John Murphy

"He was a good boy," Murphy modestly said of his horse, Pepto Pepermint, after the awards ceremony. Murphy took home four Gist Silversmiths buckles, four monogrammed jackets from Circle Y Ranch and a $50 product gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies. He also won $5,652 total from the Championships alone. He also won $3,094 from the go-rounds, including the Amateur cow work high score. "He was pretty much the best he's ever been. He was solid, and he worked like he does at home," Murphy said of Pepto Pepermint.

Murphy and Pepto Pepermint, by Surely A Pepto and out of Haidas Pepermint, competed in 2011 at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity and were tied for the lead of the Amateur division going into the cow work. Unfortunately, a bad fence work took them out of contention. "We definitely had a screw-up. I watched a lot of people while I was there and got some videos of different people, like Boyd Rice, and when I came home, I worked to change his style and do an overhaul on him. It worked," he said.

Murphy's parents, Eugene and Maria Murphy, own Pepto Pepermint, and they were on-hand to cheer him on. "I thank my parents for all their support. I'm lucky that they help me do this and I get to go to the big shows," Murphy said. "I also thank Boyd Rice, Robbie Boyce, John Swales, Brad Peterson, the people I came with and everyone else who has helped me."

Rhoda Rein, Watkins, Colorado, marked the high cow work score for the Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro and Novice Non-Pro divisions with a 146. She was riding her horse, Dig My Peppy Steps, and won $975. Dig My Peppy Steps is by Diggers Rest and out of Pep In My Step.

Clovis, California, non-pro Tish Wilhite finished as the Non-Pro Reserve Champion with a 428 composite and collected $1,966. Wilhite was riding Smokin My Cash, by Smokums Prize and out of Cash My Lean. She received a Gist Silversmiths buckle, a monogrammed jacket from Circle Y Ranch and a $50 gift certificate from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies.

Lorna Neel, Millsap, Texas, took the Reserve title in the Intermediate Non-Pro and Novice Non-Pro divisions on Tex Me A Pepto. Neel and Tex Me A Pepto, by Zezes Pepto Cat and out of Texas Switch, marked a 422.5 to win $1,024 in the Intermediate Non-Pro and $341 in the Novice Non-Pro. She was also presented with two Gist Silversmiths buckles and two monogrammed jackets from Circle Y Ranch.

The Amateur Reserve Championship went to Carolyn Edson and Daphne Doo Right with a 408.5. Edson, Anacortes, Washington, took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle and a monogrammed jacket from Circle Y Ranch, as well as a check for $1,175. Daphne Doo Right is by Chex My Freckles out of Little Dolly Mac.

Eleise Blake and Jills A Little Blue Win NRCHA Circle Y Ranch Derby Non-Pro Limited Championship

Eleise Blake

The inaugural class debuted at the 2012 Circle Y Ranch Derby. Eleise Blake, Whitesboro, Texas, piloted her horse Jills A Little Blue to the championship with a 426.5 composite. Blake collected a check for $637, a Gist Silversmiths buckle and a monogrammed jacket from Circle Y Ranch.

Blake and Jills A Little Blue started the competition off strong, marking a 145 in the herd work. "I didn't think that we'd do that good!" Blake said. "I had wonderful herd help. Thank you to Jay McLaughlin, Winston Hansma, Robbie Boyce and Ronnie Ralls. Jay and Winston were holding herd and helped me pick the right cattle."

The next day, the pair marked a steady 139.5 in the rein work. Blake explained that she was just easing through the run because she has to make at least two more runs this weekend. "We're going to be showing in the World Championship Show in the two Non-Pro Limited classes," she said. "I was pleased with the rein work. She was easy to get around, and we were on a loose rein, which is a little new for us. Our lead changes, which gave us trouble the last time we showed, were great."

The pair finished up the Derby with a 142 in the cow work. "Today was OK. I wasn't as focused as I could have been. Pleased to get in there and not lose a cow, and we had one that was trying us!"

Blake, an accountant, owns her own business called Equine Services Unlimited. Her business boasts a full-service accounting staff and provides computer technical support and repair. She also works as a business consultant. She has worked with Carol Rose for more than 17 years. "I thank Carol for all her support because I wouldn't be showing without her," Blake, who has only been showing cow horses for three years, explained.

Jade Kruse, Oakley, Kansas, was the Non-Pro Limited Reserve Champion on her horse Nitro Lena Rey. Kruse and Nitro Lena Rey, by Nitro Dual Doc and out of Janie Jr Too, marked the high cow work score, a 148, and collected $91.

Jan. 28-29 Coverage: Rein Work and Herd Work

John Murphy and Pepto Pepermint Maintain Lead in Circle Y Ranch Derby Non-Pro

Taking the lead Saturday, Jan. 28, not only in the Non-Pro, but also the Intermediate Non-Pro, Novice Non-Pro and Amateur divisions, was John Murphy and Pepto Pepermint. Murphy, of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, and Pepto Pepermint marked a 145. All total, Murphy collected $1,311 for the herd work high scores.

Murphy and Pepto Pepermint, by Surely A Pepto and out of Haidas Pepermint, finished in the Amateur top 10 at the 2011 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

After the second leg of competition on Sunday. Jan. 29, the pair followed their 145 herd work score with a solid 143 in the rein work for a 288 total. Their 228 composite score maintained the lead in the Non-Pro, Intermediate Non-Pro, Novice Non-Pro and Amateur divisions. Murphy’s and Pepto Pepermint’s 143 rein work score was the high score of the Novice Non-Pro and Amateur divisions, tied for the high score of the Intermediate Non-Pro with Tammy Jo Hays and Shiney Bay Hiney, and tied for the second high score of the Non-Pro. All total, Murphy collected $856 in the rein work competition.

Tammy Jo Hays and Shiney Bay Hiney, by Shining Spark and out of Quixote Lena Peppy, won $234 for their performance.

Karey Franz and High Skippin Cat Top Circle Y Derby Non-Pro Rein Work

Karey Franz

Eleise Blake and Jills A Little Blue Leads Non-Pro Limited

The newest addition to the limited-age event division lineup is the Non-Pro Limited, in which the entries compete in the herd and rein work, but instead of going "down the fence" in the cow work, perform only the boxing.

Marking the high score of the Non-Pro Limited was Eleise Blake of Gainesville, Texas. Blake was riding Jills A Little Blue, by Mecom Blue out of Jills CD, and marked a 145. The Non-Pro Limited herd work high score came with a check for $91. The pair continued to hold their lead in the Non-Pro Limited competition by marking a 139.5 in the Jan. 29 rein work competition. That was the high score in the class and brought a check for $91.