Crystal Lehrmann of Gardendale, Texas, drew last but finished first in the $25,000-added Non-Pro finals of the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting in San Antonio Sunday afternoon.
Riding So Sweet Santana, she marked 226.5 to win by half a point from top qualifier Lane Wood on Pepto Boom.
Last spring, Lehrmann scored a double on So Sweet Santana, winning both the Non-Pro and the $5,000 Novice Non-Pro at the 6666 Ranch NCHA Western National Championships. She was also a 2012 finalist in Mercuria World Series events at San Antonio and the Battle in the Saddle, as well as the Mercuria NCHA World Finals in December.
Sunday’s win was worth $8,635, the biggest paycheck Lehrmann has collected so far. That will move her into the Top 15 in the 2013 NCHA World Standings.
So Sweet Santana was bred by Sharron Oaks Ranch. The 9-year-old is by Short Of Santana out of So Sweet Pepper. He had a successful aged event career with Jill Peacock, and has now earned more than $120,000.
Lane Wood’s $7,223 paycheck in second place was also the biggest ever for the Stephenville, Texas teenager.