Lyn Anderson Wins NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Intermediate Open Championship

Reno, NV - October 1, 2004 - Lyn Anderson rode Paid By Visa to a 645 composite in the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Intermediate Open Finals on Friday, October 1. The son of Paid By Chic out of Sucha Misty Rose is owned by Lew and Debby Kuykendall, of Winton, California.

The day started well for Anderson and Paid By Visa. Their first cow in the herd was a good one, Lyn remembered shortly after the event. “The second one was soft, and that third one was the one cow I didn’t want! I didn’t recognize it until I got it. But it did add to the degree of difficulty and I didn’t lose it!”

That resulted in a 215.5 in the herd – and then Lyn rode the stout little horse to the highest rein work score of the day – a 218.5. “He’s a powerful stopper and his spins feel spectacular. He’s attractive to watch.”

Finishing with a solid 211 in the cow work netted the duo a $13,007 payday, a Bob’s Custom Saddle and Skyline Buckle from Kenneth Banks Quarter Horses of Schlenburg, Texas, Sensorflex pad and Legacy boots from Classic Equine of Granbury, Texas, monogrammed vest from Cinch, Inc. and Sundowner Trailers and a bucket of Platinum Performance.

Although Anderson has long been one of the NRCHA’s top riders, an injury that sidelined her during most of 2001 caused her 3-year-average to lapse to the point of allowing her back into the Intermediate Open division.

She was happy with her horse and how well he worked, but rather than resting on her laurels, the veteran champion is looking ahead to preparing for Sunday as she is also qualified for the Open Finals.

The Intermediate Open Reserve Championship went to Kate Neubert on Dun Pleasin Chics, owned by Dr. Jeff and Nicki Marmelzat, of Santa Ynez, California. Katie earned $10,005 for the Reserve title, then garnered the Limited Open Championship as well, good for another $6,240.

It was Kate’s first entry in the Snaffle Bit Futurity and she rode the gelding by Chic Please and out of Dun Spun Pine to a score of 643.5 (216, 210.5, 217). “He was good, real gentle. He was a stallion and that made him a little harder to train. He was gelded last fall and he just came on stronger as time went on. We gave him a job to do."

Kate, who works for Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Sandy Collier, learned her colt starting method from her dad, Bryan. With the strong foundation from her dad, Kate moved on, working with Jack Brainard and traveling to Italy to train for Lucio Ferrarrini. It was in Italy that Kate met Sandy Collier at one of her clinics. When Kate returned to the states, she contacted Sandy and asked for a job. She credits Sandy with "giving her a chance to ride good horses, and for helping her so much with her training and showing."

Kate was quick to thank Sandy and the Malmelzats for the opportunity to show a great horse, and also thanked her parents (Bryan and Patty Neubert) and brothers (Jim and Luke) “for all the help and support they give."

Along with the cash earnings, Kate and Dun Pleasin Chics also won a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by Mark and Sheila Borjon, a Championship Skyline buckle from Jim and JoAnne Carollo, a Sensorflex Pad and Legacy Front Splint Boots from Classic Equine, a monogrammed down vest from Cinch, Inc. and Sundowner Trailers and a tub of Platinum Performance.

The Reserve Champion in the Limited Open was Glen Aspinal on Laura Ward's Little Smart Babe by Smart Little Pepinic out of Babes Nic with a score of 641 (211.5, 213.5, 216). The win paid $ 4,680, a Skyline Gold and Silversmith Reserve Championship buckle, presented by Stuart Ranch, Legacy Front Splint Boots sponsored by Classic Equine, a monogrammed down vest from Cinch, Inc. and Sundowners Trailers and a tub of Platinum Performance.

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.