2009 Sagebrush Slide and Cowhorse Classic
Colorado Reined Cowhorse Assoc. NRHA Affiliate Qualifying Show
NRCHA Limited Aged Event, AQHA Special Event
June 3-7, 2009 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, CO
Rhoda Rein reinincow@aol.com or 303/618-0749

The Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association hosted the Sagebrush Slide and Cowhorse Classic NRHA and NRCHA show June 3-7 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo, Colo.

The show paid out $31,442 in the reining events and $65,890 in the cowhorse events. Prizes totaling $19,000 were awarded to the top three placings in all classes. Boyd Rice was the highest money winner in the NRCHA show, earning $9,976 on his derby mounts. Steve Schwartzenberger took home the most money in the NRHA show, earning $6,811 in the derby and NRHA open class.

The historic facility endured heavy rain earlier in the week, but recovered beautifully for the show. The CRCA put 25 tons of sand in the cowhorse arena and changed the herd work pen location to provide a better venue for spectators. Tad Knowles created a party atmosphere with his great sound system and extensive music collection. Vendors were busy and pleased with their sales.

The Sagebrush Speedway Bicycle Games were held Saturday afternoon. Competition was fierce in all four age divisions and vendors graciously donated prizes. The “Pole Bending Challenge” was a test of balance and skill. The 400 yard “Monte Carlo Cup” street race was a show of speed and endurance.

NRCHA Cowhorse Classic
Boyd Rice won the 36 entry open derby and $5,901 riding Mr Playin Stylish for Kit and Charlie Moncrief of Ft. Worth, Texas. The 4-year-old stallion is by Playin Stylish out of Tari Chic Gay.

"He has presence. He steps out there in every event and commands attention,” said Rice. “We drew a good fence cow and he stayed against her the whole time.”

Rice scored 146 points on both his mounts to win the high score money in the herd work division of the open derby. He won the novice horse open derby riding Lenas Alley for Kevin and Sydney Knight of Peoria, Ariz. The 4-year-old gelding is by Smart Little Lena out of Doc Alley, a daughter of Doc Bar. They earned $1,239 for the novice win, $1,059 for the open derby herd work, $295 for the novice derby herd work, and tied for sixth place in the open derby to earn $4,076 in all.

“It is a bonus to have the novice horse division to show in,” said Rice. “Lenas Alley got sick and I am just now back to showing him, the novice class gives incentive for everyone to show.”

Jason Grimshaw was reserve champion in the open derby riding Ima Miss N Texas for owners Debbie and Larry Roberts of Elm Grove, Louisiana. They purchased her dam in foal and raised the 5-year-old palomino mare by Yellow Roan of Texas out of Ima Missin You.

“She is a really good fence horse and has won $27,000 in the last four shows,” said Grimshaw. His dependable mare scored 150 points down the fence to earn $4,297 in all. Andy Adams and Shine Happens scored 152 points to win the open derby fence work.

Adams tied himself to win the reined work portion riding Mister Smart Chic and Shine Happens. Adams compiled $5,638 aboard his two mounts.

He and Mister Smart Chic were reserve champions in the novice horse derby and placed tenth in the open derby for owners Terry Crofoot of Crofoot Ranches and Tom and Karen Walters of Salt Fork Ranch, Clarendon, Texas. They purchased the 4-year-old brown stallion from breeder Jim Babcock two years ago. He is by Smart Chic Olena out of Lois Montana, by Mister Dual Pep.

Zeb Corvin, Canyon, Texas, won the limited open derby and placed third in the novice horse derby divisions riding his 5-year-old stallion, Ima Starlight Kid. He is by Bueno Starlight out of Kids On Stage by Mr. Tori Kid. He marked 146 points in the fence work to earn high score paychecks in the limited and novice horse divisions. He marked 143 points to win the high score reined work in the limited and place third in the novice derby, pocketing $1,714 in all. He and his wife, Melissa, are expecting their first child in September.

Kyle Trahern was reserve champion in the limited open division riding his 4-year-old bay gelding, MH Bold Intentions. He is by Bodee Boonsmal out of Freckles Docs Oak. Trahern purchased him from Bubba Nolan, Bridgeport, Texas, who trained him for cutting.

“I just bought him six weeks ago, so I am happy that he is learning the reining and fence work so quickly,” said Trahern of Penrose, Colo.

Karen Stallings won the non pro derby and the novice non pro derby divisions riding her 4-year-old Appaloosa gelding, Star Time Truckin. He is by NMSU Trucking Chex out of Timely Elegance.

