The final day of competition was deep at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. On Sunday, August 30, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes Open and Non Pro champions were crowned. They say it all comes down to the fence work and the Stakes Finals was no exception. Excitement filled the arena as Open and Non Pro posted large scores and took home over $500,000 in prize money.

The success of the NRCHA Stallion Stakes extended far beyond the action on the arena floor. The cow horse community collectively followed the event guidelines set by local and state officials for eleven consecutive days. The premier event became a beacon of hope for the city of Las Vegas to be safely re-opened. Everyone's cooperation throughout the show was recognized and greatly appreciated.

Click here to watch the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Wrap Up

Stakes Open Champion
In an elite field of horses and riders, it was Justin Wright, of Santa Maria, California, and Scooter Kat who topped the Stakes Open for the second year in a row. Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar X Scooters Daisy Dukes X Dual Smart Rey) and Wright earned owner Eric Freitas $30,839 and the prestigious NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open championship title. The pair posted a 223 in the herd work, a 224.5 in the rein work and 221 down the fence, for a 668.5 composite.

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Stakes Intermediate Open Champion
Erin Taormino and Hazardouz Material earned $24,030 and topped the Intermediate Open at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes with a 662.5 composite (219 herd/221.5 rein/222 cow). Hazardouz Material (Metallic Cat x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey), owned by Linda Mars, and Taormino also finished fourth place in the Open.

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Stakes Limited Open Champion
MC Cowhammer and Trevor Carter captured their second NRCHA Stallion Stakes championship title. In 2019, they were crowned champions in the Limited Open. The pair returned to the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center to defend their title and won the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Limited Open with a 647.5 composite (218.5 herd/223 rein/2016 cow). Mc Cowhammer (Metallic Cat x GunSmart Gay x Playgun) is owned by the Bogle Brothers LLC., of Dexter, New Mexico.

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Stakes Level One Limited Open
Winning the Stallion Stakes Level One Limited Open is Reanna Dillman aboard her 2015 mare, Smarter Than Nic (Shining Lil Nic x Smart N Katsi x Smart Little Pepinic). The team scored a $3,691 payday with a 651 composite (215.5 herd/ 218.5 rein/ 217 cow).

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Stakes Open Novice Horse
Clayton Edsall piloted Mr Metallic Cat (Metallic Cat x Heavens Little Angel x Smart Little Lena) to the Stakes Open Novice Horse win for owner Paul Poor. The they earned $2,203 with their 660 composite (218 herd/219.5 rein/222.5 cow).

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Stakes Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro & Novice Non Pro Champion
Terry Christiansen and Smoketta Cat (Dual R Smokin x Fletchetta Cat x High Brow Cat) captured the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro championship titles. Christiansen, from Snohomish, Washington, was a strong competitor throughout the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. He sealed the deal by piloting Smoketta Cat to a 216 in the herd work, a 220.5 in the rein and a 220 in the fence work. The 656.5 composite score was accompanied with a $10,700 paycheck.

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Stakes Amateur Champion
Nicole Westfall captured the Amateur Champion and Reserve Champion titles of the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. The non pro from Calhan, Colorado, rode Time To Honky Tonk (One Time Pepto x Honkytonk Diva x Royal Fletch) to a winning 648 composite (213 herd/215.5 rein.219.5 cow). The duo also won the go round with the highest fence score of the Amateur. In addition to the $1,573 win check, she received a Gist Silversmiths buckle, product from UltraCruz, Dennis Moreland Tack headstall and Platinum Performance gift certificate.

Westfall also piloted Gotta Smoker (Gotta Go Get It x Miss Smokin It x Smart Little Pepinic) to the reserve title with a 638 composite score.

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Stakes Non Pro Limited Champion
Dorian DiNardo and Hesa Bit Bossy are the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non Pro Limited champions.
DiNardo, of Sweet Home, Oregon, guided her 2015 gelding, by CD Lights and out of Shiney Bit O Ivory by Shining Spark, to a 216 in the herd, 217 in the rein work and 220.5 in the cow work. The 653.6 composite earned the team $2,387, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Platinum Performance product, Dennis Moreland Tack headstall, and UltraCruz grooming tote.

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Stakes Open Composite
Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes x Dual Smart Rey) and Justin Wright topped 123 entries in the Stakes Open rein work at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. The dynamic duo scored an incredible 224.5, earning owner Eric Freitas $1,803 for the go-round win. The team also leads the composite after two events with a 447.5.

