On Tuesday, which proved to be a full day of competition at the Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC), 177 exhibitors took aim at prestigious titles in a slate of six different Non Pro divisions.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan^® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Awards through 10th place are presented in all NAAC divisions, so those riders who haven’t picked up prizes yet are reminded to stop by the awards room.

Allana “Alli” Vernon Wins Adequan^® NAAC Non Pro

Tuesday was fortuitous for Ashland, Wisconsin non professional Alli Vernon who earned the NAAC Non Pro title in Adequan^® arena. Vernon teamed up with her family’s home-raised 2015 gelding Gunnersrufride for an impressive 226 to earn $4,967.

Gunnersrufride, owned and bred by White River Ag Products, Inc., is by Gunners Special Nite, unofficially the NRHA’s newest Four Million Dollar Sire, and out of Lil Ruf Showgirl.

Making the victory particularly sweet for Vernon is the fact that more than a decade ago she showed Gunnersrufride’s dam here in Oklahoma City.

“I actually showed this guy’s mom here 11 years ago when I was a youth rider,” she said. “He was born and raised on our farm. Tom McCutcheon started him and rode him as a 3- and 4-year-old, then I took him over this year. It’s been a really fun year with him so far. I’m really excited for next year.”

Vernon and Gunnersrufride achieved a smooth enough ride to be rewarded with excellent scores from the judges.

“He can turn really big and he can circle good. We’d been having a little trouble getting stopped this week, but he stopped really good today, so it was all in all a really fun ride,” Vernon said.

“I have a lot of people to thank, including Tom McCutcheon who started him. He did an amazing job on him. I want to thank my dad, Richard Vernon, and my uncles for breeding our mare and making this awesome baby. We’ve had some great luck with our babies this year. My trainers, Tanner and Christina Boyes, they took him over after Tom and got him more set to be a non pro horse,” Vernon added.

The NAAC Non Pro champion was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Ruben Pacheco Cuevas Wins Adequan^® NAAC Int. Non Pro on Sofisat

With an impressive score of 223, Ruben Pacheco Cuevas and Sofisat clinched the Adequan® NAAC Intermediate Non Pro championship. It was a goal for Cuevas, who is a former NAAC Champion.

Cuevas was representing the Mexico Region, while his mare, Sofisat, was bred and raised in Europe. “She’s from Europe and was a finalist in the European Futurity,” he shared. “We have won a couple championships, and decided to bring her here to show in the North American Affiliate Championships. That was our goal.”

Sofisat is by Saturdaynight Custom and out of Sofia Catalyst. Cuevas and the 9-year-old mare competed the day before in the Novice Horse Non Pro class. “We had a big penalty there, so today we made it up and fixed it. She was perfect today,” he said. “I have been coming to this show for 10 years or more. This is a really tough show. There are the best riders from North America and the world that compete here.”

Cuevas noted how happy he was to be able to compete in Oklahoma City. “I thank God that we are healthy during this event. I thank my family, and my wife, and my team here,” he said.

In addition to a big check for $3,284, Cuevas will be taking home a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Jose Vasquez Wins NAAC Prime Time Non Pro on Like Shiner

Jose Vasquez from Markham, Illinois, rode home raised Like Shiner, owned by Smart Like Juice, Inc., to a 224.5 to top the NAAC Prime Time Non Pro in Adequan^® Arena. Vasquez not only won the NAAC Prime Time, but third in the NAAC Non Pro as well. All totaled, Vasquez won $4,115.

Like Shiner is by NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire Smart Like Juice out of Wind Her Up Shiner.

“I used to show her mother, her father and all her siblings,” Vasquez said. “There are 22 of them that are old enough to show out of the same mare and they’ve all won money. They’ve won close to $900,000, so that’s a pretty good family I’d say.”

Vasquez says that Like Shiner shares the desirable traits characteristic of her lineage.
“They’re very simple, very talented and they all have longevity in the show pen. Like Shiner is 8 years old and I’ve shown her hard, she’s won more than $150,000 already,” adding that he was proud to see his score hold for the duration of the show. “I was the third horse in the pen this morning and it held. I was very fortunate and I’m very proud, it’s one of the best runs I’ve ever had on her score-wise. She can plus-1 any maneuver.”

