Todd Crawford – Instant Sandy Leading in Composite

Todd Bergen rode Love Em N Lena to the top of the roster board in the Open Cow Work Preliminaries at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity on Tuesday. Bergen scored 222 on the son of Smart Little Lena out of Slide Me Again, owned by Jim and Cam Essick, of Clements, California.

The second highest score of the day – 221 - came from Boyd Rice on Talk Dont Cry (Meradas Money Talks X Biggirlsdontcry) owned by Gary and Kathy Benton of Andover, Kansas. That accomplishment topped the Intermediate Cow Work, as well. Added to his previous total, that gave a 651 composite – good for the Intermediate composite lead.

The Open Composite lead – 653 – was set by Todd Crawford and Instant Sandy (SR Instant Choice X Sandina) owned by Kalpowar Quarter Horses of Midland, Texas.

Leading the Limited Open Cow Work after Tuesday’s section is Lenas San Lena (Lenas Wright On X Shorty San Della), ridden by Jimmie Paul for owner Sherri Gilkerson of Silt, Colorado. That 217 score was just a point ahead of Driftin Blue Hickory (Ikes Double Drift X Munez Miss Glowstar), ridden by Kirsten Hempel, for owner Lyle and Debra Smith

Bud Lyon rode Dual Me A Winner (Mister Dual Pep X Docsinic) to a 643 composite for Chad and Kathie Thayer of Costa Mesa, California to lead the Limited Open rankings.

The Snaffle Bit Futurity continues on Wednesday at 8 am in the Reno Livestock Events Center with the completion of the Open Cow Work Preliminaries.

Staffan Nielsen Represents Sweden at Snaffle Bit Futurity

Interest in the reined cow horse is spreading around the world and this Tuesday evening an entry from Sweden rode in the Limited Bridle at the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Snaffle Bit Futurity.

Staffan Nielsen traveled here this week to be a part of the excitement at the 35th Annual NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. Nielsen became interested in the reined cow horse back in the early 1990's when he rode colts for 1979 Snaffle Bit Futurity Non Pro Champion, Zera Varian. During that time Staffan got acquainted with Doug Williamson and ended up working with him for six months. "I learned very much from Mr. Williamson, I hold him very high," Staffan said. "I attended my first NRCHA Futurity in Fresno in 1994. I got to see Greg Ward and those guys and I was pretty impressed when they went down the fence."

After returning to Sweden, Nielsen began showing reiners and has won multiple championships, including the German Futurity and a Senior Reining championship in Sweden. Then, "the cows bit me, big time. Reining became boring for me." The last ouple of years he has been training and showing reined cow horses. He qualified a Senior Cow Horse to the AQHA World Show and most recently, August 6 & 7 he placed 2nd at the Swedish Nationals in the working cow horse class.

In the coming year, Staffan plans to organize an NRCHA Affiliate in Sweden, as cow horse interest is steadily growing in Sweden. "I've got a lot to learn at this rein cow stuff, it's the most fun I've had in my entire life."

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 Gold & Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Fleetwood 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.