It was his first National Reined Cow Horse Association World Championship Show, and Waylon Widler was a little nervous. But following the awards ceremony in the First Community Credit Union Spur Arena, the 11-year-old competitor was all smiles. With Heza Especially Foru, he had marked a 435.5 in the Youth Limited Finals, and won the 2009 NRCHA Youth Limited World Championship!

“I was a little nervous in the beginning, but after our first small slow I felt better. I didn’t know if we were going too fast on the large fast circles – but it got better and better as we went.” He smiled, adding, “Our cow work was good because he knows what to do, and I just let him do what he wants.”

For the title, Waylon received a check for $495, a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Jackson Land & Cattle Company, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Knight Haulers, a Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a commemorative World Finals vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Heza Especially Foru, nicknamed “W” because he was born during President George W. Bush’s election year, is owned by Waylon’s mother, Karen Widler. Waylon has been riding the 10-year-old gelding, by Little Peppy Special and out of Jabos Chocolate, since the summer of 2009. “He’s very experienced. He tattles on me when I don’t do stuff right. He might know exactly what to do, but if I tell him something wrong he’ll still do what I told him,” admitted Widler, of Burneyville, Oklahoma.

Donathon Archuleta, of Alamosa, Colorado, who was the Youth Limited Champion at the 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, won the Youth Limited Reserve title on Boonlights Misty, a 7-year-old mare by Boonlight Dancer out of Sweet Little Mist. During the finals, they earned a 427 composite, good for $413. Archuleta also received a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Knight Haulers, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, and ESP saddle pad from Classic Equine, a commemorative World Finals vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

The NRCHA World Championship Show Presented by John Deere is taking place during the Fort Dodge Animal Health Celebration of Champions, held annually in San Angelo, Texas, at the First Community Credit Union Spur Arena. The Celebration of Champions also features the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman and the Circle Y Ranch Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Derby.

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.

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