Olive-Martini-CarlyChiarelli-Summer-Spectacular-Limited-Non-Pro-Finals
Carly Chiarelli and Olive Martini marked a 222 to win the 2018 NCHA Summer Spectacular Limited Non-Pro Finals.

Three-peat for NCHA Summer Spectacular Classic/Challenge Limited Non-Pro Champions Carly Chiarelli and Olive Martini!

It has been nine years since Carly Chiarelli, of Poolville, Texas, won the 2009 National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) Classic/Challenge Amateur Championship on Lil Peppys Advantage. Last night when she walked into the arena at the Metallic Cat NCHA Summer Spectacular for the Classic/Challenge Limited Non-Pro finals aboard Olive Martini, her first cow was sitting right out on top, ready to be peeled off and driven up. For the next two minutes, Chiarelli and the 2013 Metallic Cat mare (out of Martinis Miss Peppy x Peppy San Badger) demonstrated their prowess to the judges’ panel, marking a 222 that was unmatched by the remaining 11-horse field.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunities that some really special people have created for me,” Chiarelli said from the winner’s circle. “I’ve been working for Matt Miller since January of last year. He’s taught me everything, from having integrity, to being confident when working a horse, and trusting yourself…”

Once Chiarelli and Olive Martini tied for the lead in the Non-Pro first-go with Magic Metalman and Mandy Chisum, they never let up, holding their position in the second-go and right on through to the finals.

“I’ve been working a lot on just slowing down and driving up my cattle,” she explained. “I’ve had a lot of help from  R.L. Chartier, Matt Miller, Tarin Rice and Casey Green in my pen. They’ve worked on keeping me slowed down, but also still being aggressive and showing my horse. I’m really thankful for all of the advice they have given me because it’s helped immensely. I like a lot of action, and I kick a lot, but when you focus on making it cleaner and in control is when you have the good runs. And it’s starting to feel better for me.”

The demands of everyday life and pursuing an education drew her away from the show pen, but Chiarelli, with Equi-Stat earnings of $275,215, and Olive Martini have returned in 2018 to win The Cattlemen’s 5/6-Year-Old Limited Non-Pro Championship and the Breeder’s Invitational Classic Limited Non-Pro Reserve Championship. They also placed fourth in the 2018 Cattlemen’s 5/6-Year-Old Non-Pro; ninth in the Breeder’s Invitational Classic Non-Pro; fourth in the NCHA Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro; and ninth in the NCHA Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro.

“I just have this incredible horse,” Chiarelli said. “It just feels nice to be showing again; it feels good to be here. And it makes it all more comfortable to walk down and see Megan Miller, who used to showed this mare. She’s like my mother’s sister, and my best friend. I can always trust her with anything, so its makes this easy.”

Olive Martini, who was bred by Greg Coalson of Coalson Acres and previously owned and shown by the Millers, had nearly $86,000 in Equi-Stat earnings to her name before the Summer Spectacular.

“She’s perfect, she’s wild and sassy, and she’s really special to me,” Chiarelli explained.

She couldn’t be happier to be back in the show pen, especially since she’s aboard a mare she knows so well. For all their recent success, Chiarelli’s quick to defer praise to the people who have helped her in the NCHA. And she doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon.

“The plan is to keep doing what I love everyday, with the people that I love around me,” Chiarelli said.

The reserve title went to Gentry Gonsalves aboard the 5-year-old gelding Georgia Bootlegger (Dual Smart Rey x Cats Barmaid Chick x High Brow Cat), who has garnered over $15,000 in earnings for owner Double G Cutting Horses. The team also placed third in the 2018 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro and the Breeder’s Invitational Limited Non-Pro divisions.

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