Abbie Phillips Wins Non Pro Western Derby

By: Kristin Pitzer

After a week-and-a-half of competition, the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Kimes Ranch Western Derby crowned its final champions on Saturday, June 10. With a big composite score of 657.5, Abbie Phillips and Purdy Talker took home the Non Pro Championship, banking $10,000.

“This mare is pretty special to me,” Phillips said. “She’s very sweet, and I love riding her. I’m glad I finally got her shown and she got the win. The non pro class is getting tougher and tougher, and you just have to have your A-game every time you walk into the pen.”

Phillips said the mare (Purdy Boy Flash x Money Talks Smart x Smart Mate) is talented in every aspect of the cow horse, and their performances throughout the finals proved it. In the herd work, they scored a 217, which tied to top the class. Their score of 222.5 won the rein work, and a 218 down the fence — the third highest in the cow work — gave them the boost they needed to win the whole shebang.

“I need to thank my herd help — Corey Cushing, Phillip Ralls, Brandon Buttars and my husband, Kelby,” Phillips said. “I was first out in that set [in the herd work], and they put me on three good cows. A big thanks also to Oklahoma Equine, who vets our horses, and the Kelby Phillips team for being there and helping me out.”

Tammy Jo Hays and Shiverz (Woody Be Tuff x Cats Boonolena x High Brow Cat) picked up the Reserve Championship with their composite 652 (H: 216.5/R: 215/C: 220.5). The pair, who marked the highest score in the cow work, banked $7,500.