Days Zanolena displayed her true grit with a 222-point performance in the “cow work” phase of the NRCHA Open Derby, on June 22 in Paso Robles, CA, to win the event with a composite score of 653 (including 218 in herd work and 213 in reining). The 5-year-old Smart Zanolena daughter, ridden by Tucker Robinson for Matt and Leslie Day, Bend, OR, earned a total of $50,740, with $8,370 as champion of the Intermediate Open Derby, as well.
“She’s by far the best horse I’ve ever ridden, and I guarantee, she may be the best I’ll ever ride in my life,” said Robinson, 29, son of seven-time Snaffle Bit Futurity Open champion Ted Robinson. “There’s not enough words to say how great she is.” Days Zanolena was also champion of the 2008 NRCHA Stakes and the NRCHA Hackamore Classic under Robinson.
Doug Williamson, 66, tied for the Open Derby reserve title with composites of 650.5 on 2007 NRCHA Open Derby champion Docs Soula and Hes Wright On. Docs Soula, by Soula Jule Star, is owned D & S Quarter Horses, Terrebonne, OR; Hes Wright On, by Lenas Wright On, belongs to Gardiner Quarter Horses of Ashland, KS. Each earned $28,843.
Reminic Moon Shine and Corey Cushing claimed $30,800 with a 656.6 top composite in the $50,000-added Jack and Phoebe Cooke Open Bridle Spectacular. The 9-year-old gelded son of Reminic is owned by Kylie Knight, 19, Peoria, AZ, who will be riding him this year at the AQHYA Youth World Show in Oklahoma City.
Chics Magic Potion earned $25,300 as Open Bridle reserve champion with a composite of 656. The 8-year-old son of Smart Chic Olena was ridden for Kenneth Banks, Schulenburg, TX, by Bob Avila.
In the Non-Pro Derby, Mike Miller, Big Piney, WY, came out the winner on 4-year-old Bucks Genuine Fever, by Miller’s stallion Playboys Buck Fever. Jo Anne Carollo was reserve riding Repeat Plan, by A Master Plan.
Bill Cowan (pictured with Michelle), who is also an NCHA champion, won the Intermediate Non-Pro Derby on his wife Michelle’s horse Wheres My Shine, by Shining Spark. Michelle, who won the 2007 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Non-Pro championship on the mare, is expecting the couple’s second child in November and bowed out of the competition.
“Everybody has been kidding that I got her pregnant just so I could ride her horses,” said Cowan. “But it’s working out pretty well and this mare is just great.”