Mark Luis Wins World’s Greatest Horseman Steer Stopping Prelims

T.J. Good Wins World’s Greatest Horseman Cow Work Prelims

World’s Greatest Horseman Finalists Decided

Friday night at the Lone Star Arena in Stephenville, Texas, was especially exciting, as the last two phases of the World’s Greatest Horseman preliminaries commenced. The stands were filled with spectators eager to see who would make it to the prestigious finals.

First was the steer stopping competition – and Paso Robles, California cowboy Mark Luis rode Smartcashinvestment to a first place finish with a 226. Luis and the Nu Cash gelding, out of Lil Miss Smarty Chex, earned a $2,000 check for owner Linda Wood, of Rolling Hills Estate, California.

Second in the steer stopping was Robbie Schroeder and Shine By The Bay with a 225. Owned by Shine By The Bay Partnership, Shine By The Bay is by Shining Spark and out Metermaid To Order. Second in the preliminaries was worth $1,250.

After a quick drag, it was time to begin the cow work – arguably the most exciting leg of the World’s Greatest competition. That ended in a two-way tie for first place between Ted Robinson on PG Dry Fire and the very last rider - T.J. Good on Lenas San Lena, with both earning a 225.5 and a check for $1,625.

PG Dry Fire, by Playgun and out of The Dry Look, is owned by Dave and Loke Allen of Aspen Meadows Ranch. Owned by Marc Gilkerson, Lenas San Lena is by Lenas Wright On and out of Shorty San Della.

With the conclusion of the cow work, it took only a few calculations to figure which ten teams would come back Sunday, February 24, for the clean slate finals. Leading the way was Robbie Schroeder and Shine By The Bay, with a 878.5 total. Second was Jake Telford and CD Survivor, by CD Olena and out of Have A Lil Lena, owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses. Telford and CD Survivor ended with an 870 composite.

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 Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers and Outlaw Conversions, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel/Resort, 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.