The Championship of the National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman contest held at the First Community Credit Union Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas, came down to the very last run. The four-event competition ended with Randy Paul being crowned as the World’s Greatest Horseman. Paul rode Smokeelan, owned by Jill Smiekel George, to the title.

Paul and Smokeelan, by Elans Playboy out of Smart Little Smokee, began the finals competition with a herd work run that placed him in a tie for seventh place. “I felt my horse wanted to be good in everything, but I had a little trouble getting good cattle in front of him. We were just average – but nothing bad happened so we were ok,” he explained.

Then it was time for the event that is Paul’s forte – the rein work. The accomplished trainer has earnings exceeding $1 million in National Reining Horse Association competition. “I knew I had a lot of horse for the rein work, so I pushed him. That caught me up pretty good.” Following the rein work Paul was in third place, only two points behind the leader.

The World’s Greatest Horseman is the only NRCHA Premier event that features steer stopping – and roping is an event that Smokeelan has only been working on since the first of January. “The steer ducked and dove down the arena. It took away from the run a little bit, but I think the judges appreciated how he handled the situation,” he said.

When it came down to the cow work, the Scottsdale, Arizona, trainer was in third place – eight points behind the leader, Doug Williamson. Williamson drew first in the cow work, and marked a 213 for an 873.5 composite. The next eight contestants took their shot, but no one managed to mark higher. Paul would need to score a 221 to win the title. “I tried not to let the pressure get to me. I knew I had a good chance because I have a good fence horse, but I just tried to do a good job.” His strategy paid off, resulting in a 223!

“It’s kind of hard to describe. It’s something you dream about when an event is started – it’s like a racecar driver winning Daytona,” he said following the awards ceremony. “When you’ve been striving for it and you finally get it done, it definitely feels like you accomplished something.”

Along with a check for $30,000, Paul and Smokeelan were awarded a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Coyote Rock Ranch, a Gist Silversmiths buckle from Wagonhound Land & Livestock, custom boots from Rios of Mercedes, and a monogrammed saddle pad from Classic Equine.

Doug Williamson and Hes Wright On, owned by Gardiner Quarter Horses, had the lead going into the cow work – but luck of the draw made marking a high score difficult. “You know, my horse was so solid all day. I just didn’t have a very good cow. I had a 71 cow, and that’s all I got out of him,” said Williamson. “My horse was solid the whole time, and I am very proud of him.”

Williamson collected $21,000 for the Reserve title, and also received a Gist Silversmiths buckle, sponsored by Garth and Amanda Gardiner, and a monogrammed saddle pad from Classic Equine.

Hes Wright On, by Lenas Wright On and out of Shesa Lota Nic, has been in Williamson’s program through his Derby years, and had won about $78,000 prior to the World’s Greatest Horseman. “He’s a winner because he can do it all. He’s a great rope horse, a great fence horse, and a great reiner. He’s also good out of the herd,” he explained.

When asked if he would be competing with Hes Wright On in the 2011 World’s Greatest Horseman, the NRCHA Hall of Fame member – who has been a World’s Greatest Horseman finalist four other times, and finished as high as Reserve – laughed and replied, “I think the Gardiners are going to make me do it again!”

There’s a deeper story – both men could do a clinic in perseverance, each having battled with cancer before going on to make even bigger marks on the industry. “I’m just glad to be here,” Paul noted. And Williamson, who along with having cancer suffered a terrifying fall at the 2008 Snaffle Bit Futurity added, “I thought they made this sport for me, so I’ll keep coming back.”

The NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman is held as part of the Fort Dodge Animal Health Celebration of Champions. The Celebration of Champions also features the NRCHA World Championship Show Presented by John Deere, and the Circle Y Ranch Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Derby. Over the 12 days of competition the event paid out nearly a half-million dollars. It will return to San Angelo in 2011.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 61st year, is 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 Markel Insurance Company, Wide World of Horses, John Deere, AdequanR, 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, Running W Designs, 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.