As the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby’s Preliminaries came to a close Friday, June 23, at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California, the three-round composite scores revealed the Winston Moore as the Amateur Derby Champion.

Winston, from San Juan Bautista, California, teamed up with Freckle On My Prize for the win. Jill Serena of Santa Clarita, California, bred Freckle On My Prize, a 4-year-old sorrel gelding by Winston’s stallion Smokums Prize and out of Hotfoot Triple Step. Winston and the horse marked a 209 in the herd work, a 204.5 in the rein work and finished with a 212 in the cow work to win the 20-entry class and a check for $2,925. Laurel Morais of Pleasanton, California, finished reserve with Brooksinics Sis, by Brooksinics Badger and out of Chantillys Sis, with a 623 composite to earn $2,340.

Friday’s preliminary composites also determined who would compete in the Derby Finals Sunday, June 25. Eight horses and riders advance in the Non Pro division including: Anne Reynolds from King Hill, Idaho, riding Shoshone Pony and More Magic Please; Justin Wright from San Juan Bautista, California, with Roosters Deal; Chicy Long Legs ridden by William Cowan from Ardmore, Oklahoma; Classy Luna and Tish Wilhite from Clovis, California; Smokums Double Prize and Shawn Renshaw from Cuyama, California; Tammy Johnston from Lindsay, California, with Miss Bourbon Street; and Jo Anne Carollo of Atascadero, California riding ARC Hollys Chicadee.

The top six in the Intermediate Non Pro division also advance the Sunday’s finals including: Justin Wright and Roosters Deal; William Cowan and Chicy Long Legs; Tammy Johnston and Miss Bourban Street; Kirsiti Locatelli of Boulder Creek, California, riding Imacockadoodledude; Laurel Morais and Brooksinics Sis; and Nichole Scott of Paso Robles, with Stylish Little Lady.

In the Open division, 21 horses and riders advance to the finals after Ron Ralls, of Gainesville, Texas, and his stallion Rudys Wright topped the preliminaries. They will be joined in the finals by: Ted Robinson of Oak View, California, riding Miss Catty Cash; Todd Crawford from Blanchard, Oklahoma, riding Smart Shinetta, Shiners Quixote and Im Smartly Colored; Ron Emmons of Ione, California, with Tangys Classy Cowboy and Olena Oak; Caldwell, Idaho, trainer Jake Telford riding CD Survivor and Stylabob; Doug Williamson of Bakersfield, California, with Sierras Lullabye and Playboy 895; Jon Roeser of Lemoore, California, riding Mister Smart Remedy; Jake Gorrell, from Hanford, California, with Sky Guy; Chris Dawson of Gainesville, Texas, riding CD Spark; Sandy Collier of Buellton, California, and Dun Pleasin Chics; Ken Wold of Wilton, California, riding Cielo Quemada and Dixie Chic Please; Todd Bergen, from Eagle Point, Oregon, with Sum Irish Rum; and John Ward of Kingsburg, California, riding Got Spring.

David Hanson from Clements, California, qualified in both the Intermediate Open and Open divisions riding ARC Dyna Cee, along with Shadd Parkinson of Scottsdale, Arizona, riding Spursuasion. Thirteen horses and riders advance in the Intermediate Open and also include: Corey Cushing of Thermal, California, riding CC Spin Cycle; Dan Roeser, from Marsing, Idaho, riding Ollies Playboy and Smart First Lady; Glen Aspinal, of Temecula, California, riding Sister Buc Ballou; and Tucker Robinson, from Ojai, California, with Almar Amber Cash.

Six horses qualified in both the Intermediate and Limited Open divisions including: Irish A Shine and Playin Fletch, both ridden by T.J. Good of Phoenix, Arizona; Smart Sassy Date, ridden by Cody McArthur from Saskatchewan, Alberta; Masters Chicaroo, ridden by Ed Robertson of Margarita, California; Smart Little Whizard, ridden by Mark Matson of Temecula; and Rey Starlight ridden by Marjie Allen also from Temecula.

Eight horses qualified in the Limited Open division with the final two slots going to Carol Schryver of Ojai, California, riding Burgandy Tang and T.J. Good riding Lenas San Lena.

Competition ended June 23 with champions crowned in the Non Pro Limited, Open Hackamore and Limited Open Hackamore classes. In the Non Pro Limited, Dann Russell, from Creston, California, earned the championship riding Smart Cash Velvet. Dann and the horse, by Smart Cash Cutter and out of Taris Velvet, marked 290 composite to earn $1,015.

John Ward topped the Open Hackamore with A Little Off Center, by Smart Little Pepinic and out of Miss Frosty Doc. John and the horse earned a 289 composite and earned $2,656. Cody McArthur and Smart Sassy Date finished third in the Open Hackamore and won the Limited Open Hackamore. Smart Sassy Date, by Smart Peppy Date and out of Montys Sassy Girl, had a 284.5 composite and earned $1,620 for the Limited Championship and an additional $1,328 for the Open placing.

The NRCHA Derby continues Saturday, June 24, with a full day of horse show classes and the Cow Horse Team Tournament. For more information on the NRCHA Derby, including results and a complete schedule of events, please visit the Association’s official website 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 Bailey Hats, Bayer Corporation, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Reno Hilton, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, 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 www.nrcha.com <http://www.nrcha.com> .