Dana Mandala Tops Non Pro Limited Class

Reno, NV - September 24, 2004 - Doug Koontz, of Buhl, Idaho, rode Young Widower (Young Gun X Docs Widow Wilson) to a composite score of 651 (213.5, 217.5, 220) in the Non Pro Preliminaries.

That accomplishment topped the Non Pro Preliminaries, plus the $50K Non Pro Preliminaries and earned him a spot in both finals, slated to begin on Thursday, September 30 at 8 am.

Koontz also earned the Futurity Amateur Championship, a Bob’s Custom Saddle donated by Carolyn Edson, a Skyline Gold & Silversmiths buckle sponsored by Fairlea Ranch and a check for $6,850.

To top off the day, his 220 cow work score was the high score of the day, earning the cow work preliminary championship Gold Buckle sponsored by Gary Politte and 7 Oaks Ranch. The cow work wins for both the Non Pro and the $50K divisions were worth $1,500 and $1,000, respectively.

Wednesday evening, Dana Mandala won the Non Pro Limited Championship at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Horse show on Brother White (Smart Little Lena X White On Right).

Mandala, of Temecula, California, knew Brother White was the horse she wanted, several years before she had the opportunity to purchase him.

Brother White had won several titles, including an AQHA World Championship, under the guidance of B.J. and Bob Avila. When the horse came up for sale, Dana wanted him. “He’s my super star, my pet, my buddy. There is just not enough ways to praise him” Dana said of her winning mount.

Brother White, who Dana calls “Preacher”, is an 8-year-old sorrel gelding. He was shown several times this year, placing fourth in the Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Stakes, tying for third at the NRCHA World’s Greatest and winning the Bridle Spectacular at the NRCHA Derby.

It was after the Derby win that Dana rewarded Preacher by turning him out to pasture for eight weeks. “He loved being out with my 28-year-old mare and just taking it easy”.

The time-out kept him fresh, and his 291 (145, 146) clinched the Non Pro Limited Championship at the Reno Livestock Events Center.

Dana said of her run, “I felt I had a good run. I was comfortable with it. Getting Preacher legged up for the show was hard, but I knew he would take care of me. I am in debt to him for a lifetime”.

Dana was rewarded with a Skyline Gold and Silversmith buckle sponsored by NMSU Truckin Chex/Craig Reay and Kevin Stallings and a check for $637.50.

The action at the Reno Livestock Events Center continues on Friday morning at 8 am with the beginning of the open competition.

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.