Futurity Non-Pro Champion Darren Blanton (right)The Futurity Non-Pro, a two go-round pencil finals class at the Cotton Stakes, held Sept. 7-14, attracted 14 competitors and their horses to West Monroe, La. Consistency was the name of the game, and Darren Blanton took top honors riding his homebred DB Smooth Cokette.
Blanton, of Dallas, Texas, and his horse won the first go-round of the Futurity Non-Pro on Thursday, Sept. 11, with a 214.5. That score alone would not win the class though; the duo had to return in the second go with as much skill and talent. DB Smooth Cokette (Smooth As A Cat x Mates Little Cokette x Smart Mate) delivered when he marked a 213.5 for a 428 composite score.
Blanton, the owner of Colt Ventures, earned $4,400 for his title. Reserve Champions Ty Moore, of Madill, Okla., and Smooth Georgy, by Smooth As A Cat and out of the Wild Thing DNA mare Hey Georgy Girl, garnered $3,400 for their 422 (211/211).
Harry Leatherwood, of Tyler, Texas, won the Futurity Limited Non-Pro riding Rio Neches Cattle Company’s RN Cutting Lil Priss with a 414 (202/203), worth $470, which added to his $1,900 check from finishing fourth overall.
Derby Non-Pro
Megan Miller & AthenamaninthemoonMegan Miller, of Poolville, Texas, was thrilled to have a good show, despite the challenges that come with working beside husband Matt and wrangling their two children. It’s a job she loves, but winning is fun too, she said. So, when she piloted her and Matt’s homebred, Athenamaninthemoon to the Derby Non-Pro Championship, she couldn’t help but call it a good day.
From the first draw out of 13 finalists, several of which are repeatedly proven performers, Miller and Athenamaninthemoon (Athena Puddy Cat x Carolena Moon x Peptoboonsmal) marked a big 221. The next duo, Ashley Galyean and Sweet Metallic (Metallic Cat x Sweet Abra x Abrakadabracre), wrapped up the Derby Limited Non-Pro title with a 216, worth $1,058, but the third horse came the closest to stealing Miller’s glory.
CTR Smart Jazzy Boon (WR This Cats Smart x Lenaette Jazzy Boon x Peptoboonsmal) carried Kelle Earnheart, of Weatherford, Texas, to a 218.5 for the Reserve Championship and a $7,000 payday. Miller’s score held to the end, earning her a $9,000 check.
Classic Non-Pro
Vespaa and Blakley Colgrove have a reputation – a reputation for being excellent competitors. The polite 13-year-old rider and her grandfather, Joel’s, horse have taken to the Non-Pro arena, where she’s continuing to prove her skill and talent aboard cutting horses.
Blakley Colgrove & VespaaColgrove, of Boligee, Ala., rode Vespaa (CD Olena x My Scooters Smokin x Smart Lil Scoot), bred by Bar H Ranche, to a smokin’ 229 from the next-to-last draw out of 16 horses in the Classic Non-Pro finals on Friday, Sept. 12.
Colgrove pocketed a check for $9,000 after winning the class by a three-point margin. Flash About (Purdy Boy Flash x Play Miss x Playgun) and Kelle Earnheart, of Weatherford, picked up the Reserve title with a 226. The Classic Limited Non-Pro Championship went to finalists Light Of Grace (CD Lights x Graciela Dual x Dual Pep) and Missy Jean Oehlhof, of Bush, La. The duo earned $1,058, in addition to $1,350 from the overall finals after marking a 214.
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