Dual R Smokin, ridden by Chubby Turner, defeated a talented field in the Open division of the Mercuria Energy NCHA World Series of Cutting, while Norman Clark and Caleb Anderson each marked a 220 to earn co-champion titles in the Non Pro. The $25,000-added events were held in conjunction with the El Rancho Futurity in Rancho Murrieta, California.

Dual R Smokin marked a 227 in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Carol Ward’s Murrieta Equestrian Center. He was the fifth horse to work in the six-horse final, followed by Lil Bit Reckless who scored a rousing 225.5 to take the Reserve Champion title.

“We hit a couple of bad spots, so  I decided I better sit still and let him handle it,” Turner said of Dual R Smokin’s winning run.  “This is a business horse. I’ve been doing this since I was 12 years old and he’s got the best disposition of any horse I’ve been around.”

Daniel Jaeggi of Geneva, Switzerland owns Dual R Smokin, as well as sixth-place finisher Starcat Merada. The champion is a five-year-old son of Dual Rey and out of Smokin Pepto. The $13,279 winner’s purse boosted Dual R Smokin’s career earnings to $111,607.

Tim Smith rode third-place finisher Cats Full Moon in the Open for the Brinkman Ranch, as well as fourth place Thomas E Hughes for Don and Kathy Boone. Royally Smart Cat was fifth with Todd Bimat in the saddle.

With encouragement from Smith, Turner purchased Dual R Smokin for Jaeggi from the Black Rock Ranch last Spring.

“He’ll be in the 5/6 year-old (aged event) here (the El Rancho Futurity), then we’ll leave Tuesday and he’ll show at the Brazos Bash (in Weatherford) on Friday,” Turner said of Dual R Smokin’s busy schedule. The plans are to go to the final leg of the Mercuria Energy series at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Columbus, Ohio. The stallion will stand at DLR Ranch in 2011.

See results of the Mercuria NCHA World Series at El Rancho Futurity.