Mid America Magic Beckons Cow Horse Exhibitors to the Cowboy State

By Bonnie Wheatley for Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association
TRINIDAD, Colo – With $52,700 in added prize money, the Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association drew reined cow horse enthusiasts to its premier fall event, the Mid America presented by Discount Tire, held
Sept. 14-18 at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas, Wyoming. Entries from across numerous regions, including Texas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Montana and Canada, just to name a few, created a competitive atmosphere where trainers were able to refine the talents of their futurity horses in preparation for the 52 nd National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity presented by Metallic Cat, which began just a few weeks later.

“Douglas has proven to be a very popular venue for us,” said CRCA President Tawny Fye. “In fact, after we saw that we were up more than 100 entries over last year for this show, the Board of Directors got together and decided it would be in the best interest of our crew and contestants to modify the schedule so we wouldn’t be running 24 hours a day. The change was well received, the weather was very cooperative, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed being in Douglas.

Discount Tire and Wilson and Susan Lyle sponsored the CRCA end of season celebration with a complimentary dinner that everyone loved. The best part of it all was putting on a truly world class horse show.”

Dawson Dominates

Riding Holy Cow Performance Horses owned and bred Itchin Ta Shine (Call Me Mitch x Sheza Shinette), Sarah Dawson of Perrin, Texas, dominated the Open Futurity with her 440.5 composite (R: 146/ H: 144/ C: 150.5), which was worth $4,284 in the aggregate.

“He was great in all three events, I was super happy with him,” shared Dawson. “He’s feeling pretty solid going into the big one in Fort Worth. You know, we showed him once before in Fort Worth, which is the main reason I then brought him here because there were a couple of things that I wasn’t super thrilled with. I wanted to come to another show to see if I could prepare him a little differently to see if he would be better, and he was quite a bit better here with the different preparation, so I was really happy about that.

With her trademark accuracy, Dawson rode Itchin Ta Shine to a solid 146 in the reined work, which she followed up with a 144 out of the herd to rank in a tie for second in the composite with a 290 going into Sunday’s cow work. Ironically, Dawson was tied with herself aboard Russ Mothershead’s Shiverz and fellow Texas resident Veronica Swales riding Thomas Guinn’s Ironclad Rebel. Dawson and Wendy Buehler’s Vince Von held the lead going into the fence work with a cumulative score of 292.5.

Ultimately, Itchin Ta Shine edged Vince Von in the final tally after closing the deal with a round winning 150.5 on Sunday in the cow work. Vince Von and Dawson earned $3,427 for second in the aggregate thanks to their 437.5 total on three runs.

“Itchin Ta Shine was super good down the fence today, he just felt like he was hooked from start to finish. The cattle were a little tricky; on my first horse I thought I might’ve stayed a little long on the end so I thought I ran out of cow. On Itchin Ta Shine, if I remember correctly, I just kind of hit it twice on the end and then went and the cow was kind of able to then carry me through the run, which was nice.”

Dawson says she hadn’t had a Call Me Mitch in training until Itchin Ta Shine came to Dawson Performance Horses but added that she’s been impressed by the 2019 stallion.

“He’s a real big stopper, he can run and stop and slide,” she said. “His owner Nancy Crawford Hall with Holy Cow Performance Horses is just really good to us and keeps us mounted on some nice horses, so we’re super grateful to her.”

Dawson says that aside from snagging the futurity win, she was able to accomplish her goal of building confidence in preparation for the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, just weeks away.

“I’d never been to Douglas before, but I’ve enjoyed it,” Dawson said. “[My husband] Chris has come up here to show a couple of times and told me it was a really good show. This show gave me a great opportunity to get another outing on the horses, build confidence and to work on our preparation. It was great.”

Intermediate Open Futurity Champion: Dollar Signs (Hickory Holly Time x Wright About Now) ridden by Brandon Buttars for owner Sophia Buttars, 436 (R: 143.5/ H: 145.5/ C: 147), $1,071.
Limited Open Futurity Champion: Seven S Tootsie Roll (Hickorys Indian Pep x Seven S Lotsofstyle) ridden by Jeremy Knoles for owner Box O Quarter Horses, 433.5 (R: 145.5/ H: 145/ C: 144), $857.
Level 1 Limited Open Futurity Champion: A Rebels Legacy (Metallic Rebel x One Time Legacy) ridden by Alastair McMillan for owner Jason Parker, 419.5 (R: 140.5/ H: 138/ C: 141), $804.

Westfall Wins Non Pro Futurity

Taking top honors in the Non Pro Futurity was Nicole Westfall, of Calhan, Colorado, riding Wright SmartNShiney (Reynshine x Wright On Rachel) owned by Desiree or Jeff Westfall. Westfall’s composite score of 425.5 (R: 142/ H: 139/ C: 144.5) earned $426 across the three divisions (without go round money).

