Tyler Merrill had a plan, when he rode to the herd on First Lookin, in the eighth and last set of Wednesday’s competition at the Borden Milk NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. “I wanted to concentrate on cutting clean, staying even and letting my horse do the work,” said Merrill, who was showing the gelded son of Smart Little Lena for Danny Miller, Poolville, TX.

“He’s very smooth-moving and easy to ride. You can put him where you want him and he’ll do what you tell him to do.”

First Lookin was bred by Lannie Louise Mecom out of Smart Lookin Hi Brow, the NCHA earner of $216,395 and half-sister to 13 NCHA money earners with average winnings of $77,428, including four that have each earned over $200,000.

Merrill also has a stout pedigree, when it comes to Quarter Horses. A former roping competitor, he hails from a family familiar to most AQHA members. His father, Frank Merrill, served as president of the American Quarter Horse Association and stood many great Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred champions at his Windward Stud in Purcell, Ok. Tyler’s sisters, Megan and McKenzie are both AQHA and NCHA non-pro champions, and Megan’s husband, Matt, is a former NCHA Non-Pro champion, turned successful open rider.

“I’ve been wanting to get back into cutting for a long time,” said Tyler. “I’ve learned so much from Matt and my sister Megan in the past year and a half.” Matt Miller is also a leading open contender with 216.5 points on Scootin Solano, for Hal Sutton, and 216 points on Calm Cool Smooth for Tommy Manion.

Purely Smooth 007

Purely Smooth 007 and Mark Lavender didn’t kick off yesterday’s action, but they kicked started it with a 218- point performance in the second set of cattle.

“The cows hadn’t been that good,” said Lavender, who was able to find three to Purely Smooth 007’s liking. “Our first two were ones that we picked, but my third pick ran off, so I had to go with one that was standing there.

“I’m glad my help backed off because she handled it. The good thing about her is that it doesn’t take a lot of cow to make her look good, but she can handle a riskier cow, too. She’s easy and she has integrity.”

Purely Smooth 007, by Smooth As A Cat, is owned by Frank Millstid, Bellville, TX, who had a finalist in last year’s NRHA Futurity and asked Lavender to help him find an NCHA Futurity prospect. They purchased Purely Smooth 007 from James Eakin, for $26,500 at the NCHA Futurity Sales.

Lavender scored 216.5 points earlier this week on Cat N At Noon, also sired by Smooth As A Cat.

“She’s big and strong and extremely smart about a cow,” said Lavender of Cat N At Noon, owned by Harry Perrin, Houston, TX. This one (Purely Smooth 007) is little, bitty. But they both have a lot of integrity and I think that might be a characteristic that Smooth As A Cat passes on to his babies.

Rey Dualin

Rey Dualin, owned by Glenna Wickett, Graham, WA, scored 217 points under Tom Merryman, in yesterday’s third set.

“He’s strong and mature and a real cow horse,” said Merryman of the TR Dual Rey gelding. “I think his maturity as a 3-year-old is a real asset.”

Rey Dualin was trained by Merryman’s son-in-law, Wes Ashlock. Merryman took up the reins six months ago.

“It’s a thrill,” said Merryman. “I don’t show a lot, but I was not as nervous today as I have been for the past week or so.

“He’s peculiar in that when you warm him up, he sees everything. Then when you ride him in the herd, you’ll think he’s a little indifferent. But he’s comfortable when he gets in cows.

“I came in (the arena) last night and just walked him. He was looking around, but I never got him out of the walk and he finally let down. I’ve been around him long enough now that I’m starting to learn him. I just let him be himself, because he has always been there for me, when I need him.

“The main thing I wanted to do is just give him confidence. The only time I’ve done good here, I had a real mature horse and he gave it to me. But I never have given it to a three-year-old that first time.

“I’m not saying that I showed him great, but I showed him with more confidence than I’m used to showing with.” Merryman showed Sandino Pep to place 13th in the 1992 NCHA Futurity.