2008 Drought Buster Derby--Kiplinger Arena in McCook, Neb.     April 11-13, 2008

Rhoda Rein 303/618-0749, reinincow@aol.com -                                                (Scroll Down for Photos)

The Sandhills Reined Cowhorse Association hosted their derby and show in cooperation with Blue Sky Horse Shows, Ltd. April 11-13 in McCook, Nebraska.

Although the venue was new, the Drought Buster name still had the same magical impact on the weather. A big storm brought heavy wet snow to the region on Thursday, making travel difficult for all contestants.

Despite the slow travel, there were no cancellations, everyone entered was determined to come to the show. That determination prevailed through the weekend as competition was vigorous and high scoring. There were 50 derby entries and 42 and 43 entries in the two sets of horseshow classes. The NRCHA approved events paid out $19,824 and over $1,000 was paid out among 27 entries in non-approved classes.

Darren Miller scored 218 points to win the open derby riding Shiny Black Shiner for owner Jean Moore of Littleton, Colo. The 5 year old black stallion is by Smart Shiner and out of Dig This Bay Babe. He scored 74 points to win the reined work and placed third in the herd work to earn $2,156 in all.

"He has been a nice horse for a long time, a true three event cowhorse," said Miller, who sold the horse to Moore after winning the AQHA Pre Denver Circuit Jr. Reining title. The pair earned their first ever AQHA reining points in January at the Pre Denver circuit, and are currently leading the nation in the AQHA Jr. Reining class with 46 points.

"Although I was in the lead going into the fence work, I knew I needed to post a decent score because the competition was tough," said Miller. "My cow was not bad, but it did not have a lot of feel. It came away from the fence running to my first turn and my horse handled it well."

"The people of McCook really create a nice atmosphere. They are a small town and they appreciate our business," said Miller.

SRCHA President Jamie Olson was grateful to the city of McCook for their financial support. "We were pleased with the quality heated indoor facility. We received a lot of compliments about the cattle and the ground. Our club treasurer, Todd Thieszen, lives in McCook and is to be congratulated on all his hard work to organize and gain sponsors for the show," said Olson. "We were thrilled to attract so many out of state contestants and we are planning a fall futurity show Oct. 18-19 in Lincoln, Neb."

Tim Unzicker was reserve champion in the open derby riding Hailn Magic Diamonds for owner Jerry Peters of Kiowa, Colo. The consistent team placed second in the herd work, tied for third place in the reined and fence work portions to earn $1661 in all.

"I was really pleased with her performance in the herd work. I had a really good second cow and she really stopped it and scored points," said Unzicker. The 4 year old mare is sired by Shine Like Hail and out of Thiefs of Diamonds. "My fence cow was erratic and difficult to read. I expected it to run, but it didn’t and I turned before the center marker. My mare handled it well and really circled well."

The largest derby class was the $5,000 Novice Horse division, attracting 16 entries. Sonya Atkins scored 216 points to win the novice and place third in the open derby riding her 5 year old gelding Sonitas Last Dual, earning $1913 in all. She posted 74 points in the fence work to earn her victory aboard the son of Dualin Jewels and Sonitas Ann.

"He is plain to look at, but very dependable and that’s why I love him and love this event," said Atkins who won the 2007 Drought Buster Derby Open and Novice divisions riding Sonitas Last Dual. "I love that the cowhorse is judged on action, not looks. You must do all the maneuvers and control the cow. You must prove yourself to win."

Clinton Schiell of Nerstrand, Minn., was reserve champion in the novice horse derby and placed fifth in the open riding Little Disco Player. The 4 year old is owned by Schiell’s mom, Donna. He is by Little Disco Tucker out of a Tamulena mare.

The pair posted a solid 73 point score to win the herd work in both divisions. "He won a cutting futurity last fall, so I always hope to get off to a good start in the cowhorse shows," said Schiell, who thanked Monty Bruce for selling him the colt as a 2 year old.

Cathy Coleman scored 75 points to win the high score in the fence work riding R Bruce Almighty, a bay gelding owned by her mother, Pat Errington of Gillette, Wyo.

Life is full of mixed blessings. Trainers that live close to one another each benefit from their friendship and knowledge. They develop their skills by helping and learning from each other. They also benefit by occasionally traveling to shows together. A friendly competition evolves and each trainer enjoys the reward that success brings.

Jeff Veitch and Aaron Ralston are an example of this blessing. Veitch won the Limited Open division and Ralston earned the reserve title, scoring 212.5 and 212, respectively.

"This is the third derby in a row that Jeff has beat me – and I let him ride out here with us," said Ralston. He showed Peppy Sues Dun Time, a 5 year old mare by Hes Dun His Time out of a Peppy San Badger mare, owned by Mike Deer of Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Veitch won riding ARC Cash Only Please for owner Cheryl Smith. The 4 year old bay gelding is by Chic Please out of a Nu Chex mare. "This win was sweet for me because Cheryl had purchased him from Clay White of Arizona, and Clay passed away this week," said Veitch. "I had met him when I was riding at Jimmie Pauls last winter."

Todd Thieszen won the Non Pro derby division and $565 aboard his home raised mare, Nics Smart Lena. He posted the high score in the fence work and and tied for second in the herd work to win the 7 entry class and $564 in all. The 4 year old bay roan is by Nics Little Peppy out of AR Stellas Good Luck.

"I had not shown her since October, but she came through and won for me. I was reserve champion with her three times last year, so I was happy to win," said Thieszen, who was busy driving the tractor and managing the cattle at the show. "I want to thank my friend, Dirk Gray, he and his family were fantastic help all weekend. They helped run the show smoothly and that allowed me to show my mare."

"The people of McCook and the Fair Board were very supportive and interested in the cowhorse show," said Thieszen. Show entrants were asked to complete cards noting the money spent in town for items like food, gas, lodging and supplies. "Those notecards prove to our sponsors that they have directly benefited from their support of our event."

Gray Samenfink of Erie, Colo., was reserve champion riding his 4 year old mare, Lotta Hickory Smoke. They posted the high score in the herd work and reined work portions and were concurrently entered in the non pro hackamore class to win $638 in all.

"I just love my horse and know that I am lucky to have her," said Samenfink, who blamed himself for not having a better fence run. "It is amazing what weather people drove through to come to this show. It was beautiful and warm for the drive home but the drifts of snow stood tall beside the highway."

The show attracted good competition and posted different champion and reserve champions in all derby divisions. Only one half point separated the winners in the 4 entry Amateur division.

Julie Mattson of Rogers, Minn., won $429 aboard her 4 year old gelding, King Okra Merada. She purchased him last October from her trainer, Monty Bruce, and he is by Meradas Money Talks out of a daughter of Docs Oak.

"This is our first NRCHA sanctioned event, our biggest trip yet. I am really pleased with my horse," said Mattson. She and husband Steve are former team penners and help to host the Minnesota shows.