Dustin Gonnet, who won the Open on CD Graceful Dual, came back to take the $10,000 Novice finals Tuesday on Christinas Blue at the NCHA Western National Championships, presented by 6666 Ranch.

The 7-year-old mare by Mecom Blue out of SR Instant Christina is approaching $50,000 in NCHA earnings. She won the Wrangler Futurity and has been a finalist in seven other limited age events with Gonnet. Bred by Michael Schraeder, Christinas Blue is owned by Ronald Patton of Nanton, Alberta, Canada.

Her dam, SR Instant Christina, produced  $57,000 earner SR Christy Cat, and is a half-sister to World Champion Stallion Christys Acre.

Christinas Blue marked 215 in the go-round to tie for the 19th qualifying slot. She came back with a 219.5 in the finals.

Todd Bimat rode Nicole Carson’s Peptos Promise, by Peptoboonsmal, to the reserve championship with a 218.