TULARE — He went without his lucky red shirt this year, but it mattered little to Corey Cushing at the 2011 National Stock Horse Association Classic, held Feb 24-27 at the International Ag Center.

Riding Peppys Royal Outlaw, owned by Day Creek Ranch of Simi Valley, the Scottsdale, Ariz. based trainer took the Open title for the second straight year, outdueling Jon Roeser on Respond Like A Fox by a half-point in the final composite standings 440-439.5. The victory earned $11,500 for the winners, with the reserves taking $8,625.

Tied for third at 439 were Todd Bergen on 2010 NRCHA Derby Open champion Smart Luck and Justin Wright, who had a prominent showing in Tulare with No Chic Flicks, owned by Ronnie Richards. Their take of the NSHA Classic purse was $6,469.

The NSHA raised $38,000 in a heartfelt fund-raiser for the family of Temecula trainers Mike and Cindy Berg, whose son Grant is undergoing treatment for Dandy-Walker Syndrome. Dan Daponde donated to the NSHA Sale a filly, pictured here with Russell Dilday, Mike Berg (left of filly) and friends.

In the Classic Novice Horse Open, Doug Williamson rode Moon Me Pepto, owned by Barbara Hastings of Glendale, to the championship with Mike Berg finishing reserve on An Okie From Heaven, owned by Deirdre Coit of Rancho Mirage. Wright and No Chic Flicks won the Intermediate Open Classic, with Berg and An Okie From Heaven taking the Intermediate Open Novice Horse title.

Roger and Cindy Bias each took home a championship — Roger winning the Limited Open Classic on CD Q Tee for owners Joel and Sandy Jewett of Newbury Park, and Cindy the Amateur Classic on Quesadiya Prize.

The third annual NSHA Classic attracted top competition from throughout the nation, luring top horses and riders as well as a strong field of amateurs and up-and-comers in a variety of well-attended classes.

This year, the NSHA also used its show as a fund-raising platform to benefit the family of Temecula trainers Mike and Cindy Berg, whose 4-year-old son Grant is battling Dandy-Walker syndrome, a congenital brain disorder. A series of benefits spanning 45 days — from a weekend stock horse clinic Jan. 6-9 to the Classic — raised more than $38,000 for the Bergs.

Cynthia Bias and Quesadiya Prize win the Amateur Classic.

A Saturday night benefit auction followed the horse sale, including breedings to leading stallions Chic Please, Smokums Prize, Dun It With A Twist and Nu Circle N Cash. Other items included a custom Don Brown hackamore; custom felt and straw hats from Lone Star Hatters of Texas; spurs donated by Burl Flanigan; and a $500 weekend clinic package.

Dan Daponde donated a 3-year-old filly out of Peppys Hot Chic by the highest earning cow horse in history, Topsails Rien Maker, and all proceeds went directly to the Berg family.

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More results: See website: http://www.nationalstockhorse.com