BURBANK — From aged events to Southwest Affiliate showdowns, the California Reining Horse Associaton’s Year-end Challenge show brought the Los Angeles Equestrian Center to life Oct. 23-27, showcasing talent that soon will be heading to the NRHA Futurity and Affiliate Championships in Oklahoma City.

Several of the region’s 2013 stars held serve in their home arena, the Equidome. Non Pro Bill Coburn of Sherman Oaks dominated his division’s Derby competition, taking the CRHA CHallenge Derby Level 4, Level 3 and Primetime championships on his Nics Little Bud, who now has $118.000 lifetime earnings.

Tom Foran, the CRHA President who trains out of the LAEC, took both the Open and Intermediate Open Affiliate Championships on Timber Winner.

Andrea Fappani finished atop both the Open Derby and the Open Futurity. Riding Rosanne Sternberg’s Spook N Sparkle to a 146, Fappani claimed the Open Futurity win and a $2,022 payout in a three-way tie that also included Marco Ricotta riding Whiz N Tuck, owned by Kyle Des Hotels, and Randy Paul riding Day Creek Ranch’s HR Hesa Smokin Gun. In the Derby, Fappani guided Smoking Whiz, owned by Silver Spurs Equine, to a 152 that earned $2,696.

Finishing reserve in the Derby was Pat Wickenheiser riding Linda Katz’s BH Wimpy, earning $2,022. The duo’s 145.5 also earned the Intermediate Open Derby crown and its $2,220 payout. Reserve in the class just a half-point behind was Cody Clock riding Robert Pederson’s Max Step, earning $1,665.

Wickenheiser has had success this year with both Katz-owned reiners, “BH” and Lenaliltothewright.

“It turned out to be a great year,” said Wickenheiser, who won’t go to the NRHA Futurity this year despite qualifications in order to prepare for 2014.

With Lenaliltothewright turning 7, he could see bridle horse competition down his path.

“I’m really excited about him because he’s such a good cow horse,” said Wickenheiser, who is looking at the June Magnificent 7 competition and the August NSHA World’s Richest in Paso Robles as possibilities. “I just started roping on him this week, and he’s doing real good.”

The CRHA Challenge has a venerable line-up of special awards. This year, the CRHA Reiner of the Year and winner of the Rebecca Goss Memorial Trophy was Lindsey Spencer and Otoe Chant Pine (see sidebar, page 36). Bo Branquinho and Dealin for Jewels won the NRHA Rookie L2 Trailer Championship, sponsored by All American Trailers in Norco. The John Varble Memorial Trophy was awarded to Coburn and Nics Little Bud, and the Topsail Cody Memorial Trophy went to Kelsey Nichols and Whizper Senorita.

Other special award winners included Sandra Bentien and Make it with a Twist, winners of the Gatolotto Memorial Buckle, and Cassandra Stambuk and Smugglin Diamonds received the Kaweah Nic Memorial Trophy.

In its first year, the No Wimpy Cowboys Non Pro Maturity for horses 7 and over went to Sandra Bentien and Make it with a Twist, who took the award for levels 4, 3 and 2.

Including Foran, there were 15 Southwest Affiliate Champions crowned during the show.

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