It’s a new slate for 48 NCHA Derby Non-Pro contenders, who gained a slot in today’s Semi-Finals, with cumulative go-round scores of 421.5 points or more.

Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson, aboard Jojo Boon, and Jennifer Foland, on Shes Twice As Smooth, were the go-round leaders with cumulative scores of 434 points.

Anderson also won the second go-round with 218 points.

“I was pretty nervous,” said Anderson, following his winning run. “This is my favorite mare and it’s fun to get to ride her, but that’s the reason I tried hard.

“And I was okay once I crossed the (time) line.”

Anderson purchased Jojo Boon from Hope Mitchell during the NCHA Futurity, where Geoffrey Sheehan had shown the mare  for Mitchell as the Futurity Open Limited champion.

Jennifer Foland

The red roan Peptoboonsmal daughter is out of Bambi Freckles, who Mitchell showed to win the 2001 NCHA Non-Pro Classic Challenge.

“She’s strong and she’s got a  way of really swooping through a turnaround,” said Anderson of Jojo Boon. “I was really pleased with her.”

Jojo Boon carried Anderson as a finalist at the Augusta Futurity, while trainer Kory Pounds made the finals on her at the Bonanza Cutting and the Breeders Invitational.

“We haven’t pushed her,” said Anderson. “We want her around for a long time.”

Anderson also qualified for today’s Semi-Finals on Scootin Dualquita, his NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro Gelding champion.

Caleb Anderson, Steve’s son, won the 2009 NCHA Derby Non-Pro Limited title with Chulas Stargun.

Michelle Anderson, Steve’s wife, won the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro Derby aboard Cats Quixote Jack, and qualified for today’s Semi-Finals with 426 points on WSR The Supernatural.

Eleven of the 25 riders with the highest  cumulative scores coming into the Non-Pro Semi-Finals (434 to 426 points) were finalists in the Non-Pro Classic Challenge and/or the Derby Non-Pro Limited or are showing in the Classic Challenge Non-Pro Limited, later this afternoon.

They include: Bonnie Martin, champion of the Classic Challenge Non-Pro division on Rubys Royal CD; Kristen Galyean, champion of the Derby Non-Pro Limited on Harley; Sam Good; Shane Plummer; Dustin Adams; Ray Baldwin; Christina Galyean; Mary Ann Rapp; Paula Wood; Nelson Knight; and Ty Moore.

Ninety-five Non-Pro contenders advanced to Wednesday’s second go-round of the NCHA Derby with scores of 206 or higher – one point less than the 207 needed in Open competition.

Kelle Earnheart and Jennifer Foland, each from Weatherford, TX, tied for the win of the first go-round with 218 points, scored on Monday.

Earnheart rode her 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity champion Badgers Perscription; Foland showed her NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes champion Shes Twice As Smooth.

In 2000, at 15, Earnheart showed Hernando to become the youngest winner to ever win the NCHA Non-Pro Derby.

Greg Coalson

Coalson times two

Tuesday’s high-scoring rider ,with 217 points (the second-highest score from the first round), was Greg Coalson, Weatherford, TX, aboard Lena This, by his stallion Quejanaisalena.

Coalson also marked 212.5 points riding Daisy Dots, by Quejanaisalena.

“It was pretty scary watching the cattle,” said Coalson who drew to ride both horses deep in the last set of the day.

“The bunch before us was pretty tough. You couldn’t let them get the edge on you.

“The two cows I cut on (Lena This) were really good. He needs something to challenge him and they made him get serious.

“I wish the first cow I cut on (Daisy Dots) had been better, but it was slim pickings there towards the end.”

Coalson and his wife Shelly raised both horses. Greg was a Derby Non-Pro finalist in 2005 on Lena This’s dam, Fancy Nancy Dual. He also showed Daisy Dot’s dam, Dual Citizen, to place third in the 2003 NCHA Non-Pro Derby.

Both of Coalson’s mounts were semi-finalists in the NCHA Super Stakes; Coalson and Daisy Dots were also finalists in the Breeders Invitational.

Classic Challenge champ looks to the Derby

Bonnie Martin, winner of the show’s 5 & 6-Year-Old Non-Pro title 10 days ago, scored 216.5 points yesterday on Light N Lindy to take her place among the leaders of the Non-Pro Derby first go-round.

