Royal Red Play & Pam ShaefferThe Four Sixes Ranch/National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Western Nationals concluded Thursday, May 8, in Denver, Colo. On the final day of competition, Pam Shaeffer piloted Royal Red Play to win the Non-Pro Championship with a final-round 219.
Shaeffer, of Eagle, Colo., and Royal Red Play (Play Red x Peek A Boon), who was trained by Colorado resident Scott Amos, had previously marked a first-go score of 216, which tied them for third place. The duo rode into the one-set Non-Pro finals third in the draw, and their 219 was good for the Championship and a check worth $6,211.
“It’s absolutely incredible,” Shaeffer said after her winning run. “The guys had some good cows picked out for me. I just tried to get underneath them and drive them out. And we did, it. The horse was awesome. He tried his heart out for me, like he always does.”
The Non-Pro Reserve Championship went to Sandra McBride, of Azle, Texas, and Boonshadows (Quejanaisalena x Pinkolena). The duo marked a 216 for the title and earned $4,966.
$15,000 Novice/Non-Pro
PKR Big Mac & Traci BurgessCleburne, Texas, cutter Traci Burgess rode into the $15,000 Novice/Non-Pro finals aboard PKR Big Mac (Starlights Gypsy x Justa Swinging Gal) and marked a score of 222 to take the Championship and a check worth $4,829. It was a big week for her mount, as he made five finals, and walked away with Reserve titles in the $10,000 Novice Open and $3,000 Novice Open with Burgess’ husband, Jon.
“He’s a great horse and he’s had great runs all week,” Burgess said. “This run was probably the best one that I felt confident in him and he was there all the way for me.”
The Reserve Championship went to Kristen York, of Saratoga, Wyo., and her mount Smooth One time Soon (Smooth As A Cat x Sheza Boonsmol) after they marked a 218. Their title came with a check worth $3,885.
$5,000 Novice/Non-Pro
Dirty Dreamin & Marla GonnetThe $5,000 Novice/Non-Pro Championship went to Marla Gonnet, of Canada, and Dirty Dreamin (SR Instant Choice x Saddle My Dreams). The duo marked a 218 to take the title and earned $5,823. The Reserve Championship, earned with a score of 217.5, went to Scottsdale, Ariz., resident Linda Butlin and Reyd (Dual Rey x Merada Missy).
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