Call Me Mitch and Phillip Ralls
Video: Reno Wrap Up ~ September 27, 2014
The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Open, Cinch Intermediate Open, Limited Open and Level 1 Limited Open rein work wrapped up for the Open divisions Sept. 27 at the Reno Livestock Events Center. All the top scores from the previous day held up to win the go rounds.
Sushi Boss (CD Lights x Shiney Sushi x Shining Spark), shown by Chris Dawson, was the Open rein work champion with a 222 score. He collected a $1,500 check and a Gist buckle for his owners, Kay Tennant and Leroy Hoffman.
In the Intermediate and Limited Open divisions, Smokin Little Ringo (Smart Little Pepinic x Smoking Sabrina x Mister Dual Pep) and Monica Caetano’s 220.5 score netted them two paychecks totaling $2,400. Smokin Little Ringo is owned by John Pascoe.
And the Level 1 Limited Limited Open rein work champion was Spoonful Playmate II (Hes A Peptospoonful x Happy Get Lucky x Smart Little Lena), whose 216.5 earned $750 for owner/trainer Chris Krieg.
The composite leader in the Futurity Open is Call Me Mitch (Metallic Cat x Miss Hickory Hill x Doc’s Hickory), shown by Phillip Ralls for owner Estelle Roitblat. They hold a 439.5 score after two events (219.5 herd/220 rein).
In the Intermediate Open, Big Time In Cowtown (One Time Pepto x Lil Lena Long Legs x Smart Little Lena, shown by John Swales for owner Robbie McKay, is currently first with a 433.5 (214 herd/219.5 rein).
Follow The Star (Soula Jule Star x Right Now Ima Star x Lenas Wright On), shown by Monica Caetano, is the Limited Open high scorer on two events with a 430.5 (214.5 herd/217.5 rein). Caetano and her husband, Dan, own Follow The Star.
The Level 1 Limited Open current leader is Cuttin Wright Up (Hes Wright On x Isabellena x Quejanaisalena), shown by Erin Taormino for owner/breeders Garth and Amanda Gardiner. Their composite is 430.5 (216.5 herd/214 rein).
Following the rein work prelims, three new horse show champions were crowned. In the Youth Limited, Cutter McLaughlin, aboard CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark), laid down a couple of big runs to win the class. He scored a 145 in the rein work and a 147 in the cow work for a total 292. Cutter won a check for $960 and some great prizes – a Bob’s custom saddle sponsored by David Pratt and Bruce Carter, a Gist buckle from the NRCHA, and product from Platinum Performance and Back On Track. CD Dee Vee Dee is owned by Cutter’s parents, Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.
Next was the Youth Bridle, where Alexa Beaty and her trusty gelding, Star Dustn Wrangler (Starlights Wrangler x Pines Dusty Model), claimed the championship with a total 291.5 score – 145 in the rein work and 146.5 down the fence. Alexa’s $1,350 paycheck went along with a Bob’s Custom Saddle from the NRCHA, a Gist buckle sponsored by NRCHA official photographer Primo Morales, a gift certificate from Santa Cruz Animal Health, and product from Back On Track and Platinum Performance.
The last horse show class of the day was the Non Pro Two Rein, where Sally Drennon and Cheque Please (Chic Please x Turn Liz Loose) scored a 282.5 composite – 142 in the rein work and 140.5 in the cow work – to win the Championship. Sally took home a check for $1,100 along with a Gist buckle and product from Back on Track and Platinum Performance. Cheque Please is sired by Chic Please and out of Turn Liz Loose.
The final event of the day was the American Quarter Horse Association Ranching Heritage Challenge, produced in partnership between the NRCHA and alliance partner AQHA. The $15,000-added event offered a Working Ranch Horse, Boxing and Ranch Horse Pleasure class.
To be eligible for the Ranching Heritage Challenge, a horse must have been foaled at an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder’s ranch and nominated by that ranch. The AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge highlights the versatility, soundness and willing attitude of American Quarter Horses that are ranch born and raised. The AQHA, with sponsor support from Zoetis, produces a series of Ranching Heritage Challenge events intended to grow the demand for ranch horses by providing an opportunity for ranches and horse owners to compete in a unique ranch horse competition for a significant purse. As interest in the program increases, AQHA anticipates having six regional events around the United States – each with a purse in excess of $100,000. Other sponsor support comes from Bar -G Feedyards, Double J Saddlery, Professional’s Choice and Western Horseman.
The Champion in the 4-year-old Ranching Heritage Challenge Open was Royal Smart Fletch (Royal Fletch x Little Smart Ginger x Smart Little Lena), shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Boyd Rice. Royal Smart Fletch is bred and owned by Kit and Charlie Moncrief. He scored total 217 on the three events – reining, cow work and roping. The championship came with a check for $2,800. It’s not the first time Royal Smart Fletch has shown in the Ranching Heritage events – He won a championship in January at the Fort Worth challenge.
In the 5/6 year old Open class, it was another NRCHA professional, Matt Koch, at the top of the class with a total 218 score. He was riding This Cats King (WR This Cats Smart x Masterpiece Spark x Shining Spark), bred and owned by Wagonhound Land and Livestock. Matt won a check for $1,625.
