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"Shootout" contestants line-up for the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association's Oct. 17 event.

TEMECULA – Ever since he worked for Doug Williamson, Roy Rich had wanted to train a Hickorys Indian Pep bred horse. He found Fresnos Indian Chief for client Sandi Heitritter almost two years ago at CSU Fresno, and he proved himself right Oct. 17 when he won the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association Saddle Shootout open division championship.

The class was the pinnacle of the year-end SCRCHA show, held at Casner Ranch Oct. 16-17 after a popular and successful 2010 campaign for the association.

“It’s just unreal,” said Rich. “I’ve never won anything this big before. That was awesome — and I almost didn’t show up for it.”

Rich was planning to forego the Saddle Shootout weekend in order to take three horses to the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity in Nampa, Idaho. His friend, Charles Stevens, talked him out of it.

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Shootout Open saddle winner Roy Rich and Fresnos Indian Chief

“I knew that I’d have to leave early Sunday morning so I could get up to Idaho and have my horses rested up,” Rich said. “Charles said I needed to stay and show, then drive all night. So that’s what I did.

“It’s not every day that you’re eligible for a saddle,” he said.

The win continued a good year for Rich, who was given a good effort all weekend by “Chief.” The 4-year old marked a 73 under judge Benny Guitron, two points beyond reserve Tony Mendoza, Sr. on Leos Frosty Barbie.

“Chief was on it,” said Rich. “He was great that night. He was great all day. We won the hackamore Saturday, Limited Hackamore Saturday and Sunday –he was just on.”

After winning the title at 8:45 p.m. Sunday night, he loaded up three horses and – with help driving from a friend who traveled alongside – arrived at the IRCHA Futurity and Derby 14 hours later.

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John Farris and Boomba Chic won the Non Pro Shootout for the second staight year.

“Poor little guy – he had to earn his keep,” said Rich. “I took three horses up there and came home with three checks, so that doesn’t happen very often.”

In Idaho, Chief was third in the Limited Open Hackamore, and Rich took Half Time Report to second in the Limited Derby, the championship in the $2,500 Novice Horse Derby, and seventh in Intermediate.

Other SCRCHA saddle-winners at the Shootout included John Farris on Boomba Chic in the Non Pro and Monica Pratt in the Limited Non Pro.

More results: See website: http://bit.ly/011ASCRCHA