The action continues at the 2006 NRHA Derby Show being held May 15-20 at the Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma City. Samantha Griffin drew last in the first go-round, second section of the Non Pro Derby and bested 150 hopefuls to take the lead on A Bright Chic (Peppy Chic Olena) owned by her dad, Lance. Samantha scored a 219.5 with a powerful, precise run on her 2004 Cinch NRHA Non Pro Futurity Champion who looked primed and ready for the task at hand.. Mandy McCutcheon and Rawhides Banjo (Dunit Rawhide), owned by Tim McQuay, held fast to second place with their 219 earned on Monday.
Carlie McKinzie scored a 218.5 to secure third place in the Non Pro Division go round as well as the number one slot in the Intermediate Division on RU Missin Diamonds (Like A Diamond), owned by her parents George and Cindy McKinzie. Carlie and RU Missin Diamonds were the 2005 NRHA Derby Limited Non Pro Champions.
Tricia Hamilton maintained her second place slot in the Intermediate Non Pro Division on In It For The Chics (Smart Chic Olena) owned by Linda Hamilton, but is now joined by Bernie Paetzel aboard his Toriana Dun It (Mr Tori Kid). Both riders scored a 218.
Debbie Hubbert, riding Shes Cowismatic (Lenas Wright On) scored a 217.5 for the number one position in the Limited Non Pro Division while Brandon Boyle, riding Shewhiz Hollywood (Topsail Whiz) owned by his mom, Barbi Boyle, scored a 216.5 to place second.
All finalists will move on to the clean-slate finals to be held on Friday starting at 1:00 pm and continuing through the evening performance.
Lisa Coulter Wins Two in One
Lisa Coulter, Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, scored a 217.5 to win the $2,000 added NRHA Intermediate Open class on Jalapeno Peppy (AQHA Phils Lil Playboy) owned by Bob Thompson. There was a three-way tie for second place between Laura Mae Phillips riding David Phillips’ Pickup Chic (Smart Chic Olena), Debbie Arballo riding Jerry Lees Cowboy (Jerry Lees Surprise) for Heritage Farms/Leslie Vagneur Lange and Lisa Coulter riding Custom Strategy (Custom Crome) owned by Bob Thompson.
The Intermediate Open was run concurrently with the $500 added Limited Open and $500 added Rookie Professional classes. Coulter won the Limited Open first place paycheck on Jalapeno Peppy (Freckles Playboy) while Robin Schoeller, riding Peptoleap (Peptoboonsmal) for John Thompson, placed second with a score of 216.5.
Michiel Sandijck, Tioga, Texas, riding Lil Miss Peppy Step (Lil Ruf Peppy) for Larry and Lesli Woods, earned the Rookie Professional win with Kinzy Donnelly, riding Hollywood All Star (Hollywood Dun It) for his daughter Jordan, earning second place.
The Prime Time Non Pro championship was determined by go round scores and a handicapping system. Bernie Paetzel, New Vienna, Ohio, riding his Toriana Dun It (Mr Tori Kid) to a Prime Time Non Pro score of 219.5 earned the championship and $2,422.06. With a 218, the Reserve Champion was Mike Garnett, riding his No Ordinary Kid (The Great Kid). Mike’s Prime Time Non Pro placing was worth $1,743.89.
The NRHA $80,000 added Open Derby go round begins on Wednesday morning at 8:00 am and includes a $50,000 added Intermediate Open, $5,000 added Limited Open and $5,000 Prime Time Open divisions. The National Reining Horse Youth Association (NRHyA) is planning a Youth Fun Day on Thursday. For more information, contact the NRHA office at 405-946-7400 or log on to the NRHA website at www.nrha.com. ďż˝
