He’s only six years old, but Smooth N Cash has won over $100,000 in reined cow horse competition. On Saturday night at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic, the young cow horse added another entry to his resume – an Open Bridle Spectacular Championship! The win came with a check for $5,040.

At the reins was his longtime trainer, Jake Gorrell. The pair began the show with a 147 in the herd work – the part of competition where the stallion, by Smooth As A Cat out of Dox Gavacash, excels. “He’s the best in the herd work. He just did his typical go. He’s really expressive, and everyone loves him in the herd work,” noted Gorrell.

In the rein work, the pair marked a 143.5, and followed that with a 149 in the fence work. “I knew there were people close to us, and he’s still a little green, so I just wanted to keep him soft and clean in the rein work,” Gorrell explained. “We drew a hard cow in the fence work. It’s not often you ride a horse this young that you can expose so much. I boxed the cow for a minute and was about to go down the fence, and it came at us. I never had a horse that I could be so confident on – I pushed him up and knocked it in the neck and pushed it back. He showed true grit tonight – he’s the best horse I’ve ever swung a leg over.”

Smooth N Cash was a finalist at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, the NRCHA Stakes, the NRCHA Derby, and most recently, the NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman competition.

Gorrell, new father to six-week-old Chet Daniel, added that he plans to show Smooth N Cash at the major bridle events. “I have the best owners in the world. Thank you to Bonnie and Don Roloff for letting me show this horse,” he said.

With NRCHA Hall of Famer Smoky Pritchett in the saddle, Jasons Peptolena won the Open Bridle Spectacular Reserve Championship and $4,200. The Peptoboonsmal stallion, out of Amys Little Date, had a 436.5 composite. Jasons Peptolena is owned by Terry Ratto.

Chris Krieg Wins Limited Open Bridle on Bonzarlo

The Limited Open Bridle was held concurrently with the rein and cow work of the Open Bridle Spectacular, and it was Chris Krieg who won the class. He was riding veteran cow horse Bonzarlo, owned by Laurie Ward, and topped the class with a 283.5.

“Zar (Bonzarlo) was great. His circles were good and fast, he was straight and true to his stops, and he spun great!” Krieg, who won $1,440, added, “We drew a tough cow down the fence. When we have a fast cow we’re great. This one was medium fast and we got in the ground and turned it. The cow was tough to circle, but once we got it lined out it was good.”

Bonzarlo, a 14-year-old gelding by Smart Little Pepinic out of Tootin Oak, was raised at the Ward Ranch, and ridden in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro by Laurie. “He’s a good old bridle horse. Every time we go in the arena he works, and he’s a great horse to take down the fence,” Krieg noted. “John (Ward) put me on him. I thank John and Laurie, as well as Ronnie and Karin Richards, for helping me and teaching me so much.”

Krieg works for the Ward Ranch, mainly starting the 2-year-olds. “I also thank Mallory Holland, Monica DeBie, John Pascoe, Ron and Ginger DeGrange, and everyone else who’s helped me,” he said.

Winning the Reserve Championship was Matt Hoekenga, who piloted Codys Sierra Gypsy to a 283, pocketing $1,080. Codys Sierra Gypsy, owned by John and Sandra Friberg, is by Sierras Top Cody out of Chicaros Bay Lady.

Complete results can be found on the NRCHA website at www.nrcha.com.

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.