The Derby Open finals rounded out the Open competition at the 2019 Abilene Spectacular! Wes Ashlock and Smart Sugar Kitty (Kit Kat Sugar x Dual Smart Kitty), owned by Buck Creek Quarter Horses, marked a 221.5 in the second set of the finals to claim the Championship!
Wes has already had a memorable past few months with successes in the show pen, the sale arena, and on a personal level. This win started the new year off with a bang for him and his family to keeping the pace going and giving confidence heading into the new show season! “Kat” as she is affectionately called is a barn favorite for the Ashlock’s and a sweetheart to be around. She has been a kind mare to train and a very smart throughout the time they have had her. Hunter Meinzer trained the special mare as a two-year-old and Wes got her a few months into her three-year-old year. He is visibly confident on Kat and shows her as if she is an older show horse! They made the semifinals at the NCHA Futurity but had a little tough luck keeping them out of the finals. It seems as though their luck is changing and we are sure to see a lot more from this duo as the year progresses! They received a $17,000 check for the win along with the $10,000 Stallion Bonus bringing their total to $27,000!
Wes Ashlock and Smart Sugar Kitty
Watch the winning run here:
Reserve Champion was Michael Cooper riding The Red Mamba (High Brow Cat x BR Tommy Girl), owned by the Rose Valley Ranch. They marked a 221 to claim not only the Reserve Championship but also the Novice Division Championship and the Gelding Division Championship. “Kenny” was sharp in a tough set of cows showing us all what he is capable of! They collected a $15,000 check for the Reserve Championship along with $1,695.49 for the Gelding Division and $3,288.21 for the Novice Division Championships.
Michael Cooper and The Red Mamba
Third Place was Lloyd Cox marking a 219 aboard Reycan In The Cash (Dual Rey x Cancan Kitty), owned by Pat and Lisa Taylor. “Donald” has quite the personality and comes from an already very standout family! They took home a $13,000 check to go along with their title.
Lloyd Cox and Reycan In The Cash
See Highlights from the Open 4YO Derby Finals below:
The Abilene Stallion Incentive Champion was Neat Lil Time (Neat Little Cat x One Miracle Ata Time) ridden by Tom McTagart and owned by Ray Brazzel. They received a hefty $11,583.35 check for their win!
Neat Lil Time and Tom McTagartt (Photo by BX Photo)
The Senior Division Champion was Gary Bellenfant riding Big Short Stuff (Mecom Bay Roan x Little Short Stuff), owned by Wichita Ranch, taking home a $1,130.32 check.
The Limited Division Champion was Justin Chalmers riding Tanquereynstilettos (Dual Rey x Miss Peptontilettos), owned by Rob and Jackie Davison. They claimed a $1,695.49 check for the win!
The Abilene Spectacular with finish up with the Amateur and Non-Pro competition over the next couple of days. Congratulations to all of the finalists and Champions thus far, it has been a great start to the New Year!
.
