Judy Rogers and CD Pretty Lady (left) and Cade Hansma and Chucks Little Pepto • Photo by Nina RosenbeckWith duplicate scores of 220, the two standout rides in the finals of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Summer Cutting Spectacular Limited Non-Pro were evident by the cheers of the crowd. Cade Hansma and Judy Rogers each stepped up their game from their first-go scores of 215.5 and 216, respectively, to tie for the Championship on July 17 at Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas.
Rogers bought CD Pretty Lady (CD Lights x Shortys Pretty Lady x Shorty Lena) last October from Robert and Carrie Tiemann. Rogers’ husband, trainer Jonathan Rogers, had ridden the sorrel mare for much of her prior Equi-Stat earnings of $32,859.
A solid Limited Non-Pro rider with earnings of $38,716 before yesterday’s $8,412 co-championship check, Rogers said she depends on her husband for coaching during her runs.
“He was in the corner picking cows; I trust him completely,” said Rogers, who previously worked as a nurse, but has been riding full-time since the couple’s move to Rockdale, Texas. “I was hoping that I could stay consistent and mark my 216 like I had in the first go.”
Rogers’ excitement and emotion were evident as the run progressed. When a 220 appeared on the scoreboard, tears filled her eyes as she rode out of the arena.
Cade Hansma said her riding improved from the first-go to earn her impressive finals score aboard Chucks Little Pepto. She credited the win to her team’s effort, saying, “there are five people and a horse.” Leading her team was her dad, Equi-Stat Elite $5 Million Rider Paul Hansma.
The 17-year-old rode into the pen just ahead of her twin sister, McCall. This was the first time the Weatherford, Texas, teen had made the finals at this show, and she thanked her mom, Julie Hansma, for handing over the reins of the 6-year-old gelding (Its Just About Me x Little Pepto Gal x Peptoboonsmal).
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