Lena by Docs Stylish Oak. Prior to the PCCHA event, he won $77,244 in several of the major aged events. Jimmy has lifetime earnings closing in on the $1 million mark.

Reylena Moon, only a week ago, won the South Point Cutting Non-Pro Derby – giving her total earnings of over $31,700 prior to the PCCHA. The pair also finished third at Music City in the Non-Pro Derby and were finalists in the Limited Open of the NCHA Super Stakes and West Texas Non-Pro Derby. Bushaw, Weatherford, Texas, is a stock broker. The top non-pro and has lifetime earnings topping $1.9 million.

Carly Chiarelli rode Ray Baldwin's CD Boonsmal to the championship of the Junior Cutting.

Junior and Senior Youth classes were also held with Chiarelli winning the Junior Youth with a 221 riding Ray Baldwin’s CD Boonsmal, while Denton Vaughn, son of Brad and Kim Vaughn, Galt, Calif., finished second riding Shesa Silver Spoon to a 219. Kristin Talbot, Wilton, Calif., rode Bill and Cindy McCarver’s Play Stocks to a 219 and the championship of the Sr. Youth, while Ashley White, Sanger, Calif., rode Miss Rip N Dual to a 218.5 for Reserve.
Click here for full results>>

STACY SHEPARD WINS CLASSIC/CHALLENGE WITH MH SAN TULES DUALLY AND PATRICK COLLINS AND OH CAY FELIX TAKE RESERVE

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Nov. 1, 2009 – Jackson, Miss.

Stacy Shepard won the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge riding MH San Tules Dually - ending the great mare's aged-event run.

When the lights went out at the Southern Futurity, held Oct. 27-31 in Jackson, Miss., following the Non-Pro and Amateur Finals on Halloween night, two 6-year-olds were closing out their illustrious aged-event careers. MH San Tules Dually and Stacy Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., won the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge while 2006 NCHA Futurity Champion Oh Cay Felix and Patrick Collins, Lincoln, Ill. were Reserve.

In the Derby, Wade Rust, Gordon, Texas, rode Sweet Lil Cowtown to the championship and Priscilla Tyson rode Smart Little Cranbar to the Reserve Championship. Bradley Rogers, Madill, Okla., was the Futurity Champion riding Hot Aristocrat, followed by the Reserve Champion Jason McClure Hayesville, N.C., riding TR Smoken Smart.

The Classic/Challenge $50,000 Amateur Champion was Seth Holcombe, Birmingham, Ala., riding Sugar Widows, while Reys Me Right and Toddy Pitard, El Dorado, Ark., finished second. The pair had also been a finalist in the Non-Pro Classic Finals. The $50,000 Amateur Derby was won by No Mo Flo and Tommy Williams, Rosie, Ark., followed by Missy Jean Rosenberg, Bush, La., riding Fancy Sugar Badger. The Amateur Futurity was won by Jimmy Holloway, Carrollton, Ga., riding Charles San Cat.

NON-PRO CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
MH San Tules Dually’s aged-event career coasted to an end in the 51-entry Non-Pro Classic/Challenge held during the Southern Futurity. The mare culminated a career that paid the mare handsomely for six years of competition – over $271,600.

Ridden by Stacy Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., the mare scored a 220 in the finals of the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge, taking home the first-place $6,156.08 paycheck. That added to the $3,243 that Austin had picked up for sixth in the Open Classic, she had chalked up close to $9,400 in earnings from the show. Bred by Wes Adams’ Western States Ranch, the 6-year-old mare was sired by San Tule Freckles out of Joses Dually by Dual Pep. She won a large share of her earnings (close to $107,600) in the MillionHeir program, but the rest was won in major NCHA events, including being finalists in the NCHA Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular, the Breeders Invitational, Memphis and Tunica.

Stacy and her trainer husband, Austin, had a great show as Austin also won the Open Futurity.

Oh Cay Felix, the Reserve Champion, was also closing out an illustrious aged-event run. The 2003 gelding, sired by High Brow Cat out of Oh Cay Shorty by Shorty Lena, was ridden by Patrick Collins, Lincoln, Ill., to a 217 and the $4,924.86 paycheck. The pair also won the $50,000 Limited Non-Pro Classic, for an additional $1,500 – giving them a total take-home paycheck of $6,424.86 – for lifetime earnings of close to $437,600.

Oh Cay Felix gained fame when he won both the 2006 NCHA Open Futurity ridden by Craig Thompson for $250,000 and the Amateur, ridden by Collins, for an additional $13,157. The Will Rogers Coliseum seemed to fit him just right as he came back in the 2007 NCHA Derby as Reserve in the Amateur and during the Super Stakes, he was a finalist in the Open. In 2008, Collins and the gelding won the Amateur Super Stakes Classic and this year the pair won the Limited Non-Pro at the Summer Spectacular. Also this year, Thompson rode the gelding to his second major NCHA win by claiming the championship of the NCHA Open Classic/Challenge, collecting $59,529.

Reserve in the $50,000 Limited Non-Pro Classic went to Toddy Pitard, El Dorado, Ark., riding Reys Me Right – also finishing his aged-event career. But the 2003 gelding by Dual Rey out of Missy Farmer by Wyoming Doc left the event with close to $6,417 after picking up $3,816.33 for his Reserve title in the Limited Classic/Challenge, another $1,200 for a sixth-place in the Non-Pro Finals and $2,600.41 for the Reserve title of the $50,000 Amateur Classic finals. The gelding finished up his aged-event career with lifetime earnings topping $75,400.

NON-PRO DERBY:
Wade Rust, the 1998 World Champion Non-Pro, rode Sweet Lil Cowtown, a daughter of Sweet Lil Pepto out of LB Ms Cowtown Twist by Doc O’Lena, to the championship of the 37-entry Non-Pro Derby with their 218 finals’ score, taking home $6,718.85. This was the first championship for the mare, which currently has lifetime earnings topping $70,400. This was the pair’s first year in the aged events, where they finished Reserve at the Music City Non-Pro Derby, sixth in the NCHA Non-Pro Derby, ninth at the Brazos Bash Non-Pro Derby and were semifinalists at the NCHA Super Stakes.

Priscilla Tyson scored a close 217 riding Smart Little Cranbar, a son of Smart Little Lena out of Playgirl Peppy by Freckles Playboy. The pair collected a $5,519.05 paycheck, which was the first aged-event paycheck for the pair.

The 10-entry Non-Pro Futurity was won by Bradley Rogers, Madill, Okla., riding Hot Aristocrat to a 219 in the finals, taking home a $3,789.20 paycheck – which was more than the mare’s previous lifetime earnings of $3,097.69. The daughter of Smart Aristocrat out of Freckles N Tabasco by Freckles Playboy, had previously finished third at the West Texas Non-Pro Futurity and was a money earner in the South Point Non-Pro Cutting Futurity – for current lifetime earnings of close to $6,900. Reserve was Jason McClure, Hayesville, N.C., riding TR Smoken Smart, a gelding sired by TR Dual Rey out of Smart Heart by The Smart Smoke. This was the first aged-event paycheck for the pair.

AMATEUR CLASSIC:
Seth E. Holcombe, Birmingham, Ala., rode Sugar Widows to a 219, collecting $3,250.51 in the finals of the 55-entry $50,000 Amateur Classic. The 5-year-old daughter of Widows Freckles out of Sugs Pepalita by Docs Sugs Brudder, has now accumulated close to $20,000 in lifetime earnings.

AMATEUR DERBY:
The 32-entry Amateur Derby title was taken by Tommy Williams, Rosie, Ark., who scored a 215 in the finals riding No Mo Flo, a daughter of Mr Peponita Flo out of Sonitas B Mine by Sonita’s Last. The $1,450.47 the pair won was their first aged-event paycheck. Reserve was taken by Missy Jean Rosenberg, Bush, La., riding Fancy Sugar Badger to a 213 and $1,215.96 paycheck. The 2005 mare is a daughter of Smart Sugar Badger out of Playboys Fancy Gal by Freckles Playboy. Previously the pair won close to $28,500, winning the 2009 NCHA Amateur Super Stakes Derby and the Brazos Bash Amateur Derby. They were also Reserve Champions at the Breeders Invitational Amateur Derby, finished third at Tunica, sixth at Abilene and were finalists in the Limited Non-Pro in the 2009 NCHA Derby.

The six-entry Amateur Futurity was won by Jimmy Holloway, Carrollton, Ga., riding Charles San Cat, a son of Its Just About Me out of Hi Heels N Stockings by High Brow Cat. The $720 paycheck was their first aged-event paycheck; however, his lifetime earnings are close to $2,200. Reserve went to Kathleen Moore, Madill, Okla., riding DJE Widows Doll, a daughter of Widows Freckles out of Simple Little Thing by Smart Little Lena. The mare picked up $480, which added to their previous earnings of $1,360.36 gives her over $1,840 in lifetime earnings.

NCHA OPEN AND NON-PRO CLASSES:
NCHA Open and Non-Pro classes were also held. RCC Skeet N Scooter, a 1997 gelding by SR Instant Choice out of Sweeter Than Skeeter by Peppy San Badger, owned by Ken Sitton, Freeport, Texas, and ridden by Steve Oehlhof, Centerville, Texas, taking home the $2,645 first-place prize money with a 220 score. Reserve went to Cats Royal Jewel, a 2002 gelding by High Brow Cat out of Lenas Jewelette by Doc O’Lena, owned by Robert and Connie Rust, Gordon, Texas, and ridden by Robert to a 218.5. The pair collected $1,587.

Elizabeth Queen, Lipan, Texas, captured the Non-Pro riding Sister CD to a 225 and the $2,645 paycheck. The 2002 gelding by CD Olena out of Little Baby Sister by Dual Pep, just came off a win at the 6666 World Series of Cutting at the Congress in Columbus, Ohio, and currently has close to $748,000 in lifetime earnings. Wade Rust took the Reserve title riding Aljerita Annie, a 2003 daughter of Smart Little Jerry out of Athena Ann by Doc Athena.
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By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 30, 2009 – Jackson, Miss.

Austin Shepard won the Southern Futurity riding Starstruck Ichi to a 224.

Inching closer to the $4 million won in lifetime earnings, Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., rode Starstruck Ichi to a 224, topping the 42-entry Open 3-Year-Old Futurity at the Southern Cutting Futurity & Aged Event, held Oct. 27-31 in Jackson, Miss. The mare, which picked up the $11,763.23 first-place paycheck, is owned by Scott Chabert, Cut Off, La.

The 52-entry Open Derby title went to Smart Frosty Cat, owned by Charles Burger, Chatsworth, Ga., ridden by Sean Flynn to a 222, collecting $8,830.90. And it was no surprise when R L Chartier, II won the 53-entry Open Classic/Challenge riding Wood I Never, owned by Julie Wrigley’s Wrigley Ranches, Weatherford, Texas. Scoring a 222, the pair took home $8,107.54.

OPEN FUTURITY:
Jo Ellard, the owner of Cat Ichi, was on hand to see his first colt crop in the arena and she wasn’t disappointed when Starstruck Ichi scored the 224 – the highest of all the Open divisions – in the finals. The daughter of Cat Ichi by High Brow Cat out of Starstruck DB by Grays Starlight, owned by Scotty Chabert, Cut Off, La., has now made it 4 out of 4 as she won the Music City Open Futurity, taking home $24,416 and two Open futurities at the Crawfish Classic. Her lifetime earnings have not swelled to over $42,840.

The Reserve title went to Bill Pierce, Williamston, Mich., who scored a 216 riding Kitty Merada for Glenn Hirt, Traverse City, Mich., collecting $9,410.59. The daughter of Cats Merada out of Steady Starlight by Grays Starlight had previously picked up a third place and $2,468 at the State of Missouri CHA Open Futurity. Her lifetime earnings now total close to $15,300.

Terry Hollis, Millsap, Texas, took the $50,000 Ltd. Open title riding his mare Playin Haidas (P) to a 208, taking home a $1,280 paycheck. The Paint daughter of Playin Stylish out of J R Smart Haidas (P) by Color Me Smart (P), had previously finished fifth in the Music City Open Futurity, winning $8,431 and sixth at the State of Missouri Open Futurity for $1,551. Her lifetime earnings now top $11,260.

Reserve in the Ltd Open was Shane Bingham, Pilot Point, Texas, riding Lizzabella Rose, a daughter of Lizzys Gotta Player out of Stylish Mom by Docs Stylish Oak, to the Reserve title. Owned by Reagan Lancaster, Pilot Point, the mare has now earned over $4,850, which included the championship of the Oklahoma Early Bird Non-Pro Futurity.

OPEN DERBY:

Sean Flynn won the Southern Open Derby riding Smart Frost Cat.

Flynn repeated his win of the 2008 Southern Open Derby when he rode This Kats King. The $8,831 paycheck he won this year riding Smart Frosty Cat, a son of Smooth As A Cat out of Evalita by Smart Lil Ricochet, gave him lifetime earnings of $29,237 which included his largest paycheck of $10,000 for being a semifinalist in the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity.

The Reserve title went to Dees Mr Charles owned by the Pine Island Ranch, DeRidder, La., ridden by Sam Shepard, Verbena, Ala., (the father of Futurity Champion Sam Shepard) to a 218.5. The pair picked up $7,064.72 – giving them lifetime earnings of close to $59,000, which include an 18th-place tie for the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes, the championship of the Open Gelding Stakes, and a fourth in the $10,000 Novice Horse, for a total of close to $36,300. The pair also finished sixth at the 2009 Music City Open Derby.

The $50,000 Ltd. Open went to Thomas Scheer, Sumrall, Miss., riding Little LOL Colonel for Russell Jenkins, Amite, La., to a 214.5 and a $1,200 paycheck. The gelding by Little LOL Lena out of Miss Genuine Colonel by Genuine Doc, currently has close to $20,300 in lifetime earnings, which include the championship of the Magnolia Classic June Non-Pro Derby and an eighth-place tie in the 2008 NCHA Amateur Futurity, taking home $11,276. The Reserve title went to Neil Freeman, Senatobia, Miss., riding Dual Rey TR for Lazy M Cattle LLC, Forney, Texas – upping his lifetime earnings to $27,270.

OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

R. L. Chartier II and Wood I Never captured the Open Classic/Challenge.

No one was surprised when R. L. Chartier II, Weatherford, Texas, took the Classic/Challenge finals with a 222. Wood I Never, a 6-year-old daughter of Zack T Wood out of Curly Gray Hair by Grays Starlight, is finishing up her final aged event for her career, which now tops $356,130. Owned by Julie Wrigley’s Wrigley Ranches of Weatherford, the mare obviously has had a storied career, including the Championship of the 2007 Open Derby and co-championship of the 2007 NCHA Open Super Stakes, where ridden by Clint Allen, she took home $112,285.

The Reserve title went to Justa Lil Freck, owned by Missy Rosenberg, Bush, La., ridden by Steve Oehlhof to a 219. The $6,486.03 paycheck increased the lifetime earnings of the daughter of Bobs Freckle out of Justa Lil Tomboy by Freckles Playboy to over $66,700. Rosenberg is fresh off a win in the Classic Amateur at the Brazos Bash.

The $50,000 Limited title was a tie between Andrew Waters, Crockett, Texas, riding Peptos Stylish Sue for Lee Holsey, Lovelady, Texas, and Terry Hollis riding SF High On Love for Anissa Teskey, Weatherford. Both scored a 210 and took home $1,050. Peptos Stylish Sue is a 5-year-old daughter of Peptos Stylish Oak out of Bancita Sue Olena by Mr Freckles Olena has now raised the mare’s lifetime earnings to $190,000. Her largest paycheck came from an 11th place in the 2007 Open NCHA Futurity, taking home $80,203.

SF High On Love is a 5-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Love On Arrival by Son Ofa Doc, which now has close to $12,000 in lifetime earnings, with her only other paycheck this year coming from a fifth place check in the State of Missouri Open Classic.

The Non-Pro 5/6-Year-Old Finals are being held today while the balance of the Non-Pro and Amateur finals will be held tomorrow – the final day of the event.
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PHIL AND MARY ANN RAPP COLLECT OVER $193,450 AFTER TAKING 31 HORSES TO LAS VEGAS

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 25, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Lee Francois, Murchison, Texas, won the most money in a single event - $74,062.51 riding MH Split The Aces to win the MillionHeir Open Classic.

What a difference six months make. Last spring, Paula Gaughan had to cancel her South Point aged event due to lack of entries. On Oct. 19 she ended her South Point Futurity & Aged Event with the MillionHeir Classic included, with so many entries that the judges often worked until midnight.

The show, held from Oct. 12-19, sported 605 entries in eight divisions, vying for a $340,100 purse, of which $121,000 was added money while the MillionHeir had 81 entries in four classes vying for a $679,500 payout, with $600,000 being added money.

The MillionHeir stallion program, brought to the industry by Wes Adams, Las Vegas, Nev., is winding down, with only four classes being held this year and the wrap-up of 6-year-old Non-Pro and Amateur classes being held next year. Also, three days prior to the aged events (Oct. 9-11), the South Point hosted NCHA-approved weekend classes. A total of 413 entries vied for a $74,980.50 purse, with $15,750 in added money. The total amount paid out during the 11 days was close to $1.1 million.

Paula Gaughan shown with Darol Rodrock, Bucyrus, Kan., who qualified several horses for the Amateur finals but had to draw out after a hospital stay.

When show producer Paula Gaughan realized how big the show was going to be, she decided to give more money back to the contestants, since she had both lowered the added money and the entry fee from the previous year. Since the payout percentage could not be altered, per NCHA rules, she decided to give bonuses (which are allowed) in six of the classes totaling $22,100. The bonuses, given in all the divisions, added up to $14,500 in the Futurity and $7,600 in the Derby. Also awarded were a Roohide saddle, beautiful South Point head stalls, trophy buckles to all the champions, hat certificates and vests to all finalists.

RAPPS WRAP UP BIG BUCKS AT SHOW

Mary Ann and Phil Rapp won the most money at the event, $193,450, or close to 19 percent of the show's $1,019,600 purse. They are shown with daughter Emma Grace and son Ryan. Left is Debbie Rousey and right Dustin Adams of the MillioinHeir program.

Phil and Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, just increased their lead as the top money-earning Open and Non-Pro Riders in the cutting horse industry by riding 14 horses in eight divisions collecting over $193,450, or close to 19 percent of the show’s total purse of $1,019.600.

Mary Ann was the big money earner of the entire show, winning $136,465 on five horses in the MillionHeir and South Point classes. Her largest paycheck of $70,267 came for a win of the MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge riding Bodee Got Smart, followed by her win of the MH Non-Pro Classic riding Redneck Yachtclub, nicknamed “Red,” for a $53,464 paycheck. Mary Ann also won the South Point Non-Pro Futurity riding Gracefully Done.

Phil added close to $57,000 to his over $6.5 million in lifetime earnings by riding nine horses, including the championship of the South Point Futurity riding Iced Out, owned by Louis and Corlis Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, to a 219 in the finals.

The couple also sold Mary Ann’s MH Non-Pro Challenge Champion, Bodee Got Smart, to Darol Rodrock, Bucyrus, Kan., within a couple of hours after her win to replace one of his Amateur MillionHeir horses. Ironically, Rodrock qualified for the second go-round on the mare; however, he was unable to compete in the rest of the show on her and several other qualifiers, as he had some recurring heart problems during the show and spent the night in the hospital. Rodrock, who came to the cutting industry from the pleasure horse industry, returned the day of the finals – as a spectator. “I love this event,” said Rodrock, who will soon by 66. “And I plan on doing it as long as I can.”

But everything didn’t go Phil and Mary Ann’s way, as the NCHA Horse of the Year was determined early in the week with Beau Galyean, and Metallic Cat earning enough money to win the year-long race over Rapp and Dont Look Twice. Also, their daughter, Emma Grace, kept getting sick during the show and ended up at the emergency room and in the local hospital. “They asked me if she’d ever been in that hospital before,” said Mary Ann, and I said, “as a matter of fact, she was born here.” Emma Grace and Mary Ann were both in the hospital for a lengthy time following her birth during a previous South Point show.

The couple had taken 31 horses to the event, including customer horses, help horses and a few 3-year-olds headed to the the NCHA Futurity. Following the South Point show, the Rapps sent some of the horses home and headed to the PCCHA event in Paso Robles, Calif.

AMATEUR WINS MOST MONEY RIDING ONE HORSE:

Theresa Gillock (right), Las Vegas, Nev., won the most money on a single horse, winning $76,866.67 in the MillionHeir Non-Pro and Amateur. She is shown with Terrye Kemp, Reserve Champion of the Amateur Challenge, and Dustin Adams of the MillionHeir program.

Winning the most money at the show riding a single horse was Non-Pro and Amateur Theresa Gillock, Las Vegas, Nev., riding MH My Kinda CD. The pair took home $76,866.67 for the championship of the MillionHeir Amateur Challenge - good for a $53,733.34 check - and was Reserve Champion of the Non-Pro Challenge, winning an additional $23,133.33. The jury consultant is the wife of lawyer Jerry Gillock, who also shows cutting horses.

The Open rider winning the most money on a single horse was Lee Francois, Murchison, Texas, riding MH Split The Aces, owned by Wendell Reeder, Clarksville, Texas. The pair won the MillionHeir Open Classic, with a 222 and took home $74,062.51, including go-round money.

Judges for the event included Todd Williamson, Bill Pierce, Tim Stewart, Troy Riddle and Billy Cochrane, with Bobby Hunt being the NCHA monitor. Due to the large number of entries, the judge’s fee was doubled; however, several questioned why the extra amount went to the NCHA rather than the judges who got little sleep during the show. Event articles follow.
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Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 25, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Theresa Gillock was the high money earner of the 2009 MillionHeir Classic, taking home $76,866.67 of the $679,500 total purse. She won the MillionHeir Amateur Challenge and was Reserve in the Non-Pro.

With only one year left in the MillionHeir Classic, a stallion program started by Wes Adams, a contractor from Las Vegas, this year’s event featured four divisions including 81 entries and a $679,500 total purse – with $600,000 of the purse being added money. Next year’s event will include only the Challenge Non-Pro and Amateur for 6-year-olds.

Never in the history of the cutting industry has anyone put up so much money in an incentive program and kept his promise – paying out years after the breeding income part of the program was over. He was honored for his program during the event, which over the years has been held as part of the South Point Futurity & Aged Event.

The MillionHeir program included offspring of a group of young stallions that Adams had initially purchased as yearlings and that were never sent to the cutting arena. He charged a $6,000 stud fee. Later, he added a couple of other stallions with earnings records, including San Tule Freckles, the 2001 NCHA Futurity Champion with Ronnie Rice in the saddle. However, the trainers just never seemed to endorse the program, even though several of the offspring went on to earn money in open competition. In fact, Bodee Boonsmal, one of the stallions in the program, was one of the industry’s leading sires – even without the MillionHeir earnings of his offspring – prior to being sold to a South American buyer.

