Wes Galyean during the second round of her debut at December’s National Cutting Horse Association but she fared better during her second trip to Fort Worth, leading Friday’s NCHA Super Stakes Open semifinals with a 218.5.
Lil Rattler fell with trainerThe 4-year-old (Dual Rey x Highbrow Supercat x High Brow Cat) with no prior earnings is owned by Galyean’s frequent client, Steven Feiner, Aspen, Colo. She will compete along with 23 other finalists during Saturday’s two-go finals in Will Rogers Coliseum.
“We showed her at the [NCHA] Futurity, and she hurt one of her front feet. This is her first show back,” said Galyean, who also qualified Hes A Hot Cat and Tattoos On This Town for the finals in addition to Lil Rattler. “We really liked her as a 3-year-old, and we’re excited about her.”
Two 218s posted by a pair of stallions, Woodys Baby (Nitas Wood x Miss Echo Wood x Doctor Wood), ridden by Ashley Baxtrom and owned by Mike and Laurie Jones, Cushing, Okla., and by PRF Badgers Goldmine (Reys Dual Badger x PRF Madersas Lena x Smart Lil Ricochet) tied for second-best in the five-set Open semifinals. Trainer and rider Tag Rice, and his wife Natalie, Crowley, Texas, own PRF Badgers Goldmine.
Other finalists are: CR First Tuff (Boyd Rice); No Way In Hal (Lloyd Cox); Autumn Boonsmall (Darren Simpkins); Blu Ray (Roger Wagner); DB Mates Brow (Jason Clark); Bama Cat (Austin Shepard); Bubba Ho Tep (Alexander Rachner); Dark And Sultry (Jody Galyean); Jack Boon Cat (Kory Pounds); Reckless Child (Russ Westfall); Reyzin (Phil Rapp); Quick Be A Cat (James Payne); Duals Dancer (Morgan Cromer); Hes A Hot Cat (Wes Galyean); Desire A Lil Pepto (Lee Francois); Jett Setter (John Wold); Hisstereya (Tatum Rice); Tattoos On This Town (Wes Galyean); CR Tuff Hearted Cat (Ronnie Rice); High Brow Hackson (Monty Buntin) and Cha Ching And Change (Sean Flynn).
It took a 215 to make the NCHA Super Stakes Open finals. They will follow Saturday’s Non-Pro finals, set for a 4 p.m. start in Will Rogers Coliseum.
Check Quarter Horse News for complete coverage of the NCHA Super Stakes and other great cutting events!