Josie Coverdale and her 9-year-old gelding, Twice The Scamp, have been showing in the National Reining Horse Association ancillary classes at the National Reining Breeders Classic since 2008. The pair has always done well in the East Arena pen, but they never before made it to the winner’s circle. That is until Tuesday, April 13, when Josie and “Gus” marked a 140.5 to take the Limited Non Pro (1) trophy. They collected not only an NRHA pewter trophy but also a check for $110.

“It feels great winning my first class here,” said the Texas A&M University Animal Science professor. “I’ve been coming here for years, either as a spectator or with the collegiate team, but I didn’t start competing until three years ago when I bought Gus. We just stepped up from the Rookie to the Non Pro, so this is a real exciting win for us.”

By Twice As Shiney and out of Ms Magnolia Scamp, Gus has almost $6,000 in NRHA lifetime earnings. Josie and Gus have three more ancillary classes this week and hope to do well again under the guidance of trainer Patty Brownshadel of Hempstead, Texas. The pair might even have a shot at taking home one of the beautiful Gist championship buckles to be awarded to the high-point winner of each ancillary class.

Lyle Lovett and Smart Shinetta, by Shining Spark and out of Smart Hickory, who won the 2009 NRHA ancillary Limited Non Pro (1), were second with a 140, earning a check of $75 and a Platinum Performance gift card.

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.