Explosive Performances at The Firecracker

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Courtesy Colorado Reined Cowhorse Association. Photographs by Performance Horse Photography.

The Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association brought cow horses to the Cowboy State to celebrate Fourth of July at The Firecracker, presented by Discount Tire, which took place June 28-July 3 at Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas, Wyoming. With NRCHA Futurity, Derby, Spectaculars and horse show classes combined, The Firecracker dispersed $51,000 in added prize money to entries who traveled from multiple states.

“The growth we’ve seen in Douglas is incredible with entries increasing 30 percent over last year,” said CRCA President Tawny Fye. “Even with having a large show in an outdoor venue we really managed to have enjoyable days, cooperative weather and an accommodating crew that made good ground, good cattle and a smooth production possible for all the contestants. We had people come show from Nebraska, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and of course Colorado, which made The Firecracker an awesome affiliate show in a beautiful part of the country. Plus, our sponsors contribute so much to make great added money and awards possible, as well as the Fourth of July Celebration with a live band and awesome buffet courtesy of Discount Tire and Wilson and Susan Lyle. The party really capped off an enjoyable week!”

Royal Derby Ride

The dream team of Ashley Deacon, Marietta, Oklahoma, and The Royalty (One Time Royalty x Diamonds With Style), owned by Lucinda R. David, Joaquin, Texas, dominated the Open Derby with their 444 composite (R: 150/H: 146/C: 148) which was worth $4,468. The Royalty’s composite topped the Intermediate Open Derby for another $1,028 and the 4-Year-Old Incentive Open for $628.

Under Deacon’s expert guidance The Royalty was strong right out of the gates with his 150 in the reined work and stayed consistently solid throughout the show.

“That horse is always happy to do his job and does whatever I ask of him,” said Deacon. “He made the finals in the Intermediate Open Derby in Scottsdale just a few weeks ahead of The Firecracker, we didn’t have that much time before leaving for Douglas, but he thankfully enjoys doing his job.”

Deacon admits that the herd work can be challenging for her and says she was grateful to have expert cattle picking guidance from Lucinda’s dad Chance David, a cattleman by trade. The team effort yielded a 146 and Deacon went to the lead in the composite.

“Chance came to Douglas and sat in the corner to watch cattle and help me pick cattle,” Deacon said. “He knows cattle and how to read cattle, he’s worked thousands and thousands of cattle, not in the show pen, but he knows cattle, which was huge for me. I had good sound help with Chance David, Chris Dawson, Matt Koch and Tyler Merrill all helping me.”

When it was time to go down the fence Deacon says she relied on advice from her other half to stay solid.

“Of course, Lee [Deacon] was coaching us from home,” she said. “He’s 100 percent on the team even when he’s not there. He assured me that I just needed to slow down and not force things on those cattle.”

Deacon did just that, relying on The Royalty’s solid cow sense to prevail.

“That horse is so cowy, he’s so feely on a cow so the fence work was probably the hardest thing in Douglas,” she said. “You couldn’t make it happen, I had to force myself to be more patient because the cattle couldn’t handle you forcing it. That horse is so good to go fast and try to go big, or the minute I say wait, he does, which was what we had to do. The cow we had wasn’t great for the turns, but it came alive circling and that was fun. The Royalty didn’t break a sweat, he just licks his lips and does his job.”

Firecracker
Photo Courtesy Laura Cowen – Performance Horse Photography

Deacon got The Royalty early in his 2-year-old year with about 20 rides under Brent Callahan. Out of Diamonds With Style, The Royalty is a three-quarter sibling to 2013 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Time For The Diamond ridden by Nick Dowers.

“When we tried him as a 2-year-old he was wild and electric, and so pretty,” she said. “There’s always been something special there and he just matured into it. He has continued to have so much presence about him. He’s so good minded. To be that special and athletic—he’s arrogant, yet so sweet. He knows he’s special, but he doesn’t take advantage, he’s not stud-y. Lucinda warms him up for me and I wouldn’t trust just any horse with my favorite kid.”

