With the second day of preliminary herd work of the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada, in the books, Phillip Ralls holds a steady lead over the competition. On the first day of the Snaffle Bit Futurity, Ralls and Dom Dualuise, owned by Chris Larson, marked a 220.5 to take the lead.

If Ralls, of Paso Robles, California, can maintain the lead through the last two sets, he will be awarded a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Bill and Michelle Cowan of Ardmore, Oklahoma, the Oxbow Perpetual Trophy, and the National Cutting Horse Association trophy.

Currently leading the Cinch Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions is Weatherford, Texas, trainer Winston Hansma. The accomplished cutting horse trainer who currently has NCHA earnings of $2.2 million piloted his 3-year-old mare, Jills A Little Blue, to a score of 217. Jills A Little Blue is by Mecom Blue out of Jills CD.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity preliminaries continue on Wednesday with the final two sets of Open Herd Work, which will be followed by the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, and Amateur division preliminary herd work. The Open, Cinch Intermediate Open, and Limited Open finalists will be decided after the cow work preliminaries on Tuesday, September 28. The Cinch Intermediate Open and Limited Open Finals will be held on Saturday, October 2, while the Open Finals will be held on Sunday, October 3.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity began in 1970, and has been held at the Reno Livestock Events Center since 1999. Complete results can be found on 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.