Open competition was fierce at the 2008 National Reined Cow Horse Association Stakes, held March 36-30 at the Idaho Horse Park in Nampa, Idaho, as the open preliminary competition began Wednesday with the herd work.

The draw sheet was a testament to the tough competition. The two most recent Snaffle Bit Futurity Champions, Oh Cay N Short and Smart Crackin Chic, were in attendance, along with NRCHA Derby Champion Docs Soula. Other top finishers of NRCHA premiere events also graced the Idaho Horse Park arena.

Half-way through the prelims, as the first draw in set five, Oh Cay N Short entered the arena ridden by his trainer, Boyd Rice, of Spearman, Texas. The duo already has had an impressive career, winning the prestigious 2007 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, and placing Reserve at the 2008 Circle Y Ranch Southwest Reined Cow Horse Association Derby. Rice, who also has a Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Championship to his credit, is a decorated NCHA competitor, with nearly $2 million in National Cutting Horse Association earnings. The herd work is his forte, so it was unsurprising that on the second cow, Rice dropped his hand, and when he did, Oh Cay N Short went to work.

The cheering from the appreciative audience gave its endorsement of the run and when the score was announced – a 228 – Rice took an impressive lead over the other 95 horses. Oh Cay N Short is owned by Kevin and Sydney Knight.

Topping the Intermediate Open division was Busy Lanta Lena, ridden by Clayton Edsall for owners Joe & Bobby Stone. He marked a 217 on Busy Lanta Lena, by Mylanta Lena and out of Always Busy.

Two horses tied for the Limited Open high score with a 213.  Pep N Peek, by Dual Pep and out of Peek A Boon, was ridden by Reed Aller, while Solena Cielo, by Gallo Del Cielo and out of Smart Solena, was ridden by Brad Lund. Mark Arns and Mike Wilson own Solena Cielo. Pep N Peek is owned by Calvary Chapel Christian School.

The preliminary competition concludes Friday, March 28, and decides who advances to the clean-slate finals Sunday, March 30.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, 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 that includes Wayne Hodges 4-Star Trailers and Outlaw Conversions, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, Gist Silversmiths, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel/Resort,  Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, 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.