NCHA Hall of Fame Rider Mike Wood marked 224 on Buzzted to lead the first round of the $15,000 Novice on opening day of the 6666 Ranch NCHA Western National Championships in Denver. The finals will be held April 28, and the show continues through May 6.

Buzzted is owned by Christine King of Scottsdale, Arizona and was bred by Billy Martin. The 7-year-old gelding is by Light N Lena out of Honey Bee Time, an Open limited age finalist that won the 2007 Amateur Augusta Futurity with Kaitlyn Wimberly.

Buzzted won the 2013 NCHA Derby with Sean Flynn and has earned more than $190,000.

Wood is a three-time Novice champion at the Western Nationals. He scored with Nina Get Your Gun in 2004, Teninas Playgirl in 2009 and Smart Stingrey in 2014.

Scott Amos had the second highest go-round score, a 221 on George Eidsness’ Sashay Cat, by High Brow Cat.

Twenty-eight horses marked 216 or better to advance to the finals.