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2007 Sagebrush Slide and Cowhorse Classic
Colorado Reined Cowhorse Assoc. NRHA Affiliate Qualifying Show
NRCHA Limited Aged Event, AQHA Special Event
June 6-10, 2007 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, CO
Rhoda Rein rhodareiner@aol.com or 303/618-0749
The Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association hosted the ninth annual Sagebrush Slide and Cowhorse Classic show June 6-10 at the state fairgrounds complex in Pueblo, Colorado. The event paid out nearly $84,000 and awarded over $20,000 in prizes to contestants in the NRCHA and NRHA shows. The NRCHA Cowhorse Classic show posted 294 entries and paid out $53,500 in prize money. The NRHA Sagebrush Slide show posted 524 entries and paid out $30,360 to its winners.
"We kept our same horseshow date from 2006 and were happy to maintain our entry numbers," said Jill Cook, CRCA president. "For the first time, we added AQHA classes. Combining an NRHA reining with our cowhorse show works very well for us and the fairgrounds facility is large enough to host our event. Our volunteers enabled our show to run smoothly, while the gracious support of our sponsors and vendors allowed us to fund our show and reward our entrants."
NRCHA Cowhorse Classic Derby
 Tom Neel of Milsap, Texas, won the 23-entry Open Derby riding Zezes Pepto Cat. The pair tied to win the fence work and tied to place second in the herd work, winning $5494 in all. The four year old paint horse stallion is sired by Zeze Gunsmoke and out of Boons Cat. Boons Cat is sired by Peptoboonsmal and out of a daughter of Docs Catalena. He is owned by the JR Partnership, which is Tom and Lorna Neel and Jack and Vicki Hoggett of Bluff Dale, Texas.
"We purchased him as a baby and nicknamed him "Junior" because he looks so much like his sire, Zeze Gunsmoke," said Neel. "His daddy is my favorite horse as I have ridden him for four different owners and won lots of titles riding him."
This was a sentimental win for Neel, as he won the 2001 Sagebrush Slide NRCHA derby riding Zeze Gunsmoke. "I was glad to see Tom win our derby, as he has been such a longtime supporter of our club shows," said Jill Cook.
It is very special to ride horses that are related and enjoy the common characteristics found in them. "This is such a nice colt and in some ways he is even better than his sire. He could really be a cutter, reiner or a cowhorse. He is strong in each event and really has better bloodlines with the addition of his mother's lineage," said Neel, who showed Boons Cat as a futurity cutter. Neel won the preliminary round of the 2006 APHA Reining Challenge futurity class held at the APHA World Show riding Zezes Pepto Cat. The pair plan to show at the 2007 APHA World and AQHA World shows.
Kevin Stallings of Tucson, Arizona, captured reserve honors riding Shining Lil Nic for Colorado owners, Bill and JanieJill Tointon of Longmont. He is sired by Smart Shiner and out of a daughter of Diggers Rest, Dig A Lil Nic.
"I am seeing good things in the Smart Shiner colts. They are big stoppers and very trainable. It seems like if you just simply ride them they get better," said Stallings of the 4 year old buckskin stallion. "This one tries so hard and has a great attitude. His reining and fence work runs are always good. He scored his best yet in the herd work at this show. He is getting more broke and more dependable with every show."
Stallings marked 143 points to tie for second place in the herd work. He and Tom Neel marked 148 points to tie for the win in the fence work. Stallings earned $4,652 in all. The Tointons purchased the colt as a 10 day old weanling from breeder and dentist Carolyn Kupka of Boulder, Colo. "I was in the chair at her office when she showed me a picture of him," said JanieJill Tointon. They put him in with their herd at weaning.
"We run all of our horses in the same pasture, including our ranch stallion. We feel that they really learn manners, especially the young stud colts as they are at the bottom of the order in a natural group," said Tointon. "When we first saddle our colts, we also work them as a group in the arena. We sack and flag them and hang bags on their saddles. As a group they see each other and are all in the new situation together."
Monty Bruce won the 18-entry Novice Horse derby division riding Chics Onside Kick, a four year old gelding sired by A Chic In Time and out of High Lil Joette, a daughter of High Brow Hickory. "He is one of the best colts that I have ever had, yet I have had hard luck showing him," said Bruce. "He was great in the herd work and in the reining at this show, but I had trouble in the fence work when I overran my second turn."
