Jay McLaughlin

On Saturday, Feb. 4, the flashy palomino mare left the show pen for the last time. She bested the field, which included some of the most prolific equine athletes in the industry by 2.5 points with a 436 – winning $8,106, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a $50 gift card from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

For McLaughlin, Gainesville, Texas, the win proved what he and Rose had never doubted – the mare was born to be a champion. "She's freaky talented. She's been easy to train and show, she's just always had bad draws," he said, explaining how "Sushi," who now boasts over $60,000 in NRCHA earnings, didn't have a major title to her name.

He added that she was also injured after winning the Open Reserve Championship at the NRCHA Stakes in 2009, which resulted in a year off. "Now she does have a title, and she can retire and be a broodmare." He added, "I thank the whole Rose Ranch team, my wife, and my family for all the support. It is a team effort to win something like this."

Rose, who bred and raised Sushi, noted, "Jay is incredible. He is such a good trainer and an amazing showman. He's done a beautiful job."

Shiney Sushi is by Shining Spark out of Docs Sulena, which has proven to be a lucrative cross. Sushi is a full-sibling to standout stallions Shiners Lena Doc and A Shiner Named Sioux. "It's very interesting; last year, we only got two Shining Spark embryos, and they both came from Docs Sulena. They'll be full siblings to Sushi."

Justin Warneke and Heza Diamond Spark (Diamond J Star x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark), owned by Michael Garver, Great Falls, Mont., took Reserve honors in the Open Bridle with a score of 433.5. The win added $6,485 to the stallion's lifetime earnings, which exceed $70,000. He also took home a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Kevin and Sydney Knight, and custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a tooled notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

 Limited Open Hackamore

Chase Trahern

"She felt really good today. She drug a lead in the rein work, which made me a little nervous, but she was good everywhere else." He added, "She was super good in the cow work. I was really happy."

Trahern and Smart Little Laredo (Laredo Blue x Smart Little Spring x Smart Little Lena), a 5-year-old mare, are familiar with the large Spur Arena – during the 2011 NRCHA Celebration of Champions, the pair won the Circle Y Ranch Derby Intermediate Non-Pro Championship and Non-Pro Reserve Championship.

The 19-year-old, who works for NRCHA Million Dollar Rider Jake Telford, purchased Smart Little Laredo as a long yearling and has done all of the training. "I thank Jake Telford, my older brother Kyle, and Robbie Boyce – they've all helped me a lot with this mare," he said. "I plan to keep showing her until someone decides they would like to buy her."

Trahern won $3,112, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Ashley Taylor, an assistant trainer to Jay McLaughlin at Carol Rose Quarter Horses, piloted Shining Diamond Rose (Shining Spark x Squeak Toys Lady x Squeak Toy), owned by Kitty Boeddeker, Craig, Colo., to the Limited Open Hackamore Reserve World Championship. The pair, who first competed together at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in September of 2011, had a total score of 432.5.

The Reserve Championship was worth $2,594, and came with a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, a vest and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Open Hackamore

Lyn Anderson

"He's an amazing athlete," Anderson, Madera, Calif., said. Tuckers Smart Cat (WR This Cats Smart x Smoke Time Tuck x Doc Tom Tucker). "He's a little immature, which is typical of that mare's offspring – but they're all really athletic and cowy and good horses."

Anderson was riding Tuckers Smart Cat for David and Barbara Archer, and the win garnered $8,527, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a vest, a $50 gift card from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Archer purchased Tuckers Smart Cat as a yearling at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Sales in Reno, Nevada. Two years later, Anderson piloted him to the Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Finals. "He was a little immature, like I said, but two weeks before the futurity he hit a new level of maturity. This horse is probably the cowiest I have ever ridden."

Anderson added, "I thank David and Barbara Archer. They've not only been wonderful to me, they have been great supporters of the NRCHA. I also thank all of the great sponsors, the city of San Angelo and everyone who works to make this event what it is. I wouldn't have gotten the chance to meet all the different people I have if it weren't for this event."

Zane Davis and Reymanator (Dual Rey x Savannah Hickory x Doc’s Hickory) and Jeremy Meador and Smart Remedy Olena (Very Smart Remedy x Peppys T Bar x Dual Peppy) tied for the Open Hackamore Reserve World Championship. Each finished with a score of 438.5, and took home $6,117. Each will also receive a Gist Silversmiths buckle and they split the other prizes which include: custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, an ESP saddle pad, two vests and CR Morrison commemorative medallions.

Reymanator is owned by John Semanik of Jacksonville, Fla., while Smart Remedy Olena is owned by Meador of Star, Idaho.

Limited Open Bridle

Brandi Scheer

Who Could Be Smarter (Smart Chic Olena x Blue Docs Badger x Peppy San Badger) was purchased by owner Barbara Biddix barely six months ago from Don Murphy to be shown in the Non-Pro Limited. The 9-year-old gelding had been qualified for the NRCHA World Championship Show presented by John Deere by Adam Johnson. "His real purpose is to be Barbara's show horse, but I was lucky enough to get to show him," Scheer said. "This is actually only my third time to show him. He's gotten better all week."

Scheer took home $3,623, a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Scheer, who trains at McMahon Farms, noted, "I thank Don Murphy, Todd Crawford, and everyone in the NRCHA. Everyone is so welcoming and helpful, so everyone has something to do with this win," she said.

The day before the Limited Open Bridle finals, Roy Rich and Half Time Report claimed the Open Two-Rein World Championship.

In the Limited Open Bridle, Rich and Half Time Report also had a score of 434, but NRCHA rules dictate that in the case of a tie for the title, the exhibitor with the high cow work score wins. Regardless, the pair still had a large payday to the tune of $2,898. The Reserve Championship also garnered a Gist Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Smart Boons, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots from Rios of Mercedes, a tool notebook from Classic Equine, a vest sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

Barbara Hastings, Glendale, Calif., owns Half Time Report (A Chic In Time x Hustlin Tips x Eatin Out).

Open Two Rein

Roy Rich

In 2010, Roy Rich and Half Time Report won the NRCHA Limited Open Hackamore Reserve World Championship. Fast forward one year to Thursday, Feb. 2, where the pair took home top honors in the Open Two Rein.

"He was good and fun today. I tried to make everything as smooth as I could – that was my goal today. I just wanted to be smooth and let him do his thing," Rich said of his finals performance, where he and Half Time Report (A Chic In Time x Hustlin Tips x Eatin Out), owned by Barbara Hastings of Glendale, Calif., marked a 217.5 in the rein work and 222 in the cow work. "I just tried to stay out of his way, and it worked out."

Rich was presented with a Bob's Custom Saddle, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, Rios of Mercedes boots, a $50 gift certificate
from Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, a vest, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion. The loot was accompanied by a
check for $5,100.

"I thank my vet, Michael Sanders, who is great, as well as my horse shoers, Monty Nicolaites and Nelvin Reynolds," Rich, who trains at the Green Acres Ranch in Temecula, Calif., said. "Most of all, I thank Barbara Hastings. She's great and I really appreciate her believing in me.

Earning the Reserve Championship with a 437 was Jake Telford and Sheza Roo (Gallo Del Cielo x Sheza Shinette x Shining Spark), owned by Holy Cow Performance Horses. The Reserve Championship garnered a $4,080 payday, a Gist Silversmiths buckle, custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, Rios of Mercedes boots, a tool notebook, a vest and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

For complete results from the NRCHA Celebration of Champions event, click here.