Smooth Classical and Todd Bergen
The first day of Open, Cinch Intermediate Open, Limited Open and Level 1 Limited Open preliminary competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity is complete, as 104 3-year-old horses tested their herd work skills at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nev.
The high score of the day, a 222, belongs to Smooth Classical (Smooth As A Cat x Classical CD x CD Olena), shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen, Eagle Point, Ore., and owned by Pam Bailey, Golden, Colo.
Bergen and Bailey are a proven trainer/owner team. The first horse Bergen showed for her, This One Time (One Time Pepto x Katie Starlight x Grays Starlight), was the 2014 NRCHA Stakes Open Championship and the 2012 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Reserve Championship.
In the Futurity Intermediate Open, Gainesville, Texas, professional Ron Ralls guided Mini Hot Flashes (CD Lights x Shiners Hot Flash x Shining Spark) to the lead with a 217. The mare is owned by Kay Rankin-Williams.
Monica Caetano was tops in the Limited Open, scoring a 214.5 aboard Follow The Star (Soula Jule Star x Wright Now Ima Star x Lenas Wright On), a gelding she owns with her husband, Dan.
The current leader in the Level 1 Limited Open is Rey C New Shoes (Dual R Smokin x Purdy New Shoes x Shining Shoes), who scored a 214 with Erin Taormino in the saddle. The mare is owned by Samantha Cheetham.