Bruce marked 147 points in the herd work to win high score paychecks in both Open and Novice Horse divisions. He also placed third in the Open derby division to earn $4,775 for his efforts. The Novice Horse Open derby division was created to give horses earning less than $5,000 a class to compete in without requiring entry in the Open division. The Novice Non Pro derby division was restricted to horses earning less that $3,500.
The high score winner in the Open derby reined work portion was Darren Miller riding his colt, Shiny Black Shiner.
Shawn Hays earned the reserve championship in the $2,000 added Novice division riding Fletch Hagan for Kalpowar Quarter Horses of Midland, Texas. He also tied for seventh place in the Open derby, won the fence work in the novice division and tied for second place money in the open derby reined work to earn $2,104 in all.
Karen Stallings made her drive from Arizona to Colorado worthwhile. She won the Non Pro Derby championship and reserve championship and won the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular title. Her three mounts picked up a total check for $2,927 in earnings. She rode Watch Me Highbrow, a five year old gelding to the derby championship. He is sired by High Brow Hickory and out of Watch Me Kitty. The pair had won the 2006 CRCA Non Pro Derby held at the fall futurity show.
Her reserve champion mount by 1/2 point was Cashin Nu Chex. He is four year old gelding son of Stallings' stallion, NMSU Truckin Chex and out of Leoletas Tivio. Stallings had won the 2006 CRCA Non Pro Futurity riding Cashin Nu Chex. "We are proud of him, he is the first born offspring of our stallion and we are very fortunate that he has been so easy to train and successful," said Stallings.
"I drove our other rig to the show on Wednesday, so Kevin schooled my horses in the herd work practice pen," said Stallings. "I was the best on Thursday out of the herd that I have ever been." The Non Pro derby was a tight contest, as Holly Marsh scored 143 points to win the high marks in the herd work riding Sneakin Doc Star. "Holly was ahead and I didn't think that I would get by her," said Stallings, who took top honors in the reined work portion aboard Watch Me Highbrow and won the fence work riding Cashin Nu Chex.
The Stallings couple took turns showing their good stallion, NMSU Truckin Chex, in the bridle divisions. Karen won the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular because of her 150 point score to win the fence work. "I drew a tough cow, but "Elvis" ran fast and made an open field tackle and we circled it right there. You really had to handle your cattle all the way, you had to drive and guide them," said Stallings. Jennifer Leiker won reserve honors in the 9-entry class riding her gelding, Callys Classy Tang. Gray Samenfink of Erie, Colorado won the Non Pro Bridle, Novice Non Pro Bridle and Novice Non Pro Bridle Spectacular classes riding his Boomernic gelding, BR Sonic Boom.
Kevin Stallings earned $2,195 riding his bridle mounts. He won the Open Bridle and Spectacular riding NMSU Truckin Chex. He was reserve champ in the Open Bridle and placed third in the Spectacular riding Peppys Prize Freckle for owner, Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch. He placed fifth in the Spectacular riding A Nic O Chic for Rogers Heaven Sent Ranch. Cathy Errington Coleman was reserve champion in the Spectacular riding Shes Oui Oui Blanton, owned by her mom, Pat Errington of Gillette, Wyo. Blue Allen won the Limited Open Bridle and Limited Open Bridle Spectacular riding Whiskeys Starlight for owners Christa and Mitch Guerrieri of Franktown, Colo.
Benton Bland won the $10k Limited Open Derby division riding Bets Smart Lena for the Circle Y Ranch of Aubrey, Texas. He also placed sixth in the Novice Horse Derby division to win $780 in all. "It was awesome to get to show him, I really have learned a lot from riding him," said Bland, who took the reins this spring because ranch manager Gerald Cosby was sidelined with a broken ankle. The Circle Y Ranch purchased the five year old stallion from Lindy Burch as a two year old. He is sired by Smart Little Lena and out of Bet Your Blue Boons. His dam posted over $350,000 in earnings as a showhorse.
"He is so laid back, even when we breed him. He is trustworthy, friendly and doesn't take a lot of warm up before you show him," said Bland, who won the $1k Limited division at the 2006 show riding Deluxe Image. Bland and wife, Jennifer, are proud new parents of a 5 month old son, Eli. "Being a Dad is the greatest thing in the world. It is something I think everyone should experience, provided they are prepared for it."
Blue Allen of Alamosa, Colo., was reserve champion in the $10k Limited Open Derby riding Remies Party Cat for owner Andrea Bundy of Franktown, Colo. They placed second in the fence work and third in the herd work portions. She is a four year old daughter of Von Reminic out of MD Dustalena. "She was with a reining horse trainer as a three year old. I got her in December and she has been a quick learner in the cattle event," said Allen.
