The Limited Open Bridle Championship of the 2011 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes was decided Saturday, March 26, at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho. Winning the title was Matt Hoekenga of Fallon, Nevada, who rode Codys Sierra Gypsy to a 423.5, collecting $1,620.

“She was good in the rein work. She turned around real nice, and stopped hard,” said Hoekenga of the mare by Sierras Top Cody out of Chicaros Bay Lady. “We drew a good cow. She was really with that cow the whole time. She’s a great little mare.”

Codys Sierra Gypsy, owned by John and Sandy Friberg, was trained by Flint Lee, whom Hoekenga has been working with for two years. The Stakes is only the pair’s third show together. “I wouldn’t be here without Flint and the whole Lee family, as well as our clients – including Liz Younger and Sandy Friberg – who let me show their horses,” said Hoekenga. “I also thank my family for helping me out and being so supportive.”

Hoekenga started out his equine career in rodeo – but when he started working for Lee, he realized how much he enjoyed the reined cow horse industry. “I’m hooked. I crave riding the cow horses. Flint lets me ride all these good horses. We train hard at home and it goes good when we come to town,” he said. “I plan to continue doing this.”

Don Lindsay won the Limited Open Bridle Reserve Championship on JB Dashes Heaven, owned by JB Performance Horses LLC. The pair had a 419 total on two, winning $1,080. JB Dashes Heaven is by Cooke County Etc out of Dashin Fancy.

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.