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* Photo by Primo Morales

17-Year-Old Landon Luce Wins NRCHA Stallion Stakes Amateur

It was no April Fools’ for 17-year-old Landon Luce on Thursday, April 1, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The young man from Cathlamath, Washington, and his 2016 mare Time To Lay It Down topped the field in the 2021 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Amateur Championship. 

It was their first premier event title, thanks to a winning composite of 645 (212 herd/215.5 rein/ 217.5 cow). Their score , outpaced the reserve champions by 7.5 points, and was also high enough to secure a spot in the Non-Pro finals on Sat., April 3. 

“She is amazing; she can do it all! I am super excited to show her in the finals here and show what she can do,” Luce said. “She is just an awesome mare, a blast to ride, easy going and has a really good mind set. I can’t say enough about her. Kitty takes care of me.”

Trainer Trent Pederson helped Landon get together with “Kitty,” after Andrea Luce purchased the mare (One Time Pepto x Katies Kitty x High Brow Cat) at the 2020 Derby through Andy Kurtz.

Landon previously earned $3,376.75 in NRCHA and with this win, adds $1,296. For the win, Landon takes home a Gist buckle, a one-ear headstall with rawhide and silver buckles from Dennis Moreland Tack, a Platinum Performance gift certificate, and an UltraCruz Prize Pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health.

As Time To Lay It Down’s sire, One Time Pepto receives $1,000 Sire Award. 

Bred by Newt White, of Sante Fe, New Mexico, Time To Lay It Down comes from the family of NRCHA Hall of Fame Horse Katie Starlight. The sorrel mare, who is Time To Lay It Down’s second dam, was the first ever winner of the World’s Greatest Horseman competition and went on to produce more than $444,000 in offspring earnings.

NRCHA Stallion Stakes Amateur Reserve Champions

Amateur Reserve Champions Justine Munns and her 2017 stallion The Lena Look (Light N Lena x Look The Look x High Brow Cat) had a stellar performance at the Stallion Stakes. Their composite 637.5 earned $1,036.80, and was the high herd score for the Novice Non-Pro, earning $70.15, and in the Amateur, earning another $80. Prizes include a $300 Farnam gift certificate, a pair of DyNo Turn Fleece Bell Boots from the NRCHA and an UltraCruz prize pack from Santa Cruz Animal Health. 

Bred by Barrinha LLC, of Weatherford, Texas, The Lena Look hails from the female family of the great mare, The Smart Look. He is a half brother to the winners of more than $313,000, including National Cutting Horse Association Non-Pro Triple Crown Winner and Non-Pro Horse of the Year Watch Me Whip ($186,818, by Playgun).