Riding Ichi La Roo for EE Ranches, Guy Woods marked 224 for a 3-point win in the $3,000 Novice finals at the 6666 Ranch NCHA Eastern National Championships on Thursday.

It was the 11th Novice or Open championship Woods has claimed at the Eastern Nationals since 1995.

Ichi La Roo is a textbook example of EE Ranches’ breeding program. The 6-year-old is by Cat Ichi, which Woods showed to win the NCHA Derby in 2004. Cat Ichi is a son of foundation mare Laney Doc, who produced NCHA earners of more than $1.3 million.

Ichi La Roo’s dam, Snicker Roo, is a daughter of Meradas Dee Jay, and a granddaughter of Laney Doc. Meradas Dee Jay earned $147,000, won the $5,000 Novice at the NCHA Eastern National Championships, and produced $100,000 earners Dee Acre Doc and DJ Tracker.

Ichi La Roo was a two-time finalist at the AQHA World Show, and finished third in the $10,000 Novice at last year’s Eastern Nationals. Owner Jo Ellard took him to the Unlimited Amateur finals at the Arbuckle Mountain Futurity on the way to Jackson, Mississippi for this year’s Eastern Nationals.

Ichi La Roo’s latest paycheck will take his earnings to more than $36,000.