Matt MillerDuring The Ike Derby and Classic, held Jan. 31-Feb. 7 in West Monroe, Louisiana, 144 horse-and-rider teams competed for the Championship in the 4-Year-Old Open. In the finals, it was Matt Miller and Sweet Lil Amanda who topped the competition with a 4-point lead.

In the first go-round of the 4-Year-Old Open, Miller and Sweet Lil Amanda (High Brow CD x Amanda Stargun x Playgun), bred by Sunrise Ranch, were the first to enter the arena in the seventh set of cattle. The duo left nothing to chance and marked a 220, advancing to the second go-round, where they marked a 215. Their composite score of 435 was enough to move them into the finals.

Entering the finals as the ninth draw out of 31 horse-and-rider teams, Miller and Sweet Lil Amanda, owned by Chris and Tracy Brengard, of Paragould, Arkansas, knew they had to mark a score higher than 217 to beat Michael Cooper and Its Classified, but they wanted to win. Miller piloted Sweet Lil Amanda to mark a sweet 225, and took the lead and the Championship worth $21,000.

Casey Green rode Cat N Corn (High Brow Cat x Bobcorn x Bob Acre Doc) to mark a 221, earning the Reserve title and a paycheck worth $18,000 for owners Dan and Karen Hansen, of Weatherford, Texas.

5/6-Year-Old Open

After receiving and accepting an invitation to the Markel American Quarter Horse Association Cowtown Showdown, Lloyd Cox and RW Rockin headed to West Monroe to bring home a Championship.

There were 21 horse-and-rider teams competing in the 5/6-Year-Old Open finals at The Ike, and it was evident that Cox and RW Rockin did not come to play. The duo entered the finals as the fifth draw and left the arena with a high score of 224.

In the first go-round, the duo drew 15th out of the 102-horse class. Cox piloted RW Rockin (Dual Rey x Boon San Kitty x High Brow Cat) to a 219 to advance. In the second go-round, they marked a 216.5 and received a composite 435.5, which secured them a spot in the finals. 

In the finals, the duo gave it their all, earning them the 5/6-Year-Old Open Championship and a $19,000 paycheck for owner Monty Johnson, of Amarillo, Texas.

Earning the Reserve title was James Payne aboard Peptotoodie (Peptotime x Too Smart Toodie x Smart Mate). The duo marked a 221.5, taking home a $16,000 paycheck for owner Bill Masterson, of Guthrie, Texas.

For complete coverage of The Ike Derby and Classic, subscribe to Quarter Horse News.