After competing in the final two phases of preliminary competition February 23, the 2007 National Reined Cow Horse Association World’s Greatest Horseman finalists were named at the Lone Star Arena in Stephenville, Texas. The World’s Greatest is just one of three events taking place at the Fort Dodge Animal Health Celebration of Champions that runs through Sunday, February 25.

World’s Greatest hopefuls competed in herd work and rein work preliminaries earlier in the week and capped off the prelims with steer stopping and cow work in front of a packed house Friday evening. Mark Luis from Paso Robles, California, riding Smartcashinvestment, and Lemoore, California trainer Jon Roeser, riding Wranglers Starlight, each marked a 223 to win the steer stopping preliminaries. Smartcashinvestment, by Nu Cash and out of Lil Miss Smarty Chex, is owned by Linda Wood, from Rolling Hills, California, while John Lacey and Dave Wood own Wranglers Starlight, a Grays Starlight stallion out of Wranglers Connie.

In the cow work prelims, Don Murphy, from Marietta, Oklahoma, and Bald N Shiney marked a huge 230 to win the go. Bald N Shiney, by Shining Spark and out of Leos Raffle Lady, is owned by Don’s daughter, Nelle.

Although 28 horses and riders entered the 2007 World’s Greatest, only 10 are invited back to compete in the four-round, clean-slate finals. Riders needed at least an 858.5 to advance and those finalists are: Russell Dilday and Topsails Rien Maker; Jon Roeser and Wranglers Starlight; Sam Rose and Legendary Colonel; Bob Avila riding Light N Fine; Don Murphy with Bald N Shiney; T.J. Good and Cute N Cashy; Mark Luis with Smartcashinvestment; Jimmie Paul and Lone Star Chicolena; Doug Williamson with Doc At Night; and Shawn Hays riding Shine Smartly.

World’s Greatest finalists have a day to rest as the World Championships return to the arena for a full day of finals February 24. Finalists will compete in the Non Pro Limited, Youth Limited, Non Pro Hackamore, Open Hackamore, Non Pro Bridle and Open Bridle classes beginning at 9 a.m. For a schedule of events and complete results from the Celebration of Champions, which runs through February 25 at the Lone Star Arena, please visit www.nrcha.com.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel Resort, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com