The Non Pro titles for the 2011 National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic were awarded on Sunday, May 1. Topping the leader board for the Non Pro was Anne Reynolds, who rode Very Shiney to a 434 composite, winning $6,135.

Reynolds had originally planned to show the week before the Hackamore Classic at the National Reining Breeders Classic in Texas – but when her horse was sidelined with an injury, she made an eleventh hour decision to enter the Hackamore Classic.

“I just had a couple weeks to work this horse in the hackamore. I wasn’t sure how it would work out, but he’s a fairly light and sensitive horse, so I thought he’d be ok,” she explained. “I think he can use some more time to really reach his potential, but I was pleased with him.”

The pair began the competition with a 143.5 in the herd work, followed that with a 146.5 in the rein work, and finished with a 144 in the cow work. “Because we were a post-entry, we had to go last in the first set. It was a tough draw, but we got three cows cut well. He was also really good in the reining,” Reynolds said. “Everything worked out in the fence work. My horse was trying.”

Reynolds thanked her herd help – Morgan Cromer, Jake Telford, Ted Robinson, and Jon Roeser – as well as Nick Dowers. “Nick helped me get the horse ready and helped me get everything done,” she said.

Reynolds, of King Hill, Idaho, holds the distinction of being the only Non Pro and only woman to have earned over a million dollars in NRCHA competition alone. Not only is she a force to be reckoned with in the show pen, her breeding program has produced some of the hottest reined cow horses around – and according to EquiStat, she was the second leading breeder of reined cow horses in 2010.

Carol Roberts and Oaks Dual Rey Win Intermediate Non Pro Championship!

With Carol Roberts at the reins, Oaks Dual Rey won the Hackamore Classic Intermediate Non Pro Championship, as well as the Non Pro Reserve title with a score of 432. The pair collected $2,280 in the Intermediate Non Pro, and an extra $4,908 in the Non Pro.

“I had incredible herd help. I thank Phillip Ralls, Doug Williamson, Corey Cushing, and Jon Roeser. I could never have done it without them. I also thank Scott Weis for helping me in the cutting,” she said. “In the rein work my horse was really good. We had a weird scotch on one stop, but he was quiet in the hackamore so I was happy.”

The morning of the fence work, Roberts was able to get some time in the practice pen, thanks to Phillip Ralls. “Phillip let us come and work cattle down the fence and prepare. When it came time to show, it was insane how good he was. It just all came together and it was just like it was earlier in the day.

Roberts found Oaks Dual Rey, by TR Dual Rey out of Docs Pearly Oak, through a YouTube video. She never saw Oaks Dual Rey in person – just on a computer screen – but she took a chance and bought him anyway. Her gamble paid off, as the TR Dual Rey gelding, out of Docs Pearly Oak, has become a very consistent and flashy cow horse. “I talked to the owner and I had a good feeling about it.” She explained, “I had seen a promotional video of TR Dual Rey, and I knew that I wanted one of his colts.”

Tammy Johnston won the Intermediate Non Pro Hackamore on Nu Prize, owned by her son Trystan Johnson. Tammy and Nu Prize, by Smokums Prize out of My Nu Masterpiece, had a 427.5 composite, and collected $1,900.

Dakota Anderson Wins Amateur Title on Soula Boom Star

Dakota Anderson has a lot of experience showing cutters and rodeoing. But the 17-year-old made the switch to reined cow horses, and at only his third show, won the Amateur Championship! “It’s a pretty big change, but I was willing to give up the other events for this – I really like this,” he said. “I love this horse. He’s for sale but I don’t want to sell him. I want to train cow horses for a living.”

Anderson won the title on Soula Boom Star, by Soula Jule Star out of Savannah Lee 2000, with a 436, thanks to a 142 in the herd, a 146.5 in the rein work, and a 147.5 in the fence work. All three scores were the highest marked in the Amateur division.

The win netted a check for $1,340. “He’s a 5-year-old. A good friend raised him. I thought I liked him and I got him as a Christmas present,” Anderson explained. “I ride with Sandy Collier with him. I really appreciate Sandy and Tina Fry for all their encouragement and help. I also thank my parents Tony and Lisa Anderson for getting me here and helping out with expensive, and I also thank Mike and Debbie Brautovich.”

Loretta Showalter won the Amateur Reserve Championship on Im Miss Be Haven, by Ill Be Smart out of Miss Lena Badger. Showalter took home a check for $1,005.

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.