by Misty Reberger
The 24th Annual Super Stakes competition was held July 20 to 22 in Claresholm, Alberta. Over $64,000 was paid out in the various classes.
Judges for the 2007 Super Stakes were Joe Jones from Washington and Frank Craighead from Texas. Featured were the four-year-old Open and Non Pro Super Stakes Class, Open and Non Pro High Five, Working Cow Horse Four/Five-year-old Derby, Open and Non Pro, and Open and Non Pro Bridle.
This very busy weekend displayed some excellent cutting and cow horse performances. Smart Precious Date had very proud owners as they watched Dale Clearwater of Saskatchewan show this talented mare to the Open Four-year-old Championship.
Lisa and Evan Britz took home over $4,500 in winnings as well as a handcrafted Olson buckle and NCHA bronze.
Kenny Be Caught owned and shown by Teri Paridis was the Non Pro Four-year-old Super Stakes Champion. Teri’s horse Lookin At A Lena was also the Open High Five Champion earning over $2,000 and a Slate Champion plaque donated by Glaze Photography. Lookin At a Lena was the Reserve Champion in the 2006 Four-year-old Super Stakes in both the Open and Non Pro divisions.
Hicks First Player once again showed is great cutting ability to take home the Non Pro High Five Championship with owner Dr. Geoff Thomas aboard.
Even though the Open and Non Pro High Five class was open to the world the champions and reserve champions are all sired by nominated stallions and many are repeat winners of the four-year-old event.
Our show wrapped up with the rein and fence work for the Derby and Bridle classes. Veronica Swales was the champion of the Non Pro Derby Class and the Non Pro Bridle Class. Her Derby horse Leopard in the Myst is sired by the nominated stallion LL Playin Leopard.
The winners of the Four-year-old Super Stakes took home a beautiful handcrafted Olson buckle as well as an NCHA bronze. Reserve received Olson buckles and third to fifth took home spurs by Elliot Bit N Spur. All 10 finalists also received vests compliments of Willow Spring Ranch and Dennis Nolin.
K & K Livestock joined us Saturday with their beautiful display of tack. Barb Glazer of Glaze photography once again donated the unique granite plaques to the winners of the High Five class. Reserve High Five Champions took home leather engraved reins donated by Girletz Gear.
The working cow horse classes once again drew the biggest crowd. Champions received Super Stakes Olsen buckles and reserve champions received Super Stakes vests. Thanks to the ARCHA and PS Video for their donation to the working cow horse event.
Stallion awards were presented to the owners of the stallions who sired the 2006 Super Stakes champions. Smart Peppy Date, owned by the Willow Spring Ranch was the dual Champion sire of both the Open and Non Pro Four-year-old Champions. Carl and Julia Gerwien were presented a hand-crafted bit.
The 2007 Saddle Raffle was won by Brad Shaw. Thanks to all of you who bought saddle raffle tickets and Vic Bennet and K & K Livestock for their donation. Special thanks to Neil Stevenson, Gary Tresidder, Rick Hook, Bob and MaryLynn Zirnhelt, and Gerry Hansma for all your countless effort and dedication to the 2007 Super Stakes.
Thanks to all the cutting enthusiasts for bringing such exceptional horses to this year’s event.
The 2007 Super Stakes Champions are listed below. *=Total earnings.
Stallion Award Winners:
Open: SMART PEPPY DATE owned by the Willow Spring Ranch
Non Pro: CAUGHT ME LOOKIN owned by the Gerry & Sandy Hansma
Super Stakes Open 4-year-old:
Champion: SMART PRECIOUS DATE $4505.76* Owned by Evan & Lisa Britz, Ridden by Dale Clearwater
Reserve: KEEPEM LOOKIN $4437.82* Owned by Max & Corrine Tateson, Ridden by Cathy Anderson
Third: DFL SAN GOLD HOLLY $2327.60* Owned & Shown by Bob Zirnhelt
Super Stakes Non-Pro 4-year-old:
Champion: KENNY BE CAUGHT $4522.30* Owned & Shown by Teri Pardais
Reserve: DFL HICKADIXIE CHICK $2486.81* Owned & Shown by Bob Zirnhelt
Third: BSF SHORT EDITION $3099.65* Owned & Shown by Carl Gerwien
Super Stakes Open High Five:
Champion: LOOKIN AT A LENA $2059.20* Owned by Teri and Jim Pardais, Ridden by Gerry Hansma
Reserve: MTR PEPINICS BELLE $1643.20* Owned & Ridden by Clint Christianson
Third: ANGELS SMART DATE $1164.80 *Owned by Fred Millar Ridden by Cody Smith
Super Stakes Non-Pro High Five:
Champion: HICKS FIRST PLAYER $2503.20* Owned & Shown by Dr. Geoff Thomas
Reserve: LOOKIN AT A LENA $1831.20* Owned & Shown by Teri Pardais
Third: SAW ME COMIN $949.20* Owned & Shown by Jaime Steer
Open Working Cow Horse 4/5-year-old Derby:
Champion: STARLIT HOLLY $1470.58* Owned by Blair Visser, Shown by Cayley Wilson
Reserve: LISTOS SMOKIN GUN $1102.94* Owned by Ron Mathison, Ridden by Brad Pedersen
Non-Pro Working Cow Horse 4/5-year-old Derby:
Champion: LEOPARD IN THE MYST $1158.09* Owned & Shown by Veronica Swales
Reserve: SMART AND RICH* Owned & Shown by Bart Holowath
Open Bridle:
Champion: TEST THIS REMEDY $750.00* Owned by Jim Dobler, Shown by Les Timmons
Reserve: SMILIN PEPPYS HUSKER $500.00* Owned by Ray Chaplin, Shown by Cayley Wilson
Non-Pro Bridle:
Champion: WILL JAMES SMOKEY $1124.99* Owned & Shown by Veronica Swales
Reserve: PRECISION DEE $874.99* Owned & Shown by Bart Holowath