This year’s events included a 25-entry Classic Open for 6 year olds, with a $204,250 purse with $180,000 added, a 25-entry Non-Pro Classic for 5 year olds, with a $144,250 purse that had $120,000 added, a Challenge Non-Pro for 6-year-olds with 17 entries, a $197,000 purse with $180,000 in added money and an Amateur Challenge for 6-year-olds with 14 entries and a $134,000 purse with $120,000 added.

MILLIONHEIR OPEN CLASSIC:

Lee Francois, Murchison, Texas, won the Open MillionHeir Classic riding Wendell Reeder's MH Splilt The Aces for a $74,063 paycheck.

Two granddaughters of the legendary Doc’s Oak topped the 25-entry MillionHeir Open Classic. Lee Francois, Murchison, Texas, and MH Split The Aces, a daughter of San Tule Freckles out of Freckles Docs Oak by Doc’s Oak, scored a 222 in the finals, taking home the $74,062.51 paycheck, which included go-round money. The amount was the largest paycheck won by a single horse in a single event. The Reserve title went to Odeeodle Oak, a chestnut daughter of Bodee Boonsmal out of Tex San Oak by Doc’s Oak, owned by Dan and Karen Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, ridden by Russ Miller.

Bred by Wes Adams’ Western States Ranches, Dublin, Texas, MH Split The Aces, a 2004 sorrel mare sold to Wendell Reeder, Clarksville, Texas in November 2005 as a yearling. As a 3-year-old, she finished eighth at the 2007 Texas Cutting Open Futurity and earned a check in the Limited Open for a total of $1,279.17. The next year, 2008, was her MillionHeir debut, finishing second in the Open Derby for a hefty $60,000 paycheck and split seventh in the Non-Pro Derby for an additional $23,693.36 for a total of $83,693.36 at that single show. Reeder rode the mare in the Non-Pro division but failed to place, although he did pick up a finalist check of close to $12,000 riding another horse in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge.

But the mare was also a good Open horse, as she earned money in the finals of the 2008 Music City Open Derby, South Point Limited Derby, East Texas Open Derby, and Southern Open Derby. During 2009, she was a finalist at the Abilene Spectacular 5/6-Year-Old Open and Reeder took the mare to the finals of The Non-Pro 5/6 Year Old Non-Pro division.

Returning to Las Vegas this year, Francois, who has won over $1.1 million in lifetime earnings, scored a 218 in the first go-round, good enough for a third-place split with Austin Shepard riding Bonafide Bodee. In the second go-round, the pair scored a whopping 222, giving them the best cumulative score of 440. Matching that score in the clean-slate finals, gave the pair the championship by nine points over the second-place horse.

Russ Miller rode Dan Hansen's Odeeodle Oak to the Reserve title of the MillionHeir Open Classic. Owned by Dan Hansen, the mare won a $22,289 paycheck. Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, also won a $5,000 paycheck on the mare in the Non-Pro.

Reserve was Odeeodle Oak, a chestnut daughter of Bodee Boonsmal out of Tex San Oak by Doc’s Oak, bred, raised and owned by Dan and Karen Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, ridden by Russ Miller, Saint Anthony, Idaho, the earner of over $2.7 million in lifetime earnings. The pair scored a 213 in the finals after picking up a small paycheck for a sixth-place split in the second go-round. Their total paycheck came to $22,288.69.

Dan Hansen, the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion, and owner of Odeeodle Oak.

With Dan being the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro World Champion with close to $1 million in lifetime earnings, he showed the mare exclusively in non-pro competition and she won over $20,000 as a 3- and 4-year at events held in the Northwest and the NCHA Western Nationals. When she was a 4-year-old, Hansen showed her in the MillionHeir Cutting Derby, taking home a $6,155.60 paycheck.This year, the mare was entered in both the Open and Non-Pro Classic and Hanson picked up an additional $5,000 for finishing seventh.

MILLIONHEIR NP CLASSIC:

Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, won the MillionHeir Classic and a $53,464.30 paycheck riding Redneck Yachtclub.

Redneck Yachtclub and Mary Ann claimed the MillionHeir Classic Non-Pro, outscoring the other 24 entries with a 224 and taking home the $53,464.30 first-place paycheck after picking up $3,464.30 for a 220 win in the first go-round. They failed to pick up a paycheck in the second go, scoring a 215 for a cumulative score of 435 – second only to Ashley Flynn and Financial Sugar’s 436.

The 5-year-old gelding by San Tule Freckles out of Sheyssmartlittlelena by Smart Little Lena, that Mary Ann insists is Phil’s “baby” because he liked him as a 2-year-old and bought him from his breeder S. E. Montgomery, Lake Panosoffkee, Fla. “They have a special relationship,” said Mary Ann. Phil also rode the gelding in the Open MillionHeir Classic, finishing eighth for an additional $14,196.44.

Phil and Mary Ann's two children, Ryan and Emma Grace were at the event to cheer them on. However, Emma ended up in the hospital overnight - the Las Vegas hospital she had been born in.

The gelding has now won close to $490,000 and is the highest money-earning horse in the MillionHeir program, having won over $425,000 at the MillionHeir events. Phil won the final, 2008 MillionHeir Open Derby and $300,000 while Mary Ann finished as Reserve in the Non-Pro, picking up $57,386.71. Her paychecks will push her past $3.2 million in lifetime earnings.

But life with the Rapps may be limited for Red. They sent him home following the South Point show, as someone is interested in trying him to buy. “Phil committed to let people try him,” said Mary Ann. “He would be an ideal horse for an Amateur for next year’s MillionHeir; they could show him in the Amateur and the Non-Pro. If he works out that’s fine, if not I’d like to come back on him next year.”

Stacy Shepard was the Reserve Champion of the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic, winning $17,598.21. She also won $2,833 in the Challenge, for a total of $20,432.

The Reserve title in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic was Stacy Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., wife of top trainer Austin Shepard, riding Bonafide Bodee, a gelding by Bodee Boonsmal out of WSR Cat San Chick by High Brow Cat. Their 218 score got them a $15,000 final’s paycheck, plus go-round money, which totaled $17,598.21. Bonafide Bodee finished sixth in the 2008 Open MillionHeir Classic, winning an additional $11,598.21, boosting his lifetime earnings to over $135,700. Stacy also won $2,833.33 in go-round money in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge riding MH San Tules Dually, taking home $20,431.54 from the show.

The couple have cashed in at the MillionHeir event several years in a row. But 2008 was the couple’s big year as Stacy won the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic riding MH San Tules Dually while Austin finished sixth in the Open – winning a total of over $70,300.

Whitney Hall shown with her father, trainer Shannon Hall. Whitney finished third in the Classic Non-Pro riding Lil Sugar Long Legs, winning $14,887 after winning the second go with a 221.

MH NON-PRO CHALLENGE:
Mary Ann won the MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge riding Bodee Got Smart, a 6-year-old daughter of Bodee Boonsmal out of Smart Jerry Lena by Smart Little Jerry bred by Dottie St Clair Hill, Glen Rose, Texas. The Rapps purchased the sorrel mare in February 2008 when she was a 5-year-old. Her first and only other money was won this year when Mary Ann rode her to the finals of the Augusta Non-Pro Classic.

The pair scored a 221 in the finals of the class, taking home her largest single paycheck of $70,266.67, which included $2,266.67 for a second in the first go-round, where the pair scored a 216.5. They scored a 212 in the second go for a total of 428.5 on two go’s – only topped by Greg Coalson riding Sids Sanolena to a 430.5.

Scoring a 217 in the finals, the Reserve title and paycheck for $23,133 went to Theresa Gillock’s MH My Kinda CD, a 6-year-old gelding, nicknamed “Red,” sired by I CD Cow out of My Kinda Party Doll by Colonel Flip. Theresa was the high money-earning rider on a single horse, taking home a total of $76,866.67, after she also won the MillionHeir Amateur Challenge.

MH AMATEUR CHALLENGE:
Theresa Gillock, a jury consultant from Las Vegas, picked up $53,733.34 for her win of the MillionHeir Amateur Challenge riding MH My Kinda CD “Red” to a 219 finals score. The 6-year-old sorrel gelding was bred by Western States Ranch and sold to Howard Dale Kancilia, Silt, Colo., in December 2004 as a yearling. Theresa purchased the gelding as a 3-year-old in April 2006.

Even though the gelding is in Theresa’s name, she claims he is actually Jerry’s horse. “I was really just catch riding,” said Theresa. “Jerry was riding him all year but then he got sick and had to have surgery. He told me I was going to have to ride him in the MillionHeir this year and this year is the first time I’ve ridden him. This was the show of a lifetime,” said Theresa. “It was one of those shows when you come out emotional. Every time we went in, my horse kept getting better and better – the more we showed, the better he got. He’s just an honest, good, good horse.”

During his three-year cutting career, Red split fourth in the 2007 NCHA Amateur Super Stakes. That same year, he was Reserve Champion of the Brazos Bash $50,000 Amateur, finished fifth in the Limited Non Pro and made the finals Non-Pro Derby, with Jerry in the saddle. He also finished sixth in the Amateur at the South Point Derby. In 2008, Neil Rogers finished ninth on him in the MillionHeir Open Classic, taking home $11,321 and Jerry finished sixth in the Non Pro for $7,907.

“Jerry is just fine now and he wants Red back so he can haul him next year,” said Theresa. “We plan to keep him – he’s a good horse and Jerry rides him really well – better than I do. He’ll be riding him in the weekend shows.”

Terrye Kemp was the Amateur Reserve Champion riding MH For The Money.

The Amateur Reserve Champion was Terrye Kemp, Eastland, Texas, riding MH For The Money, a gray gelding by Bodee Boonsmal out of WSR Cat San Chick by High Brow Cat. Bred by the Western States Ranches, he was purchased by Terrye’s husband, Jimmy, in March 2006 as a 3-year-old. Terrye won $15,155 for the Reserve title and Jimmy rode the gelding to a seventh-place split in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Challenge, collecting $10,700. Jimmy also collected a $6,155 paycheck riding SA Cattle For Lunch to ninth place in the MillioinHeir Non-Pro Classic.

MH For The Money gelding currently has earned over $70,250, which includes money won in the 2008 MillionHeir and a $10,149 check for third in the 2009 Bonanza 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro. “We showed him in the Futurity as a 3-year-old where he marked a 216 in the Open, then rotated in both front feet,” said Terrye. “He was out of competition most of his 4-year-old year, but we got him straight again by wedging him and doing special shoeing. He is OK now and uses regular shoes but Jimmy has only allowed me to ride him one time here before I showed him. But we show him in weekend shows now and Jimmy won Idaho on him this year.”

Terry has been a highly successful Amateur; however, during the second show this year, her 4-year-old put her out of the Amateur – and next year she will have to compete as a Non-Pro. “I have to go play with the big boys next year,” said Terrye.

The couple are taking 14 head of horses to the PCCHA Futurity and they also have four or five horses going to the big NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. But in between, they are planning to sneak off to Colorado and take a week and relax. The couple have been married for 13 years. “People often say to me that we really have a great group of horses, but it took 13 years to put them together,” said Terrye.

Glen Nelson finished fifth riding Shannon Hauler, taking home $8,155.56. He is shown with trainers Dell Bell (left) and Al Dunning.

Many of the contestants expressed remorse that the lucrative MillionHeir program will be history following next year’s show – but Theresa Gillock summed it up: “I want to thank Wes Adams for the MillioinHeir program.

Julie McBurney and Windsemal finished 10th and still took home over $8,733 after winning the second go-round and placing third in the first go of the Amateur Challenge. She also won $10,417 for 10th in the Non-Pro Challenge, for a total of $19,150. She is shown with her husband Vince who was Reserve Champion in the South Point Amateur Classic-Challenge.

He stuck with it and backed up what he said he would do and in cutting, that’s so important to have integrity and honesty – and he’s gone above and beyond. I won a lot of money at this show and without this program, I wouldn’t have even been showing. The only other place you can win that kind of money is in the NCHA Futurity, but there you’d have 600 people in your class.”

Ian Coalson, 14, finished ninth in the Amateur Challenge riding Sids Sanolena, collecting $5,166.67. He is shown with his father Greg Coalson.

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605 ENTRIES VYE FOR $340,099; $22,100 BONUS MONEY ADDED
By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 25, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.

Phil Rapp not only won the South Point Futurity on Iced Out, owned by Ray Baldwin, but won over $56,985.57 on nine horses he brought to the South Point/MillionHeir Classic event.

The 2009 South Point Futurity & Aged Event, held Oct. 12-19 in the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas was an unexpected raging success. With the MillionHeir Classic held within the show, it meant that 686 entries had to show in go-rounds and finals during eight days – making for long days – with some going until after midnight.

After the first day of 5/6-year-old classes, show producer Paula Gaughan, along with the other show committee members, announcer Tom Holt and show secretary Kathryn Webb, decided to add $22,100 in bonus money to the $121,000 that was already added. NCHA rules do not allow a change in the payout after the show approval is submitted – but do allow for bonuses. When the last cow had been cut, the winners went home with $340,099 in purse money plus many other beautiful awards.

OPEN FUTURITY:
An additional $12,052 in bonus money was added to the $25,000-added Open Futurity, making the total paid out $79,930. Phil Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, brought Iced Out to the 110-entry South Point Futurity directly from the Brazos Bash where the pair had won the Open Futurity. During their only other showing, they were finalists at the El Rancho Open Futurity in Rancho Murietta, Calif., earning $3,500. At the South Point, the pair were favored going into the finals as they had qualified with the high score of 434 on two go-rounds. The pair did as expected, scoring a 219 in the 20-horse finals, earning the championship and a $10,500 paycheck.

Even though the cutting industry’s leading rider had earned $56,985.57 on nine horses at the South Point/MillionHeir show, and was the second highest Open money earner, the Futurity win was his only championship. However, he also picked up an additional $2,433.33 for a 12th-place tie riding ARC Catmando and $1,755 riding Little Kitty Lena to a 17th place tie– for a total of $14,688.33 won in the Open Futurity.

Iced Out, a double registered APHA mare with the name of Not Iced Out (P), is a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of Absolutely Stunning by Smart Little Lena. She was bred by Karen Freeman and Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas, and was purchased by Louis and Ray Baldwin of the Waco Bend Ranch Ltd., Graham, Texas, for $157,000 at the 2007 NCHA Futurity Invitational Yearling Sale.

Lloyd Cox, Fort Morgan, Colo., was Reserve Champion of the Futurity riding Smart Stingrey for John McClaren, McGregor, Texas.

Reserve Champion, scoring a 217, was Smart Stingrey, a son of Dual Rey out of Smart Sandhill Kay by Smart Mate, owned by his breeder John McClaren, McGregor, Texas, and ridden by Lloyd Cox, Fort Morgan, Colo. The pair took home an $8,750 paycheck after winning the second go-round and going into the finals with the third highest cumulative score of 433.

Smart Stingrey and Cox also won the championship of the Open Gelding division picking up an additional $2,353.36 – making their take-home paycheck $7,103.36. Also, Cox rode Reyd, owned by the Three Trees Ranch, to a 211 and a 12th place tie, collecting another $2,433.33. Cox left the show with a total of $14,295.29, which also included a third-place check of $758.60 in the South Point Derby Gelding division.

NON-PRO FUTURITY:

Mary Ann Rapp rode Gracefully Done to the Non-Pro Futurity championship. She is shown with Kara Dickson, son Ryan and daughter Emma Grace.

The South Point Futurity featured 29 entries vying for a total purse of $18,100, which included $10,000 in added money and a show bonus of $2,448. Mary Ann Rapp rode Gracefully Done to the Championship, collecting $4,500 and a Roohide trophy saddle, plus several other nice awards. She also finished fifth on ARC Catmando and second in the Non-Pro Gelding for a grand total of $7,609.20.
Mary Ann was the high money earner at the entire South Point/MillionHeir event, taking home $136,465.17; however, most of her money came from the MillionHeir classes as she won the Non-Pro Classic and Challenge. But she also picked up an additional $5,125 in the South Point show by riding Tootsie Rey to third in the South Point Non-Pro Classic Challenge.

Mary Ann’s win riding Gracefully Done was a surprise to almost everyone at the show, including Mary Ann, as she had led following two go-rounds riding ARC Catmando, with a cumulative score of 433.5, The pair had won or tied for first place in both go-rounds, had won the Non-Pro at the Brazos Bash and finished sixth at El Rancho in the Open. Phil had made the finals at the South Point show and placed in the Gelding division, winning $3,956.53. Besides, this was the first show for Gracefully Done, a daughter of Dual Pep out of Justa Smart Peanut by Smart Little Lena that she and Phil purchased as a yearling from Tom Bailey, Carbondale, Colo.

“She reminded me of Tapt Twice,” said Mary Ann. “She was a bigger mare but looked a lot like her.” But the mare got hurt in July when a stirrup got caught in her mouth and tore some muscles in her neck – as a result, she had a month off, and the South Point was her first show. “When we bought her, she had a different name,” said Mary Ann, “but it wasn’t appealing, so we changed it. Her nickname was “Grace” when we bought her, so we renamed her Gracefully Done.”

“She is really a good cowhorse and is very serious about her job,” said Mary Ann. She may be a little unorthodox at times, like she kind of tipped me over one time during my final’s run and I got tickled, but she does whatever it takes to turn around and go hold a cow.”

Phil and Mary Ann purchased ARC Catmando, a gelding by High Brow Cat out of Hickorys Holly Cee by Doc’s Hickory, from Leonardo Arcese the beginning of August. “They had a gelding and Leonardo came over to watch Phil in the Finals and said, ‘This gelding just doesn’t fit into our breeding program.’ So we bought him because we needed a gelding for the NCHA Super Stakes and we have him entered in the Gelding Stakes at the PCCHA Futurity.”

Kay Terrell rode Paradox Dual Cat to the Reserve Championship of the Non-Pro Futurity. She is shown with her husband, Stephen (left) and trainer Mike Wood.

The Reserve title went to Kay Terrell, Scottsdale, Ariz., riding Paradox Dual Cat, nicknamed “Cougar,” a gelding by Dual Pep out of Cats Magic Maggie by High Brow Cat. The pair scored a 213 in the finals, collecting a $3,500 paycheck, but added to that by winning the Gelding finals for $1,227.60 and the Limited Rider award of $1,637.20 – for a grand total of $6,384.80. Terrell also picked up an additional $900 riding Just Dreamin Wyld to seventh place in the Amateur Classic/Challenge for a total of $7,264.80 for the event.

Kay and Cougar had previously earned $2,079 on the gelding prior to the South Point by placing 7th in the Mebane Ranch Festival Non-Pro and second in the $100,000 Limited Non-Pro. She had purchased him as a stallion in January from Mike and Sue Christensen from Nebraska who were good friends of Kay and her husband Stephen, who is a steel fabricator and erector and also rides cutting horses. Kay said he competed at the South Point, but failed to pick up a check. Mike Wood trained Cougar, who was by then a gelding.

Kay said she has been cutting a long time – from the early 1980’s – but “life got in the way” and she quit for awhile. “My family didn’t have horses; I was that little girl that loved horses and never grew up,” said Kay following her win. The couple has two children in college.

OPEN DERBY:

Kobie Wood rode Boon Too Suen, owned by Gary Rosenbach, Greenwich, Conn., to the Open Derby Championship.

Boon Too Suen, a son of Peptoboonsmal out of Meradas Little Sue by Freckles Merada is on a winning streak. Coming straight from a win at the Brazos Bash Open Derby in Weatherford, Texas, Kobie Wood, Stephenville, Texas, headed directly to Las Vegas where the 79-entry Open Derby had a total purse of $57,500, with $25,000 in added money.

The stallion, owned by Gary Rosenbach, Greenwich, Conn., tied for second in both go-rounds, scoring a 220 and a 219, going into the finals with the highest cumulative score of 439. However, in the 16-horse finals, they blew the top off the scores, with a whopping 227. The pair picked up a $10,000 paycheck in the finals; however, that amount increased to $10,500 after his go-round money was added. Kobie also finished fourth on Smart Sugar Jake in the MillionHeir Open Classic, taking home an additional $15,288.69 – giving him a total of $25,788.69.

Boon Too Suen currently has over $115,000 in lifetime earnings, with some of the money being week-end money – where Kobie’s mounts always shine. In fact, Boon Too Suen’s dam, Meradas Little Sue, is a three-time NCHA World Champion – 1995, 1997 and 1999. His largest paychecks in aged events were $26,722 for a 12th place in the finals of the 2009 NCHA Open Super Stakes and $18,279 for a sixth-place tie in the 2009 NCHA Open Derby. The winner of the Gelding Finals was Mister Darth Vader, owned by Jessica De Filippo, and ridden by Ascencion Banuelos to a $1,900 paycheck.

Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., rode Khader and Dora Daoud’s (Baker, Fla.) Ollies Spooky Cat to the Reserve title. Ollies Spooky Cat, is a son of High Brow Cat out of Spooky Ollie by Grays Starlight. The pair collected $7,000 in the Derby Finals, where they scored a 222.5, plus an additional $250 for a tie in the first go-round. Ollies Spooky Cat currently has over $70,082 in lifetime earnings, which include a finalist check of $51,643 at the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity and also one from the Tunica Open Futurity. Austin currently has over $3.7 million in NCHA lifetime earnings.

OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

Austin Shepard won the Open Classic Challenge riding MH San Tules Dually and was Reserve Champion of the Open Derby riding Ollies Spooky Cat.

Austin also won the 50-entry South Point Open Classic/Challenge with a $45,000 total purse and $25,000 in added money. Riding MH San Tules Dually, he took home $9,250 after winning the first go-round and tying for the highest cumulative score of 437 with Phil Rapp riding Kual Gun going into the finals.

This year Austin and his wife Stacy, who has over $518,000 in lifetime earnings, headed to the bank with over $66,000 – which Austin taking home $45,609 on six horses, including the championship of the South Point Open Classic Challenge riding MH San Tules Dually – a veteran in the winner’s circle. At the South Point Show, Austin picked up six checks. Stacy also won a go-round check in the MillionHeir riding MH San Tules Dually and was Reserve in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic.

MH San Tules Dually, a 6-year-old daughter of San Tule Freckles out of Joses Dually by Dual Pep, was bred by Wes Adams’ Western States Ranches and purchased by the Shepards in December 2006 when she was a coming 4-year-old. They took her to the MillionHeir, where Stacy finished 10th, taking home $34,426.21. She also won the Classic Non-Pro division on him in 2008, earning $54,361. Her MillionHeir money currently totals $91,620. However, the mare is a perfect example of a MillionHeir horse showing successfully in Open competition as she has won over $271,490 at such major shows as a tie for sixth in the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes and the Reserve Championship of the NCHA Non-Pro Classic/Challenge.

Rapp tied himself, riding two horses in a tie for the Reserve title in the South Point Classic Challenge. The tie was between CD Boonsmal, owned by Ray Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, and Sportin Aristocrat, owned by Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas. CD Boonsmal, a gelding by CD Olena out of Poosmal by Peptoboonsmal, added $8,477.60 to his lifetime earnings, which included his finals check of $6,500 plus $750 for winning a go round and $1,227.60 for winning the Open Gelding Finals. The gelding also picked up $920.88 when Baldwin finished fifth in the Challenge $250,000 Limited Rider class.

