Peptos Stylish Sue and Boyd Rice tendered a 224-point challenge that couldn’t be topped in the NCHA Open Derby, on August 3, 2008, in Fort Worth, TX. Playin N Fancy Smart and Kory Pounds, co-champions of the NCHA Super Stakes, posted 223 points for the reserve championship; Rice also finished third with 218.5 on Sails Lil Solano.

“She’s pretty much the same every time I show her and she’s real cow smart,” said Rice of Peptos Stylish Sue, a Peptos Stylish Oak daughter, who came through the go-rounds and semi-finals with scores of 215, 215 and 217.5 points.

“She’s a good mare and he’s one helluva a trainer,” said owner Barry Syra, Verquita, NM, who purchased the mare from Tongue River Ranch as a long yearling, at the Best of the Remuda Sale. Peptos Stylish Sue is the first horse that Barry and Kimberly Syra (pictured with Rice) have campaigned in open events.

It was a sweet victory for Rice, who has earned more than $1.3 million in cutting competition, but until Sunday, had never won a major event in Fort Worth.

Reserve champion Kory Pounds was pleased for Rice, as well. “My mare was on the very top of her game and she worked those cows as good as she could, but Boyd won and I’ve never been more tickled to be second.

“I don’t like to lose, but I like it when my buddies do good,” Pounds added. “I was rooting for Boyd when he showed.”

Playin N Fancy Smart, by Smart Little Lena, is owned by Slate River Ranch, Weatherford, TX. In addition to her Super Stakes co-championship, Pounds rode her to place eighth in the NCHA Futurity, and Slate River Ranch owner Glade Knight showed her as a Super Stakes Non-Pro finalist.