The Royalty is maturing into a show horse extraordinaire.

“He feels so good and he’s so healthy leaving every show,” said Deacon. “It’s awesome. He’s only 4 so we’ve got pretty big plans for him this year. As long as he tells us he’s loving his job we’ll continue going to the bigger derbies.”

Even though Deacon had just a couple of days between Douglas and departing for the Eastern Derby, she thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

“I’d never been to Douglas before, but obviously I loved it,” she said. “The weather was awesome; the environment was so fun and super laidback. It was like Tawny [Fye] told me, ‘Showing in Douglas is like going to a horse show at your friend’s house,’ and she was right!” Between Douglas and Pueblo, the CRCA shows we’ve been to this year have been so fun, laidback and welcoming.”

Deacon thanks the sponsors that help her get up and down the road: JW Brooks Custom Hat Company, Platinum Performance, Stormcloud, Classic Equine, Bluebonnet Feeds, Serna Custom Boots, Broke Ropers Braids, Performance Equine Associates, Oklahoma Equine Hospital, DC Cow Horse Gear, Arena Werks and Show N Glo.

Reserve champion Johnnys Lil Cash (Lil Joe Cash x Joses Lil Uno), owned by M Bar W LLC, and ridden by Chris Dawson scored a 441 composite to earn $3,574, plus $628 as the Open Novice Horse Derby Champion and $666 in the Open Hackamore.

Limited Open Derby Champion: SJR SumKindaRockstar (Smooth As A Cat x Sumkinda Pinkcadilac) owned and ridden by Debbie Crafton, 430.50, $893.55

Level 1 Open Derby Champion: Ruby White And Boon (Boon Too Suen x Smooth Ruby Tuesday) ridden by Brad Ferguson, owned by Mitch and Stacy Guerrieri, 427.00, $622.60

Intermediate Open Hackamore Champion: A Starlights Magnum owned and ridden by Kyle Trahern, 293.00, $337.50

Limited Open Hackamore Champion: Hes Pretty Tuff (Woody Be Tuff x CR Shes Uh Secret) ridden by John Snyder, owned by Ben Choate, 274.50, $307.50

Ruby Shines in Non Pro Derby

Winning the Non Pro Derby, Intermediate Non Pro Derby and 4-Year-Old Incentive Non Pro Derby was Brittany Factor riding SJR Diamond Rubies (CD Diamond x Smart Ruby Rey) owned by Factor Performance Horses, Scottsdale, Arizona. Factor’s 430.5 (R: 140/ H: 146/ C: 144.5) earned $1,592 across the three divisions (not counting go round money).

“When we loaded up and made the trek to Wyoming, I had no expectations at the show other than to beat the heat of Arizona, camp out, barbecue, and spend time with our friends,” said Factor. “Winning the Non pro Derby was definitely a bonus! My mare, Ruby, was fantastic.  I’m still getting to know her, and I don’t always know what to do with that much power under me. It’s like driving a Ferrari.

“This is the third horse I’ve purchased and had Naomi Bancroft prepare for me,” added Factor. “She is such a talented trainer and I’m blessed to have her part of my program. We are blessed to have her part of the Fx Equine program.”

Reserve Champion Karey Louthan and Surely This Time (Surely A Pepto x Its That Time Again) scored a 428.5 (R: 144/H: 146/C: 138.5) worth $733 in Derby dollars.

The Limited Non Pro Derby and Level 1 Non Pro Derby Champion was Kelli Buckley riding One Royal Princess (One Time Royalty x Princess March), owned by Mark Buckley, with a 424 worth $750. Buckley scored a 433 composite aboard One Royal Princess to win the Non Pro Boxing Derby and 4-Year-Old Incentive Non Pro Boxing Derby for another $871.