Paul Bailey of Sparta, Tenn., won the $5k Amateur Derby and the $3,500 Novice Non Pro Derby divisions riding his four year old brown gelding, Cut My Chex. Bailey and wife, Amy, raised the son of Badger Starlight and out of Kelvins Classy Chex. "Amy and I have always wanted to come out to Colorado for this show. We have enjoyed ourselves and we think it is great to have the reining and cowhorse people together here," said Bailey.
"He is my first aged event horse," said Bailey, who rides with Steve Metcalf of Pilot Point, Texas. "The three part event is a great attraction to me. I started showing four years ago with a bridle horse and have worked my way up to the challenge of showing younger horses," said Bailey, who enjoyed success showing his bridle horse, Dry N Play. They were 2005 NRCHA World Champions in the Novice Non Pro Bridle and reserve champions at the 2006 AQHA World Show Amateur Cowhorse.
Despite his success, he spoke of the difficulty and frustration that all contestants sometimes feel. "You have got to persevere, this is a difficult event. I would advise other non pros to begin by showing a seasoned horse. It is safer and you develop more solid skills," said Bailey, who operates CB Trucking Company and has three children, Jordan, 18, Korry, 17, and Caleb, 4.
Nebraska cowgirl Robin Heinrichs won the reserve title in the $5k Amateur derby division riding her pretty palomino mare, Dun Its Playtime. She is sired by Hes Dun His Time and out of Bay Dakota Miss. Meg Griffith-Ralston of Silt, Colorado, won the reserve title in the $3,500 Novice Horse derby riding Pauls Time Bomb. He is a gelding sired by Smart Paul Olena and out of Kings Lil Cherry Bar. He is owned by Meg's mom, Mary Griffith of Carbondale, Colo.
David Dillman of Santa Fe, New Mexico, won the $1k Limited Derby division riding Roopaulena for owner Julie Cornelius of Kellyville, Okla. Cornelius purchased him last fall and will show him in the NRHA non pro events. He is sired by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Anna Paulena.
"I have been working cattle on all of my reining horses at home, whether they will eventually be shown NRCHA or not," said Dillman, who showed cutters as a youth and grew up on a ranch in Roundup, Mont. He is the president of a new club based in New Mexico. "We are in the process of becoming an NRCHA affiliate and we plan to host combination NRHA shows similar to the format used by the CRCA club."
Jedidiah Battson of Highlandville, Missouri, was reserve champion in the $1k division riding his horse, Arc Cash Her Please. It is sired by Chic Please and out Precious Lil Cash.
Smoky Pritchett of Red Bluff, Calif., and Bobby Ingersoll of Reno, Nev., officiated the Cowhorse Classic. "I was impressed by the amount of added money here," said Pritchett. "I was impressed by the number of entries and the quality of horses and riders," said Ingersoll. "The cattle were super. They ran hard, but had a lot of feel and we did not have to give a lot of new cattle to contestants."
The CRCA held a drawing for two $100 gas gift cards drawn from pre-registered contestants. Gayle Samuelson of Glenwood Springs, Colo. and Heather Wells of Boulder, Wyoming, were the lucky winners. An impromptu dog festival was held late Saturday afternoon in the east arena. It is unclear exactly how many dogs were entered and how many were just spectating. Prizes were awarded in three categories of dog festivities, Most Unigue, Best Trick, and, of course, a Race. Three judges were hired to provide entrants with a balanced opinion. Judges Jim Cook, Tim Unzicker and Darren Miller officiated the contest. Guy Vernon provided colorful commentary as the festival emcee.
The most unique dog was owned by Connie and Jeff Stoney of Ja Jara, Colo. His name is Albert Einstein, aka Bert, and he is a registered Border Terrier of championship lineage. "Although he is a high quality dog, he is always mistaken for a mutt because of his looks," said Connie Stoney. John and Debbie Brawley won the Best Trick category with their tri-colored black Corgie named Spur. Dog racing people tend to be a competitive bunch. There was discontent relating to an unfair start of the race. A grudge match race was held between the top two finishers. The match race was won by multiple racing champion, Bobbie, a rat terrier who lives with Tim and Jennifer Unzicker of Calhan, Colo.
