RENO, Nev. — In his first trip to the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity Open finals, Nick Dowers claimed the $100,000 Championship aboard Time For The Diamond (One Time Pepto x Diamonds With Style x Playin Stylish), a horse he owns under the name of his family’s Triple D Ranches, LLC.

Dowers, 31, piloted the sorrel stallion to a total 661 score (218.5 herd/218.5 rein/224 cow), earning a deafening ovation every time he entered the arena.

“I wasn’t sure I would be able to hear the horn at the end of my fence work,” he said, smiling. “This is surreal. It hasn’t even sunk in. I’ve been telling my wife for a year -I got the horse to do it. If I can get things done right, I got a shot.”

WOODSIDE — Debbie Rosen and The Alchemyst overtook Lauren Billys and Ballingowan Ginger to win the CIC3* at the Woodside International Horse Trials, presented by Professional’s Choice, Equine Insurance of California and Sunsprite Warmbloods. Rosen incurred 4.0 time penalties, for a final tally of 58.5, while Billys finished with 8.4 time penalties, for a final tally of 59.4, to relinquish the lead she’d gained in the first two phases on Friday.

Helen Bouscaren rode Ben to the day’s fastest time (1 second slow, for .4 time penalties, to claim third place (62.7).

The CIC3* victory was worth $3,000, but it meant more to Rosen than the prize money.

Heacock Horse Trailers
(818) 242-0211 – Glendale
www.heacocktrailers.com

Heacock Horse Trailers isn’t a new business by any means, but the practical extension of Heacock Welding Company, Inc. The new name goes with the new location as of Sept. 1, when Heacock Horse Trailers moved across the street to 4623 San Fernando Rd. in Glendale. Now, it’s twice the size with better facilities, more employees, and new inventory. Look for the two-story red brick building with newly painted hunter green trim, and of course, the new Heacock Horse Trailers logo wall signage. Best of all, there is an entire street block with much easier truck and trailer access.

The Heacock Horse Trailer line is known above all for horse and personal safety and the highest quality and dependability. They last well over 20 years by design. These trailers are probably the lightest, yet strongest, horse trailers one can own. Along with a new name comes a completely redesigned all-aluminum trailer frame, standard Rumbar flooring and super cool fiberglass roof. Nothing tows as easily as these all-aluminum trailers. The general maintenance is minimal now, too. As always, Heacock trailers are only ramp-load, with no rear-center post. PLus. there is are full walk-though escape doors in every model — straight haul or slant haul. Safety is paramount.

Heacock Horse Trailers, the ultimate professionals, services what it sells, and that professionalism goes into the care and servicing of every other brand and type of trailer serviced, too.

SAN MIGUEL, CA – The region’s top eventing riders and horses took to the course at the Twin Rivers Horse Park in San Miguel Sept. 18-22, with 337 starters in 29 divisions bringing to life the 2012 Twin Rivers Fall Horse Trials. Emilee Libby and Nonsensical won the Advanced and CWD Saddles Advanced Championships. Taren Atkinson and Gustav topped the Open Intermediate, and James Atkinson won the Open Preliminary aboard Man On A Mission III.

MORE ONLINE: http://bit.ly/1310B_Twin

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — The Los Angeles International Jumping Festival, after a successful 31 years at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, will move to Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano starting in 2014. Langer Equestrian Group will hold the Jumping Festival immediately following Blenheim EquiSports’ Blenheim Fall Tournament. Officials say the two back-to-back shows will give exhibitors “two great shows in one fabulous location.”

TEMECULA, CA – Trainer Bill Norwood and Tucalota Creek Ranch hosted a “Fool’em and School’em” benefit Oct. 12 for fellow reiner Becky Hanson, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. The benefit offered Temecula area reiners the chance to tune up before the big fall shows, and it raised money to help the Hanson family with medical and other expenses.

53rd in a series
Last issue, Les outlined what we need to do for great stops. Now we’ll look at the work in hand in greater detail.

The most important ingredient to a stop is collection, and collection is achieved through weight reversal from the forehand to hindquarters. How does it happen?

Calling all Non Pros! The Southern California Reined Cow Horse Association wants you to save the dates of Nov. 16-17, for the 2013 SCRCHA Triple Crown. The competition will be held at Casner Ranch in Temecula and will feature snaffle bit, derby, bridle, youth and limited divisions. More than $10,000 in added money and awards will be given, and there will be buckles for champions, stirrups for reserve champions, plus go-round awards! You won’t want to miss this exciting event. Call Laura at (951) 551-9505 and see the ad on page 72 for further details.

ESCONDIDO, CA – Rancho Los Amigos barn from Imperial Beach was all smiles after a successful Southern California Reining Horse Association one-day reining at Hunter Equestrian Center in Escondido Sept. 22. (Back row, from right) Ali Skelton, April Crandell, Lori Riis, Kim Olivetto, Kyle Roloff, and Dakota Lollis. In front (from right) are Charlene Morgan, Mia Shelton and Kim Hutton. The event, managed by Track One Events, closed out the SCRHA’s inaugural year as the NRHA’s newest affiliate.