The National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack and Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby is the largest and richest limited age event for 4- and 5-year-old cow horses. Saturday, June 14, was the day competitors had worked toward through the preliminary and final round, as Derby Champions were crowned in Paso Robles, California.

Derby Open Champion

Sealed by a gritty cow work, Hickory Holly Time (OneTime Pepto x Hickorys Holly Cee x Doc’s Hickory), shown by Kelby Phillips for owners Garth and Amanda Gardiner, earned the Derby Open Championship with a 660.5 score.

It was a breakthrough NRCHA Premier Event Open title for the talented, up-and-coming horseman, who has trained Hickory Holly Time from the very beginning.

The pair worked their way to a 214 in the herd work, won the rein work round with a 224.5, and then sealed the championship with a 222 in the cow work. The Derby Open Championship paid $33,033 and came with a Bob’s Custom Saddle and Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal; boots sponsored by Rios of Mercedes; a gift certificate and cooler bag sponsored by San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health; and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

“I’m not going to say he’s the best horse there ever was, but he’s the best horse I ever rode,” Phillips said. The Tonopah, Ariz., horseman was the former head trainer for Gardiner Quarter Horses, the Ashland, Kans., facility owned and operated by Hickory Holly Time’s owners, before going out on his own last year.

“Garth and Amanda were good enough to leave him with me, because they know how special the horse is to me. He’s not just a horse to me. He’s more like family.  There are people who go their whole lifetime and never have a horse like him. I feel blessed that they left him with me after I went out on my own. Garth and Amanda have been supportive the whole time,” Phillips said.

He also thanked his wife, Abbie, and recognized his herd help through both the preliminaries and the finals: Zeph Schulz, Brandon Buttars, Zane Davis, Boyd Rice, and Phillip Ralls. Veterinarian Joe Carter, DVM, played a key role in keeping Hickory Holly Time in performance shape.

The Derby Open Reserve Champion was This One Time (One Time Pepto x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight), shown by Todd Bergen and owned by Pam Bailey. They earned $24,340 with a 659 composite (221.5 herd/217 rein/220.5 cow).

Intermediate Open Champion 

The Derby Intermediate Open Champion horse, Mister Olena Chic (Mister Dual Pep x April Olena x Smart Chic Olena), scored a total 650 to earn $6,882 for owner Day Creek Ranch, Simi Valley, Calif. The 2010 stallion was shown by Day Creek Ranch’s resident trainer, Randy Paul. Mister Olena Chic also collected a Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal; and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

Limited Open Champion 

The Derby Limited Open Champion was Tootsie Rey Time (One Time Pepto x Tootsie Rey x Dual Rey), shown by Les Oswald and owned by Richard and Rena Whyler. They collected a $5,409 paycheck, a Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal, and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

Non Pro Champion

Tammy Jo Hays, Nocona, Texas, claimed the Derby Non Pro Championship aboard her 2013 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity horse, SDP Got Fancy Genes (RC Fancy Step x SDP I Got Good Genes x Dual Rey).

Intermediate & Novice Non Pro Champion

They won the Derby Amateur Championship earlier in the week, and Parke Greeson and Checkn Out The Ladys (Im Countin Checks x No Lady Wood x Zack T Wood) also earned the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Championships in Paso Robles. Their prizes included two Gist buckles sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal; two Platinum Performance gift certificates; and a Cow Trac system sponsored by Cow Trac.

 

In true reined cow horse fashion, the CD Survivor Memorial Bridle Spectacular was decided in an epic fence work battle to the finish Friday, June 13, at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby in Paso Robles, Calif.

Riding Dom Dualuise (Dual Rey x Smart Little XX x Smart Little Lena), a 2007 gelding he has trained and shown from the beginning, Phillip Ralls, Paso Robles, Calif., earned the Championship in the herd work, rein work and cow work triathlon. The pair worked their way to a composite 663.5 (217.5 herd/218 rein/228 cow) to win the $14,325 paycheck. Dom Dualuise’s name will also be inscribed on the CD Survivor Memorial Trophy, which resides with the event sponsor, Holy Cow Performance Horses. Dom Dualuise, who is owned by Chris Larson, also earned a C.R. Morrison Trophy and Gist buckle sponsored by Holy Cow; a gift certificate from Platinum Performance; and a gift certificate and cooler from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Dom Dualuise and another Dual Rey-sired horse, Jans Rey Cuatro, shown by Nicolas Barthelemy for owner Sheri Jamieson, were deadlocked with identical scores going into the fence work. Ralls knew it would take guts and a little luck to tip the Championship in his favor.

