Bridle Spectaculars at National Reined Cow Horse Association produced events showcase the most talented and trained horses in the reined cow horse industry – the bridle horses. The Coyote Rock Ranch Open Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Stakes in Nampa, Idaho, featured 12 veteran cow horses all vying for a piece of the large payout.

In the end, it was NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford and Cookin Merada who won the class, taking the title by four points! It was the first time for the flashy paint stallion, by Meradas Money Talks, to compete in cow horse competition in a bridle, and Crawford admitted it was a little tricky.

“We definitely had some bugs to work out in the herd work. We marked a 211.5, and some parts were really good, and then sometimes the cow did some tricky things. It could have been better,” he said, then laughed, adding, “It could have been a whole lot worse, too.”

But when it came time for the rein work, Cookin Merada shined, marking a 223.5 – the highest rein work score of the day. He followed that with a 219 in the fence work, and claimed the title, along with a check for $4,620. “He was as good as he’s ever been in the reining. He was just dead-on everywhere he was supposed to be. We drew a good cow and made good turns. He usually gives you a solid run, and he was exceptional today,” noted the Blanchard, Oklahoma, trainer.

Crawford has ridden Cookin Merada to earnings that now exceed $100,000 including a third place finish in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, and finalist placings at most of the major aged events. The stallion is currently standing at Crawford Stallion Station in Blanchard. Cookin Merada is owned by Matacorp LTD.

Ted Robinson, who holds the distinction of being the winningest rider in NRCHA history, and San Juan Ranch’s Shiners Diamond Girl were the Reserve Champions with a 651 composite. The Shining Spark daughter, out of Zans Diamond Jackie, added an additional $3,850 to her already impressive lifetime earnings.

Just a day after Smart Chic Dot Com won the $5K Non Pro Limited with his owner, Kris Troxel, Smart Chic Dot Com returned to the arena with Christina Allen to win the Limited Open Bridle Championship. Troxel collected $1,500 for the win, made possible by scores of 212 in the rein work and 214 in the fence work.

“It all went pretty smooth today. He was soft and really good in the rein work,” Allen noted. “When the cow came out we went down the opposite fence than you normally would. I tried to drive him back down the correct side, but it shot to the middle. Chic stayed right with him and we got a few good turns, and that was the end of it!”

Allen thanks Kris Troxel for letting her show Chic, and added that there was someone else who deserved credit. “My horse shoer, Ron Vincent, deserves a lot of credit. Not only does he take care of the horses, he fixes my spurs and other things, too. Thanks Ron, for all your help!”

Brad Bowlen won the Reserve Championship on Mr Smart Badger with a 410.5, collecting $900. Mr Smart Badger, owned by Larry and Kathleen Truscott, is by Gray N Smart out of Zorra Badger.

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.