In a field of finalists that includes NRHA Million Dollar Riders, Derby and Futurity Champions, Kelly Zweifel and Master Snapper (Snapper Cal Bar), owned by Impresa Agricola Cuoghi, scored a 227.5 to move into the number one post position. Kelly was not shaken by the tough competition. “If you think about it, it is a little overwhelming,” she said. “But I try to focus on what I normally do.”
What Kelly normally does is win. A native of Wisconsin, Kelly has been training in Italy for ten years and has an impressive show record in that country. In fact, she and Master Snapper won the Italian Futurity in 2004. Kelly has also accumulated $28,617.52 in NRHA Lifetime Earnings. Zweifel and Master Snapper are leading the NRHA Derby Intermediate Open and Limited Open divisions as well.
Pierre-Luc Phaneuf, who began his NRHA career as a Youth competitor in 1993, scored a 226 to place second in the qualifying go round on Rowdy Whiz Chic (Rowdy Yankee) owned by Kim De Windt. Phaneuf is also sitting second in the Intermediate Division. Ryan Potucek scored a 218.5 on Playboys Golden Flo (Freckles Playboy) owned by Tom and Suzanne Gowan, to place second in the Derby Limited Open Division go.
NRHA Million Dollar Rider/Hall of Fame member Tim McQuay, Tioga, Texas, scored a 225.5 on Chic Magnetic (Chocolate Chic Olena) to place third in the Open go round. Tim also earned the Prime Time Open championship and the $2,299.17 winner’s paycheck on Chic Magnetic, owned by the Peter Cofrancesco Jr Estate. Todd Crawford rode Mister Nicadual, owned by Jerry Kimmel, to the Reserve Champion title.
Qualified riders in each division will advance to their clean slate finals that start on Saturday at 2:00 pm and continue into the evening performance. Saturday’s program includes the NRHA Derby Spotlight Sale featuring the top bloodlines in the performance horse industry as well as the NRHA Collegiate Reining Championship billed as the “Ultimate Catch Ride” class. In the Open Division, the top 25 scoring entries, plus ties, advance to the Finals, while in the Intermediate Open the top 20, plus ties, advance and the top 15 entries, plus ties, go on to the Finals in the Limited Open Division.
Julie Cornelius Wins the Novice Horse Non Pro
Julie Cornelius, Kellyville, Oklahoma, riding her Sailing Commander scored a 216.5 to win the Novice Horse Non Pro class in a runoff with Ruben Pacheco Cuevas riding his One Great Twist. Both riders had their “eye on the prize” when they walked into the arena for the second time. Julie bested her first score by a point and will be going home with the bronze!
Friday’s program starts bright and early with the Limited Non Pro class at 7:00 am. The NRHA Non Pro Derby Finals begin at 1:00 pm and continue through the evening performance that includes the $4,000 added NRHA Open class.