So many individuals have helped Vasquez over the years that he says it would be impossible to recognize them all, but he expressed appreciation for his current trainer, Alejandro Vasquez, who has been with him for the past six years and started Like Shiner.

As NAAC Prime Time Non Pro champion Vasquez was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Over the past three days of competition, the top 3-year-old reining horses and their riders from across the country have vied for a spot in the finals of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity. With the conclusion of Tuesday’s preliminary round, most of the field is set for the CINCH Non Pro Futurity finals, which will be held on Friday, December 4.

Securing the preliminary high score for the Level (L) 4 and L3 CINCH Non Pro Futurity was Tish Fappani and Joes Genes with a 220. Joes Genes, owned and nominated by Tish and her husband Andrea Fappani, is by Lil Joe Cash and out of Electric Genes. In her short career, the mare has accumulated earnings exceeding $24,000, thanks to wins at the Friends of Reining Futurity and the SmartPak Non Pro Futurity at the National Reining Breeders Classic.

George Lawrence rode Shes Big Timin, owned by Lawrence Ranch, to top the L2 with a 218. Shes Big Timin, by Wimpys Littlecolonel and out of Plus Her Big Time, was nominated by Tami Nelson.

Hannah Mitchell held on the L1 high score with a 217.5. Mitchell rode Stars N Stripes, owned and nominated by Steven Mitchell, is by Star Spangled Whiz and out of Chick N Squirt.

Kathy Thompson and Savethlastdanceforme topped the Non Pro Prime Time with a 218.5 (includes handicap). Savethlastdanceforme is by In Like Flinn and out of ARC Gunna Mark Ya, and was nominated by Neiberger Performance Horses.

Ariana Kate Dejong leads the field of Non Pro Youth riders with Whizkey Or What. Dejong and Whizkey Or What, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds out of Crunchy Or Creamy, marked a 217. Her gelding was nominated by Rhodes River Ranch.

To secure a spot in the CINCH L4 Non Pro Futurity, it took a score of 214.5, while a 212 was the magic number for the L3. Riders with a 211 or higher earned a place in the L2, as did those in the L1 with a 209 or higher. The bubble for the Prime Time is a 207 (including handicap), while the one for the Youth is 207.5.

For those not advancing directly to the finals from the first go, hope is still alive. That’s because of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity Consolation Round on Wednesday morning. The next 30 horses (plus ties) in the L4, next 12 in the L3, and next 10 in L1 and L2, will compete for a spot in the finals. The top five in each of the four Levels will earn a spot in Friday’s finals.

Vandorp and Route Sixty 6 Lead L3 Semi-Finals and Composite

Ruben Vandorp and Route Sixty 6 continue to hold the lead of both the L3 Semi-Finals and composite. Their score of 220 leads the semi-finals, giving them a solid 436 composite. Route Sixty 6, by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Fille Code, is owned and nominated by Heather Weisz.

Topping the L2 composite and tied for the high score of the L2 Semi-Finals high score is Dakin Allred and Blueeyed Cashmachine. The pair marked a 214.5 in the first round, and came back to mark an impressive 219 in the semi-finals to steal the composite lead with a 433.5. Blueeyed Cashmachine, by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Gun and out of Nu Magic Cash, is owned and was nominated by Misty Valley Performance Horses.

Tied for first in L2 of the semi-finals and second in the composite is Stefano Calcagnini riding PL Trashyasparkler to a 219, which contributed to their 432.5 composite. PL Trashyasparkler, owned and nominated by Luigi Parise, is by Guns R For Shootin and out of Whiskeynrhinestones.

Josh Lyons and his horse CCR Marilyns Joe hold down the top spot the L1 composite rankings with a 433. CCR Marilyns Joe, by Lil Joe Cash and out of Magnum Marilynmonroe, was nominated by Center Cross Ranch LLC. Lyons and CCR Marilyns Joe scored a 216 in the first go, and followed that with a 217 in the Semi-Finals.

Currently leading the Prime Time Open composite is Todd Crawford and Xtra Wimp It Good with a 436.5. Crawford and Xtra Wimp It Good, by NRHA Eleven Million Dollar Sire Wimpys Little Step and out of Lovin Me Good, were consistent with a 218 and a 218.5 (scores include handicaps) in the first two rounds of competition. Xtra Wimp It Good, nominated by Silver Spurs Equine, is owned by Adalberto Gonzales.