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Stakes Intermediate Open & Limited Open
MC Cowhammer (Metallic Cat x GunSmart Gay x Playgun) and Trevor Carter brought their A-game to Las Vegas, Nevada. The red roan stallion, owned by the Bogle Brothers LLC. and the New Mexico based horseman laid down a smokin' 223 in the Stakes rein work. The team not only won the go round in the Intermediate Open and Limited Open, but they also lead the composite of both divisions after two events with a 441.5.

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Stakes Level One Limited Open
Riding to the top of the Stakes Level One Limited Open rein work is Reanna Dillman, of Calhan, Colorado. Dillman piloted her 2015 mare, Smarter Than Nic (Shining Lil Nic x Smart N Katsi x Smart Little Pepinic), to a score of 218.5 for the go round win. Combined with their 215.5 in the herd, they are tied for the lead after two events with Titus Covington and Cats Diamond Time.

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After scoring a 216 in the herd work and 218 in the rein work, Titus Covington and Linda Brixey's Cats Diamond Time (Time For The Diamond x Thiscats A Playgirl x WR This Cats Smart) are tied for the lead of the Level One Limited Open.

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Stakes Open Novice Horse
NRCHA Two Million Dollar Rider Todd Bergen rode CR Tuff Star War (Woody Be Tuff x Shortys Starlight x Grays Starlight) to a big 223.5 in today's Open rein work. The score sent Bergen and Eric Storey's 2016 gelding, bred by the Center Ranch, to the top of the Open Novice Horse with a 442. That score also places the pair fifth in the Open composite heading into the fence work.

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Stakes Non Pro Limited
In June, SJR Katmandoo (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark) and Shelby Walker won the NRCHA Derby Non Pro Limited. After two events here at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes, a repeat championship title is in sight. Thanks to a score of 219.5, the pair won the rein work and $126. Walker and her 2016 gelding are tied for the lead of the Stakes Non Pro Limited with a score of 433 on two.

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Dorian DiNardo and Hesa Bit Bossy (CD Lights x Shiney Bit O Ivory x Shining Spark) are tied for the lead of the Stakes Non Pro Limited with a 433 total score. The pair won the herd work with a 216 and placed third in the rein work with a 217.

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Stakes Non Pro
The highest rein work score of the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro came from set one, draw four, Randy J. Gamble and Flint McCullough (Smart Boons x Smart Dueling Chic x Smart Chic Olena). Gamble rode the 2016 gelding, he co-owns with his wife, Celia Gamble, to an impressive 223.

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Debbie Crafton and Dualin Alittle Time (One Time Pepto x ARC Little Dualena x Dual Pep) lead the Stakes Non Pro heading into tomorrow's fence work. The pair top the 38-entry class with a 218 out of the herd and 220.5 in the reining.

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Stakes Intermediate Non Pro & Novice Non Pro
Terry Christiansen and Smoketta Cat (Dual R Smokin x Fletchetta Cat x High Brow Cat) hit the leader board of the Stakes Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro with a 436.5 composite (216 herd/220.5 rein).

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Stakes Amateur
Nicole Westfall, of Calhan, Colorado, rode to the top of the Stakes Amateur composite with a 428.5 after two events. She piloted Time To Honky Tonk (One Time Pepto x Honkytonk Diva x Royal Fletch), owned by her parents, Jeff and Desiree Westfall, to a 213 in the herd and 215.5 in the reining.

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Winning the Stakes Amateur rein work at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes was Kat DeHaan aboard Smooth Dera Max. The pair scored a 218.5. The 5-year-old gelding, owned by her father, Harry De Haan, is sired by Smooth As A Cat and out of Dera Dually, by Dual Pep.

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Stakes Non Pro Herd Work
Danielle Quinn topped the herd work of three Non Pro divisions at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. She piloted Special Smart Rey (Dual Smart Rey x PG Special Edition x Playgun) to an impressive 219.5. The pair lead the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro and Novice Non Pro after the first of three events.

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Stakes Amateur Herd Work
With a 215.5, Andrea Pasek and DT Hickorys Shakira (Hickory Holly Time x Savanah Cat x Cats Merada) won the Stakes Amateur herd work.

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Stakes Non Pro Limited Herd Work
The NRCHA continues to see incredible growth in the Non Pro Limited divisions, and the Stallion Stakes is no exception. Dorian Dinardo piloted Hesa Bit Bossy (CD Lights x Shiney Bit O Ivory x Shining Spark) to the top of the 25-entry Stakes Non Pro Limited. The duo's score of 216 earned them $126 for the go-round win.

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Stakes Level One Limited Open Herd Work
The final two sets of Stakes Level One Limited Open herd work are complete and it is Cara Hencratt that rides away with the go-round win. Hencratt, of Red Bluff, California, and her 2016 gelding, Move That Rock (That CD Rocks x Smokums Dual Move x Mister Dual Pep) marked a 218.5 and earned $189.