NRHA Sagebrush Slide Derby
 Jay McLaughlin of Highlandville, Missouri, won all three open derby divisions and tied for the reserve championship with Debbie O'Neill of Bloomfield, New Mexico. McLaughlin scored 146.5 points riding Julie Gibbons gelding, Smartest Reminic. The six year old is sired by Reminic and out of Loblolly Chic. He was an NRHA Futurity finalist with Andrea Fappani.
McLaughlin got the horse in training after the 2007 NRBC show for owner, Vaughn Zimmerman of Springfield, Missouri. He made the Intermediate and Limited finals at the 2007 NRHA Derby. He trains at Gibbons facility. She was horse shopping and rode him after the Derby. "He snuck up on her in her backyard and she bought him," said McLaughlin, who earned $3,984 for the new owner.
"I have not reined on him at home. In fact, I steer stopped on him for three weeks prior to the NRHA Derby show. I chose to show him in a hackamore at the CRCA show just to be different to him, give him freshness. I love that there is that option in the Sagebrush reining derby," said McLaughlin, another longtime supporter of the CRCA shows.
His reserve champion mount was a reining veteran, Vaughn Zimmerman's Skeets Little Peppy. The six year old was raised by Zimmerman and sired by his Skeets Peppy. He is out of Mia Colonel Quixote, a daughter of Okie Paul Quixote and has earned over $74,000 in reining money.
"I just got him after the NRHA Derby and spent my time just working cows. He is a favorite of mine and I will try to qualify him for the AQHA World Show events," said McLaughlin. "He is such a big stopper, that I changed him to keg shoes after the NRHA Derby. It has helped him to be able to stay with his cows."
O'Neill and McLaughlin each scored 145.5 points earned $2552 for their co-reserve titles. They divided a wealth of buckles, sheets, jackets and leather gear bags. It was a sweet run for O'Neill riding her four year old stallion, Monts Jigger Of Gin. He is sired by her eleven year old stallion, Smart Gin. He is sired by Smart Chic Olena and out of Ginnin Lena, a daughter of Doc O'Lena.
"He is really trainable, as good or better than his dad was," said O'Neill, who purchased the colt as a weanling and now owns his dam. He is out of Christy Genuine CT, a daughter of Colonel Rey Lena. "I ride him in a smooth snaffle, he is a very stylish circler and a great turner. I regret that I did not show him better in his turns today running pattern six."
Kelli Buckley swept all three divisions of the non pro reining derby riding her pretty five year old palomino gelding, Smart Peppy Twist. He is sired by Smart Poco Twister and out of Smart Peppy Sunshine. Smart Poco Twister is a son of Smart Little Lena and out of Docs Lady Tama.
"It is a goal of mine to step it up and show in the Derby events this year, so I was happy that my score held up for the win," said Buckley, who marked 143 points for the win. "It is more pressure to pay the higher fees and enter all three divisions for one run. My Dad almost just only entered me in the Limited class. I am glad that I did good," said Buckley, winning her first Lawson trophy and two Morrison bronzes. The 18-year-old from Loveland will attend nearby Colorado State University this fall. "I love this show. The wind was overwhelming the first day, but that is better than rain," said Buckley. She missed the 2006 show because she was on a church youth mission. Her dad, Mark, won the reserve derby championship in all three divisions last year showing Smart Peppy Twist.
Shevin Schwartzenberger also made her dad proud at the Sagebrush Slide. She earned the reserve championship in all three divisions of the Non Pro Derby and won the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro classes. She rode a four year old breeding stock paint gelding named Spotophobic to win $1823 in derby prize money. She rode her Lil Ruf Peppy gelding, Lil Ruf Jac, to win the Non Pro and Intemediate Non Pro classes.
"Because of college, I have not shown as much recently and it is nice to have two horses to show and get my timing and confidence back," said Schwartzenberger, who graduated from Colorado State University in May with a biochemistry degree.
"We raised Spotophobic and our whole family has shown both his parents," said Schwartzenberger. He is sired by their stallion, Kick Dee Bar, and out of Tami Dee. "His dam, Tami, colicked, and we spent a lot to save her. We decided not to pay an outside stud fee to breed her after the colic surgery, so that inspired the linebreeding," said Schwartzenberger. Kick Dee Bar is sired by Texas Kicker and out of Lara Dee Bar. Tami Dee is out of Lara Dee Bar and sired by Surprise Enterprise.
"Our reining show had some long days, but contestants and judges were good humored," said manager, Cathy Irvin. Judges Ed Bricker of Evans City, Penn., and Stephanie Rome of Ocala, Fla. officiated the NRHA show.
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