The Breeder’s Invitational (BI) has been underway for more than a week, and on May 20, five action-packed finals brought excitement to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the Derby Unlimited Amateur finals, an impressive group came out to showcase their abilities, but only one duo came out on top.
As the second draw, Kadie Weeks Hermes and Reytalic (Metallic Cat x Reyling x Dual Rey) marked a solid 218, and that score held the high score until the end.
The Championship was worth $7,391, which pushed Weeks Hermes, of Cutulla, Texas, to an Equi-Stat record of more than $25,000. The gelding, who has been shown exclusively by Equi-Stat Elite $1 Million Rider Clay Johnson before the BI, now boasts lifetime earnings of $22,469.
The 4-year-old gelding is owned by Curtis and Brenda Weeks, of Cresson, Texas, and was bred by Linda Holmes, of Longmont, Colorado.
Hardy Rogers and Bet Hesa Baygun (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Bay Gun x Playgun) picked up the Reserve Championship and $6,202 after marking a 216.
Derby Amateur
It has been said that the best is saved for last, but in the Derby Amateur finals, German Lugo and Ichi Bitsy Rider proved that theory wrong. As the first draw, the pair set the bar high with a 219, and those marked proved to be impossible to top.
Lugo and Ichi Bitsy Rider (Cat Ichi x Lenas Low Rider x Smart Little Lena) collected $7,016 for the title. Lugo, of Gainesville, Texas, had his lifetime earnings elevated to more than $70,000. The mare now boasts an Equi-Stat record of $42,264.
Lugo and the mare have already established themselves as a solid pair in the show pen. They made the finals of both the Unlimited Amateur and Amateur at the 2016 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Futurity, and they went on to become finalist in those two divisions at the 2017 NCHA Super Stakes, as well.
Ichi Bitsy Rider is owned by Lugo, of Gainesville, and was bred by Bettina Jary-Mathis, of Dripping Springs, Texas.
Colby Lane Perry and Rodger Rabbit (Cats Full Moon x Senoritas Bunny x Senoritas Playboy) marked a 216 for the Reserve Championship, worth $5,619.
Classic/Challenge Non-Pro
In the Classic/Challenge Non-Pro finals, 15 stellar combinations vied for top honors, but it was 2015 Arbuckle Mountain Futurity Derby Non-Pro Champions Bill Cowan and 6-year-old homebred mare Billies Catty (Catty Hawk x Linnie Bonnie Blue x Mecom Blue).
The pair marked smoking 222 for the Championship, worth a hefty $14,670. That win was especially meaningful for the mare, because it pushed her passed the $150,000 milestone in lifetime earnings. Cowan was brought to an Equi-Stat record just shy of $900,000.
Ty Moore and 4-year-old mare Set Fire To The Reyn (Dual Rey x Sheza Smart Cat x High Brow Cat) marked a 220 for the Reserve Championship and $12,222.
Classic/Challenge Unlimited Amateur
Katherine Van Boekel and Wendels Little Missy finished in the middle of the bunch during the first go-round of the Classic/Challenge Unlimited Amateur. But as the first draw of the finals, the pair made it known that they meant business.
They marked a solid 222 right out of the gates, and those marks were unbeatable. The Championship brought a paycheck of $10,042. That pushed Van Boekel to a record of $66,618. Wendels Little Missy (High Brow CD x Justa Lil Freak x Bobs Freckle) now has an Equi-Stat record of more than $115,000.
Lica Pinkston and Stylish Metallic Cat (Metallic Cat x Stylish Lil Player x Playin Stylish) took home Reserve honors and $8,772 after earnings a 218.
Classic/Challenge Amateur
Madison Crum and Metallictoy (Metallic Cat x Smartlittlelenastoy x Smart Little Lena) took home the Classic Amateur Championship at the Cattleman’s Derby & Classic in March, and they kept the momentum going at the BI.
During the Classic/Challenge Amateur finals, the pair marked a 219 to add another Championship to their record.
The title was worth $9,788, which pushed the Banawien Ranch-bred mare to lifetime earnings of $82,525. Crum, of Weatherford, Texas, has an Equi-Stat record of more than $52,000.
Katherine Van Boekel and Wendels Little Missy marked a 218.5 for the Reserve title and $8,276.
For complete coverage of the Breeder’s Invitational, subscribe to Quarter Horse News.
