It’s a far reach from the Brazos River in Texas to Reno, Nevada, but the Merrill family – siblings Megan (pictured), McKenzie and Tyler, plus Megan’s husband, Matt Miller – had it covered with their cowhorses this past week.
Matt Miller tied Kobie Wood for the championship of the Brazos Bash Open Cutting Horse Derby, which concluded on Sunday, October 4 in Weatherford, TX. Miller rode Itawtathenapuddycat, by Athena Puddy Cat, while Wood was aboard Boon Too Suen, by Peptoboonsmal.
Wood’s wife, Paula, won the non-pro division of the Brazos Bash Non-Pro Classic on Bets Pretty Sue, while Megan Miller took reserve on Soda Rey Bay, as well as sixth place with Swimmin Dual and seventh (tie) on Travs Scooter. Megan also placed third on Itawtathenapuddycat in the Brazos Non-Pro Derby, which was won by Glade Knight aboard Smooth Asa Zee.
Altogether, Matt and Megan Miller earned $63,618 at the Brazos Bash.
Meanwhile, in Reno, at the finals of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, Anne Reynolds and Shiney And Verysmart (by Very Smart Remedy) won the non-pro championship and $22,300 with a composite score of 651, but McKenzie Merrill and Ill Be Skeets (Skeets Peppy) claimed reserve and also won the Intermediate Non-Pro championship. Tyler Merrill was reserve champion to Kevin Stallings and Shining Lil Nic in the Open Two Rein division.aboard McKenzie’s horse Captain 327.
Between the Brazos Bash and the Snaffle Bit Futurity Matt and Megan Miller and McKenzie and Tyler Merrill collectively earned more than $100,000. Frank and Robin Merrill, parents of McKenzie, Megan and Tyler, founded Windward Stud in Purcell, OK; Frank is former president of AQHA.
“I only made it to the second go round (of the Brazos Bash) on my horse, but I couldn’t be more proud,” said Frank of his family’s accomplishments.
Brazos Bash Non-Pro Futurity and Derby
All-time leading non-pro money earner Mary Ann Rapp topped the Brazos Bash Non-Pro Futurity with 216 points on ARC Catmando, a gelded High Brow Cat son that Rapp’s husband, Phil, showed to third place at the El Rancho Futurity. Dustin Adams commanded second and third on San Tules Choice and WSR Clays Freckles, respectively.
Adams also showed Marmolaker as reserve champion of the Non-Pro Derby, which was won by Glade Knight with 218.5 points on Smooth Asa Zee, by Smooth As A Cat.
Rosenberg nails Brazos Amateur championships
Missy Rosenberg, Bush, LA, claimed both amateur divisions of the Brazos Bash. Fancy Sugar Badger, who Rosenberg rode as amateur champion of the NCHA Super Stakes, scored 219 points to win the Amateur Derby over reserve champion Kathleen Moore with 216 on Little Jazzy Rey. Rosenberg also showed Justa Lil Freck to win the Amateur Classic with 217.5 over Constance Jaeggi and Explicit Lyrics with 216
Click here for complete results and pedigress for the Brash Bash.