“It feels like it’s a World Series every time you go to one of these deals, and to pull it off, and come out on top with all the great riders and great horses – it’s amazing,” Ralls said. “Nicolas was right before me in the fence work, and we were tied going into it. He marked a 224.5, and I knew I was going to have to take some chances if I was going to pull it off. Luckily, I drew the right type of cow that ran hard enough and challenged me hard enough. He boxed really good, he had a lot of feel, and I went with him fairly early. He ran hard, and we had a huge first turn. The cow jumped up in my lap and my horse knocked him back in position and handled it.”  Click here for Ron Rall’s fence run

Barthelemy and Jans Rey Cuatro took home the $11,938 Reserve Championship check, after earning the admiration of Ralls and the entire crowd at the Paso Robles Event Center for their brilliant performance. They won the herd work with a 221, and then marked a 214.5 in the rein work and a 224.5 in the cow work to earn a 660 composite.

“These bridle horse events  have the cream of the crop. The best horses in the business are there and you never quit until it’s over,” Ralls said.

He thanked sponsor Holy Cow Performance Horses, whose owner, Nancy Crawford-Hall, established the CD Survivor Memorial Bridle Spectacular to honor her late, beloved stallion CD Survivor (CD Olena x Have A Lil Lena x Peppy San Badger). Ralls appreciated his herd help: Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Mark Luis and Boyd Rice. He also thanked Dom Dualuise’s owner, Chris Larson, along with his sponsors, for their support.

Another highlight of the CD Survivor Memorial Bridle Spectacular was the heroic high-scoring cow work by Smooth N Cash (Smooth As A Cat x Dox Gavacash x Miss N Cash), shown by Jake Gorrell for owner Roloff Ranch. They earned a nearly-unheard-of 231 in the cow work on their way to a 648 composite. Click here for Jake Gorrell’s fence run

NRCHA Derby Horse Show Champions Crowned

The National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack and Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby is the largest and richest limited age event for 4- and 5-year-old cow horses, but on Friday, the spotlight shined on some of the NRCHA’s other show divisions. With approximately $45,000 in added money for Bridle, Two Rein, Hackamore, Non Pro Limited and Youth classes, the caliber of competition was top notch.

Non Pro Bridle Spectacular & Intermediate Non Pro Bridle

Doug Granade claimed the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship and the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Championship when he guided Wright On Ned (Lenas Wright On x Smart Sally x Smart Chic Olena) to a total 647.5 (213 herd/218 rein/216.5 cow). He also collected a pair of C.R. Morrison Trophies sponsored by Rick Machado and Paul Bailey; two gift certificates from Platinum Performance, and a gift certificate and cooler from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Novice Non Pro Bridle 

Mikelle Azevedo rode Dirt McGrit (Smart Lil Ricochet x Holly N Zack x Zack T Wood) to the Novice Non Pro Bridle Championship with a total 429 score (208 rein/221 cow), earning $1,150. She also collected a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by the Adams family, and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

Limited Open Bridle

Tye McDonald, riding TR Dual Jewell (TR Dual Rey x Jewelly Dun It x Lenas Jewel Bars) for owner Cynthia Belmont, won the Limited Open Bridle Championship with a 280 score (138 rein/142 cow), earning $2,000; a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Mike Herman Equine Cold Saltwater Spa; and a gift certificate/cooler tote sponsored by San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Open Hackamore & Limited Open Hackamore

Timeless horseman Doug Williamson, Bakersfield, Calif., won the Open Hackamore Championship aboard High Brow Shiner (Shining Lil Nic x High Brow Meow x High Brow Cat), scoring a combined 294.5 (145.5 rein/149 cow). The win paid $3,072 and came with a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Sunset Ranch; and a gift certificate/cooler tote package sponsored by San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

The Limited Open Hackamore Champion horse was Coco Before Chanel (Smart Little Pepinic x Montanas Fox x Montana Doc), shown by Chris Krieg for owner Cassandra Biller. Their $1,650 check was accompanied by a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Cushing Performance Horses and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

Non Pro Hackamore

Oregon horsewoman Elizabeth Kania won the Non Pro Hackamore Championship aboard Uno What Time It Flo (Uno What Time It Is x Dew It Flo x Mr Peponita Flo), scoring a 284.5 (143.5 rein/141 cow). Kania’s winning paycheck, $1,192, came with a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Mike Herman Equine Cold Saltwater Spa; and a gift certificate/cooler tote sponsored by San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Open Two Rein 

Encino, Calif., professional Dan Daponde said it was a last-minute decision to show Pinchin Chics (Nic It In The Bud x Smart Hippie Chic x Smart Chic Olena) in the Open Two Rein, but it paid off when he won the Championship with a 289.5 score (143.5 rein/146 cow). Pinchin Chics also won a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Edsall Performance Horses in memory of Roy Edsall; and a gift certificate/cooler tote from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health. Pinchin Chics is owned by Sandy Kish.

