Kelly Valdez
Kelly was riding Smart Tic Tack, and piloted the 9-year-old mare to a 216.5 in the rein work and a 222 in the cow work for a total score of 438.5. She won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. She also won $2,319.
"It feels really good to win a World Championship. I've been waiting a long time to do well here in San Angelo, and it's finally happened," Kelly said. "It's really cool because my mom did so well too. There was some pressure on me, and I was happy I did well, too."
Kelly, of La Junta, Colo., gave a lot of credit to her mare (Smart Mate x Tic Tackatoo x Freckles Playboy). "We worked her last night and this morning, and she was good all day. When I went in, she did her job. We got a cow that was kind of wild, but she stayed with him."
Kelly didn't have much time to talk – she had also qualified for the finals of the very next class – the Youth Limited. She and Smart Tic Tack finished with the Youth Limited Reserve title.
"I thank my mom and dad – Robert and Betty Lou Valdez – and Don Murphy and Nelle Murphy for all their help," she said.
Birgit Self and TR Miss Graygun (Playgun x JK Carlita Bruce x Doc Bruce), who won the $5K Non-Pro Limited World Championship on Friday, finished as the Non-Pro Limited Reserve Champions with a 432. Self, of Pilot Point, Texas, won $1,855, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes, a tool notebook, a vest and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Non-Pro Bridle
Murray Thompson
"I didn't really have as good of a year as I had wanted, but we did OK and got a check at the four big shows for the first time. We didn't win any, so this was a great way to top off the year," Thompson said. He won $4,605, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a $50 gift card from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
"I thank Lyn Anderson, Zip's breeder, Skip Brown, and his former owner, Kathryn Schaefer, for selling him to me." Murray added, "I also give a very special thank you to my daughter, Jennifer, who got me started with horses."
He added, "I also have to give so much credit to my horse. He deserves so much credit. He's intelligent and athletic and has a lot of try." Smart Time Tuck, by Senors Lil Brudder, is a half-sibling to Anderson's Open Hackamore World Champion Tuckers Smart Cat. Both are by the mare Smoke Time Tuck. "They've all been really good, but I know that Zip is still her favorite of all of them."
Thompson, Atwater, Calif., recently retired from his career in the aerospace industry. "I bought a place just forty miles from Lyn, and I'm planning to ride at least five days a week," he said. He also recently bought a 3-year-old from Carol Rose. "Lyn will show him at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and then I'll probably show him some after that."
Only a half-point behind with the Reserve Championship was Todd Thieszen of McCook, Neb. He rode his horse Shinerbock Nic (Night Time Shiner x Diggers Diamond Nic x Diggers Rest) to win $3,684, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Kevin and Sydney Knight, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Non-Pro Hackamore
Karey Franz
"He felt pretty good. He really came through in the reining," Franz said of Nics Long Pants’ (Nic It In The Bud x Shiney Pants x Shining Spark) 217.5 rein work score. That rein work was followed with a 215 in the cow work. "I was really struggling this week in the cow work. That's pretty weird for me – usually the rein work is harder. I was just glad to have a clean cow work."
Franz noted that the struggle was a mental one. "I'm about ten weeks pregnant, so maybe that had something to do with it. Regardless, it felt good today," she said. Along with a check for $3,915, Franz also won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a $50 gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Franz, who won an American Quarter Horse Association Amateur Working Cow Horse World Championship last fall on her bridle horse, thanked her husband, Jess Franz, as well as NRCHA Hall of Famer Don Murphy.
Franz wasn't able to relax and enjoy her win – she had to get ready for the Non-Pro Bridle finals, where she finished in the top five on her horse Nuchex N Diamonds (Nu Chex To Cash x Zans Lady Diamond x Zans Diamond Son).
