Nick Dowers began working for acclaimed National Reined Cow Horse Association Non Pro Anne Reynolds at the beginning of 2011. Only a few months into his job, the young trainer won over $22,000 in a single event – the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes!

Dowers was riding Shiney and Very Smart, by Very Smart Remedy out of Shirley Shine, a horse that Reynolds rode to the 2009 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Championship. On Finals day of the NRCHA Stakes, Dowers and the 5-year-old cow horse marked a 218.5 in the herd work, a 216 in the rein work, and a 221 in the cow work for a 655.5 composite.

“The herd work was awesome and right on. It was easily the best I’ve ever had on him. He was just on it from the start. The rein work was really good, even though I could have shown him better,” he said. “In the cow work I could see the cow down the lane and I knew it was going to be good and feely. It was just what we needed.”

Not only did the high score result in the Intermediate Open and Limited Open Championships, totaling $9,355 in earnings, the pair also finished fourth in the Open, worth an additional $13,113. “It was a good time today,” noted Dowers modestly. “He’s a phenomenal horse and I’m very thankful that Anne lets me show him.”

Dowers, now of King Hill, Idaho, not only thanked Reynolds. “I really appreciate Jake Telford for all his help, as well as all the team from our barn,” he said.

Ron Emmons and Reygans Smart Lena and Lyn Anderson and Tuckers Smart Cat tied for the Intermediate Open Reserve Championship with scores of 655, with each earning $3,810. Reygans Smart Lena, owned by Douglas and Cynthia Granade, is by Dual Rey out of Smart Fancy Lena. Tuckers Smart Cat, by WR This Cats Smart out of Smoke Time Tuck, is owned by David and Barbara Archer.

The Limited Open Reserve Championship went to CD Ben and John Swales, who marked a 213.5 in the herd work, a 217 in the rein work, and a 219 in the cow work for a 649.5 composite. CD Ben, owned by Mary Reti, is by Soula Jule Star out of CD Precious Gem.

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.