The finalists for all Levels of the Open will be decided during Wednesday’s Level 4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All & Tamarack Ranch. The 79 L4 entries are all competing for a spot in Saturday night’s MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Futurity Finals, where the champion will, for the first time in history, receive a check for $250,000. That’s thanks to the incredible generosity and support of members of the Futurity Challenge, who worked to increase the payout for the event. In addition to the Open Champion’s big check, the CINCH Non Pro L4 Futurity Champion is guaranteed $60,000, and the added money for the Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships was doubled from the previous year.

Draws for both the Open and CINCH Non Pro Futurity Finals will be decided Thursday morning at 10 a.m. during the Platinum Performance Virtual Draw Party.

Some of the best reining competition in the nation once again took place today in Adequan^® Arena at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. Prestigious titles were on the line as action continued at the Adequan^® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC).

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan^® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Awards through 10th place are presented in all NAAC divisions, so those riders who haven’t picked up prizes yet are reminded to stop by the awards room to collect the goods.

Jennifer Gilliam & Magnatize Win Adequan^® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2

Jennifer Gilliam traveled from her northern California home in the town of Pine Grove to dominate the NAAC and ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2.

Gilliam and Magnatize put up a 219.5 for first in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2, which paid $2,232, as well as first in the ancillary to add $1,007 to the day’s earnings. Magnatize is by NRHA Six Million Dollar Sire Magnum Chic Dream and out of the mare Dunit N Continental.

“We bought him here as a 3-year-old, so two years ago. I’ve shown in some derby stuff and he’s been a wonderful horse,” Gilliam said.

Gilliam thanked her trainer Jordan McBurney for the time she invests in helping her achieve her goals, and also thanked her mother Janiene Borror.

“He actually belongs to my mom. She has been super busy so she hasn’t been able to show him. She lets me show him, so big thanks to my mom as well,” Gilliam said.

When considering the many challenges that 2020 has presented, Gilliam is grateful for the opportunity to compete here in Oklahoma City.

“I’m really excited that the show actually happened. We came early, my husband drove me out and we’ve been here for two weeks. I’m really excited to be here. I was just happy to make the long trip and have some success because this is a really tough show. I think this is the best run I’ve ever had on him.”

The NAAC Novice Non Pro Level 2 champion was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Kyla Thurlow & Double Guns Tonite Win Adequan^® NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1

Dominant is the appropriate adjective to describe Kyla Thurlow’s performance in the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 and concurrently run NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1. Thurlow, who originally hails from Maine, traveled from her current home in Massachusetts to compete. To add to her travel schedule, Thurlow’s horses reside in Florida.

Thurlow and her horse Double Guns Tonite, by Top Gun Tonite out of Gunners Dazey, scored a 216.5 to earn the NAAC Novice Horse Non Pro Level 1 title and $1,064. Their performance earned the ancillary championship for another $822.

Double Guns Tonite was acquired by Thurlow during last year’s NRHA Futurity.

“I haven’t really gotten much ride time on her with all my traveling and with everything that’s been going on, but we’re figuring each other out slowly. She was wonderful today,” Thurlow said. “She was really listening. She is very sensitive. She can really run and stop huge and she did that today.”

Thurlow was also reserve in both divisions with a 215 aboard Kachina Olena Tag for another $1,323. Kachina Olena Tag is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Whiz N Tag Chex out of Kachina Oak Olena. Thurlow was happy to show both of her horses to the top of both Level 1 classes.

“Anytime you’re able to go to a horse show this year you feel blessed to be here for sure,” Thurlow said. “It’s wonderful that this show has gone through thanks to everyone banding together.”

Thurlow had high praise for her team of supporters, which includes her boyfriend Steven Borgia who found her winning mount for her, as well as her trainers Mark and Shannon Rafacz and their daughter Madison.

“I have a huge team. My mom and dad are my biggest supporters, they’re watching from home and I wish everyone could be here, but I appreciate them all so much,” she said.

