The National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Adequan® North American Affiliate Championships (NAAC) continued today with Novice Horse Open competition.

(Photo:  Jorge Puente And Comehellorhiwater In The Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Class)

In the Adequan® NAAC Novice Horse Open Level 1, NRHA Professional Jorge Puente rode the Sergio Elia-bred Comehellorhiwater (Inferno Sixty Six x Berry Dun It Best) to a 220 to take the championship.

Puente and the 6-year-old gelding have been a team since August and have won nearly $5,000 in the show pen together.

“I found this horse for my client about five months ago. We went to a few schooling shows at the beginning to get a feel of him,” he said. “Since I started showing him, he has been really consistent. We have been getting 72-73.5 scores all the time. We showed at the Southeast ARC [Affiliate Regional Championship], and that is where we qualified [for the NAAC].”

A Big Stopper!

Puente was excited about his run. “He was awesome today. I showed him in the [NRHA] Open a few days ago just to school him and see how he felt, and he was great. He is such a fun horse to show; a big stopper! You can send him down the pen and he is loose in the front end and just looks pretty. I really like him.”

The NRHA Professional from Florida had his last run of the season in the Adequan® arena, but he is looking forward to being back in the gelding’s saddle.

“We leave tomorrow, but I hope next year I get to show him more again,” he said. “The plan is to let the owner show him in some Green [Reiner] classes, but I am really hoping I can steal him some more next season.”

Getting Ready…That Takes A Team

Puente thanked his clients for their support, especially the gelding’s owner Kevin Faulkner for his trust with his mount. “I also want to thank my team—everyone who helps me at home and here at the show. Showing the horse is the easy part for me. It is the getting ready part that takes a team of people. All the paperwork, getting the horses ready, braiding [their hair], preparing before the show and actually driving to the show…that’s the hardest part, and I really appreciate all their help,” closed the champion.

Puente, who had $315,727 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings (LTE) before arriving in Oklahoma City, also took home the NRHA Novice Horse Open Level 1 division.