“I’m really proud of this mare,” said Westfall. “I had only been riding her for about a week, so I just tried to be smooth and clean everywhere.”

Westfall succeeded in her mission through the go rounds and then was pleased to see her 3-year-old rise to the occasion when she was challenged by a rank cow down the fence during the futurity’s final phase.

“We had a cow that wanted to push on us and not stay on the fence and she handled it like a seasoned show horse,” said Westfall.

The Wyoming State Fairgrounds continues to be a popular draw for CRCA members and Westfall, who also serves on the board, shared why she thinks contestants enjoy the venue.

“Douglas is such a good facility, especially for these 3-year-olds, with the big open outdoor pen,” she said. “I’m appreciative of the CRCA and the staff for working so hard to make this show a success. We had to cut a horse show day off due to the high number of entries in order to be fair to our judges, herd help, riders and our horses, and this show reflected what a good decision that was by how smoothly it ran.”

Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion & Intermediate Non Pro Futurity Champion: Karnell Perry and Just Call Me Rich (Call Me Mitch x Roosters Miss Fritz), owned by RK Perry (R: 144/H: 140/C: 137.5), $319/$205.
Intermediate Non Pro Futurity Reserve Champion & Limited Non Pro Futurity Champion: Reanna Dillman and Dont Snap Twice (Dont Stopp Believin x Smart Little Snap), owned by Reanna Dillman, 412 (R: 140.5/ H: 142/ C: 129.5), $123/$98.
Level 1 Non Pro Futurity Champion: Denille LePlatt and StylineRey (Dual Smart Rey x Stylin Jewel), owned by Dustin LePlatt, 403 (R: 134/ H: 133/ C: 136), $320.
Select Non Pro Futurity Champion: Kristy Kay Miller and Blu My Cover (Once In A Blu Boon x Lil Play Rey), owned by Kristy Kay Miller, 409 (R: 137.5/ H: 142/ C: $129.5), $35.
Non Pro Boxing & Select Futurity Champion: Julie Atkinson and Sugar Guna Be A Star, owned by Dale or Julie Atkinson, 415 (R: 140/ H: 136/ C: 139), $342/$63.
Non Pro Boxing Futurity Reserve Champion & Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Futurity Champion: Gary Hawkes and Sendin Smoke Signals (Sigala Rey x Shes Dualn Fine), owned by Gary Hawkes, 408.50 (R: 140/ H: 132/ C: 136.5), $228/$160.

Koch Scores Derby Win

Matt Koch took the Open Derby title home to Elizabeth, Colorado, riding XIT Ranch’s Smart Lookin Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel) thanks to a composite score of 443.5 (R: 145/H: 149/C: 149.5), which was worth $3,090.

Taking reserve in the Open Derby for $2,472 and winning the Intermediate Open for another $865 was Lookin At Blu Rey (SDP Blu Rey x Twi Lookin At Me) ridden by Canadian horseman Clint Swales, of High River, Alberta, for owner Jerry Sawley. Lookin At Blu Rey was awarded a cumulative score of 440.5 (R: 145.5/H: 147/C: 148). Swales and Lookin At Blu Rey also topped the Open Novice Horse Derby for $378, as well as the 4-Year-Old Open Incentive for $488.

Debbie Crafton took the Non Pro Derby and Non Pro Hackamore titles home to Fowler, Colorado, riding her 2017 gelding Hesa Wee Bet (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal) to a composite of 434 (R: 145/H: 143/C: 146) for $678 and $719, respectively.

Winning the Intermediate Non Pro and 4-Year-Old Incentive Derby divisions was Karey Louthan riding Surely This Time (Surely A Pepto x Its That Time Again) with a composite score of 434 (R: 147/H: 143/C: 144), which was worth a combined paycheck of $810.

Limited Open Derby Champion: Meradas Holly Time (Hickory Holly Time x Smart Miss Merada) ridden by Jason Gay for owner Pamela Heitz, 435 (R: 146/H: 144/C: 145), $618.
Level 1 Open Derby Champion: SJR Royal Romeo (One Time Royalty x Shining Juliet) ridden by Daxon Buttars for owner Redgie Probst, 429 (R: 145/H: 141/C: 143), $544.
Limited Non Pro Derby Champion: Conrad T. Swanson and CR Boon To Be A Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR April Boon), owned by Conrad T. Swanson, 399.5, $156.
Level 1 Non Pro Derby Champion: Clayton Malson and A Sure Cat (Surely A Pepto x CDCatCash), owned by Broken Desert Ranch, 418, $491.
Select Non Pro Derby Champion: Jecca R. Ostrander and BOXO Opus Magnum (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Magnum), owned by Box O Quarter Horses, 433, $70.
Non Pro & Select Non Pro Boxing Derby Champion: Catherine A Brown-Swain and Mintgundition (Gunnatrashya x Peppermints), owned by Rancho Santa Margarita, 431.5, $446.25
Level 1 & 4-Year-Old Incentive Non Pro Boxing Derby Champion: Micah Dahl and Ms Royal Rey (Smooth Talkin Style x Royal Reyda), owned by Micah Dahl, 425, $168.

