Todd Bergen Leads Snaffle Bit Futurity Preliminary Rein Work on Shiney Miss Marker

Exhibitors at the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity have a good idea of what they need to score during each phase of the competition to earn a final’s berth. As the first day of Open Rein Work preliminaries came to an end, Todd Bergen had claimed the leads for both the high rein work score and the preliminary composite. As the NRCHA Million Dollar Rider guided Shiney Miss Marker, by Shining Spark and out of Smart Miss Marker, through the lead changes, spins, and long, low sliding stops of the rein work, it was clear that the run would produce a lofty score. The judges rewarded Bergen with a 221 – the highest score of the day. The talented mare, owned by Arcese Quarter Horses, had already scored a 210.5 in the herd work, resulting in a piece of the 4-way tie for third in the preliminary competition. And while Bergen didn’t mark quite that high on another of his entries, Smart Luck, he came very close. The Eagle Point, Oregon, trainer piloted the Very Smart Remedy stallion, owned by Cable Creek Ranch LLC, to a 220. Combined with the 215 marked in the Herd Work prelims, Bergen and Smart Luck took a handy lead in the preliminary composite with a 435.

In the Intermediate Open division, Chris Dawson rode Lenas Metermaid to a 217.5, moving into a second place position in the composite. Lenas Metermaid, by Diamond J Star out of Toulouse Lena, is owned by Jack Bogart. Earning a piece of the 4-way tie for third in the Open division, and distancing himself from the rest of the exhibitors in the Intermediate and Limited Open divisions’ composites was Casey Branquinho on Wranglin Reminicky, owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses LLC. Branquinho and the Starlights Wrangler stallion impressed the crowd and the judges, resulting in a 217. The Snaffle Bit Futurity is held at the Reno Livestock Event Center, September 21-October 4. The Open rein work preliminaries continue on Thursday, September 24.

Complete results can be found on 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(r), 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 .