The first 2003 NRHA Derby Champions were crowned following the $5,000 added Limited Open, $15,000 added Non Pro and $7,500 added Intermediate Non Pro finals, which took place at the OKC State Fair Park on Friday.

 

Douglas Hewlett rode Megastar Kid to the podium with a score of 219.5 for owner Honey Lou Mc Connell of Walsenburg, CO.  Hewlett rode the six-year-old stallion by Brennas Kid, the 1989 NRHA Futurity Open Champion, and out of Miss Melody Jac, a full sister to the 1988 NRHA Futurity Open Champion Mr Melody Jac, to win the first prize pay check of $3,238.98.  Doug had already ridden this horse to the winner’s circle in the 2001 Limited Open Division of the NRBC but had to stop showing him for a year due to an injury.  Excited with his win, 37-year-old Doug was anxious to share this moment with wife Danie Ray Hewlett, an NRHA judge, who was late flying into Oklahoma City due to bad weather.  “Danie holds an important place in my life and in my training program,” said the Colorado based trainer who postponed the award’s photos until his wife could be with him.  Second place honors went to Hewlett’s friend Tyson Randle, also from Colorado, who scored a 217 aboard Samba At Sunset, owned by Tom Redmond’s Wolf Springs Ranches, Inc., Westcliffe, CO.  With the four-year-old mare, by past NRHA Futurity Champion, Boomernic and out of Jacs Last Valentine, 29-year-old Tyson won $1,968.10.  Tyson credits much of his success to Craig Schmersal, a friend and mentor.

 

The highly successful team of Joshua Hattig and Steadys Dude won the $15,000 added Non Pro Derby. The pair scored a 224 to win the class and a paycheck of $10,882.20.  Steadys Dude is a six-year-old stallion by Steady Tradition out of Bar Good Friday.  The pair were also the 2001 NRHA Derby Non Pro and NRBC Derby Non Pro Champions.  With lifetime earnings of over $82,000, Steadys Dude will retire to the breeding shed, standing at the Hattig’s in Loveland, CO. “We have truly been blessed with this horse,” said 27-year-old Josh who will wed his fiancé, Tania, this coming August. 

 

The Non Pro Reserve Champion, with a score of 221 was Mandy McCutcheon, NRHA’s Leading Lifetime Non Pro Money Earner, riding Dont Miss This (Missin James x Coronas Vogue).  The six-year-old mare’s NRHA lifetime earnings exceed $89,000. Dont Miss This will also be retired from competition.  “This truly is a great mare and I will be sorry when we retire her,” said Mandy. “It’s been so much fun showing her and showing against Josh, who tonight did a great job.”

 

The $7,500 added Intermediate Non Pro Derby was won by Rachel S. Eady, Sisters, OR, aboard Dunnit By Chex (Bueno Chexinic x Its Not All Dun) with a score of 218.5.  This horse and rider combination topped the Non Pro go round and took home a paycheck of $3,921.81 for their Intermediate Non Pro Derby win.  Second place honors, with scores of 216.5 and paychecks of $2,773.01, went to Andi Paul of Scottsdale, AZ, riding Dun With Caution (Hollywood Dun It x Cautious) and Zane Haverty Krum, TX, riding Who Whiz It (Topsail Whiz x Blonde At The Bar).

 

The Prime Time Non Pro Champion, Mike Simmons, rode his Lil Ruf Jac, a five-year-old stallion by Lil Ruf Peppy and out of Miss Jac Of Hearts.  Simmons, who rides with Steve Archer in the winter and with Tom McCutcheon in the spring, scored a 220 to win $1,100.29.

 

A full slate of NRHA ancillary classes are offered during the 2003 NRHA Derby.  The $2,000 Novice Horse Non Pro was won by Marc Wagman of Talala, OK, aboard Best Stop (Custom Crome x Rest Stop) with a score of 219.5 and a paycheck of $1,518.28.  Winner of the $200 added Limited Non Pro was Bethaney D. Locke of Idaho Falls, ID riding Ka Boom (Boomernic x Bejac Chex), an eight-year-old gelding. The pair scored a 218.5 and took home $137.28.

 

The National Reining Horse Association is the worldwide governing body of reining, responsible for promoting the sport, working to insure the highest standards of competition.  With corporate support from Cinch, Saddlesmith, Profile Nutrition, Horse & Rider magazine, Markel Insurance, Pfizer Animal Health, Quarter Horse News, Kiser Arena Specialists, State Line Tack, Houston Embryo Transfer Center, Classic Equine, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Cowboy Tack and John Vance Auto Group the NRHA continues to educate its members and the public about reining.