Brody Fitch Wins 2009 NRCHA Derby Youth Bridle/Kaitlyn Beaton Tops Youth Limited

On Saturday, June 20, Brody Fitch earned the Youth Bridle Championship on Frosted Pistol Chex at the 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Derby, collecting $538. The pair marked 142.5 in the rein work, and followed that with a 143 in the cow work - topping the class by five points. Fitch and the 11-year-old mare, by Little Peppy Pistol and out of Tuckers Frosted Chex, have had a successful career together, winning cow horse competitions as well as All-Around and rodeo titles.

Most recently the pair won both the World and National NRCHA Youth Bridle Championships, the Youth Bridle at the 2009 NRCHA Stakes, and the Youth Bridle at the 2008 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity. Fitch plans to train horses professionally, and is currently pursuing a Business Degree at Idaho State University.

Sarah Allen took Reserve honors on One Shiney Chic, by Smart Chic Olena and out of Miss Shiney Cat. Allen, of Park City, Utah, piloted the mare to a 280.5 total, and collected $323.

Kaitlyn Beaton topped the 9-entry Youth Limited class and won $334 on Colonel Cash Cow after marking a 143.5 in the rein work then wowing the judges for a 147 in the cow work. "He was really good today. He is very happy, and I'm very happy with him," said the 13-year-old. "I want to thank Mary Dosek, and my mom and dad, Kelly and Fred." Beaton has owned Colonel Cash Cow (The Nu Colonel x Peppy Leanna) for eight months, and won the Youth Limited at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic in April.

Donathon Archuleta rode his horse, Boonlights Missy, to the Reserve title and a check for $251. The young competitor and the mare, by Boonlight Dancer out of Sweet Little Mist, marked 143.5 in the reining and 145 in the cow work for a 288.5 total.

The NRCHA Derby, which began on June 16, is held at the Paso Robles Event Center in Paso Robles, California. The National Reined Cow Horse Association, celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2009, is the governing body of cow horse competition, 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 John Deere, Adequan(r), Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and EQUIOXX, Markel Insurance Co., and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today's equine industry.

The support of the NRCHA Corporate Partners is supplemented by sponsorship from NRCHA Breeders Sponsors, which includes Carol Rose Ranch, Burnett Ranches Ltd., Fairlea Ranch, George & Sue Hearst/Estrella Ranch, Jackson Land & Cattle, LLC, Oasis Ranch, Outback Stallion Station, Polo Ranch, Roeser Ranch, Ward River Ranch, and most recently Holy Cow Performance Horses, LLC. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com