CD Boonsmal was bred by the C Bar S Ranch, Jackson, Mo., and sold to James Vangilder in January 2005 as a 2-year-old. Baldwin purchased the horse in November 2006. His total earnings to date top $221,000, including the championship of the 2006 South Point Open Futurity for $31,000. He also was a money earner at the 2007 NCHA Super Stakes and took the Reserve in the Open Gelding Stakes and split the Reserve Championship of the 2006 PCCHA Gelding Stakes for $15,438.

Sportin Aristocrat, a son of Smart Aristocrat out of Rose Marie Merada by Freckles Merada, was bred by the Waggoners and currently has over $106,105 in lifetime earnings. He was a money earner in the 2006 NCHA Open Futurity as well as the 2007 NCHA Open Derby and 2008 NCHA Open Classic Challenge.

NON-PRO DERBY:

Chad Bushaw rode Reylena Moon to the Non-Pro Derby championship. He is shown with his wife Amy.

Chad Bushaw, a stockbroker from Weatherford, Texas, won the Non-Pro Derby finals riding Reylena Moon to a 217 finals score. Bushaw collected $6,125 in the 43-entry division with $15,000 in added money and a $33,300 total purse, which included $5,700 in bonus money. Bushaw rode five horses at the South Point event, taking home a total of $12,584.30.

Ironically, Reylena Moon, a 2005 red roan daughter of Dual Rey out of Carolena Moon by Peptoboonsmal, was bred by Megan Miller, Poolville, Texas, who was the Reserve Champion, scoring a 216 on Itawtathenapuddycat – only one point behind Reylena Moon. In the 2006 NCHA Preferred Breeders Sale held during the NCHA Futurity, she sold as a yearling for $38,000 to William Simpson, Commerce, Texas. Bushaw purchased her as a 4-year-old in April 2009 at the NCHA Super Stakes Sale for $62,000.

Bushaw had seen the mare in the catalog and remembered seeing her trainer Jonathan Rogers show her a few times. “I didn’t know the mare real well, but I called Jonathan and asked him if she would work for me,” said Bushaw. “He said she was a good one, so I bought her on his word. I had never ridden a horse behind him before and it took us a little while to get together, but he did a great job on her. However, she got sick right after I bought her and she’s just now getting back to good health.

Reylena Moon had only a few hundred dollars won when Bushaw purchased her, but the mare now has over $31,700 in lifetime earnings – even though she missed some training time. This was the mare’s first championship however, the pair finished third at the Music City Non-Pro Derby, earning $10,978. They were also money earners at the Open and Limited Open NCHA Super Stakes, were finalists in the Breeders Invitational Limited Open Derby and finished sixth in the West Texas Non-Pro Derby.

Bushaw and his wife, Amy, have two sons: Charles Russell, 5, and Will James 3. Amy was on hand to watch Chad to win his title.

Megan Miller rode Itawtathenapuddycat to the Reserve Championship of the Non-Pro Derby.

Megan Miller rode Itawtathenapuddycat, a 4-year-old gelding out of the first foal crop of Athena Puddy Cat and out of SR Miss Peppory by Doc’s Hickory, owned by Megan and her husband, trainer Matt Miller. They can still be called newlyweds as they married just over a year ago. Matt purchased the gelding from his breeder, Jim Bilbrey, Conyers, Ga., who also owns the gelding’s sire, in August 2008, just a month before the couple married.
Megan had previously won the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes riding Itawathenapuddycat and the Classic Non-Pro riding Travs Scooter. They also finished 12th on Snoop Cat at that event, pocketing $62,260. Itawtathenapuddycat and Megan won the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes. She came back in the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Derby taking the Reserve Championship title and an additional $12,433. Matt also rides the gelding and just prior to coming to Las Vegas, he split the championship of the 2009 Brazos Bash Open Derby for $19,000.

At the South Point show, Megan and the gelding picked up a total of $6,578.60 after scoring a 216 in the finals and also winning the Non-Pro Gelding award. She took home a total of $10,078.60 from the event, after also placing fifth in the South Point Non-Pro Classic/Challenge class riding Travs Scooter. Altogether, the gelding has $115,165 in lifetime earnings.

Ray Baldwin won the $250,000 Ltd. Rider division of the Derby riding Zacks Fifth Avenue.

Winning the $250,000 Ltd. Rider division of the Derby was Ray Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, riding Zacks Fifth Avenue, a daughter of Zack T Wood out of Peppy La Pu by Peppy San Badger. The mare started out her cutting career by finishing sixth in the 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, winning $54,135, but Baldwin has been successful riding the mare; however, this is his first championship on her. Ironically, Baldwin purchased the mare from Chad Bushaw, who won the South Point Non-Pro Derby.

NON-PRO CLASSIC CHALLENGE:

Kaitlyn Larson won the South Point Non-Pro Derby riding Keechi Pep owned by her father Billy Martin. Kaitlyn is shown with Billy who just won the NCHA Non-Pro Derby.

Kaitlyn Larson, Millsap, Texas, hadn’t planned on going to the South Point aged event, even though she had won the South Point Non-Pro Derby in 2008 riding Keechi Pep. “The last minute, Phil Rapp called and said he didn’t have enough room in his trailer for all his horses and he needed an extra trailer,” said Kaitlyn’s father Billy Martin – who just won the NCHA Non-Pro Derby. “So I told him I’d lend him my trailer – then on the way, I asked him if he had an extra space so he could send Kaitlyn’s horse along. He said he did so we entered her the very last minute.”

Kaitlyn had to fly to the event because she is attending Weatherford Junior College and has class on Tuesday and Thursdays. But all the effort was worthwhile, as the 20-year-old won the South Point Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Finals, as well as the $250,000 Ltd. Rider Finals, collecting a total of $7,978.36. The class featured 52 entries vying for a $35,200 total purse, which had $15,000 in added money.

Keechi Pep, a 5-year-old gray daughter of Playgun out of Nyoka Pep by Dual Pep, that was bred and raised by Billy Martin, currently has won over $89,000, including a Reserve Championship of the 2009 Augusta Open Classic. Billy hadn’t planned on coming to the event either; however, the last minute changed his mind and flew in to support his daughter.

Kaitlyn foaled Keechi Pep out as a baby and she rides every morning since she doesn’t have to be to school until 11 a.m. “I am very lucky that Dad let me show her since she was a 3-year-old,” said Kaitlyn, who is thinking ahead after graduation from Weatherford, debating on culinary school or business – but she loves to cook. “I love to cook,” said Kaitlyn, “especially bake. Mom’s not a big cook so I’ve been making Thanksgiving dinner since I was 15. I love it. It’s my escape – it’s my relaxation time.” She also sells her baked goods, filling special orders.

“I wasn’t planning on coming back next year either, but we have good luck in this pen,” said Kaitlyn. “Now I hope I can come back and be in the Classic/Challenge for her final year in the aged events.”

Kaitlyn, who has NCHA lifetime earnings of over $170,000, is enjoying her time with the horses while she can. “I know that one day I’m going to have to buckle down and go to work every day of the week – eight hours a day, but I don’t have to worry about that quite yet.”

Kade Smith, the son of trainer Greg Smith, won the Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Reserve title riding A Little Reylena.

The Classic/Challenge Non-Pro Reserve title went to Kade Smith, Farmington, Utah, the son of trainer Greg Smith, riding A Little Reylena. The daughter of Dual Rey out of Katie Little Lena by Smart Little Lena, was bred by Donata Loveless, Temecula, Calif., Greg purchased the mare in November 2007 as a 4-year-old, after the mare had won money in several aged events in the Northwest. She has won over $125,591 with the pair’s most recent paychecks coming from 10th place at the Brazos Bash Non-Pro Classic and the championship of the Limited Non-Pro – taking home close to $8,900. Kade currently has close to $130,000 in lifetime earnings.

Ashley Flynn, wife of trainer Sean Flynn won the Non-Pro Gelding Finals riding KC Maverick.

The Non-Pro Gelding Finals was won by Ashley Flynn, Weatherford, Texas, riding KC Maverick, a sorrel gelding by High Brow Cat out of Rosies Last Lynx by Doc’s Lynx. She won a total of $4,762.72 after finishing eighth in the Non Pro division, winning the Gelding Stakes and finishing fourth in the Ltd. Rider class. Ashley also won $9,619.04 in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic riding Financial Sugar to sixth place – taking home a total of $14,381.76.

Ashley's husband, Sean Flynn, with their daughter Madison.

Jack Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, bred KC Maverick and Ken and Angela Cronan, Gainesville, Texas, raised him, selling him to Ashley and her husband, cutting horse trainer Sean Flynn, as a 5-year-old in June 2009. He had not been shown prior to the Flynns purchasing him, and his only other earnings came from a third-place split at the North Texas CHA July Non-Pro Classic. Ashley has lifetime earnings of over $145,000.

DERBY AMATEUR:

Eric Freitas, winner of the Amateur Derby, shown with his trainer Morgan Cromer (right) and Kara Dickson who presented the awards. Kara is the daughter of Kathryn Webb, Secretary of the show.

Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, Calif., got the best advice an Amateur could get from his herd help. Just before entering the herd, Trainer Scott Weiss pulled him aside and said, “When you’re up early, I know a lot of people say to go cut for shape, but I say go out and cut the three best cows in the h erd and take them away from the other contestants. You not only have a better chance at a better run but you’re taking away their cows.”

No one ever said that to me before,” said Eric, “and it made a lot of sense.” With that in mind the seasoned non-pro snaffle bit rider, who had not yet won a cutting event, took the Championship of the South Point Amateur Derby, after he cut what Weiss considered the three best cows. Eric scored a 218 on CD Cinco De Mayo and took home the $2,000 first-place paycheck. The 36-entry event featured $3,000 in added money and a total purse of $11,100, which included a $900 bonus.

Previously Eric showed the 2005 daughter of CD Royal out of CT Sweet Onion by Doc’s Hickory, in his first cutting show at the 2009 El Rancho $50 Amateur Cutting Derby, finishing third. He purchased the mare in January 2007 from the Bernie Taupin’s Roundup Valley Ranch, Los Olivos, Calif., she has won some Open money with trainer Morgan Cromer , earning money at the 2008 PCCHA Fall Open Futurity. This year, she finished fourth in the PCCHA Open Derby and second in the $10,000 Novice Horse Division, and tied for 12th at the Mebane Ranch Festival Open Derby. To date, she has won over $23,100.

This year was the first time in 16 years that Eric, 51 and a single father, didn’t have a Snaffle Bit Futurity horse. “For years I wanted to start riding cutting horses, so I got a horse,” said Eric. “It’s something new for me to try to get better at. It’s great to have this first win under my belt because no matter if you’re winning at cutting or snaffle bit – winning is winning – and it feels great.”

But cutting for Eric, who is a third-generation vegetable farmer, didn’t start out that way. “Last year I went to a few cuttings and I sure wasn’t very good at it,” said Eric. “So I said, OK, I need to practice. I made the decision that I needed to concentrate on cutting if I was going to do it.”
Eric has won the Non-Pro division of the National Stock Horse Association Futurity and has been a finalist in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity – finishing third, fourth and fifth. He rode with top snaffle bit rider Sandy Collier for many years. Now he owns his own place and hired Sandy’s assistant, Cory Baker, who also won the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and she keeps his cow horses trained. “She decides which horses are going to the cutting arena and which will be cow horses,” said Eric. Morgan Cromer is his cutting horse trainer. However, when asked what event he’ll probably spend his time on next year, Eric said, “I think I’ll probably have a cow horse for next year.”

Denver Mead, Aledo, Texas, was the Reserve Champion of the Amateur Derby riding TRS Smokin Gun.

Taking the Reserve title was teenager Denver Mead, Aledo, Texas, riding TRS Smokin Gun, a son of TR Dual Rey out of Smokin Rita by Tigerote. The pair scored a 216 in the finals, earning $1,600 for the Reserve title plus $200 for winning the first go-round. The money pushed the sorrel gelding’s earnings to over $15,600. The gelding was bred by Dale Nida, Edmond, Okla., and owned by Nelson and Engla Scherrer, Festus, Mo., when Mead purchased him in July 2008. He split the Tunica Amateur Futurity Championship, winning his largest paycheck of $4,139, split 10th at the 2009 Breeders Invitational Amatur Derby, placed 7th at the Abilene Spectacular Amateur Derby, 11th in the West Texas $50,000 Amateur and just weeks ago split third at the Brazos Bash Amateur Derby.

CLASSIC/CHALLENGE AMATEUR:

Paula Peterson, Orange, Calif. (left) won the Amateur Classic/Challenge while Vince McBurney, Burbank, Calif., was Reserve Champion. Shown at right is Vince's wife, Julie.

Trainer Scott Weiss also gave his client, Paula Peterson, Orange, Calif., some sound advice just before she headed to the herd in the South Point Classic/Challenge Amateur class riding Ms Indian Pep, nicknamed “Jetter.” “The money’s nice, but what we want is that buckle,” said Scott – which was a thoughtful way of saying, “Go in there and win that cutting.”

Better ask Scott! Trainer Scott Weiss gave winning advice to two Amateur champions - Paula Peterson and Eric Freitas.

When Paula came out of the class, which featured 42 entries, $3,000 added and a $12,025 total purse, she had laid down a 217 and paying attention to Scott’s instructions – won it, winning $2,100. The 2004 daughter of Hickorys Indian Pep out of SR Jet Setter by Smart Little Lena, was bred by Michael Douglas, Ojai, Calif., who had Scott trainer her and sold her to Paula as a 3-year-old in October 2007. Scott had split fifth in the 2007 NWCHA Ranch Festival Open Futurity, winning $5,416.75 but the rest of her money was won by Paula in Limited Non-Pro and Amateur competition. The South Point was the mare’s first championship – and Paula took home the buckle. But it was not her first buckle. She was wearing a buckle she had won at the Wine Country Amateur Futurity riding a different horse and she’s also won some buckles at weekend shows.

Paula and Jeff, her husband of 22 years, own a tree business in the city of Orange – trimming and cutting trees and selling firewood. Paula does the secretarial work while Jeff does the physical work. Jeff doesn’t cut but competes in team sorting and penning. Paula got involved in cutting about 15 years ago when she first saw the sport and thought she’d like to do that. She originally rode in gymkhanas and Western please. She said her mom had horses and she grew up as 4-H kids. The couple has three children – 22, 20 and 17 – who like to ride, but none of them compete.

The Reserve title went to Vince McBurney, Burbank, Calif., riding Pimped Out Pepto, a red roan gelding by Peptos Stylish Oak out of Doc Doc Doc by Son Ofa Doc. Vince scored a 215, collecting a $1,400 paycheck.

Pimped Out Pepto was bred by the Berger Ranches, Inc., Houston, Texas, and sold to Vince and his wife Julie in June 2007 and while they have owned him, he has won over $70,600. The gelding’s largest paycheck of $10,822 came from a win in the 2007 PCCHA Non-Pro Futurity with Julie in the saddle.

“I’ve been showing since 2006,” said Vince after his win. That was the year he married Julie and was hauling her down the road for the $50 Amateur title. “I was just driving her around,” said Vince. “I didn’t even ride. Then one day they put me on her stud at the practice pen with a hackamore. I just had some slip-on boots on and he hooked on a cow and I realized why they all did this.”
Click here for full results>>

Photos by I Shoot Horses
Oct. 12, 2009 – Loveland, Colo.
When asked their thoughts on the class and payout format at the Rocky Mountain Aged Event held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 at The Ranch in Loveland, Colo., the mantra was GREAT! Oh, except Nate Miller from Lamar, Colo., who called it “Fantastic.” The event attracted participants from 12 states and paid out over $90,000.

Futurity Champion Tommy Marvin (second from right) with his wife susan at the head of MK Fancy Sonia, receiving their trophy from Joe Bishop (right) and a trophy buckle from Terry McClure.

The idea for the new format was to give the riders and owners more than one shot at winning big money. “With our current economy, everyone is watching what they spend and how they spend it,” said Todd Adolf, who trains for Linda Souders Round Mountain Ranch in Boulder, Colo., and devised the concept of paying in each of the three go-rounds – with the Champion being the high-money earner.

“Many times cutters go to a show and if they get a bad draw, cut a bad cow or they just are having an off day, it doesn't work, and they may even have the best horse there. With this format, riders are able to overcome some of these obstacles by placing well in at least two rounds and be able to call home (after losing a cow) and tell them they still won over $5,000 and a bronze.”

That proved to be the case in the Open Futurity when Scott Amos won both go-rounds but failed to draw a check in the third go. The pair still finished as the Reserve Champions, winning over $5,500.

FUTURITY:
Tommy Marvin, Barnsdall, Okla., showed MK Fancy Sonia, a daughter of Ima Little Peppier out of MK Sonia by Genuine Poco Bob, owned by Kathy Simpson, Bee Branch, Ark., to the Futurity Championship by winning the most money in the three go-rounds. The pair placed in the first two goes and won the third for total earnings of $5,673.20. He said the format worked for him but he still would have liked to have seen a finals. The mare’s earnings now top $7,700, as she previously was Reserve Champion at the Oklahoma Early Bird Open Futurity.

Marvin, also finished third riding SDP Mr Rey Lena for Holly Davidorf, Johnstown, Ohio, earning an additional $3,437.80 after placing second in the final go-round and his wife, Susan, picked up $2,026.71 in the Non-Pro Derby.

For Amos, Loma, Colo., riding PRF Ginger Punch for Peter DeLeeuw, Tomball, Texas, a finals would not have worked out so well. The team won the first two goes and did not get a check the third day. But the first two days’ winnings were enough to net them $5,500.48 and the Reserve Futurity Champion. The daughter of Dual Rey out of Sons Miss Sprat by Sons Rushette had previously won close to $10,200, winning the Wyoming Open Futurity for $5,834.74 and splitting fourth at the Idaho Open Futurity, earning $4,357.

But Scott’s horses went home with close to $9,500 as he also finished fourth and eighth in the Open Derby and fourth in the Open Classic.

DERBY:

Tim Denton and his horses took home close to $8,563 from Loveland, including the Derby Championship riding Cats Puma.

It was much the same story in the Derby. Tim Denton, Sterling, Utah, and his horses took home close to $8,563 from Loveland. He rode Cats Puma, a son of High Brow Cougar out of Stylish Freckles by Docs Stylish Oak, for owners Bill and Catherine Lacy, Crested Butte, Colo. The pair won the first day and then placed in the next two go-rounds, giving them total earnings of $3,799.81 and the of Derby Championship.

Cats Puma had previously won $19,842, with their largest paycheck being $11,290.39 for an eighth-place split in the 2009 Breeders Invitational Non-Pro Derby. Tim’s horses also finished third in the Open Futurity, 10th in the Open Derby and ninth in the Open Classic.

The Reserve Championship went to Kenny Platt, Fort Lupton, Colo., who had an exceptionally good show, winning more money than any other Open rider - $10,652 riding five horses. He showed Smart Anna Doc, a daughter of Smart Little Jerry out of Anna Lee Doc by Son Ofa Doc, to Reserve in the Derby for Dwight and Kathi Fisher, Kamloops, B.C., Canada, winning $2,777.15. Smart Anna Doc had lifetime earnings of close to $21,300 prior to the Loveland show, with her largest paycheck of $3,750 coming from being a finalist in the 2008 Idaho Open Futurity.

Megan Mowery rode Smart Liza Boon to the championship of the Non-Pro Derby.

In the Non-Pro Derby, Megan Mowery, Millsap, Texas, was the only cutter able to put three check-earning runs together each day and as a result, she received a $2,279.74 check and the trophy buckle. Her partner was Smart Liza Boon, a daughter of Yellow Roan Of Texas out of Lena Montana by Smart Little Lena. Not bad for a girl that was sick with a cold the entire show. Previously, the mare had won $5,369 in lifetime earnings.

Susan Marvin, wife of the Futurity Champion Tommy Marvin, was only $253.03 behind Megan in total earnings, which resulted in the Reserve Champion belt buckle. Susan was riding Peeka Peps Cat, a son of Peeka Pep out of Catsa Movin by High Brow Cat, with prior earnings of $78,034. Ridden by Tommy, he was a finalist in the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity, winning his largest paycheck of $45,139. Susan’s largest check of $9,818 on him came from a fourth at the 2009 NCHA Super Stakes Limited Non-Pro.

CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:

Kenny Platt won the most money for an Open rider - $10,652, riding five horses. He won the top two spots in the Open Classic, was Reserve in the Derby and placed two horses in the Futurity.

In the Open Classic/Challenge, for 5- and 6-year-old horses, Platt won both the Championship and the Reserve title. He won the championship and $2,378.34 riding Play Bling, a daughter of Little Haida Playboy out of CDs Pep Olena by CD Olena, owned by Hank and Karen True, Glenrock, Wyo. His Reserve title and $2,230.01 check was won riding Peptos Stylish Lynx, a 5-year-old daughter of Peptos Stylish Oak out of BR Lynx N Freckles by Tivio Lynx, owned by Mike and Victoria Simmons, Parker, Colo. Platt also finished 10th and 12th in the Open Futurity, earning $1,891.36 and $1,375.12 paychecks.

Play Bling had previous earnings of $14,051.22, with most of the money won in weekend competition, while Peptos Stylish Lynx had won $31,024 prior to Loveland. She had collected $4,236.57 for a Reserve in the 2008 Rocky Mountain Cutting Derby.

Linda Holmes won the Non-Pro Classic riding Charlies Angel Rey, a daughter of her great mare Stylish Play Lena.

First and second place in the Non-Pro Classic was decided by less than $50. Linda Holmes, Longmont, Colo., riding Charlies Angel Rey , a 5-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of her great mare Stylish Play Lena by Docs Stylish Oak, won a total of $2,824.45 edging out Frank Diehl and his gelding Henry Harwood, a 6-year-old gelding by Smart Little Lena out of RM Lily Langtree by Bob Acre Doc.

Linda and Charlies Angel Rey, who had prior earnings of close to $19,400, including a Reserve title in the 2008 Rocky Mountain Open Derby, earned money in all three go-rounds and won the final go, receiving $2,775.18. Linda also finished third in the Non-Pro Derby riding Reymember Me to $1,646.40 in checks.

Henry Harwood had previous earnings of $98,234 including a $25,658 paycheck for a sixth-place split in the 2007 NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro division. Diehl also finished sixth riding Very Special Cat to a third place in the third go-round for $892.15 and a $253.29 paycheck in the Non-Pro Derby riding Deal Or A Deal.

THE REST OF THE STORY…
Most contestants were very pleased with the show’s setting as well. “The format really lets you show your horse, plus the cattle worked better than they really were because of the set up,” said Tim Denton. “It is an outstanding facility,” he said, referring to The Ranch, where the event is held. Even the judges agreed that it was an excellent facility with room for the cattle to work, including two practice pens with plenty of room for the loping pen all under one roof.

Judges Tom McTaggart and Raymond Rice.

