On Saturday, June 19, at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California, Darrel Norcutt won the Limited Open Bridle of the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby. Riding Fairlea Steady Betty, the Fallon, Nevada, trainer marked a 212.5 in the rein work and a 216 in the cow work for a 428.5 total.

“She was good in the reining and real good in the cow. We had a little trouble circling one way. The cow didn’t want to turn and she muscled him around. I was pretty happy with her,” Norcutt said.

Fairlea Steady Betty is owned by Therese and Basil Kehoe, who collected $1,680. They also received a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Norcutt has been riding Fairlea Steady Betty, by Smart Steady Date out of Fairleas Qwik Pic, for two years, and says her consistency is what he most appreciates about her. “She’s always the same. She’s pretty funny to warm up. She never feels good or does anything right, but when it’s time to show, she gives me everything she’s capable of and is nice and solid,” he said.

Along with thanking the Kehoes for letting him train their horses, Norcutt noted his appreciation of 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Zane Davis. “I’ve learned a lot of good stuff from Zane in the last few months. He stops in and gives me some good pointers and little things to improve on,” he said.

Riding A Nu Rey Of Hope for Julie-Anne O’Rear, Dan Daponde earned the Reserve Championship and a check for $1,260 with a 417. A Nu Rey Of Hope is by Nu Circle N Cash out of Miss Rey Dry.

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