Breeders Invitational champion LHR Smooth Jamie May hit her stride in Saturday’s first set with a 220-point performance under owner Phil Hanson.

“The first cow was a little tougher than I thought it would be, but she gave us a chance to get off and it worked,” said Hanson. “The third cow actually ended up being softer than I had anticipated, but it all fit.”

In addition to the Breeders Invitational win, worth $80,619, LHR Smooth Jamie May and Hanson won the Bonanza; placed third in the Arbuckle Mountain; and 13th in the NCHA Super Stakes.

Hanson purchased the Smooth As A Cat daughter at three from Scott Johnston, who had started the filly.

“I just fell in love with her,” said Hanson. “She did everything right and had a pretty style to her. Scott did a fantastic job.”

Hanson also qualified for Sunday’s second go-round with 216 points aboard Pounce, owned by Julie Clarke, Bend, OR.

Mamas Cats A Star

Craig Thompson and Mamas Cats A Star, owned by Carrie Rhodes, Arlington, WA, scored 219 points in yesterday’s sixth set to tie A Smooth Criminal and Matt Gaines with the second-highest score from the
first go-round.

“We had our cows located and a plan, when we went down there, and everything fit,” said Thompson, who showed the High Brow Cat daughter in the “small futurities” at three.

“Winston Hansma had her as a twoyear- old and sent her to me at three,” said Thompson. “He didn’t have to, but he did it to help me out. That’s just the way Winston is and I am thankful.

“She is a nice mare and she just gets stronger (with) each cutting.”

Mamas Cats A Star, who placed third with Thompson in the NCHA Super Stakes, has earned over $100,000.

Rockin W

NCHA Futurity champion Rockin W, owned and bred by Walton’s Rockin W Ranch, Millsap, TX, scored 218 points in yesterday’s third set under his trainer Gary Gonsalves.

“He’s been working really well and it was just a matter of me doing my job, because I knew he could do his,” said Gonsalves, who is showing the Dual Rey son out of NCHA Horse of the Year
Boon San Kitty, for the first time in limited age event competition (he rode the colt once at a weekend show).

“Tony (Piggott) did an awesome job,” added Gonsalves, who had committed to other mounts prior to the Futurity, where the colt was shown by Piggott. “I was happy how it worked out, but it’s good to be back on him.”

Gonsalves and his wife Jessica own Spooked By A Cat, by Cat Ichi, who earned 218.5 points, the third-highest score in the first go-round, under Grant Setnicka, catch-riding for Gonsalves.