As NAAC Limited Non Pro Level 1 champion Thurlow was awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Jessicah Keller Wins NRHA Nov. Horse Non Pro Level 3 on Its Snippin Time

Jessicah Keller and Its Snippin Time had put together a great start to their run in the Novice Horse Non Pro class in the Adequan^® Arena, executing a flawless run-in stop and an impressive turn. Then, the unexpected happened. “Before I loped off the alarm started going off. The judges were still in their stands, so I ran my circles, changed leads, and got through my first stop and rollback, but then they announced they were evacuating the building,” she shared.

A half-hour later, after the all clear, Keller and Its Snippin Time made their second attempt, and made it count. “She was great the second time too,” Keller said. The pair marked a 217 to not only win the NRHA Novice Horse Non Pro Level 3 but also take reserve in both the NAAC and NRHA Level 2. All totaled, Keller won $2,579.

Its Snippin Time, by Shine Big Time out of Snip O Satellite, is extra special to Keller. The mare is owned by Keller’s mother, Tammye Hutton of Hilldale Farm, the NRHA’s newest Million Dollar Owner. “We raised her, and we raised – and I showed – her mother,” Kelller explained. “This mare, Its Snippin Time, is actually the one that put our program across the million-dollar mark. It was a goal of mine for us to reach that this year, and then COVID hit and there weren’t as many horse shows. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it, but here we are.”

Keller noted she had several people to thank. “I thank Todd Sommers, who has been helping me with this mare. He has done a great job and is a good mentor and friend. I thank my mom, my brother and sister, and the great team I have behind me,” she said.

With five days of competition completed at State Fair Park, the finalists for the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity are closer to being determined. On Monday, November 30, the first section of the Open semi-finals was held, followed by the second section of the first go of the CINCH Non Pro Futurity.

With the first day of the semi-finals for Levels (L) 1, 2, and 3 of the Open Futurity in the books, the field of potential finalists is narrowing. The top 30 composite scores from the go-round and semi-finals, including ties, will advance to the clean-slate Finals on Saturday, December 5.

After the first day of semi-finals competition, Ruben Vandorp and Route Sixty 6 hold the top spot of the L3 Open with a 436 composite. Their score of 220 leads the semi-finals. Route Sixty 6, by Inferno Sixty Six and out of Fille Code, is owned and nominated by Heather Weisz.

Sitting first in L2 of the semi-finals and second in the composite is Stefano Calcagnini riding PL Trashyasparkler to a 219, which contributed to their 432.5 composite. PL Trashyasparkler, owned and nominated by Luigi Parise, is by Guns R For Shootin and out of Whiskeynrhinestones.

Josh Lyons and his horse CCR Marilyns Joe hold down the top spot in both the L2 and L1 composite rankings with a 433. CCR Marilyns Joe, by Lil Joe Cash and out of Magnum Marilynmonroe, was nominated by Center Cross Ranch LLC.

Mandy Faust rode CSR Just By Chance to a 217.5 to lead the L1 semi-finals. Sired by HF Mobster and out of Simply Paris, CSR Just By Chance is owned by Heritage Farms and nominated by Cutting S Ranch.

The high score of today’s Prime Time Open was a 218 (with handicap), which was posted by Michael McEntire riding Alpha Wimpy Walla. Alpha Wimpy Walla, by Wimpy Chic and out of Walla Whizinicki, is owned by Thales Rocha Bordignon and was nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses. This team also leads the Prime Time composite with a 435.5.

On Wednesday, December 2 the L4 Open semi-finals qualifiers will compete. The top 30, plus ties, from the L4 Open Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All and Tamarack Ranch earn a berth to the MS Diamonds TX L4 Open Finals where, for the first time in NRHA history, the champion will receive a check for $250,000.

Schumacher Leads CINCH NRHA Non Pro Level 4 Futurity Preliminary Round
The NRHA CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminary round continued Monday with section two. The preliminary round is spread across three days of competition, with all entrants vying for a spot in the clean-slate finals on Friday, December 4.

Currently leading the L4 Non Pro preliminaries is Gina-Maria Schumacher and CS Tosmarttoberuff with a 219.5. Owned and nominated by XCS Ranch, CS Tosmarttoberuff is by Not Ruf At All and out of Smartest Sister.