“I was a little timid on the first cow because I don’t practice with her, I just get on and go show,” said Martin, whose husband Frank, a Las Vegas building contractor, also qualified for the second go-round.

“After the first cow, I felt like she knew I was up there, and she was a little more forgiving on the second cow.”

Light N Lindy, by Light N Lena, carried Martin as a finalist (13th place) in the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes.

View from the Sixth Box

Hans Kuhn

Hans Kuhn, who owns a cutting horse training and breeding facility in southwest Germany, spent Tuesday honing his judging skills in the “sixth box” atop the judges’ stand in Will Rogers Coliseum.

Kuhn got hooked on cutting when he stayed at Manion Ranch while studying equine technology in Gainesville, Texas. Now he competes in Europe and also judges NCHA-approved European events.

“The cattle are very expensive over there,” said Kuhn. “We pay 65 to 75 euros a head per day.” That computes to about $84 to $97 in U.S. currency.

“Most of the shows in Germany we manage to get beef cattle, but it isn’t easy,” he added. “In France, they wait for a cattle truck that is on the way to the slaughter house.

“Truck drivers over there have to take a one to two-hour break every four hours, so (some) drivers will stop and unload, sleep two hours, get cash-in-hand, and load them back up and go on to the slaughter house. That’s the cheapest and easiest way.”

Kelle Earnheart

Kelle Earnheart and Jennifer Foland reminded judges and spectators of their capabilities on Monday, the first day of NCHA Derby Non-Pro go-round competition, when they each marked 218 points — the high score of the day.

Earnheart won the 2009 NCHA Non-Pro Futurity on Badgers Perscription; Foland won the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes on Shes Twice As Smooth.

Yesterday, Earnheart showed  Badgers Perscription deep in the fourth set.

“She has a lot of cow in her, so you’re never out of position,” said Earnheart of the Reys Dual Badger daughter, who she purchased from the stallion’s owner, Darren Simpkins, just weeks before the Futurity.

Earnheart, who lives in Weatherford, TX, followed her NCHA Futurity win on Badgers Perscription with the Abilene Spectacular reserve championship, and qualified for the finals of the NCHA Super Stakes and Breeders Invitational, as well.

Jennifer Foland

Jennifer Foland’s mount, Shes Twice As Smooth, by Smooth As A Cat, was reserve champion of the 2009 NCHA Futurity Open Limited with Tatum Rice, who also showed her as a finalist in the NCHA Super Stakes and qualified her for the NCHA Open Derby Semi-Finals on Friday.

“I just wanted to be quiet (on her) and not take too much out of her for Tatum and I was happy to get that done,” said Foland, who drew second to ride in yesterday’s second set.

“I was very happy to be early. I just knew I had to get up out of (the herd) and cut clean,” added Foland, who drew first to work in the Super Stakes finals.

Shes Twice As Smooth was a surprise Christmas gift to Foland from her husband, Jeff Foland DVM, of Weatherford Equine Center.

Armando Costa Neto

Armando Costa Neto

Armando Costa Neto, whose home is in Sao Paulo Brazil, earned 216.5 points, yesterday’s second highest-score.

Costa Neto was riding High Brow Kwackin, a son of High Brow Cat that he purchased last month from trainer T.J. Good, who showed the gelding as champion of the Breeders Invitational Limited and as a finalist in the open  division (5th), as well.

Costa Neto also shows Arosesuchaclatter in today’s second set. The Smooth As A Cat daughter, who he purchased last fall at the Rock Creek Ranch Dispersal Sale, has earned over $230,000 as a finalist in 12 major events under Costa Neto and Bart Nichols. Nichols also showed the mare as champion of the NCHA Super Stakes Open Limited.

Wesley Galyean and Rascal Cats marked 223 in round 2.

Don’t get mad — get even. That was Wesley Galyean’s winning formula Sunday, when he scored 223 points to claim the NCHA Derby Open second go-round on Rascal Cats, owned by Steven Feiner. Galyean came into the second go-round with 208 points, after a tough first round, where the bubble never rose above 207.

“I was pretty frustrated because you never thought a 208 would make it to the second go-round,” said Galyean. “Then it did and I found out I drew next-to-last.

“I was beyond feeling pressure (riding to the herd). I just wanted to come cutting and show everybody what kind of horse I have and make them believe I should be there.

“That horse is capable of doing about anything.”

