Anne Reynolds & Cash Us McClain Win Non Pro Bridle Championship

Reno, NV - September 26, 2003 - One of the largest Non Pro/Novice Non Pro Bridle classes in recent NRCHA history, with 56 entries, took the Reno Livestock Events Center Arena by storm as NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity horse show classes continued Thursday night.

The Championship was not decided until almost the very end of the night, when Annie Reynolds, last rider to work, squeezed past the leader by a narrow half point to take the win with a 291.5. There was only one point spread between the winner and the next 5 top scoring riders as 3 exhibitors scored a 290.5 to split for third place.

Reynolds, riding Cash Us McLain, a 1997 sorrel stallion by Nu Cash out of Nancy McLain, is accustomed to being center stage in the Reno Livestock Events Center. She has been a Non Pro and Open finalist at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, and was the Non Pro Futurity Champion in 1998 on Magical Lena. Reynolds was co-reserve champion at the 2001 World’s Greatest Horseman Event, as well.

Reynolds work late Thursday night capped a stellar evening of bridle competition. All of the top five riders scored above 290, aptly illustrating the depth and talent of the huge field. It is clear that the NRCHA has a wealth of Non Pros and that the industry is booming.

The Reserve Non Pro Bridle Champion was Kristen Ingersoll, of LaQuinta, California, riding Little Dry Gem, to a score of 291, just half a point behind Reynolds.

Also making a return appearance to a Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse Show Championship was Bill Cowan. The Ardmore, Oklahoma rider took the Novice Non Pro Bridle championship on his good bay gelding, Quick Little Cutter, by Smart Cash Cutter with a 290.5. His total score was actually a tie with Reserve Novice Non Pro Bridle Champion, Justin Wright, but his higher (149.5 point) Cow Work score tipped the scale in Cowan’s favor.

Cowan is relatively new to the reined cow horse world, only having been competing in NRCHA events for about 2 years, but he’s recorded some notable wins in the short time. One of his earlier winning streaks was here in Reno just a year ago, when he and Smart Cash Cutter swept the Non Pro and the Novice Non Pro Bridle classes. Smart Cash Cutter also carried Open trainer Al Dunning, of Scottsdale, Arizona, to the Open Bridle Championship last year. With this year’s tight finish Cowan was just one point away from repeating his clean sweep of 2002.

Cowan said Smart Cash Cutter’s cow work really clicked. He exclaimed “This was the first time I’ve ever got to put my hand on the cow’s back circling, it was great!” He added “In my first turn on the fence the cow was really bold, but we hit it just right.” Cowan said “Willie is very fun to go down the fence on. He always gives one hundred percent, you know he’ll be there every time for you.” He added “He’s the most honest horse I’ve ever ridden”.

Although Cowan is new to the NRCHA world, he was raised on a ranch in Havre, Montana, riding working cow horses all his life. He and his wife Michelle are expecting their first child in March. When asked if he would ever part with Willie, Cowan chuckled, “We will keep him forever. He can be our kid’s horse when we are done showing him!”

Cowan wanted to add “We really appreciate all of Al Dunning’s help. Al has helped us come a long ways in two years. He’s a great teacher and there is sure never a dull moment!”

The Reserve Novice Non Pro Bridle Champion was Justin Wright, of San Juan Bautista, California riding Mia Gunna Smokum with a score of 290.5.

Action at the Reno Livestock Events Center continued on Friday with the first section of the Open Futurity Herd Work. Action continues beginning at 8 am on Saturday morning.

Complete daily results are listed on web site at www.nrcha.com.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, 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 Bayer Corporation, Bailey Hat Company, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Coachmen RV's, horsecentral.com, Rios of Mercedes and the Silver Legacy, 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.