Cat Ichi got his second champion of the NCHA Western National Championships Thursday when Cat Splash and Kenny Pugh Jr. won the $3,000 Novice finals. A day earlier, Ichi Mama and Josh Sleeman won the $10,000 Novice finals.

Pugh marked 223 on Cat Splash to win by one point over Sleeman on Dual Lena Bars.

Bred by Hare Quarter Horses, Cat Splash is a 6-year-old mare by Cat Ichi out of Haidas Little Shorty. She is a three-quarter sister to Pounce, the NCHA Derby reserve champion that has earned over $200,000. Cat Splash is owned by Amy Becken of Gig Harbor, Washington. The 2011 Oregon Futurity champion had earned more than $23,000 prior to the Western Nationals.