CDChicRule

First Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby Champions Crowned

CDChicRuleLevel 1 Limited Open Champions CD Chic Rule & Tucker Clark • Photo by Primo MoralesSunday, Feb. 15, was day three of competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Celebration of Champions in Fort Worth, Texas. The action at the Will Rogers Equestrian Center included the cow work in the Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby, where finalists were determined for Monday’s cow work-only finals and the first four champions were crowned.

The Level 1 Limited Open Champion was determined by Sunday’s preliminary action – and it was CD Chic Rule (CD Lights x Truckin Chics Rule x NMSU Truckin Chex) who took home the win. Tucker Clark showed the 5-year-old mare for her owner, NRCHA Breeder Sponsor Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch.

Clark guided CD Chic Rule to a 419.5 (142.5 herd/137 rein/140 cow), earning $1,799. The win also came with a Gist buckle and a monogrammed jacket from Aaron Ranch.

Novice Horse Open

The Novice Horse Open division was established for horses with less than $5,000 in limited-age event money to have an opportunity to earn a nice paycheck. The preliminary scores determined the winner in Fort Worth, and at the top of the class was Very Bright (Very Smart Remedy x Shiners Miss Hickory x Shining Spark), shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing for owner Beverly Vaughn.

Cushing guided Very Bright to a 435.5 (143.5 herd/146 rein/146 cow), earning $2,214 and taking home a Gist buckle and monogrammed jacket from Aaron Ranch. Very Bright also has a berth in the Derby Open finals on Monday.

Amateur

The preliminary round also determined the Amateur Champion, where Danny Rumph, of Hempstead, Texas, won his first NRCHA Premier Event title when he guided CD Shining Lights (CD Lights x Miss Smart And Sweet x Smart Shiner) to a total 411.5, winning $840.

CD Shining Lights is a 4-year-old gelding bred by Rumph and his wife, Sherri, who own and operate Cryin Coyote Ranch. The Aaron Ranch Derby Amateur Championship also came with a custom Gist buckle and a monogrammed jacket sponsored by Aaron Ranch.

Non-Pro Limited

Another CD Lights-sired horse, Under Lights (out of Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark) carried his owner to a title in the Aaron Ranch Cow Horse Classic Derby. Erin Russell guided her 4-year-old Carol Rose-bred gelding to a 431 composite, winning $1,064, a Gist buckle and a monogrammed jacket from Aaron Ranch.

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