Eazee E and Hall of Famer Tatum Rice marked 228 for a one-point win over Maid Of Metal in the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting at El Rancho Futurity September 15. Non-Pro Hall of Fame contestant Lauren Middleton took her division with a 222 on Sweet Reyvenge.
Eazee E’s $13,124 paycheck could move her into the lead in the World Championship standings with over $92,000. Deluxe Checks topped the standings with $90,997 for shows processed through September 15.
Bred by Frank and Belinda Vandersloot, Eazee E is a 7-year-old mare by High Brow Cat out of Zee Dualy, by Dual Pep. Zee Dualy earned more than $200,000. With Eazee E’s latest win, Zee Dualy has joined the ranks of million-dollar producers. She is also the dam of Hall of Fame Horse Smooth Asa Zee ($616,978).
Owner Kevin Knight bought Eazee E as a yearling for $49,000 at the 2011 Western Bloodstock NCHA Futurity Sales. Since then, the mare was reserve champion at the Brazos Bash, and was an Open finalist in 10 major limited age events. She also took a Non-Pro reserve championship at the West Texas Classic with Kylie Knight Rice.
In Mercuria World Series of Cutting competition, she has been a finalist five times prior to El Rancho, including this year at Houston, Pacific Coast Derby, Calgary and the Idaho Futurity.
Maid Of Metal, second in the Mercuria at El Rancho Futurity, is a 6-year-old mare by Metallic Cat out of Pretty Smart Kitty owned by Bitterroot Springs Ranch, and shown by Morgan Cromer. Last year, Cromer won the NCHA Super Stakes Classic with the mare.
Non-Pro Lauren Middleton of Weatherford, Texas, notched up her fourth Mercuria win with her 222 on Sweet Reyvenge. They had teamed up to win at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this year, and Middleton was also a two-time winner at Congress with Cees Little Poo.
Sweet Reyvenge was bred by Bobby and Francie Butler by Reys Dual Badger out of Sweet Camille, by Chicks Achy Braky. Last year, Middleton and Sweet Reyvenge won both Novice Non-Pro championships at the NCHA Eastern Nationals. They also placed second at the Pacific Coast Derby Mercuria this year.
Carol Ward and Spooked By A Cat marked 219 for second place in El Rancho’s Mercuria.