Level 1 Non Pro Boxing Derby Champion:  Callie Turner riding Bitsy Bay Boon (Once In A Blu Boon x Bakers Miss Kitty) owned by Matt Turner, 427.50, $165.20

Select Non Pro Derby Champion: Orlando R. Gonzalez owner and rider of Cats Tell Secrets (WR This Cats Smart x Secrets Blue Angel), 408.50, $84

Non Pro Hackamore Champion: Cutter W. McLaughlin riding SCR King Of The Road (Sanman x Boonlight Dancer) owned by Jay & Wendy McLaughlin, 290.50, $480

Firecracker Futurity Champions

Chris Dawson took the Open Futurity title home to Perrin, Texas, riding Pride And Joyy (Stevie Rey Von x Fun N Fancy Free), owned by Baby Daddy Stallions, thanks to his composite score of 436.5 (R: 145.5/H: 142/C: 149). The Intermediate Open and Limited Open Futurity went to Seven S Our Time (One Time Royalty x Our Precious Metals) ridden by Matt Turner to a 432 composite for owner Lucas E. Talbott. The Level 1 Open Futurity winner was This One Merada (This One Time x Meradas Dancincookie) ridden by Bailey K. Bixenman to a 425.50 for owner Julie J. Rhea.

Debbie Crafton won the Non Pro Futurity title riding her 2019 gelding SJR Kinda Caddy (Smooth As A Cat x SomeKinda Pinkcadilac) to a composite of 428. Winning the Intermediate Non Pro, $7,500 Limited Non Pro and Level 1 Non Pro Futurity with a 414.5 was Stetson Ostrander and BOXO Heavens Sparkle (SNW Heavens King x Starzans Sweet Angel) owned by Box O Quarter Horses. Topping the $7,500 Limited Non Pro Boxing Futurity was Brianna Leonard and her 2019 gelding Experiment 626 (Peptos Metallic Cat x Smoken Twoeyed Taffy) with a 381.

Firecracker Bridle Spectacular and Horse Show Champions

Open Bridle Spectacular Champion: JJ Cat O Lena (Bet Hesa Cat x Christa Lena Hickory) ridden by Aaron Brookshire for Khyman Taylor, 434, $802.20

Non Pro Bridle Spectacular Champion: Nicole Westfall riding A Spoonful Of Jonez (Travelin Jonez x A Spoonful O Sugar) owned by Desiree Or Jeff Westfall, 441.5, $554.60

Limited Non Pro Bridle Spectacular & Limited Non Pro Bridle Champion: Denille LePlatt riding Hannas Metallic Rey (Metallic Cat x Reyhanna) owned by Dustin LePlatt, 429.5/$288.5, $273/$369

Non Pro Boxing Spectacular Champion: Lucinda David riding Rubys Repeat (Reys Dual Badger x Ruby Tuesday DNA) owned by Lucinda David, 436, $628.95

Open Stock Horse Challenge Champion: Metallic My Way (Metallic Cat x Reys My Way) owned and ridden by Wes Housler, 571.5, $324

Non Pro Stock Horse Challenge Champion: Bonnie Wheatley riding Wright On Hickory (Hes Wright On x Hickorys Miracle) owned by Scot & Bonnie Wheatley, 563.5, $256

Open Bridle, Intermediate Open Bridle, Novice Horse Bridle Champion: Metallic My Way (Metallic Cat x Reys My Way) owned and ridden by Wes Housler, 289.5, $841/$380/$100

Limited Open Bridle Champion: MC Reyn Or Shine (Shiners Nickle x Tootsie Rey) ridden by Stephan Heim, owned by Hartwood Farms, 286.5, $415

Open Two Rein Champion: Would Happen Once (Once In A Blu Boon x Ginnin Woody) ridden by Jeff Veitch, owned by Leta Veitch, 286, $636

Intermediate Non Pro Bridle & Select Non Pro Bridle Champion: Cheryl Swanson riding Steady Step (RC Fancy Step x DA Steady Cat Dancer), owned by Cheryl Swanson, 285.5, $387.5/$90

Non Pro Two Rein Champion: Kristy Kay Miller riding Glamour Royalty (One Time Royalty x Kitna Rey), owned by Kristy Kay Miller, 291, $360

For full results from go-rounds and all horse show classes as well as details on upcoming events, visit Coloradoreinedcowhorse.com.

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