After posting a 225 to lead the qualifiers to the Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting at the San Antonio Rodeo & Stock Show, Ken Mock rode Ralph Gray’s Just Playin Smart to a 229.5 win in the finals on Sunday.
Like Non-Pro champion Crystal Lehrmann, Mock rode to the herd last. And like Lehrmann, he overtook reserve champion Pepto Boom for the win. Pepto Boom placed second in the Open with a 228 under Kobie Wood, after placing second in the Non-Pro with Kobie’s daughter, Lane.
Bred by Brazos Bend Ranch, Just Playin Smart is a 13-year-old son of Freckles Playboy and Smart Little Pet. Earlier in his career, he won the Augusta Classic and the AQHA World Show Junior Cutting with Faron Hightower.
He’s a five-time finalist in Mercuria World Series events, partnering with Matt Gaines and Lindy Burch before his win with Mock in San Antonio. His $9,325 paycheck will take his career earnings over $320,000. It will also move him into the Top 15 in the 2013 NCHA World Standings.