Carol Roberts Tops Non Pro Herd Work Preliminaries on Ill Be A Super Star

The 2009 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes in Nampa, Idaho began with the Non Pro, Intermediate Non Pro, and Amateur divisions. The elite event is open only to foals of NRCHA Subscribed Stallions, and is held March 25-29 at the Idaho Horse Park.

Among a field featuring a former Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion and two other NRCHA Premier Event Champions, Carol Roberts, of Ojai, California, rode her horse Ill Be A Super Star to mark the preliminary herd work high score with a 217 on Wednesday.

Roberts and the 5-year-old mare, by Ill Be Smart and out of Gay Starlight, bested the rest of the competition by five points!

And while the preliminary herd work can help Roberts secure a Non Pro and Intermediate Non Pro Finals berth - it also puts 18-year-old Samantha Etsell that much closer to winning the Amateur Derby Championship, which is decided in the preliminary competition.

Etsell rode her 5-year-old gelding, Dulces All That Jazz, by Dulces Smart Lena and out of Starlight And Jazz, to a score of 204. Closely behind Etsell was Heather Livingston on her horse, Allthatglittersisme, who marked a 202. Allthatglittersisme is by Yellow Roan Of Texas and out of Mistys Remedy.

The Stallion Stakes will conclude with the clean-slate finals on Sunday, March 29. The National Reined Cow Horse Association, celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2009, is 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, 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.