It’s a new slate for 48 NCHA Derby Non-Pro contenders, who gained a slot in today’s Semi-Finals, with cumulative go-round scores of 421.5 points or more.
Steve Anderson, aboard Jojo Boon, and Jennifer Foland, on Shes Twice As Smooth, were the go-round leaders with cumulative scores of 434 points.
Anderson also won the second go-round with 218 points.
“I was pretty nervous,” said Anderson, following his winning run. “This is my favorite mare and it’s fun to get to ride her, but that’s the reason I tried hard.
“And I was okay once I crossed the (time) line.”
Anderson purchased Jojo Boon from Hope Mitchell during the NCHA Futurity, where Geoffrey Sheehan had shown the mare for Mitchell as the Futurity Open Limited champion.
The red roan Peptoboonsmal daughter is out of Bambi Freckles, who Mitchell showed to win the 2001 NCHA Non-Pro Classic Challenge.
“She’s strong and she’s got a way of really swooping through a turnaround,” said Anderson of Jojo Boon. “I was really pleased with her.”
Jojo Boon carried Anderson as a finalist at the Augusta Futurity, while trainer Kory Pounds made the finals on her at the Bonanza Cutting and the Breeders Invitational.
“We haven’t pushed her,” said Anderson. “We want her around for a long time.”
Anderson also qualified for today’s Semi-Finals on Scootin Dualquita, his NCHA Super Stakes Non-Pro Gelding champion.
Caleb Anderson, Steve’s son, won the 2009 NCHA Derby Non-Pro Limited title with Chulas Stargun.
Michelle Anderson, Steve’s wife, won the 2007 NCHA Non-Pro Derby aboard Cats Quixote Jack, and qualified for today’s Semi-Finals with 426 points on WSR The Supernatural.
Eleven of the 25 riders with the highest cumulative scores coming into the Non-Pro Semi-Finals (434 to 426 points) were finalists in the Non-Pro Classic Challenge and/or the Derby Non-Pro Limited or are showing in the Classic Challenge Non-Pro Limited, later this afternoon.
They include: Bonnie Martin, champion of the Classic Challenge Non-Pro division on Rubys Royal CD; Kristen Galyean, champion of the Derby Non-Pro Limited on Harley; Sam Good; Shane Plummer; Dustin Adams; Ray Baldwin; Christina Galyean; Mary Ann Rapp; Paula Wood; Nelson Knight; and Ty Moore.