When Angelo Berrettini and Wimp Cream marked a 141.5 to win the National Reining Horse Association ancillary Novice Horse Non Pro Level 2 (1) at the National Reining Breeders Classic, it was a bittersweet victory for the Anthony, Florida, rider.

Angelo was ecstatic to win his first NRBC class ever, especially on a homegrown horse. However, riding “Cream” in the Wednesday, April 14, class was a reminder of a beloved mare he had recently lost: Cream’s dam Dunits Cowgirl.

“It was just so sudden,” he said, choking back tears. “I can’t believe she’s gone but it’s good to know she lives on in Cream and her other foals.”

Started by trainer Casey Deary, the Wimpys Little Step son showed at the 2008 NRBC but an over-spin in the Non Pro prelims squashed a chance at the finals.

“So I came out here to the East Arena then and ended up second on him in the Novice Horse Non Pro,” he said. “He’s 6 now and we could have shown him here in the Classic again but we didn’t get him ready fast enough because he was laid off for while.”

Matter of fact, it was the first show for Cream in six months, and the ancillary win earned him $580.

“The last time I showed him was at the Georgia Derby,” Angelo said. “But we came right to here and he was just as good as always. He was just a good boy. He went in there and did his job. Was easy to go around and we just had a nice easy ride.”

In the running now for a beautiful Gist high-point buckle, Angelo and Cream might show again on Sunday, April 18, the last day of ancillary classes. But even if they don’t, Angelo has a trophy and will be making a trip on Friday, April 16, to the big pen to show Chics Rrock Starr in the Limited Non Pro Classic.

“So, you never know, maybe I can take something else home,” he said with a smile.

Greg Gottschalk marked a 141 on Einsteins Resolution, a 4-year-old gelding by Great Resolve and out of Sonoma Starlet, to take second in the class and take home $371.

The National Reining Breeders Classic, celebrating its tenth anniversary at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas, is the most successful stallion incentive program in reining history. In just thirteen years, the NRBC has grown to include upwards of 230 subscribed stallions and in 2009, there were over 2,800 enrolled foals. Annually, the payout at the National Reining Breeders Classic exceeds $1.3 million. For information on the NRBC, visit the web site at www.nrbc.com or call 580-759-3939.