Non Pro Two Rein

Mary Tamme, La Jolla, Calif., piloted Im Bratman (Im Chairman x Brata Tat Tat x Paid By Chic) to the Non Pro Two Rein Championship with a 283.5 (138.5 rein/145 cow). She added $1,092 to her NRCHA earnings and took home a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Rick Machado; and a gift certificate/cooler tote from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Youth Bridle

Waylon Widler, Weatherford, Texas,  topped the results sheet in the Youth Bridle class, riding Heza Especially Foru (Little Peppy Special x Jabos Chocolate x Jab O Lena) to a score of 280.5 (140.5 rein/140 cow).  He claimed $606, a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Robertson Ranches, and a Platinum Performance gift certificate.

Youth Limited

In the Youth Limited, Hanna Self, Exeter, Calif., earned the high score, a 287 (142 rein/145 cow), aboard Dandys Red Pepper (Smart Peppy Doc x Master Lady Bar x Master Remedy). Her $275 check was accompanied by a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Robertson Ranches, and a Platinum Performance gift certificate.

Non Pro Limited

Mattie Neal, Pilot Point, Texas, guided her steady performer Instantee (Tejons Peppy Doc x Suddenly Shiney x Shining Spark) to the Non Pro Limited Championship with a combined 295.5 (147.5 rein/148 cow). She collected a $1,265 check, a C.R. Morrison Trophy sponsored by Robertson Ranches, and a Platinum Performance gift certificate.

$5,000 Non Pro Limited

Chelsea Barney, Oakdale, Calif., saddled up Clayton Edsall’s powerhouse bridle horse Skeets Oak Peppy (Skeets Peppy x Oak Ill Be x Ill Be Smart) to win the $5,000 Non Pro Limited class with a 291 (144 rein/147 cow). The Championship paid $661 and came with a Robertson Ranches-sponsored C.R Morrison Trophy and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

 

The preliminary rounds are complete at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Jack and Phoebe Cooke Memorial Derby in Paso Robles, Calif. The herd, rein and cow work prelims not only determine who will advance to the clean-slate finals on Saturday, June 14; they also decide the champions in the Open Novice Horse, Level 1 Limited Open, Amateur, and Non Pro Limited divisions.

Twenty-one Open competitors will return for a shot at the Derby Championship; it took a 648 composite to qualify. In the Intermediate Open, 19 riders with scores of 638.5 and above advance to the finals. Seven Limited Open competitors will vie for the title; the bubble score in that division was 636.

The high score in the Open prelims, a 666.5 (219.5 herd/220 rein/227 cow), belonged to Blind Sided (Peptoboonsmal x Lil Miss Shiney Chex x Shining Spark), shown by Jay McLaughlin and owned by Aaron Ranch.

In the Non Pro, 11 riders qualified for the finals, with a minimum score of 631. The Intermediate Non Pro bubble score was also 631, and eight riders advance. The Novice Non Pro competitors needed at least a 625.5, and seven will compete for the Championship on Saturday.

Mister OMG, shown by Corey Cushing, wins Open Novice Horse Championship

National Reined Cow Horse Association Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing had high hopes for Mister OMG for the 2013 Snaffle Bit Futurity. Unfortunately, the stallion never had a chance to prove himself as a 3-year-old.

“We had some hoof problems. He had a bad quarter crack and we had to scratch him. I was really looking forward to showing him but I had to do what was best for the horse. I gave him all winter off, got back on him at the beginning of February and started getting him ready to come here. We made this our goal, and so far, it’s been really good,” Cushing said.

The Derby is the first major event for Mister OMG (One Time Pepto x Sallie B Badge x Playboys Badge), who claimed the Open Novice Horse Championship and a spot in Saturday’s Derby Open finals.

“He’s very, very easy to get along with. Here, he had to step it up a little bit and he handled the pressure,” Cushing said.

