Ms Peppy Cat made it two in a row last night in the second round of the Mercuria Energy NCHA World Finals in Fort Worth. After winning the first round with a 229, Pete Branch rode her to a 225.5-point win in Round 2. Thomas E Hughes, ridden by Austin Shepard for Don and Kathy Boone, marked 224 for second place last night.

Ms Peppy Cat, the 2008 NCHA World Champion owned by Lonnie and Barbara Allsup of Clovis, New Mexico, collected another $6,410 last night for a 2010 total of $92,251. The 8-year-old High Brow Cat mare will be retired after the World Finals concludes next week, and will carry a foal next year.

“The first cow wasn’t all that great, but the second cow was outstanding,” Branch said. “I turned around for my third cow, but I couldn’t locate the one I wanted. I saw the yellow cow and stepped to it. It wasn’t a great cow, but it got me through it and we made it work.”

Branch credits Ms Peppy Cat’s intelligence and heart for her success, along with formidable physical tools.

“What has always amazed me about this mare is she can be going and be stopped and sucking back as fast as any horse I’ve ever ridden,” he said. “She’ll be going wide open and then be heading the other direction just as quick. When she hits that stop, she just stays down all the way through the turn. She never has to raise up. That comes from just being powerful.”

Tachitas Cat, ridden by Gavin Jordan for Margot Hazell, is currently second in the standings with$45,260.

The Mercuria NCHA World Finals resume Thursday, December 2 in the Watt Arena, and conclude on Saturday, December 4.