The first day of competition at the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes has finished on Wednesday, March 24, and with it, the first leg of preliminary competition – the herd work.

Topping the field of 74 in the Open Division was Hanford, California trainer Jake Gorrell and Smooth N Cash. Gorrell and the Smooth As A Cat gelding, out of Dox Gavacash, earned a 221.5 from the judges. Smooth N Cash has NRCHA earnings exceeding $65,000, including a fourth place finish at the 2008 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. The 5-year-old is owned by Roloff Ranch.

Its Justa Dual had a busy day on Wednesday. Earlier in the morning his owner, Sarah Sherman, topped the Intermediate Non Pro Herd Work prelims, and that afternoon his trainer, Cayley Wilson, rode him to the top of the Intermediate Open division with a 215! Sherman rode her 4-year-old gelding, by Its Just About Me out of Dual Etta, to the Amateur Championship at the 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Topping the Limited Open division was Josiah Haaby and Spinnin Me Dizzy with a 213. Spinnin Me Dizzy, owned by Haaby Performance Horses, is by Smart Santana out of Munez Pesky Rose.

The Open Preliminary competition continues Thursday, March 25, with the Rein Work, and concludes on Friday, with the Cow Work. The top finishers of the preliminary competition will advance to the clean-slate finals on Sunday, March 28.

The NRCHA Stakes, held March 24-28 at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, is one of five NRCHA Premier Events, and annually boasts a payout near the $300,000 mark! Part of the Stake’s success is its tie to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program. Owners of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions pay a fee every year, making that stallion’s foals eligible to compete in the NRCHA Stakes. Only foals of enrolled stallions are eligible to compete.

But the Subscribed Stallion program is far-reaching, as offspring of those stallions are giving priority at the prestigious NRCHA Sales at the Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada.

Along with the Stakes, which is open only to 4- and 5-year-old reined cow horses, the event also hosts a full slate of NRCHA Approved classes, including the Coyote Rock Ranch Open Bridle Spectaculars. Whereas the Stakes showcases the up-and-coming talent, the Bridle Spectaculars highlight the skill of the most experienced reined cow horses.

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, Pfizer Animal Health, 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 .