John Hulsey, 63, and R Smokin Cat marked 219 for a five-point win in the Rios of Mercedes Amateur Derby presented by Bar RR Ranches Wednesday at the NCHA Summer Spectacular, presented by Great American Insurance.

Robert Thigpen Jr. took the reserve championship with a 214 on Barbies Blue Cat.

Hulsey, whose environmental business supports the agricultural community by reclaiming food waste to be used for biofuels and by feedmills. The Gainesville, Georgia, businessman bred R Smokin Cat by Dual R Smokin out of Playgirls Cat, a High Brow Cat mare that has produced three NCHA money earners.

Hulsey’s biggest previous win was the All American Congress Non-Pro Derby in 2009 on Cowgirls Paradise.

He earned $7,812 for his Amateur Derby win, including $2,500 from Bar RR Ranches. That takes his career earnings over $36,000.

Reserve champion Barbies Blue Cat is a Metallic Cat x High Barbie gelding bred and owned by Robert Thigpen Jr. of Chilton, Texas.