by Tammy Meadows
Over 30 members of the Alberta Reined Cow Horse Association competed in the fifth annual Calgary Stampede Cow Horse Classic July 15 and 16, 2006.
This year’s event, held at the Big Top tent, was Open to the World and consisted of three classes: the Open Bridle, the Non-Pro Bridle, and the Open Hackamore.
The Cow Horse Classic is sponsored by Calfrac Well Services and was judged by renowned NRCHA judge Bobby Ingersoll of Reno, Nevada.
This year, the Calgary Stampede (CS) Western Performance Horse Committee stepped it up a notch by having it approved by the National Reined Cow Horse Association. Competitors are now able to claim their points to qualify for the 2007 World Show in Stephensville, Texas.
This year’s competitors saw bigger payouts and CS buckles for champions and reserve champions as well.
Brad Pedersen of Lacombe, AB, dominated both the Open Bridle aboard Another Hot Chic, a mare owned by Ron Mathison of Calgary.
Another Hot Chic (a.k.a. “Vivian”) is a six-year-old, brown mare by Just Plain Colonel and out of Reminics Bar Girl. Vivian was bought from John Pascoe from Irvine, California.
Heather Pedersen describes Vivian as a queen, much like the character Scarlet O’Hara from Gone With The Wind (actress Vivian Lee, hence the horse’s name).
“Vivian is very cowy and knows how to rate a cow well down the fence,” says Heather. “In the reined work, she turns around very well, is a good stopper, and a super pretty loper.
Brad Pedersen also dominated the Open Hackamore riding Jim and Lynn Fleming’s (Image Quarter Horses) stallion, Smart Like Solanos.
Pulling off scores of 72 in the reined work and a sizzling 76 on the fence the second day, Brad finished his Open Bridle runs with an aggregate score of 295.5.
Consistently scoring 74 in the reined work and 75 on the fence both days, allowed Brad and Smart Like Solanos to obtain an aggregate score of 298 to win the Open Hackamore.
The Fleming’s said they purchased “Mojo” at the Canadian Supreme Sale in October 2003 as a two-year-old.
“We couldn’t pass up a 10 loper with his breeding and looks, and quiet way of going,” they said. “We like reining and cow horses events and talked to Shawna that very night.”
Sired by Smart Little Baggins and a Solanos Peppy San mare, they mention that they are constantly amazed at his cool temperament. He is also fun to be around and has a great mind.
Both Brad Pedersen and Shawna Sapergia agree. The Fleming’s sent Mojo onto Shawna and for two consecutive years he has won the 2004 Canadian Supreme Reining in the Three- and Four-year-old Derbys and Reserve Champion in the Open.
In 2005, he went onto win the Canadian Supreme Champion in the four- and five-year-old Derby. Mojo’s next transition was onto Brad Pedersen to train for the working cow horse events where he has been excelling.
“The Stampede was a great place to show our athletes in this great event, the cow horse class,” said Fleming. “We were glad so many folks got to see this event with Brad and Mojo doing so well together.”
In the future, the Fleming’s say they will be standing him at stud as the interest in him grows daily.
“His natural ability and great attitude will surely be an asset to the cow horse and reining community as he continues to improve himself in the show pen,” they added.
Shown by Les Timmons of Kamloops, BC, Mighty High Sign (a.k.a. “Monte”), owned by Jim Dobler and Heather McLevin, is by the couple’s acclaimed Appaloosa stallion High Sign Nugget and out of Mighty Deck Charge.
Timmons’ rode the four-year-old gelding to a Reserve Champion finish in the Open Hackamore with an aggregate score of 292.5.
Including both runs at the Stampede, Timmons has ridden Monte a total of three times: once the day before the show, and then the two runs at Calgary.
“We bought Monte from his breeder, Wendy Dunkle, when he was a two-year-old,” says Heather. “He is an extremely talented and willing horse that seems beyond his four years now. He loves people, he’s a very strong stopper, with good speed and a lot of natural cow sense, plus he’s very adaptable.”
