From NCHA’s Daily Chatter
Dan Hansen, Weatherford, TX, was Saturday’s high-scoring rider in the second day of the second go-round of Non-Pro competition in the NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity. He scored 216 points on Zacks Tiana Doc, by Zack T Wood.
Hansen, who leads in three divisions of 2007 NCHA World Championship competition, including the Non-Pro, drew third to work in the fourth set.

“The second cow that we cut was probably the pick of the herd,” said Hansen. “It was really good.

“He was a little bit tentative it seemed in the first go-round on his first cow, but he just got more confident through that run. Then today, he felt like a different horse. He felt very comfortable and confident.”

Hansen’s scores of 211 and 216 combined to place him sixth among aggregate leaders.

“He’s grown up a lot here in two runs,” said Hansen of Zacks Tiana Doc. “It’s amazing how fast they mature in this coliseum.”

Zacks Tiana Doc is half-brother, out of Mia Tiana, by Tiana Doc, to Bobcorn, Bobin Hood and Bobs Tiana Doc, with total earnings of more than $280,000.

“I have a real soft spot for these colts,” said Hansen, who has ridden all three. “It’s been fun to have that mare and see all of her babies do so good.”

Hansen currently leads the NCHA World Championship Non-Pro standings with $86,116, earned partially on Bobcorn, by Bob Acre Doc. He also leads the $10,000 Novice Non-Pro on Bobcorn, and the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro on Bobin Hood, also by Bob Acre Doc.

“Hauling has helped me become more comfortable in the herd, in cutting, and with being a little more patient making my cuts” said Hansen.

“A lot of times, at the weekend cuttings, the cattle are pretty tough and you have to become knowledgable and not necessarily get locked in on one of your picks.

“I think that’s helped me more than anything,” he added. “I probably rode to the herd 300 to 400 times this year. Riding to the herd that often, even a guy as hard-headed as me learns something, once in a while. A lot of times you have a little more time up there than you really think, before you have to make a definite commitment.

“That’s probably the biggest thing that I could single out that’s helped me this year from hauling for the World – just being able to be more patient and let things develop.”

Read more stories from the NCI Building Systems NCHA Futurity in today’s Daily Chatter, edited by Sally Harrison.