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Stakes Open Herd Work
As the day came to an end in the Priefert Arena, California horseman Justin Wright and Arizona horseman Corey Cushing shared the win of the Stakes Open herd work. Wright piloted Scooter Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Scooters Daisy Dukes), owned by avid non pro competitor Eric Freitas, to a score of 223. Cushing rode Hott Rod (Hottish x Sugars Smart Kitty x High Brow Cat) to the same score of 223 for owner Lynne Wurzer. Each team took home $1,653 for the go-round win.

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Stakes Intermediate Open Herd Work
Jared Jones and Remys Merada (Cats Merada x Chicks Sassy Nic x Reminic), owned by Lucava Farms, are off to a great start at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. The pair won the Intermediate Open herd work and $551 with an impressive score of 220.

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Stakes Limited Open Herd Work
Trevor Carter, of Clovis, New Mexico, piloted MC Cowhammer to the top of the Stakes Limited Open herd work with a 218.5, adding another $250 to their already impressive record. The 2015 stallion, owned by Bogle Brothers LLC., is sired by Metallic Cat and out of GunSmart, by Playgun.

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Stakes Level One Limited Open Herd Work
Leading the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Level One Limited Open herd work is Titus Covington aboard Cats Diamond Time (Time For The Diamond x Thiscats A Playgirl x WR This Cats Smart). The 4-year-old gelding, owned by Linda Brixey, and Covington earned a 216 from the judges.

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Stakes Open Novice Horse Herd Work
After ten sets of Open Stakes herd work in the Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment Arena the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Clay Volmer and Shine Like Wine (Shine Chic Shine x Ben Smokin Pine), owned by Shaleah Hester, rise to the top of the Open Novice Horse with a 219.

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The second day of Stakes herd work will resume in the Priefert Arena at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time on Friday, August 28. Following two set of Level One Limited Open and Novice Horse Stakes entries, Non Pro and Non Pro Limited Stakes exhibitors will walk through the herd. For the free, live webcast, provided by NRCHA Official Videographer Equine Promotion, visit www.NRCHA.com.

The Open and Non Pro cow work of the Pre-Futurity wrapped up Wednesday, August 26, at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes. Champions were crowned in nine divisions on the floor of the South Point Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, and competitors rode away with more than $135,000 in prize money.

Pre-Futurity Open Champion
The winning run of the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Pre-Futurity came from set 8, Matt Koch and Bets R Dual (Dual Smart Rey x Bets R Wild x Bet On Me 498). The Colorado horseman piloted the gelding, owned by Jeremy and Sarah Gugelmeyer, to a 218 in the herd, 222.5 in the reining and 222.5 down the fence. The win was accompanied with $15,420.

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Pre-Futurity Intermediate Open Champion
Any cow horse enthusiast knows that Russell Dilday is king of the fence work, and today was no exception. Dilday piloted Sparkling Metal Man (Metallic Cat x Jennys Spark x Shining Spark) to the highest fence score of the Open Pre-Futurity, a 224. Combined with their 215 from the herd and 217 from the reining, the pair were crowned Intermediate Open champions. The win came with $4,959 and an additional $4,463 for their fifth place finish in the Open Pre-Futurity. The three-year-old stallion is owned by William McElligott,of Lafayette, Louisianan.

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Pre-Futurity Limited Open Champion
Bet My Boon (Bet Hesa Cat x Fancy Boons N All x Peptoboonsmal) and Trinity Haggard laid down a smokin' 220 fence work run. This score, in addition to their 210 herd work and 214.5 rein work, secured their Limited Open Pre-Futurity champion title and $2,028.

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Pre-Futurity Level One Limited Open Champion
It was a tie for first place in the Level One Limited Open Pre-Futurity, but Tyus Olson's high cow score prevailed and sealed the deal on the win and $1,409. Olson showed his own mare, Sista Jackson (Brother Jackson x Hickorys One Time x One Time Pepto), to a 209 in the herd, 214 in the rein work and 211.5 down the fence.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro, Intermediate, Novice and Amateur Champion
Emily Kent, of Jacksonboro, Texas, guided her own On The Reydio (Reydioactive x Bewitching Ichi x Cat Ichi) to a 214 in the herd work, 216.5 in the rein work and 213 down the fence. The 643.5 composite earned the cowgirl the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, Novice Non Pro and Amateur championship title, as well as combined winnings of $5,231.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro Limited Champion
Celia Gamble and Bright Side (Blind Sided x Play It With A Twist x Playgun) were crowned the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Pre-Futurity Non Pro Limited Champions. Gamble earned $955.50 for the title with a 208 in the herd, 207 in the rein work and 210.5 in the cow work, for a 625.5 composite.

