Daintys Kual Kitty and Morgan Cromer led the go-round of the $25,000 Novice Thursday as the inaugural NCHA Scottsdale National Championships got underway in Arizona. Cromer marked 222 on the 8-year-old mare for Clarke Butte Ranch of Bend, Oregon.

In fact, Cromer rode three of the top five qualifiers, and fellow NCHA Hall of Fame Rider Mike Wood rode the other two. Sixteen horses marked 215.5 or better to advance to Friday’s finals.

Daintys Kual Kitty was bred by Austin Kenyon by Dual Smart Rey out of Kats Dainty Gal, a daughter of NCHA Futurity Champion Dainty Playgirl. Cromer won the El Rancho Derby and South Point Derby with Daintys Kual Kitty, helping the mare earn more than $116,000 so far. Owner Julie Clarke has also been a major event finalist on the mare in Unlimited Amateur and Limited Non-Pro divisions.

Cromer’s other top five mounts in the go-round were Dis Cats Dynamite (220 for third) and Two Smart A Cat (219.5 for fifth). Dis Cats Dynamite is a WR This Cats Smart 5-year-old that Cromer rode to win at Idaho and El Rancho last year. She is owned by Terry Ratto of Morgan Hill, California. Two Smart A Cat is a WR This Cats Smart 7-year-old with earnings of more than $74,000. She is owned by Tammy Valley of Encinitas, California.

Mike Wood was second in the go-round with a 221 on Buzzted, and tied for third with a 220 on Stylish Swagger.

Buzzted is owned by Christine King of Scottsdale. He was bred by Billy Martin, who will be inducted into the NCHA Members Hall of Fame next month, is by Light N Lena out of Honey Bee Time. The 8-year-old gelding was an NCHA Derby champion with Sean Flynn, and Wood rode him to win the Mercuria NCHA World Finals in the $5,000 Novice last winter. Buzzted has earned more than $243,000.

Stylish Swagger is owned by Michelle and Barry Barnes of Lewiston, Idaho. He’s a 7-year-old son of Stylish Rey out of Carolena Moon and was bred by Matt and Megan Miller. He has earned more than $74,000.