Jake Telford rode Kiss My Shiny Lips to top the field of 12 Open Two Rein entries at the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic, held at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. Telford scored a 147.5 in the rein work, and 144 in the cow work, earning Holy Cow Performance Horses a check for $1,680.

“This little mare is getting so much better in the rein work. At times she has been tough to show because she would get kind of hot,” said Telford. “The cow work was a little scary. I lost a stirrup on the first turn and I kept thinking about not falling off. I had to make two more turns without the stirrup before circling up. That would have been embarrassing!”

The Caldwell, Idaho trainer and the mare, by Shining Spark and out of Lipschic, were recently the Open Two Rein Reserve Champions at another NRCHA premier event – the NRCHA Stakes. Telford and the 6-year-old mare were finalists at the 2007 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, and were the Co-Reserve Champions in the Open Hackamore at the 2008 Snaffle Bit Futurity.

“I’m very fortunate to have Nancy Crawford-Hall of Holy Cow Performance Horses as a client and as a friend,” Jake noted. “She’s such a huge sponsor and supporter of the reined cow horse industry, and she’s like part of my family.”

Holy Cow Performance Horses has had a great Hackamore Classic. Telford won the Open Bridle on their stallion, Shady Lil Starlight.

Lyn Anderson and Lil Time To Smoke, who were the Open Two Rein Champions at the NRCHA Stakes, took the Reserve title after marking a 144.5 in the rein work and a 145 in the fence work. The Reserve title added $1,400 to Lil Time To Smoke’s lifetime earnings. Lil Time To Smoke, owned by Anderson, is by Senors Lil Brudder out of Smoke Time Tuck.

Former NRCHA Hackamore Classic and NRCHA Stakes Amateur Champions Heather Livingston and Allthatglittersisme topped the jackpot Non Pro Two Rein class, collecting $225. Home-grown Allthatglittersisme, by Yellow Roan Of Texas out of Mistys Remedy. Livingston, who owns a successful hair salon, said after the NRCHA Stakes win, “I love this mare – she’s my best friend. She’s so human-like and is very emotional. She calls for me every morning.”

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 .