Tom Neel and Zezes Pepto Cat Win 2008 NRCHA Open Hackamore World Championship

Tom Neel and Zezes Pepto Cat earned the National Reined Cow Horse Association Open Hackamore World Championship with a score of 442.5. The NRCHA World Championship Show, presented by John Deere, is part of the Fort Dodge Animal Health NRCHA Celebration of Champions, which is held at the 1st Community Federal Credit Union Spur Arena in San Angelo, Texas.

Although Neel was pleased with his horse's performance, he candidly admitted that there were areas to improve. "We were good in the reining, but it wasn't spectacular. I just wanted a good solid run," he said. "Our first cow took a lot of air out of him, but luckily it took a while to get that cow out of the pen. The second cow was really good." Zezes Pepto Cat is by Zeze Gunsmoke and out of Boons Cat, and is owned by the JR Partnership.

Along with the bragging rights of winning the title, the Open Hackamore Championship came with $8,568, a Bob's Custom Saddle sponsored by Jackson Land and Cattle, a Gist custom buckle sponsored by Knight Haulers, a pair of stock boots from Rios of Mercedes, a commemorative World Championship vest from Gist Silversmiths, a CR Morrison trophy and a CR Morrison commemorative medallion.

The Open Hackamore World Championship finals was Zezes Pepto Cat's last show in the hackamore. Neel plans to begin showing the talented stallion in the Open Two Rein before moving into bridle competition.

Jake Telford on Spark N Loulena and Ron Emmons on Misters Brown Sugar, tied for the Open Hackamore Reserve Championship with scores of 441. Spark N Loulena, by Shining Spark and out of Mary Lou Lena, is owned by Floyd Miller and Newt White, while Misters Brown Sugar is by Mister Dual Pep and out of Plain Cute Sugar, and owned by Douglas and Cynthia Granade. Both Reserve titlists earned checks for $5,967, commemorative World Championship vests from Gist Silversmiths, and CR Morrison commemorative medallions. The Reserve Champions split prizes of a Gist custom buckle sponsored by Knight Haulers, a set of custom spurs from Tom Balding Bits & Spurs, a pair of Rios of Mercedes stock boots, an ESP saddle pad from Classic Equine, and a Martin Saddlery tooled breast collar from Classic Equine.

**A complete list of results can be found at www.nrcha.com.