In only his third reined cow horse event, ever, Jason Haefner of American Canyon, California, captured the Limited Open Championship of the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Reno, Nevada. Riding Smart Lookin Cat, owned by his wife Dana, Haefner had a 640 composite – good for the first-place check for $6,440.

Haefner, an accomplished cutter, began the day with a 222 in the herd work, giving him an early lead, but a 205.5 in the rein work might have taken him out of contention. “Cookie Banuelos, Jon Roeser, and I were picking cattle, and two of our picks got cut right before us. I had a really good first cow that showed off what this horse can do. He’s really big in the cutting, and I train cutting horses, so that was good for me,” he said. “Today was my fourth reining pattern ever! I was just happy to get through it. I’ve got to give Jon Roeser most of the credit – he’s helped me a lot in the rein work.”

When it was time for the fence work, Haefner was in for a surprise – the cow he drew was the first one he had cut out of the herd! “That was the craziest thing. I recognized it as soon as it came out. I knew it would be soft because it was so soft in the herd. I was worried that my horse would be tired so I just opened him up with everything I had. I was trying to decide about making a third turn, but we stumbled and fell behind, so I had to just go with it,” he said of his cow work, at which he marked a 212.5. “The cow work is what I love about the event – it’s a blast!”

Jason and his wife, Dana, raised Smart Lookin Cat, by WR This Cats Smart out of Stylin Jewel. After just a couple months of riding as a 2-year-old, Jason was sure the talented colt would be a big-time cutter – but Dana had other ideas! “I told Dana that he was going to be our next Fort Worth horse – but she’s always wanted to do the cow horse so she nixed that idea real quick,” he said, laughing. “She’ll probably be showing him in the cow work as a 4-year-old.”

Haefner received a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Sherman Quarter Horses; a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Doug Granade; a handmade custom hat from Shorty’s Hattery; a C.R. Morrison trophy and commemorative medallion; an ESP pad from Classic Equine; a monogrammed Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles; and Platinum Performance.

Taking Reserve honors and winning $5,152 was Les Oswald and Dulces Little Light, owned by Rena and Richard Whyler of Willows, California. The pair also won $2,964 in the Cinch Intermediate Open finals. Oswald and the Whylers also received a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Laguna Island Ranch; a monogrammed Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles; Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

The 2010 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, held annually at the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada, began on September 20 with the preliminary competition. The event, which concludes Sunday, October 3, with the Open Finals, will pay out over $1.1 million.

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 Hotel and Casino, 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.