It took a runoff, but that was just business as usual for Josh Hattig and Fridays Gold Eclipse on their way to their newest title, and Hattig’s second NRHA Derby Non Pro championship. Josh had steered the Steady Tradition son to win the NRHA Futurity after a runoff with Mandy McCutcheon in December.

This time the runoff was with Sally Broten on Rio Dun Good. Broten, of River Falls, Wisconsin, and Hattig both scored 218 to tie for the win. Then, Hattig rode the golden stallion to a score of 218.5 in the runoff, to take the title. Hattig, of Berthoud, Colorado, has had an incredible record in the past two years. He won the 2001 National Reining Breeders Classic, the 2001 NRHA Derby, and the 2001 NRHA Futurity.

The Intermediate Non Pro and Limited Non Pro championships both belonged to one horse and rider at the Derby. Sixteen-year-old Rachel Eady of Sisters, Oregon rode Dunnit By Chex to earn the Limited Non Pro title, which is based on the first round of competition, after a tiebreaker decision. She had tied with Timorie Budge of Laguna Niguel, California on Its Just Cookie Dough. Both scored a 216.5, but Derby rules dictate that ties in the Limited Non Pro division are broken by adding all five judges scores. When that was done, the win went to Eady.

In the Intermediate Non Pro Finals, Eady stayed consistent, marking 216, good for the win. Andre De Bellefeuille of St-Hilaire, Quebec, took reserve honors on Its All About Cash.

For Prime Time Champion, David Archer, “Life begins at 61!” The personable reiner topped the field of 45 and older riders to win the NRHA Derby Prime Time title on Dun It 1998. Archer, from Richmond, Texas, was thrilled with the win – and with the camaraderie of his fellow reiners. “When you get to the finals, you or one of your friends is going to win. It’s great!”

Finishing as the Prime Time Reserve Champion was Ron Fisher of Fort Walton Beach, Florida on Gyrating Gentleman.

In the Intervet/USET Semi Finals on Friday evening, Bryant Pace rode 2001 USET Champion, Gunner, to a score of 225.5 to win his second consecutive Semi-Finals and lead the field of 20 qualifiers to the Bayer USET Reining Championship. .

The NRHA Derby show continues on Saturday. Classes start at 7:00 am and the Intermediate Open Derby Finals begin at 4 pm. Followed by the Open Derby Finals at 7:00 pm. Tickets are available at the gate. Cost is $6 for reserve seating and $4 for general admission.