From last to first, it was a good run for T.J. Good on Saturday, with 223.5 points and the John Deere Division of the Super Stakes Classic championship on NQH Tom Cat.
“There were six horses and I was about as laid back as I’ve ever been showing,” said Good, who drew up last to work.
“I think I’ve had better runs on him, but it was smooth and everything worked just right.”
Chris Johnsrud, reserve champion of the John Deere Super Stakes Open Limited on Dual Flames for Carol Ward, also claimed reserve to Good in the Classic Limited riding Lil Dulce Lu for Ward.
NQH Tom Cat, by High Brow Cat, is owned by Jackson Land & Cattle, Jackson Hole, WY and Weatherford, TX. Good showed him as a 2008 NCHA Futurity Open Limited finalist and Open semi-finalist. It was the first time the former reined cowhorse trainer had shown at a major NCHA event.
“He’s been a good horse for me and I’m lucky to have him,” said Good. “He’s taught me a lot.”
Good also showed Bet On Merada in the Classic Limited finals, and Trick Pepto, as fourth-placed finalist in the Super Stakes Open Limited. This year alone, Good has won three championships aboard Trick Pepto, by Peptoboonsmal: the Cattlemens’ Open Derby; the Cattlemens’ Derby Open Limited; and the Abilene Spectacular Open Limited.
He also won the 2010 Arbuckle Mountain Limited showing NQH Tom Cat.
Jackson Land & Cattle is the owner of leading sire Peptoboonsmal.
Six-year-old Lil Dulce Lu, by Dulces Smart Lena, has carried both Chris Johnsrud and Carol Ward, as a finalist in major limited age events, most recently with Johnsrud in the South Point Winter Championships.
Open Finals
Boyd Rice, winner of the 2009 NCHA Super Stakes and Derby on Third Cutting, won’t be out of his chaps for long today.
Rice is riding three finalists, including Third Cutting, in the Super Stakes Classic Finals, and will show Boonie Tunes in the Super Stakes finals, as well as the Open Gelding finals. He is also up on Peptos Stylish Sue and Smart Kitty RG in the Classic.
Tim Smith has a full day as well with Smoother Than A Cat in the Super Stakes; Cats Full Moon and Stylin Roxy in the Super Stakes Classic; and Reys Hot Wheels in the Open Gelding finals.