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Open & Intermediate Open Hackamore Champion
Todd Fitch won the Open and Intermediate Open Hackamore for owner Stan Rowlan. The Arbon, Idaho, horseman piloted Metallic Wizard (Metallic Cat x Smart Chuka Lena x Smart Chic Olena) to a 146 in the rein work and 147.5 down the fence for a 293.5 composite. the dual win came with dual paychecks totaling $2,760.

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Limited Open Hackamore Champion
Hollywood Big Star (ARC GunnaBeABigStar x Dunnit Wright On x OJ Dunit) and Taylor Peters captured the Limited Open Hackamore win at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes with a score of 292 (145 rein/150 cow). Peters and the 2016 mare collected $1,200 for owner Christine Northrop McRoy.

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Non Pro Hackamore Champion
Sarah Bradley will be taking home, to California, the Non Pro Hackamore championship and $1,101. Bradley showed RR Rey To Stylish (Stylish Rey Gay x Miss Reys Hickory x Dual Rey) to a 141 in the rein work and 144.5 down the fence.

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Action on the fourth day of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes consisted of Pre-Futurity rein work for both open and non pro riders. In the Main Arena of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, on Tuesday, August 25, competitors became one step closer to the $135,000 total payout. Impressive scores were posted by teams preparing to make the trek to the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® in October.

Limited Open Bridle Champion
Riding to the top of the Limited Open Bridle at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes were Bob Grant and PaddysStarlightChic (Self Shine x RN Starlights Chic x Smart Chic Olena). Thanks to a score of 431.5 (212.5 rein/219 cow), the pair earned $1,200 for owners, Jeffrey and Lynne Heyer of Nantucket, Massachusetts.

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Pre-Futurity Open Composite
Leading the Pre-Futurity Open is California horseman Justin Wright aboard Smooth Lil Dream with a 443 composite (221 herd/222 rein). The mare, owned by Suzanne Rodoni Silverberg, is by NRCHA Million Dollar Sire Smooth As A Cat and out of Dream A Lil Dream, by NRCHA $3 Million Dollar Sire One Time Pepto.

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Pre-Futurity Open Rein Work
NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Justin Wright soared to the top of the Pre-Futurity open rein work with a 223. Wright and Blu Label (Once In A Blu Boon x Shiney Miss Marker x Shining Spark) earned owner Bill Stevenson $900 for the go-round win. The duo are sitting second in the composite with a 441.5.

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Pre-Futurity Intermediate Open Composite
After the completion of the Pre-Futurity herd work and rein work, it's a tie for the lead of the Intermediate Open with a 437.5 composite. Dustin Mills showed Hope Miller's Jubilee Jackson (Brother Jackson x Shining Princess Too x Shining Spark) to a 216.5 in the herd and 221 in the reining. Brandon Buttars rode Wright About Time (Hickory Holly Time x Wright About Now x Lenas Wright On), owned by his wife Sophia Buttars, to a 217 in the herd work and 220.5 in the rein work.

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Pre-Futurity Intermediate Open Rein Work
It was Shadd Parkinson who won the Intermediate Open Pre-Futurity rein work, today, with a big score of 222. The Scottsdale, Arizona, horseman rode DT Time To Stray (Hickory Holly Time x Stray Katz x Boonlight Dancer), owned by Hannes Winkler, to the top of 64 entries.

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Pre-Futurity Limited Open Composite & Rein Work
Jacob Barry piloted Deah Hessian's Keltic Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Irish A Shine x Paddys Irish Whiskey) to the winning rein work score in the Pre-Futurity Limited Open of 218. The team also lead the Limited Open after two gos with a 434 composite.

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Pre-Futurity Level One Limited Open Composite
They say consistency is the key, and that's been the case for Melvin Helmuth and Miss Sparkin Chics (ARC Sparkin Chics x Von Bondie Lena x Moon Me Pepto). Scoring a 212 in the herd work and 212 in the reining has placed Helmuth and Rocking J Ranch's home-bred futurity horse in the lead of the Level One Limited Open.

