Docs Soula, by Soula Jule Star (pictured), won the National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby under veteran rider Doug Williamson, last weekend in Paso Robles, CA. It was a special victory for Williamson, 65, who won the 2002 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity championship on Docs Soula’s half-brother Doc At Night, and the 1992 edition of the same event on Doc At Night’s sire, Mr San Olena.

“He finally got his major win,” said Williamson, who piloted the 4-year-old stallion for a total score of 660.5 points, eight more than reserve champion Olena Oak, ridden by Ron Emmons for Mel Smith and Nichole Scott of Paso Robles. Docs Soula, owned by D&S Quarter Horses of Terrebonne, OR, and had been reserve champion in several events before his $40,000 coup on Sunday.

Williamson has earned top awards in stock horse, reining, roping, western pleasure and cutting competition, and was inducted in to the NRCHA Hall of Fame in 2006. In 1992, he was NCHA Futurity Open Limited reserve champion on Mr Smoked Sugar, a blue-eyed sorrel and white Paint gelding. At that time, he trained for California’s historic Tejon Ranch, but he now operates from his own Triangle D Ranch in Bakersfield, CA.

Soula Jule Star, sire of Docs Soula, earned $130,000, as well as seven championships and reserves in cutting with leading non-pro rider Sandy Bonelli. Bonelli bred the Grays Starlight son out of Bella Coquette, her 1989 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro champion, and stands him at Polo Ranch, Marietta, OK.