QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — Queen Creek might be Ron Emmons’ new favorite place. On Saturday night, Oct. 29, he piloted Olena Oak to the Championship of the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby’s Holy Cow Performance Horses Open Bridle Spectacular. He returned to the Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center on Sunday to win the headline event in the Open and Intermediate Open division on Reygans Smart Lena.

“It’s been an amazing weekend—that’s for sure!” For Sunday’s performance, Emmons won $36,011, a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by Centennial Cattle Company, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, two bits from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and two CR Morrison trophies.

Carol Roberts of Ojai and Oaks Dual Rey swept the top two Non Pro divisions of the NRCHA Derby with a 649 composite. Roberts won $15,348, a CowTrac System, two pairs of Rios of Mercedes boots, two bits from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, and two CR Morrison trophies and commemorative medallions.

“My horse was really good in the herd work. We had a tough first cow and it made me nervous, but the last two cows were great and we had a 215.5. I loved how Rey (Oaks Dual Rey) worked in the rein work. We marked a 215 there,” she said.

Roberts and Rey finished the finals with a 218.5 in the cow work. “Phillip Ralls was helping me in the fence work. He let me know when it was time to go. We made two good turns and then just went after the cow and circled up. I knew I had enough horse, and he was really great today,” she said.

Roberts found Oaks Dual Rey, by TR Dual Rey out of Docs Pearly Oak, through a YouTube video. She never saw Oaks Dual Rey in person—just on a computer screen—but she took a chance and bought him anyway.

“I talked to the owner and I had a good feeling about it.” In fact, Rey’s previous owner, Jamie Lester, traveled to Arizona from Illinois to watch him compete.

“She hadn’t seen him since he came to me, so it was very special that she was there to see him win.”

The California Non Pro added that the Derby provided a great opportunity to work with and learn from several different Open trainers.

“I had the incredible opportunity to work some great guys. They were all here cheering for me and were in my pictures,” she said. “Thank you Phillip Ralls, Corey Cushing, Todd Bergen, Doug Williamson, and Jon Roeser.”

Roberts added a special thank you to Shannon McCarty. “She always lets me come and work cattle. She’s awesome. Of course, I also have a great supportive family, who I thank also,” she said.

Clovis, California, Non Pro Tish Wilhite won the Reserve title in both divisions with The Fresno Fox. Wilhite and The Fresno Fox scored 215 in the herd work, 217 in the rein work, and 216 in the cow work for a 648 composite. All total, Wilhite took home $11,816. The Fresno Fox is by Heart Of A Fox out of Oaks Jewel Doll.

Laura Edwards and Dun Leanin scored a 430.5 to take the Limited Open Bridle Championship at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, held at the Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona. The win netted an NRCHA trophy and a check for $1,500.

Edwards marked a 211 in the rein work, and followed that with a 219.5 in the cow work. “My reining is always a little rough, but it was relatively good today. She was real relaxed, which is important,” she noted. “We got a second cow. It’s my birthday and anniversary today, so that was my present. It laid up real well, we had good fence turns, and we circled well.”

More results: See website: www.nrcha.com