LAS VEGAS — Bigger than ever, the 2013 High Roller Reining Classic came to South Point and challenged top reiners and their horses Sept. 7-14, then sent many of them home with more than $300,000 in cash and prizes awarded.

Franco Bertolani of Aubrey, Texas, was a high-profile High Roller, taking the 5-year-old CFR Centenario Wimpy (Wimpys Little Step x Miss Hollywood Whiz) to a show-leading 226.5 that earned $24,192, topping the Level 4 and Level 3 Open Derby Divisions out of a whopping 126 horses. Bertolani had first showed the horse, owned by Domenico Lomuto, at last March’s Cactus Reining Classic after getting him in February. They later marked a 226 to win the NRHA Level 3 Open Derby — his last stop before the High Roller event.

RENO, Nev. — What do you get when you mix a cowy filly with five enthusiastic women and a legendary trainer from Red Bluff?

Maybe a National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity World Championship.

At least that’s the hope of Christine Phillips and four good friends who took her bait when she proposed that they have some fun with a joint venture in a Jaysons Peptolena filly endorsed by NRCHA Hall of Famer Smoky Pritchett.

“I was riding horses with Smoky, and he told me that Ken Wold’s wife used to put together partnerships,” said Christine, a regional product rep for Grand Meadows supplements, Boulet Boots and World Equestrian Brands. “Smoky said, ‘those gals had so much fun — they were good friends who’d travel to shows, and then they’d take their horse to the Snaffle Bit and go and hang out for the week. They really enjoyed it.’ “I got to thinking that it would be fun,” she added.

Cowgirls for a Cause
(760) 208-3344
www.CowgirlsForACause.com
Cowgirls for a Cause is an artisan line of equine-inspired ladies apparel and gifts, designed for the gal who loves horses. In addition to the one-of-a-kind images that adorn each and every one of our shirts, you will also find a fun or inspiring saying on the back. There is no reason you can’t look cute while you’re out enjoying your horse! The Cowgirls for a Cause Collection is designed to ride in, work in, play in and just love your horse in. With design-enhancing, contrast-stitch thermals, hand-cut V-necks in lightweight cotton and cuddly warm, bold-colored thermals, you are sure to find a design and a fit that is just right for you. Visit our website at www.cowgirlsforacause.com to see our full line of clothing, hats and handmade leather bracelets. There is something for every horse lover, both English and Western. Enjoy, and remember to always live, love…and ride!

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Enrique Gonzales rode Quilebo du Tillard to a flawless round to edge Susie Hutchison on SIG Zulieka for victory in the $40,000 Fall Tournament Grand Prix on Sept. 15, sponsored by EquiFit. Twenty-five horse-and-rider combinations challenged the International Grand Prix Field on the final day of the 2013 Blenheim grand prix season in Orange County.

In another featured event, Joie Gatlin captured the inaugural CashCall Mortgage Futurity Series, which pitted eight qualifiers from San Juan Capistrano and Del Mar events from throughout the Blenheim season. Horses competing in the finals had no entry fee as well as an increased purse.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — Thirty-four leading junior equitation riders competed in the ASPCA Maclay West Coast Regional Finals Sept. 14, each trying to secure a spot on the roster for the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Championships at the Alltech National Horse Show in early November.

With 27 returning for the flat phase and six for the work-off, Olivia Champ took the win aboard Lamont. Trainer of the top five riders, Karen Healey, said it was a good night for her barn.

“It was a good night,” Healey said. “The kids were all great. I was extremely proud of them all.”

DEAR DANA: I have a 9-year-old mare that I show in amateur Western pleasure and trail classes. I have had her for three years. When I first bought her, we did quite well and even won at some good AQHA shows. In the last year, it seems like we have been going downhill. My friend says my mare looks like she is on her front end and has lost the lift she used to have. In my trail classes, she isn’t marking as good of scores and hits a lot of poles. What do you recommend that I do?
– Eileen

AMARILLO, Texas — The American Quarter Horse Association on Sept. 23 filed notice of appeal to overturn a jury verdict that the AQHA had violated antitrust laws by excluding cloned Quarter Horses from its registry.

The horsetrader.com Funniest Horse Video Contest has launched in conjunction with the Del Mar International Horse Show! Go on horsetrader.com today and enter a contest that will award $2,000 in cash prizes — including a $1,000 first prize! West Palms Event Management will present the videos on the big screen at the Del Mar International on Saturday, Oct. 26, before the $25,000 Rancho Valencia World Cup Grand Prix of Del Mar. Judges will select the top three for prizes of $1,000, $300 and $200 for first, second and third places, respectively. Plus, you readers can select a “People’s Choice” winner by voting on horsetrader.com. The winner, selected by online voters, gets $500! More details at www.horsetrader.com/contest.

52nd in a series
Last issue, Les wrapped up his detailed lessons on turn-arounds. Now we’ll open the door to stops.

North American Peruvian Horse Association
www.NAPHA.net

The North American Peruvian Horse Association is proud to announce the 2013 U.S. National show. This beautiful and very elegant horse will be showcased at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank October 4-6. The public is invited to this very special event and witness the smoothest riding horse in the equine world!

The Peruvian Horse has been represented in the United States for over 45 years. The NAPHA represents the Peruvian Horse in the U.S. with affiliate organizations in Canada, Central and South America, Europe
and Australia. NAPHA is primarily charged with maintaining the registry of the breed.