Rascal Cats, by High Brow Cat, was bred by Billy Martin and sent to Galyean at three. Galyean showed the colt to place third in the Augusta Futurity and the Breeders Invitational and as a finalist in three other major events. Feiner purchased the horse this past May.

“The horse was probably the best he’s ever been,” said Galyean. “He really stepped up and was a big boy. I always felt he could mark those (scores), but to get everything put together is extremely difficult. It just all fit.”

Galyean also qualified for the Open Semi-Finals with 228.5 points on his own horse, Harley, by Spots Hot, who his wife Kristen showed to win the Derby Non-Pro Limited and shows today in the Non-Pro first go-round.

LHR Smooth Jamie May, ridden by Phil Hanson for Sherry Chamberlin’s South Lazy H Ranch, Weatherford, TX, claimed the high cumulative of 439 points with a 220-point win in the first go-round and 219, the second-highest score in the second.

Special Nu Baby, trained and shown by Matt Gaines for Gary and Shannon Barker, also scored 219 points in the second go-round.

“I think she’s one of the most spectacular horses I’ve ever had,” said Gaines, who rode the Dual Rey daughter’s dam, Nu I Wood, to win the 2001 NCHA Derby, as well as five other major events and over $405,000.

“She’s already won around $180,000, but she’s been a little inconsistent,” Gaines added. “I think she’s coming around and learning how to handle her body a little better and that’s letting her relax and be more confident.”

Gaines also earned the second-highest cumulative score of 436 points with 219 and 217, respectively, on A Smooth Criminal, a Smooth As A Cat son owned by Roxanne Koepsell.

Phil Hanson and LHR Smooth Jamie May.

Breeders Invitational champion LHR Smooth Jamie May hit her stride in Saturday’s first set with a 220-point performance under owner Phil Hanson.

“The first cow was a little tougher than I thought it would be, but she gave us a chance to get off and it worked,” said Hanson. “The third cow actually ended up being softer than I had anticipated, but it all fit.”

In addition to the Breeders Invitational win, worth $80,619, LHR Smooth Jamie May and Hanson won the Bonanza; placed third in the Arbuckle Mountain; and 13th in the NCHA Super Stakes.

Hanson purchased the Smooth As A Cat daughter at three from Scott Johnston, who had started the filly.

“I just fell in love with her,” said Hanson. “She did everything right and had a pretty style to her. Scott did a fantastic job.”

Hanson also qualified for Sunday’s second go-round with 216 points aboard Pounce, owned by Julie Clarke, Bend, OR.

Craig Thompson.

Mamas Cats A Star

Craig Thompson and Mamas Cats A Star, owned by Carrie Rhodes, Arlington, WA, scored 219 points in yesterday’s sixth set to tie A Smooth Criminal and Matt Gaines with the second-highest score from the
first go-round.

“We had our cows located and a plan, when we went down there, and everything fit,” said Thompson, who showed the High Brow Cat daughter in the “small futurities” at three.

“Winston Hansma had her as a twoyear- old and sent her to me at three,” said Thompson. “He didn’t have to, but he did it to help me out. That’s just the way Winston is and I am thankful.

“She is a nice mare and she just gets stronger (with) each cutting.”

Mamas Cats A Star, who placed third with Thompson in the NCHA Super Stakes, has earned over $100,000.

Rockin W

NCHA Futurity champion Rockin W, owned and bred by Walton’s Rockin W Ranch, Millsap, TX, scored 218 points in yesterday’s third set under his trainer Gary Gonsalves.

“He’s been working really well and it was just a matter of me doing my job, because I knew he could do his,” said Gonsalves, who is showing the Dual Rey son out of NCHA Horse of the Year
Boon San Kitty, for the first time in limited age event competition (he rode the colt once at a weekend show).

“Tony (Piggott) did an awesome job,” added Gonsalves, who had committed to other mounts prior to the Futurity, where the colt was shown by Piggott. “I was happy how it worked out, but it’s good to be back on him.”

Gonsalves and his wife Jessica own Spooked By A Cat, by Cat Ichi, who earned 218.5 points, the third-highest score in the first go-round, under Grant Setnicka, catch-riding for Gonsalves.

David McDavid marked 225 on Dmac Snoop Dog to win the Sponsors Cutting.

