Jeffrey Gough of Graham, Texas, rode Smart Little Wood, by Nitas Wood, to a 221-point win in the XTO Energy NCHA Super Stakes Classic Limited Non-Pro finals in Fort Worth Sunday evening. Luis Alberto Dearmas of Boca Raton, Florida, took the reserve title with a 219.5 on Sly Playgirl, by That Sly Cat.
“I had five or six cows going in that I really liked,” said Gough, who worked second in the finals. “I had great help pointing them out  for me, they presented themselves in a good spot, my horse was great and it just set up perfect.”
Bred by Labourdette Ranch, Smart Little Wood was a $5,500 purchase as a yearling at the 2008 Western Bloodstock NCHA Summer Spectacular Sale. He’s by Nitas Wood out of Danelle Boon, a granddaughter of the great producer Moria Sugar.
Gough worked Smart Little Wood on the family ranch and then turned him over to Shannon Hall for finishing. Smart Little Wood was a Non-Pro finalist and an Open semi-finalist in last year’s Super Stakes.
“Most people look at him and say, ‘oh my gosh, he’s big,'” Gough said. “He is big, but he moves like a smaller horse. He’s strong and smart and has a big stop. If I do my part, he’ll always do his part.”
This spring, Gough and Smart Little Wood won the Limited Non-Pro and placed second in the Non-Pro at the Cattlemen’s Derby. His latest win takes him over the $70,000 mark in earnings. Watch the video.
Reserve champion Luis Alberto Dearmas rode Sly Playgirl, by That Sly Cat out of Taquitas Playgirl. The 5-year-old mare was bred by Glade Knight and has earned over $115,000 with Dearmas and with trainer Jaime Snider.
Sly Playgirl won the Open 5/6-year-old at the Bonanza this spring, and Dearmas has been a finalist with her at the Abilene Spectacular and the Bonanza in 2012.
“This was a tough cutting.” Dearmas said. “There were many champions in these two sets, Futurity champions, Super Stakes champions. We were lucky enough to cut three cows that worked for her. It’s like everything fell in place.
“She’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime horses. She’s a super powerful mare, but at the same time, she’s nice and gentle to be around. We feel real fortunate to be able to own a horse like that.”