“I was really tickled with him all the way. He has a great attitude and is always mentally in the game,” said Stallings, who purchased him from breeder Shirley Mason of Tucson, Ariz. She won the herd, reined and fence work in the novice division, and the herd work in the non pro division to earn $1,918 for her efforts.

Betty Lou Valdez won the amateur derby and was reserve champion in the non pro derby riding her 5-year-old gelding, Indian Pep Hickory. He is by Hickorys Indian Pep out of Annolena. She scored 147 points to win the fence work in both divisions, earning $1,117 in all.

Debbie Frampton was reserve champion in the amateur and novice divisions and placed fourth in the non pro derby division.


NRHA Sagebrush Slide
Entries were down slightly from 2008, but prize money was increased in the reining show. These ingredients combined to create some exciting action in the $14,500 added derby held Saturday afternoon.

Veteran Steve Schwartzenberger won the 11-entry open and intermediate open derby divisions scoring 150.50 points riding BBR Game Time for Linda Wise of Boulder, Colo. He is by A Chic In Time out of Hustlin Lips.

“Shane Brown had already shown before me and set the bar at 148.50 points,” said Schwartzenberger. “The rest of us knew that we had to show hard to win a check.”

He pointed out that the derby rules allow for a snaffle bit/hackamore or bridle option. “Because of that, the nature of this show is to go fast and show two-handed,” said Schwartzenberger, who also placed third riding Kick N Nic for Sally Ress of Evergreen, Colo. “Although there weren’t many entries, you still had to use your horse to win.”

“I enjoy that this is a combination cowhorse show. It seems more laid back. I have time to watch some cowhorse and visit with guys at the concession stand that I haven’t seen in awhile,” said Schwartzenberger.

Shane Brown was reserve champion in both open and intermediate open divisions riding Kelly Rainford’s 5-year-old stallion, Itsgoodtobeapepto. He is by Peptoboonsmal out of SR Docs Serenade.

Guy Vernon scored 147 points to win the 17-entry limited open derby riding Deanna Erpelding’s 6-year-old mare, Nu Chex Royalty. She is by Nu Chex To Cash out of Salenas Royalty. “I have had tough luck getting her shown well and am happy with her performance here,” said Vernon.

Gabe Garrison was reserve champion riding Whizzn She Hot for his uncle, James Williams of Colorado Springs, Colo. He purchased the 4-year-old mare two years ago from breeder Colleen Malcolm of Golden. She is by Who Whiz It out of Ms Red Hot Lena.

While exhibitors share that competitive drive, they also share a love and appreciation of their horses. They know that it takes the right match for a horse and rider to be successful.

Kelle Smith, Marietta, Okla., won the non pro derby and $1,503 riding her 4-year-old mare, Jitterbug Banjo. “She is priceless, I have never had a horse with this kind of brain, she never has a bad day,” said Smith. “This was my first time to show her at a big event and I am excited for her future.”

She is by Banjo Whiz out of Jitterbug Shuffle, raised by Nedpoint Quarter Horses and trained by Fred Thommason. Quincy Cahill-Allen showed the mare last year and was a finalist at the SWRHA futurity. “Quincy and I decided to trade our Banjo Whiz horses at the NRHA futurity, looking for a better fit for each of us,” said Smith.

Matthew Wilson, Las Animas, Colo., had a productive day in Pueblo. The morning of the derby, he and his family drove to Pueblo and bought a washer and dryer before unloading his mare at the show. Later, he scored 145 points to win the intermediate and limited derby divisions and tied to win the non pro championship, earning $2,900 for the day.

“I had the flu all week and the day was kind of a blur. That was the best run that I have had on her. I had trouble at the NRBC and am going to the NRHA Derby, so I am glad to show here and do well,” said Wilson. He purchased his mare at the NRHA futurity sale as a 2-year-old from Rhodes River Ranch. She is by Shine Like Hail out of SR Peppy Bar Linda.

Christy Brasier, Montrose, Colo., scored 144.50 points to earn reserve honors in the intermediate non pro derby and place third in the non pro derby and $1,579 riding her 5-year-old dun gelding, KMZ Irish Cowboy. Raised by Spence and Kristen Bell, he is by Paddys Irish Whiskey out of Rawhide Ruby.

In 2008, she won the non pro and intermediate divisions at the show. “It is definitely a good feeling to come back to a show where you have won,” said Brasier, who owns and operates Classic Awards, the official NRHA plaque maker.

Shevin Schwartzenberger and Spotophobic were reserve champions in the 28-entry limited non pro derby division. "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.


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