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Pre-Futurity Level One Limited Open Rein Work
The Pre-Futurity Level One Limited Open high reining score belonged to Craig Cowley and Hickorys Lucky Time (Hickory Holly Time x Travalenas Luckylegs x Travalena). The pair boasted an impressive 217.5 at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro Limited Composite & Rein Work
Leading the Non Pro Limited Pre-Futurity at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes after two events is Lindsay Foreman and her mare, Gunna BeA Meericle (Gunnatrashya x Lil Meericle Whiz x Topsail Whiz). After a little tough luck in the herd, the pair made a smashing comeback in the rein work scoring a 217. The 420 composite places the team first after two events.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro & Intermediate Non Pro Composite
After scoring a 218 in the rein work, Sophia Buttars and PR A Smart Chick (WR This Cats Smart x Cluck Cluck x Gallo Del Cielo) maintain their lead of the Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Pre-Futurity at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. Buttars and her mare have a five-point lead heading into the fence work with a 436 after two events.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro Rein Work
Hope Miller and Metalic Belly Dancer (Metallic Cat x Lil Private Dancer x Dual Rey) slid into the top spot of the Non Pro Pre-Futurity with a 219. This places the team second in the composite with a 431.

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Pre-Futurity Intermediate & Novice Non Pro Rein Work
Mike Honald piloted his gelding, Shiney Travalena (Smart And Shiney x Travalen Easter x Travalena), to a 218 in the rein work of the Non Pro Pre-Futurity. The score was good enough to win the Intermediate and Novice Non Pro Pre-Futurity go round. With a 430.5 composite, Honald tied Emily Kent for the lead of the Novice Non Pro with one event left to go.

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Pre-Futurity Amateur Composite & Rein Work
The high reining score, a 216.5, in the Amateur Pre-Futurity at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes came from Emily Kent and On The Reydio (Reydioactive x Bewitching Ichi x Cat Ichi). With a 430.5 composite, the pair lead the Novice Non Pro and Amateur Pre-Futurity with the cow work remaining.

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On Monday, August 24, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes saw horses of all ages compete, from three-year-olds to veteran bridle horses. Non Pro riders guided their futurity horses through the herd work in the Priefert Arena. In the Main Arena of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center numerous horse show and spectacular champions were crowned, including the prestigious Open Bridle Spectacular, presented by Holy Cow Performance Horses.

Open Bridle Spectacular Champion
An elite field of 35 seasoned horses vied for the title of the $20,000-added Holy Cow Performance Horses Open Bridle Spectacular, and in typical cow horse fashion, it all came down to the fence work. The tie for first place, with a 666 composite, between top NRCHA professionals Kelby Phillips and Clayton Edsall was broken by the high cow score.

Kelby Phillips and Duals Lucky Charm (Dual Smart Rey x TRR Ms Pepcid Olena x Pepcid) claimed the prestigious title with a 219 in the herd work, 222 in the rein work and 225 down the fence. Phillips ad Duals Lucky Charm earned owners JB6 Ranch LLC. $10,235, a C.R. Morrison bronze finish trophy, product from Platinum Performance, embroidered sheet from Classic Equine, and UltraCruz product.
The competitive duo boast a distinguished resume, including the 2016 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity® Open championship, the 2018 NRCHA Cow Horse Derby Open championship, 2018 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open reserve champion title and two-time finalists of the NRCHA World's Greatest Horseman.
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California horseman, Edsall, collected reserve in the Holy Cow Horse Performance Horses Open Bridle Spectacular and $8,010 aboard Metallic Train (Metallic Cat x Sparking Train x Shining Spark), owned by Beverly Servi.

Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular Champion
Ben Baldus piloted Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) to top honors in the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. The Bowie, Texas, horseman scored a 216 in the herd work, 221 in the rein work and 221 in the fence work. Baldus earned owner Catelyn Walker $2,296 for the Intermediate Open win and an additional $1,780 in the Open Bridle Spectacular.

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Open Bridle Champion
In 2017, Brady Weaver and SJR Reygun (Dual Rey x Playguns King Badger x Playgun) captured the NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open championship title by marking an incredible 230 down the fence.
Three years later, the pair return to the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, but this time to compete in the veteran bridle class. With a 220 in the rein work and 227 in the cow work, Weaver and "Reygun" won the Open Bridle for owner Gary Ewell. The pair also finished fifth place in the Open Bridle Spectacular, earning combined winnings of a $6,855.

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Intermediate Open Bridle Champion
Winning the Intermediate Open Bridle at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes was Ashley Deacon aboard Hez The Kats Meow (Bet Hesa Cat x Miss Lucky Starlight x Grays Starlight), owned by Dustin Deckard. The 438 composite (219 rein/219 cow) earned the team $600.

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Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular
Eric Freitas and Cat Snacks maintained their lead from the herd work and won the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular. Freitas and his 2014 gelding, by Cats Full Moon and out of Chic Snacks, by Snackbox, marked a 145 in the reining and 145 down fence. Combined with their 147 from the herd, the duo won the spectacular and $2,220.

