Spectators and judges at the National Reined Cow Horse Association’s annual Celebration of Champions couldn’t take their eyes off Lenas Buddy Nic at this year’s show, and it was for more reasons than his boldly-marked tobiano pattern. On February 19, exhibitor Jake Telford and Lenas Buddy Nic clinched the the Open Two Rein world championship with a composite 439 score. The Celebration took place February 12–20 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lenas Buddy Nic and Jake marked a 218 on the reined work and earned a 221 on the cow work, waving off their option for a new cow and opting instead to continue working their challenging draw. The option proved wise as the duo came out on top, earning $5,497.
Lenas Buddy Nic ridden by Jake A. Telford – 2016 Celebration of Champions (FINALS – Open Two Rein) from NRCHA Video on Vimeo.
A 2009 bay tobiano gelding, Lenas Buddy Nic is by Nic It In The Bud (QH) and out of Dual Lena; he is a new partner for Jake, who took over the ride just two months prior to the show for owner Judy Siebel of Bitterroot Springs Ranch of Stevensville, Montana.
“This horse had been with Shane Steffen as a 3-year-old and he obviously did a great job, and then Brandon Buttars is the one who put him in the bridle. He’s had a lot of good trainers, and I just wanted to be the good jockey and not screw it up,” Jake said in an NRCHA press release.
But Lenas Buddy Nic wasn’t the only Paint to take top honors at the Fort Worth event. At the inaugural Winter Premier Sale, which took place February 20 in conjunction with the Celebration of Champions, Two Smoking Barrels became the high-selling 2-year-old and the high-selling Paint, selling for $40,000 to Miguel Carazos. The 2014 sorrel solid stallion by Colonels Smokingun and out of Chic Olena Starbuck (QH) was bred and consigned by Turnabout Farm of Aubrey, Texas. For full sale results, visit winterpremiersale.com.
Complete results from the NRCHA Celebration of Champions can be found online.
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest equine breed association, registering more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories since it was founded. APHA creates and maintains programs that increase the value of American Paint Horses and enriches members’ experiences with their horses.