On Thursday, David McDavid awarded Jon Winkelried a McDavid Double Down Bonus check to match Winkelried’s earnings as champion of the Amateur Classic Challenge on Cherry Chex Dually, sired by McDavid’s stallion Hes A Peptoboonsmal.

But it was McDavid who received yesterday’s award – the champion’s trophy for his 225-point win in the NCHA Sponsor’s Cutting aboard DMAC Snoop Dog, owned by his wife, Stacie.

Open Derby action

A Smooth Criminal and Matt Gaines retain their lead with 219 points, as the Derby Open first go-round concludes today.

Whiskeynadirtyglass and Phil Rapp posted Friday’s high score of 218.5 points, tying with Spooked by A Cat and Grant Setnicka from Thursday’s action.

Peek Easy and Tommy Marvin rank third with 217 points.

Tim Smith showed Whiskeynadirtyglass for Rapp in the NCHA Futurity. The pair placed eighth and earned $73,232.

Now owned by Vincenzo Vario of Panama, Whiskeynadirtyglass was started by Jaime Beamer for David Brown, who consigned the colt to the NCHA Futurity Sale at two, where Vario purchased him for $100,000.

Vario then put the High Brow Cat son into training with Carlos Banuelos. When Banuelos passed away last fall, Vario called on Rapp.

“When we got him, I had already committed to my horses (for the Futurity), so Tim showed him for me,” Rapp explained.

“I showed him at Abilene (in January) and didn’t get along in the second go-round, then he pulled a suspensory at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

“We’ve got him sound now and back to his form at the Futurity. He’s a good little horse.”

Rapp also scored 215.5 points yesterday on Catlike Kit, owned by Louis and Corliss Baldwin of Fort Worth.

Spooked By A Cat made his 218.5 point mark under Grant Setnicka for trainer Gary Gonsalves, who owns the Cat Ichi-sired colt.

“I just got on him a week ago and had never shown him,” said Setnicka, who moved here from Idaho two weeks ago and is headquartered at Tom Lyons’s former training facility in Grandview, TX.

David McDavid (left) presents Jon Winkelried with the "Double Down" bonus check for Cherry Chex Dually's win.

Jon Winkelried doubled his pleasure yesterday as winner of the Amateur Classic Challenge and recipient of the McDavid Double Down Bonus. Winkelried scored 219 points riding Cherry Chex Dually, by Hes A Peptospoonful, for $6,069 in NCHA earnings, an amount doubled by the McDavid Family, who guarantee the bonus to eligible offspring of their stallions Hes A Peptospoonful and Widows Freckles.

Laura Landers, the go-round winner with 219 points on Sweet Lil Scoot, was reserve champion with 217 points. Landers is the wife of Joe Landers, who operates Joe Landers Stallion Station in Weatherford, TX, breeding home to Hes A Peptospoonful and Widows Freckles.

“I’ve shown her three times now and each time I’ve gotten better because Roger Wagner’s teaching has helped me handle an open quality mare like her,”
said Winkelried, who hired Wagner, formerly of Rock Creek Ranch, as resident trainer for Marvine Ranch of Aledo, TX.

This was the first championship win in Will Rogers Coliseum for Winkelried, who won the 2007 Breeders Invitational Amateur title on Quintan Blue, also trained by Wagner.

Six-year-old Cherry Chex Dually was trained by Eddie Flynn, who has shown her to earn almost $200,000 in open competition. Next year, Cherry Chex Dually will join Marvine Ranch’s broodmare band, which includes the past leading competitors Quintan Blue; Dualin At Noon; I Sho Spensive; Sues Barn Cat; and Miss Martini Play.

Winkelried, who also owns Marvine Ranch in Meeker, CO, retired as copresident of Goldman Sachs in February 2009. His wife Abby is also an amateur
cutting competitor.

Open 1st go-round

A Smooth Criminal and Matt Gaines topped the first day of Open go-round competition with 219 points; Spooked By A Cat and Grant Setnicka scored
218.5. A Smooth Criminal, sired by Smooth As A Cat and owned by Roxanne Koepsell, was destined for reined cowhorse competition, until trainer Todd Bergen called Gaines and told him, “I think he needs to be a cutting horse.”

Since then, Gaines has shown the stallion as a finalist in six major cutting events to earn close to $50,000. A Smooth Criminal is the first cutting
horse for Koepsell, who is known for her top-ranked reining, as well as reined cowhorse, competitors.