Amateur Champions Jamie Schrack and Goldies Boss ManThe preliminary rounds wrapped up Wednesday, April 1, at the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Stakes, held March 29-April 4 in Las Vegas. The prelims not only determined who will compete in the clean-slate Open and Non-Pro finals on Friday and Saturday, they also crowned champions in four divisions.
Amateur
The Amateur Champion was Jamie Schrack, of Selma, California, riding Goldies Boss Man (CD Lights x Shiners Goldielocks x Shining Spark) to a 634 score (215.5 herd/214 rein/204.5 cow). The Championship paid $1,269 and came with a Gist buckle and C.R. Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA, and a gift certificate from Platinum Performance.
Goldies Boss Man, bred by San Juan Ranch, of Shandon, California, also earned a $1,000 Sire Award check for Winston Hansma and Danny Motes, who own CD Lights and nominated him to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Program.
Level 1 Limited Open
Jason Gay, of Caldwell, Idaho, piloted Remedys Shinin Cash (Very Smart Remedy x Cashs Shining Spark x Shining Spark), bred by Robert and Julie Strenge, of Caldwell, to the Level 1 Limited Open Championship, scoring a 637 (209 herd/211.5/216.5). The Championship paid $4,661 and the duo also advanced to the Limited Open finals.
A Sire Award check for $500 went to Annie Reynolds, who owns Remedys Shinin Cash’s sire and nominated him to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program.
Novice Horse Open
The Novice Horse Open Champion was Smart Crackin Cat (High Brow Cat x Smart Crackin Chic x Smart Chic Olena), a 4-year-old mare shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Corey Cushing for owners Eric and Wendy Dunn, of Norwich, Kansas. Smart Crackin Cat scored a total 652.5 (214 herd/216.5 rein/222 cow), earned $2,970 and took home gift certificates from Farnam and Platinum Performance.
Cushing and the mare, bred by Singleton Ranches, of Lamy, New Mexico, also qualified for the Stakes Open finals.
Non-Pro Limited
In the Non-Pro Limited, the herd work/rein work/boxing division, the Champion was Farrah Roberts McArthur, of Strathmore, Alberta, Canada, who guided Reys Stylish Bell (Dual Rey x Blues Stylish Bell x Docs Stylish Oak) to a 638.5 (213 herd/213.5 rein/212 cow). The Championship paid $1,782 to the 4-year-old gelding, bred by Zoe Compton, of Gonzales, Texas, and came with a Gist buckle and C.R. Morrison Trophy from the NRCHA.
The Non-Pro Limited Sire Award check for $500 went to Linda Holmes, Dual Rey’s owner/nominator.
Open Finalists Determined
Twenty-two Open contestants will advance to the clean-slate Stakes finals on Friday and Saturday. It took a 647.5 score or higher to make the Open finals, and the high score from the preliminaries, a 659 (222 herd/218 rein/219 cow), belonged to Call Me Mitch (Metallic Cat x Miss Hickory Hill x Doc’s Hickory), shown by Paso Robles, California, professional Phillip Ralls.
Ralls and the 4-year-old stallion, owned by Estelle Roitblat, of Santa Ynez, California, won the herd work go-round on their way to the finals.
In the Intermediate Open, 20 horses will advance to the finals, with a minimum 638.5.
In the Limited Open, seven horses with a score of 636.5 or higher will compete for the championship.
Non-Pro Finalists Determined
It took a 631.5 to qualify for the Stakes Non-Pro clean-slate finals. Twelve competitors will advance, led by Oregon horseman Bubba Petty, who topped the prelims riding Pepinics Lil Outlaw (Smart Little Pepinic x Pand Delight x Grays Starlight) to a 651 composite (217 herd/215.5 rein/218.5 cow).
Petty also led the Intermediate Non-Pro division, where eight riders will compete for the championship. In the Novice Non-Pro, six finalists will ride for the title.
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