The National Reined Cow Horse Association is pleased to welcome Cats Picasso as the title sponsor of the 2019 NRCHA Derby, held June 9 – 16 in Paso Robles, California.
Cats Picasso is owned by Coast Performance Horses, located in White Rock, British Columbia. The 2012 dually-registered Quarter Horse and Paint Horse stallion, affectionately known around the barn as “Tonto”, has amassed more than $150,000 in lifetime earnings.
Cats Picasso (Metallic Cat x Playboys Vixen x Hickoryote) had an impressive start to his show career when he tied for third place in the 2015 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity ® Open with John Swales aboard. Some of his other noted performances include a fifth-place finish at the 2016 NRCHA Stakes Open and a fourth-place finish at the 2017 NRCHA Derby Open, both with Swales in the saddle.
Deb Anderson, one of the partners of Coast Performance Horses, recently transitioned from avid non pro competitor to stallion owner and dedicated sponsor of the reined cow horse industry. Her equine background evolved from showing Morgan horses as a youth to showing cutting horses as an adult. In 2010, she tested the reined cow horse waters aboard her mare, Signed Prescription (High Sign Nugget x Ima Docs Dolly x Ima Doc O Lena), and soon become a regular NRCHA non pro competitor by 2014.
Over the years, Anderson kept her eye on Cats Picasso at local horse shows and premier events. When the opportunity to purchase the elite equine athlete presented itself, she jumped at the prospect. Like many, Anderson finds being an owner is far more unnerving than being a competitor, but values the reward. “It’s awesome! It’s what you dream of. It’s so cool to get to watch your horse out there competing in a major event,” Anderson said of cheering on their new stallion in the show pen.
Coast Performance Horses is a group effort that has made many people’s dreams come true. Cats Picasso’s team also includes Anderson’s fiancé, Dale Jarvis, and their good friends, Nav and Jen Dhaliwal. “We are so excited to be doing this,” said Anderson. “This is a dream come true. It is really cool to be a part of this whole thing with our good friends.”
“We are excited to announce Cats Picasso as the title sponsor of the NRCHA Derby, and we could not be more pleased to have Coast Performance Horses be a part of our sponsorship family,” said NRCHA Executive Director Jay Winborn. “I appreciate and admire their willingness to jump in at all levels – as an owner, a breeder and a sponsor. I look forward to getting to know them over years, and watching their program blossom with the purchase of this great cow horse stallion.”
Before retiring to the breeding barn, Cats Picasso’s team has one major goal to achieve. “What our plans are and what we hope for him is to make it to the World’s Greatest [Horseman]. That’s what we really want to do,” said Anderson.
Not only is Cats Picasso in training at John Swales Performance Horses, but that is where he also stands to the public. Following breeding season, the stallion will return to the show pen with his long-time partner and top NRCHA professional, John Swales, aboard and compete in the Open Two Rein Spectacular at the 2019 NRCHA Derby.
Click here for more information on Cats Picasso and Coast Performance Horses. In addition to sponsoring the NRCHA Derby, Cats Picasso offers several monetary and prize incentives at the local and national levels.
