Two years ago, Tejons Boomencommand got caught in a fence and broke his hock and stifle. For many horses that might have been the end of his career, but with surgery and a year-long layup, “Boomer” has started showing again. And on Tuesday, September 28, the palomino gelding won the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Limited Open Bridle class at the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada, with a composite score of 428.5.

“This is pretty cool that he’s come back and we’ve made the Open Bridle finals and won the Limited. It’s kind of a tribute to him and how big of a heart he’s got,” said Boomer’s rider and trainer Trent Pedersen.

Owned by Stephanie Blair of Eagle Point, Oregon, Boomer was started and shown by NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Todd Crawford and Pedersen has had the gelding in his barn for about three years.

“He is one of the most physically talented horses I’ve ever ridden,” Pedersen said.

Pedersen and Boomer marked a 220.5 in the rein work and a 208 in the cow work to win the Limited Open Bridle. The title came with a check for $1,620, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Joe Putnam, a C.R. Morrison NRCHA trophy, a Cinch monogrammed vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

Christina Allen and Smart Chic Dot Com, owned by Kristen Troxel of Nampa, Idaho, won the Limited Open Bridle Reserve Championship, earning $1,350, a Cinch vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance, and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

In the Open Bridle Preliminaries, it took a 428 to make it back to the finals, which will be held Saturday, October 2. Marking the highest score out of 44 riders was Ron Emmons and Olena Oak with a 216.5 in the rein work and a 226 in the cow work for a 442.5. Olena Oak, by Smart Chic Olena out of Fritz Oak E Doakie, is owned by Mel Smith and Nichole Scott.

To keep up with the action, visit the NRCHA website at www.nrcha.com, or the NRCHA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nrcha.

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 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 Web Site at www.nrcha.com .