Youth Champions at Reno

Reno, NV - September 26, 2004 - Sunday afternoon at the National Reined Cow Horse Association's Snaffle Bit Futurity, an impressive class of young riders showed the state of things to come. Near perfect performances by several young contestants showed that young people across the nation have a great interest in reined cow horses and are intent on perpetuating the Vaquero Bridle Horse tradition.

Katie Combs Wins Youth Limited

Katie Combs of Caldwell, Idaho rode her talented sorrel gelding Gotta Have Cash (Nu Cash X Nancy McLain) to an impressive score of 286 (143,143) to win the Youth Limited.

Katie, 17, a student at Vallivue High School in her hometown, had shown her mare Ethel for four years in reining events and she has several wins to her name. Her most recent win though, was on Gotta Have Cash “aka Cash” at the Nampa, Idaho Gold Fever last month. She won the Youth Reining.

Katie bought Gotta Have Cash from Annie Reynolds just two months ago. "He's really laid back, he does what you ask of him, "Katie said when asked about her horse. She plans "to continue to show him and to go down the fence next year. I really like NRCHA. Cash is so consistent when he's shown, I just went for it!"

The Youth Limited Championship awarded Katie a Skyline Gold and Silversmith Champion Buckle, sponsored by Jay Holmes, Legacy Front Splint Boots from Classic Equine, a Monogrammed Vest from Cinch, Inc. and Sundowner Trailers and a tub of Platinum Performance.

Gusti Buerger Wins Youth Bridle

A rising star in the National Reined Cow Horse Association is Gusti Buerger, 16, of Silt, Colorado. Gusti has been riding all of her life and has been showing since she was 12. Active in the Colorado Reined Cow Horse Association, she most recently won the Non Pro Spectacular and the Youth Bridle Class in Pueblo. She showed in the finals at the AQHYA World Show in the Working Cow Horse class, as well.

Her win on Sunday on Cute N Cashy (by Dox Bueno Dinero out of Certa Too) with a score of 291.5 was nothing short of impressive. Her fence work was as good as any, with a great first turn.

A big smile spread across Gusti's face as she told of her winning run. "It was very fun. I'm very happy with my horse. The rein work was good, but the cow work – it was great! I'd had a few problems on the fence, but she's improved a lot. She didn't think about hanging up at all. She turned good, went to the middle and circled good!"

Gusti continued, "I like my mare a lot, she's very honest. I've shown her very hard this year and she's stayed honest." Gusti is home schooled, and tries to ride every day. She works eight-year-old "Cute N" in the pasture most days, and feels the pasture exercise is a real help in keeping her fine brown mare fresh. "She loves to swim, so I swim her in our pond." Gusti will show for the rest of the year, finishing up with the NRCHA World Show in Stephenville. Cute N will then be retired and entered into the breeding program.

Buerger thanked Tim and Jennifer Unzicker for all their help with her horse, her mom and dad, Pam and Jim and her brothers, Cole and Clay for being so supportive. Last but not least, Gusti thanked Sherry Gilkerson for selling her Cute N and for “being so helpful”.

The win Sunday afternoon, rewarded Gusti with a Bob’s Custom Saddle sponsored by San Lucas Ranch Cow Classic, of Santa Ynez, California, a Skyline Gold and Silversmiths Champion Buckle given by Blackstone Tire, Rick and Susan Petty, of Fresno, California, Legacy Splint Boots from Classic Equine, a Monogrammed Vest from Cinch, Inc. and Sundowner Trailers, plus a tub of Platinum Performance.

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.