Two teams currently share the top spot of the L3 leaderboard with identical scores of 218. Kelsey Price and Alpha Onespecialnite, owned by Kelsey and Kole Price, scored a 218. Alpha Onespecialnite is by Gunners Special Nite, a stallion that is unofficially the newest NRHA Four Million Dollar Sire, and out of One Last Corona. The gelding was nominated by Alpha Quarter Horses

George Lawrence rode Shes Big Timin, owned by Lawrence Ranch, to tie the L3 lead with a 218. Shes Big Timin is by Wimpys Littlecolonel and out of Plus Her Big Time. Lawrence also tops the L2 on the mare nominated by Tami Nelson.

Holding on to the high score of L1 is Hannah Mitchell. Mitchell rode Stars N Stripes, owned and nominated by Steven Mitchell, to a score of 217.5. Stars N Stripes is by Star Spangled Whiz and out of Chick N Squirt.

Kathy Thompson and Savethlastdanceforme hold on to the top spot of the Non Pro Prime Time with a 218.5 (includes handicap). Savethlastdanceforme is by In Like Flinn and out of ARC Gunna Mark Ya and was nominated by Neiberger Performance Horses.

Leading the field of youth competitors is Ariana Kate Dejong and her horse Whizkey Or What. Dejong and Whizkey Or What, by NRHA Million Dollar Sire Whizkey N Diamonds out of Crunchy Or Creamy, marked a 217. Her gelding was nominated by Rhodes River Ranch.

The CINCH Non Pro Futurity preliminaries continue through Tuesday, with the top 25 in Levels 1-4, as well as the top 20 in Prime Time and 10 in Youth, earning a spot in Friday’s finals. Those not making the finals in Levels 1-4 will have one more shot to make the finals during Wednesday’s Non Pro Futurity Consolation. The top 5 from each level will then advance to Friday’s finals.
For complete results, visit NRHAFuturity.com

 

It was another full day of competition in the Adequan® Arena at the State Fair Park in Oklahoma City. The Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) awards some of the most prestigious titles a reiner can win outside of aged event competition. With horses and riders from across North America traveling to the Sooner State, the competition is fierce.

In addition to incredible prizes from NRHA Corporate Partners, the champion of each of the 17 NAAC classes will be presented an Adequan® Championship vest the following day in the Jim Norick Coliseum as a show of support for these successful affiliate riders.

Mike McEntire & Cosmic Vintage Tie for Win of Adequan® NAAC Nov. Horse Open L2

Mike McEntire and Cosmic Vintage have a history together that reaches to the west coast. When owner Megan Lindberg purchased the colt he was three, she sent him to McEntire to be ridden. “Megan lives in California, and when we lived in California I rode him for a year. After I left California he was injured in his stall, and hurt his back. She sent him back to me once he was sound,” McEntire explained.

It seems the pair have meshed well since pairing up again, as they tied for the win of the ancillary and Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Level 2, and were the sole champions of the ancillary Level 3. “He’s been doing really good, and came together really nice,” McEntire shared. “He was good today and easy to show. The ground was a little easier than outside the pen I guess. He still stopped well, but the last stop was really good.”

Cosmic Vintage, now five years old, is by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire A Sparkling Vintage and out of Starjac Miss. “He’s on the same team as me, and that’s what is so good about showing him,” he said. “I thank my wife, Natalie, and of course the owner of this horse, Megan Lindberg, who is a great support.”

While McEntire is looking ahead to 2021, he shared his thoughts on the NRHA Futurity. “I think everyone has made a great effort to make it work, and it is working. That’s the thing – we get to be here and show our horses, and we’re getting through it,” he said.

In addition to checks totaling $3,757, McEntire and Cosmic Vintage earned several prizes, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feeds gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Ashley Peterson & HA Shine Tears Shine Share Win in the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Level 2

Thanks to her identical score of 218.5, Ashley Peterson riding HA Shine Tears Shine shared the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Level 2 championship. She also split the win with Mike McEntire and Cosmic Vintage in the ancillary Novice Horse Open Level 2 to sweeten the payday. Today’s performance rewarded Peterson with a total of $2,170.

