Blake Heid & Stylindipity • Photo by Hart Photos

Blake Heid Rides to Stylish Victory at NCHA Eastern Nationals

Blake Heid first showed Stylindipity, bred by Peter and Nora Stent, at the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Eastern Nationals last year and made the top 10 in the Youth. This year, he and the mare placed first in the $2,000 Limit Rider when they marked a 220 to win $5,594.

“This Eastern title is the biggest one I’ve got yet – it’s pretty awesome,” said Heid, 14. “She’s been a great mare all year. We had three good cows cut, and I was happy that I didn’t have to cut shape. I’ve been going over to Tommy Dvorack’s during the week to work. He’s been hauling with us all year, and he’s been a great help.”

This is Heid’s fourth year to cut but only his second to do so seriously. He got involved in cutting through his neighbors.

“I just went over and started visiting with them. They showed me how to cut and I got going from there,” said Heid, of Fort Worth, Texas. “I had a horse that was alright, but when I got this mare, that’s when I really started showing. She’s a little different. She’s not a love bug – you just get her out of the stall, warm her up and she does her job.”

While Heid said the 220 he marked at the Eastern Nationals was “pretty cool,” in 2017 at the Waco Futurity, he and Stylindipity (Docs Stylish Oak x Miss Shorty Lena x Shorty Lena) marked a 226 to win the $50,000 Amateur.

“The 226 was cool, but the 220 was still an adrenaline rush,” he said. “I was first in the set which makes it hard because you’ve got to have the best run you can and hope that no one beats you.”

For Heid, cutting isn’t just about the adrenaline rush. It also provides a venue to hang out with friends.

“I like that I can go in, show my horse and win some money and go have fun with my friends,” said Heid, who hauls with Charles Russell Bushaw, his good friend from the Weatherford Christian School in Texas. “I’ve got to keep my grades up to be able to go to every show, or else I have to do homework at the shows, and that’s not fun.”

Heid thanked his mom, Kelly, and dad, Mike, his help and the people who’ve been cheering him on.

Mary Michael Britt rode James Johnson-bred Dontreynonmyparadesf (Reys Dual Badger x Hollys Holy Cash x Cash Quixote Rio), owned by Jason Britt, of Seven Springs, North Carolina, to a score of 215 to be the Reserve Champion. She earned $4,482.