Contributed Courtesy NRCHA, Photography by Primo

The Non Pro finals delivered an exciting evening of reined cow horse action at the $1.3 million National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity, presented by Metallic Cat. Sixteen Non-Pro finalists, each with the goal of becoming the futurity champion here in Fort Worth, Texas, put forth their best effort tonight.

Following up on their consistent performances of 214.5 out of the herd and 215.5 in the reined work, Bret Paulick and IllBeYourHickleberry laid down a 222 in the fence work to clench the Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity championship and $25,000. Paulick’s 652 composite also won the Intermediate Non Pro title for another $8,676. IllBeYourHickleBerry is by Hickory Holly Time and out of Miss Slic Smoke, by Chick N San, and is owned and bred by Bret and Amie Paulick, Erdra, Utah.

Paulick responded to his achievement in an understandably emotional post-win interview, first thanking his wife Amie, then the many supportive friends and trainers in the NRCHA family who have helped and supported him.

“I’m blessed. Boy, it’s beyond unbelievable,” said Paulick. “We raise all our horses, his mother was a reserve world champion in the Non Pro Hackamore, half of her colts have been futurity finalists for me. I train them myself, Annie Reynolds has helped me for 25 years, she’s a really good friend. Martha and Rusty Ruby are really good friends who let me ride in the winter in their indoor arena.”

Paulick and ImYourHickleberry’s journey through the prelims was a consistent climb that culminated with their high scoring fence run.
“We just kind of kept creeping up there [through the prelims] and then in the finals when they turned that black cow in…you just know it’s there. He was awesome. That’s a good, good horse. We’re pretty proud of him. You look at the people you’re against and what it takes to get here, the support it takes to get here, it’s just unbelievable.”

Roughly calculated, Josh Briggs, Pilot Point, Texas, rode his two horses to $37,211 in earnings this evening. Briggs and his 2017 mare Playin With Cher (Mr Playinstylish x Bella Cher x Peptoboonsmal) earned the Novice Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity championship and $3,560 with their 651 (216.5 herd/ 218 rein/ 216.5 cow). Making the victory even sweeter, Briggs was reserve champion riding Voodoo Whiskey (Shiners Voodoo Dr x Whiskey On Wheels x Paddys Irish Whiskey) to a 650.5 (216.5 herd/ 220.5 rein/ 213.5 cow) for $2,848. Briggs and Playin With Cher were reserve champions of the Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity, as well as the Intermediate Non Pro.

Kit and Charlie Moncrief are the breeders of Playin With Cher. Ricky Dusin is the breeder of Voodoo Whiskey.

Special Awards:

The Non Pro High Score Award went to Tammy Jo Hays and Stylin Kat (Kit Kat Sugar x Stylin Tonette x Docs Stylish Oak) for their 653, which was the highest composite of the Non Pro Futurity preliminaries. Hays was awarded Daryl Davis Stirrups. She also won the Non Pro High Herd Work Award for her 219 in the prelims.

Each High Score Award winner from the preliminaries received a Gist Silversmith’s buckle. The Non Pro High Score Reined Work Award went to Myles Brown riding Playguns Pepto (One Time Pepto x PG Special Edition x Playgun) who scored a 220.5 in the prelims.

The Non Pro High Score Fence Work Award went to Lanham Brown and Seven S Razzberry (Blind Sided x Seven S Valentina x Playgun) for their 219.
The top placing AQHA Ranching Heritage Bred horse of the Non Pro Snaffle Bit Futurity was Seven S Razzberry, owned by R.A. Brown Ranch. RT Stuart Ranch, LLC, is the breeder of Seven S Razzberry.

Corey Cushing made a special presentation this evening during the finals to Trey Neal, who received the NRCHA President’s Award. Neal was recognized for his outstanding contributions and for making a lasting impact on NRCHA. Neal works as NRCHA Treasurer and is also a member of the Executive Committee.

For full results and videos, visit www.nrcha.com. 🎠