Kevin Stallings Wins 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Two Rein on Shining Lil Nic/Nelle Murphy Claims Non Pro Two Rein Title on Justa Sparkn Shine

Kevin Stallings and Shining Lil Nic won the Open Two Rein Championship at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity by 5 points with a 296.5, collecting $3,880 for owners Bill and Janiejill Tointon of Longmont, Colorado.

“It was a great run. The rein work was great, and our cow was really tough,” noted Stallings. “When we went up to circle, the cow just fell away, and my horse was right there. He’s gritty and tough, and he’s just getting more and more consistent.”

Stallings and the Shining Spark stallion have steadily collected the wins to create an impressive resume, including a recent win in the Open Two Rein at the NRCHA Derby.

Bill Tointon noted, “We’re very excited about this win. We thank Kevin for all his hard work. He’s had this horse from his 2-year-old year and has had so much success and it gets better with every show.”

The bevy of awards the Tointons received included a Gist Silversmiths Championship buckle sponsored by Western Hauler, a monogrammed down vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion, and Platinum Performance.

2009 was the first year the Open Two Rein Champion has received a saddle, thanks to an eleventh-hour sponsorship from Paul and Amy Bailey. “We’re really thankful to Paul and Amy for sponsoring the Open Two Rein saddle. It’s very generous, and we appreciate it,” said Janiejill after the awards ceremony.

Tyler Merrill rode Captain 327 to win the Open Two Rein Reserve Championship with a 291.5, winning $3,104, a monogrammed down vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. Captain 327 is owned by Tyler’s sister, McKenzie Merrill of Dallas, Texas.

Nelle Murphy’s Non Pro Two Rein win on Justa Sparkn Shine was both unanticipated and emotional. It was surprising because it was only the second time the 6-year-old mare had been shown in the cow work, and emotional because of the reason why.

            The mare had actually belonged to Nelle’s mother, Melene, who passed away a few years ago. Justa Sparkn Shine was injured as a 3-year-old, and Nelle’s father, Don Murphy, was reluctant to let anyone else ride her.

            “My brother CJ finally showed her this year at a roping and qualified her for the AQHA World Show in just one show. Then I showed her at the Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Futurity in the horse show class, and those are the only times she has been shown,” Murphy explained.

            Although her rein work elicited a high score from the judges, the cow work was slightly lower, due to a hint of the mare’s “greenness” becoming apparent at the end of the cow work. “We got out a little late to circle and she was a little confused and didn’t catch up. But I was thrilled with her. Any mistakes she made today were from inexperience – nothing else,” said Nelle.

            The Marietta, Oklahoma, Non Pro received $1,040, a Gist Silversmiths Championship buckle sponsored by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, a monogrammed down vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, and a CR Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion.

            Laurie Ward and Kiss Me A Little, the Non Pro Two Rein Champions at both the NRCHA Hackamore Classic and NRCHA Derby in 2009, took Reserve honors with a 285. Ward, of Kingsburg, California, won $780, Platinum Performance, a monogrammed down vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Complete results of the Snaffle Bit Futurity and horse show are posted on the official NRCHA web site, www.nrcha.com.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, 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 Adequan^®, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Wide World of Horses, Markel Insurance Company, and the Silver Legacy Hotel, 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.