Carson Pearson, Spearman, Tex., and Eric Freitas, Santa Maria, Calif., each scored 218.5 points on Tuesday, December 8, to tie with the high score in the 2020 Rios of Mercedes Amateur Semi-Finals riding Smart Like Bill and Special Dual Edition, respectively.

Five other riders, Jaco Messenger, Mutal, Okla., on Cowgirl Blue 17, by Once In A Blu Boon; Janet Trefethen, Napa, Claif., on Special Nu Lady, by Metallic Cat; Grace Ornelas, Weatherford, Tex., on Hand Me Downz, by Hottish; Scott Miller, Hershey, Neb., on Newz Flash, by Smooth As A Cat; and Reysed To Life, by Dual Smart Rey, all tied with 216 points, the second-highest go-round score.

Carson Pearson, the NCHA earner of $86,373, was reserve champion in the 2019 Amateur Finals riding LHR One Smooth Pepto LTE $31,005, by One Time Pepto out of LHR Smooth Jamie May LTE $251,430. He was also a double finalist in 2015 Amateur Unlimited and Amateur competition showing Boon N Ichi LTE $17,681, by Cat Ichi.

In addition to qualifying for the 2020 Rios of Mercedes Amateur Finals, Pearson also qualified for the Non-Pro Limited Finals and the Non-Pro Semi-Finals riding Smart Like Bill, a gelding sired by Dual Smart Rey and bred by Bill Willers, Norfolk, Neb., out of Miss Kitty Boon LTE $55,174.

Eric Freitas, the NCHA earner of $82,737, is a first-time NCHA Futurity finalist, qualifying for both the 2020 Mercedes Amateur and the McAlister Assets Unlimited Finals on Special Dual Edition, a Dual Rey gelding out of PG Special Edition LTE $110,332, the dam of 10 NCHA earners of $140,867.