Metallic Rey Mink and Bellenfant stole the show with a 226

Hall of Fame Rider Gary Bellenfant earned two championships, and a place in the history books with his victory on Metallic Rey Mink in the 2019 Great American Insurance NCHA Futurity presented by the North Texas Chevy Dealers on December 15 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Brandon Westfall, Weatherford, Tex., aboard I Reckon So, by Kit Kat Sugar, and Kristen Galyean, Claremore, Okla., showing Coureygous, by Dual Rey, tied with 222 points on Friday, Dec., 13, to become co-champions of the NCHA Non-Pro Futurity; each earned $52,672. Westfall also claimed the reserve championship and $37,726 with 218.5 points on Desires One And Only, by One Time Pepto.

The Brazos Bash is always known for big scores and epic runs from year to year. The arena makes for on edge circumstances which in turn equal some pretty impressive finals. It is hard to get to the finals because of the tough situation, but also it has to do with being in the heart of the cutting capital! This time of year should be impressive though, the four-year-old’s are confident, the three-year-old’s are coming into their own, and the five-six year old’s well, they are better than ever. We are steadily approaching the NCHA Futurity, but there are a few big shows left before the granddaddy of them all!

Working ninth in the 11-horse first set of the Metallic Cat NCHA Derby Non-Pro Finals, where 217 was the high score by four points, Nadine Payne and Blu Velvet, by Once In A Blue Boon, took control and served up a 221-point challenge. Langston Pattillo and Shesa Tuff Teaspoon, by Woody Be Tuff, came close with 220.5 points, deep in the second set, to earn the reserve championship, while Ty Moore and Scantly Clad, by Metallic Cat, placed third with 220 points.

Summer Time Fun, ridden by James Payne, and Caution Piping Hot, ridden by R.L. Chartier, both marked 226 to share the win in the Open finals of the NCHA Derby at the Metallic Cat Summer Cutting Spectacular on August 4.

Ali Good, Ringling, Okla., scored 218 points on Saturday, July 3, to win the NCHA Derby Non-Pro Limited aboard Sabrina Boon, by Boon A Little. Rebecca Sheehan, Weatherford, Tex., was reserve championship with 216.5 points on Counting Starz, by Smooth As A Cat, and Laura Bennett placed third with 214 points on Tictac Sugar, by Kit Kat Sugar. 

Pedro Ornelas, riding The Kwack Shack for Anderson Cattle Company, Victoria, Tex., scored 222 points on Wednesday to win the Derby Open Limited championship, of the Metallic Cat NCHA Summer Spectacular. Rodrigo Taboga was reserve champion with 220.5 points on Beau and Aslhey Galyean’s gelding The Dewd, and placed third with 218 points on Rocky Mountain Blues, owned by Selena Orchard Barbosa, Paso Robles, Calif.

Jacob Little, Carter, Okla., and Bridget Trenary, Memphis, Tenn., tied with 219 points as Amateur co-champions of the Rios of Mercedes Classic Challenge during the Metallic Cat NCHA Summer Spectacular. Little was riding Bet Hes Amazing, by Bet Hesa Cat, while Trenary was aboard Brenda Rreys, by Dual Rey. Taylor Worley, Newkirk, Okla., riding Blizkat, by Metallic Cat, and Amy Roberts, Canyon, Tex., aboard Timeless Metallic, by Metallic Cat, tied with a 217.5 points.

Makayla Cowan of Ardmore, Okla. marked 218 on Brinking Lights to lead the first round of the Holy Cow Performance Horses Senior Youth World Finals. She came into the World Finals tied for 11th place in the World Standings. She and Brinking Lights won the Senior Youth championship at The Non-Pro Cutting this year, and were champions of that show’s $15,000 Amateur class last year.

Lucchese Cogdell, Tulia, Tex., reserve champion of the 2019 Metallic Cat Classic Challenge Non-Pro Limited Finals on July 17, riding Yall Im Countin, showed McClintockk to earn 219 points, the high score on Monday, July 22, the third day of Classic Challenge Rios of Mercedes Amateur and McAlister Assets Amateur Unlimited go-round competition.