The NCHA Derby Non Pro finals weren’t over until the final buzzer sounded, that’s because teen-age cutter Kelly Earnheart drew last, and riding Justa Swinging Jane, she turned that last place draw into a championship check. In fact, even when the buzzer sounded, Justa Swinging Peppy wasn’t ready to quit that cow!
Kelle and Justa Swinging Peppy cut three cows to earn the top score of 224, a point above Greg Coalson. Coalson, riding Que Janapep had scored 223 at the start of the 2nd bunch of cattle.
Kelle and Justa Swinging Jane, which is owned by Kelle’s parents, Pat and Teresa Earnheart made their debut at the NCHA Futurity, Kelle’s first time to show in aged events. Not only did the pair make the finals in the non-pro, they also earned Reserve Champion in the Limited Non Pro class. Kelle then attended the Augusta Futurity where she won the first go-round of the Augusta Non Pro Futurity, and afterwards, traveled to the Memphis Futurity where the tough young competitor pocketed the non-pro champion title. Back in Fort Worth at the Super Stakes Limited Non Pro competition last May, Kelle added that championship as well to her growing number of titles.
Because of all of her outstanding achievements, Kelle, who is from Hernando, Mississippi, has already graced the cover of the National Cutting Horse Association trade magazine, The Cutting Horse Chatter several times. In addition to her aged event championships, she has also won the title 1998 and 1999 NCHA Junior Youth World Championship.
Kelle and Justa Swinging Jane, who is by Justa Swinging Peppy and out of SR Hasty Jane, a Docs Hickory mare pocketed a check for $11,492 for their work. In addition, Kelle took home a Gist trophy champion buckle, a Cowboy Tack Handwoven blanket, a Stetson Hat Certificate and a Jim Reno Limited Bronze.
Coalson, who owns Que Janapep won the reserve championship check of $11,159, Cowboy Tack stirrups and the Gist reserve championship buckle.
A total of 151 nonprofessional competitors showed in the first go-round of the non-professional derby. Following the 2nd Go round and the semi-finals, 24 non-pros earned spots in the non-professional finals to vie for a part of the $227,400 purse.
The NCHA Derby offered a total purse of $636,650 for its 4 divisions - the open, non-professional, Amateur and $50,000 limited non-pro. The Summer Cutting Spectacular, a combination of the 4-year-old Derby and the 5 &6-year-old Classic/Challenge offered a total purse of over $1,200,000. The event, which began July 13, lasted for 18 days.
The next major aged event scheduled for Fort Worth will be the NCHA Futurity, which will begin the end of November. The event will feature 3-year-old horses. For more information on the NCHA and The Summer Spectacular, call (817) 244-6188 or visit the NCHA website at www.nchacutting.com.