Katy, Texas - Today’s (Friday, April 18) Non Pro Finals at the National Reining Breeders Classic proved to be just as hotly contested as all of the preliminary go-rounds at this premiere reining horse event when the top two riders had to face off in a run-off.

Lance Griffin on Whiz N Tag Chex, a bay stallion by Topsail Whiz and out of Tag Chex, scored 220.5 early in the round and so did the very last rider, Tricia Hamilton on Lenas Taxman, a bay stallion by Lenas Wright On out of Zans Light Sparkles.

In the run-off, Lance Griffin went first and bettered his score to 221.5. Tricia started out very strong in her run-off but dropped a lead in the second circle and then when her horse jumped out of the first spin she completed the circle routine and then dismissed herself from the arena.

“Tag has just felt great all week long,” said Lance. “Then we just went out and I clucked and said 'whoa' when I needed to. He’s been unbelievable to get along with and afraid of nothing.” For the effort Lance took home a check for $25,451.70.

Lance bought the 4-year-old as a two from Bob Loomis Ranches. Duane Latimer trained him and rode him to an 11th place finish in the Finals of the 2002 NRHA Futurity. He was turned out until late January, then legged up and brought to the NRBC. Lance says he’ll take him to the NRHA Derby next month and then to the Canadian Reining Breeders Classic. Lance, of Dewinton, Alberta, Canada, was last year’s NRBC Prime Time Champion and repeated that feat this year.

With her appearance in the Non Pro Finals, Tricia was just following family tradition as her mother, Linda is a many-time finalist and former title winner at the NRBC. Although a seasoned competitor in reining events, it was the first show for Hamilton and Lenas Taxman.

“I’ve never scored a 220.5 in my life,” said Tricia, from Scottsdale, Arizona. “It was great to know that I was going to be either first or second.” Hamilton purchased the horse from Bob Avila and Chatty Eliason in January. Bill Norwood had shown him in the NRHA Futurity and made the Intermediate Finals and was fourth in the Limited Finals. Plans are to go to the NRHA Derby and then probably turn him out for a good rest. The reserve check was for $15,492.34.

Third place was a two-way tie between two NRBC Non Pro champions - Mandy McCutcheon and Dont Miss This, owned by Mandy’s parents, Tim and Colleen McQuay, and Joshua Hattig riding Steadys Dude owned by Bradford Hattig. Steadys Dude is by Steady Tradition and out of Bar Good Friday. The two riders had a score of 220 and each took home a check for $10,789.31. Mandy of Aubrey Texas, is the NRHA Leading All Time Non Pro rider. Dont Miss This was the 2002 NRBC Non Pro Champion, and a 2000 NRHA Open Futurity Finalist with lifetime earnings over $76,000. Josh of Loveland, Colorado is a former NRBC Non Pro Champion and has won the NRHA Futurity and Derby. Steadys Dude has lifetime earnings of $59,000 and is also an NRBC Non Pro Champion and NRHA Derby Non Pro Champion.

Rounding out the top six places was also a tie score between Dr. James Morgan, a veterinarian from Pilot Point, Texas, riding Mild Beauty (Gallo Del Cielo x Banjoes Beauty) and Robert LaPorta riding The Great O Lena (The Great Kid x An O Lena Guard).

The Intermediate Non Pro championship was won by Bob LaPorta of Damascus, Maryland, riding The Great O Lena with a 217 score. The 6-year-old gelding by The Great Kid and out of Ann O Lena Guard belongs to Bob’s wife, Debbie.

“He was riding very well,” said Bob, who has been a consistent Non Pro winner over the past five years. “He stayed consistent and is a pleasure to ride.” Now a farmer by profession, LaPorta was a pharmacist for twenty years and calls himself “The Real Drug Store Cowboy.”

Reserve champion in the Intermediate Non Pro was Shannon Raymond riding Whizn Prize (Topsail Whiz x Freckles Prize) with a score of 215.5.

Of his Prime Time Championship resulting from the 220.5 on Whiz N Tag Chex, Griffin was quick to give much credit for his success to his trainer, Duane Latimer, with whom he has ridden for five years. In 2002, Griffin was the 15th ranked non pro rider according to Equi-stat. There’s a good chance he’ll move up in the rankings in 2003 as a result of this NRBC. The event is the second biggest reining on the calendar, just behind the NRHA Futurity and well ahead of the third ranked NRHA Derby in amount of money paid out.

The Reserve Prime Time Championship went to Bob LaPorta.

The National Reining Breeders Classic will continue on Saturday with the Open competition. At 1 p.m. is the USET Futures followed at 2 p.m. with the Limited and Intermediate Open Classic Finals. The Open Classic Finals will begin at 7.