NCHA News

With a bubble of 424 points established on Tuesday, the first of two days of Non-Pro second go-round competition, Wednesday promises plenty of action. Megan Miller, Kylie Rice, and Brandon Westfall, tied on Tuesday with cumulative high scores of 437.5 points. Rice’s horse, Jae Zee, by Boon Too Suen, had also qualified for the Open Semi-Finals under Tim Smith, for her breeders Kevin and Sydney Knight, Kylie’s parents.

Brandon Westfall, who showed I Reckon So, by Kit Kat Sugar, on Tuesday, also qualified for the Open Semi-Finals with 440 points, the second-highest cumulative score, riding Desires One And Only, by One Time Pepto. Both I Reckon So and Desires One And Only are owned and were bred by Brandon’s parents, Russ and Janet Westfall. Russ Westfall was also a top Open qualifier, with 438.5 points on homebred Sugarlesss, by Kit Kat Sugar.

The NCHA earner of $487,186, Brandon Westfall showed Ringo LTE $53,803, by Kit Kat Sugar, to place as both an Open and Open Limited Finalist in the 2018 NCHA Futurity, as well as The Bluez Feather, by the Bluez Man, in the Non-Pro Finals.

Kylie Knight Rice is the NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame earner of $531,658 and has competed five times in NCHA Futurity Finals, including her first year, as a 2011 Amateur finalist, when she qualified with two horses. Jae Zee, her mount this year, is a half-sister, out of Eazee E LTE $211,145, to 2018 NCHA Futurity Open Champion Crey Zee LTE $300,801, shown by Kylie’s husband, Tatum Rice, who is a top Open Semi-Finalist on Sly Criminal, sired by Metallic Cat and owned by Barwick/Knight, Weatherford, Tex.

In addition to tying with the top cumulative score, Megan Miller also posted Tuesday’s high of 221 points riding Hit Tha Flo, by Dual Smart Rey. Miller has been an NCHA Futurity Non-Pro finalist four times, including in 2017, when she placed sixth aboard Hey Boo Boo, by Dual Smart Rey. 

The NCHA Non-Pro Hall of Fame earner of over $1.2 million, Miller has also won the NCHA Non-Pro Super Stakes twice, most recently in 2018 with homebred Carolena Reyn LTE $245,119, by Dual Smart Rey.

While Megan Miller and Hit Tha Flo marked 221 points, Tuesday’s high score, Sheridan Clark, Stephenville, Tex., was also impressive with 220 points aboard Shorty Katz, by High Brow Cat. The NCHA earner of $271,453, Clark won the 2013 NCHA Futurity Non-Pro Limited championship riding Meradas Puddy Cat LTE $115,631, who she also showed to win the 2014 NCHA Derby Non-Pro Limited and the 2015 NCHA Super Stakes Classic Non-Pro Limited. In 2015, Clark was a Non-Pro Limited finalist showing two horses, including fourth-placed Shaken Not Stirrred. 

The NCHA Futurity Non-Pro second go-round continues through Wednesday, Dec. 4, and is immediately followed by the Limited Open Finals. Thursday, Dec. 5, marks the beginning of the Amateur, Amateur Limited go-rounds, followed by the continuing Open and Non-Pro World Finals competition in Watt Arena. The 7 Ranch World Finals restricted classes begin on Wednesday. to read more from Sally Harrison visit sallyharrison.com