Mark Thompson

The National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity is a test of endurance. The contestants are the epitome of perseverance – and the winners always inspire. On Sunday, October 2, another chapter in the history book of the NRCHA was written as one horse and rider team bested the field of 25 to take the Open Championship.

Todd Bergen and Shiners Dun Juan finished the finals with a 657.5 composite to win the coveted Open title and accompanying $100,000 paycheck. Bergen received a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Jeffrey Matthews and One Time Pepto, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Lone Oak Veterinary Clinic – John Migliore, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles and Platinum Performance.

Owner Janiejill Tointon received an original CR Morrison bronze sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Lyle Lovett, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Hooker Creek Ranch – Matt and Lesley Day, a 100x hat from Shorty’s Hattery, an ESP saddle pad from Classic Equine, custom designed boots from Rios of Mercedes, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, a Farnam Horse Products gift basket, a $100 gift certificate to Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion.

Tointon purchased Shiners Dun Juan, by Smart Shiner out of Cremes Chic Olena, as a yearling from her friend and dentist Carolyn Kupka. “Carolyn is who I bought my stallion, Shiners Lil Nic, from. He’s another Smart Shiner. I love them because they’re so honest, trainable, and athletic – and there aren’t many left,” she said. “She showed me a picture of him and I just knew I had to have him. He’s pretty special.”

When it came time to find a trainer, the decision was an easy one. “I just thought he was a Todd Bergen horse because I could visualize Todd on him. I thank Todd for everything he does, my husband Bill, my son Dylan Potts for coming to watch, and my family for their support,” she said.

Many people wondered if Bergen would be able to even compete in the Futurity, having sustained a concussion and a cervical sprain the Sunday before the show began. “It was so tough to not be able to school or work my horses. I felt helpless – I just had to sit in the chair and watch. It’s a good thing I had Erin Taormino here – she did everything. I also thank Phillip Ralls for working the flag on my horses,” Bergen explained. “I felt a little better as the week went on, but I don’t feel great yet.”

Despite drawing up last in the herd work, Bergen and “Dun Juan” managed to mark a 216, and followed that with an outstanding display of rein work with a 224.5. “Phillip Ralls and I just wrote down a ton of cows and tried to do something good. It wasn’t the best in the world but we got through clean and this horse felt good.” He added, “I knew he was a good reiner. Our herd work was respectable and we were in the hunt. He felt great tonight in the rein work and that big score got us back into it.”

While Bergen and Dun Juan had a two-point lead going into the rein work, the former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion and NRCHA Million Dollar rider knew that it could all change with the cow work. “Going into the fence work you never know what will happen. I remembered the cow we drew because I liked him in the herd work. He acted like he had juice on the back fence. I might have stayed a little long because he was a good cow but a little soft down the fence,” he said. “My horse did everything he was supposed to. I didn’t know if it was going to be enough. There are always some big runs in this finals. We did all we could do so I just had to sit and wait.”

For Tointon, the wait was arduous. “I thought I was going to throw up waiting for it to wrap up. I started to cry because it’s just amazing to be here. To be in the finals was enough – I had only imagined this in my dreams,” she said. “To have Todd be hurt and ride through it – I was so worried he was going to hurt himself that I told him he did not have to ride. He is amazing to ride through all the pain.”

Tointon and her husband Bill had actually sold Dun Juan – but the buyer backed out the morning of the finals. “I was glad, because I knew he had a chance to win. Now I get to keep him!” she said prior to the awards ceremony.

Another former Champion, Boyd Rice, took home Reserve honors riding Moonstruck Pepto, owned by Cowan Select Horses LLC. Rice and the One Time Pepto stallion, out of Moonstruck Cat, marked a 654 to win $78,000. The bevy of prizes included a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Canyon Horse Sales LLC, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Ruby View Quarter Horses – Jim and Holly Gregory, two Cinch vests from Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, a $100 gift certificate to Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Rice and Moonstruck Pepto scored a big 223 in the herd work. They followed that with a 215 in the rein work before finishing the finals with a 216 in the cow work. “This horse was really good in the cutting and decent in the reining,” Rice, a National Cutting Horse Association $3 Million Rider explained. “When we went down the fence we didn’t get enough cow to mark big. This is the best fence horse I’ve ever brought here – he’s so smart on the cow.”

Rice, who won the Futurity in 2007 voiced the challenges of showing cow horses. “You have to have a horse be ready to cut like mine did. Then you have to get them to the point that Shawn Flarida could have prepared them in the reining, and then like Doug Williamson had them prepared in the fence work. This is the toughest event there is,” he said.

Complete results of the Snaffle Bit Futurity can be found by visiting the website at www.nrcha.com.

The NRCHA, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of reined cow horse competition. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition, and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, San Juan Ranch – A Division of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.

The Cinch Intermediate Open Championship of the 2011 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity was decided Saturday, October 1, in the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada.

Tina Fry and TF The Gus Man marked a 216 in the herd work, and followed that with a 216.5 in the rein work. “I had great herd help. I thank Jon Roeser, Ted Robinson, Doug Williamson, and Jake Gorrell. They helped me pick great cows,” she said. “The rein work was iffy and I figured I could make that a little better, but we still scored ok.”

Fry and TF The Gus Man, by WR This Cats Smart and out of Classy Remedy, went into the Finals tied for fourth place. But their cow work score of 222 clinched the Championship with a 654.5 composite. “It felt great. He’s been a good fence horse from the very beginning. It’s nice to come to the finals knowing I have the horse that can do it,” she said. “Travelers’ Farm has been very good to me by allowing me to ride some great horses.”

