Rowdy Larson, Overbrook, Okla., pulled no punches in the Lucas Oil NCHA Super Stakes Limited Open Finals with a 222-point championship win on Johnny English and a 217-point lock on the reserve championship aboard Metallic Ina. Wes Ashlock, Abilene, Tex., placed third with 216 points on HC Tailgate Date.

Johnny English LTE $18,620, sired by Metallic Cat, is owned by Nick Meagher, Antonito, Colo. Larson showed the sorrel stallion to win the Limited Open division of the 2017 Cattlemen’s Derby and to place fourth in the Open Derby. He also showed Smartt Catt LTE $19,257, by Metallic Cat, to win the 2017 Cattlemen’s Derby 5/6 Limited Open.

Johnny English, a Western Bloodstock, Ltd. sale graduate bred by Crown Ranch, Weatherford, Tex., is out of Turtle Pie, by Son Ofa Doc, the dam of Jerryoes, 2001 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro champion under Chad Bush, owner of Crown Ranch. Apollo Creed, sired by Metallic Cat, owned by Nancy and Daniel Burkes, and shown by Brett McGlothlin to place fourth in the 2017 Super Stakes Limited Open Finals, was also bred by Crown Ranch.

Metallic Ina LTE $12,902, sired by Metallic Cat, is owned by The Over Forty Ranch, Wichita, Kan. The red roan mare placed ninth in the Bonanza Open with Larson and fifth in the Arbuckle Mountain Limited Open.

This was the eighth major limited open aged event win for Larson, who has NCHA earnings of $278,152. Johnny English and Metallic Ina also both qualified for the NCHA Super Stakes Open Semi-Finals on Friday, April 14.

HC Tailgate Date LTE $19,570, sired by Herding Cats and owned by Eddie and Barbara Young, San Angelo, Tex., placed third in the 2017 Abilene Spectacular Open with Ashlock, as well as ninth in the Bonanza Open. Eddie Young was reserve champion of the 2017 Super Stakes Unlimited Amateur aboard Herding Reys LTE $15,206, by Herding Cats. Herding Instincts, also sired by Herding Cats and bred by the Youngs, won the 2017 Super Stakes Unlimited Amateur championship with Gary Rosenbach.

Herding Cats’ only other performer, HC Herd Boss LTE $13,227, also a 2013 foal bred by the Youngs, won the 2017 Abilene Spectacular Limited Open with Justin Chalmers.

Wes Ashlock, NCHA earner of $262,580, won the 2016 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Limited Open on Metallics Star LTE $84,368 and the 2014 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Limited Open on Amafoxy Cat $47,828.