Ron Emmons Tops NRCHA Stakes’ Open Bridle Spectacular

Tucson, AZ - April 2, 2005 - Ron Emmons opened the National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes competition Saturday, April 2, with a win in the Open Bridle Spectacular riding Roo Star. The day was dedicated to horse show classes and eight horses and riders received championship honors. The event wraps up tomorrow in Tucson, Arizona, with the Stakes Finals in the Open, Intermediate Open, Limited Open, Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro.

Ron, Ione, California, marked a 210 in the herd on Thursday with Roo Star (Gallo Del Cielo x Anna Paulena) before coming into today's rein and cow works.

“He would have been better in the herd but I drew a really bad cow on the first cow and had some penalties. He was really good on the next two cows out of the herd here and got me back even,” Ron said. “I just figured I’d just show him as good as I could in the reining and down the fence. It worked out well.”

He came back to receive a 218 in the rein work and a 220.5 in the cow work to take home the title with a 648.5 composite.

In the Non Pro Limited, Paris Wixon picked up the championship riding Shine De Chex (Shining Spark x Summer Chex). Paris, Hope Hull, Alabama, marked a 143 in the rein work and 142 on the cow for a 285-point composite.

Kylie Knight, Peoria, Arizona, picked up her second title of the week by winning the Youth Bridle aboard Reminic Moon Shine (Reminic x Lenas Lacy Moon). Kylie and the gelding marked a 140 in the rein work and a 143 down the fence for a 283 composite.

In the Open Hackamore, Lyn Anderson rode Ill Smoke Smart (Senors Lil Brudder x Smoke Time Tuck) to the championship for owner Kathryn Schaefer, Castroville, California. Lyn, Madera, California, earned a 142.5 in the pattern and a 148 down the fence for a 290.5 composite to secure the title.

Cory Shelman, Shoshone, Idaho, drew up first in the Open Hackamore and Limited Open Hackamore to set the winning pace with a 282 composite in the Limited Open Hackamore. Cory rode Smokeys Little Dandi (Smart Little Mate x HR Smokys Dandi) for owner Jeff Wright, Jerome, Idaho. The pair marked a 137 in the rein work and a 145 in the cow work for a 282 composite, which also secured a fourth-place finish in the Open Hackamore.

Steve Greenberg picked up the Non Pro Hackamore win riding Haida The Spots (Teninas First x My Marie Laveau). Steve, Scottsdale, Arizona, earned a 281.5 composite with a 139.5 in the rein work and a 142 down the fence.

The day closed with Todd Crawford topping the Open Two Rein class riding Major Spark (Shining Spark x Majors Serendipity) for Dawn Ehrenford. Todd posted a 146 in the rein work and a 150 down the fence to take the title with a 196 composite.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the 56-year-old 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, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Great American Insurance Company 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.