Austin Blake and One Rockin Pepto blasted through a stalemate of 20 preceeding performances with an average of 202 points, to score 222 points to top the NCHA Futurity Non-Pro Finals last night in Fort Worth.
Paula Wood and Little Black Boon claimed the reserve championship with 219 points.
“We had some cows picked and stuck to our plan,” said Blake, who drew eight to work in the second set.
“He’s a neat horse. Smart. He just wants to be a good horse and tires to please me every time.”
This was the first time that Blake, 29, has shown in the NCHA Futurity finals, and it was the last time that he will show One Rockin Pepto. He sold the gelded son of One Time Pepto to Rick Reeves, Hallsville, TX, just before the Non-Pro Finals.
It was during the 2008 NCHA Futurity Sales that Blake purchased One Rockin Pepto for $9,800. The horse is a half-brother to Rockin By Choice, earner of over $313,000.
Blake, who credits leading trainer Boyd Rice for his foundation in cutting, trained One Rockin Pepto himself, with some help from Casey Carson, Mackie Hursh, and most recently, Matt Budge.
James Hooper of Decatur, Alabama, won the Non-Pro Senior title with a 212.5 on Dox Sugar Blue, by Mecom Blue.