AQHA
Dont Look Twice and Phil Rapp Win Open Mercuria
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- Created on Monday, 03 September 2012
- Written by Kelsey Pecsek
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Last year, “Lipstick” (High Brow Cat x Tapt Twice x Dual Rey) and Rapp, Weatherford, Texas, rocked Idaho when they set an Open world record with a 234. When the horse-and-rider duo prepared for the Open Mercuria finals this year, they were up against some of the greatest horses in the business right now.
The roster read like a “Who’s Who” in cutting, with horses like Hottish, Kit Kat Sugar and Auspicious Cat set to compete in the 8-horse finals. It certainly made for an exciting Calcutta before the finals began. Between the Open and Non-Pro, the pot totaled $13,400.
From a third draw, Dont Look Twice, owned by Waco Bend Ranch, busted out her crowd- and judge-pleasing moves. When the score posted, it was a 229 worth a $10,307 Champion’s purse. Tough cows held the competition back until Morgan Cromer walked to the herd aboard Cats Full Moon.
Brinkman Ranch’s horse (High Brow Cat x Darlin Dually x Dual Pep) took Cromer on a ride to remember that had spectators roaring. The judges marked the duo a 226, which held strong for the Reserve title, worth $8,130.
Non-Pro
Dufurrena, Gainesville, Texas, owns the mare (Dual Rey x Huggs Olena x Smart Chic Olena), who has helped keep him hovering near the top of the NCHA Non-Pro world standings.
“It’s awesome,” Dufurrena said. “I’m very blessed. We’ve had a great year.”
Earlier in the year, the duo won a Mercuria in Houston, Texas, but admittedly had a rough summer, slowing down in the heat. With their win in Idaho, a $9,424 paycheck proves they’re back on their game.
A first-draw 222 earned Mylanta Lano (Mylanta Lena x War Lano Missy x Doc’s Solano) and Ray Baldwin the Reserve Championship, worth $7,468.
