The first day of horse show classes at the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada, ended with the Open Two Rein.

Lyn Anderson has done well on many of Smoke Time Tuck’s babies, including Smart Time Tuck, She Smokes Smart, Ill Smoke Smart and Smoking Tucker. So when she had the opportunity to purchase Lil Time To Smoke, she jumped at the chance.

By Senors Lil Brudder, 6-year-old “Rudy” is a full brother to Smart Time Tuck, Anderson’s all-time favorite horse. The Madera, California, trainer bought him from client Kathy Schaefer a little more than a year ago. “He has all kinds of talent, just like his brother,” Anderson said of Rudy.

Anderson and Rudy won the 2010 NRCHA Stallion Stakes Open Two Rein championship in March and hoped to add another Open Two Rein title to the stallion’s repertoire at the Snaffle Bit Futurity.

When Lyn and Rudy entered the arena ninth in the draw of 15 horses on Saturday, September 25, Boyd Rice and Mr Playinstylish had just taken over the lead with a composite score of 286.

But it didn’t take long for the crowd to start cheering Lyn and Rudy on once the rein work began. “This horse has always been really good in the big fast and small slow. Actually he’s little bit more on the laid back side, so he always comes down really nicely,” she said. “His lead changes have been a problem but we got through those good. He stopped well, and he’s the best one out of that mare in the spins. He’s always been a very good and very fast spinner. I just have to let him do his thing and stay out of his way.”

Lyn was pleased with their cow they drew for the fence work, too. “I loved my cow. My cow ran and my horse ran. This horse is really getting cow smart. When I ask him to go turn it, he does.”

The pair marked a 145.5 in the rein work and a 149 in the cow work for a composite score of 294.5. Rudy earned a check for $2,940; a Bob’s Custom Saddle, courtesy of Paul and Amy Bailey; a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Wagonhound Land & Livestock LLC; a C.R. Morrison NRCHA trophy; a monogrammed Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles; Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

For a trainer who usually rides other people’s horses, it’s a little strange for Anderson to own the winner. “It’s kind of weird,” she said. “You don’t have to call anybody up and tell them the horse did bad. And financially the horse has been paying his way all year. He’s been very good about that. It’s been really fun this year. I’ve been very pleased with him.”

Dan Roeser and Diane Edwards’ Sanjo Shine marked a 287 for the reserve championship, and earned $2,450; a horse hair mecate, courtesy of Krause Mecates; a monogrammed Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles; Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

In the Non Pro Two Rein jackpot class, John Farris of Rancho Santa Fe, California, marked a 272 on Boomba Chic, who is by Boomernic and out of Jae Bar Olena, to win the championship and a check for $250.

“My trainer, Glen Aspinall, has done such a good job of training this horse,” Farris said. “He has all the buttons on him. I’ve been so lucky to have him.”

The Snaffle Bit Futurity continues Sunday, September 26, with the Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro preliminary cow work, along with another full day of horse show classes. A live webcast can be found by visiting the NRCHA website at www.nrcha.com.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, 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 Adequan, Bob’s Custom Saddles, Cinch, Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, John Deere, Markel Insurance, MD Barns, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Running W Designs, the Silver Legacy, and Wide World of Horses, 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 website at www.nrcha.com.