While the preliminary competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, held March 23-27 at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, decided which competitors would advance to the clean-slate finals on Sunday, it also determined the Amateur Championship.

Elizabeth Kania and Very Mild Remedy dominated the Amateur field, finishing each leg of the competition in either first or second place, marking a 209 in the herd work, a 215 in the rein work, and a 217.5 in the cow work.

“She was good for me. She was really good in the rein work and didn’t get too strong. She did get a little strong in the corner during the cow work, but she waited on the cow. She is really good to me,” said the 19-year-old who attends college at Pacific University. Kania collected a check for $897 for the win.

Kania, who previously showed reining and cutting horses, has only been showing cow horses for the past year, having purchased Very Mild Remedy, by Very Smart Remedy out of Dry N Mild, from Jerry Beukelman. “I moved to a cow horse trainer – Jim Spence – and decided I wanted a cow horse,” she explained. “I thank Jim for helping me and my parents for funding everything. I hope to compete a while. I want to get another horse and go to the Derbies next year.”

Heather Livingston and Soula Jule Girl, by Soula Jule Star out of Okies Hickory Girl, won the Amateur Reserve Championship with a 627.5 composite, pocketing a cool $598. Livingston and Soula Jule Girl made a classic comeback after marking a 196 in the herd work when they performed strong with a 217 in the rein work and a 214.5 in the fence work.

The NRCHA Stakes is one of five NRCHA Premier Events, and annually boasts a payout near the $300,000 mark! Part of the Stake’s success is its tie to the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion program. Owners of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions pay a fee every year, making that stallion’s foals eligible to compete in the NRCHA Stakes. Only foals of enrolled stallions are eligible to compete.

To show appreciation to the generous stallion owners, the NRCHA presents a monetary award to the nominator of the sire of the Champion of each division of the Stakes. Anne Reynolds nominated her stallion Very Smart Remedy for the program, and will receive a $1,000 cash award.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, now in its 62nd 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 Company, Nutrena, Pfizer Animal Health, Platinum Performance, Quarter Horse News, Rios of Mercedes, Running W Designs, the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino, and Merial products UlcerGard and EQUIOXX, 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.