FORT WORTH YOUTH WINS BY A LANDSLIDE
Susan Welch has no fear when it comes to cutting. In fact, ice water runs in her veins, and cutting finesse fills her boots. The petite teen-ager proved it at the Senior finals, scooping the other 25 competitors vying for the championship of the John Roberts and Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Cutting.
Susan, riding Flashin Some Cash owned by Joe Howard Williamson, drew 4th in the 2nd bunch of senior youth cattle. Prior to her run, past youth world champion, Kelle Earnheart, and her gelding, Peppys Bo Didley drawing 9th in the first bunch of 13 set the pace by scoring 222. Right behind her, Nikki Sokol riding Lucky bottom Roy stepped up the heat with a score of 222.5.
Undaunted by the earlier scores, Welch who lives in Fort Worth, put the peddle to the meddle and roared away with a rousing score of 226. She and Flashin Some Cash, cut 3 cows, and like a pendulum swings, the pair then performed a magnificent run, holding the cows in a nose-to-nose precision-oriented dance.
As the champion, Susan collected a gift certificate for a pair of Tony Lama boots, a Gist Champion trophy buckle sponsored by Allsups Convenience Stores, $2,000 scholarship, a gift certificate for a Stetson hat and an Leddy’s saddle sponsored by Horsemen for Christ.
Neither could any of the remaining 13 cutters top Sokol’s score of 222.5, giving her the title of reserve champion. Sokol won a gift certificate for a pair of Tony Lama boots, a Gist belt buckle sponsored by Gist Silversmiths and a $1750.00 scholarship. Those placing 3rd through 10th earned scholarships ranging from $500-1500, as well as certificates for Tony Lama boots and Gist buckles donated by John Roberts and Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund. Finalists 11-26 won Tony Lama Saddle Pads and Gist buckles also donated by John Roberts and Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Senior youth cutting was a part of the John Roberts and Cole McGee Memorial Scholarship Cutting and Convention held during the 18-day NCHA Summer Spectacular. The Summer Spectacular, now under way at the Fort Worth Will Rogers Coliseum, will continue through July 30. Daily go-rounds are free beginning each morning at 8:00 a.m.
Other divisions still to compete during the Summer Spectacular include the 5 & 6-year-old non-pro and amateur competition, the 4-year-old open, non-pro and amateur competition, the Sooner Trailer/NCHA Day Workoff, and the Sponsors Cutting. The ticketed finals performances on July 29 and July 30 are only $5.00 for general admission and $8.00 for reserved seating.
For more information on the NCHA and The Summer Spectacular, call (817) 244-6188 or visit the NCHA website at www.nchacutting.com.
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