The National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, held at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, began Saturday morning with the Open and Limited Open Hackamore competition. Lyn Anderson, of Madera, California, won the Open Hackamore Championship on Meet Rippen Diamonds, a 5-year-old gelding by Like A Diamond out of Cee Bars Rip.

A score of 216 in the rein work was followed by a 219 in the cow work, and earned a check for $3,072. “He was real good and comfortable in the rein work. We just missed making the finals in the Stakes, and I didn’t like his left spins during the prelims, and they were much better today, so I was happy,” she said. “We had a very good cow that boxed well and ran hard. It was a real classic cow work. I was very pleased – he is very fun to work a cow on.”

Anderson admits that she didn’t have much faith in Meet Rippen Diamonds fence ability – up until May of his 4-year-old year he hadn’t marked over a 68 in the cow work! “The cows were a little tough, and he was a little immature, and I didn’t know if he would make it. Then he got confident and consistent. He went from marking 68s to 73s in a very short period of time,” she said. In fact, Anderson was able to pilot the gelding to the 2009 NRCHA Open Hackamore National Championship!

Anderson plans to continue showing Meet Rippen Diamonds for his owner, Dick Hershman, giving him another year in the Hackamore before moving on to the Two Rein and eventually the Bridle.

Todd Fitch took the Open Hackamore Reserve Championship on Quanah Chexs Fortune, owned by Larry and Nancy Fitch. Quanah Chexs Fortune marked 210.5 in the rein work and a 215.5 in the fence work for a 426 total, and earned $2,304. Quanah Chexs Fortune is by Little Quanah Chex out of Fortune N Pistol.

In his first time to show his horse in the Hackamore, Ryan Thomas won the Limited Open! He was riding his 4-year-old mare, Lenas Gray Command, earning a 420.5 total and taking home $1,620.

“She’s always a big stopper, and her circles and lead changes felt good. I wish my turn-arounds had been a little better, but I think I did alright,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect in the cow work – they’ve been a little unpredictable. I just tried to do what I’ve been taught to do.”

The 21-year-old works for Wade Reaney, who helped him find Lenas Gray command as a 2-year-old. “I really thank Wade. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have this horse, and he helped me train her – so I really appreciate him,” he said. “I also thank my mom, Denise Thomas, and my dad, Morgan Thomas.”

Christina Allen and Paloma Roo were the Limited Open Hackamore Reserve Champions and received a check for $1,080. Paloma Roo, owned by KT Cowhorses and Christina Allen, is by Gallo Del Cielo out of Instant Paloma.

Bill Tointon collected $1,500 for the Non Pro Hackamore Championship on Cinnabars J Jay. Not only did Bill win the Non Pro Hackamore, he also placed third on Friday in the NRCHA Amateur Stakes with Cinnabars J Jay, collecting an additional $740. Cinnabars J Jay, by Cinnabars Lil Lena out of Doctors Miss Music, is owned by Bill’s wife Janiejill.

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.