NRCHA Reined Cow Horse News

In just one day of competition at the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, Ed Robertson piloted That CD Rocks to win $39,672. He accomplished that feat by topping both the Open and Intermediate Open divisions with a score of 651, taking home a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Idaho Equine Hospital, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Flynn’s Saddle Shop, an additional Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Why Worry Ranch/Very Smart Remedy, a CR Morrison trophy sponsored by Wide World of Horses, a CR Morrison trophy sponsored by Roeser Ranch, and two CR Morrison commemorative medallions.

“We started out just flat in the herd work, and couldn’t cut a cow that would challenge us,” Robertson admitted about his score of 212 in the first phase of finals competition – but that low score combined with a 219 in the reining, and put him and the CD Lights stallion back into contention for the title. “It was cold and windy today, and he was pretty strong. I just rolled with him and he worked.”

It all came down to the cow work, with Robertson and That CD Rocks drawing up in the middle of the second set. The Paso Robles, California, trainer admitted that the cow work can sometimes work against him at big events – he and That CD Rocks missed the Open finals at the 2008 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity because of a difficult bovine, but made the Intermediate finals and won that title.
“I was really happy with the cow. This horse is very talented in every dimension of this competition. He just has that presence that makes him special,” Robertson explained after the awards ceremony.
That CD Rocks, by CD Lights and out of Shiney Tari, is owned by Robbie Humphreys of Clovis, California.

Jay McLaughlin, of Gainesville, Texas, rode his three finalists horses to three of the top six spots, winning the Reserve Championship on Shiney Sushi, a 4-year-old mare by Shining Spark and out of Docs Sulena, owned by Carol Rose. “All my horses did well in the prelims, and then they all did great in the finals. I really have to thank all the guys that I work with at Carol’s for helping me get them shown,” he said. McLaughlin moved to Gainesville to work for Rose, and officially began working on January 2. “I also want to thank Carol for giving me the opportunity to ride such great horses. This mare in particular is such a great stopper. She is extremely talented and I just hope to keep showing her.”

Rose collected the Reserve Championship check for $24,724 and a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Blackpoint Ranch and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion, and an additional $15,894 when her other horse, CD Dee Vee Dee won fourth place.

Doug Mills piloted Shiney Playboy to the Limited Open Championship, winning $4,860, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Combs Quarter Horses/One Smart Response, a CR Morrison trophy sponsored by Duquette Quarter Horses, and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. Shiney Playboy, by Shining Spark and out of Playboys Sally, is owned by Michael Vantreight. “This horse was really solid today. He just had a little bit of bad luck in some areas,” noted Mills after his run. “He’s a good horse, and really has heart.”

The NRCHA Stakes awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money to the competitors, but the show also recognized the sires and their owners who are the backbone of the program.
CD Lights, sire of Open Champion That CD Rocks, earned $4,000 for Winston Hansma and Danny Motes. Carol Rose, who owns Shiney Sushi’s sire, Shining Spark, earned $2,500 for the Reserve Open Sire Award, and Larry & Elaine Hall, nominator of Peptoboonsmal, the sire of Smart Boons, received $1,500 for the third place Open finish.

The Intermediate Open Sire Award was $1,000 to Winston Hansma and Danny Motes, for That CD Rocks Intermediate Open win, and the Limited Open Sire Award of $1,000 went to Carol Rose, owner of Shining Spark, sire of the Limited Open Champion, Shiney Playboy. Click Here For 2009 NRCHA Stakes Finals Results