Riding Dunbuds Comet (Dun It Big x Comets Cold Lena), a home-raised mare and one of her all-time favorites, Morgan Holmes, Sarasota, Fla., claimed the Youth Bridle Championship at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Saturday, September 22.
Holmes guided Dunbuds Comet – affectionately known as “Lambchop,”- to a 140.5 in the rein work and a sparkling 148.5 in the cow work.
“My rein work was pretty good. I felt like my circles were really nice. I missed one stop a little bit, but her other stops were good and her cow was pretty awesome! We had a very fast cow. About half way, I was thinking, ‘Oh, Lambchop, please go by,’ and she did! I just sat there and hung on,” an exuberant Holmes said after the win. “She’s the best fence horse I’ve ever rode. We’re a pretty good team.”
The Championship came with a check for $1,725, a Bob’s Custom Saddle and CR Morrison Trophy from NRCHA, a Gist buckle sponsored by Vicki Cantlon, a 10 lb bucket of UltraCruz Sand Clear and a $50 gift certificate sponsored by Santa Cruz Animal Health and San Juan Ranch, a Cinch Jacket from Bob’s Custom Saddles/New West Country Store and a gift card from Platinum Performance.
Holmes, also an avid roper and rodeo competitor, intends to be a World’s Greatest Horseman competitor in the not too distant future, possibly aboard Lambchop.
“I want to qualify her in the Youth Bridle and in the Two Rein for the NRCHA World Show, and then maybe start roping on her for the World’s Greatest! I’m never selling her,” Holmes said, smiling.
The Youth Bridle Reserve Champion was Jorge Luis Cid, of Miami, Fla., who rode Peppy Nicolena to a composite score of 279.5. The placing paid $1,150 and came with a Gist buckle from NRCHA, a 10 lb bucket of UltraCruz Sand Clear and a $50 gift certificate from Santa Cruz Animal Health/San Juan Ranch, a Cinch jacket sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles/New West Country Store and a Platinum Performance gift card.
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.
