Everyone has that once in a lifetime horse, and they all hope they’ll find another one when that one’s gone. Hesa Wee Bet is that type of horse and he proved it again when he made Debbie Crafton’s dreams come true all last year, and now as the first ever Worlds Greatest Non-Pro.
On July 29 the pair captured the title of the first ever Worlds Greatest Non-Pro. Parke Greeson was leading the charge on Hesastylin (Mr Playinstylish x Shesalittleredboon x Peptoboonsmal) headed into the fence work-only finals.
The women competing weren’t about to let him take home the first Worlds Greatest Non-Pro title though. In the finals fence work Tylor Todd marked a 223 on Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey on Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey), Morgan Holmes marked a 222 on Monster Truk (Ima Downtown Cat x Gowgirls Gettinitdun x Dun It Big) and finally, Debbie Crafton Marked a 219.5 on Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal x Quejanaisalena) to bring her composite score just a half point above Morgan Holmes. They brought home the trophy and a check for $12,068.
Debbie and Hesa Wee Bet are no strangers to the winners circle. She purchased the 2017 gelding as a 4-year-old, and says she knew immediately that he would be a good fit. She wasn’t wrong, in the past year, the pair took reserve at the Stallion Stakes in the derby, won the Western Derby, took reserve again at the Eastern Derby, and snagged reserve at the Hackamore Classic as well.
“He’s made a lot of dreams come true,” Debbie said, getting teary eyed. “He’s been such a friend and a partner, he’s so special, and he’s truly a two-rein horse.”
That’s the other amazing part about Debbie’s win, it’s her horse’s first year in the bridle, and he can still legally compete in the two-rein. Yet, he made all four events look easy this weekend, in the bridle.
“He’s actually very green out of the box but we ranch on him enough and use him outside so he’s good with the rope. He’s just an amazing minded, sweet fun horse all the way around,” Crafton said.
Debbie wanted to thank EquiStat Elite $1 Million Riders Chris Dawson and Matt Koch, as well as Ashley Deacon and all those who have kept her coached in the right direction and been friends. Above all though, she wanted to thank God.
“Without Him this isn’t possible. I’ve run this deal on faith and he takes care of me every trip,” Debbie said.
The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) created the new class to allow Non-Pro members a chance to compete in a Super Spectacular event (Herd Work, Rein Work, Cow Work, Steer Stopping) just as open riders do during the Worlds Greatest Horseman at the NRCHA World Championship show. It made a successful addition to the Mars Equestrian Hackamore Classic presented by Oswood Stallion Station and saw 23 entries in the inaugural year.
