Lenas Star War and Tarin Rice took down the 222-point target posted by early draw Woodys Wildest Cat and Clint Allen, to claim the 2011 NCHA Derby Open Gelding Finals, yesterday, with 223.5 points.
“We cut the three cows that we had planned and they stayed good for a long time,” said Rice. “Everything was real controlled.”
This was the first open win for Rice, 22, a two-time former NCHA Youth Scholarship champion, who trained Lenas Star War from start to finish.
“He can trap a cow and he’s a pretty mover,” said Rice. “He travels real low and, if a cow ever looks at him, he gets even lower and has a really pretty look.”
Rice has worked for his father, Boyd Rice, who won the 2009 NCHA Derby and 2010 Classic Challenge with Third Cutting, since he turned pro late in 2008. But shortly after the 2011 NCHA Futurity, Tarin plans to move to Jacksboro, Texas to work for Carl Smith, owner of Third Cutting, the earner of over $500,000.
Lenas Star War is owned by his breeder, Brenda Michael, Amarillo, TX, who owns and showed his sire, Lenas Busy Bee, as well as his dam, Lena Leo War Lady.
Michael is the daughter of the late Benny Binion, famed early-day Las Vegas casino operator, who also owned the first NCHA world champion, known as Benny Binion’s Gelding.
Woodys Wildest Cat was previously reserve champion of both the 2011 Abilene Spectacular Open with Clint Allen, and the Amateur division of the same event with owner Rick Ford.
Lenas Star War was a finalist with Rice in The Non-Pro Open.
All finalists in the NCHA Derby Open Gelding division also qualified for Friday’s Open semi-finals.
See results.
Non-Pro Derby leaders
Sam Good and his gelding Cat Toy, by WR This Cats Smart, won the second go-round of the NCHA Non-Pro Derby with 219.5 points, and also claimed the top cumulative score of 436.5 points.
Vanessa Hooper, riding Sticky Spot, by Spots Hot, and Glade Knight, aboard Katz Have More Fun, by Dual Pep, tied with 435.5 points — the second-highest cumulative. Kristen Galyean and Some Like It Hott, also by Spots Hot, placed third with 435 points.
Read more in today’s Daily Chatter.