Frank Diehl said that as the show gets bigger, the number of days will extend such that the Open and Non-Pro classes won't be on the same day, ultimately allowing more horses to be shown in both divisions. He stated that the facility, cattle, judges and ground were great. Judges Tom McTaggart and Judge Raymond Rice thought the best part was that the riders got paid for what they got done. The event was produced by the Western States Cutting Horse Association.
Click here for full results>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Oct. 10, 2009 – Columbus, Ohio
Even though Playin Stylish, the 1999 NCHA Horse of the Year, winner of the 1999 NCHA Open Super Stakes, earner of close to $119,000 and sire of offspring earning close to $2.6 million, died in 2008, he was a star at the aged-event cuttings held during the 2009 All-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 2-8.

The 1995 stallion sired by Docs Stylish Oak out of Playboys Mom by Freckles Playboy, was owned at the time of his death by R. E. Merritt, Austin, Texas, and the Burnett Ranches, Guthrie, Texas, a/k/a the famed 6666 Ranch in Guthrie. He sired High Livin, the winner of the Congress Open Futurity, and Stylish Moves, the winner of the Open Derby. SH Heidi Jazz, sired by Dual Jazz, won the 38-entry Open Classic.

Ironically, the 6666 Ranch, sponsored the NCHA World Series, also held during the Congress, with Dual Rey Me, ridden by Jeremy Barwick winning the $25,000-added Open division, and Elizabeth Queen, riding Sister CD to the $25,000-added Non-Pro title.

FUTURITY:
Haidas Little Pep was also the star of the Futurity, with both first and second-place horses being out of daughters of the son of Peppy San Badger. High Livin, a son of Playin Stylish out of Haidas Apertife by Haidas Little Pep, was owned and shown by Steve Ginn, Turkey, N.C., when they topped the 33-entry Open Futurity, scoring a 219.5 in the finals and taking home a $4,911.15 paycheck. Bred by Helen Groves’ Silverbrook Ranches, Baird, Texas, the young stallion was sold to Ginn as a long yearling in December 2007.

The Reserve title and $4,060.90 paycheck for a 217 finals score went to Quixotes Lil Haida (Oh Cay Quixote x Haidas Game by Haidas Little Pep), owned by Michael and Kimberly Huntt, Gaithersburg, Md., and was ridden by Randy Chartier, Marine City, Mich.

The 12-entry Non-Pro division of the Futurity was taken by Texan Dan Hansen riding Tex San Time (Peptotime x Tex San Oak x Doc’s Oak), scoring a 144 and taking home a $2,796.80 paycheck. Reserve went to Kassi Pinion, Stanfield, N.C., riding TR Catta Rey, a daughter of TR Dual Rey out of Catristol by High Brow Cat. The pair scored a 142 and took home $2,464.

DERBY:
The 35-entry Open Derby was won by Stylish Moves, a daughter of Playin Stylish out of Miss Movin Hickory by Doc’s Hickory, owned by Lisa Wood, Denison, Texas, and ridden by Walt Erwin, Lebanon, Tenn. The mare scored a 148 in the finals, taking home the largest paycheck of the aged events - $5,134.25. Reserve was A Swingin Pepto, a daughter of Chromesmal out of A Swingin by Smart Aristocrat, owned by Lisa and Shawn Minshall, Hillburgh, Ont., Can., ridden by Gabe Reynolds, Springfield, Tenn. The pair scored a 146, winning $4,235.50.

The 26-entry Non-Pro Derby finals were won by John Hulsey, Gainesville, Ga., riding Cowgirls Paradise (High Brow Cat x Cinderella Starlight x Grays Starlight) to a 146 and $2,822 paycheck. Reserve went to Shawn Minshall, who also owned the Derby Reserve Open Champion, riding Fraggie Rocks (Duals Blue Boon x Miss Tassa Lena by Smart Little Lena) to a 145, collecting $2,417.60.

CLASSIC:
SH Heidi Jazz (Dual Jazz x Dans Playgirl x Freckles Playboy), owned by Kassidy Stough and ridden by Kent Stough, Laytonsville, Md., won the 38-entry Classic Finals. The pair scored a 149, collecting the $3,886 first-place paycheck. The Reserve title was split between RS Cats Starlight (High Brow Cat x Lil Missy Starlight x Grays Starlight) owned by Melinda Cooper and ridden by Rich Timmons, Doylestown, Pa., and Cetas Ahoy Mate, a gelding by Smart Mate out of Cetas Lady by Doc Quixote), owned by Kirkland and Susan Gruber, St. George, S.C., and ridden by Eddie Braxton, Olar, S.C. Both horses scored a 146 and took home $3,164.50.

The 28-entry Classic Non-Pro Finals were won by Benjie Neely, Lyons, Ga., riding Missis Bobra Ann (Bobs Freckle x Missis Trona x Little Trona), scoring a 148 and collecting $3,016.00. Reserve went to Docs Stylish Pepto (Peptos Stylish Oak x Sandy San Lena x Doc O’Lena), owned by Eddie and Tracy Braxton, Olar, S.C., ridden by Tracy to a 147 and $2,572.80.

NCHA WORLD SERIES:
Two geldings, both coming from the Bar H Ranche breeding program, took the top spots in the NCHA World Series Cutting held during the All-American Congress on Oct. 8. Dual Rey Me, a 10-year-old gelding by the Bar H Ranche’s stallion Dual Pep out of Miss Smart Rey Jay by Smart Little Lena, owned by Jeremy and Candace Barwick, Stephenville, Texas, and ridden by Jeremy won both go-rounds of the NCHA $25,000-added, 42-entry Open Cutting. The pair scored a 224 to win the first go-round and a 225.5 in the 11-horse finals, taking home an $8,384 paycheck.

The two-time World Champion was bred by the Twin Willow Ranch, Ocate, N.M., and sold to Mike Rutherford, Jr., Buda, Texas, as a yearling. Rutherford sold him to Kobie Wood, Stephenville, Texas, in July 2003 and the Barwicks purchased him three months later in October. According to NCHA, the gelding’s lifetime earnings currently top $720,000.

The Reserve title and $7,153.34 went to Short A Shay, owned by Gail Force Quarter Horses and ridden by Eddie Braxton to a 224. Third was High Brow Doll (P), owned by Phillip King and ridden by Tracy Barton to a 221 and a $5,922.67 paycheck.

In the 42-entry Non-Pro division, Elizabeth Queen, Weatherford, Texas, rode Sister CD, a 7-year-old gelding sired by the Bar H Ranche’s sire CD Olena out of Little Baby Sister by Dual Rey. Bred by the Bar H Ranche, Weatherford, Texas, the gelding was purchased by Elizabeth and her husband Skip in July of his 3-year-old year. The pair won both go-rounds of the division, scoring a 225 in the first go and a whopping 230 in the 11-horse finals. The gelding currently has won over $735,000 in NCHA earnings, which includes their $8,384 paycheck from the Congress cutting.

Reserve was Paula Wood, Stephenville, Texas, riding Donas Cool Cat to a 223 and a $7,153.34 paycheck. Third was Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding Billies Smart Lena to a 219 and $5,922.65.

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Ted Petit
Sept. 28, 2009 – Rancho Murieta, Calif.

Hayden Upton rode Shez Cat Actin, a horse he purchased as a yearling and trained himself, to the Non-Pro Futurity title at the El Rancho Futurity.

Hayden Upton, 28, a horseman and equine chiropractor from New South Wales, Australia, snared his first cutting futurity championship when he won the Non-Pro Futurity held during the El Rancho Futurity, Sept. 16-26 in Rancho Murieta, Calif. Riding Shez Cat Actin, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Smart Little Till by Smart Little Lena, that he purchased as a yearling and trained himself, Hayden picked up a $10,000 paycheck for his 221 finals score. This was only the second time he has shown a cutting horse in competition.

But it wasn’t his first performance horse competition, as he showed a horse in the 2006 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, scoring the high rein work score in the Intermediate Non-Pro and placed ninth. He showed that same horse at the West Coast Reining Derby.

Hayden Upton, Wilton, Calif., (black hat) shown with Shez Cat Actin receiving his awards after winning the El Rancho Non-Pro Futurity. To his right is Carol Ward, who produced the event.

. “Before I came to America, I was involved in camp drafting and the Australian Stock Horse stuff,” said Hayden. After he did well with a reined cow horse and a reiner, Hayden decided he wanted to learn how to cut. “I bought a yearling a couple of years ago. I work (as an equine chiropractor) for Gary Gonsalves, Andrew Coates, Al Dunning, John Mitchell, Chad Platt, John Mitchell and many others – and I tried to pick as many brains as I could. I take my horses with me when I travel. I train my own horses but I learn where I can from others.”

Hayden purchased the yearling from the breeders, Jim and Sondra Wright, Portland, Ore., on the mare's one-year birthday, March 5, 2007. Calling Wilton, Calif., home, Hayden says he travels on the road six to nine months out of the year, traveling from San Diego to Redding, Calif., and making three or four trips to Texas in March, June-July and November before the NCHA Futurity. When he comes to Texas, he usually stays with Gary Gonsalves in Millsap or with several of the Californians who have moved back there.

“Gary is the person I try to model my program around,” said Hayden. “But everywhere I’m working, I’m watching their horses and whether it (what they’re doing) helps or not. I try to get something from everybody.”

Hayden has been in the United States since 2000. He learned about equine chiropractic methods in Australia and served a four-year apprenticeship in the United States under Rick Boyd, the son of well-known equine chiropractor Graham Boyd. “I was going to go back to Australia, but Rick tore his knee apart in a judo tournament, so my wife, Summa, and I bought the business – and we’re here to stay. Rick went back to New Zealand. Summa keeps things going so I can cut,” said Hayden.

Hayden stressed that it was six years before he could think of showing horses in the United States. “The first four years, I was serving as an apprentice, then he next two years, we were learning the ropes and running the business,” he said.

Reserve Champion of the 18-entry Futurity was Stephanie Larrabee, Santa Ynez, Calif., riding Sanjo Royal, a gelding by CD Royal out of Sanjo Snippy by San Jo Lena. The pair scored a 215, taking home $8,000.

NON-PRO DERBY:
Allie Roger, Eastland, Texas, the wife of trainer Neil Roger, won the 16-entry Non-Pro Derby riding Billy Joe Rey, a gelding by Dual Rey out of Hug Me Darling by Hug Me Doc. The pair scored a 219, collecting a $6,500 paycheck. The money raised the gelding’s lifetime earnings to close to $22,000, including $6,773 for a tie for 15th at the 2009 Breeders Invitational Non-Pro Derby. He also collected $3,312 for a ninth-place tie at the Bonanza 4-Year-Old Non-pro and $3,355 for third in the Idaho Non-Pro Derby plus $543 for being the champion of the Gelding Division. The Rogers work for Texans Jimmy and Terrye Kemp and occasionally travel with them.

The Reserve title and $5,000 paycheck went to Katie Fonsen, Sebastopol, Calif., riding Cat Cora, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of Smart Smokette by Smart Little Lena, to a 217.5. The paycheck raises the mare’s lifetime earnings to close to $13,500.

NON-PRO CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
Janet Westfall, Los Olivos, Calif., got a “lil bit reckless” in the 29-entry El Rancho Classic/Challenge finals, scoring a whopping 224. The $9,000 first-place paycheck earned by Lil Bit Reckless, a 5-year-old daughter of CD Royal, a stallion owned by Janet and her trainer husband, Russ, out of Trouble Lynn by Smart And Trouble, put the mare over the $106,000 mark in lifetime earnings.

Russ also picked up $2,000 for eighth in the Open Division. The mare’s largest paycheck of $12,500 came for a Reserve Champion-split during the 2008 South Point Open Derby with Russ in the saddle. Her second largest paycheck in 2009 came from the championship of the Mebane Ranch Festival Open Classic, where they picked up $8,355. Janet has now won close to $750,000 in NCHA competition.

The Reserve title went to Carol Ward, Sloughhouse, Calif., who was the show promoter. Riding Lil Dulce Lu, a 5-year-old daughter of Dulces Smart Lena out of Miss Haulin Hickory by SR Instant Choice, Carol scored a 221.5 earning $7,200. The paycheck raised the mare’s lifetime earnings close to $60,000. Their most recent success came from the Mebane Ranch Festival where the pair won the Non-Pro Classic for a $6,101 paycheck for posting a 226 – the event’s highest score.

The 29-entry Classic/Challenge Non-Pro $200,000 Limited Rider class was won by Chuck Roven, Santa Ynez, Calif., who owns Reata Cutting Horses along with his wife, Stephanie Haymes Roven. Chuck was riding Little Proud Pepto, a 6-year-old daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Little Proud Mary by Smart Little Lena, and scored a 219.5, earning $1,800, which raised the mare’s lifetime earnings to close to $31,000.

Reserve went to Audrey Kasel, Dixon, Calif., riding Scooters Got A Spot, a 5-year-old daughter of Pepto Taz out of Scooters Playmate by Freckles Playboy, and scoring a 217 for a $1,550 paycheck. The mare now has over $11,400 in lifetime earnings.

UNCOLA NON-PRO:
Fred Steck of the Latigo Canyon Ranch, Santa Ynez, Calif., won the 20-entry Non-Pro Uncola finals riding Hick Chicaroo, a 7-year-old son of Doc’s Hickory out of Roosters Chicaroo by Gallo Del Cielo to a 223 and $2,200 paycheck. The stallion currently has over $185,000 in lifetime earnings. Reserve went to Mesoke, owned by Carmel Cutting Horses Inc., and ridden by Tom DeRegt, Carmel, Calif. The pair scored a 218 and picked up $1,900. The 7-year-olddaughter of Smart Little Lena out of Smokin Dually by Dual Pep now has over $77,600 in lifetime earnings.

AMATEUR:
Terrye Kemp, Eastland, Texas, won the Amateur Derby finals riding SDP Ute Man, a gelding by TR Dual Rey out of Savanah Holli by Holidoc. This was the first aged event championship for the gelding, which scored a 216 and picked up $2,000. He now has over $30,600 in lifetime earnings. Reserve went to Jim Milne, Woodside, Calif., riding Fancy Pipedream, a gelding by Soula Jule Star out of Fancy Handle by Dual Pep. The pair scored a 214 and took home $1,700.

The Amateur Classic/Challenge Finals was a tie between Julie Clarke, of Clarke Butte Ranch, Bend, Ore., riding Little Silver Belles and Nicole Carson, San Clemente, Calif., riding Peptos Promise. Both scored a 216 and took home $1,650. Little Silver Belles is a 6-year-old daughter of Hes A Peptospoonful out of Kadee Lena Belle by CD Olena with close to $190,000 in lifetime earnings. Peptos Promise, a 6-year-old gelding by Peptoboonsmal out of Clays Little Cash by Cash Quixote Rio, has now won over $54,450.
Click here for full results>>

JULIE HANSMA WINS NON-PRO DERBY AND KAYLA NORRIS WINS 5/6-YEAR-OLD NON-PRO AND AMATEUR

The Music City Futurity and Aged event belonged to Non-Pro Chad Bushaw this year!. The stockbroker from Weatherford, Texas, netted him paychecks on six horses he rode in all three Non-Pro divisions totaling $46,884, or 25 percent of all the money paid out in the show’s Non-Pro classes. The $46,883 was the most money paid out to a single rider at the Franklin, Tenn., Sept. 12-20 show in either the Open or Non-Pro Division. (Leading Open money-earning riders included Austin Shepard whose mounts won $40,016, Craig Thompson, $39,026 and Paul Hansma $38,783.)

Bushaw, who was the industry’s sixth-leading Non-Pro in 2008, with over $1.6 million in lifetime earnings, won the 16-entry 3-Year-Old Non-Pro riding Will You Play, a gelding sired by Playdox out of Nurse Dualin by Dual Pep, and received a $12,403 paycheck. The amount was a whopping 47 percent of the $46,884 total purse paid out in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro division. In the 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro Finals, he was Reserve Champion, collecting $14,662.51 on Snow Rey, a son of Dual Rey out of Lenas Snow by Docs Stylish Oak. He also finished eighth on Mocha Cappuccino for $4,839.50 and ninth on Cats Ruby, earning an additional $2,000 – for a total of $21,503. In the 4-year-old Maturity, he finished third riding Reylena Moon for $10,977.97 and seventh on Maderas Crown for $2,000 – a total of $12,978.

NON-PRO FUTURITY:
Bushaw’s Will You Play, scoring a composite of 439 in two go-rounds of competition, was bred and raised by Bushaw and his wife Amy’s Crown Ranch LLC, and prior to the Music City Show had only $4,300 in lifetime earnings, which was what the pair had earned for the Reserve title at the West Texas Non-Pro Futurity.

Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, was the Reserve Champion, collecting $8,935.33 for a 434 composite score riding WSR Clays Freckles, a gelding by San Tule Freckles out of Clays Little Peppy by Peppy San. He also finished third for $5,467.67 riding Santules Choice for a 429 composite score. Both horses are owned by Dustin and his wife Deena.

NON-PRO MATURITY:

Julie Hansma, Weatherford, Texas, won the Non-Pro Maturity riding Too Bossy.

Julie Hansma, Weatherford, Texas, let a 4-year-old gelding “boss her around” during the finals of the 52-entry Music City Non-Pro Maturity and the result was a 216 score and the winning paycheck of $18,185.47 in the 10-entry finals. Too Bossy, a gelding sired by CD Lights out of Susans Replay by Freckles Playboy, was bred by Robin Klesges, Millsap, Texas, who sold her as a yearling to Julie’s brother-in-law, top trainer Winston Hansma in May 2006 – who trained the gelding and co-owns his sire, CD Lights, the 2006 NCHA World Champion Stallion, with Danny Motes.

He was transferred to Winston’s stepdaughter, Mica Motes Chartier, Danny’s daughter, in November 2008, who took him to the NCHA Futurity – where they finished in the finals of the Non-Pro and Limited Non-Pro divisions, winning over $13,800. Julie and her husband Paul purchased the gelding in July 2009. Prior to the Music City show, the gelding had $21,343 in lifetime earnings, including 2009 paychecks in the Non-Pro at the Bonanza and NCHA Derby. The gelding’s lifetime earnings currently top $35,140.

Wade Rust, Gordon, Texas, was the Reserve Champion with a 214 score and earning $14,581.72 riding Sweet Lil Cowtown, a daughter of Sweet Lil Pepto out of LB Ms Downtown Twist by Doc O’Lena. Prior to Music City, the mare had $40,291 in lifetime earnings, including the Reserve Championship of the San Antonio Open Derby, finals checks from the Brazos Valley Cutting, Breeders Invitational, and NCHA Non-Pro Derby and was a money earner at the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

The Limited Non-Pro title went to Shasha Thompson, wife of top trainer Craig Thompson, Buffalo, Texas, riding Miss Play Reyco, a daughter of Playgun out of Colie Oak by Doc’s Oak. The pair scored a 432 composite score on two go-rounds, earning $3,358.92. Prior to the Music City show, the mare had earned $14,244 from a third in the 2009 Limited Non-Pro Derby and was a finalist in the Open. The Reserve Limited title was won by Tommy Wells, Houston, Texas, riding Peptos Stylishbarbie to a 427. The pair won $2,799.13.

NON-PRO CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
Kayla Norris, 26, Sumrall, Miss., rode Kual Gun to the championship of both the Non-Pro and the Limited Non-Pro Classic/Challenge riding Kual Gun, a 6-year-old daughter of Playgun out of Dual Kual by Dual Pep. Kayla won her first Non-Pro title, scoring a 221, earning a $17,444.40 paycheck – the highest either Kayla or Kual Gun had ever won at a single show. They had the highest cumulative score of 429 in the Limited, sending Kayla home with an additional $3,607.52.

The mare, with $66,415 in earnings prior to the Music City Show, was bred by Kenny McLean, Point Clear, Ala., and sold to Kayla in April 2008. Kayla, who had been showing in weekend shows, purchased the mare on the recommendation of her trainer Austin Shepard, who wanted her to get involved in the aged events. Austin knew the mare as she had been trained by Austin’s father, Sam Shepard.
That fall, the pair were Reserve Champions of the Amateur Division of the Music City Futurity. They also split the Reserve Championship of the Augusta all ages $50,000 Amateur and tied for fourth in the $100,000 Amateur, made the Amateur finals at the Cotton Stakes, Southern Futurity and the NCHA Classic/Challenge. This year they placed fifth in the Non-Pro, were Reserve in the Limited Non-Pro and tied for fourth at the Tunica Futurity and won the NCHA Super Stakes Amateur Classic. The pair also took home the Reserve Championship of the 5/6-Year-Old Amateur Finals at Music City, earning an additional $2,500.

The Reserve title went to Bushaw and Snow Rey, a son of Dual Rey with $134,291 in lifetime earnings prior to Music City. The Reserve title of the Limited was won by Von Sutten, Fort Worth, Texas, riding Treymendous to a cumulative score of 428 and taking home $3,200.33.

AMATEUR:
Scott Rorah, Algonac, Mich. Rode Sweet Lil Tea, a daughter of Sweet Lil Pepto out of Real Sweet Tee by Real Doc, to the 4-Year-Old Amateur title, scoring a 215 for a $3,345.63 paycheck. Bred and raised by Mike and Michelle Mowery, Millsap, Texas, the mare was sold to Rorah and his wife Rae Ann in December 2006. This was the pair’s first paycheck.

The Reserve title, scoring a 213 for $2,974.82, was Julie Beasley, Montgomery, Ala., riding Duallin In The Snow, a gelding sired by Dual Rey out of Lenas Snow by Docs Stylish Oak. Bred by Alice Walton’s Rocking W Ranch, Millsap, Texas, the gelding was purchased by Steve Owen, Vero Beach, Fla., as a yearling, Terry Gay, Vernon, Fla., as a 2-year-old and Beasley purchased him in April of this year. With Randy Chartier, Marine City, Mich., working with the pair, they tied for fifth at the 2009 NCHA Amateur Derby, raising the gelding’s lifetime earnings to over $18,670.

Julie Jarma, Prosper, Texas, won the 5/6-Year-Old Amateur riding Short Scootin, a 5-year-old gelding her parents, Don and Debbie Jarma, bred and raised, sired by Smart Lil Scoot out of Shortcake Berry by Shorty Lena. The pair scored a 224, the highest of the entire show, earning $2,675. The gelding had also finished seventh in the Open Classic at Music City, with Eddie Flynn in the saddle. The gelding has now won over $85,000 in lifetime earnings.

Becky Galyean, wife of top pleasure horse trainer Gil Galyean, Purcell, Okla., a brother to Jody Galyean, rode Panolas Sugar Boon to the championship of the $50,000 Non-Pro Any-Age Horse, a 65-entry class which had only one go-round. The 2003 daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Panolas Little Lena by Smart Little Lena, was bred and raised by Coco Meyer of Valley View, Texas, and purchased by the Galyeans in March 2008. The pair’s 218 score earned them $2,764.71, which increased the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $55,350. Reserve was split between Carol Pace, Rossville, Tenn., riding Peptos Stylish Bay and Tara Gaines, wife of cutting horse trainer Matt Gaines, riding Patrick La Dual. Both scored a 216 and took home $2,575.83.
All monies are finals and do not include go-rounds.
Click here for full results>>

SCHLESINGER TAKES FUTURITY RIDING SCATMAN CUTTERS; RAPP WINS DERBY ON DONT LOOK TWICE

Phil Hanson left the El Rancho Futurity & Aged event, held Sept.16-26 in Rancho Murieta, Calif., with $33,666.67 in winnings – making him the winningest Open rider during the five days of Open division competition. The second high money earner was Phil Rapp, who finished the Open classes with $29,700 in earnings.

