littlemak jonburgess

Littlemak Wins John Deere Open Title

littlemak jonburgessLittlemak & Jon BurgessThe Lucas Oil National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Super Stakes saw a packed schedule on Sunday, April 8, in Fort Worth, Texas, where day two of the Open second go-round wrapped up, followed by the John Deere Open finals. Twenty horses and their limited riders made the cut with a composite score of 426.5 or more to qualify for the finals.

In the first bunch, Aristocratic Star and Greg Wright marked a 219 from the third hole, a score that proved tough to match for most other horses and riders. That is, until 2015 NCHA Super Stakes Classic John Deere Open Champion Jon Burgess rode Littlemak into the arena from the eighth draw and scored a 219.5, which ultimately held for the Championship. Burgess said it felt “awesome” to win, especially after a difficult cow nearly took them out during their run.

“The third cut just about messed it up,” Burgess, of Cleburne, Texas, said. “She [the cow] was extremely rank. She scared the bejeezus out of me and everyone else in here!”

But Littlemak was able to hold the cow, and the judges rewarded him with his first limited-age paycheck. The gelding (Starlights Gypsy x Justa Swinging Gal x Justa Swinging Peppy) picked up $5,995 for owner Steve Anderson, of Victoria, Texas.

Wright, who won the 2015 NCHA Super Stakes John Deere Open Championship with Stars Freckled Girl, and Aristocratic Star brought home the Reserve Championship, worth $5,378, to Star C Land and Cattle in Oklahoma City. The mare (High Brow Cat x Aristocratic Cookie x Smart Aristocrat) was bred by Stephenville, Texas-based Debbie Patterson.

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