Tish Wilhite and The Fresno Fox, who won the Non-Pro Hackamore World Championship in 2010, finished as the Reserve Champions with a 423.5. Wilhite, Clovis, Calif., and The Fresno Fox (Heart Of A Fox x Oaks Jewel Doll x Doc Jewel Bars), also won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Youth Limited
Waylon Widler
"He is the hardest working and most dedicated 13-year-old around," Patty Ralls, wife of Widler's trainer Ron Ralls, shared. "He'd stay with us this summer and get up at 4 a.m. every morning to ride his horse with us and get better. He's very determined."
Widler and Hesa Especially Foru (Little Peppy Special x Jabos Chocolate x Jab O Lena) marked a 215.5 in the rein work and 216 in the cow work. "He was a lot better than yesterday. During the preliminaries, we had some bobbles," he explained. "Today was really smooth and he was calm. ‘W’ [Hesa Especially Foru] has a little bit of an attitude and does what he wants to sometimes, but today he let me make those decisions."
Widler received a check for $765, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. The National Reined Cow Horse Foundation also awarded Widler with a $1,250 scholarship.
He noted, "I thank Ron and Patty Ralls, as well as my mom and dad, for helping me. I also thank everyone else who has given me advice.
Widler and “W” will begin showing in the Youth Bridle in 2012.
Kelly Valdez and Smart Tic Tack (Smart Mate x Tic Tackatoo x Freckles Playboy) won the Youth Limited Reserve Championship with a 429.
She was also rewarded with a $750 scholarship from the NRCHF, and took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, a vest and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Smart Tic Tack is owned by Kelly's parents, Robert and Betty Lou Vadez, of La Junta, Colo.
Feb. 3 Coverage: Youth Bridle
Chantz Stewart
"Yesterday I didn't run him well in the reining, and I was told to step it up. Today I asked for more than I ever have in the reining, and it paid off because we didn't do as well in the cow work," she said following the awards ceremony.
During the awards, she was presented with a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a $50 gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. She also won $540 and a $2,000 scholarship from the National Reined Cow Horse Foundation.
Stewart, Cave Creek, Ariz., purchased Shining Cielo (Shining Spark x Miss Cielo x Gallo Del Cielo) in 2008. She has since ridden with Cal Cooper, Al Dunning and Sam Rose. "I thank all the trainers who have helped me, especially Sam and Al. I also thank my parents, Rod and Lissa Stewart, for all their support," she said.
Former NRCHA Youth Limited World Champion Alexa Beaty rode her horse Mad About Chics (Smart Chic Olena x Echolettes Freckle x Doc Jewel Bars) to the Reserve Championship with a 427. Beaty, Aubrey, Texas, won $450 and a $1,000 scholarship from the NRCHF. She also took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a tool notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Noice Non-Pro Bridle
Lyle Proctor
On Friday, Feb. 3, Proctor won the NRCHA Novice Non-Pro Bridle World Championship. He and Millionheir Boon (Bodee Boonsmal x Candle Bar Holly x Lenas Jewel Bars), marked a 216 in the rein work and followed that with a 214 in the cow work for a total score of 430.
"I can't even speak I'm so excited. I just knew we had to step it up today. We worked on getting him to stride out last night, and everything just worked for us today, and he felt really good," Proctor, of Ravendale, Wash., said.
Lyle and Debbie both made the Novice Non-Pro Bridle finals. Proctor said, "I have had a great year traveling all over and spending time with, and competing against, Debbie," he said. "I thank Debbie, as well as my trainer, Mike Helsen, of Washington for everything."
Proctor won a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. He also collected $3,300.
Only a scant point behind with the Reserve Championship was Ashland, Kansas, non-pro Garth Gardiner. Gardiner was riding Just Rein Or Shine (Smart Shiner x Just Pebbles x Super Sugar Doc), and marked a 213 in the rein work and 216 in the cow work. He won $2,640, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, a vest, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Intermediate Non-Pro Bridle
Genuine Brown Gal and Suzon Schaal
For the third year in a row, Suzon Schaal will return as a World Champion to the Wild Rose Country of Alberta, Canada.
