The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) crowned the first ever World’s Greatest Non Pro title during the MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Hackamore Classic presented by Oswood Stallion Station.
Debbie Crafton of Ordway, Colorado, rode Hesa Wee Bet to win the inaugural title and took home the winning check of $12,068. The 2017 gelding (Bet Hesa Cat x Wee Quejana Gal) also carried Crafton to the 2022 NRCHA Western Derby title.
“This one is special. From the minute I stepped on him, I knew I loved him. He has carried to me to a lot of accomplishments in the last year,” Crafton said. “For him to truly be a two rein horse and step to this magnitude is so incredible and so special. It is just a true testament to what kind of mind and athlete he truly is and a partner in the show pen.”
The first annual World’s Greatest Non Pro event took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma Tuesday, July 25 through Saturday, July 29 with 21 competitors competing through the prelims of the herd work, reined work, cow work, and steer stopping. From the prelims the top 7 riders advanced to the cow work only finals.
After starting out the prelims with a 213.5 in the herd work, Crafton quickly climbed the standings after marking a 219 in the reined work, a 223 in the steer stopping, and a 220.5 on the cow. Crafton came into Saturday night’s finals sitting second in the standings with a composite score of 876.5 (H:213.5/R:219/C:221/S:223) and marked a 219.5 in the cow work only finals for a total of 1,096.
For the latest information on the NRCHA or upcoming event, please visit nrcha.com.
About the National Reined Cow Horse Association
Based in Pilot Point, Texas, the National Reined Cow Horse Association was formed in 1949 in California, with the goal of preserving and educating the public about the rich history of this traditional horsemanship. The NRCHA is responsible for promoting the sport and ensuring high standards of competition and continuing to work to keep the Vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. The NRCHA also supports numerous affiliate clubs across the United States, Europe and abroad. These groups serve as the association’s backbone, holding many NRCHA-sanctioned competitions and events each year. For more information on these events and reined cow horse, visit nrcha.com.
National Reined Cow Horse Association
Callie McCarthy-Boevers
Director of Media & Communications
callie@nrcha.com