CRCA Mid-America Bridle Spectacular and Horse Show Champions

Open Stock Horse Challenge & Open Bridle Spectacular Champion: Smart Ladies Sparkle (WR This Cats Smart x Shiners Diamond Lady) ridden by Matt Koch for owner XIT Ranch, 586.00, $198/441, $890.
Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Champion: Nicole Westfall riding A Spoonful Of Jonez (Travelin Jonez x A Spoonful O Sugar), owned by Desiree or Jeff Westfall, 441.5, $555.
Limited Non Pro Bridle Spectacular & Limited Non Pro Bridle Champion: Denille LePlatt riding Hannas Metallic Rey (Metallic Cat x Reyhanna), owned by Dustin LePlatt, 429.5/$288, 273/$369.

Open Bridle Champion: Northern Metallic (Metallic Cat x Little Cow Hound) ridden by Jake Telford for owner Marti Katerberg, 294.5, $1,241.
Intermediate Open Bridle Champion: Sinfully Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Sinful Style) ridden by Wade Reaney for owner Karen Olson, 291, $510.
Limited Open Bridle Champion: BLT Lil Pistol Rey ridden and owned by Jayde Trump, 286.5, $445.
Open Two Rein Champion: V Eight Tuff Ichi (Woody Be Tuff x Clementime Ichi)  ridden by Clint Swales for owner David Webster, 295, $765.
Open Hackamore Champion: Juliette Jonez (Travelin Jonez x Shine Smarter) ridden by Sarah Dawson for owner Linda Mars, 298.5, $986.
Intermediate Open Hackamore Champion: One Metallic Spark (Metallic Cat x One Sparking Time) ridden by Brandon Buttars for owner Lori Adamski-Peek, 292, $439.
Limited Open Hackamore Champion: Hes Pretty Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR Shes Uh Secret) ridden by John Snyder for owner Ben Choate, 275.50, $588.
Non Pro Stock Horse Challenge, Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, Limited Non Pro Bridle Spectacular & Limited Non Pro Bridle Champion: Stephanie White and MissReymembered (Dual Rey x Smooth N Smokin), owned by Stephanie White, 570.5/$110, 437/$431, $255, 293/$423.
Non Pro Bridle & Intermediate Non Pro Bridle Champion: Kristy Kay Miller and Glamour Royallty (One Time Royalty x Kitna Rey), owned by Kristy Kay Miller, 294, $1,065, $439.
Select Non Pro Bridle Champion: Jecca Ostrander and Opus Cat Olena (WR This Cats Smart x Opus Chic), owned by Box O Quarter Horses, 284.5, $150.
Non Pro Two Rein Champion: Nicole Westfall and Time To Honkytonk (One Time Pepto x Honkytonk Diva), owned by Desiree or Jeff Westfall, 289.5, $458.
Youth Cow Horse Champion: Tyler Kraft and Cantankerous Kitty (One Time Pepto x CanCan Kitty), owned by Tyler Kraft, 270.5, $204.
Youth Boxing Champion: Lucinda David and Seven S Johnny Reb (Blind Sided x Seven S Prairie Rose), owned by Lucinda David, 291.5, $90.
Non Pro Boxing Spectacular Champion: Lucinda David riding Rubys Repeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA), owned by Lucinda David, 436, $629.

Non Pro Boxing Champion: Niamh Sexton and Ima Metallic Shine (Metallic Cat x Isabellena), owned by Melissa Sexton, 293, $746.
Intermediate Non Pro & Select Non Pro Boxing Champion: Kimberlee Gabel and Metallic Maverick (Metallic Cat x Widows May Play), 288.5, $143/$54.
Limited Non Pro Boxing Champion: Bailey Jo Jefferies and Shootin For The Boon (Once In A Blu Boon x She Shot The Sheriff), owned by Brian and Mary McGinley, 288, $128.
Box Drive Box Champion: Leslie Gale and Hal On Ice (Halreycious x Shes Icing OnThe Cat), owned by Leslie Gale, 287.5, $146.
Pro-Am Box Champion: Valerie Taylor and Jordy Joe Pep (Peptomatic x Rhonda Jo Leo), owned by Valerie Taylor, 271.5, $60.

For full results from go-rounds and all horse show classes as well as details on upcoming events,
visit Coloradoreinedcowhorse.com.

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