Step To The Light and trainer Justin Wright (pictured in 2016) won the rein work preliminary round at the 2018 NRCHA Derby in Paso Robles, California. • Photo by Scootemnshootem Photography.

Step To The Light and Wright Shine In NRCHA Derby Prelims

For the second year in a row, Step To The Light (CD Lights x Shinersdiamondjackie x Shining Spark) and Justin Wright topped the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Derby Open rein work preliminary round.

The Santa Maria, California, professional piloted the 2013 stallion to a score of 224 for breeder/owners Mark and Kelly Gowing, Lompoc, California. Last year, the duo finished in a tie for fourth in the 2017 Derby Open, and Wright went on to win the Open Championship with another of his mounts, Lil Bay Hawk (Catty Hawk x Little Gray Freckles x Playgun).

Non-Pro Derby

In the Derby Non-Pro, past champion Hope Miller, Brush Prairie, Washington, rode Sparking Metallic (Metallic Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark) to a 215.5 in the preliminary rein work. She and the mare, a full sister to NRCHA Stakes Open Champion Metallic Train, recently finished ninth in the NRCHA Stakes Non-Pro.

Last year, Miller won a slate of titles at the NRCHA Derby  — the Non-Pro, Non-Pro Intermediate and Novice Non-Pro — with Dare To Sioux (A Shiner Named Sioux x Tari Darlin x Taris Catalyst)

The 2018 Derby action continued in Paso Robles on Tuesday, June 12, with the Open and Non-Pro Limited Derby herd work. The show continues through June 17.

For more news and information from the Western performance horse industry, subscribe to Quarter Horse News.