Everything went right for LaDona Emmons and Anuther Mister 505 (Mister Dual Pep x Anuther Olena) in the Non Pro Limited and $5,000 Non Pro Limited class at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nev., as they captured dual championships with an untouchable 297 composite score – 147 in the rein work and 150 in the cow work.
It was the second time for Emmons, Ione, Calif., to win both big classes at a major NRCHA event. She pulled off a decisive win in the same divisions at the NRCHA Derby in Paso Robles, Calif., in June.
“He was good everywhere. I know him a little better now, and I felt like I ‘had’ him – maybe even more so than at the Derby. I ran my circles faster here,” she said.
After the rein work, Emmons was pleased to see the exact cow she wanted.
“I was hoping for a black one. Everybody told me the cattle had been good, but some had been really quiet. I saw a black cow earlier in the day and he wasn’t that quiet, so I was excited I drew a black one. It wasn’t an overly tough cow but it moved, and let my horse show what he can do, and that was what I wanted.”
It was an emotional win for Emmons. She dedicated the ride to her friend, Cindy Granade, who passed away several years ago. Cindy’s husband, Doug, is a dedicated NRCHA sponsor and cow horse competitor, and honors his wife in all of those activities.
“She was really special to me,” Emmons said, through tears. “That’s why it means a lot to win this, for her.”
Emmons also thanked her parents, her husband, leading NRCHA Professional Ron Emmons, and her close-knit circle of friends in the barn.
Her Non Pro Limited Championship check totaled $1,148, and Emmons took home another $1,106 for winning the $5,000 Non Pro Limited. Her prizes included two Bob’s Custom Saddles sponsored by Matacorp and the Santa Ynez Cow Horse Classic; two C.R. Morrison Trophies from NRCHA; a pair of Gist buckles from Boyd Rice and Ramona Koch Training Stables; Platinum Performance; and two Cinch monogrammed jackets from Bob’s Custom Saddles and New West Country Store.
The Reserve Champion in the $5,000 Non Pro Limited was a tie between Kelsey Romney, riding Halo Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Stylin Jewel), owned by Deirdre Hill, and Alyson Rodges, riding her Repeat Plan (A Master Plan x Lenas Solana). Both earned a 293.5 composite score and took home a check for $800.
In the Non Pro Limited, four riders deadlocked for the Reserve Championship with a 293.5. Karin Richards, riding No Chic Flicks (Chic Please x Pandalita Star), Paula Merrell, aboard Nu Circle Of Light (Nu Circle N Cash x Katie Starlight), Jamie Foster on Fletch Me If You Can (Royal Fletch x Sug Sug Could) and Alyson Rodges on Repeat Plan earned $593 apiece.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of cow horse competition. It is responsible for promoting the sport, ensuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of reined cow horses. With the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance Company, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, Bloomer Trailers and Schwalbe Trucks presented by Great West Trailers, and Merial products UlcerGard and Equioxx, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the official NRCHA web site at www.NRCHA.com.