Vance Kaglea captured the CS Reserve Champion Open Bridle on Smoke N Pep, a six-year-old gelding owned by Monica E. Wille of Victoria, BC.
Vance, a busy High River cow horse and reining trainer, has had a long history with Smoke N Pep starting him as a two-year-old and taking him from Snaffle Bit Futurity winner, Hackamore Championships and now onto compete successfully in the Bridle classes.
Vance and “Wyatt” have enjoyed numerous Reserve Championships together as well.
The duo finished the second day off with a 71.5 in the reined work and a well-deserved 75 on the fence bringing their aggregate score to a 294 just behind Brad and Another Hot Chic. Vance says he was very happy with his runs at the Big Top tent and that they felt good. “My second cow shorted me out on the second fence turn, So Smoke N Pep had to grab some extra gears to circle,” said Vance.
“Smoke N Pep is as close to electric as they come,” he adds. “The switch goes on when there is work to do, and off the second the work is over.” Our plans are to keep showing Smoke N Pep until we find another one just like him!
“I had always wanted to compete in Calgary, and owner Monica Wille and Smoke N Pep made my first appearance unforgettable.”
Sal Howell and her talented nine-year-old gelding Travelin Bandit (“Rio”) walked away with the Non-Pro Bridle Championship after the second go-round with an aggregate score of 293.5. Sal and her mount made it to the top by consistency and strong fence runs to beat a field of 18 other determined Non-Pro Bridle competitors.
This was Sal’s fourth trip to the Cow Horse Classic and she had just won the 2006 CS Reserve Open Penning Championship, along with teammates Donna O’Reilly and Wade Adams earlier in the week, again riding Travelin Bandit!
Calgary certainly was her show this year. Sal enjoyed solid scores of 72 in the reined work and a 75 on the fence the second day.
“I really wanted to win and I thought this year that we were in the running, but when it actually happened, it took some time for the reality of the moment to sink in,” said Sal.
Although Sal admits to always having a passion for horses as a child, she started her riding hobby late in life and after some career success was able to fulfill her lifelong dream of riding and competing seriously with help and encouragement from trainer Deb Thomson of Black Diamond Land and Cattle Co.
Sal credits Deb for a lot of her achievements. “None of this existed for me without her,” says Sal.
“Helping me throughout my riding career, Deb is the one who believed that Rio and I could be successful in multiple Western performance events. I have learned to ride and care for my horses and appreciate what they can do if looked after and treated well.”
She added that Deb has utilized other trainers as well in her journey and has coordinated a lot of help for her in gaining the experience and lessons for both her and her horse along the way. She has taken clinics with Les Timmons, Lyn Anderson, and Vance Kaglea.
“Both Les and Vance have been really supportive, encouraging and helpful at all the shows,” says Sal.
“Donna O’Reilly also deserves a piece of this Stampede buckle. She has become an important part of the coaching team for my Stampede cow horse event.”
Sal explains that Deb and Donna – between their collective feedback, sharing of invaluable experience, dedicated insight and guidance – have steered her and Rio successfully through the few ARCHA shows essential to the run for the Stampede.
“Deb prepared my horse to perfection for both penning and cow horse and Donna added to our confidence.”
Sal can’t say enough good things about Rio. “He is a superstar!” she says. “Talented, explosive on a cow, but also very calm-minded.
“I joke that he can barely put one foot in front of the other when I lead him across the yard!”
Sal is looking forward to competing next year and defending her title and humbly states that there are many solid competitors who continue to inspire her in the ring. One of those is 20-year-old, talented horsewoman Veronica Swales from High River.
“I have watched Ronnie every year set the pace and learned so much from her riding and show experience, among the many other great participants, especially all the past champions.
“Every year is more competitive! But, of course, the arena I learned to show the cow horse event in was at the ARCHA shows: educational, competitive, supportive, and inspirational. All the competitors are so supportive in sharing their experiences and cheering each other on!”
Ronnie Swales captured the Reserve Champion Non-Pro Bridle aboard her parents’ horse Will James Smoky and gave Sal a run for her money ending the second day with a 71.5 in the reining and a 74 on the fence for an aggregate score of 289.5.
