Metallic Casanova
Metallic Casanova & Clay Volmer • Photo by Primo

Metallic Casanova Charms Judges for Tres Osos Derby Open Title

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, 152 horses and riders went down the fence during the Tres Osos Cow Horse Derby Open, held during the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Kalpowar Quarter Horses Celebration of Champions. From the bottom of set seven, Metallic Casanova, piloted by Clay Volmer, scored a big 223.5, shooting the pair to a composite score of 663 that held through the remaining 15 sets for the Open Championship.

Volmer, who has been training Metallic Casanova since the end of the horse’s 2-year-old year, was elated to finally get a big win for the stallion.

“I thought this horse had a shot to win the [NRCHA Snaffle Bit] Futurity when he was a 3-year-old, and it didn’t work out that night,” Volmer said. “Then, last year he made every major aged event finals. He’s been a great horse. I feel like he’s just matured a lot, and I think he has a bright future.”

Metallic Casanova
Metallic Casanova and Clay Volmer • Photo by Kristin Pitzer

During the Tres Osos Derby, the pair marked a 219.5 in the herd work, then followed that up with a 220 in the rein work. Their cow work score gave them the lead by half a point.

“I feel very confident with him in the herd work,” Volmer said. “He’s extremely strong and fast. In the reining, he did everything he was asked to do. He’s an exceptional reiner. And he loves the fence work, so it makes it fun.”

The 5-year-old roan stallion (Metallic Cat x Dark And Sultry x Spots Hot), who was bred by Kelly Mahler, banked $35,000 for owners Pitzer Ranch/Dack Cattle LLC.

Taking Reserve with a 662.5 ( 221 herd/221.5 rein/ 220 cow) were Stylin Metal (Metallic Cat x Stylin Playgirl x Docs Stylish Oak) and Justin Wright. Stylin Metal, a 5-year-old stallion that was bred by Clint and Debby Matthews, earned his owners, Jim and Linda Schrack, $26,000.