Because of sponsorship from NRCHA Corporate Partner Cinch, Fry was presented with a $30,000 Championship check. The bevy of awards also included a Bob’s Custom Saddle from Heart River Ranch in memory of Lori Candee, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by TKO Ranch – Bob Stevens, a 100x hat from Shorty’s Hattery, an ESP saddle pad from Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion.

Fry has been riding TF The Gus Man since February of 2011, after the horse had a short-stint in cutting training with Morgan Kromer. “They realized he wasn’t going to make a big time cutter. He might have been a little late coming to the reined cow horse program, but it’s worked out really well,” Fry said. She and TF The Gus Man also qualified for the Open Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals on Sunday, where the Champion will win $100,000.

The 32-year-old has worked for former NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Sandy Collier for the last five years. “She’s been a great mentor. She has given me a lot of opportunities to show and be successful,” she said.

Chris Dawson finished as the Reserve Champion on his horse Travelin Jonez with a 650. Dawson, of Whitesboro, Texas, won $17,960, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Stuart Ranch, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. Travelin Jonez is by Smart Chic Olena out of Travelin With Sass.

Dawson won an additional $13,470 for placing third on A Spoonful O Surgar, owned by Cryin Coyote Ranch of Hempstead, Texas.

The NRCHA, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of reined cow horse competition. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition, and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, San Juan Ranch – A Division of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.

It was a true come-from-behind win. In the field of ten of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Intermediate Non Pro finals, Amanda Gardiner and Whachichi Chex were sitting in a three-way tie for fifth place going into the cow work. The first place horse had a 14.5-point lead – but Gardiner and “ChiChi” wouldn’t be deterred.

The noise in the Reno Livestock Events Center built to a crescendo as the Ashland, Kansas, Non Pro piloted the Too Busy Cashin Chex mare to a 219 – the high score of the Non Pro finals! “Holy cow! I was so excited. She was fantastic. She was tuned in and made a great fence turn. The second was fantastic, and then we went to circling.” Gardiner added, “It was thrilling. Really thrilling.”

Gardiner and ChiChi had also qualified for the Non Pro finals, and finished third. All total, the pair won $16,645. They also won a Bob’s Custom Saddle, a Gist Silvermsiths buckle sponsored by the Vangelos Family – Polymer Logistics, a 100x hat from Shorty’s Hattery, an ESP pad from Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion. For the third place Non Pro finish, they took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Linda and Michael Vantreight.

Gardiner and ChiChi marked a 204 in the herd work and a 209.5 in the rein work. “I drew up at the bottom of the herd. We cut three good cows but it was tough because it was at the bottom. We were actually doing really well and then had a big miss with four seconds left,” she explained. “She was exhausted today in the rein work – but I was very pleased with her.”

ChiChi spent most of the time preparing for the Futurity in the capable hands of NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford. “I have to say when working with this horse I give God credit first, and Todd is a close second,” Gardiner joked. “He does a fantastic job – he gives me what I can handle. He’s taught me and my husband Garth so much.”

Amanda and Garth purchased ChiChi in the NRCHA Select 2-Year-Old Sale in 2010, and paid the mare up in the 2-Year-Old Sale Incentive. The gamble paid off, as ChiChi won the Select 2-Year-Old Non Pro Sale Incentive check for $8,400 in the preliminary round. (In 2011, horses purchased in the Select 2-Year-Old Sale are automatically enrolled in the Incentive.)

When asked about plans for the future, Gardiner said, “I’m so excited for her Derby year. I can hardly wait!”

Shawn Renshaw and Gennys Prize took home the Non Pro Reserve Championship. Renshaw and Gennys Prize, by Smokums Prize and out of Genuinely Perfect, had a 630.5, good for a check for $4,576, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Mike and Carole Stafford, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. Renshaw and Gennys Prize also placed fourth in the Non Pro, good for an additional $8,740.

The NRCHA, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of reined cow horse competition. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition, and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, San Juan Ranch – A Division of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.

Anne Reynolds won her very first National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship in 1998 on Magical Lena. Thirteen years and five Futurity Championships later, Reynolds claimed her record seventh Snaffle Bit Futurity title on Smart Magic Trick, out of Magical Lena. Magical Lena also produced Very Smart Magic – another Futurity champion.

Reynolds won $17,480, an original CR Morrison bronze sponsored by Farnam Horse Products, a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Jon and Jody Semper, a 100x hat from Shortys Hattery, an ESP pad from Classic Equine, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion.

Reynolds and Smart Magic Trick began the finals with a 212.5 in the herd work. “That first set of cattle were kind of hard to drive out. She wanted to be good. I had a miss on the second cow, but I cut the third cow with 30 seconds left. I thought it was going to be bad but it was really good. I was happy about that,” the King Hill, Idaho, Non Pro explained.

Reynolds and “Stacy” came back strong with a 217.5 in the rein work, and finished with a 210 in the fence work. “I was pleased in the reining. She had a super run. We had an underspin, but she was really showable and great.” She added, “She wanted to be good down the fence, but then when the cow started to make its first turn it changed its mind and snuck under her neck. We were able to hold on to the lead though.”

The top side of Stacy’s pedigree is equally impressive. She’s by Reynold’s stallion Very Smart Remedy, who also produced her 2010 and 2011 Futurity Champions.

Eric Freitas and One Time Nic were the Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champions with a score of 636. Freitas, of Santa Maria, California, won $13,110, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Dominic Conicelli, Platinum Performance, a Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

One Time Nic is by One Time Pepto out of Lady Reminic.

The NRCHA, now in its 62nd year, is the governing body of reined cow horse competition. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition, and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob’s Custom Saddles, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, San Juan Ranch – A Division of Santa Cruz Biotechnology, and the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.