SCRCHA wraps up 2024 season with September Classic

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The September Classic was the last show of 2024 for Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association. Soaring temperatures did not deter the hardy competitors from vying for the year-end points and coveted Doug Williamson Memorial Buckle, sponsored by Molly’s Custom Silver. The start time was moved up by an hour in an effort to save the horses and competitors from the heat.

Tina Lattanzio aboard her own Smooth Moves won both the Open and Non Pro Cutting, with Craig Cowley aboard Peppys Autumn Cat coming in second in Open Cutting.

Master horseman, teacher and friend passes away at age 82

From staff and published reports

Doug Williamson, a legend in performance horse circles who taught and inspired a generation, passed away Aug. 14 in his home alongside his loving wife Carol. He was 82.

Williamson was born March 15, 1942, and grew up on his family’s ranch in Vale, Ore. From a young age, he worked on the ranch and developed his cowboy and horsemanship skills. After graduating from high school, he worked on several ranches where he was in charge of large herds of cattle and also continued training horses. He became a full-time horse trainer in his twenties and embarked on a successful career that spanned over six decades.

Over the years, he had training facilities in Nampa, Idaho, Bakersfield, and ultimately in Scottsdale, Ariz. His lifelong passion was to be the best horseman he could be. Two special accomplishments of his career included his induction into the NRCHA Hall of Fame and securing his place as a NRCHA Million Dollar Rider.

Popular ‘kids ride free’ SCRCHA event also inspires adults

By Sue Carter / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The future of horses is the youth of today, and it looked bright at the 2024 Grant Berg Memorial Horse Show put on by the Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association on July 4-7.

Green Acres Ranch hosted the four-day horse event honoring Grant Berg, and there was a nice turnout of horses and riders for the warm days that included three full slates of National Reined Cow Horse Association classes.

Cow Horse action heats up at Jimmy Flores, Sr. show

By SUE CARTER / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association held its annual Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial Horse Show on May 9-12 at Green Acres Ranch. The temperatures in Temecula were moderate, and competition was high!

Highlighting the four-day competition were the Spectaculars in six divisions. Winning the Open Spectacular was Jason Grimshaw on his Diamond J Starlite. Grimshaw also took second on Chris Lytle’s Rebel Wilson. Alexandria Zingg took the Limited Open Bridle Spectacular aboard her Uno Im Smart, and the Non Pro Spectacular went to Sarah Bradley riding her Blind Ambition.

Nicole Donahoo brings home 2024 NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman title

By Horsetrader staff

The packed Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas, was a loud pressure-cooker when Nicole Donahoo and Very Smart Pearl stepped into the arena for her final go in the NRCHA World’s Greatest Youth Horseman finals in February.

Then, she nailed it.

Her championship crowned a 10-year youth show path from junior rodeo to cow horse, along the way putting tools into her toolbox that she continues to build as a freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Which tool did she rely on as she entered the final? Start with her mindset.

SCRCHA’s Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial show attracts top talent

By Sue Carter / for the Horsetrader

TEMECULA — The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association hosted its annual Jimmy Flores, Sr. Memorial Horse Show on May 11-14 at Green Acres Ranch. Great weather treated the riders, horses and cattle with cool temperatures.

There was some fun to be had with the added team branding class on Saturday afternoon. Exhibitors and spectators alike enjoyed watching the teams have success — and calamity! The SCRCHA will have more opportunities for exhibitors to practice their roping skills with a steer stopping class at its next show July 7-9. The July Show is also an opportunity for the youth riders to try their hand at cow horse, as youth ride free at the Grant Berg Memorial show at Green Acres Ranch.