The first-ever National Reined Cow Horse Association Level 1 Limited Open Limited Age Event division made its debut during the NRCHA Stakes in Nampa, Idaho. Run as a stand-alone class, the Level 1 Limited Open is open to riders who have not won more than $7,500 in NRCHA limited age event competition.

Winning the title was Keith Vogel, who rode Little Pistol Peach to a 639 composite, comprised of a 212 in the herd work, and 213.5 in both the rein and cow work. “We made three clean runs and stayed out of the penalty box – and this mare carried me through the rest of it,” Vogel said modestly following the class. The win supplemented the lifetime earnings of Little Pistol Peach, by Playgun out of Lone Star Peach, by $1,197. “She’s owned by my fiancé Lauren Ashton-Porter. She thought we could win on her and we took a chance. She’s proved she’s good. She’s a darn good horse that is bred to show and has been trained to work.”

Vogel, of Pueblo, Colorado, worked several years with multiple World Champion roper J.D. Yates, and while there he got a taste of cow horse competition. “When I went out on my own I decided to take a go at it. I was fortunate to get good horses to ride early on,” he said. “I thank all the people who helped me get here.”

Chase Trahern and Smart Little Laredo, winners of the Intermediate Non Pro at the NRCHA Circle Y Ranch Derby in San Angelo, Texas, took Level 1 Limited Open Reserve honors with a 628.5 composite. Trahern and Smart Little Laredo, by Laredo Blue out of Smart Little Spring, marked a 201 in the herd work, a 214.5 in the rein work, and a 213 in the cow work, and collected $718.

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.