Over the years, the Ward Ranch has become a reined cow horse dynasty. The family includes many accomplished horsemen and women, and the Ranch’s breeding program has produced some of the most legendary names in the cow horse industry. On Saturday, March 27, at the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes in Nampa, Idaho, Laurie Ward piloted one notable Ward Ranch graduate – Kiss Me A Little – to the Coyote Rock Ranch Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship.

Ward and the 7-year-old mare began the week with a 214 in the herd work, then finished strong on Saturday with a 211 in the rein work and a 221.5 down the fence. “She’s good all the time in the herd work. The reining is probably her weakest area, but she’s still good at it, and today she was really good in the rein work,” noted Laurie. “We had a really tough cow in the fence work, and she was fabulous!”

Kiss Me A Little is extra-special to the Kingsburg, California, Non Pro. Not only did Laurie show the mare’s great-grandmother as a Youth rider, she and her husband, John, own her sire, Smart Little Pepinic. In “Kiss’s” career, she has already earned over $100,000 in earnings, including a Reserve finish in the Non Pro, and an Intermediate Non Pro Championship at the Snaffle Bit Futurity. She also recently won the NRCHA Non Pro Two Rein National Championship for the.

“She’s my favorite horse. She’s like part of the family,” noted Ward.

Former NRCHA World and National Champions Tish Wilhite and Hes A Smokin Indian won $2,310 for the Reserve Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Championship. Wilhite, of Clovis, California, and the Hickorys Indian Pep gelding, out of Baroak Again, marked 212 in the herd work, 216 in the rein work, and 215.5 down the fence for a 643.5 composite.

The Coyote Rock Ranch Non Pro Bridle Spectacular was run concurrently with the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Provisional and the Novice Non Pro Bridle – both of which were won by Daniel Perez and Colonels Classy Cash. For the Intermediate Non Pro title, Perez collected $678, and took home an extra $1,680 in the Novice Non Pro division.

“I have all the confidence in the world in my trainer, Ken Wold, and his wife Ramona, and my horse just did his job today,” said Perez, who’s only been showing horses for about a year. “I just got into this because I have a love of horses. I met up with Ken and got to riding with him, and that’s how it happened. I want to thank Ken, Ramona, and my wife and family for all their help.”

A pair of siblings ridden by different riders earned the Reserve Championship in each division.

Murray Thompson and veteran cow horse Smart Time Tuck took Reserve accolades in the Novice Non Pro Bridle with a 408.5, collecting $1,260. Smart Time Tuck was previously owned by Kathryn Schaefer, who placed second in the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle on A Smoken Tucker, collecting $452. Both horses are by Senors Lil Brudder out of Smoke Time Tuck.

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 .