An emotional Katherine DeHaan led Shiners Lil Nickle to the photographer’s backdrop following their National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Intermediate Non-Pro Bridle World Championship victory. They were there to have their awards photo taken, but before any photos were taken —the horse’s breeder, Michelle Cannon, went to get some cookie treats for the buckskin stallion to enjoy.
DeHaan and Cannon were both teary-eyed and ecstatic as they hugged on the 9-year-old stallion, whose barn name is “Peso.”
“He’s a stallion, as you can see, but he’s just always so kind and so willing,” DeHaan said of Peso. “He always gives 100 % in everything he does and, as you can see, he’s just pretty special to us!”
Heart & Grit
DeHaan, of Caldwell, Idaho, said she felt totally confident as she rode Peso into the show pen for the work.
“He is such a good show horse, he goes right to work the minute we get in the pen,” she said. “It was a run-in pattern and we went just about full speed as soon as we came through the gate and I just said, ‘whoa,’ and when he slid [to a stop] I knew right then that we had [a good chance to win]. He just felt me the whole way through and was just right there the whole time.
“He’s just everything I could ask for. He has so much heart and grit and is just always there [for her]. I’m very lucky to have him.
Peso (Shiners Nickle x Lil Lena Long Legs x Smart Little Lena) and DeHaan scored a 432 (214.5 rein/ 217.5 cow) in the finals to win the World title and a $3,438 check. This marked the second NRCHA World Championship title for DeHaan, who won the Novice Non-Pro Bridle World Championship in 2018 riding Mizzen Starbuck (Smart Starbuck x Mizzen Shine x Shining Spark).
Finding Peso
DeHaan purchased Peso from her breeder in October of 2018 — just before the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. However, her occupation as an equine veterinarian doesn’t allow her time enough to ride too many horses, she said.
“I usually just ride a couple,” DeHaan said. “I’m lucky that I have some really broke bridle horses — that’s how I can make it happen. Peso doesn’t require anything but exercise. He’s really trained.”
Zane Davis started and trained the stallion and during his 3-year-old year, and in Open competition with the stallion placed third in the National Stock Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, tied for sixth place in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity and placed seventh in the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Open.
Later, Clayton Edsall showed the horse during his 4 and 5-year-old years. Peso had an Equi-Stat record totaling $79,375 the end of 2019.
DeHaan has ridden with trainer Dan Roeser for about a year, she said.
“He has really given me a lot of confidence on [Peso],” DeHaan said. “He [Peso] is a much better horse than I’d ever ridden before, so as you can see, Dan has really helped me.”
Accomplished Family
Peso is the second-leading earner for his sire, the late Shiners Nickle — a buckskin stallion who earned $107,000. As a sire, Shiners Nickle sired 11 money earners who have earned $212,233, for an average of $19,294.
The leading earner for Shiner’s Nickle is Shiney Outlaw, who also won a title at the 2020 NRCHA Celebration of Champions. The horse out of Mereyda (by Dual Rey) and Jay McLaughlin were the Open Bridle Champions.
Peso’s dam is millionaire producer Lil Lena Long Legs, a daughter of Smart Little Lena who earned $198,977 and whose 17 performers have banked $1,089,637. Her leading earner, Sir Long Legs, has an Equi-Stat record of more than $371,963 and last month won The 41 Open title at the Augusta Futurity.
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