Well before sundown Thursday night, 2006 gelding Firecracker Bright (Smart Little x Daintys Cat x High Brow Cat), a horse owned by Steve and his wife, non-pro cutting rider, Heidi Colclasure, won the $3,000 Novice Open with a 220.5 score to earn $6,653.
Well after dark, competing from the last draw in the two-set, 25-horse Open finals, 10-year-old gelding Smart Little Crow (Smart Little Lena x Badge Of Courage x Peppy San Badger) carried him to an impressive 223.5 finish that won the Open and earned $4,798. Smart Little Crow is the first cutting horse owned by college professor Teresa Blakeley.
Steve’s wife, Heidi, will compete with Firecracker Bright in the Non-Pro division later at the same show. Thursday, she led a cheering section that included several clients. Steve’s father, Bruce Colclasure, also participated along with the same group of herd helpers that helped Steve win twice at an event he first competed at 25 years ago as a youth rider.
Rich N Snazzy and Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., finished as Reserve Champions during Thursday’s $3,000 Novice Open finals with a 218.5 effort. Husband and wife cutters Mike and Libby Bowman, Simpsonville, Ky., own the 2007 mare (Cat Merada x Oh Cay Shez Snazzy x Oh Cay Quixote). Libby Bowman and Rich N Snazzy won the Classic Amateur title at the Augusta Futurity in Augusta, Ga., during late January.
The Eastern Nationals continue today with the first round of the $2,000 Limit Rider division, plus the $15,000 Amateur finals. The annual event for horses of all ages and riders who compete in various NCHA any-age categories continues through March 16.