Amanda Gardiner

The noise in the Reno Livestock Events Center built to a crescendo as the Ashland, Kan., Non-Pro piloted the Too Busy Cashin Chex mare to a 219 – the high score of the Non-Pro finals! "Holy cow! I was so excited. She was fantastic. She was tuned in and made a great fence turn. The second was fantastic, and then we went to circling." Gardiner added, "It was thrilling. Really thrilling."

Gardiner and ChiChi had also qualified for the Non-Pro finals, and finished third. All total, the pair won $16,645. They also won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silvermsiths buckle sponsored by the Vangelos Family – Polymer Logistics, a 100x hat from Shorty's Hattery, an ESP pad from Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob's Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion. For the third-place Non-Pro finish, they took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Linda and Michael Vantreight.

ChiChi spent most of the time preparing for the Futurity in the capable hands of NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford. "I have to say when working with this horse I give God credit first, and Todd is a close second," Gardiner joked. "He does a fantastic job - he gives me what I can handle. He's taught me and my husband, Garth, so much."

Amanda and Garth purchased ChiChi in the NRCHA Select 2-Year-Old Sale in 2010 and paid the mare up in the 2-Year-Old Sale Incentive. The gamble paid off, as ChiChi won the Select 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Sale Incentive check for $8,400 in the preliminary round. (In 2011, horses purchased in the Select 2-Year-Old Sale are automatically enrolled in the Incentive.)

When asked about plans for the future, Gardiner said, "I'm so excited for her Derby year. I can hardly wait!"