OPEN FUTURITY:
Steve Schlesinger, Lockeford, Calif., with less than $150,000 in lifetime earnings, was in tough company when he won the 51-entry 3-year-old Open Futurity riding Scatman Cutters, a gelding by WR This Cats Smart out of Peppys Cool Cash by Cash Quixote Rio, for Donna Lu Campbell, Fernley, Nev. Schlesinger beat out Phil Hanson, the high money earner at the show, who finished fourth and Phil Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, the top rider in the industry, who finished sixth and 13th.

The pair scored a 222 in the finals for a $20,000 paycheck. They also won the Gelding award for $522 and $2,500 from the Jerry Ward Incentive. They had previously split the Open Futurity at the Echeta Ranch Open Cutting Futurity and the gelding’s lifetime earnings now are over $26,400. Jerry Ward was the late husband of the Carol Ward, the show’s producer.

The Reserve title went to Wilton, Calif., trainer Gavin Jordan riding Sway Cat, a son of High Brow Cat out of Doc O Lilly by Doc O’Lena, for Melissa Corcoran, Alamo, Calif., to a 216.5 for a $16,000 paycheck. It was the pair’s first championship as they previously split ¾ at the Echeta Ranch Open Futurity and seventh at the Mebane Ranch Open Futurity. Their lifetime earnings are now close to $24,000.

OPEN DERBY:
It was Rapp’s turn to shine in the 39-entry Open Derby riding Waco Bend Ranch’s Don’t Look Twice, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Tapt Twice by Dual Pep. The pair turned in a 227 in the finals, adding $12,000 to their bankroll and lifetime earnings – which now top $227,000. The pair is in a run for the NCHA Horse of the Year Award against Metallic Cat. The mare’s win gave her a total of 72 points to Metallic Cat’s 92. Five eligible shows remain in the race, including the Brazos Bash in Weatherford, South Point in Las Vegas, Pacific Coast in Paso Robles and the Southern in Jackson, Miss.

The Reserve title went to Hanson riding Curly Rey for the Lazy H Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, to a 220.5 and a $9,500 paycheck. Hanson also finished fourth on Catsmere owned by Frank and Bonnie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev. Curly Rey, a son of Dual Rey out of Times Oak by Doc’s Oak, now has over $42,700 in lifetime earnings, which the pair’s largest paycheck coming from being a finalist in the 2009 Breeders Invitational Open Derby.

OPEN CLASSIC CHALLENGE:
The 33-entry Open Classic/Challenge was also won by Hanson riding Little Silver Belles, a 6-year-old daughter of Hes A Peptospoonful out of Kadee Lena Belle by CD Olena, owned by the Clarke Butte Ranch, Bend, Ore. The pair scored a 226, earning $10,000, raising the mare’s lifetime earnings to close to $187,000.

Rapp took the reserve title with a 223, earning $7,700 on ARC Catty Dual owned by Arcese Quarter Horses USA. The daughter of Dual Pep out of Cat Mist by High Brow Cat has now raised her lifetime earnings to $120,750, which included a win of the 2007 PCCHA Open Futurity for $32,599.

The event continues today with the Non-Pro 7-Up, followed by the finals on Wednesday. Non-Pro and Amateur finals will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26, the final day of the show.
Click here for the schedule & results>>

Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
Sept. 12, 2009 – Nampa, Idaho
Keith Kitchen, a trainer from Bend, Ore., won the Futurity held during the ICHA Futurity and Aged Event, held Sept. 1-9 in Nampa, Idaho, collecting a $10,013 paycheck; Phil Hanson captured the Derby and a $7,589.67 as well as the Open Classic/Challenge for $6,052.54.

However, the largest total paycheck of $28,906.50 went to Jimmy and Terrye Kemp – a Non-Pro and Amateur couple from Eastland, Texas, who had seven of their horses earn money in Open, Non-Pro and Amateur competition. (See feature article in "Who, What, Where).

The Kemps travel the country with around 20 horses in five rigs, which includes their early 3-year-olds, their string of NCHA Futurity horses, 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds and help horses. At the Idaho event, they, and their trainer Neil Roger, earned money on seven of their show horses: two 3-year-olds, two 4-year-olds, a 5-year-old and two 6-year-olds. Roger rode the two 3-year-olds in the Open Futurity, the two 4-year-olds in the Open Derby and a 5- and 6-year-old in the Open Classic – earning $19,345.21 for the Kemps.

Jimmy rode a 5- and 6-year-old in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge, winning the division with a whopping 220 and finishing seventh. He also won the Gelding Finals. Terrye finished Reserve in the $50,000 Amateur Classic/Challenge and won the Gelding finals. Together, the pair won $9,561.29 – for a grand total of $28,906.50. Only Oregon trainer Phil Hanson, who spends the winters in Weatherford, Texas, came close with $25,171.06 in Open earnings won in the Open Futurity, Derby and Classic/Challenge.

OPEN FUTURITY:
Winning the Open Futurity finals with a 221.5 was Kittys Playin Again, a daughter of Playboy Again out of Cats Bright Star by High Brow Cat, ridden by Kitchen and owned by Nan Johnston, Bend, Ore. The $10,013 paycheck boosted the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $12,163 and was their first Futurity championship. They had previously tied for fourth at the Big Sky Cutting Futurity, earning $2,150.

The Reserve title and $7,882.70 went to Times Sneakin Up Onu ridden by Russ Miller for Karen Griffin Praytor, Weatherford, Texas. The daughter of Peptotime out of Sneakin Up Onu by Sneakin Lena scored a 219.5 and was experiencing her first paycheck.

Third place went to Itsjustaboutboon, owned by Jimmy Kemp and ridden by Roger to a 217 and $6,328.56 paycheck. The son of Its Just About Me out of Catjumpedovertheboon by High Brow Cat, had been purchased by his breeders, Tom and Colleen Holt, Weatherford, Texas, as a yearling in July 2007. The pair also won the Gelding finals for $523.50 more. Kemp’s other 3-year-old, Dual Rey N Play tied for seventh with Roger in the saddle, scoring a 212, and earning $2,878.99. They also finished fourth in the Gelding finals, racking up an additional $261.75. Dual Rey N Play is a gelding sired by Dual Rey out of Hiccup N Play by Doc’s Hickory, bred by the Sierra Oak Ranch, Bakersfield, Texas, and sold to Kemp in April of this year.

OPEN DERBY:
Catsmere, a daughter of WR This Cats Smart out of Olena Pep by Peppy San Badger, ridden by Hanson won the Derby Finals for owners Frank and Bonnie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev. The pair scored a 226 - the highest score of the entire show – taking home $7,589.67. The paycheck raised the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $53,138 – even though it was her first major win.

The Reserve title went to High Lightning, a son of High Brow Cat out of Lightning Lil Dulce by Smart Little Lena, ridden by Scott Amos for Mat Turnbull. The pair scored a 218.5 and won a $6,079.20 paycheck, raising their lifetime earnings to $8,230.72. The stallion had previously tied for fourth in the Central Utah Open Derby for $254.93.

Kemp’s SDP Ute Man, a gelding by TR Dual Rey out of Savanah Holli by Holidoc, finished sixth with a 215, earning $2,738.58 plus an additional $509,75 for the Reserve Gelding title. Bred by Janet Bowen DVM, Brenham, Texas, she had sold the gelding as yearling to the Buffalo Ranch, who sold him to Jonathan and Kathy Foote, Livingston, Mont., in January of 2008. They sold him to Kemp in January 2008 and in 2009, the gelding has now earned over $28,624 in Open, Non-Pro and Amateur competition. His largest paycheck of $6,125 came for a fourth-place tie at the NCHA Amateur Super Stakes, with Terrye in the saddle.

Fantastic Plastic, a daughter of Whittle Mike O Dual out of Miss Remanita by Mr Peponita Flo, returned to Nampa after winning the Open Futurity in 2008. The mare and Roger were finalists in the Open Derby, earning $1,700 – upping their earnings to over $48,300. The mares only other championship was during the 2009 Tunica 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Futurity where she picked up $15,760.32. Fantastic Plastic was bred by Karen Griffin and sold to Kemp in July 2008 – just prior to her Idaho Futurity championship.

CLASSIC/CHALLENGE:
Rubys Royal CD, ridden by Hanson and owned by the Martins, won the Open Classic/Challenge. Their 225 score netted $6,052.54 – jumping their lifetime earnings to over $173,900. Even though the 5-year-old daughter of CD Royal out of Smart Little Ruby by Smart Little Lena, had won the championship of the 2008 El Rancho Non-Pro Derby and the 2008 PCCHA Fall 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Stakes, her largest paycheck of $28,108 came from a 10th-place split in the 2008 NCHA Open Super Stakes. She also picked up a $23,601 paycheck from a third place in the 2007 PCCHA Open Futurity and $20,351 from an 11th-place split during the 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

The Reserve title went to CD Silk N Lace, owned by Switchback Cutting Horses, and ridden by Will Nuttall to a 220 and $4,380.13. The daughter of CD Olena out of Sanjo Silk N Lace by San Jo Lena currently has over $72,200 in lifetime earnings, including the championship of the 2007 Idaho Open Futurity, where she earned $20,001. She also finished third in the 4-Year-Old Open of the 2008 PCCHA Fall Stakes.

Roger rode Kemp’s Ginnin Little Cat to sixth place with a 214.5, earning $2,394.89. The 5-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat out of Gin Oak by Doc’s Oak, was bred by Jane Jones, Tenaha, Texas, and purchased by Kemp just last month from Madalyn Jones. With over $23,520 in lifetime earnings, the gelding also topped the Gelding finals for an additional $465.60.

Kemp rode the gelding in the Non-Pro Finals, finishing seventh for $1,999.90 and fourth in the Gelding finals. Also, Terrye was Reserve Champion of the $50,000 Classic/Challenge Amateur Finals, scoring a 213 for $1,491.19. She also won the Amateur Gelding finals for an additional $407.40.

Kemp’s I Ben Thinking, a 6-year-old gelding by Soula Jule Star out of Fancy Handle by Dual Pep, was also a finalist with Roger in the saddle, collecting $1,700. The pair also finished third in the Gelding finals. Bred by Sandy Bonelli, who owned the stud and the mare, he sold to Andrew and Nicole Coates, Esparto, Calif., in 2007 and Kemp purchased the gelding in November 2008. He has an extensive earning’s record of over $92,826, including his largest paycheck of $2,658 for an 11th-plafde split in the 2006 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity ridden by Bonelli.

Jimmy Kemp’s big win came in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge finals riding MH For The Money, a 6-year-old gray gelding sired by Bodee Boonsmal out of WSR Cat San Chick by High Brow Cat. Scoring a 220 final’s score, Kemp won $5,032.80. The pair also won the Gelding finals for an additional $630. The win boosted the gelding’s lifetime earnings to over $44,400, including his largest paycheck of $10,149, which came from third in the 2009 Bonanza 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro. The gelding was bred by Wes Adams’ Western States Ranches and is a MillionHeir-eligible horse and last year earned $3,634.17 in the MillionHeir Non-Pro Classic, ridden by Kemp, who purchased him in March 2006. Kemp also won the Gelding finals for $630 and was a finalist riding Ginnin Little Cat, earning an additional $1,999.90.

The Reserve title in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge finals was Dan Hansen, Weatherford, Texas, riding Odeeodle Oak, owned by Dan and his wife Karen. The daughter of Bodee Boonsmal out of Tex San Oak by Doc’s Oak scored a 215 for $4,216.25 - boosting the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $20,107. The mare had previously earned her largest check of $6,155.60 during the 2008 MillionHeir Non-Pro Derby.
Click here for full show results>>

KEMP TALKS ABOUT THE ICHA FUTURITY & AGED EVENT
“I’ve been coming out here to the Idaho show for seven or eight years now,” says Jimmy. “When we first started coming, the cattle weren’t real good but the ICHA has busted their tails to get better cattle – better everything. It will blow your mind what they do for you while you’re here and what they give for awards.”

Awards this year included a $1,000 pair of hand-made, custom chaps for first place. “They measure you at the show and mail them to you,” said Jimmy. Reserve received ice chests made out of wood, covered in cowhide with the Idaho CHA emblem on them. “They were beautiful,” said Jimmy. “They are probably $600-$800 each.” Plus every finalist received a heavy, insulated Schaeffer coat with a hood. “They’re not cheap,” said Jimmy. They don’t give belt buckles, but they sure have awful nice prizes.”

Jimmy says that the facility is great, the ground is well managed, the help is cordial and prompt and everything is convenient. “They have four practice pens and two flags set up and the flags cost you $100 for the whole show and you can use them as often as you want to. There’s a vet clinic next door to the coliseum and next to it is the Western store and feed store and it’s walking distance to anything to have to do. They deliver from the feed store and the vet clinic rivals Chris Rey and Jeff Foland – in fact, two of the vets went to school with Chris Rey. If you want someone to shoe your horses, just call the vet clinic and in 30 minutes he’ll be there.

“If you drive in and say, ‘Some time today could you bring me some shavings and 25 bales of hay,’ they’re there in 15 minutes. They unload it and put it in the feed stall so you don’t have to touch it. Also, when you drive in, they give you plastic cards for you and your help that are good at the concession stand. They’re like a credit card and you get your total bill at the end of the show. They treat you so well that we stayed two extra days. It’s unbelievable – it’s one of the greatest shows I’ve ever been to.
“If you want your laundry done, take it to the stall office by 4 p.m. and it’s back by 4 the next afternoon. If you’re camped there, they even give you the laundry bags to put your laundry in.”

Jimmy said that many people think that it’s just a little show in Idaho, but if they came to it, they’ll realize they have never been treated so well. “People just don’t come but they should,” said Jimmy. “They’ve got a Hampton Inn hotel on the grounds. There are about 20 other motels and hotels within 10 minutes. There’s great food and three golf courses across the street from the cutting. We played there yesterday and for the two of us to play, with a golf cart, it came to $38. They treat you right.

“The food is fabulous and they even have wine-tastings and fashion shows. A winery is one of the sponsors and the other night they sent three Greyhound buses to the grounds to pick up all the people. They fed them prime rib and gave them all the wine and anything else they wanted – and it was free. Their staff treats you like kings up there. These people work hard for you.”

Paula Wood, riding Chita Blue Star, captured the 47-entry Non-Pro Derby title at the West Texas Futurity, held Aug. 17-23 in Amarillo, Texas, while Alvin Fults, riding Tassa Cat, won the 54-entry Non-Pro Classic, and Dustin Adams, riding Palefaced Hickory, took home the first-place check in the 10-entry Non-Pro Futurity.

NON-PRO/AMATEUR DERBY:
Paula Wood, Stephenville, riding Chita Blue Star, a daughter of Duals Blue Boon out of Chita Cash by Cash Quixote Rio, owned by Paula’s husband, Kobie, won the Non-Pro Derby finals with a 221 score, and took home the first-place paycheck of $10,000. The money raised the mare’s lifetime earnings to $51,350 and was her first major win. The pair started their aged-event career out at the 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity, where they picked up $19,156 for a 21st-place split. During 2009, the pair split the Reserve title at the NCHA Non-Pro Derby for $12,433 and split third at the Bonanza 4-Year-Old Non-Pro. She also split fifth at the North Texas CHA Open Derby.

The Reserve title of the Non-Pro Derby and $8,000 went to Brandon Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, riding Miss Ella Rey, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Huggs Olena by Smart Chic Olena., to a 217. The pair also picked up an additional $1,945.48 for the championship of the $200,000 Ltd. Derby title – taking home $9,945.48. Those paychecks increased the mare’s lifetime earnings to over $77,500.

Their largest paycheck came from the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes, where they finished fourth for $23,629. They were also finalists in the NCHA Non-Pro Derby, while Brandon’s father, trainer Ed Dufurrena, rode the mare to the Open Division at 4-year-old Open during The Non-Pro. In 2008, Brandon won the Oklahoma Early Bird Non-Pro, split the Reserve title at the Southern Non-Pro Futurity, and was third at the Brazos Bash Non-Pro Futurity.

Chad Bushaw, Weatherford, Texas, finished third and sixth on Dual Expresso and Reylena Moon, taking home a total of $8,523.

The Non-Pro Derby Gelding finals were won by Kelle Earnheart, Hernando, Miss., riding Smooth An Boon. The pair scored a 214.5, taking home $1,503.32. The score also gave the pair fourth place and an additional $4,600 in the Non-Pro Derby Finals.

In the Amateur Division, Kathy Brown, Springs, Ark., rode Little Ms Magic, a daughter of Abrakadabracre out of Leoetta O Lena by Dox Lonesome Lena, scored a 219.5 in the finals, taking home a $3,000 paycheck. The pair was also fourth in the $200,000 Ltd., division of the Derby, taking home an additional $972.73. The close to $4,000 in additional earnings raised the mare’s earnings to over $10,800. Previously they were Amateur finalists at the 2009 NCHA Super Stakes and finished 17th in the Limited Non-Pro at the NCHA Derby.

Caitlin Enright, Sunvalley, Idaho, rode Twice Is Right tied for the Reserve title of the Amateur Derby finals with Kathleen Moore, Madill, Okla., riding Scoot A Lil Closer. Both scored a 219 for a $2,275 check.

NON-PRO/AMATEUR CLASSIC:

Alvin Fults won the Non-Pro Amateur Classic riding Tassa Cat. He also won the $200,000 Ltd. Non-Pro divisiion.

The Non-Pro Classic finals were taken by Alvin Fults, Amarillo, Texas, riding Tassa Cat, a gelding by High Brow Cat out of Smart Little Tassa by Smart Little Lena. The pair scored a 222 in the finals, taking home a $9,200 paycheck. They collected an additional $2,723.67 for the championship of the $200,000 Ltd. Non-Pro Classic – for a total of $11,923.67. The gelding now has $148,640 in lifetime earnings. His largest paycheck of $68,960 came from a 14-place in the 2007 NCHA Open Futurity. He was also a money earner in the Non-Pro division. In 2008, he finished third in the Abilene Spectacular Open Derby and won the Tunica 4-Year-Old Non-Pro Futurity. He also was a finalist in the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes. His only other 2009 aged-event check came from third in the Limited Non-Pro at the Tunica Classic.

The Reserve Champion of the Non-Pro Classic was Mocha Cappuccino, owned by the Crown Ranch LP and ridden by Chad Bushaw to a 218 and a $7,800 paycheck. The daughter of Zack T Wood out of Cappuccino And Pasta, bred by Bushaw, currently has over $185500 in lifetime aged-event earnings – with most of it won in Non-Pro competition. Their largest check of $30,214 came from a tie for the Reserve title at the 2007 NHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

The Classic Non-Pro Gelding title went to Lil Pepto Scooter, a 6-year-old gelding by Smart Lil Scoot out of Little Pepto Gal by Peptoboonsmal, owned and ridden by Becky Clark, wife of trainer Jason Clark, Whitt, Texas. The pair scored a 217.5, earning $1,768.62. The pair also finished third in the Non-pro Classic Finals, earning an additional $6,800 and the Reserve title in the $20,000 Ltd. Classic, for $2,237.30 – for a total of over $10,800. The paychecks increased the gelding’s lifetime earnings to over $43,650 in Open and Non-Pro limited age events.

Jaqueline Young, Dallas, Texas, rode Catch Some Reys, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Only Playin by Playinagain, to a 218 and the $50,000 Amateur Classic title and $3,300 paycheck. Catch Some Reys paycheck increased her lifetime earnings to $32,300 won in Non-Pro and Amateur competition. Her only Open paycheck of $9,701 came from being a finalist in the 2009 NCHA Open Classic Challenge. The Reserve title went to Luis De Armas, Miami, Fla., riding Dually Devce.

NON-PRO FUTURITY:

Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, won the Non-Pro Futurity riding Palefaced Hickory, a mare he bred and raised.

The 3-year-old Non-Pro Futurity was won by Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding Palefaced Hickory, daughter of Pale Face Jose out of Janas Little Hickory by Doc’s Hickory, to a whopping 225 and a $7,000 paycheck. Adams also tied himself for fourth and fifth place riding San Tules Choice and WSR Clays Freckles, for an additional $2,800 – for a total of $9,800. Adams bred and raised Palefaced Hickory and this was the mare’s first aged-event.

The Reserve title went to Chad Bushaw riding Will You Play, a son of Playdox out of Nurse Dualin by Dual Pep, owned by Bushaw’s Crown Ranch LP. Bred and raised by Bushaw, Will You Play scored a 222 in the finals, winning $4,300.

BRIDLELESS HORSE CONTEST

Matt Miller rode Snoop Cat to the championship of the Bridleless Cutting.

Held for horses of any age, the Bridleless Horse Finals was won with a 223 by Matt Miller, Weatherford, Texas, owner and rider of Snoop Cat, a 5-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of Smartalenas Dualee by Dual Pep. The $1,515 paycheck upped Snoop Cat’s lifetime aged event money to over $128,000. His largest paycheck of $78,458 came from a 12th place in the 2007 NCHA Open Futurity.

The Reserve title and $1,262.50 went to Boon Too Suen, owned by Gary Rosenbach and ridden by Kobie Wood to a 222. The 2005 stallion by Peptoboonsmal is out of Meradas Little Sue by Freckles Merada. He currently has aged-event lifetime earnings of over $77,000.
Click here for full results>>

SOUTH POINT SHOW WILL INCLUDE THREE DAYS OF OPEN CUTTING CLASSES PRIOR TO OCT. 12-19 SHOW

Aug. 3, 2009 – Las Vegas, Nev.
The South Point Futurity and aged events will include three days of Open cuttings held the three days prior to their aged-event show held Oct. 12-19. A total of $15,750 will be added to the three days of cuttings which will include $750 added each day to the Open, Non-Pro, $50,000 Amateur, $10,000 Novice, $15,000 Novice Non-Pro, $3,000 Novice and $5,000 Novice Non-Pro. The $20,000 Non-Pro, $10,000 Amateur, $2,000 Limited Rider and $1,500 Novice Horse classes will be jackpotted. The youth classes will be held Saturday and Sunday.

The aged event will include $121,000 in added money – which will not be pro-rated by division. That means what is advertised as added money in that divisions – will be added to that division. The 3-year-old non-pro will have $10,000 added while the 4-year-old and 5/6-year-old Non-Pro divisions will have $25,000 in added money. The 4-year-old and 5/6-year-old Amateur will each have $3,000 added. There will also be a gelding class within each Open and Non-Pro class and a $250-Limited Non-Pro class within each Non-Pro class. There will be $10,000 Novice h orse class within the Derby Open and Non-Pro classes.

