Nelle Murphy and Tarin Rice Lead After Non Pro Herd Work

Reno, NV - September 21, 2004 - Nelle Murphy rode to the top of both the Non Pro and $50K Non Pro rankings in the first day of competition, Tuesday, at the National Reined Cow Horse Association Snaffle Bit Futurity. The Valley View, Texas rider scored 218 on Stylish Rey Gay, by Playin Stylish out of Tari Rey Gay.

Murphy, who worked in the second set, about 10 am, is a former Futurity Non Pro Reserve Champion, $50K Non Pro Futurity Champion and Amateur Champion who has also won the prestigious National Reining Horse Association Non Pro Futurity and owns multiple AQHA world titles. Unlike many competitors, she likes drawing up early. “It seems to work for me,” she said. “I was glad to just get in there and get it done!”

Nelle explained that the Snaffle Bit Futurity is the first-ever competition for her flashy sorrel stallion. Although it’s common to show Reno-bound horses in earlier, small futurities, Murphy has seldom done so in the past. “If I show one before the Snaffle Bit Futurity, I’ve always just shown them in reining,” she noted, “but I didn’t go anywhere with him before coming to Reno.”

Murphy bought “Archie” at the cutting futurity sale in Fort Worth last December. “All he’d done was cutting when we bought him but he just wanted to please so much that he was easy to train.” Despite his big stop and cowiness, “Archie” has a relaxed manner. “He’s as aggressive as you want him to be, but he’s extremely laid back.”

He’s also the first stallion Nelle has shown in Snaffle Bit Futurity competition and she hopes to keep him to continue showing. After the Snaffle Bit Futurity she’ll take him to the NRHA Futurity, then hopes to keep him for Derby events. “I’ve never had a derby horse. I’d like to show him and breed some of my mares to him.”

Murphy’s win of the Non Pro Herd Work earned her $1500 plus the Skyline Gold and Silversmith trophy buckle from Newt & Marcie White of Bayfield, Colorado. She added another $1000 for the $50K win.

Tarin Rice, of Spearman, Texas, rode Tumbleweed Peppy to a 218.5 marking in the Amateur division to dominate the field of 39 entries. By Tumbleweed Smith out of Nevas Peppy, the mare is owned by Tarin’s father, Boyd Rice, himself a former Open Finalist at the Snaffle Bit Futurity.

The action at the Reno Livestock Events Center continues on Wednesday morning at 8 am with the Non Pro Futurity Rein Work.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bayer Corporation, Bailey Hat Company, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, EQ Solutions, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold & Silversmiths, Sundowner Trailers, National Ropers Supply, Quarter Horse News & Western Horseman magazine, the Reno Hilton, Dan Gamel's RV Centers and Fleetwood RV's, horsecentral.com, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Rios of Mercedes and the Silver Legacy, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.