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Non Pro Two Rein Champion
Dakota Cox and Metallic Dual Pep (Metallic Cat x Playgirls Miss Grace x Mister Dual Pep) are making a splash at the NRCHA premier events this year in the Non Pro Two Rein.
The youth from Pleasant Plains, Arkansas, and Metallic Dual Pep, owned by Circle C Ranch, won the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non Pro Two Rein with a 144 in the rein and impressive 148 down the fence. The 290 composite was accompanied with a $1,101 win check.

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Open Two Rein Spectacular Champion
The first championship title of the day was determined by a run off between NRCHA professionals Nick Dowers and Lance Johnston. After three events, both riders were tied with a 440 composite in the Open Two Rein Spectacular.
Dowers prevailed aboard Clint Marshall's Santiago Time (One Time Pepto x Reymanising x Dual Rey) with an incredible 152 in the cow work run off.The Nevada-based professional and 2015 stallion earned a 144 in the herd work, 145.5 in the rein work and 150.5 in the initial fence work. The run off fence work score of 152 sealed on the Open Two Rein Spectacular title and $4,620 in winnings.

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Open Two Rein Champion
Winning $2,492 at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes in the Open Two Rein was Lance Johnston riding HeloMyNamesJohnnyCash (Cee Mr Hickory x Smart Card Chex x Ill Be Smart). The duo score a 146 in the rein work and 150.5 down the fence for a 296.5 composite. The 2014 home-bred stallion is owned by Lance and his wife, Tammy Johnston.

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$5,000 Non Pro Limited Champion
Jayne Vatcher collected her second win of the day at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes, but this time in $5,000 Non Pro Limited. She guided Sippin Boons Farm (Smart Boons x Peppy Nicolena x Nic It In The Bud) to a 291 composite (143 rein/148 cow). The team rode away with $721, a C.R. Morrison bronze finish trophy, embroidered sheet from Classic Equine, product from Platinum Performance and grooming supplies from UltraCruz.

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$1,000 Non Pro Limited Champion
In a field of 31 entries, Amy Diener, of San Diego, California, collected the $1,000 Non Pro Limited championship title. Diener and MJG Gotta Dry Gun (Dun It Gotta Gun x Dock And Dry x Dry Doc) scored a 289.5 (143.5 rein.146 cow), a $414 win check, product from Platinum Performance, a C.R. Morrison bronze finish trophy and an embroidered sheet from Classic Equine.

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro herd work
After 19 horses walked through the herd of the Non Pro Pre-Futurity at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes it was Sophia Flinders Buttars that came out on top and she was all smiles.
Buttars, of Snowville, Utah, piloted PR A Smart Chick (WR This Cats Smart x Cluck Cluck x Gallo Del Cielo) to a solid 218 in the herd work and to the lead of Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Pre-Futurity.

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Pre-Futurity Novice Non Pro, Amateur herd work
After the first event, Emily Kent and Mike Draper are tied for the lead in the Novice Non Pro and Amateur Pre-Futurity. Both non pros piloted their horses to a 214 in the herd work.
Kent, of Jacksboro, Texas, showed her gelding, On The Reydio (Reydioactive x Bewitching Ichi x Cat Ichi) and Draper, of Nipomo, California, piloted CR Tuff It Out (Woody Be Tuff x CR Cats Meow x High Brow Cat).

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Pre-Futurity Non Pro Limited herd work
The highest herd work score of the Non Pro Limited Pre-Futurity came from the last team to work in the set. Jayne Vatcher rode her mare, Blu Margarita (Once In A Blu Boon x Margarita Por Favor x Nic It In The Bud), to a 213.5.

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Sunday, August 23, 2020 - It was a fierce day of competition for riders of all the levels at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes. Competitors brought their A-game to the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and battled it out for prestigious titles.

In the Main Arena, exhibitors showcased their rein work and cow work, that lead to spectacular and horse show champions being crowned. In the Priefert Arena, it was a full day of Pre-Futurity Open herd work, the first leg of the triathlon, followed by the start of the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular.

Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Champion
The trip from Parma, Idaho, to Las Vegas, Nevada, was a lucrative one for Pam Myers. The NRCHA non pro rider collected a total of four championship titles in just two days.
Myers piloted Stylish Cat N Jazz (Tin Top Kat x Cattys Dual Jazz x Dual Jazz) to 142 in the herd work, 143 in the reining and 147 down the fence. The 432 composite earned Myers the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Non Pro Bridle Spectacular championship and $4,600. The duo also won the Non Pro Bridle, Intermediate Non Pro Bridle and Select Non Pro Bridle, for a total of $8,563.

