2012 Mid America Summer Spectacular August 7 – 12, 2012
Colorado State Fairgrounds, Pueblo, CO Rhoda Rein (303) 618-0749 2012 Mid America Summer Spectacular–August 7 – 12, 2012–

It was an exciting week in Pueblo as cow horse competitors showed top derby horses and tested their futurity horses in a $54,000 added–money show. The show paid out $128,970 among 528 entries. This was the second year for this show, which had paid out over $90,000 last year. Because of the EHV-1 virus–last year, the annual June NRCHA and NRHA show, Sagebrush Slide and Cowhorse Classic, was moved to early August. The club kept the date and created the Mid-America Summer Spectacular.

Although entries remained the same, more money was added and entry fees were increased to sweeten the total payout. Both futurity and derby divisions had $20,000 added–money, and the horse show classes had $14,000 added money. A good schedule allowed time to socialize and time to ride.

Members of the CRCA sponsored evening parties with live music at the grassy area east of the arena. Bill and Janiejill Tointon provided morning Peaberry coffee service near the bleachers. Two slates of horse show classes were held and awarded handmade Gary Wiggins buckles to overall champions in the Non Pro Bridle and Non Pro Limited as well as most futurity and derby divisions.

It was very exciting to see the futurity horses make their debut performances during the week. When reading the derby results, you might think you have picked up a back issue of Quarter Horse News, as several top horses dominated their divisions once again. OPEN FUTURITY Robbie Boyce won the 36 entry open futurity riding Nic It Starlight, a black gelding bred and raised by Barbara Cowan of Cowan Select Horses. He is–by Nic It–In The Bud, out of Okie Starbella. Todd Crawford rode him for Cowan until Robbie came to work in Purcell, Okla, last December. “He was real even in all 3 events, he was very mature and serious about his business in the show pen,” said Boyce. He scored 144.5 points in the herd work, 147.5 points in the reined work and144 points in the cow work to total 436 points–and earn $4774 in all.

Jay McLaughlin was reserve champion riding Smart Nu Annie owned by the Neal family, Trey, Sandra and Mattie, to win $3001 in all. Bred by Carol Rose, she is by Smart Shiner out of Annies Nu Lena. Mattie Neal also had a great horseshow, winning the overall $5k non pro limited championship buckle riding her horse, Instantee. She scored 287 points to place 4th of 20 entries in the first show, then won the second show by scoring 294 points to top 17 entries. “What a great show, I love to come here and show outside,” said McLaughlin. Steve Metcalf made the highest mark of the futurity division, scoring 150.5 points to win the reined work aboard Carolyn Edson’s Vintage Nic Nac. Todd Crawford and Jay McLaughlin each score 149 points in the reined work. Crawford rode Wisha Pona Star for Garth and Amanda Gardiner. McLaughlin rode Shiners Nu Cash for Bob and Kate Ballew. Todd Crawford and Justin Lawrence shared top scores in the herd work, 146 points. Crawford rode Oh Cay Meriah for Russ Mothershead and Lawrence rode I Eat Red Meat for Bill & Janiejill Tointon.

Jay McLaughlin and Brad Lund shared the fence work high score money with their 147.5 point runs. McLaughlin rode Shiney Diamond Jackie for Salt Fork Cattle Co. Lund rode Star Of–The Cats for Corey Bender, and earned 428 composite total to earn the reserve intermediate open futurity title and place 8th in the open to take home $2,734 in all. INTERMEDIATE OPEN FUTURITY Matt Koch won the 17 entry intermediate open futurity riding Stylin Up for the Haythorn Ranch.

Bred by Cathy Cox, the gelding is by Stylish Rey out of Hickorys Promise. Stylish Rey, a Holmes Cutting Horses stallion, was the #4 top–sire of the 2011 Snaffle Bit futurity. “The cattle were all pretty honest, and I trusted him and showed him like my older horses,” said Koch. “He is a cow fighter. I feel real fortunate to have good three year olds two years in a row.” His 146 point score in the fence work gave him the lead in the intermediate division and a 7th–place paycheck in the open to earn $3,065 for his efforts. Koch, who nicknamed his colt “Lloyd”, worked for Lloyd Cox during his Lamar Community college internship and then started colts for several years while managing a ranch near Co–x in northeastern Colorado.

LIMITED OPEN & LEVEL 1 FUTURITY Lavert Avent continued his winning streak in Pueblo in the futurity and derby divisions, winning all four limited open and level one titles. “I had another great show, but now I am off to show with the big boys next year,” said Avent, acknowledging the flipside of success, winning his way out of both divisions in 2012. Avent was thrilled with his futurity mare, Jojo Tari, scoring 422 points and earning $2,005 and two Gary Wiggins buckles. “I had no idea that she would show–so good, so I came home and bought slots for Reno,” said Avent, who purchased the mare last November at the Western Bloodstock sale held during the Working–Ranch Cowboys Association finals in Amarillo, Texas. She is by Little Polo Joe (by Grays Starlight) out of a daughter of Bob Acre–Doc. The sale offers a $30,000 added futurity this fall for horses sold last fall, with–a guaranteed $10,000 to the winner.

Colorado cowboy Jeff Veitch was reserve champion in the 12 entry limited open riding Ill Be Jolie for the Coal Creek Ranch, Ridgeway, Colo. Christian Lybbert was reserve champion in the 14 entry Level 1 division riding Mister Dual Pepinic for owner Kenneth Jones.–NOVICE HORSE FUTURITY–Darren Miller won the 10 entry novice horse futurity division riding his gray–gelding, Very Smart Aleck (Very Smart Remedy x Kaimana Wana Wiggle x–Diggers Rest). Miller raised the colt, a full brother to his 2010 Snaffle Bit Futurity–finalist, Lil Remedy Pep. Blue Allen was reserve champion riding RPL Autumn Dance for Donna Kennet and Gavin Warne.

NON PRO & AMATEUR FUTURITY Arizona cowboy Grant Lindaman II made his trip worthwhile by winning 2 Gary Wiggins buckles, $2,606 and the reserve non pro bridle championship. “I don’t have much opportunity to do the cow work, so I have tried to keep my horse confident and always end on a good note,” said Lindaman, who trains his own horses following the Will Howe horsemanship methods. “I watched the herd settle in the cutting for soft cattle.” His 143 point score in the reined work helped him stay in the hunt for the win. He purchased his gelding, Whiz N Thru Hail, from Matt Mills as a green–broke colt, he is by Shine Like Hail out of a Topsail Whiz mare.

The non pro bridle championship buckle went to Lori–Wyman of Osceola, Neb, riding her pretty dun mare Little Doc Lady. She was “cowgirl tuff” wearing a fresh cast on her off rein arm from an injury two weeks earlier. Longtime NRCHA contestant Kirk Druey enjoyed his time in Pueblo and–won the reserve non pro and select championship titles aboard his horse, Oaks In Montana, earning $1,190. Druey represents the love of our sport and how far the interest in reined cowhorse has spread across our country. A native Californian, he rode with Russell Dilday. He resides in Maryland, participates in their affiliate, and rides with Todd Crawford, Purcell, Okla.

OPEN DERBY–Part of the excitement of the limited age events is the selection of young–prospects. Owners and trainers take a gamble to see if their pick will develop into a great and solid horse. Chris Dawson’s decision to buy Travelin Jonez from breeder–Steve Roseberry just keeps paying off at show after show. He was the #2–intermediate open cow horse in 2011 and the top earning horse in Dawson’s string that enabled him to top the 2011 intermediate open riders list.