Jake Telford was less than $2,000 away from going over $1 million in lifetime earnings prior to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Hackamore Classic, held at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. Money earned at the event – including an Open Hackamore Championship and Reserve Championship – catapulted him past the milestone to become the Association’s newest million dollar rider.

Telford won the Open Hackamore horse show class on Hes Shinettes CD, by CD Olena out of Sheza Shinette, owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses. Telford and Hes Shinettes CD marked a 149 in the rein work and a 147 in the cow work for a 296 total – good for $4,390. The pair also placed fourth in the Hackamore Classic, worth an additional $7,730.

The Caldwell, Idaho, trainer took the Open Hackamore Reserve title on Abbey Roan, winning $3,512 for owner Newt White. Abbey Roan, by One Time Pepto out of Stylin Jewel, marked 147 in the rein work and 148.5 in the cow work for a 295.5 total. Telford and Abbey Roan were part of a four-way tie for sixth place in the Hackamore Classic, which garnered an additional $4,058 in earnings.

Ryan Thomas Wins Limited Open Hackamore With Fletch My Slippers

Ryan Thomas had a good stay in Paso Robles. Not only did he win the Limited Open Hackamore in the horse show on Fletch My Slippers, he also finished tied for sixth in the Open Hackamore Classic, and Reserve in the Limited Open of the Hackamore Classic, winning $6,767.

“My horse worked really good. I didn’t get her shown like I would have liked to in the herd work,” he said of his 140 score. “But in the rein work she was as good as she’s ever been. That was the best I’ve gotten her shown yet.”

But the best was yet to come, and Thomas and Fletch My Slippers marked a 148 in the fence work! “She can be wicked down the fence, and that was the first time that I got her shown to her potential. We drew a good cow, and she handled it just right.”

Thomas, who trains out of New Plymouth, Idaho, has ridden Fletch My Slippers for Greg Bieker since September of 2010. “She was a little green, but we’ve been working all winter. She’s very capable and there’s a very good horse underneath me,” he said. “I’m going to keep showing her. We’re going to keep stepping up and we’ll get something even bigger next time.”

Monica DeBie won the Limited Open Hackamore Reserve Championship on Miss Little Ruby AA with a 285. The Reserve Championship garnered a check for $900.

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.