There will be four practice pens open throughout the show, free happy hour daily in the bar overlooking the arena, and you can watch continuous live coverage of the event from your hotel room. For further information, contact Kathryn Webb at (801) 768-0865 or fax her at 801-768-2296. Her E-mail is kwebb50@msn.com. For room reservations call the South Point Hotel at (866) 791-7626 and mention Code SPC1007 by Sept. 27.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
Aug. 1, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas

Paul Hansma rode Nurse Connie to a 225, taking the top spot in the Open Derby semifinals.

The "young guns" had to take their places behind three of the "old-timers" in the industry during the semifinals of the NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby, held Saturday, Aug. 1 in Will Rogers Coliseum.

Matt Gaines rode That Catomine to second ini the semifinals with a 220,

Paul Hansma, riding Nurse Connie (Smart Mate x Ima Nurse) for Christy and Dub Leeth, Cleburne, Texas, topped the list of 64 riders, with a whopping 225. He was followed by Matt Gaines, riding That Catomine (High Brow Cat x That Smarts) for Jack and Susan Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, with a 220 and Roger Wagner, riding Asscher Cat (High Brow Cat x RC Boon Bar) for James Vangilder, Weatherford, Texas, and Jackson, Mo., with a 219.5.

Roger Wagner riding Asscher Cat for James Vangilder finished third with a 219.5.

When the semifinals were over, 24 horses had qualified for the finals scheduled for tomorrow following the Non-Pro finals, which starts at 3 p.m. Twenty horses plus ties were scheduled to qualify for the finals; however, a 215 1/2 remained in the top 20 following the semifinals, qualifying all five of them.

Boyd Rice and Third Cutting, who had topped the first go-round and the two-go-round cumulative, scored a 218 1/2, tying for fifth through seventh placve. No rider or owner qualified more than one horse for the finals although brothers Sean and Eddie Flynn both made the finals, as did Beau and Wesley Galyean. Ed Dufurrena, whose son Brandon topped the Non-Pro finals yesterday, qualified for the Open finals with a 216 1/2. Only two trainers qualified their own horses for the finals - Craig Thompson riding Miss Play Reyco, owned by Craig and his wife Sasha, and Dufurrena riding Auspicious Cat, owned by him and his wife Shona.

Over half, or 13 finalists, are sired by High Brow Cat, two are sired by Peptoboonsmal and Dual Rey, while the others are sired by Smart Mate, Playgun, Smooth As A Cat (a son of High Brow Cat), Boonlight Dancer, Docs Stylish Oak, Mr Cross Play and Smart Lil Scoot.
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MARY ANN RAPP RIDES AMANDA STARLENA TO TOP SPOT FOLLOWING TWO GO-ROUNDS IN NON-PRO DERBY

Top non-pro rider Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, rode Amanda Starlena, a daughter of Smart Little Lena out of Amanda Stargun by Playgun that Mary Ann and her husband, Phil, bred and raised, to the top two go-round score of 434.5 during the NCHA Summer Spectacular Non-Pro Derby.

Rapp won the first go-round with a 218.5 and her 216 in the second go was good enough to top the two go-rounds. The pair had previously tied for third at the Abilene Spectacular, finished fifth at the Breeder’s Invitational and made the finals in the 4-Year-Old at the Non-Pro, for close to $32,500 in earnings prior to the Summer Spectacular Derby. Rapp also finished in a tie for fourth with three other riders riding Letithappen Captains (Smokin Trona x TM Quiver), with a two go-round total of 432.5.

A close second, scoring a 433, were Billy Martin, Millsap, Texas, riding Laredo Montana, sired by his stallion Light N Lena out of Little Memory Maker, and Julie Wrigley, Weatherford, Texas, riding A Little Bossy (CD Lights x Pistol Smart). Julie scored a 214 in the first go-round, then a whopping 219 in the second go-round, tying for the top score in the second go with Jeffrey Gough, Graham, Texas, riding Christmas Mate (Smart Mate x Quixote Christmas). Gough scored a 213.5 in the first go-round, for a total of 432.5 and a tie for fourth.

Others in the tie included Megan Miller riding Itawtathenapuddycat (Athena Puddy Cat x SR Miss Peppory), owned by her husband Matt, Poolville, Texas; Megan Mowery, Millsap, Texas, riding Smart Liza Boon (Yellow Roan Of Texas x Lena Montana).

Tomorrow, Friday, July 31, the John Deere Division of the Open Derby will be held at 10 a.m., while the Non-Pro semifinals will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sale horses that will be sold on Saturday, Aug. 1, starting at 9 a.m., will be demonstrated on cattle in the Watt arena, starting at 12 noon.

Saturday, Aug. 1, the Open Derby semifinals will be held at 3 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 2, the Non-Pro Derby finals will be held at 3 p.m., followed by the Open Finals of the Derby.
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By Glory Ann Kurtz
July 13, 2009 – Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Smart Frele Cat, a 7-year-old High Brow Cat gelding, owned by Rod and Marilyn MacDonald, Kamloops, B.C., Canada, won both the 29-entry Open and 46-entry Non-Pro divisions of the Calgary Stampede Cutting, which ended on July 9. The cutting was the second stop on the new 6666 Ranch World Series of Cutting tour, which includes four shows.

The gelding, whose dam, Smart Savanah by Smart Little Lena, is owned by Gordon and Debbie Maatsch, Boyd, Texas, scored a 217 in the finals of the Open ridden by Les Timmons, also from Kamloops, earning $7,816.16. He also scored a 220, taking home the $6,397.27 first-place paycheck in the Non-Pro, ridden by Rod MacDonald. Frele’s total paycheck from Calgary totaled $14,213.43.

Smart Frele Cat was sold by the Maatschs as a 2-year-old stallion to Rae Bonsack, Newcastle, Calif., by who sent him to her trainer Tim Castilaw, Lincoln, Calif. Castilaw had a banner year in 2005, with the 3-year-old gelding, winning the PCCHA and Utah Open futurities and also winning the Utah Gelding division, tying for Reserve at the Idaho Open Futurity and winning the Gelding division and finishing fourth at the NWCHA Ranch Festival Futurity,

He wasn’t shown in 2006 due to soundness issues and was shown on a limited basis in 2007, qualifying for several finals. Bonsack sold him to the MacDonalds toward the end of the year. Owned by the MacDonalds, Timmons took the gelding to 9th in the 2008 Calgary Stampede Open and ninth in the Canadian Supreme Classic.

Rod rode the gelding the 11th in the Wrangler Cutting Classic Non-Pro, a 12th-place tie in the Canadian Supreme Non-Pro and ended the year as Champion of Canadian CHA Top 10 and the NCHA Area 20 in the $3000 Novice/Non-Pro. Following the gelding’s wins at Calgary, he has lifetime earnings topping $145,161 and Rod is so happy with the gelding that he is making arrangements to get an embryo by High Brow Cat out of Frele’s dam next year.

The Reserve Champion, Kit And Kaboonsmal, owned by Stefan Fuchs, Tomslake, B.C., and ridden by Denton Moffat, Armstrong, B.C., is a 6-year-old son of Kit Dual out of Boondancer by Peptoboonsmal. The stallion has $25,340 in lifetime earnings, with the Reserve paycheck $6,359.51 at Calgary being his largest.

Will Nuttall, Red Lodge, Mont., had won both the first and second go-rounds and was headed into the clean-slate finals with the top cumulative score of 437.5 riding Playin Playgun, owned by Switchback Cutting Horses, also of Red Lodge. The pair had scored a 219 and 218.5 for a $2,531.37 paycheck, but only managed a 199 in the finals, giving the pair an additional $1,243.48.

Reserve in the Non-Pro went to Corenne Schable, Calgary, riding Cats Mirage Sr, a 2001 son of High Brow Cat out of Haidas Royal Mirage by Haidas Little Pep. Scoring a 215 in the finals, the pair also picked up $1,141.99 in the go-rounds for a total of $5,879.14. The stallion was also ridden by Guy Heintz in the Open division at Calgary, for an additional $2,549.14. Leaving Calgary, his lifetime earnings had risen to $11,656.22.

Leading the Non-Pro going into the Finals was Dan Hansen, Texas’ only entry in the event, riding Neverey. The pair had won the first go with a 219 and finished second in the second go-round with a 217 – for a total of $1,522.65. However, the pair only managed a 214 in the finals, for $4,145.01, for a total of $5,667.66.

The Youth Champion was Andrea Rudkin, a 15-year-old from Calgary riding Right On CD, a 12-year-old gelding owned by Cub Wright, Okotoks, Alberta. The gelding, sired by CD Olena out of White On Right by Doc Quixote won both go’s with a 218 and 220. Even though they only managed a 198 in the finals, they still won with their aggregate score of 636.

This spring, Andrea won the Senior Youth and $2,000 Limit Rider titles at the Western Nationals in Ogden, Utah. She was also champion of the 2008 NCHA World Champion Limited Rider. Andrea also received the Bill Collins Youth Excellence Award, which included a $1,000 scholarship.

Calgary featured $25,000 in added money in the Open and Non-Pro divisions, with a total fee of $900. The Youth classes had no added money and a $250 entry fee. The upcoming 6666 World Series of Cutting events will be held during the 2009 all-American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio, in October, while the final cutting will be held at the American Royal in Kansas City this fall.
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July 4, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Texans dominated the cutting titles during the 2009 American Paint Horse Association World Championship Paint Horse Show held June 22-July 4 at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

With the cutting class finals being held during the final days of the show, Richard Johnson, Decatur, Texas, won two World Champion titles: the 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge and the Junior Cutting Championship. Johnson was riding HB Catandmouse (High Brow Cat x Colored Field Mouse x Color Me Smart), owned by Jim and Charlotte Green, Alpine, Texas.

The 5/6-Year-Old Paint Cutting Challenge was won by Salvador Cabral, Jacksboro, Texas, riding Whos Your Daddy Doc (Abrakadabracre x Ima Hickory Model x Bandits Hickorytip), owned by Mario Barboza.

The Senior Cutting was won by Jason Clark, Millsap, Texas, riding Kaya (Smart Painted Lena x Pay To Fly x Delta Flyer), owned by Carline Cook. In the Amateur competition, Jack Waggoner, Bridgeport, Texas, won the 19-horse class, scoring a 219 riding Cats Illusion (High Brow Cat x JR Colored Oak x Doc’s Oak), owned by Jack and his wife Susan. The couple also own the young stallion’s sire, High Brow Cat, the leading cutting sire in the cutting horse industry. The stallion also finished Reserve in the Senior Cutting with Darren Simpkins riding.

Sawyer Mowery, Weatherford, Texas, won the Youth Cutting title riding The Last Playday, (The Bug Doctor x Freckles Playday by Freckles Playboy), a horse her mother, Shelly Mowery, finished third on in the Amateur division.

The only out-of-state World Champion was Dave Wilson, Elizabethtown, Tenn., who won the Novice Amateur Cutting World title riding Smart N Jazzy (Dual JUazz x Little Lena Boots x Smart Little Lena), owned by David and his wife Glenda, who finished ninth in the Amateur riding the gelding.
Judges for the cutting included Frank Craighead, Jim Carr, Tom Hastings, Bob Mayfield and Rod Kelley. Full results can be seen by clicking on:
http://www.aphaworldshow.com/summer/results/index.aspx

BEAU AND WES GALYEAN TAKE TOP TWO SPOTS IN OPEN DERBY; DUSTIN ADAMS WINS NON-PRO

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 23, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.

Beau Galyean won the Open Derby at the Breeders' Invitational riding Metallic Cat.

Brothers Beau and Wesley Galyean kept it “all in the family,” during the Breeders’ Invitational Derby & Classic/Challenge, held May 13-23 in Tulsa, Okla. Beau and Metallic Cat,

the 2008 NCHA Futurity Champion sired by High Brow Cat owned by Alvin and Becky Fults, Amarillo, Texas, won the event with a whopping 228, while Wesley, riding Hangem Cat, a gelding also sired by High Brow Cat, owned by Steven Feiner, Los Angeles, Calif., scored a 224 for the Reserve title.

Wesley Galyean and Hangem Cat were Reserve Champions of the BI Open Derby.

Beau and the stallion’s 228 score topped their 222 NCHA Futurity finals score last December when they pocketed the $250,000 first-place check. Their $76,162.51 paycheck from the Breeder’s Invitational came with an additional $4,300 going to Jack and Susan Waggoner, the owner of High Brow Cat – for a total of $80,462.51 won by Metallic Cat. Hangem Cat earned $45,813.66, with another $4,100 also going to the Waggoners – for a total won by the gelding of $49,913.66.

The $10,000 Limited Open Derby finals were dominated by two trainers from Australia. The Championship was won by Lena Rey Zack, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Zacks Lena by Zack T Wood, bred, raised and owned by James Vangilder, Weatherford, Texas, and ridden by resident trainer Roger Wagner, who was a leading trainer in Australia before coming to the United States. Prior to the Breeders’ Invitational he had earned close to $2.9 million in the United States. The pair scored a 219, taking home the mare’s first NCHA paycheck, $17,084.10.

Reserve went to Havealenas My Granny, a daughter of Duals Blue Boon out of Don’t Hava Cow by Freckles Playboy owned by Danny Jones, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada, and ridden by Eddie Flynn to a 217 and $14,250.35 check. Flynn, also a top Australian trainer has won over $2.9 million in NCHA earnings since coming to the United States. Havealenas My Granny was bred by Kay Floyd, Stephenville, who owned the sire and the dam, and who sold the mare as a 2-year-old to Three Trees Ranch, Newnan, Ga. Jones had just purchased the mare, which only had $4,362 in earnings prior to the Breeders’ Invitational, earlier this month.

Julie Wrigley, Weatherford, Texas, won the Senior Non-Pro Derby riding A Little Bossy.

The Senior Derby finals were won by Julie Wrigley, Weatherford, Texas, riding A Little Bossy, a gelding by CD Lights out of Pistol Smart by Smart Little Lena, to a 218 and $5,472.21 check. The gelding was bred by Bailey Quarter Horses, Wetaskiwin, Alberta. He was owned and trained by Winston Hansma, who along with Danny Motes, owns the sire, and who trained him. Julie purchased him in January of 2008. Prior to the Breeders’ Invitational, the gelding had $16,181 in lifetime earnings, while Julie, who had a great show, taking two horses to the Non-Pro and two to the Senior Derby Finals, won $13,609. Prior to the Breeder’s Invitational, she had $527,000 in NCHA earnings.

Reserve went to Frank Merrill, Purcell, Okla., riding Foxy Samantha, a daughter of Docs Stylish Sam out of Foxie Merada by Freckles Merada, to a 215 for a $4,946.02 check. The mare was bred by Tim Drummond, Pawhuska, Okla., and sold her to Cowan Select Horses LLC, Havre, Mont., as a yearling in August 2006. Merrill, who runs the Purcell Ranch for the Cowans, purchased the mare in November 2008. Prior to the Breeders’ Invitational, the mare had $5,328 in lifetime earnings and Merrill had $360,359.

Dustin Adams won the Non-Pro Derby riding Marmolaker.

The Non-Pro Derby was won by Dustin Adams, Dublin, Texas, riding Marmolaker, owned by Dustin and his wife Deena, to a 219 finals score and a $31,579 paycheck. The sorrel gelding sired by Laker Doc out of Marmolena by Smart Little Lena was bred and raised by the EE Ranches, Inc., Whitesboro, Texas, and purchased by the Adams in November of 2008. Prior to the Breeder’s Invitational, the gelding had $18,300 in NCHA earnings, while Dustin has won over $2.5 million. Deena has over $405,000 in lifetime earnings.

Reserve Non-Pro Derby Champion was Kelle Earnheart riding Smooth An Boon

Reserve went to Kelle Earnheart, Hernando, Miss., riding Smooth An Boon to a close 218 for a $26,090.15 paycheck. The red roan gelding is sired by Smooth As A Cat out of Lil Autumn splendor by CD Olena, bred by NVTX LLC, Rosston, Texas, and sold as a yearling to Chad Rogers, Holdenville, Okla. Larry Sullivant, Gainesville, Texas, purchased the gelding in the 2007 NCHA 2-Year-Old Futurity sale for $45,000, then, according to AQHA records, resold him the next day to Tommy Manion, Aubrey, Texas. Kelle purchased the gelding in November 2008. The gelding had prior earnings of $21,570, while Kelle has over $770,000 in lifetime earnings.

Brandon Dufurrena and his father, Ed. Brandon won the $200,000 Limited Rider finals riding Jazz And Taz.

The $200,000 Limited Rider finals was won by Brandon Dufurrena, 23, Gainesville, Texas, riding Jazz And Taz, a Pepto Taz mare out of Smart Easter Chic by Smart Chic Olena. Brandon, the son of trainer Ed Dufurrena and his wife Shona, raised and trained the mare that scored the winning 214 score for a $9,235.17 paycheck. Jazz And Taz also carried Ed to the lead of the first round and the finals of the Limited Open Derby. Prior to the Breeder's Invitational, the mare had $14,641 in lifetime earnings.Ed has $396,000 in lifetime NCHA earnings, while Shona has $10,104.

In high school, Brandon rode bulls and broncs, as well as cut, and won the all-around at the High School Rodeo Finals, where he also won the cutting. He has ridden cutting horses for the past 10 years, winning close to $90,000. The pair also made the Limited Non-Pro Finals at the NCHA Futurity.

The Reserve spot was split by Kristen Galyean riding Rio Tazzy and Ashley Good, riding Sweet Talkin Mate. Both scored a 212, taking home $7,895.88.

Debbie Gerber and her trainer David Stewart. Debbie won the $10,000 Ltd Non-Pro riding Smooth As A Baby.

The $10,000 Limited Non-Pro Derby finals were won by Debbie Gerber, Santa Ynez, Calif., riding Smooth As A Baby, a daughter of Smooth As A Cat out of TJ Miss San by Tachitas Jewels, to a 217 and a $14,333 paycheck. Prior to the Breeder’s Invitational, the mare had only $2,195 in lifetime earnings. Debbie’s trainer, David Stewart, trained the mare and showed her in the Open, where he made the finals, but on another horse. Debbie also qualified for the finals of the Non-Pro Derby, earning an additional $3,181.82 for a total of over $17,500. Prior to the Breeders’ Invitational, Debbie had won $98,000.

Reserve was leading non-pro rider Mary Ann Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, riding Smokin Tap, a daughter of Smokin Trona out of the great mare Tap O Lena by Doc O’Lena. Bred and raised by Mary Ann and her husband, Phil, the industry’s leading rider, Smokin Tap scored a 214 in the Limited finals, winning a $12,441 check. But that wasn’t all the money that Mary Ann took home, as she also placed three horses in the Derby Non-Pro finals for over $32,570, won an additional $2,272.73 in the Limited and over $13,000 in the Non-Pro Classic for a take-home total of over $61,000.

THE CHAMPION:

Beau Galyean and his wife Ashley.

Metallic Cat, a red roan stallion sired by High Brow Cat out of Chers Shadow by Peptoboonsmal, will always be known as the Champion of the 2008 NCHA Futurity, but lesser so as the horse that was purchased on the Internet. Bred by The Roan Rangers, a partnership of Laura Teague, a feedlot owner from Colorado, and Lindy Burch, Weatherford, Texas, the stallion sold to a then-non-pro rider Beau Galyean as a 2-year-old through an ad placed on the Internet site www.buycuttinghorses.com.

One year later, Beau sold the stallion to his good customer Alvin Fults, Amarillo, Texas. In July 2008, shortly after the NCHA Derby, Beau gave up his non-pro card so he could ride the stallion in the Futurity for Fults. A good move as the pair topped the event, taking home a $250,000 paycheck. Less than a month later, they won the Abilene Spectacular with a 223, taking home $50,160. At the February aged event in Tunica, the pair took the Reserve title and $18,306, while Wesley and Hangem Cat won the event. Prior to the Breeders' Invitational, the stallion has won over $422,620 in NCHA lifetime earnings. Beau has won over $1.1 million in NCHA lifetime earnings. He and his wife, Ashley, live in Marietta, Okla.

THE RESERVE CHAMPION

Wesley Galyean and his wife Kristen.

Bred by Kenny McLean, Point, Clear, Ala., Hangem Cat was purchased by Feiner as a yearling at the 2006 NCHA Preferred Breeders Sale – Session 2 – for $25,000. The gelding is out of Hangem High Playboy, the winner of over $75,500, sired by Freckles Playboy. Wes purchased him when he was a 2-year-old in 2007 and Feiner bought him back in November of 2008. Wes rode Hangem Cat to the semifinals of the NCHA Futurity as well as the finals of the Abilene Spectacular. They won the 4-year-old Open at Tunica (with Beau taking second riding Metallic Cat) and finished fifth at the NCHA Super Stakes for lifetime earnings of over $85,000 prior to the Breeder’s Invitational. The gelding has now won over $130,800.

Wes has lifetime earnings topping $1.3. His largest paycheck came in 2004 when he rode Spots Hot to the NCHA Open Futurity Championship. Beau and his new bride, Kristen, who has over $45,000 in NCHA earnings, live in their new training facility in Claremore, Okla. Kristen, a former Western pleasure rider, also showed in the Non-Pro Classic/Challenge.

Beau Galyean and his father Jody.

The brothers come from a family of cutters, as their father, Jody Galyean, won the 1986 NCHA Futurity riding Royal Silver King and has lifetime earnings topping $3.5 million. Their grandfather Kenneth Galyean, Bentonville, Ark., was also a leading cutting horse trainer winning over $224,000. Their grandmother, Kathy Galyean won over $93,000, while their uncle Gil, a leading Western pleasure horse trainer, also won over $216,000 in NCHA earnings. Their sister Christina, who only recently started cutting, has over $64,000 in lifetime earnings.
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ADAN BANUELOS WINS BREEDER’S INVITATIONAL NP CLASSIC/CHALLENGE $200K LTD RIDER FINALS

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos courtesy BI
May 19, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.

Ray Baldwin won the most money in the $250 NP Classic/Challenge. He rode three horses to $9,408. He's shown riding CD Boonsmal.

Adan Banuelos, Jacksboro, Texas, captured the finals of the Breeder's Invitational Non-Pro Classic/Challenge $200K Ltd. Rider Finals which took place on Monday, May 18. Riding Reeds Instant Magic, a 5-year-old daughter of Abrakadabracre out of Reeds Instant Choice by SR Instant Choice, Banuelos scored a 219.5 score in the 12-horse finals, taking home $6,622.62. The mare is owned by his father, Ascencion Banuelos.

The Reserve title went to Dave Husby, Weatherford, Texas, riding Toni The Tigress, a 5-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Tinseltown Toni by Travalena. The pair scored a 219, winning $6,112.40.

However, the big money earner was Ray Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, who rode three horses in the finals, earning over $9,408. He finished fifth on Lil Super Sweet, scoring a 216 for $4,581.74; tied for 6th and 7th riding CD Boonsmal to a 214 and $3,816.42 and finished 12th riding Mylanta Lano to a no score, earning $1,010.22.

Reeds Instant Choice currently has lifetime earnings of over $45,650, all won in non-pro competition at major aged events. It was the pair’s second championship, with the other being at the 2008 South Point Non-Pro $250K Limited Rider Derby.

Toni The Tigress now has $79,024 in lifetime earnings, with most of her money coming in Open competition. Her largest paychecks came in 2008, when she split third and fourth in the Cotton Stakes Open Derby for $18,375 and split Reserve in the Brazos Bash Open Derby for $16,500.

