Todd Crawford/Smart Crackin Chic & Zane Davis/Bobby Starlight Top 2007 NRCHA Derby Open Herd Work Prelims

Paso Robles, CA – When the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby wrapped up the herd work portion of the preliminaries Tuesday, June 19, two horses were tied for the top spot. Bobby Starlight, ridden by Zane Davis, and Smart Crackin Chic, with Todd Crawford in the saddle, both with identical scores of 221.

Zane Davis has a history in rodeo, and won numerous national titles in college rodeo. So, when he turned his attention to training and riding cutting and cow horses, he was quick to realize success. Riding Bobby Starlight (Grays Starlight x Cats Bobby Sox), owned by John Semanik, of Jacksonville, Florida, he’s been consistent and successful all year long in NRCHA Limited Age Event competition.

Todd Crawford and Smart Crackin Chic (Smart Chic Olena x Kwackin) were the 2006 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions and that win moved Crawford into the ranks of NRCHA Million Dollar Riders. Smart Crackin Chic is owned by Singleton Ranches, of Lamy, New Mexico.

T.J. Good turned in a score of 218.5 to lead the field of 41 Intermediate Open Riders on Playin Fletch (Royal Fletch X Playboys Promise) owned by Clay and Ronella White of Red Rock, Arizona. That was just one half-point ahead of Tucker Robinson on Hackamore Classic Champion Days Zanolena (Smart Zanolena x Chex Out This Day) owned by Matt Day of Bend, Oregon.

In Limited Open action, Ed Robertson led the class with Luckiest Prize (Smokums Prize x Gunna Be Lucky) scoring 213 for Sheila Borjon of Creston, California. Right behind with a score of 210 was Roger Bias on Nice Sox (Captain Nice x Patty Dox) owned by Vicki Silva and Frank Skinner.

The NRCHA Derby, held at the Paso Robles Event Center, in Paso Robles, California, boasts total added money of $163,000. The total payout for the 5-day show will exceed the half million dollar mark!

It’s not easy for every cow horse enthusiast to make it to the Event Center to watch the action. However, the NRCHA and its Official Videographer, Galloping Video, have partnered to present the show via live web cast. Accessing the event is easy – simply go to www.nrcha.com for a link, or visit www.gallopingvideo.com.

To insure that everyone has a chance to see the show, the NRCHA Derby will also be profiled on an August airing of Wide World of Horses, thanks to sponsorship from Bar 7R Ranch and Staebler Performance Horses. The thirty minute segment will showcase the high points of the show. Wide World of Horses airs weekly on RFD-TV, and the Derby coverage will be featured August 13-14.

Herd work continues Wednesday morning for the Open and Non Pro Bridle Spectaculars. Immediately following the conclusion of the herd work, the second leg of Derby competition – the Non Pro rein work – will begin.

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 Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel Resort, 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 the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.