"It feels pretty good. I'm having a hard time believing that it has actually happened," Schaal said of winning her third World title in three years. Schaal was riding Genuine Brown Gal, who she has ridden for every Championship. "She's been very good to me."
Schaal and Genuine Brown Gal (Listo Pollito Lena x Genuine Emerald x Genuine Peppy) marked a 217.5 in the rein work and 222 in the cow work. "The rein work felt good, even though our first stop could have been a little better," she said. "The cow work could have been a little tighter and quicker, but it was enough for today, and I'm really happy."
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On Saturday, Schaal and Genuine Brown Gal will take another stab at a World Championship in the Non-Pro Bridle. Schaal, an equine veterinarian, said her friends, family and co-workers were a large part of her success. "I couldn't do it without them. They help me so much," she said. "I also thank my trainer John Swales. I wouldn't be here without him. He's been a huge supporter and keeps me calm."
Schaals took home $3,318, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Jackie Miller won the Intermediate Non-Pro Bridle Reserve World Championship on her horse Pepinics Fancy (Pepinics Master x Docs Fancy Dudette x Doc O Dude ) with a 427. Miller, Okotoks, Alberta, won $2,607. The Reserve Championship garnered a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a tool notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
$5K Non-Pro Limited Final
Birgit Self
"It feels great! It's been on my 'bucket list' to win a saddle like this since I was a little girl. I won one in barrel racing, but this one means so much more," she said.
Birgit was riding her horse TR Miss Graygun (Playgun x JK Carlita Bruce x Doc Bruce), and the pair marked a 217.5 in the rein work and 222 in the fence work.
"I was a lot less nervous than normal. My friends have been praying, and I could just sense them," she said following the awards ceremony.
Self, Pilot Point, Texas, received $2,694, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Although she began riding reining horses several years ago with Gaetan Gauthier, Self never purchased a reiner and only began riding cow horses in the last couple years.
"I ride with Benton Bland at the Circle Y Ranch, and they have been a tremendous help. They let me ride there all the time and work a lot of cattle. Thank you so much to Benton and Penny Youngblood," Self said. "Thank you also to my husband, Mark. It would not be possible without him. He's the one who bought me my dream horse two years ago."
And what's next for Self and TR Miss Graygun? "Benton told me that if I won it today, I'd get to start going down the fence!" she said.
Karen Reed won the $5K Non Pro Limited Reserve World Championship on her horse ARC Tassa Me Please (Chic Please x Tassas Little Peppy x Peppy San Badger) with a 432. Reed, Porterville, Calif., won $2,155. The Reserve Championship garnered a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a tool notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
Feb. 2 Coverage: Non-Pro Two Rein
Betty Lou Valdez and MH Bold Intentions
Valdez took home $1,770, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.
"I was really happy. We've been struggling a little with our stops. We schooled him last night and actually changed the bit three times in the last three days." She added, "It's hard to tell when he's stopping well – but I heard people yelling and I knew we got them down."
Valdez purchased MH Bold Intentions (Bodee Boonsmal x Freckles Docs Oak x Doc's Oak) from Kyle Trahern in March of 2011. Just a few months later, the pair won the American Quarter Horse Association Amateur Working Cow Horse Reserve World Championship.
"I never believed things would turn out this well, this quickly," she said.
Although Valdez keeps her horses at home in La Junta, Colo., she gets help from NRCHA Hall of Famer Don Murphy of Marietta, Okla. "We started riding with Don a couple of years ago. We either meet up with him at shows or go to his place a couple times a year. He helps us so much." She added, "I also thank my husband, Robert, because none of this would be possible without him."
Russell Greathouse won the Non-Pro Two Rein Reserve World Championship on his horse, Smokums Dixie (Smokums Prize x Peppy Jaynelena x Jay Doc O Lena), with a 429. Greathouse, Clovis, Calif., won $1,475. The Reserve Championship also garnered a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, a vest and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. |
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