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Novice Non Pro Bridle Champion
Winning the Novice Non Pro Bridle, from Laramie, Wyoming, was Paris M Starn aboard Given Ya Goosebumps (Starlight Captain x Missy Dual Master x Dual Peppy). The pair marked a 142 in the rein work and 143 in the cow work for a 285 composite. The win came with a $1,092 paycheck, C.R. Morrison bronze finished trophy, product from Platinum Performance, a Dennis Moreland Tack headstall and embroidered sheet from Classic Equine.

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Non Pro Limited Spectacular, Non Pro Limited Champion
Big scores were posted in the Non Pro Limited Spectacular, but it was Corrie Brock and Shined Wright (Lenas Wright On x Shiney And Dressy x Shining Spark) that found their way to the top of the $5,000-added class.
Brock, of Sacramento, California, piloted her 2011 gelding to a 142 in the herd, 144 in the rein work and impressive 150 in the cow work. With a 436 composite, the duo won the Non Pro Limited Spectacular and $3,730. They won another $1,265 and Non Pro Limited championship with a 294 composite in the horse show class.

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Youth Fence Spectacular, Youth Fence Champion
The trip from Prairie Grove, Arkansas, paid off for Catelyn Walker. The youth rode her 2013 gelding, Playin Motown (Mr Playinstylish x Mo Flo x Mr Peponita Flo) to two 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes championship titles - the Youth Fence Spectacular and Youth Fence. A144 in the herd work, 148.5 in the reining and 150 down the fence earned the duo $450 in the spectacular and an additional $172 in the horse show.

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Youth Limited Spectacular, Youth Limited Champion
Second to last to work in the Youth Limited was no challenge for Landri Lisac. It was a clean sweep for the Colorado-based youth, winning the Youth Limited Spectacular, Youth Limited and Youth Limited 13 and Under.
Lisac rode LooksLikeLuckToMe (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep ) to a 440 composite (143 herd/147.5 rein/149.5 cow) and combined earnings of $722.50.

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Beginning Fence Work Champion
After claiming three championship titles in the Youth Limited divisions, Landri Lisac, of Pueblo, Colorado, won the Beginning Fence Work class - her fourth title of the day.
Lisac and LooksLikeLuckToMe (Smart Boons x Dual Lookin Pep x Dual Pep ), owned by her grandparents Timothy and Katherine Miller, marked a 145 in rein work and 149.5 in the cow work. The win added another $675 in earnings to their day at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes.

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Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular Herd Work
After the first leg of the Non Pro Two Rein Spectacular, Eric Freitas and Cat Snacks (Cats Full Moon x Chic Snacks x Snackbox) top the leader board. The Santa Maria, California, non pro showed his 214 gelding to score of 147 in the herd work.

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Pre-Futurity Open Herd Work
It's a five-way tie for lead of the Open Pre-Futurity after the herd work at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. Top NRCHA professionals piloted their 3-year-olds to an identical score of 221.

Naked Lies (One Time Royalty x Smart Lookin Mate x WR This Cats Smart) shown by Clay Volmer for owner Bradley Rogers.
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Never Been Blu (Once In A Blu Boon x Kitty Cow Smart x High Brow Cat) shown by Justin Wright for owner Roxanne Peters.
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CR Woody Dig It (Woody Be Tuff x Cat Digs Lucina x High Brow Cat) shown by Corey Cushing for owner Dave Belson.
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Smooth Lil Dream (Smooth As A Cat x Dream A Lil Drem x One Time Pepto) shown by Justin Wright for owner Suzanne Rodoni Silverberg.
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Smooth Cat Player 17 (Smooth As A Cat x Lizzys Lil Playgirl x Lizzys Gotta Player) shown by Corey Cushing for owner Lynne Wurzer.
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Pre-Futurity Intermediate Open Herd Work
Russell Probert showed Eric Freitas's Makin A Seen (Woody Be Tuff x CR Dees Boon Meow x Peptoboonsmal) to the top of the Intermediate Open Pre-Futurity herd work with a 218.5.

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Pre-Futurity Limited Open Herd Work
Leading the Limited Open Pre-Futurity of the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes is Wyatt Fisher aboard Full Metallic Moon (Once In A Blu Boon x Metallic Fever x Metallic Cat). The pair earned a 216.5 in the herd work for owners, JJ and Teresa Fisher.

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Pre-Futurity Level One Limited Open Herd Work
Melvin Helmuth and Miss Sparkin Chics (ARC Sparkin Chics x Von Bondie Lena x Moon Me Pepto) claimed top honors in the Level One Limited Open Pre-Futurity held at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes. Helmuth guided Rocking J Ranch's 3-year-old mare to a 212 in the herd work.

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Saturday, August 22, 2020 - Open Two Rein Spectacular Herd Work
The illustrious premier event kicked off with herd work, the first of three events, for several horse show spectaculars. Shiners Diamond Cat and NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Justin Wright climbed to the top of the 21-entry class with a herd work score of 146.5.

