Ranch Riding took center stage for NSBA members on Saturday as two stakes classes along with Youth and Level 1/Novice horses competed for cash and prizes.
The Lyon's Share
Trainer Bud Lyon won the “lyon’s” share of the prize money in the Open Ranch Riding Stakes class. He showed six horses who garnered six of the top seven places in the class, and earned more than $17,800 in total earnings in the class.
Bud showed FM Cottonwood to win the class for owners Carlton and Khris Crowe, and a $5,658 check. “This was my first time coming to the Congress,” Bud said. “So now I can say I love the Congress!” FM Cottonwood is an eight year old gelding by Gunner and out of a Smart Chic Olena mare.
Bud talked about the pattern in the class, which proved challenging for the 48 entries. “This pattern was deceptive, because the whole sequence of trotting down the line into an extended trot to the far end, a lot of horses don’t want to extend because it’s darker down there and there are people standing at the end,” he said.
“The extended trot to back, sidepass and turn to the logs was a real test for the horses. That, along with the diagonal extended lope to collect and change leads were both really challenging.”
Bud gave credit to his clients and team, both at home and at the Congress, for helping with his success. “I’m so fortunate to have a great group of horses to show, and a fantastic group of clients,” he said. “My crew, both here at the show and the ones working back home, are really what had led to my success.”
Bud also showed. Whizenboonsmal to second for Madison Rafacz, Lectric Chic Olena to third for Kimberly Colvin, Crowd Pleaser to fourth for Kerry Papendick, Sumac Gunnabeflashy to sixth for Leslie Vagneur Lange, and Chex Out My Dough to seventh for Karry Papendick.
Saying Grace In Open Ranch Rail Stakes
In the Ranch Rail Open Stakes, it was Matt Gouthro showing Whiz Chic Grace to the win after completing two splits and a final to determine the winner, showing for Pam Troutman. He earned a check for $6,579. “Grace is five years old, and is by Shine Chic Shine,” Matt said.
“We bought her before the AQHA World Show, so we’ve had her about a year. She’s such a great mover, and she does great in both the Ranch Rail and Ranch Riding classes. She won the Open Ranch Rail and the Junior Ranch Rail classes the other day here. Our goal is for her owner, Pam, to show her later.”
Matt expressed his gratitude for the Ranch Stakes classes at the Congress. “We’re so excited to have these Stakes classes at the Congress,” he said. “This is the second year they’ve had them here, and we can’t thank Steve and Kathy Headley enough for their support by sponsoring them.”
“Xtra” Debut For A Special Horse
John Roberts and Xtra Walk This Way took the win in the AQHA and NSBA Level 1 Junior Ranch Riding for owner Terry Garrett. “Xtra is four years old, and he’s by Wimpys Little Step and a Smart Like Juice mare,” John explained.
“We bought him as a two year old, but he got hurt twice, first when he pulled a suspensory and then he cut his whole shoulder, so we missed really getting him going in his two year old and three year old years. We’ve only been training him for about ten months. He’s really good minded and good to be around with a great personality. And he’s very athletic. Honestly, I like everything about him. Today, he really did well with the extended trot and the extended lope in the pattern. We had a long wait from draw 22 until the last horse went at draw 74.
“Our future plans are to show at the AQHA World Show, and then Terry will start showing him in Level 1 classes next year.”
Youth Ranch Riding Champions Named
The youngest Ranch Riders saw their turn to shine in the 13 & Under and 14-18 Ranch Riding classes on Saturday.
Perennial competitor Quincy Clagg showed two horses to first and second in the AQHA and NSBA portion of the 13 & Under class, but the outcome surprised her. “My go with my first horse, Fancy Blue Roo, was really good, and I didn’t think I could beat it with Mr Great Red, but I did,” Quincy said. "The Ranch Riding is a lot of fun - it's a lot of work, but it's a lot of fun too."
Fancy Blue Roo is a multiple Congress champion, but today was Red’s turn to shine, with Quincy showing him to a 239.5, besting her score with Fancy Blue Roo of 236.5.
Madison Rafacz has been a Congress champion in Reining 13 times, but she won her first Congress AQHA and NSBA Ranch Riding championship aboard her horse Whizzin Boonsmal on Saturday. “I’ve had Peter for about five years now. He’s by Pepto Leap and out of She Whiz A Star,” Madison said.
“I had been showing him in Reining and Bud Lyon talked to me about showing him in Ranch classes and thought he would be good at it, so we started working at it two years ago. I’ve been traveling with Bud for the past two summers, and it’s been great. My favorite class is actually Ranch Rail, but Ranch Riding is my second favorite. Today, I loved how willing he was to do the maneuvers and stayed with me – we call him Peter the Great.”
The Congress win gave Madison and Peter the 2022 trifecta of championships – they have won the NSBA world championship in Youth Ranch Riding (as well as a championship in Ranch Trail and reserve championship in Ranch Rail), and also won the Youth Ranch Riding at the AQHYA World Championship Show earlier this year.
Ranch Riding classes continue at the Congress on Sunday with Youth Ranch Rail, the Three Year Old Ranch Riding Futurity, Level 1 Youth and Amateur Select Ranch Riding and the Non-Pro Ranch Riding Stakes.
To view complete show results, please visit the Horse Show Tracker app or go to the All American Quarter Horse Congress website at quarterhorsecongress.com.
