TEMECULA – It was deja vu all over again at the Seventh Annual Sherri Gilkerson Memorial Bridle weekend, as Lyn Anderson and Lance Johnston emerged with respective Open Spectacular bridle and hackamore victories at the May 17-19 event that mirrored their success from two years ago.

The two $5,000-added signature classes were part of a big three-day competition at Casner’s Ranch, a show jointly sponsored by the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association and the Arizona Cow Horse Association. The Memorial Bridle Spectacular is in memory of Sherri Gilkerson, who died in 2006 at age 34 after a horse accident. The perpetual trophy — Gilkerson’s bronzed boots — has become a favorite to win among the riders.

Anderson will reclaim the boots this year. The Madera trainer, who took Lil Time To Smoke to the 2010 Gilkerson Memorial Bridle Spectacular title, scored a tight victory on Tuckers Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Smoke Time Tuck) after a work-off with Nicolas Barthelemy riding Jans Rey Cuatro. The 2007 gelding, owned by David and Barbara Archer, earned $3,260 in the $5,000-added feature class that has become one of the most popular on the West Coast.

“Everything went good — I had a good cow and everything was just kind of textbook,” said Anderson, who rode Tuckers Smart Cat to the last two National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Hackamore World Championships in 2013 and 2012. “I gotta stay calm with him because he’s got plenty of energy. I don’t have to get too stressed out — he will get me there.”

After riding Smoke Time Tuck offspring to a high-powered strong of success in recent years, Anderson is quick with praise for the dam.

“We buy everything we can out of that mare because she’s just been a great mare and her foals really fit me,” she said. “They’ve got lots of energy, and they like to do the deal. Tucker Smart Cat is a horse that everybody just really likes to look at. He’s attractive to watch run, do his deal, and he’s a really good three-way horse — he can do everything.”

As the NRCHA Derby nears (Midstate Fairgrounds in Paso Robles, June 10-15), Johnston has a derby hot streak of his on going with Silky Smooth Hickory. The colt, owned by Mary Stroud, took the $5,000-added Open Hackamore Spectacular and earned $2,865. The victory came on the heels of his win weeks earlier in Bakersfield at the Valley Cow Horse Association California Horse Trials in the $10,000-added Open Derby.

His success is gratifying for Johnston, who along with the owner never gave up on the colt despite injury problems that plagues his 3-year-old year.

“We’re pretty excited he’s been coming on,” said the Lindsay-based Johnston. “He’s catchin’ up. He’s getting confidence, and I’m getting confidence in him.”

“He’s been sound since I got him back,” he added. “He was able to rest and get healed, and he’s been really good since.”

Like Anderson, Johnston came away a big winner at the 2010 SCRCHA event, where he rode Nu Prize (Smokums Prize x My Nu Masterpiece) to the Open Hackamore Spectacular that year.

“I’ve had a lot of success there,” said Johnston, who won the Bridle Spectacular the first year the boots were awarded. “It’s just a great show and a great place to go show — especially when you get to work in that big pen. I’ve had a lot of success there and good memories.”

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