Mister OMG scored a total 657 (218 herd/220.5 rein/218.5 cow) for the Novice Horse title, which came with a $3,260 check, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, and a cooler tote/gift certificate package from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

Full Throttle Pepnic and Dan Daponde claim Level 1 Limited Open Championship

Encino, Calif., horseman Dan Daponde piloted Full Throttle Pepnic (Smart Little Pepinic x Peppys Rockin Angel x Peppy San Badger) to the Derby Level 1 Limited Open Championship with a total 636 (207 herd/210.5 rein/218.5 cow). The 2009 gelding is owned by John Scheck.

“Luke” was originally trained by Monica DeBie Caetano. She won the 2012 NRCHA Futurity Limited Open Championship with him, and Daponde purchased him for Scheck at the 2013 NRCHA Stakes.

“He’s been easy. He’s a super nice horse. At first, I was having heck with him. I showed him here at the Derby last year and he got really back-sore, so we didn’t do anything. Then the second time I showed him in Bakersfield, we fell going down the fence. I thought he was a bad luck horse, but then he just started getting better and better,” Daponde said. “Monica did a great job training him. I just try to keep him the same. He’s a kind soul. He doesn’t ‘sort of’ do anything. He’s all in.”

The Championship paid $3,622 and came with a Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal, and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.

Full Throttle Pepnic also earned a Derby Limited Open finals berth.

Nicole Petty wins Derby Non Pro Limited Championship on Tangy Chexinic

Continuing a NRCHA Premier Event winning streak that began at the 2013 Snaffle Bit Futurity, Nicole Petty, Roseburg, Ore., captured the Derby Non Pro Limited Championship aboard her steady performer, Tangy Chexinic (Tangys Classy Peppy x Buenos Double Oakie x Bueno Chexinic), a 2010 gelding she owns with her husband, Bubba.

Petty’s 641.5 score (211 herd/213.5 rein/217 cow) earned a $1,404 check, a Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal, and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance. Added money for the Non Pro Limited Derby was provided by Paul Bailey, Kirk Druey, Amanda Gardiner, and Jerry Peters.

Health problems had sidelined Petty from competing for several years. She returned to the NRCHA arena last fall, winning the 2013 Non Pro Limited Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship with Tangy Chexinic. The pair also claimed the 2014 NRCHA Stakes Non Pro Limited Championship in March.

“It’s kind of mind blowing. I’m just happy to be back showing, let alone keep winning. It’s unbelievable,” the mother of three said.

“He worked well for me here. I finally held it together and didn’t feel like I was going to throw up before I walked in the herd. He was really good in his rein work. He drug a hind lead, but other than that, he was good. We had a cow that didn’t want to work at all in our boxing, but he stepped up there and made a 217 out of it.”

Tangy Chexinic is a family favorite, and his biggest fan may be Petty’s son, Noah.

“Whenever I can get him back from my son, I ride him,” Petty said, smiling.

The whole family made the trip to Paso Robles, and Petty particularly thanked her mother-in-law for helping her with the kids while she and her husband were showing. The Pettys had another reason to celebrate; Bubba qualified his horse, Pepinics Lil Outlaw, for the Derby Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro finals on Saturday.

Parke Greeson pilots Checkn Out The Ladys to Derby Amateur Championship

After a pilot error in the rein work hurt his score and left him at a disadvantage, Parke Greeson, Wolfforth, Texas, knew he had to have a good day down the fence with Checkn Out The Ladys (Im Countin Checks x No Lady Wood x Zack T Wood) to win a paycheck in Paso Robles.

“I left in the wrong lead, and I broke gait, and I had four penalty points per judge. I had some ground to make up, and I was pretty nervous coming into the fence work today, but that horse is a real good horse,” Greeson said.

Checkn Out The Ladys rose to the challenge, earning a 218.5 in the cow work, the second-high score of the round. Greeson’s composite 631 score (213 herd/199.5 rein/218.5 cow) was not only enough to earn the Amateur Championship; he also squeaked into the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro finals.

Was he relieved?

“Just a little,” Greeson said, smiling.

For the Amateur Championship, Greeson collected $2,067, a Gist buckle sponsored by TJ and Sandra Neal, a gift certificate from Platinum Performance, and a gift certificate and cooler tote from San Juan Ranch/Santa Cruz Animal Health.

In his first year of showing cow horses, Greeson has enjoyed success at every 2014 NRCHA Premier Event so far – and had a great time in the process.

“I like this show a bunch. It’s my first time to California and my first time coming to the Derby. I like it all. We went golfing the second day we were here. It was fun. The whole year has been outstanding. The people are great. It’s really an inviting experience for anybody,” he said.

Greeson will take some time off from the show arena this fall when he enters a ranch management master’s degree program. When the nine-month course is over, he plans to get back in the saddle in time to show at the 2015 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.