Fisher, Neel tied for lead in Derby Non-Pro and Intermediate Non-Pro
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, the largest event for 4- and 5-year-old cow horses, continued Tuesday, June 11 in Paso Robles, Calif., with the first phase of preliminary competition, the herd work.
The Derby Non-Pro competitors took center stage today, with two riders tied at the top of the leader board with identical 216.5 scores.
Jayson “JJ” Fisher, Arroyo Grande, Calif., competing on his birthday, made the first 216.5 herd work run. He was the second rider to work in set three, aboard Little Brown Indian (Hickorys Indian Pep x No Pleasin This Chic x Chic Please), a 2008 gelding owned by his son, Wyatt.
His score was untouched until the very last draw in the final set of the Derby Non-Pro herd work preliminaries, when Jennifer Neel, Millsap, Texas, guided Ze Kit Cat (Zezes Pepto Cat x Hickorys Diabola x Doc’s Hickory) to a 216.5. Ze Kit Cat is bred and owned by Neel’s parents, Tom and Lorna Neel.
Fisher and Neel also share the lead in the Derby Intermediate Non-Pro, and Neel tops the Novice Non-Pro division.
Amateur
The lead in the Derby Amateur belongs to Deborah Wise, Shafter Calif., who guided Get It Master (Smart Little Pepinic x Get A Master x Master Remedy) to a 211 score.
Non-Pro Limited
Barbara Truex, DVM, Tucson, Ariz., tops the leader board with her 2009 gelding, Nic It Starlight (Nic It In The Bud x Okie Starbella x Grays Starlight). They scored a 209 in the herd work.
Level 1 Limited Open
Luke Neubert, Paso Robles, Calif., rode his personal horse, This Cats Crackin (WR This Cats Smart x Stressin x Dual Pep) to a 219.5 for the lead in the Level 1 Limited Open.
The NRCHA Derby prelims continue tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific, with the rein work preliminaries for all Open and Non-Pro divisions.
Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular
The show day at the Paso Robles Event Center wrapped up with the Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular herd work. The two highest scores came in back-to-back runs midway through the second set.
Eric Freitas and Travelin Cielo lead the Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular herd work with a 219.5.
Leading the field of 20 riders is Eric Frietas, Santa Maria, Calif., who had a dynamic run on his gelding, Travelin Cielo (Travalena x Peppys Powderedsugar x Gallo Del Cielo), which earned a 219.5 from the judges.
Carol Roberts and Oaks Dual Rey hold the second high score of the Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular herd work with a 219.
The Non-Pro Bridle Spectacular Champion will be crowned following the rein work and cow work on Friday, June 14.
