Olena Oak and Ron Emmons

"It's been an amazing weekend - that's for sure!" For Sunday's performance, Emmons won $36,011, a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by SPONSOR, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, two bits from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and two CR Morrison trophies.

Emmons and Reygans Smart Lena, owned by Doug Granade, began the clean-slate finals with a 217 in the herd work. "I drew up early, and more or less cut for shape and feel. The first cow was really good. The second was pretty bad but my horse was hooked up. The third cow tried my horse hard and he got to show off for a bit. Our score kept us within range," he said.

The California trainer hoped for a smooth, clean run in the rein work. "I figured if we could mark in the upper teens we'd be sitting alright going into the cow work," he said. The score of 218 put him and "Rey" in third going into the finals.

Then Emmons and Reygans Smart Lena put on a clinic, marking a 228 in the cow work. "The fence work makes or breaks you. The cow came out and was a little numb and wouldn't look at us. We moved him around and he finally looked at us. We had a really big first turn, then got another really big turn, and circled right there both ways," he said. "It was a tight run and my horse never left that cow's head."

Granade purchased Reygans Smart Lena as a 2-year-old. The stallion was bred by Strawn Valley Ranch in Texas. Although the horse placed at a few futurities and derbies, Emmons said, "Today was his day. He's just gotten better and better. He's a 5-year-old so this is a great way to finish his Derby years."

The win was a poignant one, as Doug's late wife, Cindy, was instrumental in finding Reygans Smart Lena. "It's an emotional day. Cindy was such a big part of our lives and she and Doug were more friends than clients. To win on this horse, which she helped find, is awesome," Emmons said. "I thank everyone, especially my wife Ladona. It's been an awesome ride."

There was a tie for Reserve in the Derby Open, between Docs Catty Jo and Arizona professional Corey Cushing along with Oskar Mayer Lena and California professional Lance Johnston. Each pair marked a composite 656 to collect  $19,686. Docs Catty Jo (Cowboy Cattylac x Lena Jo Doc x Doc O Dynamite), is owned by Suzanne Clark, Yuma, Ariz., and was bred by Matthews Cutting Horses LLC, North Carolina and Texas. Oskar Mayer Lena (As Smart As The Fox x Oskars Gay Bar x Fannys Oskar) was bred by and is owned by Katie Moon, Carmel, Calif.

Non-Pro
Carol Roberts, Ojai, Calif., and Oaks Dual Rey (TR Dual Rey x Docs Pearly Oak x Doc's Oak) swept the top two Non-Pro divisions of the NRCHA Derby with a 649-point composite. Roberts won $15,348, a CowTrac System, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, two bits from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and two CR Morrison trophies and commemorative medallions.

"My horse was really good in the herd work. We had a tough first cow and it made me nervous, but the last two cows were great and we had a 215.5. I loved how 'Rey' worked in the rein work. We marked a 215 there," she said.

Roberts and Oaks Dual Rey finished the finals with a 218.5 in the cow work. "Phillip Ralls was helping me in the fence work. He let me know when it was time to go. We made two good turns and then just went after the cow and circled up. I knew I had enough horse, and he was really great today," she said.

Roberts found Oaks Dual Rey, a gelding bred by Jamie Traiteur, Smithton, Ill., through a YouTube video. She never saw Oaks Dual Rey in person – just on a computer screen – but she took a chance and bought him anyway. "I talked to the owner and I had a good feeling about it." In fact, Rey's previous owner, Jamie Lester, traveled to Arizona from Illinois to watch him compete. "She hadn't seen him since he came to me, so it was very special that she was there to see him win."

Happily, Roberts added that the Derby provided a great opportunity to work with and learn from several different open trainers. "I had the incredible opportunity to work some great guys. They were all here cheering for me and were in my pictures," she said. "Thank you Phillip Ralls, Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Doug Williamson and Jon Roeser."

Roberts added a special thank you to Shannon McCarty. "She always lets me come and work cattle. She's awesome. Of course, I also have a great supportive family, who I thank also," she said.

Clovis, Calif., non-pro Tish Wilhite won the Reserve title in both divisions with The Fresno Fox (Heart Of A Fox x Oaks Jewel Doll x Doc Jewel Bars). Wilhite and The Fresno Fox scored 215 in the herd work, 217 in the rein work, and 216 in the cow work for a 648 composite. All total, Wilhite took home $11,816. The Fresno Fox as bred by Agicultural Foundation, Fresno, Calif.

Level 1 Limited Open
The National Reined Cow Horse Association debuted the Level 1 Limited Open division in 2011, and the fledgling class was a huge success over the year. At the NRCHA Derby, IX Smart Starlight (Dox White Rabbit x Amys Pic x Fairleas Dandy Pic) and Matt Hoekenga and won their second NRCHA Premier Event Level 1 Limited Open Championship. They received $1,163, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, a bit from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and an NRCHA trophy.