FIRST GO - OPEN DERBY:
The second go-round of the 188-entry Open Derby is being held today, with Wes Galyean, Claremore, Okla., riding Hangem Cat to a 220 score and taking the lead in the first go-round. Hangem Cat is a son of High Brow Cat out of Hangem High Playboy by Freckles Playboy. He was bred by Kenny McLean, Point Clear, Ala., and is owned by Steven Feiner of Los Angeles, Calif.A close second are Boyd Rice riding Never Reylinquish, owned by Dave and Georgia Husby, Weatherford, Texas, and Grant Setnicka, riding Dual R Smokin for Marshall Chesrown’s Black Rock Ranch – with both scoring a 219.

Following the first go-round, Bart Nichols and Hesa Lil Scoot are leading the Limited Open Derby.Littlefield photo

Leading the Limited Open is Hesa Lil Scott, ridden by Bart Nichols to a 214. Hesa Lil Scoot is a sorrel gelding by Smart Lil Scoot out of Irish Treat by Peppy San Badger, owned by Terry Stuart Forst of the 7S Stuart Ranch in Waurika, Okla., where Nichols is the resident trainer.

Ed Dufurrena rode Auspicious Cat to fourth in the Open and the lead in the $10,000 Novice Division riding Auspicious Cat.

Ed Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, riding Auspicious Cat, finished fourth in the Open and has taken the lead in the 93-entry $10,000 Novice Division of the Open Derby, scoring a 218.5 on the son of High Brow Cat out of Lenas O Lady by Peppy San Badger. Auspicious Cat is owned by Ed and his wife Shona. Second, with a 217 score, was split three ways by Bubba Matlock riding Purely Rey for Jerry and Vickie Durant; Shane Bingham riding Smart Pepto RG for Reagan Lancaster and Jason Clark riding Wendy Red Feather for Jack & Susan Waggoner.

The Open Derby finals will be the last class held Saturday, May 23.

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GARY GONSALVES RIDES TOM BAILEY’S REY DOWN SALLY TO BREEDER’S INVITATIONAL OPEN CLASSIC/CHALLENGE TITLE

By Glory Ann Kurtz - Photos by Sheri Forrest
May 16, 2009 – Tulsa, Okla.

Gary Gonsalves rode Tom Bailey's (right) Rey Down Sally to the Breeder's Invitational Open Classic/Challenge title.

Many would say, “It was supposed to be.” Gary Gonsalves riding Rey Down Sally missed the May 15 finals of the Breeder’s Invitational Open Classic/Challenge because of a penalty. However, after a judges’ review, the penalty was reversed and the pair qualified for the clean-slate finals with a 214 – and then won it by two points, with a 221, for a $27,464.38 payday. The event is being held in Tulsa, Okla., May 13-23.

The daughter of Dual Rey out of Salano Sally by Doc Solano, owned by Tom Bailey’s Iron Rose Ranch LLC, Carbondale, Colo., now sports over $303,300 in lifetime earnings. She had scored a 219 in the first go and a 214 in the second go for a total of 433.5, tying for 10th place in the go-rounds. Gonsalves, who lives in Weatherford, Texas, with his wife Jessica and to children, Garrett, 11, and Gentry 8, current has earnings of over $2.3 million.

The Reserve title went to Rock Hedlund, Acampo, Calif., who rode Wildcats for the Echeta Livestock, Wilton, Calif., to a 219 and a $20,978 paycheck. The gelding by High Brow Cat out of Starlights Liz by Grays Starlight, had also won the first go-round with a 220. Jason Clark took third and fourth, riding Hick Of A Mate for Darren Blanton to a 218.5 for $16,562.80 and Dual Ya Scoot for Phil Layne, scoring a 218 for $12,148.

Five horses tied for the Open Consolation Round, with all of them scoring a 431 and taking home $1,500.

Jaime Beamer, Fort Worth Texas, rode Tracks On The Moon (DJ Tracker x Same Lake Same Moon x Laker Doc), owned by Nick and Gayle Karanges, Fort Worth, to the championship of the Limited Division of the Open Classic/Challenge with their 429 composite score. The pair had previously earned the Limited Open Classic title at the NCHA Super Stakes and were finalists at the NCHA Limited Open Futurity, Derby and Super Stakes. Their 429 score; however, was not good enough to advance to the 25-horse finals or get a check in the Consolation round.

The winner of the second go-round, scoring a 221, was Oh Cay Felix, the 2006 Open and Amateur Champion of the NCHA Futurity, with Buffalo, Texas trainer Craig Thompson again in the saddle. The gelding, owned by Patrick Collins, Lincoln, Ill, currently has over $400,000 in lifetime earnings after the NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic Championship last month. The pair are tied with four other horses for third place in the composite, with a score of 435. However, the pair had some tough luck in the finals and had to settle for a 209 and a $4,047 paycheck.

Wes and Kristen Galyean held an Exhibitors Party following the Open Classic/Challenge finals on Friday, May 15.
Photo by Sheri Forrest

Tying for the top spot following the two go-rounds of competition were Matt Gaines, riding Cats Playboy 003, a 6-year-old gelding by High Brow Cat out of Playboys Little Sue by Freckles Playboy, owned by David and Georgia Husby, Delta, B.C., and R. L. Chartier, riding Special Nu Kitty, a 5-year-old daughter of High Brow Cat out of Nu I Wood by Zack T Wood, owned by Julie Wrigley, Weatherford, Texas. Cats Playboy 003 had been shown as a 5-year-old only briefly prior to this year’s NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic, where the pair advanced to the second go-round.

R. L. Chartier, who recently replaced Clint Allen as the resident trainer at the Wrigley Ranch, tied with Matt Gaines following two go-rounds, and finished seventh in the finals riding Special Nu Kitty.
Photo by Sheri Forrest

On the other hand, Special Nu Kitty had over $148,290 in lifetime earnings prior to the Breeder’s Invitational, but it was Chartier’s first time to show her. Chartier recently replaced Clint Allen as the resident trainer at the Wrigley Ranch. The pair finished seventh with a 215.5, taking home $7,186.41. Chartier also finished in a tie for 10th riding Clearcut Cat for the Husbys. Gaines and Cats Playboy 003 walked out of the herd, scoring a 0 for $3,000.

John Mitchell won a total of $27,131.68, riding four horses in the finals – the most of any trainer. He finished fifth, split eight and 10th and 17th.

The event continues today with the Classic/Challenge Amateur Finals. The Derby Amateur Finals will be held Sunday, May 17.

By Glory Ann Kurtz
May 11, 2009 – Ogden, Utah
Three contestants claimed championship titles in two classes, which amounted to half of the 12 divisions of the NCHA Western Nationals held May 1-10 at the Golden Spike Arena in Ogden, Utah.

The “double-down” contestants included Norman Clark, 67, Dos Palos, Calif., who won the 59-entry Non-Pro with a 219 for a $3,005 check and the 67-entry $10,000 Novice Non-Pro, scoring a 222 and winning $2,397 riding CD Olena, an 8-year-old gelding by CD Olena out of Quixote Lena Peppy by Paddys Irish Whiskey.

Carly Chiarelli, a 13-year-old student from Basalt, Colo., rode Lil Peppys Advantage, a 6-year-old daughter of Hickorys Advantage out of Miss Pepi Ole by Peppy San Badger, to the championship of the 62-entry $50,000 Amateur, winning $3,282 for a 222, and the 31-entry Junior Youth divisions, where she scored a 219.

Also, Andrea Rudkin, a 15-year-old cutter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, rode Isle Be Steady, a gelding by Smart Peppy Date out of Festina Lente by Colonel Amable, to the largest class, the 77-entry $2,000 Limited Rider championship with a 220, taking home a whopping $4,321 paycheck. She also rode Right On CD, a gelding by CD Olena out of White On Right by Doc Quixote, to the 46-entry Senior Youth title, scoring a 222.

Other winners included Guy Heintz, High River, Alberta, Canada, and Brian Anderson, Idaho Falls, Idaho, co-champions of the 38-entry Open Division, with each scoring a 219 for a $2,261 paycheck. Heintz, 52, rode Code Six Cat, a 7-year-old stallion by High Brow Cat out of Flips Lil Angel by Colonel Flip, while Anderson, 32, rode Quite A Boon, a 6-year-old stallion by Peptoboonsmal out of Meradas Little Sue by Freckles Merada.

Greg Smith, Fort Worth, Texas riding SDP Debbys Dream, a 7-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Peppys Misty Oaks by Candy Bar Peppy, owned by David and Debora Plummer won the 53-entry $3,000 Novice Horse Division with a 222, earning $3,747. The mare is a full sister to the Plummer’s stallion TR Dual Rey.

The 66-entry $10,000 Novice Horse division was won by Mike Wood, riding Teninas Playgirl to a 221 for Jacque Accomazzo, Tolleson, Ariz. The 11-year-old daughter of Teninas First is out of Rips Sports Model.

The 59-entry $20,000 Non-Pro Division title was claimed by Kathy Parker Burton, Castaic, Calif., with a 219 riding Telerada, a 2000 gelding by Lenas Telesis out of Amanda Merada by Freckles Merada, owned by Kathy and her husband Bill Burton. The pair won $3,209.

The 53-entry $3,000 Novice Non-Pro was taken with a 219 scored by many-time Western Nationals Champion Sandy Hansma, Granum, Alberta, Canada, riding Took To Lookin, a 2004 daughter of Caught Me Lookin out of Little Do Light by Doc O Dude. Sandy went home with $3,605.

The 71-entry $10,000 Amateur title went to Michelle Havens, Clarkston, Wash., with a 217 score riding Cats Playboy Spot, a 2003 gelding by High Brow Cat out of Kings Lil Playmate by Freckles Playboy. The pair picked up $2,257.

The event featured a total of 682 entries, down over 16 percent from the 809 entries in 2008. (These figures include the two youth classes, which together totaled the same as 2008) The classes which dipped the most in number of entries were the Open and $20,000 Non-Pro, which dropped 33 percent – with the Open going from 57 entries in 2008 to 38 this year and the $20,000 Non-Pro dropping from 77 in 2008 down to 59 this year.

The $3,000 Novice Horse/Non-Pro Rider also dipped 29 percent – from 75 entries in 2008 to 53 this year. The only division which increased in number of entries was the Non-Pro which went up one entry from 58 in 2008 to 59 this year. The event included $120,000 in added money, just as it did last year, with $12,000 going to the 10 classes, which did not include the two youth classes. Click on the links below for full results and copies of the Daily Chatter, which includes articles on the winners.

Click here for results & schedule>>
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THIRD CUTTING AND BOYD RICE UPSET NCHA FUTURITY CHAMP METALLIC CAT AND BEAU GALYEAN TO WIN NCHA OPEN SUPER STAKES

By Glory Ann Kurtz and Julie Mankin
Photos by Julie Mankin
April 20, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Boyd Rice and Third Cutting take $121,173 check at NCHA Open Super Stakes.

Scoring the second highest score earned during the history of the NCHA Open Super Stakes, Third Cutting, a stallion sired by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas, and Boyd Rice scored a whopping 230, good enough for a $121,173 paycheck, in the finals of the event held Sunday, April 19 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth. The 230 score was only topped by a 231 scored by Matt Gaines riding Sunettes Dually in the 2001 event.

Beau Galyean shown being interviewed by Craig Morris after his Reserve title at the Open Super Stakes riding Metallic Cat.

The score upset the 226 earned by the 2008 NCHA Futurity Champion, Beau Galyean riding Metallic Cat (High Brow Cat out of Chers Shadow by Peptoboonsmal), who finished second and took home $104,155. Owned by Alvin Fults, Amarillo, Texas, the stallion’s Reserve title fouled his bid for the NCHA Triple Crown – a title earned by a horse who wins all three major NCHA-sponsored aged events: the NCHA Futurity, Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular Derby.

Galyean had drawn the fifth slot from the end, and Bill Riddle was still winning the cutting with a 219.5, earned in the first bunch of cattle on Glenn and Debbie Drake’s Peptoboonsmal son Eyez On Me out of Drake’s great mare Stylish And Foxie sired by Docs Stylish Oak.

With three very deep cuts, Galyean not only showed off Metallic Cat’s aggressive style, but pulled off a courageous stunt by staying on his third cow – a white one that virtually ran all over the arena – and staying technically perfect. He was rewarded with a 226 that most people thought would hold.

Even Boyd Rice thought it would hold. “I told my wife (Halee), well, there’s a lot of points between a 219.5 and a 226,” he said. “But she told me, there are a lot of points above a 226, too.”

Two horses following Galyean’s run, Rice and Third Cutting entered the herd. From the moment Third Cutting got down on his first cow, it was evident Galyean would get a run for his money. Third Cutting, a shiny liver-colored stallion, proved just as aggressive and flashy as Metallic Cat. He powered through the dug-up ground on some fantastic cows, giving everything he had; trying so hard, in fact, he nearly went down on the third cow but recovered, taking everyone’s breath away and drawing hollers from the crowd even before Rice would drop his hand. People were on their feet before the score of 230 appeared on the board.

According to Rice, they’d ridden Third Cutting a little harder before the finals that night, but Rice said he was “good all week.” “My first cow was right on top, but the second one I couldn’t find,” he said. “I was about to take one that might have run over me, but then I saw it. Same thing happened where I couldn’t see the third one we wanted, but at the last second I was able to push up and get her.”

Rice told reporters that he figures it helped him that Beau’s last cow was a little wild. “This horse is just strong like Beau’s horse,” he said. “He’s real strong.”

Third Cutting was purchased at the Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale held Oct. 17 for $46,000. He was trained by the Polo Ranch trainer James Payne, who lives close to and still trains out of the Marietta, Okla., ranch, even though it is currently for sale.

Rice has known the Smiths, who are from Jacksboro, Texas, for about five years. Prior to the Polo Ranch sale, they had told Rice that if he could find a horse that he thought he could win on, they would buy him. Originally, Smith thought he could show the horse in non-pro competition, but it was soon evident he had an Open horse on his hands and needless to say, the purchase was a good choice.

Third Cutting, who finished the 2008 NCHA Futurity in eighth place and fifth at the Abilene Spectacular, had prior earnings of $94,318 in the two aged-event cuttings the pair had entered.. Following Abilene, he was laid up with some lameness in his front foot, which obviously he overcame as he and Rice won both go-rounds of the NCHA Open Super Stakes, scoring two 222s for a 444 cumulative score, believed to be an NCHA event record. In the semifinals, he scored a 218, good enough for a three-way tie for third. The Super Stakes was the third cutting that Third Cutting had entered. The semifinals was won by Riddle and Eyez On Me with a 221 score.

As for Galyean, he says, “I’m really lucky to be part of this horse. I’m really blessed he came into my life.”
All eyes were definitely on Metallic Cat after his Futurity win, with Galyean admitting that created some pressure on him. “Until you put yourself in that position more than one time, it’s hard. This is the first time I’ve been in a situation like this, and I might never be again the rest of my life. I’m just thankful I gave myself a chance, and gave myself the opportunity. It’s awesome to be there.”

Galyean put it best when he said his last cow, a white cow which circle away from the stallion and wouldn’t face him, showed the extremely high degree of difficulty in his run, and that it demonstrated the brilliance and intelligence of Metallic Cat. “Most times a cow like that will take you out of the cutting,” he said.

Riddle was also pleased with the performance of the Drakes’ stallion, Eyez On Me. “I had won the semis last night, and that’s almost the kiss of death,” he said. “It’s really hard to win the semis and the finals. But those two horses that beat us were fabulous.”

Riddle, who placed third in the Super Stakes last year on the full sister to Eyez On Me, said the stallion had gotten a little scared at the Futurity and didn’t show well. But he was solid in Fort Worth this time.

“He did everything we asked him to do, he just got beat by two great horses,” said Riddle, who has worked for the Drakes for 18 years, calling them “great customers.” “They send me the best colt every year, and when an owner gives you a shot like that, you can’t beat it,” he said.
Click here for full Open results>>
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BOYD RICE AND THIRD CUTTING HEAD TO SEMIFINALS FOLLOWING 4.5 POINT LEAD FOLLOWING TWO GO-ROUNDS IN NCHA OPEN SUPER STAKES

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 14, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas

Third Cutting, a stallion by Boonlight Dancer out of Crab Grass by Smart Little Lena, and a bargain at the Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale, is headed to the semifinals of the NCHA Open Super Stakes, with a good supply of confidence. Ridden by Boyd Rice, one of the most versatile trainers in the industry, the beautiful sorrel stallion won both go-rounds of Open competition with a pair of 222s, for a total of 444 in the cumulative – topping the list of 60 horses headed to the semifinals by 4.5 points.

Owned by Carl and Shawnea Smith, Jacksboro, Texas, the stallion was bred and raised by the Polo Ranch and trained by James Payne, before selling in the Oct. 17, 2008 Polo Ranch Dispersal Sale for a reported $46,000 final bid – being the second high-selling 3-year-old in training. Third Cutting and Rice finished eighth in the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity and fifth in the Abilene Spectacular, where he showed last due to lameness in a front foot.

Don’t Look Twice and Phil Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, scored a 439.5 for second in the cumulative. Owned by Louis and Corliss Baldwin, Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of High Brow Cat out of Tapt Twice by Dual Pep won the Derby at Augusta and the most-recent Bonanza Cutting.

Third, with a 437.5 was Sassy Del Rey, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Sassy Shorty by Shorty Lena owned by Jon Winkelreid’s Marvine Ranch, Meeker, Colo., and ridden by Jason Clark. The Super Stakes was the mare’s first show since the NCHA Futurity, where she and Clark were finalists.
Click here for top 60 going to Open semifinals>>

MULTIPLES:
Three riders qualified all three of their entries for the semifinals, including Brad Mitchell, Lloyd Cox and Tag Rice, Thirteen other riders qualified two each for the semifinals, including Boyd Rice, Bruce Morine, Clint Allen, Jason Clark, John Mitchell, Matt Gaines, Paul Hansma, Phil Hanson, Phil Rapp, Russ Westfall, Sam Shepard, Sean Flynn and Wesley Galyean.

The sire with the most semifinalist entries is no surprise, with High Brow Cat siring 13 of the qualifiers. He is followed closely by Dual Rey with 11 qualifiers and Peptoboonsmal sired six. Six other sires each had two qualifiers, including Athena Puddy Cat, Cats Red Feather, CD Lights, CD Royal, Smart Little Lena and Smooth As A Cat.

The sires qualifying one offspring going to the semis include Abrakadabracre, Boon A Little, Boonlight Dancer, Dees Dually, Docs Stylish Oak, Rip Sport Model, Royal Fletch, Smart Lena Boon, Smart Lil Scoot, Smart Mate, Sweet Lil Pepto, That Sly Cat, TR Dual Rey, WR That Cats Smart and Zack T Wood.

The leading Maternal Grandsire of semifinalist qualifiers is Smart Little Lena with 11, followed by Dual Pep with six. Peppy San Badger had five qualifiers, while Freckles Playboy had four. Grays Starlight and Peptoboonsmal each had three. Maternal grandsires with two qualifiers included Doc’s Hickory, Docs Stylish Oak, Mr Peponita Flo, Shorty Lena and SR Instant Choice. Maternal grandsires with one qualifier include: Bingo Hickory, CD Olena, Doc Quixote, Docs Freckles Oak, Docs Mahogany, Doc’s Oak, Doctor Wood, Dual Rey, Freckles Merada, High Brow Hickory, Homberceito Grande, Justa Swinging Peppy, Lenas Star, Miss N Cash, Smart Aristocrat, Smart Lil Ricochet, Smart Little Pistol and Squeak Toy.
Click here for full schedule & results>>

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 13, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
It was a tie in the 21-entry Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro Division for Kaitlyn Larsen, Millsap, Texas, riding Keechi Pep and Kristen Galyean, Claremore, Okla., riding Shady Boonlight. Both riders scored 220 points and took home a $7,610 paycheck. Third place went to Robert Fullwood, Como, Miss., riding Dual High.

Kaitlyn is the 19-year-old daughter of top Non-Pro cutter Billy Martin, Millsap, Texas, who owns the 5-year-old daughter of Playgun out of Nyoka Pep by Dual Pep. With over $77,500 in lifetime earnings, the mare’s largest paycheck came from the 2008 South Point Winter Cutting where she picked up $10,425 for winning the Non-Pro Derby and an additional $2,869 for winning the $250,000 Limited Non-Pro. This was Kaitlyn’s first championship at one of the NCHA Triple Crown events.

Kristen Galyean, the wife of Wesley Galyean, was also experiencing her first championship in the two events she has showed in. The former Western Pleasure horse trainer married top Non-Pro competitor Wesley Galyean on Valentine’s Day. Shady Boonlight, a 5-year-old gelding by Boonlight Dancer out of Shady Little Cat by High Brow Cat, currently has over $34,000 in lifetime earnings, with his largest paycheck of $10,253 coming from fifth place in the Tunica Open Futurity with her father-in-law Jody Galyean in the saddle.

Third place, scoring 219 for a $7,185 paycheck, was Fallwood riding Dual High, a 5-year-old gelding by Dual Pep out of Hangem High Playboy by Freckles Playboy, owned by Fallwood and his wife Tabitha. The gelding has now won over $20,000, with most of his money won in weekend events.
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Article and photos by Julie Mankin
April 10, 2009 - Fort Worth, Texas

Missy Jean Rosenberg, Bush, La., won the Super Stakes Amateur title riding Smart Sugar Badger.

Little more than halfway through the first set of the Super Stakes Amateur finals, held April 9 at the Will Rogers coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, Missy Jean Rosenberg, Bush, La., put up a 218.5 and held on for the win. Her 4-year-old mare, Fancy Sugar Badger, sired by Smart Sugar Badger out of Playboys Fancy Gal by Freckles Playboy, had unknowingly helped her owner in the first round.

“I was so nervous I couldn’t breathe,” said Rosenberg. “But then I kicked her and she kicked back at me, and it made me so mad I didn’t have time to be nervous.”

The nerves came back in the finals, when she worried her mare didn’t seem to be stopping in warm-up. “I worry about everything,” she admitted. Her help assured her the mare was fine, and then when the judges asked Rosenberg to hold up after she started into the pen, it simply gave her more time to “to breathe.”

The only bad thing about Rosenberg’s picture-perfect 218.5-point run was that her 6-year-old daughter, Millie Joe, wasn’t in Fort Worth to see it. She’ll take $7,213, along with the saddle, buckle and other prizes, home. Rosenberg had placed sixth at Abilene and third at Tunica, but this is the first big aged-event win for the 30-year-old single mother from Louisiana.

She credits her help, Michael Cooper, for her win; along with trainer Steve L. Hall and Hannah Webb, who helped get the mare ready to show. Rosenberg has a soft spot for the mare, nicknamed Miss Fancy Pants around the backyard of her place.

“She really takes care of me,” Rosenberg said. “She might not be as talented as some, but she’s full of heart.”

Nebraskan Craig Kissinger was Reserve Champion riding Smart Pepto Gal.