HA Shine Tears Shine is a 2013 gelding by Shine Chic Shine out of HA Tinsel Tears that is owned by Peterson, whose training business is based out of Crookson, Minnesota.
“Seth Chamberlain trained this horse and he did awesome, I watched him and I always wanted him. My daughter needed a horse for the short stirrup [division] and he came up for sale so we bought him for her, but I steal him every now and then,” Peterson said.

Peterson says her goal today was to keep her gelding quiet and listening in order to complete a solid, winning run.

“He just listened to me. He’s good at everything, but his stops are so fun, they’re crazy smooth. If my daughter grabs the horn in her stops she’s got to pay her entry fees,” Peterson joked.

Peterson had high praise for her clients but says it’s fun to show one of her own horses occasionally too.

“They don’t mind and we all cheer for each other,” she said. “This year we didn’t get to go to many shows because of COVID, so we for sure wanted to make the trip here. It was affordable and you could still win good money.”

The NAAC Novice Horse 2 titlists win a host of first-class awards, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feed gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Matt McDowell & Ichabod X Win Adequan® NAAC Nov. Horse Open Level 1 Championship

The title of NAAC Novice Horse Open Level 1 Champion went to Idaho-based trainer Matthew McDowell who guided Ichabod X for owner Elisha Irwin to a 219.

Ichabod X is a 2014 gelding by NRHA Twelve Million Dollar Sire Topsail Whiz out of Miss Rey O Shine. McDowell tied with Abigayle Mixon and A Custom Spook in the ancillary Novice Horse Open Level 1 for a total payday of $1,717.

While McDowell said Ichabod X started his show career a bit later than some, that hasn’t discouraged the horse from excelling.

“He came into my program and fit me really well. He’s been a great show horse this year and I’m looking forward to the big derbies with him next year,” McDowell said. “He’s a show horse. He walks in there and he circles beautifully, he just has a great profile. He’s a huge stopper and he can turn big, he’s truly a plus-1 horse, and you don’t have to push him, he makes it easy.”

McDowell was confident coming into today’s competition after preparing Ichabod X and getting him accustomed to the arena last night.

“I went home and told my wife, ‘You know he feels like he’s on the money, he’s got a really good shot,’” McDowell said. “This arena fit him, the ground’s always good here and he was just right there with me.”

McDowell, who has four kids who are watching from home in Idaho, wished to thank his family and his supportive clients.

“My clients let me show great horses and have always supported me. Even when my dreams are kind of crazy they let me try and it’s worked out. I surround myself with a great group of people,” he said.

McDowell, who has a 3-year-old qualified for the Futurity Semi-Finals, looks forward to bringing Ichabod X back for the NRHA Derby next year.

The NAAC Novice Horse 1 championship is accompanied by a host of first-class awards, including a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Platinum Performance champion’s jacket, a 10-lb. bucket of Platinum Performance, a custom Montana Silversmiths trophy buckle, a Bluebonnet Feed gift certificate, SmartPak SmartTherapy Quick Wraps, a garment bag from Brandt Blankets, a Classic Equine fleece cooler, and Eqvalan from Dr. Joe Carter.

Abigayle Mixon Ties for Win of NRHA Nov. Horse Open Level 1 on A Custom Spook

It was the first time for Abigayle Mixon to show A Custom Spook, but if Sunday’s performance is any indication, the two will see more success in the future. Mixon and A Custom Spook, a five-year-old by NRHA Two Million Dollar Sire Spooks Gotta Whiz out of Custom Princess, marked a 219 to tie for the win of the Nov. Horse Open L1 ancillary class.

“We had actually bought him at the NRHA Derby for his owner, Harry Prince, to show. They brought him to me the first of November so I could ride him a little, and today was my first time to show him,” Mixon shared. “It was great. I love this horse because he’s quiet and sweet, and he just wants to please. He was super out there, so it was fun to show.”

Although she hadn’t shown the horse herself, she had a game plan. “I have watched Harry show him, so I had a bit of an idea of what I needed to do, so I just tried to be smooth and correct. He’s a monster stopper, and very quiet,” she said. “I thank Harry and his wife Patty for giving me this opportunity. They have been great customers for a while now. I also thank my help, Laramie, my husband, and everyone at home.”

There’s still a busy week ahead for Mixon, who qualified two horses back to the L4 Open Futurity Semi-Finals sponsored by Not Ruf At All & Tamarack Ranch.
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