The pair kicked off the event with the high score of the herd work – a 204 – and followed that with a 214.5 in the rein work at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, held at the Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona, .

"My horse tried really hard for me in the herd work. We had a couple hang-ups getting the first cow out, but once we got it to the center he was really watching. I still have a lot to work on in the herd, but I was really proud of him," Hoekenga, of Fallon, Nevada, said. "I was also pleased in the rein work. I pushed him a little harder than I have before and he handled it well and felt very solid."

The pair finished with a 216 in the cow work. "We drew a good cow that boxed nicely. We got him lined out and had a good first turn and then a really good second turn, and then he circled up well," he said.

Hoekenga has been riding "Rex" since 2010. Owner Liz Younger noted, "Rex got started late. He was almost three and had a very big motor. Luckily Flint Lee and Matt were able to buckaroo on him many, many times, and Flint's dad Kenny even put some wet saddle blankets on him. It's been fun to see him figure things out and come back so strong this year."

IX Smart Starlight was bred by Charles Amos, Winnemucca, Nev.

In April, Hoekenga and IX Smart Starlight won the Level 1 Limited Open at the Hackamore Classic in Paso Robles, California. "He's a 5-year-old now and he's really coming on. Every time I'm able to push him a little more. I'd say he's improved a lot. I hope he keeps going and I'm looking forward to showing him in the two rein next year."

Younger said, "I think I'm going to have a great horse going forward in the two rein and the bridle." Rex will be competing at the Western States Ranch Rodeo Finals next week in the ranch horse class.

Hoekenga added that he has a great support staff. "I thank Flint Lee first and foremost, because I wouldn't be here without all his help. I also thank Kenny and Tammy Lee for letting me use their facility. I really appreciate my girlfriend, Michelle Nicholson, for being so supportive, and my son Tyler for being such a trooper," he said. "Of course I thank Liz Younger for letting me show her horse, and all the Open trainers who have helped me so much in the herd work."

Younger noted, "I think this Level 1 Limited Open class for upcoming trainers and horses who weren't quite ready for the 3- and 4-year-old requirements works very well."

Finishing Reserve in the Level 1 Limited Open were CD Hen House (Cluck Rooster Cluck x Rafter S Santa Golda x Mr San Cuatro) with a 634 composite and Gary Bayles. The pair marked 203 in the herd work, 219 in the rein work, and 212 in the cow work. The Reserve Championship netted $698. CD Hen House, a mare, is owned by Brandon and Sophia Buttars, and  she was bred by Maurice and Carol Thurgood, West Point, Utah.

Amateur
While the preliminary round determines who advances to the clean-slate finals of the NRCHA Derby, it also decides the Amateur Champion. Earning top honors in the Amateur division with a 642.5 composite was Heather Livingston and Soula Jule Girl (Soula Jule Star x Okies Hickory Girl x Doc's Hickory).

Livingston and Soula Jule Girl won $1,380, a pair of Rios of Mercedes boots, a bit from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and an NRCHA trophy.

Livingston and Soula Jule Girl began the competition with a 213 in the herd work, and followed that with a 212.5 in the rein work. They finished with a solid 217 in the cow work. "She was really good in the herd work. I was last in the herd, and I couldn't have done it without my awesome herd help. I give a huge thank you to Phillip Ralls, Ted Robinson, Lance Johnston, and Jake Gorrel," she said. "Her reining was good, but it wasn't her very best."

Livingston credited a gutsy open-field turn in the cow work to Jake Gorrell. "Down the fence was awesome. Jake was great - he yelled at me to turn the cow when I was about to drive it back to the fence. Without him I wouldn't have done it," she said.

Livingston and Soula Jule Girl have won several titles, including the Non Pro Hackamore Reserve Championship at the 2010 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. "I've also shown her at club cuttings, but this is her first big reined cow horse win," said Livingston, of Atascadero, California. "She's my girl. I'm going to show her in the two rein next year."

Soula Jule Star was bred by James and Gay Versteeg, Porterville, Calif.

Livingston gave credit to her husband, Rory. "He's the wind beneath my wings. I also thank the Borjons and the Carollos for letting me use their facilities. They make it possible for me to compete, she said.

Taking Reserve honors and $1,150 with a 639.5 composite was Loretta Showalter and Im Miss Be Haven (Ill Be Smart x Miss Lena Badger x Teninolena Badger). The pair marked 213 in the herd work, 212.5 in the rein work, and 214 down the fence. Im Miss Be Haven is owned by John Showalter and was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Elliott, Orland, Calif.