Along with being one of the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s major events, the NRCHA Hackamore Classic, held April 25-27 in Paso Robles, California, also boasts a full slate of NRCHA approved classes – the highlight of which are the Open and Non Pro Bridle Spectaculars. These events for bridle horses feature herd work in addition to the rein and cow work of regular Bridle classes.
In the Open division, John Ward and Smart Little Pepinic (Smart Little Uno X Pepinic) shot to the lead after marking a 148 in the herd work – the closest competitor being NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Jon Roeser on Boons Royal Legacy (Peptoboonsmal X Smogy Doc), who marked a 144.
In the rein work, it was Randy Paul on Smokeelan, owned by Jill Smiekel George, who earned the high score – a 146.5. Ward and Smart Little Pepinic held onto the lead after marking a 143.5.
The cow work is always the decision-maker at reined cow horse events and in the Bridle Spectacular cow work Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker showed why they are the reigning NRCHA World’s Greatest Horseman Champions. Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker (Topsail Cody X Jameen Gay) earned a 149 – marked the high score of the cow work by three points.
But Ward and Smart Little Pepinic continued their steady ascent to the title with a solid 146 to keep the lead. Ward’s 437.5 composite total earned $5,040.
Run concurrently with the rein and cow work of the Open Bridle Spectacular is the Limited Open Bridle. Chexout The Calboy was ridden to a 284 and $1,440 by Darrell Norcut. Chexout The Calboy (Smart Little Calboy X Chexotic) is owned by Kelli Day. The Reserve Championship title went to Mary Dosek and Jaci Bee Great (Jac Daniels Neat X Wranglers Pretty Gal), owned by Todd Pershing.
In the Non Pro Bridle Spectacular, Jo Anne Carollo rode Plan To Win (A Master Plan X Lenas Solana) for the Championship. Scores of 143 in the herd work, 139 in the rein work, and 147 in the fence work secured the title. The win added $4,334 to Plan To Win’s $125,000 plus lifetime earnings.
The Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Reserve Championship was won by Laurie Ward and Miss Smokin It – who happens to be by the Open Bridle Spectacular Champion, Smart Little Pepinic. Ward and Miss Smokin It earned 146 in the herd work, 133.5 in the rein work, and 147 down the fence for a 426.5 total. They pocketed $3,560 for the Reserve finish.
Paige Eidemiller won the Novice Non Pro Bridle on her horse TF Montalena (Folks Montaluc X Peps Sissy Lena). She earned $1,710 for the 281 composite (142/139).