When Bill Cowan brought Reward Me Please to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby to compete in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, he wasn’t sure how they would fare. But when the final results were tabulated and confirmed, he and the 7-year-old mare had a five-point edge over the competition. The win garnered a $4,894 paycheck, a CR Morrison trophy, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

In the first leg of competition – the herd work – the pair scored a 215. “I’ve been showing more in the cutting. I was worried about showing her because she’s just a little different, but she was really good. She cut like I wanted to and I was really happy with the way she performed,” he said.

That score was followed by a rein work score of 216, and then Cowan and Reward Me Please, by Chic Please out of Reward Me Peppy, marked the high cow work score of the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular – a 223.5! “Reining’s not my forte, so I was pretty happy. Todd Crawford helps me a lot with the reining so I took his advice and she was good,” he said. “She’s still a little green in the fence work, but with some help from Todd and my good friend Jerry Alvord, she was good. She tried her little rear off. That’s what I like about her. She always tries.”

NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Anne Reynolds claimed the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Reserve title on More Magic Please, one of her former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions. Reynolds and More Magic Please, by Chic Please out of Magical Lena, won $3,845 for the 649.5 composite.

In the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle, it was Kristi Locatelli of Boulder Creek, California, and her standout stallion Imacockadoodledude who took top honors with a 434.5. Locatelli and “Dude” were also entered in the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, and placed third, bringing their total take for the event to $4,066!

“He was really good today, especially considering we haven’t been anywhere lately and he was at the breeding barn until about two week ago,” Locatelli said of her 8-year-old stallion, by Gallo Del Cielo out of Taris Velvet. “I was pleased with him.”

With Locatelli at the reins, Dude has earned over $90,000 in competition. His career began with the Intermediate Non Pro Championship and Non Pro Reserve Championship at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity. He’s been an American Quarter Horse Association Amateur Reserve World Champion in Reining, won the Non Pro Hackamore at the Snaffle Bit Futurity, and returned the next year to win the Non Pro Bridle.

“He’s a huge stopper, and he’s really honest in the show pen, especially considering how much I’ve shown him,” noted Locatelli. “He’s always been easy to be around and ride and has such a great personality.

Locatelli thanked her parents, Bob and Terry Locatelli, her good friend Jerry Vaughn, her trainer Brad Buttrey and his wife Sis “For all their help.”

Jayson Fisher and Nu Cash Cutter, who won the Non Pro Limited earlier in the week with Jayson’s wife Teresa, were the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Champions with a 424, collecting $913. Nu Cash Cutter is by Smart Cash Cutter out of Nu Cashlynn Rose.

Deborah Wise might not have been down the fence prior to January, and her horse might not have been shown for a year before putting sliders back on in April – but she won the Novice Non Pro Bridle, and its accompanying check for $1,710, on Dusty Smart Oakie, by Dusty Dry Tivio out of Ms Double Oakie.

“I’m really proud! We weren’t even going to show him this year at all – he was my dad’s rope horse,” explained Wise of Shafter, California. “He’s just been roped on this last year.”

Wise has been riding with John Ward since August of last year. “I thank John and his wife Laurie, and Monica and Mallorie who work for them. They’re all great. John has believed in me more than I have and convinced me that I can do it,” she said. “Also thank you to Tom and Lorie Fox for introducing my husband George and I to the Wards and their program.”

With two young daughters at home, Wise had a few other special people to thank. “Thanks to my dad, Joe, who hauls with me, and to my husband who comes as much as he can. Thanks also to my mom, Pam, for taking care of my girls when I’m away.”

With a score of 421.5, Cindy Mendoza won the Novice Non Pro Bridle Reserve Championship on CP Remedy, collecting $1,425. CP Remedy is by Tangys Classy Peppy out of Miss Remedy.

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.