Joe Roeser and Cathie Twisselman Lead NRCHA Derby

Reined Cow Horse Actions Returns to Paso Robles

July 7, 2004 - At the end of a long day of herd work preliminary competition at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, the name at the top of the leader board is a familiar one.

Jon Roeser of Lemoore, California, won the 2003 NRCHA Derby Open Championship on Very Smart Remedy. On Wednesday, this duo set the pace in the 2004 event by posting an unstoppable 224 to win the herd work preliminaries.

Owned by NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Champion, Anne Reynolds, Very Smart Remedy is by Smart Little Lena and out of Remedys Response. Besides the Derby win, Roeser and Very Smart Remedy also earned the 2003 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Open Championship.

In the Reserve spot with a 221.5 in the Open Herd Work were the 2004 NRCHA Hackamore Classic Champions, John Ward and Reynin Rey (Mr Solano Rey X Ripples Freckles), owned by Ronnie and Karin Richards.

Wayne Hinder and Plain Dual (Just Plain Colonel X Pic I Dual) owned by Whitney's Wild Oak Ranch topped the Intermediate Open with a score of 219. Just behind with a score of 217.5 was Ed Robertson on Pick N Shovel (Lenas May Day X Athenas Minerva) owned by Cathie Twisselman. That was good for the reserve ranking in the Intermediate and the top slot in the Limited Open division.

Pick N Shovel was the busiest horse at the California Mid-State Fairgrounds on Wednesday. Besides his open finishes, owner Cathie Twisselman of Santa Margarita, California rode Pick N Shovel to the lead in the Non Pro Herd Work, scoring 222. That swept the Non Pro field, putting her ahead in the $50K Non Pro and Amateur divisions, as well.

Just over a month earlier, Twisselman's trainer, Ed Robertson, claimed both the Reserve Intermediate Open and Limited Open Championship at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic, held at Paso Robles. Pick N Shovel is the family brand of owner Cathie Twisselman’s late father, the Alex Madonna. Twisselman noted after the Hackamore Classic Win, “We will never sell this horse now. We raised horses for thirty years, and never thought to name one for Dad's trademark and brand. At the time I didn’t realize the significance, but I do now. My dad loved this horse.”

Finishing in the Reserve spot for the Non Pro and $50K Non Pro Herd Work was Bubba Petty on Shiners Buenonic (Shining Spark X Bueno Q Nic), with a 219. Petty and the good palomino have had a successful career together, winning the 2002 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity $50K Non Pro championship, and the 2003 NRCHA Non Pro Derby.

Reserve in the Amateur went to Loretta Showalter for a score of 215 on Nicady Split (Reminics Pep X Sheb O Lena) owned by her husband, John.

All the exhibitors will compete in the rein work and cow work and the top finishers will qualify for the finals to be held on Sunday. Action begins Thursday at 8 am at the Mid-State Fairgrounds in Paso Robles, California.

The NRCHA Derby has seen a 22% increase in entry numbers for 2004 and on Thursday evening at 6:30, the National Reined Cow Horse Association will host a Fiesta Reception honoring NRCHA Patrons, Jack & Phoebe Cooke and the Paso Robles Area NRCHA Sponsors. The reception will be held at The Barn on the California Mid-State Fairgrounds.

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, EQ Solutions, 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, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, 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.