Parke Greeson and Checkn Out The LadysIn only his second time to show at a major National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) limited-age event, Parke Greeson, of Lubbock, Texas, won the Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby Amateur Championship, held in conjunction with the NRCHA Celebration of Champions, aboard Checkn Out The Ladys (Im Countin Checks x No Lady Wood x Zack T Wood).
“I was fortunate enough to have three good runs,” the 21-year-old horseman said. “He stopped pretty decent in the reining. In the fence work, the cow ran a little bit, but he headed good both directions.”
Greeson and the 2010 gelding earned a 644.5 (210.5 herd/215 rein/219 cow), and their prize paycheck, including go-round money, totaled $3,154. He also collected a custom Gist buckle and monogrammed jacket, both courtesy of the Derby title sponsor, Aaron Ranch. Greeson also won the Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro and Novice Non-Pro preliminaries, advancing him to Monday’s finals in those divisions.
Greeson bought Checkn Out The Ladys last February from leading professional and NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion Boyd Rice, and trained the gelding with assistance from Rice and Matt Koch, the head trainer at Wagonhound Land and Livestock. Greeson’s first NRCHA limited-age event was the 2013 Snaffle Bit Futurity, where he earned a check in the Level 1 Limited Open.
“I bought a bridle horse from Boyd about four years ago and showed in the ranch horse competitions, and then thought I’d try the cow horse deal. I enjoy it. I’ve met a lot of great people,” he said.
Greeson’s parents showed cutting horses in the past with Rice’s father, Sonny. Greeson particularly thanked Rice for helping him develop as a horseman.
“He’s just taken me in and let me hang out with him, and that’s been a blessing,” he said. “I wouldn’t have won anything if it wasn’t for him and Matt Koch.”
Greeson plans to enroll in a ranch management graduate program at Texas Christian University next fall.
Derby Non-Pro Limited
Jim Lane, of Whitesboro, Texas, went shopping for his first new belt in almost six years after winning the Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby Non-Pro Limited Championship aboard his 2010 mare Chics Stylish Oak (Smart Chic Olena x Smart Stylena x Doc’s Stylish Oak).
“I’m just happy. I’m excited. This is great! I only buy a new belt when I win a buckle, and I won my last one in 2008,” he said.
Lane scored a 616.5 (205 herd/204.5 rein/207 cow), winning $1,238, including go-round money. A reining competitor since 1993, Lane decided it was time for a change and became serious about reined cow horses last year. He bought Chics Stylish Oak from one of his insurance clients and showed her at the 2013 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, under the guidance of Jacksboro, Texas, professional Chris Dawson.
“I enjoy the cow horse so much. There’s nothing more exhilarating than stepping up to a cow, because you never know what’s going to happen,” he said.
Competing in the historic Will Rogers Coliseum was a particular thrill, Lane said.
“Just to walk in that arena, and to think of the horses that have walked down that tunnel and been under those lights – it is very cool. Every time I walked in there, I stopped to think, probably every horse on her extended pedigree has walked into that arena at some point. I loved it.”
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