The 2016 mare, owned by Mike and James Draper, is by NRCHA $3 Million Dollar Sire WR This Cats Smart and out of Shiners Diamond Lady, by NRCHA $4 Million Dollar Sire Shining Spark. Wright and Shiners Diamond Cat have a long history together, including the 2018 NRCHA Derby Open championship win and top five finish at the 2017 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity®.

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Open Two Rein riders return to the arena on Monday, August 24, to complete the rein and fence work.


Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Herd Work
With an impressive 147.5, Cutter McLaughlin, of Clarendon, Texas, and iconic cow horse CD Dee Vee Dee (CD Lights x Shiners Missy Jay x Shining Spark) lead the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular after the herd work. The 2005 gelding is owned by Cutter's parents, Jay and Wendy McLaughlin.

In 2019, the dynamic duo rode away with the Stakes Non Pro Bridle Spectacular championship. Can they top last year's performance? The first champions of the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes will be crowned following the rein work and cow work of the Non Pro Bridle tomorrow morning, Sunday, August 23.

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Non Pro Limited Spectacular Herd Work
The ever-popular Non Pro Limited Spectacular is always a competitive class and today, in the Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment Arena at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, was no exception.

It's a tie for the lead of the $5,000-added boxing spectacular after the herd work. Dorn Parkinson and Benita Lee found themselves at the top of 39 entries with an identical score of 147. The Arizona-based non pro, Parkinson, piloted Chicaroos Cat (Hick Chicaroo x Kat Five x High Brow Cat) and Lee, of Fallon, Nevada, rode Cats Gotta Pepto (Cats Gotta Diamond x Smart Little Pepto x Peptoboonsmal).

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Youth Fence Spectacular Herd Work
Ten youth riders came to the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes to compete in the Youth Fence Spectacular, and it was Madeline Horton, of Fort Worth, Texas, that won the first go round - the herd. Horton piloted Seven S Hesa Cat (Bet Hesa Cat x Seven S Shady Cat x CJ Sugar Lena), owned by Ray Shell Ranch LLC. and bred by Stuart Ranch Quarter Horses, to a 144.5.

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Youth Limited Spectacular Herd Work
Fresh off of their win from the 2020 NRCHA Derby, Shelby Walker and SJR Katmandoo (Smooth As A Cat x Shiners Diamond Girl x Shining Spark) lead the Youth Limited Spectacular herd work with a 144.5. Sunday, August 23, the youth champions will be crowned in the Main Arena. Catch all the action live at www.NRCHA.com.

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Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular Herd Work
It was double duty for Cats Gotta Pepto (Cats Gotta Diamond x Smart Little Pepto x Peptoboonsmal) today at the 2020 NRCHA Stallion Stakes and it paid off in a big way. Earlier in the day, Benita Lee piloted her 2009 mare to the top of the Non Pro Limited Spectacular herd work. In the last class of the day in the Priefert Rodeo & Ranch Equipment Arena, Flint Lee, Bee's husband, rode Cats Gotta Pepto to a score of 219, winning the Intermediate Open Bridle Spectacular herd work.

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Open Bridle Spectacular Herd Work
Bridle spectaculars at NRCHA premier events were created to showcase the ultimate reined cow horse - the bridle horse. These seasoned veterans have spent years in programs that follow the traditional Vaquero training methods.

After the first event of the $20,000-added Holy Cow Performance Horses, LLC. Open Bridle Spectacular, it is NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Jake Gorrell and Dual Chexx (Dual Rey x Starlight Chexx x Grays Starlight) that take the lead. Gorrell and the 2010 gelding, owned by James and Gay Ver Steeg, of Porterville, California, earned a 222 in the herd work.

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The NRCHA Stallion Stakes is the fourth of five NRCHA premier events, and it pays out more than $500,000 in prize money. The event's success is largely due to its tie to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program. Subscribed stallion nominators pay a fee so 4- and 5-year-old offspring can be eligible to compete in the limited aged event portion of the show. Besides paying lucrative checks to the Stakes winners, the NRCHA also presents an incentive checks to the nominator of the Stakes Champion's sire in each division.

In addition to the Stakes divisions, the event offers a full slate of horse show classes, a Pre-Futurity and several Spectaculars, including the $20,000-added Open Bridle Spectacular sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses.


The action in Las Vegas resumes at 8:00 a.m. Pacific time on Sunday, August 23. See it all on the free, live webcast, provided by NRCHA Official Videographer Equine Promotion, at www.NRCHA.com.

Click here for the complete list of results.


By NRCHA Press Release