Craig Kissinger made the long drive from Glenvil, Neb., to take the reserve championship on a filly that had literally never been shown before, anywhere. They won $6,902 for their second-place 216.5.

“She was a lot more solid tonight,” he said of Smart Pepto Gal’s second-ever performance. “She was really hooked in. In the go-round I didn’t show her very well, but she took real good care of me and covered up my mistakes. Tonight I did a better job of showing her.”

Kissinger had showed off his mare’s great moves in the center on the first two cows and then had one that tested him by running off, but he stuck it out.

“It was scary toward the end, but they told me to stay with him, so I did what they told me,” he said of his help. “My cows were very good. You want a cow you know you can sure trap in the middle.”

Kissinger knows “every bump on that road” during the nine-hour drive to Fort Worth, and said the same about the seven-hour drive to his trainer, David Stewart’s place in Oklahoma.

Stewart trained the mare for Doug Carpenter, from whom Kissinger bought her. She’d been ready for the Futurity, but had torn a suspensory in October just before the Futurity, so he opted to lay her off until spring.

Kissinger, who operates cattle feedlots in Nebraska, made the trek with his wife, Marie, and said he had no expectations. “I just wanted to get through the run,” he said. He bought his first old cutting horse in 2001 and did weekend shows for a while, then started on aged events four or five years ago, with Stewart always as his trainer. He credits Stewart with putting the foundation in the mare that she retained, despite the fact Kissinger hadn’t been on her since November.

“She hadn’t even worked cattle until a week ago today,” he said. “She has such a good foundation; she’s just well-trained.”

Whitt Bell, 16, Hickory Plains, Ark., scored a 216 for third to earn $6,591 on the next-to-last draw of the evening. The teenager, who has won about $40,000 this year, was riding Mixmeastrawberrylena, a daughter of Snorty Lena out of Miss Quix Straw by Docs Strawboss, who was trained by Kurt O’Keefe. Prior to the show, the mare had close to $19,000 in lifetime earnings, including a win at the Bonanza Amateur and a tie for first at the Abilene Spectacular. She also finished in a tie for 8th in the NCHA Futurity Amateur, where she took home her largest paycheck of $11,276.

Fourth and fifth was split with a pair of 214s by Terrye Kemp, Eastland, Texas, and Tommy Neal, San Angelo, Texas. Kemp’s gelding, SDP Ute Man, sired by TR Dual Rey out of Savanah Holli, had been green until trainer Neal Rogers substituted him in the Open this year. Kemp, who rode in a neck brace, said she’d only worked three cows at the house on “Rojo” and that “he’s become a special little guy.” Neal’s sorrel Peptos Fancy, by Sweet Lil Pepto out of Stoneys Fancy Pants, was possibly the showiest horse of the night. Both took home a $6,125 paycheck.

The Senior Amateur title and $2,772 paycheck was taken by Lynn Laske, Oklahoma City, Okla., riding CC Ote Mate, sired by Smart Mate out of Cetaote. The Reserve title went to Billy G. Crenshaw, a veterinarian from Beaumont, Texas, riding Rappacat, sired by High Brow Cat out of Rappatap. The pair took home $2,079.
Click here for results of Amateur finals>>
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MEGAN MERRILL MILLER TAKES NCHA SUPERSTAKES CLASSIC NON-PRO TITLE RIDING TRAVS SCOOTER

By Glory Ann Kurtz
April 8, 2009 – Fort Worth, Texas
Megan Merrill Miller, the 27-year-old daughter of Frank and Robin Merrill and wife of Matt Miller, a leading non-professional who turned professional at the beginning of this year, rode Travs Scooter to a 221.5 for a $15,803 paycheck and the championship of the Non-Pro Division of the NCHA Super Stakes Classic. The Classic Non-Pro finals were held Tuesday, April 7.

The Reserve title went to Kade Smith, 19, Fort Worth, Texas, son of Buffalo Ranch trainer Greg Smith, riding A Little Reylena to a 221 and $15,275. Michelle Anderson and Cats Quixote Jack, who was leading following two go-rounds of competition, finished third with a 218.5, earning $14,746.

Travs Scooter is a 2003 daughter of Smart Lil Scoot out of Travs Smart Buy by Travalena, is closing in on $180,000 following her win. She previously won the 2006 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity with Matt in the saddle, as well as the Non-Pro titles at 2007 Music City and the Brazos Bash futurities and was Reserve at the 2007 NCHA Derby. Megan rode the mare to fifth at the recent Augusta Non-Pro Classic. Matt rode the mare in the Classic Open but lost a cow in the second go-round. The “cutting couple” was married on Sept. 6, 2008.

A Little Reylena is a 6-year-old daughter of Dual Rey out of Katie Little Lena by Smart Little Lena and now has over $90,350 in lifetime earnings. The mare’s largest paycheck of $15,522 came from a sixth-place tie during the 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Classic/Challenge.

If spectators were betters, Cats Quixote Jack and Michelle Anderson would have been the favorites to win the division, following their seven-point lead in the cumulative score, with a 441. However, the pair had to be content with their third-place finish with a 218.5 final’s score. They took home $14,746. The 6-year-old stallion, sired by High Brow Cat out of Oh Cay With Me by Oh Cay Quixote, is fast closing in on the $200,000 mark in lifetime earnings, with $197,600 earned following the Super Stakes.

Winning the Senior division of the Non-Pro Classic was Jimmy Kemp, Jr., Eastland, Texas, riding I Ben Thinking, a 6-year-old gelding by Soula Jule Star out of Fancy Handle by Dual Pep. The pair took home $3,787. Reserve went to James Hooper, Decatur, Ala., riding Twist N Smart, while third and fifth went to Jim Vangilder, Jackson, Mo., riding Smoothy Blue and Playin At The Mall.
Click here for Non-Pro Classic results>>
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Article and photos by Glory Ann Kurtz
April 3, 2009

Phil Hanson rode Little Silver Belles to tie with Eddie Flynn and Cherry Chex Dually for the 438 cumulative score following two go-rounds of the Open Classic/Challenge.

The 2009 NCHA Super Stakes and Super Stakes Classic, scheduled for March 30-April 19 at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth is in full swing. The first two go-rounds of the Super Stakes Open Classic have already been held, with a tie for the highest cumulative score of 438 – Cherry Chex Dually and Little Silver Belles. Ironically both horses are sired by Hes A Peptospoonful.

Little Silver Belles, owned by Julie Clarke, Bend, Ore., and ridden by Phil Hanson, is out of Kadee Lena Belle by CD Olena. The pair won the first go-round with a 221.5. They scored a 216.5 in the second go-round. Second in the first go, with a 221, was Playful Ricochet, a daughter of Smart Lil Ricochet out of A Genuine Playgun by Playgun, owned by Jerome Bradford and ridden by Sam Shepard.

Cherry Chex Dually, which scored a 220 in the first go and a 218 in the second go-round, is owned by the Marvine Ranch, Meeker, Colo., and ridden by Eddie Flynn, is out of Bueno Chex Dually by Dual Pep.

The winner of the second go-round was Miss Stylish Pepto, a daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Stylish And Foxie by Docs Stylish Oak, owned by Glenn and Debbie Drake, Napa, Calif., and ridden by Bill Riddle to a 221.5. The pair scored a 214.5 in the first go-round, for a cumulative score of 436.

It took a score of 434.5 to advance to the next round and scores of 434 down to 432 will compete in the Wild Card Round. Leading the Wild Card Round with a 434 were two horses: Clifford Rey, owned by Steve Anderson, Victoria, Texas, ridden by Kory Pounds and Dual N At Noon, owned by James Vangilder, Jackson, Mo., and ridden by Roger Wagner. Six horses tied for the last place in the Wild Card with a 432, making 21 horses going to the Open Wildcard competition scheduled for Saturday, April 4.

The Limited Open Finals was held Thursday, with Dan Popeck, 42, a trainer for 12 years from Lipan, Texas, topping the nine-horse finals with 225 riding Short Scootin, a 2004 gelding by Smart Lil Scoot out of Shortcake Berry by Shorty Lena owned by Debbie and Don Jarma, Prosper, Texas. The $5,080 paycheck will be added to the gelding’s lifetime earnings of $48,114.

The Reserve title, scoring a 218, went to Australian trainer Craig Gilham riding Play A Bet, a 2003 daughter of Bet On Me 498 out of Play A Masterpiece by Freckles Playboy, owned by John and Lica Pinkston, Alice, Texas. The pair picked up $4,454. Gilham works for trainer and past NCHA Futurity Champion Kathy Daughn.

The next finals to be held will be the Classic/Challenge Limited Non-Pro Finals held Sunday, April 5. The Classic/Challenge Open Finals will be held Monday, April 6, the Non-Pro Finals will be Tuesday, April 7 and the Classic/Challenge Amateur Finals will be Wednesday, April 8. The Super Stakes Amateur Finals (for 4-year-olds) will be held Thursday, April 9.
Click here for Super Stakes Schedule & Results>>
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March 17, 2009 – Paso Robles, Calif.

Brent Erickson took home $13,291 for winning the PCCHA Open Classic Challenge.

Brent Erickson, Wilton, Calif., rode Jeff Barnes’ Spookys Cat Deville to a stellar score of 225 in the finals of the PCCHA Classic/Challenge, taking home the $13,291 first-place paycheck. The pair edged out the final’s favorite, Cats Full Moon and Steve Schlesinger, who scored a 224.5 for the Open Reserve title. Theresa Gillock rode Rockin Hoo Rey to a 223, winning the Non-Pro title.

OPEN DIVISION:
Spookys Cat Deville, a 6-year-old gelding sired by High Brow Cat out of Barnes’ mare San Starlight by Grays Starlight, also picked up the championship of the Gelding Division, taking home an additional $703. The $10,000 Novice Finals was taken by Gavin Jordan, Wilton, Calif., riding Peppy Caliente for Margot Hazell, Livermore, Calif. Peppy Caliente finished seventh in the Open finals for $3,252.

Bred and raised by Barnes, Spookys Cat Deville had lifetime earnings of over $120,700 prior to the PCCHA event. San Starlight has been a highly successful broodmare for Barnes, as her produce earnings exceed $885,600. The 225 scored by Erickson was his career high. Erickson said that in the past he had been a little timid and decided he was going to “let it all hang out” in the Finals. “If it worked, it worked,” said Erickson. “I knew that the more I kicked him, the more he was going to go stop.” The win gave Erickson lifetime earnings now topping $100,000.

Cats Full Moon is a 5-year-old stallion by High Brow Cat out of Darlin Little Dually by Dual Pep, owned by the Brinkman Ranch, Lockeford, Calif. The stallion was vying for his fourth PCCHA title, but lost the championship by only one-half a point. Ridden by Tim Smith, the stallion finished as Reserve in the PCCHA Futurity while Erickson rode him to the other two. The pair swept the go-rounds of the 42-entry Open Classic/Challenge with a composite score of 444.

NON-PRO DIVISION:

Theresa Gillock, Las Vegas, nev., won the PCCHA Non-Pro Classic/Challenge and the Gelding title riding Rockin Hoo Rey,

Theresa Gillock, Las Vegas, Nev., hasn’t owned her gelding Rockin Hoo Rey very long. She purchased the Dual Rey gelding, trained by Neil Roger, from Hershal and Melba Poskey last summer. Shortly after, the pair won the Non-Pro 5/6-Year-Old Gelding title at the 2008 PCCHA Futurity show. The 5-year-old gelding out of Candys Rockin Remedy by Playboys Remedy, had previously placed at the 2008 South Point Winter Show, and the PCCHA Fall Gelding Stakes. He now has earnings of over $27,400. The pair hit the Classic/Challenge like a winter storm, winning the first go-round and tying for the highest cumulative score of 431.5 following two go-rounds with Bill Lacy riding Ariel Rey. Ariel Rey had some tough luck in the finals, finishing seventh with a 200.

Theresa, the wife of long-time non-pro and lawyer, Gerald Gillock, drew up in the middle of the eight-horse finals and said that she was “remarkably calm.” “I just thought I’d go ride the best that I can. The cattle were really tough and pushy and I was so focused.” Theresa collected $5,558 for her win and an additional $703 for the gelding title. Theresa also won the $200,000 Ltd Non-Pro Gelding Finals riding MH My Kinda CD, collecting another $615.

The Reserve title went to Janet Trefethen, Napa, Calif, riding Rickies My Dad to a 218 and a $5,051 paycheck.

Donna Flanigan and Rose C Starlight.

The winner of the $200,000 and the $100,000 Non-Pro Divisions was Donna Flanigan, Livermore, Calif., riding Rose C Starlight, a 2003 daughter of Charlies Starlight out of Jax Perfidia by Jax Doc. Donna drew up first in the eight-horse finals, scoring a 217 and collecting $4,623. The pair also picked up an additional $1,800 for winning the $100,000 division. With lifetime earnings now topping $8,000, the mare had previously placed 13th at the El Rancho $200,000 Non-Pro Classic. The computer technician has ridden cutting horses since the early 1980s, but took some time off a few years ago.

The Senior division was won by Bonnie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev., riding Cee Dee Royal Tee to a 216, earning $938.

AMATEUR DIVISION:

Darlene Vollmer won the $50,000 Amateur Classic riding Hickorys Big Injun.

Darlene Vollmer, a hair stylist from Springville, Calif., rode Hickorys Big Injun to the $50,000 Amateur Classic Challenge title, scoring a 219.5 in the finals for a $2,576 paycheck. The gelding was bred and raised by Darlene and Jerry Vollmer, her husband of 21 years. He is sired by Hickorys Indian pep and out of the Vollmer’s mare Dulces Suenos by Dual Peppy. The Reserve title went to Jim Stamper riding Pink Scorpion to a 215, taking home $2,333. The $50,000 Amateur Derby Senior Finals was won by Chuck Purinton, Sacramento, Calif., riding Bernee Date to a 210. Chuck won $1,406.
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GALYEANS AND CATS TOP TUNICA OPEN FUTURITY

WESLEY WINS RIDING HANGEM CAT, BEAU FINISHES SECOND ON METALLIC CAT

Article and photo b y Glory Ann Kurtz
Feb. 6, 2009 – Tunica, Miss.

It was a “Galyean” and “High Brow Cat” night during the Open Futurity Finals of the Tunica Futurity, held Feb. 2-10 in Tunica, Miss. Wesley Galyean, Marietta, Okla., won the 126-entry division riding Hangem Cat, a High Brow Cat gelding out of Hangem High Playboy by Freckles Playboy, to a 223 on finals night, Feb. 6, taking home $22,000. The gelding is owned by Steve Feiner, Los Angeles, Calif., and had previously won $14,246 at the NCHA Open Futurity, Abilene Spectacular 4-Year-Old Novice Horse and Open divisions.

Wesley’s brother Beau, rode Metallic Cat , a High Brow Cat stallion out of Chers Shadow by Peptoboonsmal, to a 218 and the Reserve title, taking home $18,181. Metallic Cat, with $300,000 in lifetime earnings after winning the NCHA Open Futurity and the Abilene Spectacular futurities, is owned by Alvin and Becky Fults, Amarillo, Texas.

Wesley also rode Rio Tazzy to fifth place and a $10,366 paycheck and Mandalay Rey, also owned by the Fults, to 16th and an $1,800 paycheck – for a total of $34,166.06. Beau also rode CC Double Down Peppy to 22nd for an $1,800 paycheck. Counting the boys’ father, Jody Galyean’s earnings, who was also a finalist on two horses, collecting $3,600, the Galyean family collected $57,747 – 35 percent of the total purse of $169,100.

Third place went to Phil Rapp riding My Other Toys A Car, owned by him and his wife, MaryAnn, Weatherford, Texas. The mare was from the first colt crop of Smart Lena Boon out of Hickorys Short Cut by Shorty Lena, and had $62,979 going into the event. She was a finalist at the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity and the Augusta Open and Non-Pro futurities. The third place added $14,885.39 to their lifetime earnings.

In fact, the three high-money earners – Wesley and Beau Galyean and Phil Rapp, earned a total of $74,672 – 45 percent of the total Open purse. The winner of the Limited Open division was Jimmy Don Purselley, Burleson, Texas, riding Kickit Pepto Style, a gelding by Peptos Stylish Oak out of Leans Lucky Sug by Lenas Big Man, owned by his parents Jimmy and Dixie Purselley.

The event continues tomorrow with the go-rounds of the Amateur divisions. The Amateur Finals will be held Sunday, Feb. 8. The Non-Pro go-rounds will continue on Sunday and Monday and their Finals will wind up the event on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
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Feb. 5, 2009 – San Angelo, Texas
Spectators at the Fort Dodge Animal Health National Reined Cow Horse Association Celebration of Champions had a lesson in horsemanship during the preliminary rein work round of the World’s Greatest Horseman competition. Bob Avila, Temecula, Calif., and Chics Magic Potion topped the field of 31 with a score of 227 – two points ahead of the very impressive field.

A disappointing herd work, with a 203 score, looked like it would put the former World’s Greatest Horseman Champion out of finalist contention, but after the rein work, where the pair scored the top score of 227.5, Avila and Chics Magic Potion sit solidly in a tie for 11th place with a 430.5 – just under Boyd Rice and First Fletch, who won the herd work and have a total score of 432.

The composite is lead by Russell Dilday riding Topsails Rien Maker - with a composite score of 443 - 219 in the Herd and 224 in the Rein. Second, with a 439.5, is Ron Ralls riding Legendary Colonel. The pair scored 216 in the Herd and 223.5 in the Rein. Third is Jake Telford riding CD Survivor to a 438. The pair scored a 217 in the Herd and 221 in the Rein. The top 10 advance to the finals on Sunday, Feb. 8, at the 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena in San Angelo.

Avila’s resume is very impressive. Along with being a former World’s Greatest Horseman, he is also an NRCHA million dollar rider, and has won the prestigious NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity three times.In fact, one of those Snaffle Bit Futurity titles, along with its $100,000 pay check, was won in 2003 on Chics Magic Potion.
The World’s Greatest Horseman finals will begin at 10am on Sunday, Feb. 8, with the herd work. The rein work will begin at noon, and will be followed by the steer stopping and cow work. Among other prizes, the World’s Greatest Horseman Champion will receive a check for $30,000.
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PHIL RAPP WINS OPEN AT AUGUSTA RIDING DON’T LOOK TWICE; BARBARA BROOKS RIDES HOME-GROWN SASS AND THE CITY TO NON-PRO TITLE

Article and photo by Glory Ann Kurtz
Augusta, Ga. - Feb. 1, 2009

Phil and Mary Ann Rapp

Dont Look Twice, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Tapt Twice by Dual Pep, owned by Waco Bend Ranch, Fort Worth, Texas, was ridden by the industry’s leading money-earning rider Phil Rapp to a whopping 228 score and won the 106-entry Augusta Open Futurity Finals and a $30,160 paycheck. The event was held Jan. 23-31 in Augusta, Ga. The pair was experiencing their first big paycheck as the pair had scored a 217 in the first go of the NCHA Futurity but walked out, for a 0, in the second go. They failed to take a paycheck home at Abilene.

Winning the 68-entry Non-Pro title was an excited Barbara Brooks, Thompson Station, Tenn., wife of Country/Western star Kix Brooks, riding her home-grown mare Sass And The City. The pair scored a 218, taking home the $19,217 paycheck – the largest of Barbara’s career. Sass And The City is sired by Barbara’s stallion, Downtown Cat, ad out of her mare Sassy Little Shooter by Smart Little Ricochet. It was also the first win for the mare as Barbara’s trainer, Brett Davis, had ridden the mare in the NCHA Futurity, qualifying for the second go-round, but a bad cow forced the pair to walk out and take a “0.”

Reserve Champion of the Open went to Laney Rey Too, a daughter of Dual Rey out of Laney Doc by Doc Quixote, owned by Jo Ellard’s EE Ranches, Dallas, Texas, and ridden by Guy Woods, her resident trainer. The pair scored a 220 and took home $19,217. Their largest paycheck came during the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity when the pair tied for 12th, taking home a $67,904 paycheck.

Third place went to Playin With a Cat, a stallion sired by High Brow Cat out of Playgiarism by Freckles Playboy, ridden by Austin Shepard and owned by Arthur Noble, Madison, Miss. – the same pair who brought High Brow CD to the forefront by winning the NCHA Futurity. Playin With a Cat scored a 219.5 and picked up an $18,095 check. In the 2008 NCHA Open Futurity, they went to the semifinals with a 215-217; however, left the herd with a “0.”

Reserve Champion of the Non-Pro was Panolas Memory, a stallion by TR Dual Rey out of Panolas Little Lena by smart Little Lena, owned and ridden by Jason McClure, Hayesville, N.C. Their 216 finals score netted them a $10,356 paycheck.

Third went to Rose Colored Cat, a daughter of High Brow Cat out of Haidas Lil Rose by Haidas Little Pep, owned and ridden by Brad Wilson, Lone Grove, Okla. Their 213.5 score netted them $8,808. However, the mare’s earnings didn’t end there, as trainer Jody Galyean rode her to eighth place in the Open, scoring 214.5 and taking home an additional $9,797. However, Wilson’s largest paycheck to date came during the 2008 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity where he rode the mare to a tie for third place and a $59,777 paycheck. Galyean also rode the mare to fourth at the Abilene Spectacular, winning $17,500.

Another horse that did well in both divisions was My Other Toys A Car, a mare out of the first foal crop of Smart Lena Boon (Smart Little Lena x Bet Yer Boons x Peptoboonsmal) out of Hickorys Short Cat by Shorty Lena. Phil Rapp finished sixth in the Open finals for a $12,678 paycheck, while his wife, Mary Ann also qualified for the Non-Pro finals on the mare, for a total of $15,614. The Rapps purchased the mare from her breeder and trainer, Jamie Dosher, Canyon, Texas, a couple of months prior to the NCHA Futurity. Phil Rapp also finished 22nd on Little Red Bet for an additional $2,100 and Mary Ann rode Quiverin Cat to 10th and $4,804.

CHAMPIONS CHALLENGE:
A Champions Challenge finals in Open and Non-Pro competition was held Friday, Jan. 30, with Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., riding Thomas E. Hughes, a 6-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of Smart Letha by Smart Little Lena, to a 223 and a $5,700 paycheck. The gelding had been purchased by Don and Kathy Boone, West Columbia, Texas, in 2008. The Reserve title was split between Peptos Stylish Miss, a 5-year-old daughter of Peptoboonsmal out of Stylish And Foxie by Docs Stylish Oak), owned by Glade Knight’s Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, Texas, and ridden by their resident trainer John Mitchell, and Sister CD, the great 7-year-old gelding Sister CD, sired by CD Olena out of Little Baby Sister by Dual pep, owned by Skip and Elizabeth Queen, Lipan, Texas, and ridden by Skip. Each horse scored a 219 and collected $3,990.

Sister CD, with Elizabeth in the saddle, won the championship of the Non-Pro, winning an additional $5,700 for their 226 score. The Reserve title went to Lynx Of Style, an 8-year-old gelding by Docs Stylish Oak out of Tabasco Lass by peppy San Badger, owned and ridden by Glade Knight to a 220 and $4,750.
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