The first of the Finals for the 2010 National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity were held Friday, October 1. The top 11 Non Pro riders, along with the seven high scoring Intermediate Non Pro competitors took center-stage at the Reno Livestock Events Center in Reno, Nevada.

Anne Reynolds, of King Hill, Idaho, finished the preliminary composite in spots one through three – all on offspring of her stallion, Very Smart Remedy. She also claimed the top three spots in the Finals.

Her record sixth Non Pro Championship ride came aboard Very Smart Playmate, out of Gunna Be Mine, owned by her mother Joyce Pearson. Reynolds began the day with a 214.5 on the mare, followed that with a 213.5 in the rein work, and claimed the Championship title with a 215 in the cow work for a 643 composite.

“It’s unbelievable! I just can’t believe it – it was great!” She added, “I was 1-2-3 in the preliminaries, and I didn’t think we could do it again, and couldn’t believe that we could win the Futurity again. I had given the lecture on positive thinking, but the doubt crept in about what could happen. I just tried to do a good job.”

The win netted a check for $17,780; a C.R. Morrison cow horse bronze sponsored by Arcese Quarter Horses; a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Holy Cow Performance Horses; a Gist Silversmiths buckle from Jon and Jody Semper; a custom handmade hat from Shortys Hattery; an ESP pad from Classic Equine; a Cinch vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles; a C.R. Morrison trophy; Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

Reynolds won the Reserve Championship on Smart As Sister, out of Teena Cash Flo, and collected an additional $14,224; a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Dominic Conicelli; a Cinch monogrammed vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles; Platinum Performance, and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion. Smart As Sister is also owned by Pearson.

Reynolds tied for third place with Mike Miller and Duallin Indy Fever (Playboys Buck Fever x Duallin Dayna) with Very Shiney, out of Shirley Shine. Both competitors won $10,668.

The 1-2-3 finish not only netted Reynolds over $42,000, it added even more credibility to Very Smart Remedy’s prowess as a sire of outstanding cow horses. “I’m just so proud of the colts that he’s producing. They’re great show horses and are what you really want for this event,” she said.

Reynolds added, “It’s very rewarding. We’ve been at this a long time and it’s really nice to be proving him and our mares as well. I’m really blown away by it.”

The Non Pro finals were held concurrently with the Intermediate Non Pro, and it was Jayson Fisher and Hearts Willowy Fox at the top of the leader board. With a 630 composite, Fisher, of Arroyo Grande, California, won not only the Intermediate Non Pro Championship, but also sixth place in the Non Pro division. Fisher was awarded a check for $7,504; a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Tom and Karen Walters; a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Diamond E Enterprises – Michelle Cannon; a C.R. Morrison trophy; a custom handmade hat from Shorty’s Hattery; an ESP pad from Classic Equine; a monogrammed Cinch vest sponsored by Bob’s Custom Saddles; Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion. Fisher also won $6,223 for the Non Pro finish.

But weeks before the start of the Snaffle Bit Futurity, it looked like Hearts Willowy Fox would be unable to compete. A persistent hoof abscess almost kept the Heart Of A Fox mare, out of Satin Playboy, out of the event. “I kept looking at the clock and seeing that Futurity was getting closer. About ten days before it started we opened it up and found another abscess,” he explained.

With the help of long-time friend and horse shoer Shawn Renshaw, the hoof began to heal, and Fisher was back in the saddle after a few days. “She had about a month off, but she got better and came back like she hadn’t missed a beat. Shawn built a special plate for her, and it really helped,” he said.

Fisher thanked his wife Teresa and son Wyatt for their support, as well as his trainer Roger Bias, and Ted Robinson. Earlier in the week Fisher won the Intermediate Non Pro Bridle on his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro entry, Nu Cash Cutter.

Shannon McCarty and Gangsta Gal, by Gangster Chic out of Primos Bar Gal, won the Intermediate Non Pro Reserve Championship. Along with a check for $5,896, McCarty and owner Cheryl Schuyler were presented with a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Cross Lazy PH; a monogrammed Cinch vest from Bob’s Custom Saddles, Platinum Performance; and a C.R. Morrison commemorative medallion.

Snaffle Bit Futurity action continues Saturday, October 2, with the Cinch Intermediate Open and Limited Open Finals, which will be followed at 4 p.m. by the Open Bridle and Open Hackamore finals.

To keep up with the action, visit the NRCHA website at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=em4lwidab&et=1103737995855&s=40&e=001JF4IIXZn FSFyAo1MHfO5wffIR4j8shSYnFF7C2GyHVppkgtqU9U3vZYfyppqfAi4jBGXfPLB8gQgKyr9QJ7n d37oh-kYBQxDZYl6wdkWoLo=> www.nrcha.com, or the NRCHA Facebook page at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=em4lwidab&et=1103737995855&s=40&e=001JF4IIXZn FSGWm4MvSQlTyPyIQ_db7F5vyZveQC0oE3PMUCUYRiQdqUsiXefCs3zq97-WVV4TH6JdzOVBWXpx ViaY88eH9e4jTshWIIRz0U_0iyCy4GTvag==> 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, 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 http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=em4lwidab&et=1103737995855&s=40&e=001JF4IIXZn FSFyAo1MHfO5wffIR4j8shSYnFF7C2GyHVppkgtqU9U3vZYfyppqfAi4jBGXfPLB8gQgKyr9QJ7n d37oh-kYBQxDZYl6wdkWoLo=> www.nrcha.com.