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’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, 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.