ReynStormGabeReynoldsHP3

Reyn Storm, Gabe Reynolds Top $10,000 Novice at Eastern Nationals

ReynStormGabeReynoldsHP3Reyn Storm & Gabe ReynoldsA final-round 225 by Gabe Reynolds and 10-year-old stallion Reyn Storm claimed the $10,000 Novice Open title at the annual National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Eastern National Championships Wednesday in Jackson, Miss.

The horse (Dual Rey x Playboys Stormy x Freckles Playboy), owned by Blackgold Ranch, Sweeden, Ky., and bred by Lauri Mills, Tuscon, Ariz., and Reynolds also started well with a first-round 222 score. The horse headed to the show with more than $90,420 earned, and he’s sired 18 horses who had earned a combined $180,215 heading into this year.

Reyn Storm and Reynolds, a Kentucky-based trainer with $183,719 in prior earnings, according to Equi-Stat records, won by a six-point margin while topping two last-go 219s posted by Co-Reserve Champions Divas On Time, a 5-yearold mare ridden by Equi-Stat Elite $5 million rider Austin Shepard, Summerdale, Ala., and Jesse Woodson James, a 6-year-old gelding ridden by Georgia trainer Walt Erwin.

Amada Purdin Standish, Baton Rouge, La., owns Divas On Time (One Time Pepto x Desires Cat x High Brow Cat). Roger and Stephanie Clark own Jesse Woodson James, a horse bred by Lannie Louise Mecom, Avondale, Colo., and also ridden with repeated success by Roger and Stephanie’s son, Chisholm Clark, 17, in recent years.

Reyn Storm and Reynolds will compete again in Thursday’s Open finals at the same show. Chisholm Clark and Jesse Woodson James will compete during next week’s Non-Pro competition.

The Eastern Nationals continue through Saturday, March 16.